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The Enuma Elish
"When on High . .
."
The Mesopotamian/Babylonian
Creation Myth
Edited by Carl Lenze (January
2004)
The Enuma Elish is a Babylonian or Mesopotamian myth of creation
recounting the struggle between cosmic order and chaos. It is basically a myth
of the cycle of seasons. It is named after its opening words and was recited on
the fourth day of the ancient Babylonian New Year's festival. The basic story
exists in various forms in the area. This version is written in Akkadian, an
old Babylonian dialect, and stars Marduk, the patron deity of the city of
Babylon. A similar earlier version in ancient Sumerian has Anu, Enil and
Ninurta as the heroes, suggesting that the story was adapted to justify the
religious practices in the cult of Marduk in Babylon.
This version was written
sometime in the 12th century BC in cuneiform on seven clay tablets. They were
found in the middle 19th century in the ruins of the palace of Ashurbanipal in
Nineveh. George Smith first published these texts in 1876 as The Chaldean
Genesis. Because of many parallels with the
Genesis account, some historians concluded that the Genesis account was simply
a rewriting of the Babylonian story. As a reaction, many who wanted to maintain
the uniqueness of the Bible argued either that there were no real parallels
between the accounts or that the Genesis narratives were written first and the
Babylonian myth borrowed from the biblical account.
However, there are simply too
many similarities between the accounts to deny any relationship between the
accounts. There are significant differences as well that should not be ignored.
Yet there is little doubt that the Sumerian versions of the story predate the
biblical account by several hundred years. Rather than opting for either
extreme of complete dependence or no contact whatever, it is best to see the
Genesis narratives as freely using the metaphors and symbolism drawn from a
common cultural pool to assert their own theology about God (seeSpeaking the Language of Canaan).
The version presented here is a
combination of several translations but is substantially based on the
translation of E. A. Speiser in Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the
Old Testament, 3rd edition, edited by James
Pritchard (Princeton, 1969), with modifications based on various other
translations (for example, the translation of L.W. King, The Seven
Tablets of Creation, London 1902). The
translation of these texts is not exact. In some cases, badly damaged tablets
make reading the text difficult. Some translators leave the gaps, while others
attempt to reconstruct the text based on what remains. In other cases, there
are differing interpretations of the meaning of words or the reading of the
cuneiform itself. Many translations of the tablets try to capture the sense of
the text rather than a literal translation. That is the approach taken here. In
this version, many of the names of the gods are left untranslated.
Tablet I
The stage is set for the story.
The various gods represent aspects of the physical world. Apsu is the god of
fresh water and thus male fertility. Tiamat, wife of Apsu, is the goddess of
the sea and thus chaos and threat. Tiamat gives birth to Anshar and Kishar,
gods who represented the boundary between the earth and sky (the horizon). To
Anshar and Kishar is born Anu, god of sky, who in turn bears Ea. These
"sons of the gods" make so much commotion and are so ill-behaved that
Apsu decides to destroy them. When Ea learns of the plan, he kills Apsu and
with his wife Damkina establishes their dwelling above his body. Damkina then
gives birth to Marduk, the god of spring symbolized both by the light of the
sun and the lightning in storm and rain. He was also the patron god of the city
of Babylon. Meanwhile Tiamat is enraged at the murder of her husband Apsu, and
vows revenge. She creates eleven monsters to help her carry out her vengeance.
Tiamat takes a new husband, Kingu, in place of the slain Apsu and puts him in
charge of her newly assembled army.
When on high the heaven had not
been named,
Firm ground below had not been
called by name,
When primordial Apsu, their
begetter,
And Mummu-Tiamat, she who bore
them all,
Their waters mingled as a
single body,
No reed hut had sprung forth,
no marshland had appeared,
None of the gods had been
brought into being,
And none bore a name, and no
destinies determined--
Then it was that the gods were
formed in the midst of heaven.
Lahmu and Lahamu were brought
forth, by name they were called. (10)
Before they had grown in age
and stature,
Anshar and Kishar were formed,
surpassing the others.
Long were the days, then there
came forth.....
Anu was their heir, of his
fathers the rival;
Yes, Anshar's first-born, Anu,
was his equal.
Anu begot in his image
Nudimmud.
This Nudimmud was of his
fathers the master;
Of broad wisdom, understanding,
mighty in strength,
Mightier by far than his
grandfather, Anshar.
He had no rival among the gods,
his brothers. (20)
Thus were established and
were... the great gods.
They disturbed Tiamat as they
surged back and forth,
Yes, they troubled the mood of
Tiamat
By their hilarity in the Abode
of Heaven.
Apsu could not lessen their
clamor
And Tiamat was speechless at
their ways.
Their doings were loathsome
unto . . . .
Thier way was evil; they were
overbearing.
Then Apsu, the begetter of the
great gods,
Cried out, addressing Mummu,
his minister: (30)
"O Mummu, my vizier, who
rejoices my spirit,
Come here and let us go to
Tiamat!"
They went and sat down before
Tiamat,
Exchanging counsel about the
gods, their first-born.
Apsu, opening his mouth,
Said to resplendent Tiamat:
"Their ways are truly
loathsome to me.
By day I find no relief, nor
repose by night.
I will destroy, I will wreck
their ways,
That quiet may be restored. Let
us have rest!" (40)
As soon as Tiamat heard this,
She was furious and called out
to her husband.
She cried out aggrieved, as she
raged all alone,
She uttered a curse, and unto
Apsu she spoke:
"What? Should we destroy
that which we have built?
Their ways indeed are most
troublesome, but let us attend kindly!"
Then Mummu answered, giving
counsel to Apsu;
Ill-wishing and ungracious was
Mummu's advice:
"Do destroy, my father,
the mutinous ways.
Then you will have relief by day
and rest by night!" (50)
When Apsu heard this, his face
grew radiant
Because of the evil he planned
against the gods, his sons.
As for Mummu, he embraced him
by the neck
As that one sat down on his
knees to kiss him.
Now whatever they had plotted
between them,
Was repeated unto the gods,
their first-born.
When the gods heard this, they
were astir,
Then lapsed into silence and
remained speechless.
Surpassing in wisdom,
accomplished, resourceful,
Ea, the all-wise, saw through
their scheme. (60)
A master design against it he
devised and set up,
Made artful his spell against
it, surpassing and holy.
He recited it and made it
subsist in the deep,
As he poured sleep upon him.
Sound asleep he lay.
When he had made Apsu prone,
drenched with sleep,
Mummu, the adviser, was
powerless to stir.
He loosened his band, tore off
his tiara,
Removed his halo and put it on
himself.
Having fettered Apsu, he slew
him.
Mummu he bound and left behind
lock. (70)
Having thus established his
dwelling upon Apsu,
He laid hold of Mummu, holding
him by the nose-rope.
After Ea had vanquished and
trodden down his foes,
Had secured his triumph over
his enemies,
In his sacred chamber in
profound peace had rested,
He named it "Apsu,"
for shrines he assigned it.
In that same place his cult hut
he founded.
Ea and Damkina, his wife,
dwelled there in splendor.
