An

   A Sumerian, and later general Mesopotamian, god whose name meant "Heaven" or "Heavenly Deity" and who held moral authority over all other gods. An (or Anu) provided the universe with order, ruled the sky, and oversaw the administration of justice, including deciding the fate of other deities. Various myths list different wives for An, among them the earth goddess, Ki; the mother goddess, Nammu; and the sex goddess, Inanna (or Ishtar). The names of

   gods in lists found on tablets dating from the late fourth and third millennia b.c. often use An's name as a prefix, perhaps paying homage to his superior position in the divine pantheon. An's son, Enlil, ruler of Earth, eventually took over some of An's functions, such as bestowing kingship on human rulers.

   See also: Enlil; Inanna; Nammu