Sumerian mythology is the collection of myths and stories from the ancient Sumer civilization, which thrived in Mesopotamia around 4500 to 1900 BCE. It features a pantheon of gods and goddesses, such as Anu, the sky god, and Inanna, the goddess of love and war. These deities were believed to control natural forces and human affairs, influencing agriculture, fertility, and the seasons. The myths often explain the creation of the world, the origins of humanity, and the relationship between gods and mortals. Important texts, like the Epic of Gilgamesh, reveal themes of friendship, mortality, and the quest for immortality, reflecting the values and beliefs of Sumerian society.