[The Birth of Marduk]
In the chamber of fates, the
abode of destinies,
A god was engendered, most able
and wisest of gods. (80)
In the heart of Apsu was Marduk
created,
In the heart of holy Apsu was
Marduk created.
He who begot him was Ea, his
father;
She who bore him was Damkina,
his mother.
The breast of goddesses he did
suck.
The nurse that nursed him
filled him with awesomeness.
Alluring was his figure,
sparkling the lift of his eyes.
Lordly was his gait, commanding
from of old.
When Ea saw him, the father who
begot him,
He exulted and glowed, his
heart filled with gladness. (90)
He rendered him perfect and
endowed him with a double godhead.
Greatly exalted was he above
them, exceeding throughout.
Perfect were his members beyond
comprehension,
Unsuited for understanding,
difficult to perceive.
Four were his eyes, four were
his ears;
When he moved his lips, fire
blazed forth.
Large were all four hearing
organs,
And the eyes, in like number,
scanned all things.
He was the loftiest of the
gods, surpassing was his stature;
His members were enormous, he
was exceeding tall. (100)
"My little son, my little
son!"
My son, the Sun! Sun of the
heavens!"
Clothed with the halo of ten
gods, he was strong to the utmost,
As their awesome flashes were
heaped upon him.
Anu brought forth and begot the
fourfold wind
Consigning to its power the
leader of the host.
He fashioned . . . , stationed
the whirlwind,
He produced streams to disturb
Tiamat.
The gods, given no rest, suffer
in the storm.
Their hearts having plotted
evil, (110)
To Tiamat, their mother, said:
"When they slew Apsu, your
consort,
You did not aid him but
remained still.
When he created the dread
fourfold wind,
Your vitals were diluted and so
we can have no rest.
Let Apsu, your consort, be in
your mind
And Mummu, who has been
vanquished! You are left alone!
. . . you pace about
distraught,
. . . without cease. You do not
love us!
. . . our eyes are pinched,
(120)
. . . without cease. Let us have
rest!
. . . to battle. Avenge them!
. . . and render them as the
wind!"
When Tiamat heard these words,
she was pleased:
" . . . you have given.
Let us make monsters,
. . . and the gods in the midst
. . . .
. . . let us do battle and
against the gods . . . !"
They banded themselves together
and marched at the side of Tiamat.
Enraged, they plot without
cease night and day,
They are set for combat,
growling, raging, (130)
They form a council to prepare
for the fight.
Mother Hubur, she who fashions
all things,
Added matchless weapons, bore
monster-serpents,
Sharp of tooth, unsparing of
fang.
With venom for blood she has
filled their bodies.
Roaring dragons she has clothed
with terror,
Has crowned them with haloes,
making them like gods,
Whoever beheld them, terror
overcame him,
And that, with their bodies
reared up, none might turn them back.
She set up the Viper, the
Dragon, and the monster Lahamu, (140)
The Great-Lion, the Mad-Dog,
and the Scorpion-Man,
Mighty lion-demons, the
Dragon-Fly, the Centaur--
Bearing weapons that do not
spare, fearless in battle.
Her decrees were firm, they
were beyond resisting.
All together eleven of this
kind she brought forth.
From among the gods, her
first-born, who formed her Assembly,
She elevated Kingu, made him
chief among them.
The leading of the ranks,
command of the Assembly,
The raising of weapons for the
encounter, advancing to combat,
To direct the battle, to
control the fight, (150)
These she entrusted to his hand
as she seated him in the Council:
"I have cast for you the
spell, exalting you in the Assembly of the gods.
To counsel all the gods I have
given you full power.
Truly, you are supreme, you are
my only consort!
Your utterance shall prevail
over all the Anunnaki!"
She gave him the Tablet of
Destinies, fastened on his breast:
"As for you, your command
shall be unchangeable, your word shall endure!"
As soon as Kingu was elevated,
possessed of the rank of Anu,
they decreed the fate for the
gods, his sons:
"Your word shall make the
first subside, (160)
Shall humble the
`Power-Weapon,' so potent in its sweep!"
Tablet II
Tiamat represents the forces of
disorder and chaos in the world. In the cycle of seasons, Tiamat is winter and
barrenness. In the second tablet, to avenge the murder of her husband Tiamat
prepares to unleash on the other gods the destructive forces that she has
assembled. Ea learns of her plan and attempts to confront Tiamat. While the
tablet is damaged, it is apparent that Ea fails to stop Tiamat. Then Anu
attempts to challenge her but fails as well. The gods become afraid that no one
will be able to stop TaimatÕs vengeful rampage.
When Tiamat had thus lent
import to her handiwork,
She prepared for battle against
the gods, her offspring.
To avenge Apsu, Tiamat planned
evil.
That she was girding for battle
was divulged to Ea.
As soon as Ea heard of this
matter,
He lapsed into dark silence and
sat still.
The days went by, and his anger
subsided,
He went to Anshar, his fore
father.
When he came before his
grandfather, Anshar,
He repeated all that Tiamat had
plotted to him: (10)
"My father, Tiamat, she
who bore us, detests us.
She has set up the Assembly and
is furious with rage.
All the gods have rallied to
her;
Even those whom you brought
forth march at her side.
They throng and march at the
side of Tiamat,
Enraged, they plot without
cease night and day.
They are set for combat,
growling, raging,
They have formed a council to
prepare for the fight.
Mother Hubur, she who fashions
all things,
Has added matchless weapons,
has born monster-serpents, (20)
Sharp of tooth, unsparing of
fang.
With venom for blood she has
filled their bodies.
Roaring dragons she has clothed
with terror,
Has crowned them with haloes,
making them like gods,
So that he who beholds them is
overcome by terror,
Their bodies rear up and none
can withstand their attack.
She has set up the Viper, the
Dragon, and the Sphinx,
The Great-Lion, the Mad-Dog,
and the Scorpion-Man,
Mighty lion-demons, the
Dragon-Fly, the Centaur--
Bearing weapons that spare not,
fearless in battle. (30)
Her decrees are firm, they are
beyond resisting.
All together eleven of this
kind she has brought forth.
From among the gods, her
first-born, who formed her Assembly,
She has elevated Kingu, has
made him chief among them.
The leading of the ranks,
command of the Assembly,
The raising of weapons for the
encounter, advancing to combat,
To direct the battle, to
control the fight,
She entrusted these to his
hands as she seated him in the Council:
ÔI have cast the spell for you,
exalting you in the Assembly of the gods.
To counsel all the gods I have
given you full power. (40)
Truly, you are supreme, you are
my only consort!
Your utterance shall prevail
over all the Anunnaki!Õ
She has given him the Tablet of
Destinies, fastened on his breast:
ÔAs for you, your command shall
be unchangeable, your word shall endure!Õ
As soon as Kingu was elevated,
possessed of the rank of Anu,
They decreed the fate for the
gods, her sons:
ÔYour word shall make the fire
subside,
Shall humble the
"Power-Weapon," so potent in its sweep!Õ
When Anshar heard that Tiamat
was sorely troubled,
He struck his loins and bit his
lips. (50)
[The following lines are
corrupted because the tablet is damaged here; there are various proposals for
how to reconstruct them]
His heart was gloomy, his mood
restless.
