Nippur vs. Eridu: A Tale of Two Sacred Cities
This myth gives us a new counterfactual indication that (Nippur) preceded (Eridu) in existence.while it is established through the Sumerian kings' legends that Eridu is the first of the five Sumerian cities before the flood.
Additionally, scientific evidence has proven that Eridu is the first settled city in southern Iraq.
Because Eridu is the home of the god Enki and Nippur is the home of the god Enlil, we believe that this myth points to a religious priestly conflict that attempted to give Nippur importance and precedence over Eridu.
This indicates a form of masculine coup and its centrality, as Enki did not strictly represent a masculine side, while Enlil completely represented that.
Enki, on the other hand, signifies what remains of the mother goddess, as he was her son, husband, and heir.
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| Enki residence in Eridu along the abzu marshes |
The House of Enki in Eridu
The myth begins with praise for the god Enki and how he built his house of silver and lapis lazuli in his city Eridu, and it was decorated with gold." According to the myth in this part.
The lord of the abyss, the king Enki...........Enki, the lord who decrees the fates................... Built his house of silver and lapis lazuli........Its silver and lapis lazuli, like sparkling light.........The father fashioned fittingly in the abyss........The (creatures of) bright countenance and wise, coming forth from the abyss.........Stood all about the lord Nudimmud..........The pure house be built, he adorned it with lapis lazuli....
He ornamented it greatly with gold..........In Eridu he built the house of the water-bank.......Its brickwork, word-uttering, advice-giving......Its . . . like an ox roaring..........The house of Enki, the oracles uttering.
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| Sumerian ship coming to dock at Enki's ziggurat residence |
The Divine Voyage from Eridu to Nippur
The infographic below illustrates Enki’s symbolic journey from his sacred house in Eridu to the divine center of Nippur, where he seeks the blessing of Enlil. |
| enki_voyage_nippur_infographic |
Enki is now ready to proceed by boat to Nippur to obtain Enlil's blessing............ for his newly-built city and temple. He therefore rises from the abyss:
When Enki rises, the fish . . . rise, .........The abyss stands in wonder, .............In the sea joy enters, ..................Fear comes over the deep,.........Terror holds the exalted river, ................The Euphrates, the South Wind lifts it in waves. .......
The Feast of the Gods in Nippur
And when the god Enki arrives at the city of Nippur, he finds a grand feast arranged for him by the god Enlil, who invited the gods (the Anunnaki) to celebrate the completion of Enki's house.
Drinks are served, and the gods become intoxicated. Then, on this occasion, the god Enlil speaks, and from his words, it appears that he is the father of the god Enki.
This is natural, as Enlil must become Enki's father to achieve absolute supremacy and to make Nippur the origin of Eridu, which is what the priests of Nippur accomplished. . According to the myth in this part.
And so Enki seats himself in his boat and first arrives in Eridu itself; here he slaughters many oxen and sheep........... He then proceeds to Nippur where immediately upon his arrival he prepares all kinds of drinks for the gods and especially for Enlil. Then:
Enki in the shrine Nippur, ...................Gives his father Enlil bread to eat,
In the first place he seated An (the heaven-god), ......................Next to An he seated Enlil,........Nintu he seated at the "big side,"
The Anunnaki seated themselves one after the other.
And so the gods feast and banquet until their hearts become "good" and Enlil is ready to pronounce his blessing:
Enlil and Enki
Enlil Declares His Blessing
Symbolic Elements in Enki’s Voyage to Nippur
The table below summarizes the symbolic aspects of Enki’s journey from Eridu to Nippur, highlighting key themes of divine authority, cosmic harmony, and theological order.
| Element | Symbolic Meaning |
|---|---|
| Eridu | Origin of civilization and divine wisdom (Enki's domain) |
| Enki’s House | Order, language, and sacred speech |
| The Boat | Ritual journey and spiritual submission |
| The River | Connection between cosmic centers |
| Nippur | Supreme authority and blessing of Enlil |
| Feast of the Gods | Divine hierarchy and social unity |
| Enlil’s Blessing | Legitimacy of Enki’s power and cosmic order |
Enlil says to the Anunnaki: "Ye great gods who are standing about,..
My son has built a house, the king Enki; ...............Eridu, like a mountain, he has raised up from the earth,............... In a good place he has built it.
Eridu, the clean place, where none may enter, ................The house built of silver, adorned with lapis lazuli,.......... The house directed by the seven "lyre-songs," given over to incantation, With pure songs . . . ,
The abyss, the shrine of the goodness of Enki, befitting the divine
decrees, ............Eridu, the pure house having been built,
O Enki, praise!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why did Enki travel from Eridu to Nippur?
A1: Enki journeyed to Nippur to seek Enlil’s blessing after building his house in Eridu. This act symbolizes submission to higher divine authority.
Q2: What does Nippur represent in Sumerian mythology?
A2: Nippur was considered the spiritual center of Sumer, the city of Enlil, and the place from which kingship and divine decrees were issued.
Q3: What is the symbolic meaning of Enki’s voyage?
A3: The voyage represents cosmic order, religious hierarchy, and the harmonization between divine powers through ritual submission and unity.
Q4: What role does Eridu play in this myth?
A4: Eridu is the home of Enki and symbolizes wisdom, creation, and the beginning of civilization. It contrasts with Nippur’s role as the seat of authority.
Q5: Why is the feast of the gods important?
A5: The feast signifies divine acceptance and unity, marking the success of Enki’s journey and the formal recognition of his place in the divine order.
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References
- Black, Jeremy, and Anthony Green. Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia: An Illustrated Dictionary. London: British Museum Press, 1992.
- Kramer, Samuel Noah. History Begins at Sumer: Thirty-Nine Firsts in Recorded History. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1981.
- Jacobsen, Thorkild. The Treasures of Darkness: A History of Mesopotamian Religion. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1976.
- Leick, Gwendolyn. Mesopotamia: The Invention of the City. London: Penguin Books, 2001.
