| 1 |
When the heavens above did not exist, |
| 2 |
And earth beneath had not come into being – |
| 3 |
There was Apsû, the first in order, their begetter, |
| 4 |
And mummu (life-giving force) Tiamat, who gave birth to them all; |
| 5 |
They had mingled their waters together |
| 6 |
Before meadow-land had coalesced and reed-bed was to he found – |
| 7 |
When not one of the gods had been formed |
| 8 |
Or had come into being, when no destinies had been decreed, |
| 9 |
The gods were created within them: |
| 10 |
Lahmu and Lahamu were formed and came into being. |
| 11 |
While they grew and increased in stature |
| 12 |
Anshar and Kishar, who excelled them, were created. |
| 13 |
They prolonged their days; they multiplied their years. |
| 14 |
Anu, their son, could rival his fathers. |
| 15 |
Anu, the son, equalled Anshar, |
| 16 |
And Anu begat Nudimmud, his own equal. |
| 17 |
Nudimmud was the champion among his fathers: |
| 18 |
Profoundly discerning, wise, of robust strength; |
| 19 |
Very much stronger than his father’s begetter, Anshar |
| 20 |
He had no rival among the gods, his brothers. |
| 21 |
The divine brothers came together, |
| 22 |
Their clamor got loud, throwing Tiamat into a turmoil. |
| 23 |
They jarred the nerves of Tiamat, |
| 24 |
And by their dancing they spread alarm in Anduruna. |
| 25 |
Apsû did not diminish their clamor, |
| 26 |
And Tiamat was silent when confronted with them. |
| 27 |
Their conduct was displeasing to her, |
| 28 |
Yet though their behavior was not good, she wished to spare them. |
| 29 |
Thereupon Apsû, the begetter of the great gods, |
| 30 |
Called Mummu, his vizier, and addressed him: |
| 31 |
“Vizier Mummu, who gratifies my pleasure: |
| 32 |
Come, let us go to Tiamat!” |
| 33 |
They went and sat, facing Tiamat, |
| 34 |
As they conferred about the gods, their sons. |
| 35 |
Apsû opened his mouth, |
| 36 |
And addressed Tiamat: |
| 37 |
“Their behavior has become displeasing to me |
| 38 |
And I cannot rest in the day-time or sleep at night. |
| 39 |
I will destroy and break up their way of life, |
| 40 |
That silence may reign and we may sleep.” |
| 41 |
When Tiamat heard this |
| 42 |
She raged and cried out to her spouse. |
| 43 |
She cried in distress, fuming within herself, |
| 44 |
She grieved over the (plotted) evil, |
| 45 |
“How can we destroy what we have given birth to? |
| 46 |
Though their behavior causes distress, let us tighten discipline graciously.” |
| 47 |
Mummu spoke up with counsel for Apsû: |
| 48 |
a rebellious vizier was the counsel of his Mummu: |
| 49 |
“Destroy, my father, that lawless way of life, |
| 50 |
That you may rest in the day-time and sleep by night!” |
| 51 |
Apsû was pleased with him, his face beamed, |
| 52 |
Because he had plotted evil against the gods, his sons. |
| 53 |
Mummu put his arms around Apsû’s neck, |
| 54 |
He sat on his knees kissing him. |
| 55 |
What they plotted in their gathering |
| 56 |
Was reported to the gods, their sons. |
| 57 |
The gods heard it and were frantic. |
| 58 |
They were overcome with silence and sat quietly. |
| 59 |
Ea, who excels in knowledge, the skilled and learned, |
| 60 |
Ea, who knows everything, perceived their tricks. |
| 61 |
He fashioned it and made it to be all-embracing, |
| 62 |
He executed it skillfully as supreme: his pure incantation. |
| 63 |
He recited it and set it on the waters. |
| 64 |
He poured sleep upon him as he was slumbering deeply. |
| 65 |
He put Apsû to slumber as he poured out sleep. |
| 66 |
And Mummu, the counsellor, was breathless with agitation. |
| 67 |
He split (Apsû’s) sinews, ripped off his crown, |
| 68 |
Carried away his aura and put it on himself. |
| 69 |
He bound Apsû and killed him; |
| 70 |
Mummu he confined and handled roughly. |
| 71 |
He set his dwelling upon Apsû, |
| 72 |
And laid hold on Mummu, keeping the nose-rope in his hand. |
| 73 |
After Ea had bound and slain his enemies, |
| 74 |
Had achieved victory over his foes, |
| 75 |
He rested quietly in his chamber; |
| 76 |
He called it Apsû, whose shrines he appointed. |
| 77 |
Then he founded his living-quarters within it, |
| 78 |
And Ea and Damkina, his wife, sat in splendor. |
| 79 |
In the chamber of the destinies, the room of the archetypes, |
| 80 |
The wisest of the wise, the sage of the gods, Bel was conceived: |
| 81 |
In Apsû was Marduk born; |
| 82 |
In pure Apsû was Marduk born. |
