Lets Get History Right!
Sumer is the earliest known civilization, located in the historical region of southern Mesopotamia (now south-central Iraq), emerging during the Chalcolithic and early Bronze Ages between the sixth and fifth millennium BC. Even the Hebrew Torah refers to a direct Black Hamitic origin of the indigenous populations of Iraq, the people of the land called Sumer.
“The first ruler of a united Sumer, whose deeds are recorded, was a warrior king by the name of Etana he was from the land of Kush and that is why the first peoples there spoke African and with successive kings centuries later the Sumer became the first bilingual Kingdom with all citizens speaking both Sumerian and Babylonian. Etana is credited with building the city of Kish and was thereafter called Etana of Kish. He rose to establish the throne quite early in the third millennium B.C. In the Sumerian list of Kings he is described as "He who stabilized (made Safe) all the lands ” (The Sumerians, 43).
The Myth of Etana involves a love story in which Etana the Sumerian antediluvian King of Kish ascends to heaven on an eagle to request the Plant of Birth from the gods so that he might have a son. Before Etana the region was ruled by despotic warlords constantly battling for control of the Southern regions. Sumer had become a crossroads for trade with the invention of the sailboat. The Sumerians had invented sailboats in order to more efficiently trade with neighboring civilizations. They had invented a process called pickling where salt water was used to make produce last for long voyages and remain edible. However, after navigating the waterways successfully with the sailboat, the Sumerians realized that it would be useful in wartime too.
There were nine Warlords of Kish that preceded the liberator Etana are they called themselves kings but in actuality only used the common term common appellation "King of Kish". This includes Mesilim, who built temples in Adab and Lagash, where he seems to have exercised some control. Two other examples were the sleeve of an Early Dynatic II bronze sword found at Girsu which read "Lugal-namni[r]-sum is king of Kis" and a statue fragment found at Nippur which read "Enna-il, king of Kis" the warlords preceding Etana's reign were Nanĝišlišma, En-tarah-ana, Babum, Puannum, Kalibum, Kalumum, Zuqaqip, Aba, Mašda, and Arwium. Archaeological finds from the Uruk period indicate that the site centuries later was part of the Uruk Expansion and hence remained Sumerian language speaking even under the later Babylonian King Gilgamesh.
Etana was not always a warrior or a King he came from humble beginnings as a shepherd boy and he and his family traveled with a carvan annually from a region that is now known as the site of the ancient city of Meroe to sell and trade. They traded in a small and unimportant city named after the inhabitants that arrived from Etana's land the many called Kush, but in that area was mispronounced Kish. Kish,was a growing trade center although still an inimportant city-state located east of Babylon.
But what Kish did have was a beautiful temple and each year Etana's family would stop their adftera profitable trade and leave with them livestock they knew could not make the trek back and fruits and vegetables that would be better used as food for the proests and scribes. Each year etana grew stronger and taller than the others of his land he stood out among the rest and was hailed as a great fighter who wardedoff dozens of attacks from bandits and would be thieves.
Among the temple acolytes was Ninhursag, also known as Ninmah, the Daughter of King Anu and the Creator of the Worker-Race. She assigned roles to both high-born and low-born individuals in the city to ensure its protection and, above all, the safety of the temple. Etana had gained a significant reputation for leading a group of common people in defeating a band of thieves. He was so admired and beloved by all, regardless of their social status, that the temple guards visited his tent one night to invite him to meet with the High Priestess of the temple, Innina (the daughter of the Goddess Inanna). Rumors spread throughout the city that perhaps the Goddess herself had descended from the heavens to seek out the courageous shepherd. Upon reaching the temple, Etana was welcomed by Enlil, the captain of the Temple guard, who was known as the one who commands, and held the title of the son and heir to Anunnaki, the King of light, Anu.
Etana was asked to sit at a table filled with food, but he refused to eat despite being hungry. Shortly after, a group of men and women dressed in luxurious attire entered the room. There were nine of them, and each posed a question to Etana seeking his advice on the well-being of his people, known as the Black Headed Ones. He truthfully shared the struggles and aspirations of his people, then attentively listened to their suggestions about the land. When they all got up to leave, except for one, Ininna, she noticed that Etana still hadn't eaten. She asked if he feared the food was poisoned. Etana smiled and reassured her that he didn't believe poison was necessary within the temple grounds. He explained that he couldn't enjoy such a feast while his loved ones were hungry.
