Explore the ancient Sumerian myth of Enki’s World Order. How divine duties were assigned, and chaos reigned in.
Enki, the god of wisdom, shaped the world with power and purpose. He blessed lands, filled rivers, and built strong cities. He assigned duties to gods. A specific deity was assigned to rule over farming, herding, rivers, and weaving. Inanna felt left out and wept before Enki. He listened and shared powers with her. Balance and order followed. Enki’s world order spread across the heavens and earth.
Themes in The Myth of Enki’s World Order
Creation of the World and Realms
- Enki shaped realms by giving them order, not by creating them.
- He assigned roles to lands like Sumer, Ur, and Dilmun.
- Each city gained purpose through his divine blessings.
- Rivers, marshes, and seas received life through his commands.
Tricksters and Their Mischief
- Enki used clever words to dodge Inanna’s complaint.
- He praised her while avoiding blame.
- His wit kept peace among the gods.
- Though not deceitful, his speech showed trickster charm.
God and Goddesses Mentioned in The Myth of Enki’s World Order
Enki (Ea) – God of Wisdom and Creation
- Ruled wisdom, water, and civilization.
- Lived in the sacred Abzu.
- Assigned duties to gods and shaped the world.
An (Anu) – The Sky God
- Sky god and Enki’s father.
- Shared authority and justice with Enki.
- Ruled from the heavenly throne.
Enlil – Ruler of Earth
- God of wind and kingship.
- Supported Enki’s divine work.
- Helped decree destinies with Enki.
Inanna – Goddess of War and Love
- Goddess of love and war.
- Felt excluded from divine roles.
- Received powers after confronting Enki.
Ninhursag (Ninmah, Aruru) – Goddess of Mountains
- The mother goddess of the earth.
- Honored Enki with a good name.
- Goddess of birth and creation.
- Became midwife of the land.
- Held power over royal births.
Gatumdug (Ninisina) – Goddess of Healing
- Goddess of healing and medicine.
- Received jewels and ruled the heavens.
Nunbarshegunu (Nisaba) – The Heavenly Scribe
- Goddess of writing and knowledge.
- Marked boundaries and kept divine records.
Enbilulu – Keeper of Canals
- God of rivers and irrigation.
- Managed the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
Ishkur (Adad) – Storm Bringer
- Storm and rain god.
- Brought rain and blocked heaven’s gates.
Dumuzid (Tammuz) – The Divine Shepherd
- Shepherd god and Inanna’s consort.
- Provided food and ruled E-ana.
Utu (Shamash) – The Sun God
- Sun god and judge.
- Oversaw heaven, earth, and justice.
Uttu – The Divine Weaver
- Goddess of weaving and women’s work.
- Guided palace tasks and textile arts.
Nanshe – Goddess of Birds and Fish
- Goddess of justice and water.
- She watched over fish and the seas.
Ninmug
- Goddess of metalwork and tools.
- Carried sacred blades and chisels.
Ezina
- Goddess of grain and life.
- Provided food for all people.
Lahar (Šakkan)
- God of wild animals and pastures.
- Protected livestock and open lands.
Kulla
- God of bricks and building.
- Built strong cities that endured.
Mushdama
- Divine architect and builder.
- Ensured stable, lasting foundations.
Other Notable Characters In The Myth Of Enki’s World Order
The Anunnaki Gods
- Formed the divine council of major gods.
- Praised Enki for his wisdom and rule.
- Dwelt in sacred shrines among heavenly trees.
The Lahama Deities
- Spirit guardians of the subterranean waters.
- Spoke gently to Enki from the deep.
- Watched over the Abzu beneath Eridug.
The Abgal Priests
- Sacred servants in Enki’s holy temple.
- Cleansed rivers and purified shrines.
- Maintained ancient rituals and sacred order.
Sirsir
- Boatman of Enki’s divine barge.
- Guided the lord’s vessel across the sacred waters.
Great Dragon of Eridug (symbolic form of Enki)
- Towered over heaven and earth.
- Represented power, protection, and divine presence.
- Watched over creation from his home in Eridug.
Mes Tree (symbolic image of Enki)
- Grew from the Abzu and touched the skies.
- Linked earth, heaven, and the underworld.
- Symbolized life, wisdom, and cosmic balance.
Places and Realms Mentioned In The Myth of Enki’s World Order
Abzu
- Enki’s sacred freshwater realm below the earth.
