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Tablet telling the legend of Etana, from Nineveh, northern Iraq, Neo-Assyrian, 7th century BC
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Tablet telling the legend of Etana, from Nineveh, northern Iraq, Neo-Assyrian, 7th century BC
Tablet telling the legend of Etana, from Nineveh, northern Iraq, Neo-Assyrian, 7th century BC. The story told on this tablet centres on Etana, a legendary king of the southern Mesopotamian city of Kish. An eagle and snake swear an oath of friendship by Shamash, god of the sun and justice. They both raise their young, but the eagle eats the young snakes. The snake cries to Shamash who tells it to hide in the carcass of a dead wild bull. The eagle flies down to eat from the bull, but is seized by the snake, who ties its wings and throws it into a pit. Meanwhile, Etana, a pious man, prays to Shamash for a son and the plant of life. Shamash tells Etana where to find the eagle, so that it can help him to find the plant. From the British Museums collection
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Media ID 14851821
© CM Dixon / Heritage-Images
Adiabene Assyria Assyrian Cuneiform Iraq Legend Legendary Mesopotamia Mesopotamian Neo Assyrian Nineveh Tablet Mike Dixon
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases a remarkable artifact from ancient times - the Tablet telling the legend of Etana. Dating back to the 7th century BC, this Neo-Assyrian tablet was discovered in Nineveh, northern Iraq. The story depicted on this stone tablet revolves around Etana, an esteemed king of Kish in southern Mesopotamia. The tale begins with an extraordinary oath of friendship between an eagle and a snake, solemnly sworn under the watchful eye of Shamash, the god of sun and justice. However, tragedy strikes when the eagle devours the young snakes it had vowed to protect. In despair, one surviving snake seeks solace from Shamash who advises it to hide within a lifeless wild bull's carcass. As fate would have it, Etana enters the scene as a devout man yearning for both a son and access to the plant of life. Seeking divine guidance from Shamash through prayer leads him towards encountering this very same eagle trapped by its serpentine adversary. Recognizing their intertwined destinies, Etana rescues the bird and enlists its assistance in locating the elusive plant. This intricately inscribed tablet not only offers us glimpses into ancient Mesopotamian mythology but also serves as a testament to human aspirations for eternal life and divine intervention. Preserved within British Museum's collection today, this artifact stands as a vivid reminder of our enduring fascination with legends that transcend time and borders.
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