Apsu is a primordial deity in ancient Mesopotamian mythology, specifically within the Babylonian and Sumerian traditions. He represents the freshwater ocean and is often associated with the creation of the universe. Apsu is considered the father of the gods and is depicted as a source of life and fertility. In the Enuma Elish, a Babylonian creation myth, Apsu and his consort, Tiamat, give birth to the first generation of gods. However, Apsu's desire to eliminate the younger gods leads to conflict, ultimately resulting in his defeat by the god Ea. This myth highlights themes of creation, conflict, and the cyclical nature of life in ancient mythology.