The family tree of Anu, the supreme sky god of ancient Mesopotamia, centers on his parents Anshar and Kishar, his sister-wife Antu, and his primary children: Enlil, Enki (Ea), and Inanna (Ishtar), with many variations across Sumerian and Akkadian texts.
Who Is Anu in Mesopotamian Myth?
Anu (also spelled An in Sumerian) was the god of the sky, the highest heaven, and the ultimate source of divine authority in the pantheon of ancient Sumer, Akkad, Assyria, and Babylonia. His name literally means “sky” or “heaven” in Sumerian. Anu was considered the king of the gods, the father of the gods, and the one who bestowed kingship upon mortal rulers. Unlike storm gods like Enlil or wisdom gods like Enki, Anu was often portrayed as a distant, aloof figure who rarely intervened directly in human affairs. His primary role was to preside over the divine assembly and to legitimize the authority of other gods and kings.
The Earliest Generations: Anshar and Kishar
The earliest genealogical account of Anu appears in the Babylonian creation epic Enuma Elish (c. 12th century BCE). According to this text, the primordial gods Apsu (fresh water) and Tiamat (salt water) gave birth to Lahmu and Lahamu, who in turn produced Anshar and Kishar. Anshar was the god of the upper sky or the horizon, and Kishar was the goddess of the lower earth or the horizon. They became the parents of Anu. In some versions, Anshar and Kishar are described as the father and mother of all the great gods, and Anu is their firstborn. This genealogy establishes Anu as a third-generation deity, born from the cosmic elements of the universe.
Anu’s Spouse and Consorts
Anu’s primary consort was Antu (or Antum), who was also his twin sister in some traditions. Antu was a relatively obscure goddess in Sumerian religion, but she was revered as the female counterpart of Anu. Together, they were the parents of the gods and the divine couple of the highest heaven. In addition to Antu, Anu was associated with other goddesses in various city traditions. In Uruk, his main cult center, Anu was linked with Inanna (Ishtar), the goddess of love and war, who was sometimes considered his daughter and at other times his consort. In some texts, Anu is also said to have married the earth goddess Ki, though this is more commonly attributed to Enlil. The relationship between Anu and Ki is complex; in some Sumerian poems, Anu and Ki are the parents of Enlil, while in others Enlil is the son of Anu and Antu.
Anu’s Children: The Major Deities
Anu’s children are among the most important deities in the Mesopotamian pantheon. The most consistently attested are:
- Enlil – The god of wind, storms, and kingship. In Sumerian tradition, Enlil was the son of Anu and Ki (or Antu). He became the chief god of the Sumerian pantheon and was worshipped at Nippur. Enlil was often seen as the executive of Anu’s will, carrying out the decrees of the sky god.
- Enki (Ea) – The god of wisdom, fresh water, and magic. Enki was the son of Anu and Nammu (in Sumerian) or of Apsu (in Akkadian). He was the clever and benevolent god who helped humanity survive the flood and who brought civilization and crafts to humans. Enki was worshipped at Eridu.
- Inanna (Ishtar) – The goddess of love, beauty, sex, and war. Inanna was the daughter of Anu in most Sumerian texts, though some traditions make her the daughter of the moon god Nanna and the moon goddess Ningal. She was the most prominent female deity in Mesopotamia and was closely associated with the city of Uruk.
- Erra – A god of plague and war, sometimes described as a son of Anu. Erra was a destructive deity who could unleash devastation upon the earth.
- Gibil (Gerru) – The god of fire and metalworking, often considered a son of Anu and Antu.
Variations in Different Texts and Traditions
The genealogy of Anu is not consistent across all Mesopotamian texts. The Sumerian King List and various hymns and prayers provide different lineages. For example, in the Sumerian poem “Enlil and Ninlil,” Enlil is described as the son of Anu and Ki, but in the Enuma Elish, Enlil is the son of Anshar and Kishar (making him Anu’s brother, not son). Similarly, Enki is sometimes the son of Anu and Nammu, the primeval sea, and sometimes the son of Apsu. Inanna’s parentage is also fluid: she is most often the daughter of Anu, but in the epic “Inanna’s Descent to the Netherworld,” she is described as the daughter of the moon god Nanna. These variations reflect the local and historical evolution of the myths, as each city and temple had its own theological preferences.
The Role of Anu in Kingship and Divine Authority
Anu’s importance in the family tree extends beyond mere genealogy; he was the source of royal legitimacy. The concept of me (divine decrees) was often associated with Anu, who held the tablets of destiny. Kings of Mesopotamia claimed to rule by the command of Anu, and the famous Code of Hammurabi (c. 1750 BCE) begins with an invocation to Anu and Enlil, stating that they appointed Hammurabi to bring justice to the land. The temple of Anu in Uruk, the Eanna (“House of Heaven”), was a major religious center, and the ziggurat there was dedicated to him. In later Assyrian and Babylonian periods, Anu was often syncretized with other gods, such as the Assyrian god Ashur, who absorbed Anu’s attributes as the supreme deity.
Anu in Later Myth and Influence
Anu’s family tree and his figure had a lasting influence on later ancient Near Eastern religions. In the Hurrian and Hittite myths, Anu appears as Anu (or Anush), who is overthrown by his son Kumarbi in a succession myth that parallels the Greek story of Uranus and Cronus. In this myth, Anu is castrated by Kumarbi, a clear echo of the Greek myth of Uranus. This suggests that the Mesopotamian concept of a sky god whose authority is challenged by a younger generation was a widespread motif. In Greek mythology, the god Uranus (sky) is similarly overthrown by his son Cronus, and some scholars see a direct influence from Mesopotamian sources. Anu’s name also survived in astronomical contexts: the planet Uranus was not known to the Mesopotamians, but the star of Anu was the pole star, and the zodiacal sign of Aquarius was associated with him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Anu’s parents?
According to the Babylonian creation epic Enuma Elish, Anu’s parents are Anshar and Kishar, who are the children of Lahmu and Lahamu, who in turn are the children of Apsu and Tiamat. In some Sumerian traditions, Anu is said to be the son of the sky god Anshar and the earth goddess Kishar, but the Enuma Elish is the most detailed source.
Who is Anu’s wife?
Anu’s primary wife is Antu (or Antum), who is also his twin sister in some myths. Together they rule the highest heaven. In other traditions, Anu is associated with Ki, the earth goddess, and with Inanna, but Antu is the most consistent consort.
Who are Anu’s children?
The main children of Anu are Enlil, Enki (Ea), Inanna (Ishtar), Erra, and Gibil. However, the parentage of these gods varies by text. For example, Enlil is sometimes the son of Anu and Ki, and Enki is sometimes the son of Apsu, not Anu.
Is Anu the same as the Greek god Uranus?
No, but they share a similar role as sky gods who are overthrown by their sons. The Hurrian myth of Anu and Kumarbi is considered a likely source for the Greek myth of Uranus and Cronus, but they are distinct deities from different cultures.
Why is Anu not as active as other gods?
Anu is often portrayed as a distant, transcendent figure who delegates authority to his sons, especially Enlil and Enki. This reflects the theological idea that the supreme sky god is too exalted to involve himself in mundane affairs. His role is to sanction and legitimize the actions of other gods and mortal kings.
What is the symbol of Anu?
Anu’s symbol is a horned cap or tiara, which represents his divine kingship. He is also associated with the star (the cuneiform sign for “star” or “god”) and with the number 60, which was the highest in the Mesopotamian sexagesimal system, symbolizing his supreme status.
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