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Updated: June 4, 2025
Naturally not all of the gods are meant, perhaps only the Anunnaki, for the great gods dwell in heaven. The creation of mankind is next described, and is boldly ascribed to Marduk. Mankind he created. In the following line, however, we come across a trace again of an older tradition, which has been embodied in the narrative in a rather awkward manner.
If Ashur is the king of Igigi and Anunnaki, Nin-ib is the hero of the heavenly and earthly spirits. To him the rulers fly for help. Of all the kings, Ashurnasirbal seems to have been especially devoted to the service of Nin-ib.
At least this appears to be the case in Assyria, and the conclusion may be drawn, from the somewhat vague use of the terms, that the names belong to a very early period of the religion, when the distinction between gods and spirits was not yet clearly marked. However that may be, in Babylonian hymns and incantations the Igigi and Anunnaki play a very prominent part.
Thy strong command is proclaimed on earth, and the Anunnaki kiss the ground. Thy strong command on high, like a storm in the darkness, passes along, and nourishment streams forth. When thy strong command is established on the earth, vegetation sprouts forth. Thy strong command stretches over meadows and heights, and life is increased.
The 'Igigi' are at times designated as the seven gods, but this number is simply an indication of their constituting a large group. Seven is a round number which marked a large quantity. At an earlier period five represented a numerical magnitude, and hence the Anunnaki are at times regarded as a group of five.
To Namtar, her messenger, she addressed an order: Go, Namtar, smash the true palace. Bring out the Anunnaki and place them on golden thrones. Besprinkle Ishtar with the waters of life and take her from me. Namtar obeys the order. Ishtar is led through the seven gates.
Nergal tore away the ship's anchor, while Ninib directed the storm; the Anunnaki carried their lightning-torches and lit up the land with their brightness; the whirlwind of the Storm-god reached the heavens, and all light was turned into darkness. The storm raged the whole day, covering mountain and people with water.
He is once more the great god, lord of gods, supreme king of the Igigi, the father of the Anunnaki all titles that the Assyrians were fond of heaping upon Ashur. One feels the anxiety of Nebopolassar to emphasize the new order of things by attributing once more to Marduk what was formerly claimed for Ashur.
The latter stand, as we have seen, under the direct control of the gods. The story of Ishtar's descent to the lower world shows us that the group of spirits known as the Anunnaki, also, belong to the court of Nergal and Allatu.
As instances we may mention the belief in spirits, which is illustrated by the importance attached to the placating of the Anunnaki, or Spirits of the Earth, to whom a special place and special offerings were assigned in E-ninnû.
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