Upon hearing those words, Ininna smiled and clapped her hands, and a magnificent suit of armor was brought to him and placed at his feet. A group of servants entered, packed all the food onto wooden boards, wrapped them in luxurious purple cloths, each valued more than what Etana earned in two seasons. Ininna then revealed that he had successfully passed the final test, and the food would be sent to his family and friends for their enjoyment. Meanwhile, he was to remain at the temple to commence his studies and training. Etana gazed at her in disbelief and inquired, "Training? For what?" Inanna grinned playfully and replied, "Why, for kingship, of course. But first, let me share a tale that will shed light on why the Gods have selected you."
In the shade of our temple is a shrine and in the shade of that shrine a poplar tree grows. In its crown on its topmost branches an eagle settled.While at is base a serpent settled at its root.Daily they watched the wind push the clouds like beasts before a shepherd. The eagle made ready to speak, saying to the serpent, Let us be friends, you and I”.The serpent made ready to speak, saying to the eagle,Then let us swear a mighty oath of Shamash the great sun that shines his light on all of us (Utu).” Come then, let us set forth and go up the high mountain to hunt. We shall swear an oath by the heavens the snake replied“Let us also swear an oath by the netherworld so all creation shall know of this friendship“.
In front of the warrior Shamash, they pledged their solemn oath to uphold it, warning that anyone who violates the boundaries set by Shamash and breaks the oath will face severe consequences. They vowed that Shamash would deliver the transgressor to the executioner, that the mountains would distance themselves from him, and that the power of the sun would pursue and defeat him. They then embarked on their journey, ascending the tall mountains, taking turns each day to guard against wild animals, safeguarding their home like loyal companions.
Each day the eagle would hunt down wild oxen and gazelle,he grew larger and stronger.
The serpent would eat, turn away, then his children would eat. The eagle would hunt down wild sheep and aurochs,The serpent would eat, turn away, then his children would eat.
The serpent would hunt down beasts of the field,mice and rodents, the creatures of earth,The eagle would eat, turn away, then his children would eat the food, The eagle´s children grew big and flourished. And so they shared and life was satisfying.
After the eagle´s children were grown big and were flourishing...The eagle´s heart indeed plotted evil, Evil his heart plotted indeed!
He set his thoughts upon eating his friend´s young! The eagle made ready to speak, saying to its children:” I will eat the serpent´s children, the serpent shall be my prey,If I descend from the crown of the tree, then I shall be ruler of all… I shallbe the one king.”
The Eagles youngest and littlest fledgling, but exceedingly wise, said these words to the eagle, his father:” "Do not eat, my father! If you break your vow, The rayst of the sun Shamash will hunt you down, The mesh of the sky and oat of the land the might of Shamash the sun will overthrow you and hunt you down. For you will have transgressed the limits of Shamash, If you break your vow Shamash will deliver you as an offender into the hands of the executioner!”
The Eagle did not heed , nor listen to his sons´ words, He descended and ate up the serpents´ children, In the evening of the same day! Soon the serpent came to the root of the tree, bearing his burden, at the entrance to his nest he cast down the meat for his children. Glancing around, he noticed that his nest had disappeared. Looking down, he realized that his children were nowhere in sight, only the marks left by the eagle's talons on the ground.
The serpent shed tears in front of Shamash, the sun god and warrior, lamenting, "I had faith in you, valiant Shamash. I provided for the eagle when food was scarce. But now, my nest, my offspring, my future - all gone, while his nest remains unharmed. My offspring have been devoured, while his are safe. He descended and consumed my young! You are aware, Shamash, of the harm he has inflicted upon me."
Truly, O Shamash, your reach extends across the vast earth, your snare stretches to the distant sky. The eagle cannot elude your grasp, it must face the consequences. It would be a wicked king indeed to betray his allies! Upon hearing the serpent's plea, Shamash prepared to respond, saying: "Proceed on your path over the mountain, for I have ensnared a wild ox for you.
