ENKI

[Mesopotamian] The Sumerian high god of water and intellect, creation, wisdom and medicine who could restore the dead to life. He was the source of all secret and magical knowledge of life and immortality. Enki possessed the secret of me, 'culture, civilization', which is the genius of progress in knowledge to lead humanity. He invented civilization for the people and assigned to each his destiny. He created order in the cosmos. He filled the rivers with fish. He invented the plough and the yoke so that farmers could till the earth with oxen. He made the grain grow. He is the father of all plants. In most myths his consort is Damkina, or Ninhursag, who gave him a daughter. Enki is depicted on a relief holding Zu, the storm-bird. His main cult center was Eridu in ancient Sumer, one of the first cities in the world. He was called Ea in Babylonian, King of Apsu.