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Apsu is a Demon in the Megami Tensei franchise.
Profile
Origin
Abzû or Apsû[a] (ab = 'water' zû = 'deep') is the term for the subterranean fresh waters in ancient Near Eastern cosmology, particularly in Sumerian and Akkadian mythology. These waters were believed to possess a life-giving or fertilizing quality and were regarded as the source of all lakes, springs, rivers, fountains, rain, and even the Flood described in the Atrahasis epic.
In Mesopotamian cosmogony, the Abzû was conceived as the primordial freshwater ocean beneath the earth, contrasted with the saltwater sea personified by Tiamat. The union of the male Abzû and the female Tiamat was believed to give rise to the first generation of gods. The earth itself was sometimes personified as the goddess Ninhursag. Mesopotamian cosmology also held that the sun god Shamash traveled through the underworld at night to rise again in the east.
The Abzû was also closely associated with the god Enki (Ea in Akkadian), who was believed to dwell there before the creation of humanity. His temple at Eridu, known as E₂-abzû (“House of the Deep Waters”), stood near a marsh or sacred water source. According to tradition, Enki lived in the Abzû with his wife Damgalnuna, his mother Nammu, his advisor Isimud, and various attendant beings, including the gatekeeper Lahmu. Ritual basins of holy water in Babylonian and Assyrian temple courtyards were likewise called abzû (or apsû) and were used for purification rites.
The Abzû appears as a deity primarily in the Babylonian creation epic, the Enūma Eliš, preserved in copies from the library of Ashurbanipal (7th century BCE). In this account, Apsû is a primordial freshwater being and consort of Tiamat. Their union produces the younger gods, including Anu, Enlil, and Ea (Enki). Disturbed by the noise of these deities, Apsû plots to destroy them but is ultimately slain by Ea. In retaliation, Tiamat creates a host of monsters and wages war against the gods before being defeated by Marduk, who fashions the cosmos from her body.
Design
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Gameplay
Compendium
| Compendium Entries
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| Shin Megami Tensei IV
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A Mesopotamian god of the deep waters.
Apsu existed since the birth of time and is depicted as a freshwater sea. He is the source of knowledge and made the lands fertile. His fresh water mixed with that of Tiamat, the deification of the chaotic salt waters, and from there the main gods were born.
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| Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
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A Mesopotamian god of the deep waters. Apsu existed since the birth of time and is depicted as a freshwater sea. He is the source of knowledge and made the lands fertile. His fresh water mixed with that of Tiamat, the deification of the chaotic salt waters, and from there the main gods were born.
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Game Appearances
Apsu is one of the mid bosses revived by Inanna in the Cosmic Egg, and must be defeated to proceed in the dungeon. Upon defeat, he is unlocked for fusion.
Apsu appears as a boss fight during the Naomi Vision Quest in the ruins beneath Nikamimon. The Phantom Society commissions Naomi to exterminate either Apsu or Tiamat in order to make space for Manitou. When defeated, Apsu places a curse on Naomi before he dies, which results in Naomi dying shortly after. Apsu is absorbed by Manitou, which makes the boss resistant to physical attacks but weak to magic attacks.
Nomenclature
Names in Other Languages
| Language |
Name |
Meaning
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English
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Apsu
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Japanese
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アプスー Apusū |
Apsu
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Korean
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아프수 Apeusu |
Apsu
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Gallery
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Sprite from the
Sega Saturn version of
Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
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Sprite from the
PlayStation version of
Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
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Sprite from the
Nintendo 3DS version of
Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
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Notes