Why did Sumerian create nature-based gods?

The Sumerians, who lived in what is now modern-day Iraq, created nature-based gods as part of their polytheistic belief system because they sought to understand and explain natural phenomena that were critical to their survival and daily life. In ancient times, people often did not have scientific explanations for events like floods, droughts, or seasonal changes. As a result, they attributed these events to the actions of gods and deities.

By personifying aspects of nature as gods, the Sumerians could ascribe intentions, desires, and personalities to the forces of nature, making them more relatable and, to some extent, possibly controllable through rituals and worship. For example, they believed in gods like An (Anu), the god of the sky, Enlil, the god of air and storms, and Enki (Ea), the god of water and wisdom. Each god represented a critical element of their natural environment and was believed to influence their agricultural activities, fertility, and well-being.

By creating myths and stories about these nature-based gods, the Sumerians could articulate a system of causes and effects that shaped their world, which in turn provided a framework for understanding their place in the cosmos and how to interact with the forces that impacted their lives. This religious framework also helped to unite communities through shared beliefs and practices.