Origin and Meaning of Enlil
Meaning & Origin
Lord of the Wind and Earth
Origin: Sumerian - Enlil is derived from the Sumerian words 'en' meaning 'lord' and 'lil' meaning 'wind' or 'spirit'.
Interesting Facts
- Enlil is a major deity in ancient Mesopotamian mythology, revered as the god of air, wind, and earth.
- He was considered one of the most important gods in the Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian pantheons, often depicted as a powerful figure controlling the forces of nature.
- Enlil is mentioned in various ancient texts, including the Sumerian King List, in which he is portrayed as a god who enables kings to rule.
- Worship of Enlil peaked around 2000 BCE, particularly in the city of Nippur, which was considered his main cult center.
- Enlil has different epithets and variants in other cultures, such as Ellil in Akkadian and variations in names like Elil in other Near Eastern texts.