Enuma Elish

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Enuma Elish

 

Marduk (from a Babylonian cylinder seal

around 850 BC)

This epic myth, the opening words of

which in Akkadian are enuma elish (“when

on high”), is also called The Creation Epic.

The text was written in the 11th century BC

to legitimate and celebrate Marduk as king

of Babylon’s pantheon. The text was sung

annually at the Babylonian New Year

festival. The myth is written on 7 clay tablets

with each tablet containing about 150 lines.

The epic recounts the origin of the gods and

cosmos; Marduk slaying Tiamat; his rise as

king of the Babylonian pantheon; his

creation of the heavens and earth; the

creation of mankind; the founding of the city

of Babylon and Esagila, Marduk’s temple;

and Marduk’s 50 names and functions.

For over a century, scholars have

combed this text looking for connections to

Genesis 1-2. What significant similarities

and differences do you see between Enuma

Elish and Genesis 1-2? How does each text

describe deity, the cosmos, and mankind?

What does each text say about their origin,

nature, and relationship to each other?

 

Deities in Order of Appearance:

Apsu—freshwater god and husband of Tiamat

Tiamat—saltwater goddess and wife of Apsu

Lahmu—mud/silt god and brother/husband of Lahamu

Lahamu—mud/silt goddess and sister/wife of Lahmu

Anshar—god of the heavenly horizon and brother/husband of Kishar

Kishar—goddesss of the earthly horizon and sister/wife of Anshar

Anu—sky god

Nudimmud—also known as Ea, wise god of the earth

Mummu—god of intelligence

Damkina—wife of Ea

Marduk—storm god

Kingu—Tiamat’s second husband and leader of her army

Anunnaki—the great heavenly and earthly gods

Gaga—divine messenger for Anu

Uggae—god of death

Igigi—another name for the Anunnaki

Enlil—storm god

Usmu—divine messenger for Ea

Ninigiku—another name for Ea

 

 

 

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Tablet I: The Gods Arise and Apsu Is Murdered

 

When on high the heaven had not been named,

Firm ground below had not been called by name,

When primordial Apsu, their begetter,

And 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.

They grew lengthy of days, added years to years.

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)

The divine brothers banded together,

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 her,

Their way was evil; they were overbearing.

Then Apsu, the begetter of the great gods,

Cried out, addressing Mummu, his vizier: (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:

 

 

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“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.

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.

 

 

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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,

Fifty glories were heaped upon him.

Anu brought forth and begot the fourfold wind,

He put them in his hand, “Let my son play!”

He fashioned dust, he made a storm to bear it up,

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 roiling 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 are not mother, you churn back and forth, confused.

As for us who cannot lie down to rest,

you do not love us! (120)

Lift this unremitting yoke, let us sleep!

Raise a storm, give them what they deserve,

Make a tempest, turn them into nothingness.”

When Tiamat heard these words, she was pleased:

“As you have counseled, we will make a tempest,

We will…the gods within it,

For they have been adopting wicked ways against the gods their parents.”

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 Sphinx, (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,

 

 

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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: Marduk Steps Up to Stop Tiamat’s Revenge

 

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.

 

 

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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:

‘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. (40)

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,

They decreed the fate for the gods, her sons:

‘Your word shall make the fire subside,

Shall humble the “Power-Weapon,” so potent in its sweep!’ ”

When Anshar heard that Tiamat was sorely troubled,

He struck his loins and bit his lips. (50)

His heart was gloomy, his mood restless.

He covered his mouth to stifle his outcry:

“My son, you yourself were instigator of the battle!

You bear the consequences of your own handiwork!

Lo, you went forth and killed Apsu.

So Tiamat, whom you have enraged, where is one who can face her?”

The sage counselor, wise prince,

Producer of wisdom, divine Nudimmud,

Answered his father Anshar gently,

With soothing words, calming speech: (60)

“My father, inscrutable, ordainer of destinies,

Who has power to create and destroy,

O Anshar, inscrutable, ordainer of destinies,

Who has power to create and destroy,

I will declare my thoughts to you, relent for a moment,

Recall in your heart that I made a good plan.

