The Birth of the Great Gods and Goddesses (Sumerian myth)
The Sumerian myth of "The Birth of the Great Gods and Goddesses" narrates the origins of divine beings and their significant roles within the cosmos. At the story's outset, the sky god An (or Anu) and the earth goddess Ki unite, producing a son, Enlil, who separates them, thereby establishing a cosmic order. Ki, feeling the loss of An, finds solace in her pregnancy, as she is soon to give birth to divine offspring known as the Anunnaki. These gods and goddesses are tasked with overseeing various aspects of life, reflecting human experiences and relationships.
In this myth, the birth of the Anunnaki signifies a link between the heavens and the earth, with Enlil positioned as their steward and supreme god. The tale illustrates themes of love and creation, portraying the gods in relatable, human-like ways. The Sumerian civilization, one of the earliest known cultures, significantly influenced later societies and religious traditions, including Biblical narratives. This myth serves as a foundational story within Sumerian religion, highlighting the interconnectedness of life and the divine.
On this Page
The Birth of the Great Gods and Goddesses (Sumerian myth)
Author: Traditional Sumerian
Time Period: 2499 BCE–1000 BCE
Country or Culture: Mesopotamia
Genre: Myth
PLOT SUMMARY
At the beginning of the universe, the great sky god An (Anu in Babylonian) and his sister-wife, the earth goddess Ki, are joined. Their son, Enlil, the god of air, separates them, sending his father into the sky and away from his mother. Ki—sometimes called Ninhursaĝa (or Ninhursag, “Queen of the Holy Hill”), among other titles—is saddened at the loss of her partner, but she is buoyed by the fact that she is pregnant with more of An’s children. These children will be divine in nature, becoming great gods and goddesses themselves. In one retelling, An’s voice is heard from the heavens, blessing his wife on this momentous occasion.
Ki calls upon Enlil to build a grand temple to accommodate her and his imminent siblings, as they will all need a home. The temple, she adds, will serve as an important reminder of the great bond between the earth and the heavens. The new gods will be called the Anunnaki (or Anuna), and the temple will be known as the Duku (“mound”). Enlil will serve as the steward over these gods. After Enlil has gathered stones for the temple, Ki sits down and gives birth to the Anunnaki.
SIGNIFICANCE
The Sumerian civilization is one of the world’s oldest, dating as far back as 4000 BCE. Based in the valley between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers (within a region known as the Fertile Crescent), the Sumerians were a major influence on subsequent cultures, including the Babylonians and others in the Middle Eastern region. Their religious traditions were also influential; the Sumerian stories of creation (including an account of a great flood) were similar to those found in the Hebrew Bible (and Christian Old Testament) and, in particular, the book of Genesis.
The story of the birth of the gods provides a foundation for religious tradition in this ancient civilization. Much of Sumerian religious tradition focused on the creation of life but did so in such a way that was relatable for humans. Although this story is focused on supernatural beings, the manner by which these beings are introduced is very human-like: An impregnates his wife, Ki, through sexual contact, and their children arrive through a natural form of childbirth.
The fifty children of Ki—the Anunnaki—would each be charged with oversight of an aspect of life. Nabû, for example, would become the god of writing, while Ašnan (Ashnan) would be the goddess of grain. The Anunnaki would even influence later religions; several of these gods would be referenced in the Old Testament. Enlil, the oldest brother (who in some versions of the story is also Ninhursaĝa’s husband or brother), would be responsible for managing the Anunnaki, ultimately acting as the supreme god. While the tale establishes the supernatural hierarchy, with Enlil at the apex, this story also reflects the great love between the primary gods—An, Ki-Ninhursaĝa, and Enlil—as the universe is created.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alford, Alan F. “Myth-Religion: Sumerian.” Eridu Books. A. F. Alford, 2004. Web. 19 June 2013.
Black, Jeremy A., and Anthony Green. “Anuna (Anunnakkū).” Gods, Demons, and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia. Austin: U of Texas P, 1992. Print.
Lenhart, Gerry Anne. “First Prelude to Genesis: Antecedent Archetypes That Describe Basic Psychic Energy and the Four Functions.” A Developmental Hypothesis Based on the Order of Jung’s Psychological Functions: The Genesis Model. Diss. U of California, Berkeley, 1996. Print.
Kramer, Samuel Noah. Sumerian Mythology. New York: Harper, 1961. Print.
---. The Sumerians. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 1963. Print.
“Ninhursag’s Children.” Gateways to Babylon. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 June 2013.
Siren, Christopher. “Sumerian Mythology (FAQs).” Stason.org. Stas Bekman, 2013. Web. 26 June 2013.
Webster, Michael. “Sumerian Myth.” World Mythology. Grand Valley State U, n.d. Web. 26 June 2013.