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The Legend of Etana is an ancient Mesopotamian myth that originates from Sumerian and Akkadian cultures. The story is part of a larger corpus of Mesopotamian mythology and literature, and it dates back to at least the early second millennium BCE. The myth is best known from versions found in Assyrian and Babylonian texts, although it likely has earlier Sumerian origins.
The Legend of Etana is preserved in various versions on cuneiform tablets discovered in the ruins of ancient Mesopotamian cities like Nineveh and Ashur. These texts, written in the Akkadian language, are fragmentary, and much of the original story is lost. Despite this, the legend has been reconstructed from the surviving fragments and remains an important piece of Mesopotamian literature.
Summary of the Legend
The Legend of Etana tells the story of Etana, a king of Kish, a city in ancient Mesopotamia. Etana is portrayed as a just ruler, but his kingdom suffers from a serious problem: the goddess Ishtar has withheld the power of fertility, preventing crops from growing and women from bearing children. Desperate to save his kingdom, Etana prays to the gods for help.
In response to his prayers, the god Shamash directs Etana to seek out an eagle that has been trapped in a pit by a serpent.
The eagle had previously betrayed the serpent, leading to its imprisonment. Etana rescues the eagle, who, in gratitude, agrees to help him find the “plant of birth,” which will allow his wife to conceive a child.
The eagle carries Etana on a journey into the heavens, ascending higher and higher into the sky. As they rise, Etana gazes down and sees the earth shrinking below him, eventually reaching the heavens of the gods. However, in some versions of the myth, Etana becomes frightened by the height and asks the eagle to return him to the ground. In other versions, he reaches his goal and acquires the plant of birth.
The Legend of Etana has been partially reconstructed from several fragmentary cuneiform tablets. The following are some of the translated verses from the tablets, based on the most complete versions available. These translations give a glimpse into the story, though they are incomplete due to the fragmentary nature of the source material.
Translated Verses from the Legend of Etana
- Etana’s Prayer to the Sun God Shamash:
- “Shamash, may I behold the plant of birth, Show me the plant of birth, Bring to me the power of its fruit, Grant me a son.”
- The Conversation Between the Eagle and Etana:
- Eagle: “My friend, let me carry you to the sky, Place your hands on my wings, place your arms on my sides.”
- Etana: “To the sky, take me, my friend, To the dwelling of Anu, where we can find the plant of birth.”
- Etana’s Ascension with the Eagle:
- “When they had ascended one league, the land appeared as a hill, When they had ascended a second league, the land appeared as a garden, When they had ascended a third league, the land appeared as a stream.”
- Etana’s Fear During the Flight:
- “My friend, I am not able to go up to heaven, Set me down, let me return to my city.”
- The Eagle’s Response:
- “Hold on, my friend, do not let go, To the dwelling of Anu, we will reach our goal.”
- Etana’s Return to Earth:
- “When they had descended one league, the land appeared as a garden, When they had descended a second league, the land appeared as a hill, When they had descended a third league, the land appeared as a city.”
