Enuma Elish Summary

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Myth Analysis Paper: The Enuma elish In ancient societies, enduring stories that transcended reality (now called myths) served as a mechanism of transmitting cultural values, the promulgation of religion, and maintaining political control over the general population. Creation myths like the epic poem of Babylonia, Enuma elish served not only to humble the human ruler, but also marked the start of the New Year with an extended 11-day festival falling on the equinox (the day of equal balance of light and darkness) that incorporated rituals for eliciting peace, plentiful harvest, and prosperity. Ancient Mesopotamian kingdoms had a patron god who was responsible for the creation of the people- often a hero and the region assumed the name of …show more content…
The myth clearly establishes a hierarchy with Marduk at the top, the lower gods in the middle, and humans creating the lower echelon of beings (Rosenburg 153-158). This very clearly places mortal humans beneath the gods in glory, power, and responsibility. The role of submissive servant is inherent in the purpose of their creation. Humans are fundamentally obligated to ease the burdens of the lower gods in honoring Marduk (Rosenburg 153-158; Spar). Yet, being at the bottom of the proverbial totem pole doesn’t mean that humans are value-less. When considering the details of the creation of humans, a minor theme emerges: humans contain something divine and were divinely created to meet a need of the deity (Rosenburg 153-158; Spar; Thomas). In other words, the spark of divinity is present in each human …show more content…
She provides divine life, but since she comprises chaos she has the potential to destroy what she has created (Rosenburg 153-158). Next is her husband, Aspu, with whom she bears children Anshar and Kishar. Aspu is the initial ruler of all other gods and the ruler and literal embodiment of fresh/sweet water (Rosenburg 153-158). As the two mate, the fresh and salty water mix unpleasantly and create murky silt as well as confusing fog/mist, the son Mummu (Rosenburg 153-158). Mummu instigates drama and escalates conflict. Both the imagery and impurity of silt and the frightening/nefarious interference of mist communicate that the initial offspring of Tiamet are shades of chaos, inherently tainted and inferior because they contain strong manifestations of their flawed mother. Their birth furthers the agenda of chaos and creates additional barriers to order and human

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