He covered his mouth to stifle
his outcry:
. . . battle.
. . .you . . .
Lo, you killed Mummu and Apsu.
Now, kill Kingu, who marches
before her.
. . . wisdom."
Nudimmud, the. . . of the gods,
. . . .
[A break in the tablet loses
about 12 lines here.]
He addressed a word to Anu, his
son:
" . . . mighty hero,
Whose strength is outstanding,
his onslaught cannot be withstood.
Go and stand before Tiamat,
That her mood be calmed, that
her heart may be merciful.
If she will not listen to your
word,
Then tell her our word, that
she might be calmed."
When he heard the command of
his father, Anshar,
He made straight for her way,
following the road to her. (80)
But when Anu was near enough to
see the plan of Tiamat,
He was not able to face her and
he turned back.
[He came abjectly to his
father,] Anshar.
. . . he addressed him:
[The following 20 lines are
badly damaged; there are various reconstructions of this section]
"My hand suffices not for
me to subdue you."
Anshar was speechless as he
stared at the ground,
Hair on edge, shaking his head
at Ea.
All the Anunnaki gathered at
that place;
Their lips closed tight, they
sat in silence.
"No god," they
thought "can go to battle and, (90)
Facing Tiamat, escape with his
life."
. . .Anshar . . .
. . .he said to . . .
. . .an avenger . . .
. . .the hero!"
. . .in his place of seclusion.
. . .he spoke to him:
. . .your father,
For you are my son who comforts
his heart.
When facing Anshar, approach as
though in combat; (100)
Stand up as you speak; seeing
you, he will grow restful."
The lord rejoiced at the word
of his father;
He approached and stood before
Anshar.
When Anshar saw him, his heart
filled with joy.
He kissed his lips and his fear
departed from him
"Anshar, be not muted;
open wide thy lips.
I will go and attain thy
heart's desire.
Anshar, be not muted; open wide
your lips.
I will go and attain your
heart's desire!
What male is it who has pressed
his fight against you? (110)
. . .Tiamat, a woman, that
flies at you with weapons!
. . . be glad and rejoice;
You shall soon tread upon the
neck of Tiamat!
. . . be glad and rejoice;
You shall soon tread upon the
neck of Tiamat!"
"My son, you who knows all
wisdom,
Calm Tiamat with your holy
spell.
On the storm-chariot proceed
with all speed.
For your blood shall not be
spilled; you will return again."
The lord rejoiced at the word
of his father. (120)
His heart exulting, he said to
his father:
"Creator of the gods,
destiny of the great gods,
If I indeed, as your avenger,
Conquer Tiamat and give you
life,
Set up the Assembly, proclaim
my destiny to be supreme!
When jointly in Ubshukinna you
have sat down rejoicing,
Let my word, instead of you,
determine the fates.
What I may bring into being
shall be unalterable;
The command of my lips shall be
neither recalled nor changed."
Tablet III
AnsharÕs minister Gaga is
dispatched to the other gods to report the activities of Tiamat and to tell
them of MardukÕs willingness to face her. Much of this tablet is poetic
repetition of previous conversations.
Anshar opened his mouth and
Addressed a word to Gaga, his
minister:
"O Gaga, my vizier, who
gladdens my spirit,
I will dispatch you to Lahmu
and Lahamu.
. . . you are adept;
. . . produce you before me!
. . . let all the gods,
Let them hold converse, sit
down to a banquet,
Let them eat bread, let them
mix wine,
For Marduk, their avenger, let
them fix the decrees. (10)
Be on your way, Gaga, take the
stand before them,
And that which I shall tell you
repeat to them:
ÔAnshar, your son, has sent me
here,
Charging me to give voice to
the dictates of his heart,
He says that Tiamat, she who
bore us, detests us.
She has set up the Assembly and
is furious with rage.
All the gods have rallied to
her;
Even those whom you brought
forth march at her side.
They throng and march at the
side of Tiamat.
Enraged, they plot without
cease night and day. (20)
They are set for combat,
growling, raging,
They have formed a council to
prepare for the fight.
Mother Hubur, she who fashions
all things,
Has added matchless weapons,
has born monster-serpents,
Sharp of tooth, unsparing of
fang.
With venom for blood she has
filled their bodies.
Roaring dragons she has clothed
with terror,
Has crowned them with haloes,
making them like gods,
So that he who beholds them is
overcome by terror,
Their bodies rear up and none
can withstand their attack. (30)
She has set up the Viper, the
Dragon, and the monster Lahamu,
The Great-Lion, the Mad-Dog,
and the Scorpion-Man,
Mighty lion-demons, the
Dragon-Fly, the Centaur--
Bearing weapons that spare not,
fearless in battle.
Her decrees are firm, none can.
resist them;
After this fashion eleven of
this kind she has brought forth.
From among the gods, her
first-born, who formed her Assembly,
She has elevated Kingu, has
made him chief among them.
The leading of the ranks,
command of the Assembly,
The raising of weapons for the
encounter, advancing to combat, (40)
To direct the battle, to
control the fight,
These to his hands she
entrusted as she seated him in the Council:
"I have cast the spell for
you, exalting you in the Assembly of the gods.
To counsel all the gods I have
given you full power.
truly, you are supreme, you are
my only consort!
Your utterance shall prevail
over all the Anunnaki!"
She has given him the Tablet of
Destinies, fastened on his breast:
"As for you, your command
shall be unchangeable, your word shall endure!"
As soon as Kingu was elevated,
possessed of the rank of Anu,
For the gods, her sons, they
decreed the fate: (50)
"Your word shall make the
fire subside,
Shall humble the
"Power-Weapon," so potent in its sweep!"
I sent forth Anu; he could not
face her.
Nudimmud was afraid and turned
back.
But Marduk came forth, the
wisest of gods, your son,
His heart having prompted him
to set out to face Tiamat.
He opened his mouth, saying
unto me:
"If I indeed, as your
avenger,
Am to vanquish Tiamat and save
your lives,
Set up the Assembly, proclaim
supreme my destiny! (60)
When jointly in Ubshukinna you
have sat down rejoicing,
Let my word, instead of you,
determine the fates.
Unalterable shall be what I may
bring into being;
Neither recalled nor changed
shall be the command of my lips!"
Now hasten here and promptly
fix for him your decrees,
That he may go forth to face
your mighty foe!Õ"
Gaga departed, proceeding on
his way.
Before Lahmu and Lahamu, the gods,
his fathers,
He made obeisance, kissing the
ground at their feet.
He bowed low as he took his
place to address them: (70)
"It was Anshar, your son,
who has sent me here,
Charging me to give voice to
the dictates of his heart,
He sya that Tiamat, she who
bore us, detests us.
She has set up the Assembly and
is furious with rage.
All the gods have rallied to
her,
Even those whom you brought
forth march at her side.
They re banded together and
march at the side of Tiamat.
