Eridu

Oldest on the lists of the king

Before Uruk or ziggurats with songs did ring

Where Enki was god

And barley sprouted from the sod

More than a legend it is true

In the mists of myths lays Eridu

Millennia before the pyramids

In a place now desolate

Was a land that some say

Was the paradice of its day

But all its splendor could not save

What now lays buried beneath sandy wave

Where was traded a legacy

To pay a debt of luxury

Author's Note

Eridu the first city of Sumer around 8,000 BC. Existing long before writing. By the time of the Egyptians it was only a myth thousands of years in the past. Enki was the god of knowledge and water in this oasis in an arid land. It was at this time that people turned to agriculture from hunting and gathering. It is the source of the first creation and flood myths carried on down through Egypt to the bible.

Reviews

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

As a matter of fact the sumerians religious texts are far older and ancient than most others. They definitely outdate the Bible which itself comes from the Jewish texts of the Torah, five books of Moses. Eridu is one of the oldest cities in what is known as Mesopotamia. As you referenced Gilgamesh was one of the first known tales that had a flood story in it. Part of sumerian belief which again predates the Bible. A very nice write my friend and rich with history.

[Soren]

Thank you Carlos I was a little hesitant to post this in that I felt that most people would not know enough to identify with it. I'm glad that you are not one of them.

[carl]

What a great poem. Read epic of Gilgamesh when in college and fueled my interest in ancient legend/myth/history. followed up with The Golden Bough, The Iliad and Odyssey, Beowulf, etc, etc. Love all things ancient. Oddly was not familiar with Eridu so went and did some reading. Thanks for the inspiration. Made me think of Ozymandias, by Shelley, one of my long time favorites. Thanks for the post. - carl

[Soren]

Thank you Carl I too have read many of those and was especially intrigued by Sir George Frasier's The Golden Bough. Thanks so much for the comment

[willweb]

Very cool. I am not up on these people/Gods/ etc but you paint such a wonderful picture of them, I think I should be. Loved the poem.