Book of Enki:

“You know, I must admit brother, this is rather enjoyable,” Enlil said as he sat upon a lavish throne, being fanned by naked Sumerian women on either side of him. They had finely formed bodies, flawless skin, and shimmering raven hair. While they fanned him, another held a bronze pitcher of beer in one hand, and wine in another. 

Enlil beckoned and the slave began filling a golden, bejeweled chalice with honeyed beer. Another naked slave girl, quite young, her body painted with gold and red pigment, stood next to a sturdy wooden table. On top of the table was a lavish feast. 

Enriched barley breads, okra stew, goat cheese and butter, veal cutlets; a fish salad mixed with cucumber, mustard seed, turnips, onions, and apples. Mersu, a dish of smashed dates submerged in honey and rolled in pistachios; raisin and date cake, accompanied by goat’s milk; the fire-roasted haunch of a gazelle, boar, and venison strips. There were even beef steaks sitting in a pool of butter and honey. 

Enlil regarded the girl and the feast with equal carnal lust, scales bristling in the sun. “Is this beef? Where in the world did they find a cow in this region?” Enlil said between bites.

Enki watched his brother gorge himself. “That is the only one they had. They usually keep them only for their milk. Some kind of sickness afflicted their livestock, killing off the few cows they managed to breed. You are eating the sole survivor of that pestilence. They are hoping that if they please you with these offerings, you will be moved to aid them, to end their suffering.”

Enlil laughed. “How marvelous.”

Enki gritted his teeth. “You’re in my seat.”

“Oh come now, you don’t want to be a poor host, do you? Don’t you wish to appease me too? If I bring positive news to father, that would go a long way to putting you back in his good graces.”

“How wonderful that would be…” Enki murmured, taking the seat to Enlil’s left side, the one Enki had prepared for Enlil himself. 

“They really seem to like this fruit. Do they have to put them in everything?” Enlil said as he turned away a plate of dates stuffed with goat cheese, walnuts, and drizzled with honey.

“A thousand apologies. Dates are plentiful here, many of our recipes revolve around them. I will have all of those dishes removed if it pleases you, great lord,” A man of mild stature said as he stepped into the room. He wore a fine, white flax robe, tied at the waste by wool rope, with strands of gold woven throughout. 

The man’s stature was lessened by a slight stoop. He had a balding head of wispy white hair. His brown skin had an orange hue, exacerbated by liver spots and varicose veins. Atop his head was a resplendent gold crown, with jewels and gems encrusted throughout. It also had dangling gold leaflets all across. The man also wore bracelets, rings, and many necklaces of a similar style, with gold, jewels, and designs carved throughout. He was encumbered by so much jewelry, and looked so frail, Enki was surprised he could still walk upright. 

“Do not trouble yourself with such trifles Enmerkar. I am simply making conversation,” Enlil said.

Enmerkar nodded. “As you wish,” he said, bowing, then took a seat to Enlil’s right.

Enki noticed that Enmerkar did not even acknowledge his presence. He thought that quite insolent. The two never really got along, as Enmerkar was installed as the vassal of Anu, ruler of Uruk. Enki could not rid himself of Enmerkar, as it would incur the wrath of Anu. So Enmerkar remained a thorn in Enki’s side, a watchful eye that would surely report anything he thought would buy him favor with Anu, king of all the gods. 

Enmerkar knew that Enlil was the favored son of Anu, so he was groveling more than usual. The blatant disrespect Enmerkar was showing toward Enki was just further evidence of the increasing tensions between Enki and his father. If Enmerkar felt comfortable enough to act in such a manner, it must have meant he believed Enki was losing his influence.