Enki’s Seven Sages (Adapa/Oannes and the Apkallu): Humanity’s Cosmic Guardians

Abstract

In contrast to the cruel and militant gods, who treated humans as pawns in their power struggle, Enki is remembered not just as a benevolent god who saved the human race from extermination, but who also imparted knowledge. Especially scholarly disciplines like divination, astrology, astronomy, lamentation and exorcism were considered a revelation by Enki. The Catalogue of Texts and Authors attests that a handbook of medical symptoms comes “of the mouth of Ea”, “Adapa wrote them down at his dictation.” Enki was helped by his Seven Sages – the apkallu (Adapa being the main one) – the cosmic guardians who disseminated his knowledge, and were remembered as teachers of humankind and laying the foundation of civilization. According to Berossus, “from that time nothing further has been discovered.” Sometime around the Flood they disappeared, descending to the abode of Enki. This transition is reflected in the change from semi-divine sages or culture-heroes (apkallu) to scholars (ummanu).