Jensen[145] has brought other evidence to show that Ea was once regarded as the creator of mankind.

One of his titles is that of 'potter,' and mankind, according to Babylonian theories, was formed of 'clay.' Moreover, in a Babylonian myth that will be set forth in its proper place, Ea expressly figures in the role of creating a mysterious being, _Uddushu-na-mir_, whose name signifies 'his light shines.' Such a proper name, too, as "Ea-bani," _i.e._, 'Ea creates,' points in the same direction.
In other literary productions of Babylonia, such as, _e.g._, the so-called Izdubar epic, Ea again appears without Marduk, showing that this story has not been remodeled, or that the later version, in which the traces of a recasting may have been seen, has not been discovered.
In the deluge story, which forms part of the Izdubar epic, Ea alone is the hero.

It is he who saves humanity from complete annihilation, and who pacifies the angered Bel.

Marduk's name does not appear in the entire epic.

We have found it necessary to dwell thus at length upon these evidences of the recasting of the literary products of ancient Babylonia under the influence of changed conceptions of the gods and of their relations to one another, for upon the understanding of these changes, our appreciation of the development of religious beliefs in Babylonia, and all connected with these beliefs, hinges.