Many ancient narratives, such as the Mesopotamian epics, Enuma Elish, and Gilgamesh, involve fierce battles weaponizing natural forces. Whether human, divine, or somewhere in between, a protagonist's ability to manipulate natural elements can be a decisive yet volatile element in deciding the outcome of a conflict.
With respect to Lucy Davey's transdisciplinary knowledge of ancient Near Eastern cultures, this paper takes an ecocritical approach to a selection of narratives from Mesopotamian, biblical, and Egyptian literature, to explore the conceptual link between favourable environmental conditions, conflict, and divine support. Further, we consider the ways that conflicts with nature blur the lines between creation and destruction, humans and animals, and combatants and casualties.