Enraged, they plot without
cease night and day.
They are set for combat,
growling, raging,
They have formed a council to
prepare for the fight. (80)
Mother Hubur, she who fashions
all things,
Has added matchless weapons,
has born monster-serpents,
Sharp of tooth, unsparing of
fang.
With venom for blood she has
filled their bodies,
Roaring dragons she has clothed
with terror,
Has crowned them with haloes,
making them like gods,
So that he who beholds them
terror overcomes him,
Their bodies rear up and none
can withstand their attack.
She has set up vipers, dragons,
and the monster Lahamu,
Great-lions, mad-dogs, and
scorpion-men, (90)
Mighty lion-demons,
dragon-flies, and centaurs--
Bearing weapons that spare not,
fearless in battle.
Firm are decrees, past
withstanding are they.
After this fashion eleven of
this kind she has brought forth.
From among the gods, her
first-born, who formed her Assembly,
She has elevated Kingu, has
made him chief among them.
The leading of the ranks,
command of the Assembly,
The raising of weapons for the
encounter, advancing to combat,
To direct the battle, to
control the fight,
These to his hands she has
entrusted as she seated him in the Council: (100)
"I have cast the spell for
you, exalting you in the Assembly of the gods.
To counsel all the gods I have
given you full power.
Truly, you are supreme, you are
my only consort!
Your utterance shall prevail
over all the Anunnaki!"
She has given him the Tablet of
Destinies, fastened on his breast:
"As for you, your command
shall be unchangeable, your word shall endure!"
As soon as Kingu was elevated,
possessed of the rank of Anu,
For the gods, her sons, they
decreed the fate:
"Your word shall make the
fire subside,
Shall humble the
"Power-Weapon," so potent in its sweep!"(110)
I sent forth Anu; he could not
face her.
Nudimmud was afraid and turned
back.
But Marduk came forth, the
wisest of gods, your son,
His heart having prompted him
to set out to face Tiamat.
He opened his mouth, saying
unto me:
"If I indeed, as your
avenger,
Am to vanquish Tiamat and save
your lives,
Set up the Assembly, proclaim
supreme my destiny!
When in Ubshukinna jointly you
sit down rejoicing,
Let my word, instead of you,
determine the fates. (120)
Unalterable shall be what I may
bring into being;
Neither recalled nor changed
shall be the command of my lips!"
Now hasten here and promptly
fix for him your decrees,
That he may go forth to face
your mighty foe!"
When Lahmu and Lahamu heard
this, they cried out aloud,
All the Igigi wailed in
distress:
ÔHow strange that they should
have made this decision!
We cannot fathom the doings of
Tiamat!Õ
They made ready to leave on
their journey,
All the great gods who decree
the fates. (130)
They entered before Anshar,
filling Ubshukinna.
They kissed one another in the
Assembly.
They held converse as they sat
down to the banquet.
They ate bread, they mixed
wine.
They wetted their
drinking-tubes with sweet intoxicant.
As they drank the strong drink,
their bodies swelled.
They became very languid as
their spirits rose.
For Marduk, their avenger, they
fixed the decrees.
Tablet IV
The council of the gods tests
MardukÕs powers by having him make a garment disappear and then reappear. After
passing the test, the council enthrones Marduk as high king and commissions him
to fight Tiamat. With the authority and power of the council, Marduk assembles
his weapons, the four winds as well as the seven winds of destruction. He rides
in his chariot of clouds with the weapons of the storm to confront Tiamat.
After entangling her in a net, Marduk unleashes the Evil Wind to inflate
Tiamat. When she is incapacitated by the wind, Marduk kills her with an arrow
through her heart and takes captive the other gods and monsters who were her
allies. He also captured her husband Kingu. After smashing TiamatÕs head with a
club, Marduk divided her corpse, using half to create the earth and the other
half to create the sky complete with bars to keep the chaotic waters from
escaping. The tablet ends with Marduk establishing dwelling places for his
allies.
They erected for him a princely
throne.
Facing his fathers, he sat
down, presiding.
"You are the most honored
of the great gods,
Your decree is unrivaled, your
command is Anu.
You, Marduk, are the most
honored of the great gods,
Your decree is unrivaled, your
word is Anu.
From this day your
pronouncement shall be unchangeable.
To raise or bring low--these
shall be in your hand.
Your utterance shall be true,
your command shall be unimpeachable.
No one among the gods shall
transgress your bounds! (10)
Adornment being wanted for the
seats of the gods,
Let the place of their shrines
ever be in your place.
O Marduk, you are indeed our
avenger.
We have granted you kingship
over the universe entire.
When you sit in Assembly your
word shall be supreme.
Your weapons shall not fail;
they shall smash your foes!
O lord, spare the life of him
who trusts you,
But pour out the life of the
god who seized evil."
Having placed in their midst a
garment,
They addressed themselves to
Marduk, their first-born: (20)
"May thy fate, O lord, be
supreme among the gods,
Say but to wreck or create; it
shall be.
Open your mouth: the garment
will vanish!
Speak again, and the garment
shall be whole!"
At the word of his mouth the
garment vanished.
He spoke again, and the garment
was restored.
When the gods, his fathers, saw
the fruit of his word,
Joyfully they did homage:
"Marduk is king!"
They conferred on him scepter,
throne, and vestment;
They gave him matchless weapons
that ward off the foes: (30)
"Go and cut off the life
of Tiamat.
May the winds bear her blood to
places undisclosed."
Bel's destiny thus fixed, the
gods, his fathers,
Caused him to go the way of
success and attainment.
He constructed a bow, marked it
as his weapon,
Attached thereto the arrow,
fixed its bow-cord.
He raised the mace, made his
right hand grasp it;
Bow and quiver he hung at his
side.
In front of him he set the
lightning,
With a blazing flame he filled
his body. (40)
He then made a net to enfold
Tiamat therein.
The four winds he stationed
that nothing of her might escape,
The South Wind, the North Wind,
the East Wind, the West Wind.
Close to his side he held the
net, the gift of his father, Anu.
He brought forth Imhullu
"the Evil Wind," the Whirl-wind, the Hurricane,
The Fourfold Wind, the
Sevenfold Wind, the Cyclone, the Matchless Wind;
Then he sent forth the winds he
had brought forth, the seven of them.
To stir up the inside of Tiamat
they rose up behind him.
Then the lord raised up the
flood-storm, his mighty weapon.
He mounted the storm-chariot
irresistible and terrifying. (50)
He harnessed and yoked to it a
team-of-four,
The Killer, the Relentless, the
Trampler, the Swift.
Their lips were parted, their
teeth bore poison.
They were tireless and skilled
in destruction.
On his right he posted the
Smiter, fearsome in battle,
On the left the Combat, which
repels all the zealous.
For a cloak he was wrapped in
an armor of terror;
With his fearsome halo his head
was turbaned.
The lord went forth and
followed his course,
Towards the raging Tiamat he
set his face. (60)
In his lips he held a spell;
A plant to put out poison was
grasped in his hand.
