The Adapa Myth

This translation combines texts from different tablets to obtain the most complete version possible.
See also
-
- Interpretation
- Dating
Those involved
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- An
- EnkiĀ
The Adapa Myth
Prologue
Enki granted Adapa insight into his plans, so that he might reveal the destinies of the land. He gave him wisdom, but not eternal life. In those days, in those years, he was the wise man of Eridu. Enki had created him as a guide for humanity. He was a sage. No one rejected his word. He was commissioner of the Anunnaki, holy, pure of hands, the Pashishu priest, the initiate into divine order.
In his presence the bakers of Eridu made bread. Every day he provided with them the food and water of Eridu. With his pure hands he prepared the table, for without him the table was not set.
He steered the ship, fished and hunted for Eridu. At that time Adapa, the son of Eridu, after he had roused the leader Enki from bed, used to “feed” the “bolt” of Eridu every day.
Adapa’s Transgression
The wind blew, yet his boat sailed forth. With the rudder he steered his ship onto the wide sea. But the south wind thwarted him: It made him capsize and brought him back to the house of his lord. Adapa said to the south wind:
“O south wind, on the way to you, you stand in my way? I will break your wing!”
No sooner had he spoken these words than the wing of the south wind broke. For seven days the south wind did not blow to the land.
An Summons Adapa to Himself
An called to his vizier Ilabrat:
“Why has the south wind not blown to the land for seven days?”
His vizier Ilabrat answered him:
“My lord, Adapa, the sage of Enki, has broken the wing of the south wind.”
When An heard these words, he mounted his throne and called:
“Heaven help him! Let him be brought here!”
Enki Advises Adapa
Enki, who knew An well, turned to Adapa. He had him wear his hair unkempt, clothed him in a mourning garment, and gave him instructions:
“Adapa, you shall go before King An. You will ascend to heaven. When you have ascended to heaven, when you approach the gate of An, Dumuzi and Gizzida will stand at the gate of An, see you and ask you questions: ‘Young man, on whose behalf do you wear mourning clothes?’ You must answer: ‘Two gods have disappeared from our land, and therefore I behave thus.’ They will ask: ‘Who are the two gods who have disappeared from the land?’ You will answer: ‘They are Dumuzi and Gizzida.’ They will look at each other and laugh much, will speak a word in your favor to An, will present you to An in good humor. When you stand before An, they will set before you the food of death, do not eat. The water of death they will offer you. Do not drink. They will offer you a garment. Put it on. They will offer you oil. Anoint yourself. You must not neglect the instructions I have given you; hold to the words I have told you.”
Adapa Must Give Account
The messenger of An arrived.
“Send me Adapa, who broke the wing of the south wind.”
He made him take the path to An. When he ascended to An and approached the gate of An, Dumuzi and Gizzida stood at the gate of An. They saw Adapa and called:
“An help him! Young man, you look like this Adapa. On whose behalf do you wear mourning clothes?”
Adapa answered:
“Two gods have disappeared from the land, and therefore I wear mourning clothes.”
They asked further:
“Who are the two gods who have disappeared from the land?”
Adapa answered:
“Dumuzi and Gizzida.”
They looked at each other and laughed much. When Adapa came near to King An, An saw him and called:
“Come here, Adapa! Why did you break the wing of the south wind?”
Adapa answered An:
“My lord, I was catching fish in the middle of the sea, for the house of my lord Enki. But he inflated the sea into a storm, and the south wind blew and sank me! I was forced to settle in the house of the fishes. In my anger I cursed the south wind.”
The Judgment is Rendered
Dumuzi and Gizzida answered him from the side and spoke a word in his favor to An. His heart was appeased and he became quiet.
“Why has Enki revealed the secrets of heaven and earth to impure humans? It was he who gave them a heavy fate! What can we do for him?”
An made his decision:
“Bring him the bread of eternal life and let him eat!”
They brought him the bread of eternal life, but he would not eat. They brought him the water of eternal life, but he would not drink. They brought him a garment, and he put it on. They brought him oil, and he anointed himself. An observed him and asked in wonder:
“Come, Adapa, why did you not eat? Why did you not drink? Did you not want to be immortal? Woe to the enslaved people!”
Adapa answered him:
“Enki, my lord, told me: ‘You must not eat! You must not drink!'”
Then An said:
“Take him and send him back to his earth.”
