Adapa and the South Wind

Adapa, the Sage of Eridu

1 The finest understanding ... 2 His command was complied with, like the command of Anu. 3 He gave him complete wisdom, revealing to him the order of the land. 4 He gave him wisdom, but did not give him eternal life.⁠a

5 In those days, in those years, this sage, a native of Eridu, 6 Ea made him like a protective spirit among human beings. 7 A sage whose command no one rejected, 8 Skilled and very wise, he was servant of the Anunnaki,

9 Pure, with clean hands, anointed and attentive to divine rites,

Adapa Serves Ea

10 He worked as a baker with the baker, 11 He worked as a baker with the bakers of Eridu, 12 Every day he made the food and drink for the worship of the gods in Eridu. 13 He prepared the table with his own clean hands, 14 Without him the table was not cleared.

15 He steered the boat, he caught fish each day for the worship of the gods in Eridu. 16 At that time Adapa, native of Eridu, 17 While king Ea was stretched out in bed, 18 Attended to Eridu’s gate bolt each day.

19 At the sacred harbor, the harbor of “Heavenly Splendor,” he boarded the sailboat. 20 Without a steering oar his boat would drift on course, 21 Without a punting pole he would steer his boat. 22 Into the wide sea. 23 ... 24 ...

The Gods at Heaven’s Gate

25 To ... 26 ... 27 ... 28 Adapa ... 29 To ... 30 “Two gods have vanished from our land, 31 “That is why I ...” 32 “Who are the two gods ...?” 33 “Tammuz and Gizzida ...””

Adapa Breaks the South Wind’s Wing

1 “I did ... 2 South Wind! ... 3 I did as much as I needed ... 4 South Wind, ... your brothers, however many there are, 5 I will break your wing!” 6 As soon as he said it, the South Wind’s wing broke.

Anu Summons Adapa

7 The South Wind did not blow over the land for seven days. 8 Anu called to his messenger Ilabrat, 9 “Why has the South Wind not blown for seven days over the land?” 10 His messenger Ilabrat answered him, 11 “My lord, Adapa, son of Ea, has broken the South Wind’s wing.” 12 When Anu heard this, 13 He cried, “Heaven help us!” He rose from his chair, 14 “Send word and have him brought here.”

Ea Prepares Adapa for Heaven

15 Ea, who knows heaven’s ways, touched his arms, 16 ... and made him wear his hair unkempt, 17 Had him put on mourning clothes and gave him instructions,

18 “Adapa, you are going into King Anu’s presence. 19 You will go up to heaven. 20 When you go up to heaven and approach Anu’s gate, 21 Tammuz and Gizzida will be standing at Anu’s gate. 22 When they see you, they will ask you,

23 ‘Young man, for whom are you dressed this way? 24 Adapa, why are you in mourning clothes?’

25 ‘Two gods have disappeared from our land, 26 That is why I am dressed this way.’

27 ‘Who are the two gods who have disappeared from the land?’

28 ‘They are Tammuz and Gizzida.’

29 They will look at each other and laugh and laugh, 30 They will speak in your favor to Anu, 31 They will help you receive a friendly welcome from Anu. 32 When you come before Anu,

Ea’s Instructions About Food and Drink

33 “They will offer you food of death, do not eat it. 34 They will offer you water of death, do not drink it. 35 They will offer you a garment, put it on. 36 They will offer you oil, rub it on yourself. 37 Do not forget the instructions I give you, 38 Hold on to the words that I have spoken.”

39 Anu’s messenger arrived, 40 “Adapa broken the wing of the South Wind, 41 Send him to me!”

Adapa Enters Heaven

42 He brought him along the road to heaven and he went up to heaven.⁠a 43 When he went up to heaven and approached Anu’s gate, 44 Tammuz and Gizzida were standing at Anu’s gate.

45 When they saw him, Adapa, they cried, “Heaven help us! 46 Young man, for whom are you dressed this way? 47 Adapa, why are you dressed in mourning clothes?”

48 “Two gods have disappeared from the land, 49 So I am dressed in mourning clothes.”