Then they milled about him, the
gods milled about him,
The gods, his fathers, milled
about him, the gods milled about him.
The lord approached to scan the
inside of Tiamat,
And of Kingu, her consort, the
scheme to perceive.
As he looks on, he loses his
way,
His will is distracted and his
doings are confused.
And when the gods, his helpers,
who marched at his side,
Saw the valiant hero, their
vision became blurred. (70)
Tiamat emitted a cry, without
turning her neck,
Framing savage defiance in her
lips:
"You are too important for
the lord of the gods to rise up against you!
Is it in their place that they
have gathered, or in your place?"
Thereupon the lord, having
raised the flood-storm, his mighty weapon,
To enraged Tiamat he sent word
as follows:
"Why are you risen,
haughtily exalted,
You have charged your own heart
to stir up conflict, . . . sons reject their own fathers,
While you, who have born them,
have foresworn love! (80)
You have appointed Kingu as
your consort,
Conferring upon him the rank of
Anu, not rightfully his.
Against Anshar, king of the
gods, you seek evil;
Against the gods, my fathers,
you have confirmed your wickedness.
Though your forces are drawn
up, your weapons girded on,
Stand up, that I and you might
meet in single combat!"
When Tiamat heard this,
She was like one possessed; she
took leave of her senses.
In fury Tiamat cried out aloud.
To the roots her legs shook
both together. (90)
She recites a charm, keeps
casting her spell,
While the gods of battle
sharpen their weapons.
Then Tiamat and Marduk joined
issue, wisest of gods.
They strove in single combat,
locked in battle.
The lord spread out his net to
enfold her,
The Evil Wind, which followed
behind, he let loose in her face.
When Tiamat opened her mouth to
consume him,
He drove in the Evil Wind while
as yet she had not shut her lips
As the terrible winds filled
her belly,
Her body was distended and her
mouth was wide open. (100)
He released the arrow, it tore
her belly,
It cut through her insides,
splitting the heart.
Having thus subdued her, he
extinguished her life.
He cast down her carcass to
stand upon it.
After he had slain Tiamat, the
leader,
Her band was shattered, her
troupe broken up;
And the gods, her helpers who
marched at her side,
Trembling with terror, turned
their backs about,
In order to save and preserve
their lives.
Tightly encircled, they could
not escape. (110)
He made them captives and he
smashed their weapons.
Thrown into the net, they found
themselves ensnared;
Placed in cells, they were
filled with wailing;
Bearing his wrath, they were
held imprisoned.
And the eleven creatures which
she had charged with awe,
The whole band of demons that
marched on her right,
He cast into fetters, their
hands he bound.
For all their resistance, he
trampled them underfoot.
And Kingu, who had been made
chief among them,
He bound and accounted him to
Uggae. (120)
He took from him the Tablet of
Destinies, not rightfully his,
Sealed them with a seal and
fastened them on his breast.
When he had vanquished and
subdued his adversaries,
Had . . . the vainglorious foe,
Had wholly established Anshar's
triumph over the foe,
Had achieved Nudimmud's desire,
valiant Marduk
Strengthened his hold on the
vanquished gods,
And turned back to Tiamat whom
he had bound.
The lord trod on the legs of
Tiamat,
With his unsparing mace he
crushed her skull. (130)
When the arteries of her blood
he had severed,
The North Wind bore it to
places undisclosed.
On seeing this, his fathers
were joyful and jubilant,
They brought gifts of homage to
him.
Then the lord paused to view
her dead body,
That he might divide the form
and do artful works.
He split her like a shellfish
into two parts:
Half of her he set up as a
covering for heaven,
Pulled down the bar and posted
guards.
He bade them to allow not her
waters to escape. (140)
He crossed the heavens and
surveyed the regions.
He squared Apsu's quarter, the
abode of Nudimmud,
As the lord measured the
dimensions of Apsu.
The Great Abode, its likeness,
he fixed as Esharra,
The Great Abode, Esharra, which
he made as the firmament.
Anu, Enlil, and Ea he made
occupy their places.
Tablet V
Marduk builds dwelling places
for the other gods. As they take their place, they establish the days and
months and seasons of the year. Since this is a myth about the natural world,
the "stations" that Marduk establishes for the gods correspond to the
celestial luminaries that figured in Babylonian astrology. The phases (horns)
of the Moon determine the cycles of the months. From the spittle of Tiamat
Marduk creates rain for the earth. The city of Babylon is established as the
audience room of King Marduk.
He constructed stations for the
great gods,
Fixing their astral likenesses
as the stars of the Zodiac.
He determined the year and into
sections he divided it;
He set up three constellations
for each of the twelve months.
After defining the days of the
year by means of heavenly figures,
He founded the station of the
pole star [Nebiru] to determine their bounds,
That none might err or go
astray.
Alongside it he set up the
stations of Enlil and Ea.
Having opened up the gates on
both sides,
He strengthened the locks to
the left and the right. (10)
In her belly he established the
zenith.
The Moon he caused to shine,
entrusting the night to him.
He appointed him a creature of
the night to signify the days,
And marked off every month,
without cease, by means of his crown.
At the month's very start,
rising over the land,
You shall have luminous horns
to signify six days,
On the seventh day reaching a
half-crown.
So shall the fifteen-day period
be like one another-two halves for each month.
When the sun overtakes you at
the base of heaven,
Diminish your crown and
retrogress in light. (20)
At the time of disappearance
approach the course of the sun,
And on the thirtieth you shall
again stand in opposition to the sun.
I have appointed a sign, follow
its path,
. . . approach and give
judgement."
[Lines 25-44 are badly damaged
and untranslatable. Apparently after Marduk created the moon he then created
the sun (Shamash).]
After he had appointed the days
to Shamash, (45)
And had established the
precincts of night and day,
Taking the spittle of Tiamat
Marduk created . . .
He formed the clouds and filled
them with water.
The raising of winds, the bringing
of rain and cold, (50)
Making the mist smoke, piling
up . . .
These he planned himself, took
into his own hand.
Putting her head into position
he formed thereon the mountains,
Opening the deep which was in
flood,
He caused to flow from her eyes
the Euphrates and Tigris,
Stopping her nostrils he left .
. . ,
He formed from her breasts the
lofty mountains,
Therein he drilled springs for
the wells to carry off the water.
Twisting her tail he bound it
to Durmah,
. . . Apsu at his foot, (60)
. . . her crotch, she was
fastened to the heavens,
Thus he covered the heavens and
established the earth.
. . . in the midst of Tiamat he
made flow,
. . . his net he completely let
out,
So he created heaven and earth
. . . ,
. . . their bounds . . .
established.
When he had designed his rules
and fashioned his ordinances,
He founded the shrines and
handed them over to Ea.
The Tablet of Destinies which
he had taken from Kingu he carried,
He brought it as the first gift
of greeting, he gave it to Anu. (70)
The gods who had done battle
and been scattered,
He led bound into the presence
of his fathers.
Now the eleven creatures which
Tiamat had made . . . ,
Whose weapons he had shattered,
which he had tied to his foot:
Of these he made statues and
set them up at the Gate of Apsu saying:
"Let it be a token that
this may never be forgotten!"
