Anu

Briefly saying Anu is the father of the Sumerian Gods, also, the father of the gods and the god of the firmament. Ishtar appeals to him for help after Gilgamesh spurns her advances. But who wants reading briefly? Let’s get to know this character in more details.

Anu is the god, who sits in the sky. He has a very important role in Mesopotamian mythology too. But in our story, he also doesn’t have many lines and roles. Author of the story makes emphasis on the human’s general knowledge about gods, with an aim not to lose lines talking about them a lot. Anu has several key points in the text. The premiere time he appeared was in Tablet 1. When all the citizens in Uruk are shocked of the behavior Gilgamesh had they started praying to the gods with a desire to get any help. An Anu is exactly that God who hears people’s prayers. So what did he do? He asks Aruru to make another man (Enkidu) who will be equal to Gilgamesh, and as a result will be capable of confronting him and save people.  

Also, we see him on the Tablet 6, when Ishtar flies up to heaven with the broken heart because of Gilgamesh who has rejected her offer of marriage. Here he appears like a real dad who sees that his daughter needs help, and firstly he refuses to do those harsh things but later agrees with her.

On tablet 7, Anu appears too. There was a scene with a decision about who can live further life – Gilgamesh or Enkidu and who must die for killing Humbaba. There he appears like a wise god. Anyway, he is rather a good character than bad, and to be honest – we like him.