How Do You Spell APSU?
Pronunciation: [ˈapsuː] (IPA) 
Correct spelling for the English word "apsu" is [ˈapsuː], [ˈapsuː], [ˈa_p_s_uː] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Pronunciation: [ˈapsuː] (IPA)
Correct spelling for the English word "apsu" is [ˈapsuː], [ˈapsuː], [ˈa_p_s_uː] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Apsu, in Mesopotamian mythology, is a term derived from the ancient Sumerian language, signifying the primordial freshwater ocean or abyss that encompassed the entirety of creation. It is considered one of the most ancient and significant concepts in Mesopotamian cosmology. Apsu is typically depicted as a personification of fresh water, often associated with fertility, life-giving properties, and the original source of all existence.
In the Sumerian mythological narrative Enuma Elish, Apsu is portrayed as the male counterpart to Tiamat, the goddess of saltwater and chaos. Together, they give birth to the gods and become the progenitors of the universe. Apsu, however, eventually grows weary of the noisy and disruptive behavior of their offspring, the younger deities. In an act of divine retribution, he attempts to destroy his children, but is thwarted by the god Ea, who slays Apsu in order to protect the younger gods' existence.
This mythological concept of Apsu holds great significance within Mesopotamian religion, symbolizing the foundational principles of creation, primal waters, and the cycle of life. It represents the origins of all existence and the innate power inherent in water as a life-giving force. Apsu is venerated as both a deity and a metaphysical concept that underlies the very fabric of Mesopotamian cosmology, serving as a crucial piece in the complex puzzle of their mythology and beliefs.
The word "apsu" has its etymology in the ancient Mesopotamian languages, particularly Sumerian and Akkadian.
In Sumerian, the word "Absu" (later simplified to "apsu") referred to a concept associated with fresh water or subterranean water. It was considered the primordial source of all life and the domain of Enki, the god of wisdom and fertility in Sumerian mythology. The "apsu" was often depicted as an underground ocean or the abyss from which all rivers and springs originated.
In Akkadian, a Semitic language spoken in ancient Mesopotamia, "abzu" was the respective term corresponding to the Sumerian "apsu". The Akkadian version preserved the same meaning, referring to the freshwater or subterranean water domains.
