King of the gods and lord of the heavens. Anu is the supreme deity of the Mesopotamian pantheon, father of the gods, and source of all royal authority.
Anu stands at the apex of the Mesopotamian divine hierarchy as the god of the sky and the embodiment of supreme authority. His name literally means 'heaven' in Sumerian, and he personifies the distant, transcendent dome of the sky itself. From his throne in the highest heavens, Anu presides over the assembly of the gods, though he rarely intervenes directly in earthly affairs.
Cosmic Authority
Anu's power is absolute but delegated. He grants the 'Tablet of Destinies' to other gods, the divine object that confers supreme authority over the cosmos. His kingship is not won through battle but exists as a primordial fact of the universe. All other gods derive their authority from his sanction, and earthly kings rule as his earthly representatives.
The Distant God
Unlike more active deities such as Enlil or Marduk, Anu remains aloof from daily divine politics. His very remoteness emphasizes his supreme status. When the gods face a crisis they cannot resolve, they ascend to Anu's heavenly court for final judgment. His word, once spoken, cannot be undone.
Temple Worship
Anu's primary cult center was the E-anna temple in Uruk, which he shared with Inanna. Despite his supreme status, his worship was less prominent than that of more active gods, reflecting his role as the distant, ultimate authority rather than an accessible patron deity.
Origin Story
In the beginning, heaven and earth were joined as one. When they separated, Anu took the heavens as his domain while Enlil claimed the earth. Anu fathered the great gods and established the cosmic order, assigning each deity their domains and powers through divine decree.
Both represent ultimate divine authority, though Ra is a more active cosmic force
Primary Sources
Historical texts and references
“Anu is king of the gods; he is their father. His word is the word of destiny.”
Worship & Cult
How Anu was venerated in ancient times
Sacred Temples
•Uruk, the sky god's city
•High temples (ziggurats) dedicated in his name across Sumer and Akkad
Festivals & Celebrations
Akitu in cities where Anu headed the rite
Worship Practices
Sky, kingship's source, and a god who recedes as Marduk and others rise. The horned crown and the highest shrine. Offerings go up. He is remote on purpose.
