Enki And Adapa Essay

The creation myth, Enki and Adapa, is known as one of the most important creation myths to history that originated in the Sumerian society. The myth has then went on to influence other societies, especially those that came after the Sumerians. Enki and Adapa proves why humans are immortal and holds other exclamations during that time; told though the characters, Anu, Enki, and Adapa. This myth has been shown to be the most important because of what others can conclude from the story and about those societies that were influenced by it.
The myth about Enki reveals that the Sumerian society was polytheistic. The Sumerians gave each element of the world a god, which in time was given humans by Enki. The humans were to work for the gods in the fields or other kinds of labor. ("Folklore, Myths, and Legends" 75) This shows that Sumerians were hardworking since they believed they were given to the gods to do their labor. Also, the myth has father-son and mortal-god relationships which show the Sumerians that they should never go against their parent's wishes but they should always do what their gods tell them to: “…Only my son Enki- your own father, Adapa- would have dared
to make his command more important than the command of Anu...” (“Folklore, Myths, and Legends" 84).
Sumerians had influenced the societies after them, predominantly through their religion but also their literature and culture. Akkad adopted the Sumerian’s religion, literature, and their socioeconomic. ("Folklore, Myths, and Legends" 67) Babylonia’s emperor, Hammurabi, adopted their religion and literature. ("Folklore, Myths, and Legends" 67) Assyria based their culture on Sumerian’s. ("Folklore, Myths, and Legends" 67) Overall, the religion and culture of the Sumerians were based on Enki and Adapa, showing that the other societies were influenced by the myth also.
Enki, the lord of the earth and waters of life, is shown to be the authority of the other gods by directing them to take charge over a certain element of the world, like the fish or sky. He also illustrates generous qualities by giving the gods humans to work for them and also giving his son Adapa advice when he is called to speak in front of Anu: “For the gods, I have created human beings to walk the earth to serve them- to do their work and take care of them” (“Folklore, Myths, and Legends" 75). Enki is depicted as a passive god throughout the myth, he does not demand his undertakers to do much and he also helps the gods and his son; “Now, remember my advice, Adapa! For my instructions are important!” (“Folklore, Myths, and Legends" 79).
Anu, god of the skies, shows Adapa the kingdom of heaven to illustrate what Adapa would not be able to have since he obeyed Enki's word. Anu also lets Adapa see the heavens to prove that Enki does not rule over everything in the universe: "You father may be Lord of the Earth and Waters of Life, but he rules only one part of the universe" ("Folklore, Myths, and Legends" 84). This also extends the mortal-god over father-son relationship by proving it is better to obey the gods then the parent. Although he taunts Adapa with the heavens, Anu rewards Adapa by letting him live on Earth with the wisdom his father gave him; and gives the Earth the goddess of healing: “I also decree that the goddess who loves healing will leave Heaven and spend her days and nights visiting all those who are afflicted on Earth” (“Folklore, Myths, and Legends" 85).
Enki and Adapa illustrates human's expended opportunity to live forever through the character Adapa.
His obedience towards his father made him be viewed just like another human to Anu, which made Anu believe Adapa did not deserve internal life: “Truly, you are no better than any other mortal!” (“Folklore, Myths, and Legends" 84). Also, Adapa going with his father, Enki, word was seen as a disrespectful act towards Anu, who was the father of Enki: “Of all of the gods of Heaven and Earth- and both kingdoms are flooded with divinities- only my son Enki- your own father, Adapa- would have dared to make his command more important than the command of Anu...” (“Folklore, Myths, and Legends" 84). Not taking orders from the highest power was why Adapa wasted the opportunity to obtain immortality for
humankind.