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Sumer and Babylon · Atrahasis, tablet I

Atrahasis: the gods go on strike

EvidenceDocumentedThe text exists and is quoted from a published translation. What it describes is a separate question.What this means
ReferenceAtrahasis, tablet I
Writtenc. 1700–1640 BCE
SetBefore humans
'When the gods were man', they did the work. The junior gods (Igigi) dig the rivers for 3,600 years, then burn their tools and surround Enlil's house. Enki proposes making a worker. The god We-ila is killed, and his flesh and blood are mixed with clay by the birth goddess to make seven men and seven women.

Summary by the editors. Translation: Summary in my own words

Read it literally

Humans are engineered from a god's blood and clay to replace striking gods as labor. The closest ancient text to the 'we were made' idea.

What scholars say

The oldest full copy was written by a scribe named Nur-Aya in the reign of Ammi-saduqa.

Looks like technology Council of gods
People and places hereAmmi-saduqaNur-Aya

Quick answers about Atrahasis, tablet I

Where is Atrahasis, tablet I found?

Atrahasis, tablet I (Sumer and Babylon). Translation quoted: Summary in my own words.

When was Atrahasis, tablet I written?

c. 1700–1640 BCE.

What do scholars say about Atrahasis, tablet I?

The oldest full copy was written by a scribe named Nur-Aya in the reign of Ammi-saduqa.

Rabbit holes in this passage

GodEnki (Ea)The clever god of fresh water and wisdom who made humans, gave away civilization while drunk, and leaked the plan for the Flood.GodEnlilThe lord of the wind and king of the gods at Nippur, who sent plague, drought, and finally the Flood because humans were too noisy.BeingIgigiThe junior gods of Babylonian myth who dug the rivers, went on strike, and forced the creation of humankind.

Sources

  1. Enki and the World Order, ETCSL t.1.1.3, University of OxfordPrimary text
  2. Enlil and Ninlil, ETCSL t.1.2.1, University of OxfordPrimary text
  3. Atra-hasis, ed. and trans. W. G. Lambert and A. R. Millard, Atra-hasis: The Babylonian Story of the Flood (Oxford, 1969)Primary text

Scholarly dates are rounded. The wording follows the named public-domain translation.

Updated