Before I undertook to kill Apsu,

Who had foreseen what is happening now?

Ere I was the one who moved quickly to snuff out his life,

I indeed, for it was I who destroyed him, what was there?” (70)

When Anshar heard this, it pleased him,

He calmed down, saying to Ea:

“Your deeds are worthy of a god,

You can…a fierce, irresistible stroke,

Ea, your deeds are worthy of a god,

You can…a fierce, irresistible stroke,

Go then to Tiamat, subdue her onslaught,

May her anger be pacified by your magic spell.”

When he heard the command of his father Anshar,

He set off, making straight his way, (80)

Ea went to seek out Tiamat’s strategem.

He stopped, horror-stricken, then turned back.

He came before Anshar the sovereign,

He beseeched him with entreaties, saying:

 

 

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“My father, Tiamat has carried her actions beyond me,

I sought out her course, but my spell cannot counter it.

Her strength is enormous, she is utterly terrifying,

She is reinforced with a host, none can come out against her.

Her challenge was in no way reduced but overwhelmed me,

I became afraid of her clamor, I turned back. (90)

My father, do not despair, send another to her,

A woman’s force may be very great, but it cannot match a man’s.

Do you scatter her ranks, thwart her intentions,

Before she lays her hands on all of us.”

Anshar was shouting, in a passion,

To Anu his son he said these words:

“Stalwart son, valiant warrior,

Whose strength is enormous, whose onslaught is irresistible,

Hurry, take a stand before Tiamat,

Soothe her feelings, let her heart be eased. (100)

If she will not listen to what you say,

Say something by way of entreaty to her, so that she be pacified.”

When he heard what his father Anshar said,

He set off, made straight his way,

Anu went to seek out Tiamat’s strategem.

He stopped, horror-stricken, then turned back.

He came before Anshar, his father who begot him,

He beseeched him with entreaties, saying:

“My father, Tiamat has carried her actions beyond me,

I sought out her course, but my spell cannot counter it. (110)

Her strength is enormous, she is utterly terrifying,

She is reinforced with a host, none can come out against her.

Her challenge was in no way reduced but overwhelmed me,

I became afraid of her clamor, I turned back.

My father, do not despair, send another to her,

A woman’s strength may be very great, but it cannot match a man’s.

Do you scatter her ranks, thwart her intentions,

Before she lays her hands on all of us.”

Anshar was speechless as he stared at the ground,

Hair on edge, shaking his head at Ea. (120)

All the Anunnaki gathered at that place;

Their lips closed tight, they sat in silence.

Would no god go out at his command?

Against Tiamat would none go out as he ordered?

Anshar, father of the great gods,

His heart was angry, he would not summon anyone!

Then the mighty firstborn, champion of his father,

Hastener to battle, the warrior Marduk

Did Ea summon to his secret place,

Told him his secret words: (130)

“O Marduk, think, heed your father,

You are my son who can relieve his heart!

Draw nigh, approach Anshar,

Make ready to speak. He was angry, seeing you he will be calm.”

 

 

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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 your lips.

I will go and attain your heart’s desire. (140)

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?”

“My son, Tiamat, a woman comes out against you to arms.”

“My father, creator, rejoice and be glad,

Soon you shall trample the neck of Tiamat.

Anshar, creator, rejoice and be glad.

Soon you will trample the neck of Tiamat!”

“My son, you who knows all wisdom,

Calm Tiamat with your holy spell. (150)

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.

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. (160)

What I may bring into being shall be unalterable;

The command of my lips shall be neither recalled nor changed.”

Tablet III: The Gods Are Summoned to Coronate Marduk

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 know how to find a way, you can make a fine speech.

Send over to my presence the gods my ancestors,

Let them bring all the gods before me.

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:

‘Anshar, your son, has sent me here,

Charging me to give voice to the dictates of his heart,

He says: “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.

 

 

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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 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.

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!”’”

Gaga departed, proceeding on his way.

