Draft Outline for the Enum Elish of Mesopotamia

I. Introduction

a. In the Enum Elish, the reader observes how different generations of gods conflict with each other and how Marduk uses this conflict to attain kingship. 

b. These themes mirror the transition of ancient Mesopotamia's culture from a peaceful, agrarian society led by appointed officials, to a warlike society led by a sole ruler.

II. Body

a. The first gods, Apsu and Tiamet, are peaceful and cooperative with each other. 

b. This represents early Mesopotamian 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. 

c. Tiamet produces more gods who become in conflict with each other. These various gods fight each other for power until Marduk, the Babylonian god, reigns supreme over all others.

d. 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.

III. Conclusion

a. Enum Elish is a creation myth as it depicts how humanity was created to do the work of the gods so they were not fighting with each other.

b. The myth could be considered not only a creation myth (much like Norse mythology) of how humanity was created but also how Mesopotamia itself was created.

References

Elish, Enuma. Enuma Elis: The Babylonian Epic of Creation; the Cuneiform Text. Ed. W. G. Lambert. Clarendon, 1966.

Postgate, Nicholas. Early Mesopotamia: Society and economy at the dawn of history. Routledge, 2004.