50 “Who are the two gods who have disappeared from the land?”

51 “Tammuz and Gizzida.” 52 They looked at each other and laughed and laughed.

53 When Adapa came into King Anu’s presence, 54 Anu saw him and cried,

Adapa Answers Anu

55 “Come, Adapa, why did you break the wing of the South Wind?” 56 Adapa answered Anu,

57 “My lord, I was fishing in the depths of the sea for my lord’s temple. 58 Halfway through the sea crossing, 59 the South Wind blew against me and capsized me, 60 I was plunged into my lord’s house. 61 In my anger, I cursed it.”

62 Tammuz and Gizzida spoke up beside him, 63 Speaking in his favor to Anu. 64 His heart grew calm, he became quiet.

The Food and Water of Life

65 “Why did Ea disclose to a flawed human being something of heaven and earth,⁠b 66 And give him such a bold heart? 67 Since he has done this for him, what can we do for him? 68 Bring him food of life, so he can eat.”

69 They brought him food of life, but he did not eat. 70 They brought him water of life, but he did not drink. 71 They brought him a garment, and he put it on. 72 They brought him oil, and he rubbed it on himself.

73 Anu stared at him and burst out laughing at him,

74 “Come, Adapa, why did you not eat or drink? 75 Will you not live? What a loss for the ... peoples!”

76 “Ea my lord told me, ‘You must not eat, you must not drink.’”

77 “Take him and send him back to earth.” 78 ... stared at him ...

Anu Sends a Messenger

1 When ... heard this, 2 ... in his anger, 3 He ... and sent a messenger. 4 ... Ea, the very wise one, who knows the hearts of the great gods, 5 ..., who examines the hearts of the gods, 6 ... to reach the king, 7 ... considered the matter. 8 ... to Ea the king,

9 “... has sent a messenger.”

Ea Prepares Adapa

10 ... Ea, the very wise one, who knows the hearts of the gods, 11 ... ... heaven. 12 He ... and left his hair uncombed, 13 He smeared ... and rubbed a mourning garment. 14 ... and said to him,

Ea’s Instructions

15 “Adapa, you are going into King Anu’s presence, 16 ..., hold on to my words. 17 When you go up to heaven and approach Anu’s gate, 18 ... Tammuz and Gizzida will be standing at Anu’s gate. 19 ...”

Adapa Receives Oil and Clothing

1 He ordered water of life for him, but he did not drink. 2 He ordered oil for him, and he rubbed it on himself, 3 He ordered a garment for him, and he put it on.

Anu’s Decision About Adapa

4 Anu laughed loudly at what Ea had done, 5 “Who else among all the gods of heaven and the underworld could do something like this? 6 Who else could make his command stronger than Anu’s?”

7 Adapa surveyed from the horizon to the heights of heaven, 8 He saw the terrifying splendor of ...

9 At that time Anu assigned a duty to Adapa, 10 ... of Ea he released him. 11 Anu decreed that he would be honored for his leadership for all time.

Adapa’s Ascent

12 ... Adapa, the descendant of humankind, 13 Who arrogantly broke the wing of the South Wind in two, 14 ... to ascend to heaven. Let it be so.

An Incantation for Healing

15 The South Wind, whose gusts harmed the people, 16 The painful sore it has laid on people’s bodies, 17 ... pure Ninkarrak brings relief. 18 If the South Wind rises and the painful sore returns, 19 If shivering attacks this ... 20 ... he will not sleep soundly, 21 ... joy of people’s hearts, 22–23 ...

The South Wind Stops Blowing

1 ... 2 To ... 3 In ... 4 ... 5 The South Wind ... 6 To the house ... 7 At his command ... 8 The South Wind ... in ... 9 At that time ... 10 This order ... 11 At his command ... 12 For seven days and ..., 13 The South Wind did not blow toward the land ...

The Beer of Heaven

14 Let them become confused ... 15 The beer of heaven ... 16 The South Wind ... 17 ... 18 ... 19 The South Wind ... 20 Radiant ... 21 In ... 22 Of ... 23 ...