Sumerian Mythology

Samuel Noah Kramer was Clark Research Professor Emeritus of Assyriology at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was also Curator Emeritus of the Tablet Collections.

List of Illustrations Preface Introduction. The Sources: The Sumerian Literary Tablets I. THE SCOPE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SUMERIAN MYTHOLOGY II. MYTHS OF ORIGINS -The Creation of the Universe -The Organization of the Universe -Enlil and Ninll: the Begetting of Nanna -The Journey of Nanna to Nippur -Emesh and Enten: Enlil Chooses the Farmergod -The Creation of the Pickax -Cattle and Grain -Enki and Ninhursag: the Affairs of the Watergod -Enki and Sumer: the Organization of the Earth and Its Cultural Processes -Enki and Eridu: the Journey of the Water-god to Nippur -Inanna and Enki: the Transfer of the Arts of Civilization from Eridu to Erech -The Creation of Man III. MYTHS OF KUR -The Destruction of Kur: the Slaying of the Dragon -Inanna's Descent to the Nether World IV. MISCELLANEOUS MYTHS -The Deluge -The Marriage of Martu -Inanna Prefers the Farmer V. REFERENCES AND NOTES Supplementary Notes to Revised Edition Index

"A real addition to the body of world mythology."--American Anthropologist "No people has contributed more to the culture of mankind than the Sumerians, and yet it has been only in recent years that our knowledge of them has become at all accurate or extensive. [This book is] our first authoritative sketch of the great myths of the Sumerians, their myths of origins, of creation, the nether world, and the deluge. The book ... makes entrancing reading and for the general reader it opens up a whole new vista undreamed of before."--Theophile J. Meek