Oannes

Oannes is a figure from Mesopotamian mythology, specifically from the traditions of ancient Sumer and later Babylonian culture.

Oannes is often associated with the Apkallu, a group of wise beings or demigods believed to have imparted knowledge to humanity.

Appearance: Oannes is typically described as having the body of a fish but underneath having the form of a man.

Knowledge and Civilization: Oannes is credited with teaching humans various arts and sciences, including writing, mathematics, and architecture, as well as ethical and legal principles.

Mythological Role: In some accounts, Oannes would emerge from the Persian Gulf each day to instruct humanity, returning to the sea each night.

Historical Context: The stories of Oannes come primarily from later Babylonian sources and are associated with Berossus, a Babylonian priest of the Hellenistic period who wrote a history of Babylon.

He described Oannes as the first in a series of Apkallu who emerged from the sea.

Cultural Significance: The myth of Oannes reflects the Mesopotamian view of the sea as a source of wisdom and mystery.

The Apkallu, to which Oannes belongs, are often depicted as either fish-men or bird-men, representing various forms of divine wisdom.

Overall, Oannes is an important mythological figure symbolizing the transmission of knowledge from divine or supernatural realms to human society, embodying the themes of enlightenment and civilization that are central to Mesopotamian mythology.

Oannes, in Mesopotamian mythology, an amphibious being who taught mankind wisdom.

Oannes, as described by the Babylonian priest Berosus, had the form of a fish but with the head of a man under his fish’s head and under his fish’s tail the feet of a man.

Oannes was probably the emissary of Ea, god of the freshwater deep and of wisdom.

Berossus' Account: The most famous account of Oannes comes from Berossus, a Babylonian priest who wrote a history of Babylon called the Babyloniaca around the 3rd century BCE.

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.

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.

Pergamon Museum, Berlin: This museum contains a large collection of artifacts from Mesopotamia, including pieces that relate to the mythology and iconography of figures like Oannes.

In Eusebius’ Chronicon, he provides a summary of Berossus' description of Oannes as follows:

Description of Oannes: Berossus describes Oannes as having the body of a fish with a human head beneath the fish's head and human feet under the fish's tail.

Civilizing Influence: Oannes is credited with teaching the early humans all the necessary arts and sciences for civilization.

Appearance: Oannes would emerge from the sea by day and return at night.

Abydenus: Abydenus, another later historian, also refers to Berossus’ work, mentioning similar aspects of Oannes and his role as a bringer of wisdom and knowledge to humans.

Alexander Polyhistor: In the account preserved by Eusebius, Alexander Polyhistor quotes Berossus, describing Oannes' appearance and his role in educating humanity about various crafts and sciences.

"In the first year, there appeared from the Erythraean Sea, which borders upon Babylonia, an animal endowed with reason, by name Oannes, whose whole body was that of a fish; under the fish's head he had a human head, and under the fish's tail, human feet.