Editing Alulim (section)

==Miscellaneous attestations==
A tablet of the [[Eridu Genesis]] from [[Ur]] first published in 2018 describes the appointment of Alulim.{{sfn|Peterson|2018|pp=37-38}}<ref>UET 6, 61 + UET 6, 503 + UET 6, 691 (+) UET 6, 701 or [https://cdli.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/artifacts/346146 CDLI Literary 000357, ex. 003 (P346146)]</ref> 
{{Verse translation
|(Obverse)
1 They (the chief deities) created humanity
2 After the [animals/vermin?] were proliferating below/from the earth in unison
3 They made livestock and quadrupeds as fitting things in the steppe(eden-na)
4 In the high steppe ... joyous plants broadly
5 At that time, the canal was not dug ...
6 The dike and ditch [were not dredged(?) ...]
7 The ox ... the plow/farmer/furrow(?) ...
8 The lands ... a single track ...
9 Humanity ... their eyes/faces ... [rain?]
10 Šakkan/Šumugan [did not go out(?)] in the desert ...
11 Weaving the cap/headcloth(?) ...
12 Humanity ...
13 At that time, the snake was not present, [the scorpion was not present ...]
14 The lion was not present, [the hyena was not present ...]
15 The dog and wolf were not present ...
16 Humanity [had no opponent ...]
17 Fear and [gooseflesh(?) were not present ...]
18 ... 
19 The king ...
20 ...

|(Reverse)
1 First ... were giving [Eridu or Ku’ara?] to Asalluhi,
2 Second ... were giving [Bad-tibira to the nugig midwife?],
3 Third ... were giving [Larak[ to Pabilsaĝ,
4 Fourth ... were giving [Sippar to Utu?]
5 Fifth ... were giving Š[uruppak?] to [Sud?].
6 Those cities .. their settlements ...
7 An, Enlil, [Enki?] and Ninhursaĝ
8 Among(?) those cities, Eridu .. they established at the front/as the leader(?)
9 They led(?) a man who was lying(?) among its vast and many people ...
10 An, Enlil, and Enki, the father(s) of the gods(?)
11 They chose Alulim/the "seed of the red deer" for the shepherdship of the entirety of the many people
12 They named him(!) Alulim/named the "seed of the red deer" ...
13 After they served according to the command to check thusly/forever after(?)
14 [So that?] humanity, whoever possessed a name, were grasping his feet (in submission)/following his path(?)
15 They put both (capital) offense and sin(?) in his hand
16 was giving ... to him
17 ...
18 ...
}}

It has been interpreted as an [[etiology]] of the institution of kingship, with the first ruler being chosen from among mankind to act as the [[shepherd]] of the early, still animalistic humans, thus leading to the development of human civilization.{{sfn|Peterson|2018|p=39}} The gods responsible for Alulim's appointment in this text are [[Anu|An]], [[Enlil]] and [[Enki]], who are also credited with assigning his name to him.{{sfn|Peterson|2018|p=44}} Jeremiah Peterson notes that the grammar of the passage might not designate him as a human, which could indicate that in this context Alulim is not a personal name, but merely a description of the entity chosen to act as a ruler.{{sfn|Peterson|2018|p=47}}

In the ''Ballad of Early Rulers'', a composition noted for its large number of allusions to other works of Mesopotamian literature,{{sfn|Alster|2005|pp=296-297}} Alulim is listed among famous ancient figures alongside [[Etana]], [[Gilgamesh]], [[Ziusudra]], [[Humbaba]], [[Enkidu]], [[Bazi (king)|Bazi]] and [[Zizi (king)|Zizi]].{{sfn|Frahm|2018|p=278}} The fact that kings associated both with southern cities, such as Alulim, and ones at home in the north, such as Etana, are mentioned side by side might indicate that it was composed during the period of exodus of scribes from south to north in the [[Old Babylonian period]].{{sfn|Viano|2016|p=369}} Bendt Alster compares this text to a [[drinking song]] and notes it appears to enumerate renowned legendary figures in seemingly humorous context, in order to explain the need to find joy in the present.{{sfn|Alster|2005|pp=290-291}}

Alulim is also attested in [[Neo-Babylonian Empire|Neo-Babylonian]] incantations against field [[Pest (organism)|pests]], acknowledge him as a "king from before the deluge",{{sfn|George|Taniguchi|Geller|2010|p=133}} though in this context he is also addressed as the creator of insects.{{sfn|Peterson|2018|p=40}} He is described as capable of expelling them with a [[wand]], and as responsible for the [[weeding]] of fields belonging to [[Nergal]].{{sfn|George|Taniguchi|Geller|2010|pp=136-137}} Elsewhere the expulsion of insects is the domain of the deities [[Ninkilim]] and [[Ennugi]], and it is not known how Alulim came to function as a similar figure.{{sfn|George|Taniguchi|Geller|2010|p=137}} The same texts also state that he was believed to enjoy milk, [[ghee]] and beer, but could not stand "queen [[Nisaba]]", here a [[Metonymy|metonym]] for grain.{{sfn|George|Taniguchi|Geller|2010|p=136}}

Although earlier tradition, Me-Turan/Tell-Haddad tablet, describes [[Adapa]] as postdiluvian ruler of Eridu,<ref>Cavigneaux, Antoine. “Une version Sumérienne de la légende d’Adapa (Textes de Tell Haddad X) : Zeitschrift Für Assyriologie104 (2014): 1–41.</ref> in late tradition, [[Adapa]] came to be viewed as Alulim's vizier.{{sfn|Peterson|2018|p=40}} It was believed that he provided the king with wisdom on behalf of the god [[Ea (god)|Ea]].{{sfn|George|Taniguchi|Geller|2010|p=136}} Piotr Steinkeller based on the connection between them suggests Alulim could himself be viewed as a sagacious Adapa-like figure, though he admits no sources provide information about the perception of his character in Mesopotamian tradition.{{sfn|Steinkeller|2017|p=64}} The association between Alulim and Adapa is attested in lists of rulers and corresponding sages known from the [[Hellenistic period]], and additionally in an earlier damaged text from [[Sultantepe]] labeled as a letter from Adapa to Alulim, following a convention of so-called "scribal letters".{{sfn|Foster|1974|pp=346-347}} However, a distinct tradition instead placed Adapa in the times of another mythical king, [[Enmerkar]].{{sfn|Foster|1974|p=347}}