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2 unusual facts about Enlil


Enlil

Inscriptions found at Nippur, where extensive excavations were carried on during 1888–1900 by John P. Peters and John Henry Haynes, under the auspices of the University of Pennsylvania, show that Enlil was the head of an extensive pantheon.

Erra-imitti

Enlil-bâni, who sat on the throne, did not resign and was elevated to the royal office.


Angim

The work known by its incipit, Angim, “The Return of Ninurta to Nippur,” is a rather obsequious 210-line mythological praise poem for the ancient Mesopotamian warrior-god Ninurta, describing his return to Nippur from an expedition to the mountains (KUR), where he boasts of his triumphs against "rebel lands" (KI.BAL), boasting to Enlil in the Ekur, before returning to the Ešumeša temple – to “manifest his authority and kingship.”

In the Ekur, he displays his trophies and booty to the general astonishment of the gods – including his brother, the moon god Sin, father, Enlil, and mother Ninlil.

Atra-Hasis

Following the Cleromancy (casting of lots), sky is ruled by Anu, earth by Enlil, and the freshwater sea by Enki.

Enlil and Ninlil

There follows three similar episodes as Enlil leaves the city, speaking to as the keeper of the city gate ("keeper of the holy barrier" or "man of the pure lock"), the man who guards Id-kura; the Sumerian river of the underworld (similar to the river Styx in Greek Mythology) and lastly SI.LU.IGI, the underworld ferryman (similar to Charon).

Erra-imitti

He was succeeded by Ikūn-pî-Ištar, according to two variant copies of the Sumerian King List, or Enlil-bâni, if the other sources are correct.

Namtar

Namtar was the son of Enlil anid Ereshkigal; he was born before his father raped the goddess Ninlil.

Nergal

Amongst the Hurrians and later Hittites Nergal was known as Aplu, a name derived from the Akkadian Apal Enlil, (Apal being the construct state of Aplu) meaning "the son of Enlil".

Tell Leilan

The Babylonians were defeated driven out of Assyria by the Assyrian king Adasi, however Shubat-Enlil was never reoccupied and the Assyrian capital was transferred to its traditional home in Ashur.


see also