Summary Of Enuma Elish

The Enuma Elish

The Enuma Elish is a Babylonian/Mesopotamian creation story. In this myth, the Babylonians attempt to explain how man came to be. It begins with Mummu and Tiamat, the bearers of all the gods. Apsu is the begetter, ruler of the world before the heavens and lands were named. Apsu and Tiamat were the mother and father of Mummu, Lahmu and Lahamu, who “for aeons grew in age and stature” (Enuma Elish 1). Anshar and Kishar were then formed. The two of them, more massive than the others, were together responsible for prolonged days and the adding of more years. Then Anu was born of them, rivaling his father in all ways, challenging his strength and wisdom. Anu then fathered Nudimmud, the god that grew stronger and fitter, mightier than even his grandfather Anshar. His strength included a broad wisdom and understanding that could be rivalled by no other god. After trouble was started by some gods, Apsu went to Tiamat to explain his plan to defeat the divine brothers and restore order. Tiamat desired not to destroy all that they had created but resolve the issues in a calm manner. Mummu, however, wanted to destroy the others. Apsu hearing this went about his plan to destroy the gods, his sons. Ea the wisest of them all, saw through the plan and sought out to prevent it from occurring. Ea put Apsu into a deep sleep and then, after taking his halo, killed Mummu. After his victory Ea slept heavily in his sacred chamber, which came to be named Apsu, to enshrine his triumph over him. In that chamber Ea and his wife Damkina bore the most potent and wise of

Firstly, Genesis is monotheistic, only one God creates the Earth while the Enuma Elish is most clearly polytheistic with multiple gods contributing to the creation. As stated before, the Bible explains the vegetation, the animals, light and dark, whereas none of these features of nature are explained in the Enuma