- Source of all life and wisdom.
- Held the shrine and throne of Enki.
Eridug (Eridu)
- Enki’s holy city and the first city of the gods.
- Home to the E-engura temple.
- Covered by Enki’s protective shadow.
Sumer
- Land of gods and human civilization.
- Blessed by Enki and Enlil.
- Held the divine temples and destinies.
Ur (Urim)
- Powerful Sumerian city by the water.
- Received blessings from Enki.
- Called a sanctuary and altar of abundance.
Nibru (Nippur)
- Seat of Enlil and divine authority.
- Center of decrees and worship.
- Received tribute from foreign lands.
Meluḫa
- Distant land linked to trade and forests.
- Blessed with tall trees by Enki.
- Sent gold and silver to Nippur.
Dilmun
- Pure and sacred land of plenty.
- Cleansed and ordered by Enki.
- Placed under Ninsikila’s care.
Magan
- Maritime land rich in trade goods.
- Sent timber and metals to the gods.
- Recognized Enki’s divine influence.
Tigris River
- Life-giving river created by Enki.
- Brought barley and prosperity to the land.
E-kur
- Enlil’s temple in Nippur.
- Filled with blessings by Enki.
- Symbol of divine kingship.
E-engura
- Enki’s temple in Eridug.
- Center of sacred rituals.
- Raised altar to honor Enki.
E-ana
- Inanna’s temple in Uruk.
- Overseen by Dumuzid.
- Honored royal and divine powers.
Enki’s World Order
Myth begins with praising Enki—the ruler of wisdom, water, and all life on earth.
Enki The Mes Tree
Enki lived in the Abzu, a sacred freshwater sea.
An and Enlil granted him supreme power.
Enki shaped time, seasons, and human prosperity.
He was called the mes tree.
The ruler of dual realms. The celestial heights and the terrestrial depths.
Enki, The Dragon Of Eridug
He was the great dragon of Eridu.
The serpent that shaped the earth.
His voice brought beauty, strength, and vitality to life.
The gods praised Enki’s wisdom and authority.
Enki Brings Order to the World
Enki blessed cities: Sumer, Ur, Meluhha, and Dilmun.
He filled the rivers with water and life.
He built his temple and named it Abzu.
He traveled in his heavenly barge, “The Stag Of Abzu,” spreading prosperity.
Enki decreed fates for cities and foreign lands.
He purified Dilmun and gave it to Ninsikila.
He filled the Tigris River with flowing water and grain.
Enki ensured harmony between gods, land, and people.
Assigning Duties to Gods and Building Civilization
Enki assigned gods to rule over nature and society.
- Enbilulu governed the rivers and their flow.
- Nanshe inspected fisheries and marine life.
- Ishkur ruled storms and rainfall.
- Enkimdu handled fields, dykes, and crops.
- Ezina oversaw grain, barley, and harvest.
- Šakkan ruled wild animals and high pastures.
- Dumuzid cared for sheep, cattle, and food.
- Kulla built cities with strong, lasting bricks.
- Mushdama laid foundations that never collapsed.
- Utu judged gods and mortals with solar power.
- Uttu perfected weaving and women’s labor.
Inanna’s Complaint and Enki’s Response
Inanna lacked a role and cried to Enki.
She asked, “Where are my powers and duties?”
Enki reminded her of her great gifts.
He gave her divine speech and garments of power.
He placed the spindle and hairpin in her hands.
He honored her as a force in war and love.
Enki confirmed her divine voice, beauty, and strength.
The World Order is Complete
All lands and gods received roles and balance.
Agriculture, trade, rivers, and temples flourished.
Inanna’s powers were affirmed and respected.
The gods rejoiced in Enki’s decisions.
Prosperity returned to the land and the heavens.
The Anunnaki praised Enki, the keeper of divine order.
Harmony ruled under Enki’s eternal wisdom.
Find More Sumerian Myths and Explore Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
- Faculty of Oriental Studies, Enki and the World Order (The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, 2006-12-19)
- Leonard Woolley, Ur (Encyclopedia Britannica, May 31, 2024)
- Multiple Authors, Meluhha (Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia, 2024, May 24)
- Laura Etheredge, Dilmun ancient kingdom, Persian Gulf (Encyclopedia Britannica, Feb 04, 2009)
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Myths (Encyclopedia Britannica, January 09, 2022)