370 



LEGENDS OF ADAPA AND OF THE FLOOD 



appear in heaven before Ann, who had noticed, or had learnt 

 through his messenger, ^ that the South Wind had ceased, 

 according to the earher or Eridean account, to blow for seven 

 days. 



Before setting out Adapa was bidden by Ea to put on 



garments of mourning to 

 propitiate the two gods, 

 Tammuz and Gishzida, 

 guarding the portals of 

 heaven, but was warned not 

 to touch at any hazard 

 what he purposely mis- 

 named the " Bread of 

 Death," or the " Water of 

 Death," which would be 

 offered unto him. 2 He could, 

 however, accept the garment 

 and the oil when likewise 

 presented. 



At the interview the 

 guardian gods interceded so 

 successfully with Anu that 

 his wrath waned ; he granted 

 a pardon, and decided that 

 as Adapa had seen the in- 

 terior of heaven, he should 

 be added to the company of 

 the gods. 



He therefore commanded 

 that the " Bread of Life " 

 and the "Water of Life" 

 should be brought forth ; but Adapa would neither eat nor 

 drink of them, although he put on the proffered garment and 

 anointed himself with the poured-out oil. And Anu, when 

 he saw that Adapa had not partaken of the " Bread of 



* See the Nippur Poem. 



■ Ea's command spranp; from the fear of losing the worship, etc. of his 

 devotee, when once he had acquired immortahty by eating and drinking of 

 the Bread and Water of Life. 



THE DEMON OF THE SOUTH-WEST WIND. 



From Karl Frank, Babylonische Besch- 

 wdrtnnge Reliefs, p. 80. 



