The Anunnaki: The History and Legacy of the Ancient Mesopotamian Deities

Today the Mesopotamians and their religion are sources of curiosity, but thousands of years ago, the religions were integral parts of their lives. From their birth to their death, deities surrounded them, and whether their social interactions were on the level of a smaller city or that of a larger nation-state, deities played key roles in the social fabric of their society. Whereas the Israelites were one people who worshipped a single god, Mesopotamian religions hailed from many sources that spanned thousands of years.

Myth content and structure also changed as different dynasties came and went from Babylon. When modern Assyriologists – the term for scholars who study ancient Mesopotamia – began compiling the myths of the region, they realized that many of the most popular myths had several versions and were often copied into multiple languages. Although myths are part of a culture’s religion, Mesopotamian people’s religious rituals were usually independent of any myth: rituals were a way for humans to connect and gain favor with their gods, while the myths explained the way things came to be, as well as elucidating moral elements of society.

In ancient Mesopotamia, families formed the basis of local communities, and from that core, states, kingdoms, and empires often derived their identity and legitimacy. Of course, the family unit also played a crucial role in the development of religious beliefs and myths, and one of the most influential is the Anunnaki. Scores of religious texts from ancient Mesopotamia – written in Sumerian cuneiform and Akkadian cuneiform – relate how the Anunnaki were the second generation of gods and goddesses. However, scholars debate their abilities, roles, and even which deities were considered among the Anunnaki. Many texts describe the Anunnaki collectively as guardians of the Underworld, yet in other texts, they are mentioned as protectors of the heavens.