Open its belly, lay a trap within, and every bird of the sky will descend to feast upon the flesh. The eagle will join them in feasting, unaware of the impending danger. Driven by greed, he will enter the trap, only to be seized by his wings."Shamash continued...” Cut off his wings, his pinions and tail feathers,” Pluck him and cast him into a bottomless pit,” Let him die there of hunger and thirst”.
As Shamash the warrior commanded,The serpent went and crossed the mountain.Then did the serpent reach the wild ox,He opened its insides, he rent its belly.He set an ambush in its belly.Every kind of bird of heaven came down to eat the meat.Did the eagle know of the evil in store for him?
He refused to eat the meat alongside the other birds! The eagle prepared to speak and told his offspring, "Let's go down and feast on the wild ox meat." The wise little fledgling warned his father, "Father, do not descend, as there might be a lurking serpent inside the wild ox." Despite the birds eating peacefully, the eagle questioned, "Why are they not afraid?" Disregarding his sons' advice, the eagle landed on the wild ox. He examined the meat from all angles, but as he delved inside, the serpent caught him by the wings.
"You trespassed... you trespassed...!" The eagle prepared to speak, pleading with the serpent: "Show me mercy! I will reward you generously, like a king's ransom!" The serpent prepared to respond, saying to the eagle: "If I let you go, how will I face Shamash the mighty? Your punishment would then be directed at me, the one who should be punishing you!"
He cut off his wings, pinions and tail feathers,He plucked him and cast him into a pit.
That he should die there of hunger and thirst. As for him, the eagle,…He kept on beseeching Shamash day after day:” Am I to die in a pit? he said.” Who would know how your punishment was imposed upon me? he moaned. ” Save my life, save this foolish eagle! Let me cause your name to be heard for all time”.
Shamash got ready to confront the eagle and charged it with a terrible deed, labeling it as evil and detestable in the sight of the deities. He pointed out the eagle's pledge and stated that he would not personally come near it, but promised to send a man to help. "You will recognize this man because where you have enjoyed your food, he will decline; where you provide abundance, he will decline; where you offer sound advice, he will heed; where you offer punishment, he will raise his head - when you offer riches he will give to others, in that man lies your liberation."
Inanni looked up and saw Etana in his armor. As the food and priceless cloth was delivered to his encampment the Future King was shown his quarters and that night he dreamt.“O Shamash,he herad a cry from below you have dined from my fattest sheep! “O Netherworld, you have drunk of the blood of my sacrificed lambs! ” I have honored the gods and revered the spirits,” Dream interpreters have used up my incense, ” Gods have used up my lambs in slaughter.” O Lord, give the command! ” Grant me the plant of birth! ” Reveal to me the plant of birth! For in my savior I will give the power of my wings he shall be my true heir of Eagle and my brother the Serpent.I will repay my debt.” Relieve me of my burden, grant me an heir!”
Shamash made ready to speak to the eagle but instead a light shone upon him and he said to Etana:” Find a pit, look inside, ” An eagle is cast within it.” It will reveal to you the plant of birth”.
The next day Etana went his way to say goodbye to his family and let them know he was safe and had to stay. On his way he found a huge pit, he looked inside and a giant eagle was cast within it there he was as foretold in his dream for him to bring up! He saw the eagle was bound so he raised his great spear given to him with his armor and shattered the chains that held the mighty beast! Etana secured his spear and laid his body on the eagle’s back, and stretched his arms along its wings, and grasped its feathers. Then the eagle flew up into the sky. And when it had flown one league up into the sky the eagle spoke to Etana, saying, “Look down at the land below! How small it has become.”
If I had the eyes of an Eagle I could see what is hidden Etana replied. Then that is my gift to you the Eagle said for freeing me from my torment and pain. The eagle brought Etana high and low so he could see the Earth from different perspectives and understanding began to grow within Etana so much so that he could even understand his dreams and realized he was still asleep. When he awoke he found himself in the room still at the temple. but his mind was that of a King.
The Sumerians were responsible for the first system of writing, cuneiform; the earliest known codes of law; the development of the city-state; the invention of the potter’s wheel, the sailboat, and the seed plow; and the creation of literary, musical, and architectural forms that influenced all of Western civilization.
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