Mesopotamian Myth The Epic of Adapa and Atrahasis Mr. Henderson Mythology

Myth of Adapa Adapa is a temple priest in service of Ea. The first tablet is damaged but it seems that during a fishing trip, the South Wind hinders Adapa’s efforts. Adapa threatens to break the the South Wind’s wing. Here the texts cuts off for a bit. After the ga, the god Anu has noticed that the south wind hasn’t blown for seven days and asks the reason.

Myth of Adapa Anu demand’s Adapa’s presence, but the god Ea warns him not to eat or drink anything given to him, saying Anu will try to feed him “the bread and water of death”. Once in Anu’s presence, Adapa explains that the South Winds blew into a storm and marooned him. Other gods speak in Adapa’s favor so Anu decided to spare Adapa.

Myth of Adapa Anu instead offers Adapa “the bread and water of life” in an offer of immortality. But Adapa, remembering the words of Ea, declines the offer and inadvertently loses his chance at immortality. And here the rest of the tablet is too badly damaged to read. We don’t know whether either Anu or Ea, were attempting to trick Adapa or not.

Theme of the Adapa Myth Shares a theme with the Gilgamesh myth in that the hero has a chance for, but ultimately loses, a gift of eternal life. Another tablet, separate from this myth, refers to Adapa as one of seven ancient sages, revered for his wisdom, so perhaps it was a trick by Anu that Adapa saw through. Or perhaps his wisdom could just be a comment on how obidient he was to Ea’s advice, regardless of what it cost him.

Adapa and Anu in Art

Myth of Atrahasis Early flood story, in which mankind is created by the goddess Belet-ili at the command of Enlil, to ease the workload of the gods. Soon however the population grows exceedingly large and the gods grow worried and decide to cut their numbers. Enlil sends plague and famine, but the grow of mankind continues.

Myth of Atrahasis Eventually the gods decide to send a flood so they can wipe out mankind and start over. The flood is sent… and then the text breaks off. After a considerable break, the text resumes and a mortal named Atrahasis has survived. The god Enki takes credit for warning Atrahasis.

Myth of Atrahasis Atrahasis, is named as a counselor to the Igigi. The gods decide to put a curb on mankind’s reproduction, female fertility is given a restriction. The myth ends with a hymn singing the praise of Atrahasis. In another tablet Atrahasis is referred to as the father of Ut-napishtim, the flood survivor in the Gilgamesh epic.

Themes of the Atrahasis Myth The theme of a world flood is seen here, as well as in the Gilgamesh myth. This idea of a world flood also exists in other cultures: Greek, Egyptian, and more. The theme of the gods being bothered by noise is seen here, and in the Enuma Elish. The gods differing opinion on whether to save or destroy man is also a cross-cultural theme.

Atrahasis Tablet