Abzu (deity)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Abzu is a god of the Sumerian and thus also of the Akkadian (here Apsu ), Babylonian and Assyrian religions. Thus Abzu is also a model and component of other deities from various ancient oriental and other peoples.

In addition, there is the divine personification of the freshwater ocean below the earth. His place of residence bears his name and is deep underground. It is the source of all fresh water and is hidden. Furthermore, Apzu is considered a cosmic freshwater ocean, on which the earth as a world mountain ( Ninḫursanga ) both swims and appears to be surrounded by it (gods punting in the sky). According to Akkadian tradition, Abzu is the husband and counterpart of the sea goddess Tiamat , who symbolizes the saltwater ocean. Together they formed the primordial ocean from fresh and salt water. He is one of the old gods who was overthrown and killed by a younger generation of gods in a battle between the gods due to Enki's rebellion , who thereby became “Lord of the Abzu” . Heaven was created from the dead bodies, which led to the creation of the world and also of humans. Enki's temple in Eridu was Eapsu , the "house of the ocean".

In the Enuma Elish , Abzu (“the primordial”) and Tiamat (“who bore them all”) are the first forms of existence, long before creation. They testify to several gods, including Laḫmu and Laḫamu , about whom nothing is known apart from their names. Later, however, Abzu and Tiamat are disturbed by the younger generations of gods and Abzu therefore wants to destroy them. His adviser and companion Mummu supports him and suggests the plan to kill the other gods. Tiamat does not agree and tries to appease him. The god Enki receives news of Abzu's plans and lets him sink into a deep sleep through a spell. Then he kills him, takes Mummu prisoner and claims the killed Abzu as his home. He now becomes the master of the fresh water. Tiamat has been alone and forgotten for a long time. However, when the Marduk appears as the shining, powerful son of Enki, the old gods, who fear him, turn to Tiamat, touch their loneliness and move them to help them and thus avenge Abzu's death. She finally feels needed again and responds to it. In the ensuing fight, she is killed by Marduk, the rebelling gods are imprisoned until Marduk has rearranged the earth, using parts of the dead Tiamat. Thereupon he takes the prisoners out again, kills the instigator Kingu and uses the gods as guardians over the various regions.

Both Abzu and Tiamat are not only gods, they also represent the respective principle of fresh and salt water. Abzu was also the name for the “freshwater ocean”, from which the seven spirit beings known as Abgal came from.

literature