Sumerian Mythology

Sumerian Mythology is the oldest recorded mythology in the world. Several stories in later mythologies, such as the Babylonian, Assysrian, Hittite, Hurrian, Semite, Greek, Roman, and even Indian mythologies, actually are copies of Sumerian tales. In more than one way therefore, Sumerian Mythology can be looked upon as the 'original' mythology, the mother of most Indo-European and Semite mythologies.

a) creation story of Earth: Earth originally was not part of our solar system. It was created when a foreign celestial body, called Marduk, entered our solar system and collided with Tiamat, a planet that used to be in between Mars and Jupiter. Part of Tiamat became the asteroid belt, the rest became Earth. See Tiamat and Marduk for more information.

b) creation story of Mankind: Mankind was created by the gods, who were alien travellers, who needed servants and workers for their mines. Mankind was created through genetic engineering processes in which the gods combinedsome of their DNA with the DNA of Earth primates. The gods in charge of this procedure were Enki and Ninhursag, and acted with approval of Anu and Enlil. See Anu, Enlil, and Enki for more information.

c) Sumerian Gods: - a short overview

An or Anu, God of the Heavens, leading Sumerian deity from Fourth Millennium B.C. until the city of Erech began to lose its power (c. 2500 B.C.).

Enki, Lord of Water and Wisdom: Enki emits streams from his shoulders; he is the god who gave rulers their intelligence and who provided craftsmen with their skills.

Enlil, God of Air and Storms, son of Anu and Ki: Enlil is credited with separating the heavens from earth and, therefore, described as the "father of the gods," "king of the universe," "king of all lands." For about a thousand years after 2500 B.C., Enlil is supreme ruler of Sumerian pantheon of gods and guardian of the city of Nippur; he is credited with raising up the "seed of the land" and with bringing "whatever is needful" into existence. Enlil is said to have been responsible for the me, a set of universal laws governing all existence.

Ereshkigal, Goddess of Darkness, Gloom, and Death, sister of Inanna and Utu. Daughter of Nannar, granddaughter of Enlil.

Inanna, Goddess of Love and War: Inanna stands beside her insignia, gateposts hung with streamers, and is present whenever life is conceived through love or ended in battle. Twin sister of Utu, sister of Ereshkigal; daughter of Nannar.

Ki, Goddess of the Earth.

Nammu, Goddess of the Primeval Sea, "the mother who gave birth to heaven and earth."

Ninhursag, Mother Earth, the source of all life: from Ninhursag came the birth of the planets; she is usually seen wearing a leafy crown and holding a branch to indicate fertility.

Utu, sun god who lights the world with rays issuing from his shoulders: Utu was alsothe god of justice and carved out justice with the many-toothed saw he carried with him. Twin brother of Inanna, brother of Ereshkigal, son of Nannar.