Before Lahmu and Lahamu, the gods, his fathers,

 

 

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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 says: ‘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 are 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 Sphinx,

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!

 

 

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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:

“How strange that they should have made this decision!

We cannot fathom the doings of Tiamat!”

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 Gods Crown Marduk and Marduk Slays Tiamat

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,

 

 

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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.”

Marduk’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 cast her spell pointblank,

Falsehood, lies she held ready on her lips.

“Lord, the gods rise against you,

They assembled where they are, but are they on your side?”

Thereupon the lord, having raised the flood-storm, his mighty weapon,

To Tiamat, who acted conciliatory, he sent word as follows:

“Why outwardly do you assume a friendly attitude,

 

 

13

While your heart is plotting to open attack?

Children cried out as their parents were deceitful,

And you, their mother, spurned natural feeling. (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 shown the mighty foe subservient,

Had wholly established Anshar’s triumph over the foe,

Had achieved Nudimmud’s desire, valiant Marduk

Strengthened his hold on the vanquished gods,

 

 

14

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 Continues Creating the Heavens and the Earth

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 judgment.”

 

(Lines 25-44 are badly damaged and mostly untranslatable. After Marduk created the moon, it

seems that he created the sun [Shamash].)

 

 

15

After he had appointed the days to Shamash,

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)

To make the mist steam, to piling up her spittle as snow,

These he assigned to 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 as “The Great Bond” between heaven and earth.

…Apsu at his foot, (60)

He set her crotch as the brace of heaven,

He set half of her as a roof, he established the earth.

…He caused the oceans to surge within Tiamat.

He let his net completely out,

So he created heaven and earth,

Tightening their bond….

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 Usmu 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 joined together to pay him reverence,

They stood before him, bowed and said: “He is the king!”

After the gods, his fathers, were satiated with his charms.

 

(Lines 90-106 are too badly damaged for translation. They seem to describe Marduk on his

throne with his weapons.)

 

 

 

16

Ea and Damkina…,

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:

“Lugaldimmerankia (“King of the gods of heaven and earth”) is his name, 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 scepter.

Ea who knows the skill of all crafts,

Let him prepare the plans, we will be the workers.”

 

 

17

Tablet VI: Marduk Has Mankind Made and the Gods Make Marduk’s Temple

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, ‘man’ 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 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,

 

 

18

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

‘Lo, a chamber for our nightly rest’; 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 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,

 

 

19

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 earth, (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 (mankind), 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, cause their chambers to rejoice,

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…

“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,

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; (130)

The lord who revives the dead gods by his pure incantation,

Who destroys the wayward foes. Let us praise his prowess…”

 

Tablet VII: The Gods Continue Proclaiming Marduk’s Names

“Marduk is Asaru, bestower of cultivation, who established water levels;

Creator of grain and herbs, who causes vegetation to sprout…

Let the people magnify Marduk 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…

Shazu, who knows the heart of the gods, who examines the inside;

From whom the evildoer cannot escape; (10)

Who sets up the Assembly of the gods, gladdens their hearts;

Who subdues the insubmissive; their wide-spread protection;

 

 

20

Who directs justice, roots out crooked talk,

Who wrong and right in his place keeps apart…

May he shepherd all the gods like sheep.

May he keep Tiamat subdued; may he keep her life cut short!

Into the future of mankind, when days have grown old,

May she always be far off and stay away forever.

Because he created the spaces and fashioned the firm ground,

Father Enlil called his name ‘Lord of the Lands.’” (20)

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.

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.

Epilogue

Let them be kept in mind and let the leader explain them.

Let the wise and the knowing discuss them together. (30)

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.

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 for judgment. (40)

He wrote down and thereby preserved it for the future.

The dwelling of Marduk which the gods, the Igigi, had made,

…His name let them speak.

Let them sound abroad the song of Marduk,

Who vanquished Tiamat and achieved the kingship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This translation of Enuma Elish comes from the following website:

http://www.cresourcei.org/enumaelish.html. It has been abbreviated and edited for clarity.