Order vs. Chaos in Sumer

[david]

Please feel free to move this if this is in the wrong place, but in 'Ancient Iraq' by Georges Roux, he says that the Enuma elish was recited every New Year in a magical ceremony:

it was because the Babylonians felt that the great cosmic struggle had never really ended and that the forces of Chaos were always ready to challenge the established Order of the gods.

I know the Babylonians were different to the Sumerians (more emphasis on Marduk and Tiamet, etc), and I know that in ancient Egypt, the conflict of order/Ma'at vs. chaos was very important to the religion, but did Sumerians have any similar views, like did they view the order vs. chaos conflict as never-ending with enemies always rising to challenge the gods, etc.

Thanks for any help.

[saharda]

It's not a matter of order vs chaos in my opinion. It seems to be more that the gods are attempting to bring an ever increasing order to the universe, and that anything that goes against this brings chaos. (I really should write an entire article on this subject, but haven't had time)

[us4-he2-gal2]

David:

In brief I can tell you that yes, there were chaotic aspects or character's in Sumerian myth, by chaotic I simply mean one defiant or opposing of a god/s will. Without getting too elaborate some examples would be Ebiḫ, Asag, and Anzu.

Asag [a₂-sag₃] see etcsl t.1.6.2
Ebiḫ [ebih^ki] see t.1.3.2
Anzu [anzud₂^mušen / anzud^mušen] If you dont have this myth on hand, it is available at
www.gatewaystobabylon.com/myths/texts/ninurta/mythanzu.htm - The web-maker there states this is from S.Dalley "Myth from Mesopotamia" and after comparing my copy with what is presented on that page, I can confirm they seem to have typed it word for word.

Other aspects of Mesopotamian myth and belief which might be considered chaotic will come under discussion on this board I hope, Enmesharra might be termed such if it can be confirmed he did oppose Enlil (the embodiment of Divine authority and order.) Also when we are able to explore Early dynastic incantations, the alignment of demonic entities in that period (acting within or without divine order) would be a question I have committed to exploring. (see the Mesopotamian magic board - orientation.)

Your question is extremely simple but the answers are as always extremely complex it seems..
cheers