When the gods saw this they
were exceedingly glad,
Lahmu, Lahamu, and all of his
fathers
Crossed over to him, and
Anshar, the king, made manifest his greeting,
Anu, Enlil, and Ea presented to
him gifts. (80)
With a gift Damkina, his
mother, made him joyous,
She sent offerings, his face
brightened.
To Usmi who brought her gift to
a secret place
He entrusted the chancellorship
of Apsu and the stewardship of the shrines.
Being assembled, all the Igigi
bowed down,
While everyone of the Anunnaki
kissed his feet,
. . . their assembly to do
obeisance,
They stood before him, bowed
and said: "He is the king!"
After the gods, his fathers,
were satiated with his charms. (89)
[Lines 90-106 are too badly
damaged for translation. Apparently it describes Marduk on his throne with his
weapons.]
Ea and Damkina . . . , (107)
They opened their mouths to
speak to the great gods, the Igigi:
"Formerly Marduk was
merely our beloved son,
Now he is your king, proclaim
his title!" (110)
A second speech they made, they
all spoke:
"His name shall be
Lugaldimmerankia, trust in him!"
When they had given the
sovereignty to Marduk,
They declared for him a formula
of good fortune and success:
"Henceforth you will be the
patron of our sanctuaries,
Whatever you command we will
do."
Marduk opened his mouth to
speak,
To say a word to the gods, his
fathers:
"Above the Apsu where you
have resided,
The counterpart of Esharra
which I have built over you, (120)
Below I have hardened the
ground for a building site,
I will build a house, it will
be my luxurious abode.
I will found therein its
temple,
I will appoint its inner rooms,
I will establish my sovereignty.
When you come up from the Apsu
for assembly,
You will spend the night in it,
it is there to receive all of you.
When you descend from heaven
for assembly,
You will spend the night in it,
it is there to receive all of you.
I will call its name Babylon
which means the houses of the great gods,
I shall build it with the skill
of craftsmen." (130)
When the gods, his fathers,
heard this speech of his,
They put the following question
to Marduk, their firstborn:
"Over all that your hands
have created,
Who will have your authority?
Over the ground which your
hands have created,
Who will have your power?
Babylon, which you have given a
fine name,
Therein establish our abode
forever!
. . . , let them bring our
daily ration,
. . . our . . . , (140)
Let no one usurp our tasks
which we previously performed,
Therein . . . its labor . .
.."
Marduk rejoiced when he heard
this and
He answered those gods who had
questioned him,
He that slew Tiamat showed them
light,
He opened his mouth, his speech
was noble:
" . . . them . . .,
. . . will be entrusted to
you."
The gods bowed down before him,
they spoke to him,
They said to Lugaldimmerankia:
(150)
"Formerly the lord was
merely our beloved son,
Now he is our king, proclaim
his title!
He whose pure incantation gave
us life,
He is the lord of splendor,
mace, and sceptre.
Ea who knows the skill of all
crafts,
Let him prepare the plans, we
will be the workers."
Tablet VI
Marduk decides to create human
beings, but needs blood and bone from which to fashion them. Ea advises that
only one of the gods should die to provide the materials for creation, the one
who was guilty of plotting evil against the gods. Marduk inquires of the
assembly of the gods about who incited TiamatÕs rebellion, and was told that it
was her husband Kingu. Ea kills Kingu and uses his blood to fashion mankind so
they can perform menial tasks for the gods. To honor Marduk, the gods construct
a house for him in Babylon. After its completion, Marduk gives a great feast
for the gods in his new house who all praise Marduk for his greatness in
subduing Tiamat. The first group of the fifty throne names of Marduk are
recited.
When Marduk heard the words of
the gods,
His heart prompted him to
fashion artful works.
Opening his mouth, he addressed
Ea
To impart the plan he had
conceived in his heart:
"I will take blood and
fashion bone.
I will establish a savage,
ÔmanÕ shall be his name.
truly, savage-man I will
create.
He shall be charged with the
service of the gods
That they might be at ease!
The ways of the gods I will
artfully alter. (10)
Though alike revered, into two
groups they shall be divided."
Ea answered him, speaking a
word to him,
Giving him another plan for the
relief of the gods:
"Let but one of their
brothers be handed over;
He alone shall perish that
mankind may be fashioned.
Let the great gods be here in
Assembly,
Let the guilty be handed over
that they may endure."
Marduk summoned the great gods
to Assembly;
Presiding graciously, he issued
instructions.
To his utterance the gods pay
heed.
The king addressed a word to
the Anunnaki: (20)
"If your former statement
was true,
Now declare the truth on oath
by me!
Who was it that contrived the
uprising,
And made Tiamat rebel, and
joined battle?
Let him be handed over who
contrived the uprising.
His guilt I will make him bear.
You shall dwell in peace!"
The Igigi, the great gods,
replied to him,
To Lugaldimmerankia, counselor
of the gods, their lord:
"It was Kingu who
contrived the uprising,
And made Tiamat rebel, and
joined battle." (30)
They bound him, holding him
before Ea.
They imposed on him his
punishment and severed his blood vessels.
Out of his blood they fashioned
mankind.
He imposed on him the service
and let free the gods.
After Ea, the wise, had created
mankind,
Had imposed upon them the
service of the gods--
That work was beyond
comprehension;
As artfully planned by Marduk,
did Nudimmud create it--
Marduk, the king of the gods
divided
All the great gods [Anunnaki]
above and below. (40)
He assigned them to Anu to
guard his instructions.
Three hundred in the heavens he
stationed as a guard.
In like manner the ways of the
earth he defined.
In heaven and on earth six
hundred thus he settled.
After he had ordered all the
instructions,
To the Anunnaki of heaven and
earth had allotted their portions,
The Anunnaki opened their
mouths
And said to Marduk, their lord:
"Now, O lord, you who have
caused our deliverance,
What shall be our homage to
you? (50)
Let us build a shrine whose
name shall be called
ÔLo, a chamber for our nightly
restÕ; let us repose in it!
Let us build a throne, a recess
for his abode!
On the day that we arrive we
shall repose in it."
When Marduk heard this,
Brightly glowed his features,
like the day:
"Construct Babylon, whose
building you have requested,
Let its brickwork be fashioned.
You shall name it `The Sanctuary.'"
The Anunnaki applied the
implement;
For one whole year they molded
bricks. (60)
When the second year arrived,
They raised high the head of
Esagila equaling Apsu.
Having built a stage-tower as
high as Apsu,
They set up in it an abode for
Marduk, Enlil, and Ea
In their presence he was seated
in grandeur.
To the base of Esharra its
horns look down.
After they had achieved the
building of Esagila,
All the Anunnaki erected their
shrines.
The three hundred Igigi . . . .
. . all of them gathered,
The lord being on the lofty
dais which they had built as his abode, (70)
The gods, his fathers, at his
banquet he seated:
"This is Babylon, the
place that is your home!
Make merry in its precincts,
occupy its broad places."
