Dilmun

archaeological site in Bahrain

Dilmun, or Telmun, (Sumerian: 15px, later , = ; ) was an ancient East Semitic–speaking civilization in Eastern Arabia mentioned from the 3rd millennium BC onwards, covering the transition from Prehistoric Arabia into the historic period. Based on contextual evidence, it was located in the Persian Gulf, on a trade route between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley Civilisation, close to the sea and to artesian springs. Dilmun encompassed Bahrain, Kuwait, and eastern Saudi Arabia.

Inzak (also Enzag, Enzak, Anzak; in older publications romanized as Enshag) was the main god of the pantheon of Dilmun. The precise origin of his name remains a matter of scholarly debate. He might have been associated with date palms. His cult center was Agarum, and he is invoked as the god of this location in inscriptions of Dilmunite kings. His spouse was the goddess Meskilak. A further deity who might have fulfilled this role was dPA.NI.PA, known from texts from Failaka Island.

thumb|240px|Hugo Radau's line-art for a letter from Ilī-ippašra, named on the third line, to Enlil-kidinni, called Illiliya on the first line, the governor of Nippur