Mesopotamia and the Enum Elish

The Enum Elish depicts how different generations of gods (as in Norse mythology) conflict with each other and how one god uses this conflict to attain kingship. The myth is considered a creation myth as it not only depicts the creation of the world but also of Mesopotamian society. The epic talks about two gods: Apsû and Tiamat. Several other gods are created who make so much noise that Apsû wishes to kill the young gods, but Tiamat disagrees. The young gods hear about the plan and kill Apsu. Tiamet wants revenge for his death so she creates 11 monsters to fight the gods. Marduk, another god, offers to save the gods if he can be appointed chief god. When Marduk wins the battle he places the gods who served Tiamat into hard labor. These gods are freed from the labor when Marduk creates humanity to complete the work. This represents early Mesopotamian and Egyptian society as everyone worked together to farm and creates a society. Mesopotamia is largely considered the cradle of civilization as this was the first society. As Mesopotamia evolves factions within the society fight for control. Rather than being a democratic society led by appointed officials the society became a dictatorship led by a single ruler.

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