ipl-logo

The Role Of Enki In The Mesopotamian Flood Myth

999 Words4 Pages

Enki is the most prominent God mentioned in Mesopotamian mythological text (Galter, Hannes. 2015). He appears in many Mesopotamian texts that date to as early as 3000 BCE (Espak 2006, pp. 49–52). Some myths Enki is featured in include the Epic Creation, Atrahasis, the Birth of Man and more. Interestingly, these myths appear to depict Enki as having both good and bad characteristics. Myths such as The Birth Of Man and Atrahasis frame him in a positive light, whereas myths such as Enki and Ninhursag and Adapa frame him in a contrasting negative light. However interpretations of Enki’s goodness are subjective due to gaps in mythological text and imperfect translation. This has led to the question of whether Enki is ultimately a good or bad God. This essay will interpret ancient Mesopotamian myths in a way that proves that Enki is a hero to mankind. …show more content…

Enki displays these attributes in the Mesopotamian flood myth Atrahasis and the Birth of Mankind. In the myth Atrahasis, Enki helped save mankind when the Anunnaki planned to whip out humans on multiple occasions. Each time the Anunnaki planned to kill off mankind Enki told the human Atrahasis of the Gods plans and how to avoid them (Jacobsen, 1987). Enki is a hero in this story because he preformed the admirable act of saving an innocent species of mankind from extinction. Moreover, Enki’s actions to save mankind were behind the back of all the other Gods. This rebellious act by Enki shows a selflessness that can be categorized under the qualities of a

Show More
Related

When I Heard The Learn D Astronomer By Walt Whitman

202 Words | 1 Pages

Walt Whitman shows a connection between the senses and science in his poem, “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer, by expressing his thoughts of the astronomers class and his thoughts when he experiences the stars for himself.” The connection begins after Whitman first starts to discuss the astronomer’s lecture, stating “I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide and measure them” (Whitman 3), however he later writes, “I became tired and sick” (Whitman 6). His quote gives the impression that he is not as engrossed with the lecture as his surrounding audience, whom applauds at the words of the knowledgeable astronomer. It is not until the narrator leaves the class and steps out into the mystic night that a connection is made between

Read More

Enkidu's Lasting Friendship In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

221 Words | 1 Pages

In the epic Gilgamesh, the characters traits of both Gilgamesh and Enkidu help to build a lasting friendship through their differences. For example, Gilgamesh is the king of Uruk, a city of culture, and personifies the highest of human virtues, such as fairness, bravery, and courage. However, Gilgamesh is often unstable. In sharp contrast, Enkidu was raised in the wild and is foreign to civilization. Enkidu is caring and thoughtful and equal to Gilgamesh in strength.

Read More

Gilgamesh And Enkidu Actions

573 Words | 3 Pages

Before Enkidu was made by the Gods and was sent to stop Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh was an individual that only cared about the fame and power he possessed by being the king of Uruk. Also, through the actions that he had done, he didn’t care if he hurt anyone along the way whether it was men, women, or children. He also did many evil actions like raping any women that he had a desire for, making sure no sons were left with their father, and using slavery to help build various things. After, the gods found out that Gilgamesh was doing these cruel activities they decided to make someone who can stop Gilgamesh and keep him in check, so the gods created Enkidu. When both Gilgamesh and Enkidu first meet, Enkidu challenges Gilgamesh into a fight and at

Read More

Enkidu Vs Gilgamesh Essay

612 Words | 3 Pages

a. In the Egyptian creation myth man and other gods are created because the first deity became lonely. Where as in the Sumerian, where man was created to serve the gods. Similarly, both of the creation myths have the “mound” coming out of the primeval sea. b. Gilgamesh, who is two-thirds god, is oppressing his people and they are praying for help from the gods, and so the gods created Enkidu. Enkidu and Gilgamesh fought and then became close friends and then went on heroic exploits together.

Read More

Enkidu And Gilgamesh Comparison Essay

1677 Words | 7 Pages

However, this work is unique in that Gilgamesh, the protagonist, does not play the ultimate hero alone. Instead The Epic of Gilgamesh describes perfect hero is two parts of one whole—Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Both men exhibit obvious traits of a good leader and hero, but taken alone, they both seem to be missing something. Gilgamesh for example is literally endowed with courage by the gods (Sanders, 2). He is fearless and unstoppable in his conquests, shown well through his attack on the previously undefeated Humbaba.