The great gods took their
seats,
They set up festive drink, sat
down to a banquet.
After they had made merry
within it,
In Esagila, the splendid, had
performed their rites,
The norms had been fixed and
all their portents,
All the gods apportioned the
stations of heaven and earth.
The fifty great gods took their
seats. (80)
The seven gods of destiny set
up the three hundred in heaven.
Enlil raised the bow, his
weapon, and laid it before them.
The gods, his fathers, saw the
net he had made.
When they beheld the bow, how
skillful its shape,
His fathers praised the work he
had wrought.
Raising it, Anu spoke up in the
Assembly of the gods,
As he kissed the bow:
"This is my daughter!"
He named the names of the bow
as follows:
"Longwood is the first,
the second is Accurate;
Its third name is Bow-Star, in
heaven I have made it shine." (90)
He fixed its position with the
gods its brothers.
After Anu had decreed the fate
of the bow,
And had placed the lofty royal
throne before the gods,
Anu placed it in the Assembly
of the gods.
When the great gods had
assembled,
They extolled the destiny of
Marduk, they bowed down,
They pronounced among
themselves a curse,
Swearing by water and oil to
place life in jeopardy.
When they had granted him the
exercise of kingship of the gods,
When they had given him
dominion over the gods of heaven and underworld, (100)
Anshar pronounced supreme his
name, Asarluhi, saying:
"Let us do obeisance at
the mention of his name,
To his utterance let the gods
give heed,
Let his command be supreme
above and below!
Most exalted be the Son, our
avenger;
Let his sovereignty be surpassing,
having no rival.
May he shepherd the
black-headed ones, his creatures.
To the end of days, without
forgetting, let them acclaim his ways.
May he establish for his
fathers the great food-offerings; (110)
Their support they shall
furnish, shall tend their sanctuaries.
May he cause incense to be
smelled, . . . their spells,
Make a likeness on earth of
what he has wrought in heaven.
May he order the black-headed
to revere him,
May the subjects ever bear in
mind to speak of their god,
And may they at his word pay
heed to the goddess.
May food-offerings be borne for
their gods and goddesses.
Without fail let them support
their gods!
Their lands let them improve,
build their shrines,
Let the black-headed wait on
their gods. (120)
As for us, by however many
names we pronounce, he is our god!
Let us then proclaim his fifty
names:
`He whose ways are glorious,
whose deeds are likewise,
Marduk, as Anu, his father,
called him from his birth;
Who provides grazing and
drinking places, enriches their stalls,
Who with the flood-storm, his
weapon, vanquished the detractors,
And who the gods, his fathers,
rescued from distress.
Truly, the Son of the Sun, most
radiant of gods is he.
In his brilliant light may they
walk forever!
On the people he brought forth,
endowed with life, (130)
The service of the gods he
imposed that these may have ease.
Creation, destruction,
deliverance, grace--
Shall be by his command. They
shall look up to him!
Marukka truly is the god,
creator of all,
Who gladdens the heart of the
Anunnaki, appeases the Igigi.
Marutukku truly is the refuge
of his land, city, and people.
Unto him shall the people give
praise forever.
Barashakushu stood up and took
hold of its reins;
Wide is his heart, warm his
sympathy.
Lugaldimmerankia is his name
which we proclaimed in our Assembly. (140)
His commands we have exalted
above the gods, his fathers.
Truly, he is lord of all the
gods of heaven and underworld,
The king at whose discipline
the gods above and below are in mourning."
Nari-Lugaldimmerankia is the
name of him
Whom we have called the monitor
of the gods;
Who in heaven and on earth
founds for us retreats in trouble,
And who allots stations to the
Igigi and Anunnaki.
At his name the gods shall
tremble and quake in retreat.
Asaruludu is that name of his
Which Anu, his father,
proclaimed for him.
He is truly the light of the
gods, the mighty leader,
Who, as the protecting deities
of god and land, (150)
In fierce single combat saved
our retreats in distress.
Asaruludu, secondly, they have
named Namtillaku,
The god who maintains life,
Who restored the lost gods, as
though his own creation;
The lord who revives the dead
gods by his pure incantation,
Who destroys the wayward foes.
Let us praise his prowess!
Asaruludu, whose name was
thirdly called Namru,
The shining god who illumines
our ways.
Three each of his names have
Anshar, Lahmu, and Lahamu proclaimed;
Unto the gods, their sons, they
did utter them:
"We have proclaimed three
each of his names. (160)
Like us, do you utter his
names!"
Joyfully the gods heeded their
command,
As in Ubshukinna they exchanged
counsels:
"Of the heroic son, our
avenger,
Of our supporter we will exalt
the name!"
They sat down in their Assembly
to fashion destinies,
All of them uttering his names
in the sanctuary.
Tablet VII
Continuation of praise of
Marduk as chief of Babylon and head of the Babylonian pantheon because of his
role in creation. The rest of MardukÕs fifty throne names declaring his
dominion are recited. Final blessings on Marduk and instructions to the people
to remember and recite MardukÕs deeds.
Asaru [Marduk], bestower of
cultivation, who established water levels;
Creator of grain and herbs, who
causes vegetation to sprout.
Asarualim, who is honored in
the place of counsel, who excels in counsel;
To whom the gods hope, not
being possessed of fear.
Asarualimnunna, the gracious,
light of the father, his begetter,
Who directs the decrees of Anu,
Enlil, Ea and Ninigiku.
He is their provider who
assigns their portions,
Whose horned cap is plenty,
multiplying . . . .
Tutu is he, who created then
anew.
Let him purify their shrines
that they may have ease. (10)
Let him devise the spell that
the gods may be at rest.
Should they rise in anger, let
them turn back.
Truly, he is supreme in the
Assembly of the gods;
No one among the gods is his
equal.
Tutu is Ziukkinna, life of the
host of the gods,
Who established for the gods
the holy heavens;
Who keeps a hold on their ways,
determines their courses;
He shall not be forgotten by
the beclouded. Let them
Remember his deeds!
Tutu they thirdly called Ziku,
who brings purification,
god of the favoring breeze, the
Lord of hearing and mercy;" (20)
Who produces riches and
treasures, establishes abundance;
Who has turned all our wants to
plenty;
Whose favoring breeze we felt
in sore distress.
Let them speak, let them exalt,
let them sing his praises!
Tutu, fourthly, let the people
magnify as Agaku,
The lord of the holy charm, who
revives the dead;
Who had mercy on the vanquished
gods,
Who removed the yoke imposed on
the gods, his enemies,
And who, to redeem them,
created mankind;
The merciful, in whose power it
lies to grant life. (30)
May his deeds endure, not to be
forgotten
In the mouth of the
black-headed, whom his hands have created.
Tutu, fifthly, is Tuku, whose
holy spell their mouths shall murmur;
Who with his holy charm has
uprooted all the evil ones.
Shazu, who knows the heart of
the gods,
Who examines the inside;
From whom the evildoer cannot
escape;
Who sets up the Assembly of the
gods, gladdens their hearts;
Who subdues the insubmissive;
their wide-spread protection;
Who directs justice, roots out
crooked talk,
Who wrong and right in his
place keeps apart. (40)
Shazu may they, secondly, exalt
as as Zisi,
Who silences the insurgent;
Who banishes consternation from
the body of the gods, his fathers.
