The Apkallu taught that to the ancestors of the Sumerians because that is how you manage a large dense population.
The Babylonians speak of Oannes and the Apkallu
Babylonian narratives describe beings like Oannes and the Apkallu, who emerged from the sea to teach humans agriculture, writing, and city-building.
Oannes and the Apkallu: In Sumerian and Babylonian traditions, Oannes and the Apkallu were half-human, half-fish beings who brought knowledge, writing, and civilization to humanity.
The seven sages, referred to as Apkallu, are depicted in myths and art as having both human and non-human.
Apkallu were said to possess profound wisdom and were credited with teaching mankind various aspects of civilization, such as rituals, medicine, and crafts.
This is reliant on the premises that Jonah is the same figure as Oannes of the Apkallu, and that the Apkallu are Atlantean emissaries (this appears to be the case given they are sent from god Enki who can be likened to the god Atlas).
For context, the Apkallu are known as a civilising people who bring knowledge of agriculture and irrigation to the Sumerians, they also wore fish outfits.
Oannes is often associated with the Apkallu, a group of wise beings or demigods believed to have imparted knowledge to humanity.
Oannes is often associated with the Apkallu, a group of wise beings or demigods believed to have imparted knowledge to humanity.
He described Oannes as the first in a series of Apkallu who emerged from the sea.
The Apkallu, to which Oannes belongs, are often depicted as either fish-men or bird-men, representing various forms of divine wisdom.
These texts describe Oannes and the Apkallu in detail.
Enuma Elish and Other Texts: The Apkallu, including figures similar to Oannes, are mentioned in various Babylonian and Assyrian texts, such as the Enuma Elish (the Babylonian creation myth) and other cuneiform tablets that discuss creation, wisdom, and the flood.
Cuneiform Tablets: Numerous cuneiform tablets from the Assyrian and Babylonian periods reference the Apkallu.
The British Museum, London: The British Museum holds one of the most comprehensive collections of Mesopotamian artifacts in the world, including cuneiform tablets that reference Oannes and the Apkallu.
Louvre Museum, Paris: The Louvre also has a significant collection of Mesopotamian artifacts, including statues, reliefs, and tablets that depict or reference mythological beings like the Apkallu.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: The Met has a collection of artifacts from the ancient Near East, including items that reflect the cultural and mythological context of the Apkallu and related figures.
Cylinder Seals: Mesopotamian cylinder seals, which were used to imprint images and texts onto clay, sometimes depict Apkallu figures and can offer insights into how these beings were envisioned.
Statues and Reliefs: Some Assyrian palace reliefs depict Apkallu figures, often shown as fish-men or bird-men.
"Apkallu" (also spelled "apkallū") and "Abgal" are terms from ancient Mesopotamian mythology, particularly within the context of Sumerian, Assyrian, and Babylonian cultures.
The Apkallu were said to possess profound wisdom and were credited with teaching mankind various aspects of civilization, such as rituals, medicine, and crafts.
In Mesopotamia, these sages are often referred to as the "Apkallu" (Akkadian) or "Abgal" (Sumerian).
The Apkallu are often listed as seven sages who existed before the Great Flood.
The Seven Apkallu (sages) of Mesopotamian mythology are named in various ancient texts, especially in the Sumerian King List and related cuneiform inscriptions.
These seven Apkallu are symbolic of the civilizing efforts made before the Flood.
The Atra-Hasis Epic: The Apkallu play a role in aiding humans before the Flood, emphasizing their guidance and wisdom.
After the Flood, the Apkallu were replaced by human priest-sages (referred to as "um-manū").
In later traditions, Apkallu who defied the gods were demonized.
These rebellious Apkallu were sometimes linked to chaos and misfortune.
Apkallu statues or reliefs were buried in foundation deposits of buildings for protection.
The Apkallu are often compared to other mythological beings such as the Nephilim in Judeo-Christian texts due to their divine-human hybrid nature.
The Apkallu symbolize the transmission of knowledge, the balance between order and chaos, and the importance of divine wisdom in human progress.
Uannedugga is one of the Apkallu, wise sages in Mesopotamian myth who brought knowledge of various arts, including presumably laws and ethics, given their advisory roles to kings.
Enmedugga is one of the Mesopotamian Apkallu, sages associated with imparting strategic and specialized knowledge, potentially including military strategies considering their advisory roles to kings in ancient texts.
Enmegalamma is an Apkallu from Mesopotamian mythology, part of a group of sages known for imparting wisdom and skills, including possibly writing and diplomacy, crucial for communication.
Enmebulugga is one of the Mesopotamian Apkallu, sages who are thought to have brought sacred knowledge and religious rituals, key to the spiritual and social order.
An-Enlilda is another of the Mesopotamian Apkallu, sages credited with imbuing society with divine wisdom and ethical guidance, potentially including aspects of harmony and beauty.
Utuabzu is one of the Mesopotamian Apkallu, thought to have ascended to heaven and brought divine secrets to earth, representing deep wisdom and esoteric knowledge.
Some scholars (for example Greenfield) compare negative aspects of the Mesopotamian Apkallu culture-hero tradition to Nephilim lore.
The Apkallu are antediluvian sages praised for wisdom, sometimes called sons of Ea.