An Anthology of Ancient Mesopotamian Texts

When the Gods were Human

Sabine Franke

• Publisher: Pen & Sword Archaeology
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9781473834347
• eBook ISBN: 9781473847743
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Ancient & Classical Literary Collections
• Index: Literature

Learn about the ancient civilizations of Iraq and Syria, through the stories they told.
 
This book gathers the best stories of ancient Near Eastern literature surrounding the Mesopotamian gods, men, and kings. It takes the reader on a journey back to the birth of literature in Mesopotamia—which at the same time seems so distant yet so familiar.
 
Fairy tales, myths, and epics of this region are still able to entertain readers today—and allow us to delve into the fascinating life of this ancient civilization. This book includes fables such as that of the tooth worm, which causes tooth pain, as well as the great myth of Innanas, which describes the goddess Ishtar's transition to the underworld. There are also stories of daily life, such as that of a student, and the Sumerian incantations against a crying baby.

When the Gods were Human:
The Ancient Near Eastern Tale of the Deluge

Rosel Pientka-Hinz

(The world order of the gods: early years)

When the gods were human they carried the hardship, they hefted the hamper.

The hamper of the gods was large, the hardship great, excessive were the tribulations.

The great Anunnaku let the Igigu bear the hardship sevenfold.

Anu, their father, was king; their advisor was the hero Enlil. Their throne-bearer was Ninurta, their inspector of the canals Ennugi. They clasped the bottle (for casting lots) by its ‘cheek’, cast the lot whereupon the gods apportioned [the spheres of influence]:

Anu ascended to the sky, Enlil took the earth for his subjects.

The bolts and the meshes of the sea were placed before the far-seeing Enki.

Those of Anum ascended to the sky, those of the (groundwater) Apsu descended forever.

Idle were those of the sky, they let the Igigu bear the hardship.

The gods began to dig rivers – the streams of the gods, life for the land.

The Igigu began to dig rivers – the streams of the gods, life for the land.

The gods dug the river Tigris and then the Euphrates.

They opened springs in the depths of the groundwater, wells … they founded.

… (the groundwater) Apsu, … of the land.

… amidst it, they elevated its tips.

They heaped up the mountains, the years of the conscription to labour they counted.

They set up the great swamp, the years of the conscription to labour they counted.

(The rebellion of the Igigu)

For 2,500 years in excess the gods bore the hardship day and night.

(Then) they sat down and began to berate (each other); [they] muttered in the pits:

‘Come, we will apply to the throne-bearer so that he takes away our great hardship from us!

The god, the advisor of the gods, the hero – come, we will lift (him) from his seat!

Enlil, the advisor of the gods, the hero, come, we will lift (him) from his seat!’

We opened his mouth and spoke to the gods, his brothers:

‘Let us beat the throne-bearer of old times; … will appoint Enlil! … another he will appoint, … before us….’

(We incite the gods further)

‘The advisor of the gods, the hero – come, we will lift (him) from his seat!

Enlil, the advisor of the gods, the hero – come, we will lift (him) from his seat!

Now call out for the fight, we will stage a battle!’

The gods listened at his behest, they put fire to their tools,

They set fire to their shovels, put their hampers to the torch.

They clasped each other when they approached the gate of the sanctuary of the hero Enlil.

It was night at half-watch, the house was surrounded, the god does not know [it].

It was night at half-watch, the Ekur was surrounded, Enlil does not know [it].

Yet then Kalkal took note (and) let all be locked, he seized the bolt, checked the gate.

Then Kalkal awakened Nusku, they heard the clamour of the Igigu.

And Nusku awakened his master, let him rise from the sleeping berth:

‘My lord, surrounded is your house, the fight is fast approaching your gate.

Enlil, surrounded is your house, the fight is fast approaching your gate.’

(Thereupon) Enlil let weapons be brought into his apartment.

Enlil opened his mouth and spoke to the vizier Nusku: ‘Nusku, bolt your gate, take your weapons (and) step before me!’

Nusku bolted his gate, took his weapons, stepped before Enlil.

Nusku opened his mouth and spoke to the hero Enlil: ‘My lord, (pale as) a tamarisk is your face; these are (nevertheless) your own children, why have you become (so) alarmed?

Send (someone) to bring down Anu and (also) Enki shall be fetched for you!’

He sent (someone), Anu was brought down, and Enki was fetched for him.

There he sat, Anu, the celestial king; the king of the (groundwater) Apsu, Enki, remained in one position.

The great Anunnaku were present, Enlil rose and the case was presented.

Enlil opened his mouth and spoke to the great gods:

‘Have they really risen against me? Do I have to commence battle with my own children?...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Preface
• When the Gods were Human: The Ancient Near Eastern Tale of the Deluge
• The Tooth Worm
• Letter of Request to a God
• Lullaby
• The Master and his Servant
• The Revenge of the Poor Man of Nippur
• The Tale of Etana
• Invitation to the Dead for a Feast: Ishtar’s Descent to the World of the Dead and Dumuzi’s Return to the World of the Living
• The Ishtar Hymn of Ammiditana
• Enheduana Sings Against the Imminent Destruction. A Sumerian Song for a Dangerous Ritual by the Earliest Female Author of World Literature
• King Utuhengal Expels the Gutians
• Gilgamesh and Akka
• Birth and Rise of King Sargon
• A Dialogue About the Indifference of the Gods: the Babylonian Theodicy
• From the Life of a Student
• Bibliography
• Glossary
• The authors