Aruru is in Near Eastern mythology (Babylonian-Assyrian), a creator goddess, perhaps a later manifestation of the Great Goddess. Together with the hero god Marduk, she made man. In the Babylonian epic poem Gilgamesh she creates Gilgamesh’s rival and companion, Enkidu, by washing her hands and taking a bit of clay, which she throws on the ground. In a variant tradition the god Ea is credited with the creation of mankind.
SEE ALSO:
- Ea
- Enkidu
- Gilgamesh
- Great Goddess
- Marduk
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. DowCopyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante
NOTE:
Since the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians and others all shared essentially the same pantheon and belief systms, these articles are all combined under the Mesopotamian mythology / deities / legendary creatures category.