| Here we are able to see how the melammu actually is a sign of kingship. Another indication that this conveys mushroom knowledge or radiance of thoughts and mind consciousness associated with mushroom use. Atra Hasis, the Epic Tale of the Great Flood The Atra Hasis is the Babylonian Creation of the World tale. Many copies were made on clay tablets, for over 1500 years during the time of Babylon, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that people learned about these texts when they were uncovered during excavation in Mesopotamia. (100) In the years 1852–54, Hormuzd Rassam, an Assyrian archaeologist made a series of discoveries at the Library of Ashurbanipal, in Nineveh, Assyria. (101) In the Atra Hasis epic, Enki gives the “hero” only seven days to prepare for the flood and the water clock gets set to the seventh night. (102) There are several distinct phases of the Atra Hasis epic: Revolt of the Lower Gods, Negotiations with the Great Gods, Proposal to create humans, to relieve the Lower Gods from their labor, Creation of the Man, Man's noisy behavior; new complaints from the gods, The supreme god Enlil's decision to extinguish mankind by a Great Flood, Atraḥasis (Noah) is warned in a dream, Enki explains the dream to Atraḥasis (and betrays the plan), Construction of the Ark, Boarding of the Ark, and the Departure. While the story itself does not relate in a direct sense, to the mushroom, I recommend viewing this in the context that all life came from mushrooms. The greater gods (Anunnaki) being the mushroom deities of the sky, i.e. thunder, rain, and wind and the lesser gods (Igigi) representing mushrooms growing on the earth and the creation of mankind, born from the mushroom deities. Why the flood? I do not have an absolute answer for this however, it fits into context if we understand that there were several creations of man. Versions of a less intelligent human preceded more advanced and progressively thinking models. We can see this in the fossil record from changes in bone structure and changes in lifestyles. Since floods happen with regularity, the flood model may have been the ancient people’s mythological explanation for the creation stories. It’s also important to keep in mind that these myths were created by the newly formed kingship and written for the common people to explain the creation of the human race and the role of the gods in their creation. It was not necessarily the story all mankind believed. It was the story that would lend itself to the entire world, in the form of early religions being spread through conquest by newly growing and expanding “civilizations.” 1. When the gods like men 2. Bore the work and suffered the toil - 3. The toil of the gods was great 4. The work was heavy, the distress was much - 5. The seven great Anunnaki |
6. Were making the Igigi suffer the work. 7. Anu, their father, was the king; 8. Their counsellor was the warrior Enlil; 9. Their chamberlain was Ninurta; 10. And their sheriff Ennugi. 11. The gods had clasped hands together, 12. Had cast lots and had divided. 13. Anu had gone up to heaven, 14. {…} the earth to his subjects. 15. [The bolt], bar of the sea, 16. [They had given} to Enki, the prince. 17. [After Anu] had gone up to heaven 18. [And Enki} had gone to the Apsu 36. [They] counted [the years] of the toil. 37. Excessive [….] for 40 years 38. [….] They suffered the work night and day. 39. They [were complaining], backbiting, 40. Grumbling in the excavation: 41. ‘Let us confront our […] ., the chamberlain, 42. That he may relieve us of our heavy work. 43. […] the counsellor of the gods, the hero, 45. [Enlil], counsellor of the gods, the hero, 46. Come, let us unnerve him in his dwelling!’ 61. Now, proclaim war, 62. Let us mingle hostilities and battle.’ 63: The (lesser) gods heeded his words: 64. They set fire to their tools, 65. Fire to their spades they put 70. It was night, halfway through the watch, 71. The temple was surrounded, but the god (Enlil) did not know. 80. ‘My lord, [your] temple is surrounded, 81. Battle has come right up [to your gate] 87. ‘Nusku, bar your gate, (Proclaimed Enlil) 88. Take your weapons and stand before me.’ 89. Nusku barred his gate, 90. Took his weapons and stood before Enlil. 94 Why do you fear your own sons? 97. Send that Anu be fetched down. 98. And that Enki be brought to your presence.’ 103. With the great Anunnaki present 105. Enlil opened his mouth 106. And addressed the great [gods], 107. “It is against me that it is being done? 108. Must I engage in hostilities….? (103) Summing this up now, we have the greater gods causing the lesser gods, the Igigi, to work and toil too hard. This causes a revolt by the lesser gods against their patron Enlil. They destroyed their tools and marched on Enlil’s palace. Enlil summoned Anu from on up high in heaven and there was a meeting called by all the gods including Enki (Ea). (100) Atra Hasis, Page B, Intro (101) ibid, p. 2 (102) ibid, p. 12 (103) Atra Hasis, p. 43-49 |