Adapa was a Mesopotamian mythical figure who unknowingly refused the gift of immortality. The story, commonly known as "Adapa and the South Wind", is known from fragmentary tablets from Tell el-Amarna in Egypt and from finds from the Library of Ashurbanipal, Assyria. Adapa was an important figure in Mesopotamian religion. His name would be used to invoke power in exorcism rituals. He also became an archetype for a wise ruler. In that context, his name would be invoked to evoke favorable comparisons. Some scholars conflate Adapa and the Apkallu known as Uanna. There is some evidence for that connection, but the name "adapa" may have also been used as an epithet, meaning "wise".
Overview
Adapa's story was initially known from a find at Amarna in Egypt from the archives of Egyptian King Amenophis IV. By 1912, three finds from the Library of Ashurbanipal had been interpreted and found to contain parts of the story. As of 2001 five fragments from the library are known. There are differences in several of the known versions of the text. Based on a catalogue of texts, a possible original title, an incipit, may have been Adapa into heaven. A modern analysis of the development of the main Adapa tale is by
Summary
Adapa was a mortal man, a sage or priest of the temple of Ea in the city ofEridu. Ea had given Adapa the gift of great wisdom but not eternal life. While carrying out his duties, he was fishing the Persian Gulf. The sea became rough by the strong wind, and his boat was capsized. Angry, Adapa "broke the wings of the south wind" preventing it from blowing for seven days. The god Anu called Adapa to account for his action, but Ea aided him by instructing Adapa to gain the sympathy of Tammuz and Gishzida, who guard the gates of heaven and not to eat or drink there, as such food might kill him. When offered garments and oil, he should put the clothes on and anoint himself. Adapa puts on mourning garments, tells Tammuz and Gishzida to be in mourning because they have disappeared from the land. Adapa is then offered the "food of life" and "water of life" but will not eat or drink. Then garments and oil are offered, and he does what he had been told. He is brought before Anu, who asks why he will not eat or drink. Adapa replies that Ea told him not to. Anu laughs at Ea's actions, and passes judgment on Adapa by asking rhetorically, "What ill has he brought on mankind?" He adds that men will suffer disease as a consequence, which Ninkarrak may allay. Adapa is then sent back down to earth. The ending of the text is missing.
Other myths
Adapa is also associated with the kingEnmerkar. In the portions that are known, Adapa and Enmerkar descend into the earth, and are involved in breaking into an ancient tomb. What happens in there not clear, but the outcome is that they leave and reseal the tomb.
Legacy
The name of Adapa became pervasive in some rituals of the Mesopotamian religion. According to exorcists would state "I am Adapa!" in their rituals. Rituals from Nippur dating to as early as around 1800 BC use Adapa's name in their incantations. Derivatives of the text remained in use until at least the 1st century AD. During the Neo-Assyrian period, comparisons to Adapa would be used in reference to the king and so were used to legitimize that king. For example, it was written in Sennacherib's Annals, "Ea endowed me with vast knowledge equivalent to that of the Sage Adapa".
Interpretation
as Uanna/Oannes
The name Adapa has also been used for the first Apkallu, sometimes known as Uanna. The myths of the two are different, and the Apkallu is half-fish, while Adapa is a fisherman. However, there may be a connection. One potential explanation for the occurrence of the two names together is that the cuneiform for 'adapa' was also used as an appellative for "wise". Alternative viewpoints exist as to whether 'adapa' should be considered an epithet for 'uanna' or the other way around. Both occur together in compound as the name of the first apkullu. If identified as the first Apkallu, Adapa would have been the adviser of the mythical first king of Eridu, Alulim. That connection is found in some texts, with King Alulu. Elsewhere, he is associated with the much-later King Enmerkar.
When the story of Adapa was first rediscovered some scholars saw a resemblance with the story of the biblical Adam, such as Albert Tobias Clay. Later scholars such as Alexander Heidel rejected this connection; however, potential connections are still considered worthy of analysis. Possible parallels and connections include similarity in names, including the possible connection of both to the same word root; both myths include a test involving the eating of purportedly deadly food; and both are summoned before god to answer for their transgressions.