Shazu is, thirdly, Suhrim, who
with the weapon roots out all enemies,
Who frustrates their plans,
scatters them to the winds;
Who blots out all the wicked
ones who tremble before him.
Let the gods exult in Assembly!
Shazu is, fourthly, Suhgurim,
who insures a hearing for the gods, his fathers,
Creator of the gods, his
fathers,
Who roots out the enemies,
destroys their progeny;
Who frustrates their doings,
leaving nothing of them.
May his name be evoked and
spoken in the land! (50)
Shazu, fifthly, they shall
praise as Zahrim, the lold of the living,
Who destroys all adversaries,
all the disobedient; pursues the evil;
Who all the fugitive gods
brought home to their shrines.
May this his name endure!
To Shazu, moreover, they shall,
sixthly, render all honor as Zahgurim,
Who all the foes destroyed as
though in battle.
Enbilulu, the lord who makes
them flourish, is he;
The mighty one who named them,
who instituted roast-offerings ;
Who ever regulates for the land
the grazing and watering places;
Who opened the wells,
apportioning waters of abundance. (60)
Enbilulu, secondly, they shall
glorify as Epadun,
The lord who sprinkles the
field,
Irrigator of heaven and earth,
who establishes seed-rows,
Who forms fine plow land in the
steppe,
Dam and ditch regulates, who
delimits the furrow;
Enbilulu, thirdly, they shall
praise as Enbilulugugal,
The irrigator of the
plantations of the gods;
Lord of abundance, opulence,
and of ample crops,
Who provides wealth, enriches
all dwellings,
Who furnishes millet, causes
barley to appear.
Enbilulu is Hegal, who heaps up
abundance for the people's consumption;
Who causes rich rains over the
wide earth, provides vegetation.
Sirsir, who heaped up a
mountain over her, Tiamat, (70)
Who the corpse of Tiamat
carried off with his weapon;
Who directs the land--their
faithful shepherd;
Whose hair is a grain field,
his horned cap furrows;
Who the wide-spreading Sea
vaults in his wrath,
Crossing her like a bridge at
the place of single combat.
Sirsir, secondly, they named Malah--and
so forth--
Tiamat is his vessel and he the
rider.
Gil, who stores up grain
heaps--massive mounds--
Who brings forth barley and
millet, furnishes the seed of the land.
Gilma, who makes lasting the
lofty abode of the gods, Creator of security, (80)
The hoop that holds the barrel
together, who presents good things.
Agilma, the exalted one, who
tears off the crown from the wrong position,
Who creates the clouds above
the waters, makes enduring aloft.
Zulum, who designates the
fields for the gods, allots the creation,
Who grants portions and
food-offerings, tends the shrines.
Mummu, Creator of heaven and
earth, who directs. . . .
The god who sanctifies heaven
and earth is, secondly, Zulummar,
Whom no other among the gods
can match in strength.
Gishnumunab, Creator of all
people, who made the world regions,
Destroyer of the gods of
Tiamat; who made men out of their substance. (90)
Lugalabdubur, the king who
frustrated the work of Tiamat,rooted out her weapons;
Whose foundation is firm in
front and in the rear.
Pagalguenna, the foremost of
all the lords, whose strength is outstanding;
Who is pre-eminent in the royal
abode, most exalted of the gods.
Lugaldurmah, the King of the
band of the gods, lord of rulers,
Who is pre-eminent in the abode
of the gods, most exalted of the gods.
Aranunna, counselor of Ea,
creator of the gods, his fathers,
Whose princely ways no god
whatever can equal.
Dumuduku, whose pure dwelling
is renewed in Duku;
Dumuduku, without whom
Lugalkuduga makes no decision. (100)
Lugallanna, the king whose
strength is outstanding among the gods,
The lord, strength of Anu, who
became supreme at the call of Anshar.
Lugalugga, who carried off all
of them amidst the struggle,
Who all wisdom encompasses,
broad in perception.
Irkingu, who carried off Kingu
in the thick of the battle,
Who conveys guidance for all,
establishes rulership.
Kinma, who directs all the
gods, the giver of counsel,
At whose name the gods quake in
fear, as at the storm.
Esizkur shall sit aloft in the
house of prayer;
May the gods bring their
presents before him, (110)
That from him they may receive
their assignments;
None can without him create
artful works.
Four black-headed ones are
among his creatures;
Aside from him no god knows the
answer as to their days.
Gibil, who maintains the sharp
point of the weapon,
Who creates artful works in the
battle with Tiamat;
Who has broad wisdom, is
accomplished in insight,
Whose mind is so vast that the
gods, all of them, cannot fathom it.
Addu be his name, the whole sky
may he cover.
May his beneficent roar ever
hover over the earth; (120)
May he, as Mummu, diminish the
clouds;
Below, may he furnish
sustenance for the people
Asharu, who, as is his name,
guided the gods of destiny;
All of the people are truly in
his charge.
Nebiru shall hold the crossings
of heaven and earth,
So that the gods cannot cross
above and below, they must wait upon him.
Nebiru is the star which in the
skies is brilliant.
May he hold the Beginning and
the Future, may they pay homage unto him,
Saying: "He who forced his
way through the midst of Tiamat without resting,
Let Nebiru be his name, who
controls its midst. (130)
May they uphold the course of
the stars of heaven;
May he shepherd all the gods
like sheep.
May he vanquish Tiamat; may her
life be strait and short!
Into the future of mankind,
when days have grown old,
May she recede without cease
and stay away forever.
Because he created the spaces
and fashioned the firm ground,
Father Enlil called his name
"Lord Of The Lands."Õ
When all the names which the
Igigi proclaimed,
Ea had heard, his spirit
rejoiced, Thus:
"He whose names his
fathers have glorified,
He is indeed even as I; his
name shall be Ea. (140)
All my combined rites he shall
administer;
All my instructions he shall
carry out!"
With the title "Fifty"
the great gods
Proclaimed him whose names are
fifty and made his way supreme.
Epilog
Let them be kept in mind and
let the leader explain them.
Let the wise and the knowing
discuss them together.
Let the father recite them and
impart to his son.
Let the ears of shepherd and
herdsman be opened.
Let him rejoice in Marduk, the
Enlil of the gods,
That his land may be fertile
and that he may prosper. (150)
Firm in his order, his command
unalterable,
The utterance of his mouth no
god shall change.
When he looks he does not turn
away his neck;
When he is angry, no god can
withstand his wrath.
His heart is unfathomable, his
purpose is broad,
Sinner and transgressor may
come before him.
He wrote down and thereby
preserved it for the future.
The dwelling of Marduk which
the gods, the Igigi, had made,
. . . let them speak. (160)
. . . the song of Marduk,
Who vanquished Tiamat and
achieved the kingship.
-Dennis Bratcher, Copyright © 2003, Dennis Bratcher, All Rights
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