Akkadian cylinder seals depicting the Judgment of the Bird-Man have often been viewed in light of later texts, such as the Neo-Sumerian Ninurta’s Pride and Punishment and the Akkadian OB/SB Epic of Anzu. These mythological narratives portrayed the Anzu/bird-man as a divine thief, conquered by the warrior god Ninurta—though the stories differed on whether heContinue reading “Judgment of the Bird-Man”
Tag Archives: enki
Inanna and the Halub Tree
The story of Inanna and the halub tree makes up the first half of the Sumerian myth of Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and the Netherworld. The story seems to stand on its own, opening with a cosmological creation, and ending with the death of the halub tree (often interpreted as a willow). Indeed, the two halves ofContinue reading “Inanna and the Halub Tree”
Deities Within
Where is God? Humans have long pondered this concept, envisioning deities as exalted beings residing in the Heavens and the Underworld, as well as omnipotent forces present everywhere and within all of us. In Inanna’s Bargain, I made this latter idea more tangible with my protagonists. The following excerpt is from Chapter 24: “I’ve oftenContinue reading “Deities Within”
Myths of Enki
Myths of Enki, The Crafty God, by Samuel Noah Kramer and John Maier, presents Sumerian myths, prayers, chants, and incantations highlighting the importance of Enki (later known as Ea) in ancient Mesopotamia. This book was out of print for many years but has recently been republished. I have relied on library loans in the past,Continue reading “Myths of Enki”
CLAIRE SULOS 