Sumerian Mythology I. Major beliefs: A. There were many things that the Sumerians could not understand.

Natural occurrences like the weather, night and day or the seasons. Therefore the Sumerians believed in a set of gods who controlled the inexplicable. They were polytheistic. They believed in many gods. B. The gods had established a list of rules called "Mes" with which they ruled the universe. 1. there were MEs for the good world a.) good world MEs included: 1. honesty 2. justice 3. kindness 4. peace 2. there were MEs for the bad world a.) bad world MEs included: 1. pain 2. lies 3. wars 4. fear C. No one knows why the gods planned for evil as well as good, but Sumerians said the will of the gods was never completely understood by man. D. At best, man would only plead his case with the gods. E. Kings in Sumer claimed to receive their kingship from Enlil. * Legend tells how he was sent (temporarily) to the underworld for mistreating Ninlil. * Many Sumerian myths have the theme of man's helplessness and pleading with the gods to solve a problem. Ask yourself: How might these beliefs affect Sumerian culture? II. Who were the Sumerian Gods? A. AN - God of Heaven, Father of gods B. ENLIL - God of the Air (later took over as chief god) * In a story Enlil separates heaven and earth and makes vegetation grow. He also creates the pickax and plow which he gives to the Sumerians. He is pictured as a kind father who watches over Sumer and as a destroyer whose job it is to carry out the orders of the gods. C. ENKI - God of Wisdom and Lifegiving Waters. * He organized the earth according to An's and Enlil's plan. Things he did: a. filled the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers with water b. placed fish there c. placed reeds in the marshes d. ordered rain to fall e. planted seeds for crops f. appointed minor gods to supervise all that he created g. gave kings their wisdom and gave craftsmen their skills

D. NINHURSAG: (also known as Nintu or Ki) - The Mother of All Living Things, source of fertile soil. * A story tells of how she created man from clay so that the gods would not have to work for their food. E. NANNA ( or Sin) - The Moon God. He had a son and daughter: F. UTU - The Sun God was Nanna's son G. ISHTAR (or Inanna) The Goddess of Love was Nanna's daughter * There were also 50 other gods known as the ANNUNNAKI - they were the children of AN. * Since the major gods were busy with important things, each Sumerian had a personal god he used to please for him in time of trouble.