Enki And Adapa Essay

The creation myth, Enki and Adapa, is known as one of the most important creation myths to history that originated in the Sumerian society. The myth has then went on to influence other societies, especially those that came after the Sumerians. Enki and Adapa proves why humans are immortal and holds other exclamations during that time; told though the characters, Anu, Enki, and Adapa. This myth has been shown to be the most important because of what others can conclude from the story and about those societies that were influenced by it.
The myth about Enki reveals that the Sumerian society was polytheistic. The Sumerians gave each element of the world a god, which in time was given humans by Enki. The humans were to work for the gods in the fields or other kinds of labor. ("Folklore, Myths, and Legends" 75) This shows that Sumerians were hardworking since they believed they were given to the gods to do their labor. Also, the myth has father-son and mortal-god relationships which show the Sumerians that they should never go against their parent's wishes but they should always do what their gods tell them to: “…Only my son Enki- your own father, Adapa- would have dared
His obedience towards his father made him be viewed just like another human to Anu, which made Anu believe Adapa did not deserve internal life: “Truly, you are no better than any other mortal!” (“Folklore, Myths, and Legends" 84). Also, Adapa going with his father, Enki, word was seen as a disrespectful act towards Anu, who was the father of Enki: “Of all of the gods of Heaven and Earth- and both kingdoms are flooded with divinities- only my son Enki- your own father, Adapa- would have dared to make his command more important than the command of Anu...” (“Folklore, Myths, and Legends" 84). Not taking orders from the highest power was why Adapa wasted the opportunity to obtain immortality for