Eridu: The Divine Birthplace of Kingship and Order

Q: Why was Eridu important?

Eridu was important to the ancient Mesopotamians because it was regarded as the first city on earth, founded by the gods. It later became an important trade center, but it was always primarily a religious site.

Q: What made Eridu an important religious site?

Eridu was thought to be the home of Enki, the god of wisdom, who provided the people not only with wisdom and direction but with fresh water, the source of life.

Q: When and why was Eridu abandoned?

Eridu was abandoned c. 600 BCE, most likely due to overuse of natural resources. The population could no longer support itself and so moved elsewhere.

Joshua J. Mark

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Definition

Eridu (present-day Abu Shahrein, Iraq) was considered the first city in the world by the ancient Sumerians and is among the most ancient of the ruins from Mesopotamia. Founded circa 5400 BCE, Eridu was thought to have been created by the gods, who established order upon the earth with Eridu as the starting point.

More about: Eridu

Timeline

c. 2900 BCE
Probable date of the regional Great Flood when the river Euphrates rose.
c. 2300 BCE
The Eridu Genesis - The Sumerian Flood Story - is first composed and transmitted orally.
2100 BCE
Ziggurats in use in Sumerian cities of Eridu, Uruk, Ur, Nippur and elsewhere.
c. 600 BCE
The city of Eridu is abandoned.