Enlil, Enki, And The Organization of the Earth - Sumerian (attend, blessing)

[Bright-ness' Shadow]

Written and submitted by Kotaro, a Religious Forums member


After the organization of the Universe, Enlil began preparing the Earth with abundant life. He was responsible for planning all its productive features essential to beast and man. He brought up animals and vegetation and nourished the earth with sweet waters. He fashioned the pickaxe and the plow for agriculture. He fixed the two seasons of Summer and Winter, personified as two brothers who provide the yearly change of seasonal patterns. Then Enlil, king of the gods and man, left the execution of his plans to Enki, the sea god of wisdom.

Enki then prepared for the journey around the Earth in his Sea Boat, coming first to bless Sumer and its first capital, the city of Ur, the city of the Moon god. From Ur he proceeds to the distant lands of India, Ethiopia, and North Africa, blessing them as well. From there he travels to the desert land directly West of Sumer (perhaps Arabia), offering gifts of cattle to the nomadic god Martu, who roamed its steppelands. Enki then goes to the East of Sumer, into the ancient cities of Elam and Marhashi (western Iran), and demands them bring precious metals and stones to Sumer.

He then returns to Sumer and proceeds to enliven the land's fertility and prosperity. He fills the Tigris and Euphrates with fresh, life giving water and provides the marshlands with fish and reeds. He entrusts the winds and life-giving rainclouds to the Storm god Ishkur. Enki next turns to the soil and its agricultural needs. He attends to the plow, yoke, and furrow, bringing forth grains and vegetables. He lays foundations with the pickaxe and brickmold, and builds the first house. All these things he appoints various deities over.

From farm, field, and house, Enki turns to the steppelands, covers it with green vegetation, multiplies its cattle, and appoints Sakkan, god of the wild plains over them. He erects stalls and sheepfolds and appoints Dumuzi, the shepherd god over them. He fixes the boundaries of cities and states, and tends to the "woman's task," meaning the weaving of cloth, and appoints Uttu, goddess of weaving over them. After organizing the Earth in this way, Enki returns to his boat, and travels back to the Sea, his home. During this early time period, the gods appointed by Enlil and Enki occupied and nourished the Earth, but there was yet no man.