Exploring Atrahasis and Mesopotamian Literature

Sep 9, 2024

Lecture Notes: Atrahasis and Ancient Mesopotamian Literature

Introduction to Atrahasis

  • Atrahasis, translated as "When the Gods Instead of Men," is an ancient narrative from cuneiform tablets.
  • Tablets date back to between 1900 and 1700 BCE.
  • Originates from Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq, also part of the Fertile Crescent.

Historical Context

  • Mesopotamia is the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
  • Sumerians were the first major civilization in Mesopotamia, developing writing called cuneiform around 3100 BC.
  • Mesopotamia was urbanized earlier than most parts of the world.
  • The city of Ur was a major ancient city.

Geography and Resources

  • Mesopotamia is a watershed area, contributing to its agricultural productivity.
  • Clay and reeds were primary building materials due to scarce large trees.

Writing and Preservation

  • Cuneiform writing was done on clay tablets.
  • Tablets survived fires and destruction, unlike papyrus, due to clay's durability.
  • Libraries stored financial, transactional, and narrative texts.

Development of Cuneiform

  • Initially pictographic, cuneiform evolved into more abstract symbols for syllables.
  • Example of development: Ox, Bird, and Water symbols.

Atrahasis Tablets

  • Written by different scribes over time.
  • Atrahasis narrative has multiple versions and is compiled from fragmented tablets.

Translation and Redaction

  • Translators like WG Lambert and AR Millard transcribed cuneiform into phonetic symbols, aiding translations by Stephanie Dalley.
  • Redaction involves editing multiple texts into a coherent narrative.

Reading Atrahasis

  • Text includes gaps indicated by brackets, reflecting missing or unreadable sections.
  • OBV (Old Babylonian Version) and SBV (Standard Babylonian Version) indicate sources.

Characters and Deities

  • Atrahasis: The sole human character, king, devotee of Enki/Ea.
  • Enki/Ea: God of freshwater and wisdom, trickster, and helper of mankind.
  • Anu: Father of the gods, head of the Anunnaki.
  • Ellil: War and storm god, powerful and demanding.
  • Nintu/Mami: The womb goddess, creator of humans, emphasizes clay in creation.

Cosmogony

  • Mesopotamians conceived the world with a dome-like firmament and the Abzu (underworld freshwater) and Tiamat’s saltwater.
  • Gods controlled rain and spring water through metaphorical keys.

Questions for Reflection

  • Who is the main protagonist and antagonist?
  • Purpose and process of human creation by gods?
  • Why Ellil wants to destroy humanity?
  • Internal conflicts and resolutions among gods?
  • Importance of sacrifices to gods?
  • Final resolution of human population issue?
  • Who first hears the narrative of the flood?

Conclusion

  • Read Atrahasis considering the cultural and historical context.
  • Notice editorial decisions in translations and gaps in text.
  • Reflect on relationships between humans and gods within the narrative.