Read More

Ideal Heroic King In Epic Of Gilgamesh

902 Words | 4 Pages

He built the city of Uruk and there they value music, food, and dancing. He also built the temple and the walls. This shows his connection to the divine and protection he offered the Mesopotamians in Uruk. When Enkidu is created he represents nature. He is illustrated as beastlike and untamed.

Read More

How Does People Change Gilgamesh

719 Words | 3 Pages

People Change People The Epic of Gilgamesh is a tale read throughout time about the ancient King of Uruk, Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is a selfish king who is stronger than any man because he is two parts God and one part human. With his strength, Gilgamesh abuses his power causing the people of Uruk to lament. Hearing these laments, the Gods created Enkidu for Gilgamesh, to be his equal in all aspects.

Read More

Similarities Between Gilgamesh And Achilles

961 Words | 4 Pages

In the epic, within which many episodes are interlinked, depicts an image of a kind who underwent development and tends to understand the world where he was living. Within the version of the Babylonian, hero Gilgamesh 's character is best compared to Achilles. While comparing the characters of Achilles and Gilgamesh, he (Gilgamesh) changed and his nature was affected duet the presence and absence (loss) of Enid his comrade, thus the nature of Enkidu was static. Achilles ' nature and character followed the same pattern as that of Gilgamesh as he was also influenced by the presence and loss of Patroclus his comrade.

Read More

The Development Of Enkidu In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

1840 Words | 8 Pages

Cole and Ortega’s The Thinking Past is a book that covers the history of humans and civilization. The authors cover the transition of humans from a hunter-gatherer life into a sedentary life, forming the civilizations we know today. This transition can be witnessed through the character, Enkidu, in The Epic of Gilgamesh. Enkidu—a glorified forager—is created by the gods to keep the King of Uruk, Gilgamesh, in check.

Read More

Theme Of Power In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

1085 Words | 5 Pages

In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu, the companion and friend of Gilgamesh, obtains an amount of power that is different from Gilgamesh’s power. Although Gilgamesh is the king of Uruk and controls power in the city, Enkidu was created as

Read More

Theme Of Nature In Gilgamesh

1030 Words | 5 Pages

In this essay I will discuss the interactions of nature relating to Enkidu, dreams and gods. As in the epic they are portrayed as obstacles for Gilgamesh. Natures onward movement seems extremely linked with the character of Enkidu. Enkidu was created as a wild man, he had “long hair like a woman’s.”

Read More

Epic Of Gilgamesh Suffering

1147 Words | 5 Pages

Human suffering is one of the major themes in The Epic of Gilgamesh. When confronting with painful circumstances in our lives, we often ask ourselves why is life so difficult and wonder if suffering is necessary. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the two heroes, Gilgamesh and Enkidu both go through suffering either physically or mentally. There are many beliefs to the reason why suffering is inevitable. In this epic, it is portrayed that the two heroes’ sufferings are the results of their fundamental flaws, such as their hubris and their attachments of to be remembered.

Read More

Similarities Between Gilgamesh And Enkidu

1026 Words | 5 Pages

Gilgamesh book report Part 1: In the introduction, when Mitchell assesses the comparisons and differences between Gilgamesh and Enkidu, he states that Enkidu “is also Gilgamesh’s opposite and mirror image: two-thirds animal to Gilgamesh’s two-thirds divine. These animal qualities are actually much more attractive than divine ones. Where Gilgamesh is arrogant, Enkidu is childlike; where Gilgamesh is violent, Enkidu is peaceful...”

Read More

Compare And Contrast The Epic Of Gilgamesh

991 Words | 4 Pages

People of Uruk suffered from tyranny and were brutally oppressed. They complained to Aruru, the goddess of creation, that she must make someone stronger than Gilgamesh. Aruru listened and made Enkidu. Enkidu was made of clay and Aruru’s saliva, and had nearly equal power as Gilgamesh. Hairy and brawny, Enkidu lived with animals in the wilderness.

Read More

What Is The Relationship Between Greek Gods And The Gods

1660 Words | 7 Pages

Greek mythology has been one of the most complicated subjects in the field of religion and mythology. This is due to the complex relations and interactions which exists in the history of Greek gods and the humans who lived in ancient Greece. Different versions of the existence and the establishment of the superior beings were developed, which at times created suspense for readers through their interactions. The various tales which exist explain the various connections between different gods, how they relate to one another, the ideological order in which they came into existence as well as the interactions they had with humans. These tales form the basis of various religious beliefs and practices since it is perceived that it is through the interactions of the gods that humans came into existence, a situation which created the dependent relationship between mortals and gods.

Read More

More about The Role Of Enki In The Mesopotamian Flood Myth

Related Topics

Open Document