Adapa

Adapa was a hero from Eridu in Mesopotamia. Unknown. (1972). "Adapa", in Leach, M. (ed) Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend. 3rd ed. p.9-10
== Biography ==
Adapa was a son of Ea, the god of wisdom, and was granted great knowledge and intelligence by his father. 
He was a fisherman, and one day his boat was capsized by Shutu, the spirit of the South wind. Adapa ended up in the House of the Fish, and in his anger he broke Shutu's wings, preventing her wind from blowing for seven days. Anu found out and summoned Adapa to his court. Ea warned him not to consume the bread or water of death that would be offered to him. Adapa begged Anu for forgiveness and, at the insistence of Tammuz and Gishzide, was forgiven. The gods, realising that Adapa had seen the secrets of heaven and earth, then offered him the bread and water of life to make him immortal, but, following the advice of his father, he refused, thus losing his chance at immortality. 
== Analysis ==
Adapa is considered the Mesopotamian equivalent of Adam in the Fall of Man myth, owing to both gaining the gift of knowledge, but being denied immortality. Adapa's actions also caused diseases to befall mankind, much as Adam's actions caused man to have to work.
== See Also ==
* Babylonian Mythology
* Food Taboo in the Land of the Dead
== References ==
Category:Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend
Category:Heroes