| 83 |
Ea his father begat him; |
| 84 |
Damkina his mother bore him. |
| 85 |
He sucked the breasts of goddesses; |
| 86 |
A nurse reared him and filled him with terror. |
| 87 |
His figure was well developed, the glance of his eyes was dazzling, |
| 88 |
His growth was manly; he was mighty from the beginning. |
| 89 |
Anu, his father’s begetter, saw him, |
| 90 |
He exulted and smiled; his heart filled with joy. |
| 91 |
Anu rendered him perfect: his divinity was remarkable, |
| 92 |
And he became very lofty, excelling them in his attributes. |
| 93 |
His members were incomprehensibly wonderful, |
| 94 |
Incapable of being grasped with the mind, hard even to look on. |
| 95 |
Four were his eyes, four his ears, |
| 96 |
Flame shot forth as he moved his lips. |
| 97 |
His four ears grew large, |
| 93 |
And his eyes likewise took in everything. |
| 99 |
His figure was lofty and superior in comparison with the gods, |
| 100 |
His limbs were surpassing; his nature was superior. |
| 101 |
“Mari-utu, Mari-utu, |
| 102 |
The Son, the Sun-god, the Sun-god of the gods.” |
| 103 |
He was clothed with the aura of the Ten Gods, so exalted was his strength, |
| 104 |
The Fifty Dreads were loaded upon him. |
| 105 |
Anu formed and gave birth to the four winds; |
| 106 |
He delivered them to him: “My son, let them whirl!” |
| 107 |
He formed dust and set a hurricane to drive it. |
| 108 |
He made a wave to bring consternation on Tiamat. |
| 109 |
Tiamat was confounded; day and night she was frantic. |
| 110 |
The gods took no rest, they . . . . . . . |
| 111 |
In their minds they plotted evil, |
| 112 |
And addressed their mother Tiamat, |
| 113 |
“When Apsû, your spouse, was killed, |
| 114 |
You did not go at his side, but sat quietly. |
| 115 |
The four dreadful winds have been fashioned |
| 116 |
To throw you into confusion, and we cannot sleep. |
| 117 |
You gave no thought to Apsû, your spouse, |
| 113 |
Nor to Mummu, who is a prisoner. Now you sit alone. |
| 119 |
Henceforth you will be in frantic consternation! |
| 120 |
And as for us, who cannot rest, you do not love us! |
| 121 |
Consider our burden, our eyes are hollow. |
| 122 |
Break the immovable yoke that we may sleep. |
| 123 |
Make battle, avenge them! |
| 124 |
. . . . . . reduce to nothingness!” |
| 125 |
Tiamat heard, the speech pleased her: |
| 126 |
“Let us make demons, [as you] have advised.” |
| 127 |
The gods assembled within her. |
| 128 |
They conceived [evil] against the gods their begetters. |
| 129 |
They . . . . . and took the side of Tiamat, |
| 130 |
Fiercely plotting, unresting by night and day, |
| 131 |
Lusting for battle, raging, storming, |
| 132 |
They set up a host to bring about conflict. |
| 133 |
Mother Hubur, who forms everything, |
| 134 |
Supplied irresistible weapons, and gave birth to giant serpents. |
| 135 |
They had sharp teeth, they were merciless . . . . |
| 136 |
With poison instead of blood she filled their bodies. |
| 137 |
She clothed the fearful monsters with dread, |
| 138 |
She loaded them with an aura and made them godlike. |
| 139 |
(She said:) “Let their onlooker feebly perish, |
| 140 |
May they constantly leap forward and never retire.” |
| 141 |
She created the Hydra, the Dragon, the Hairy Hero |
| 142 |
The Great Demon, the Savage Dog, and the Scorpion-man, |
| 143 |
Fierce demons, the Fish-man, and the Bull-man, |
| 144 |
Carriers of merciless weapons, fearless in the face of battle. |
| 145 |
Her commands were tremendous, not to be resisted. |
| 146 |
Altogether she made eleven of that kind. |
| 147 |
Among the gods, her sons, whom she constituted her host, |
| 148 |
She exalted Kingu, and magnified him among them. |
| 149 |
The leadership of the army, the direction of the host, |
| 150 |
The bearing of weapons, campaigning, the mobilization of conflict, |
| 151 |
The chief executive power of battle, supreme command, |
| 152 |
She entrusted to him and set him on a throne, |
| 153 |
“I have cast the spell for you and exalted you in the host of the gods, |
| 154 |
I have delivered to you the rule of all the gods. |
| 155 |
You are indeed exalted, my spouse, you are renowned, |
| 156 |
Let your commands prevail over all the Anunnaki.” |
| 157 |
She gave him the Tablet of Destinies and fastened it to his breast, |
| 158 |
(Saying:) “Your order may not be changed; let the utterance of your mouth be firm.” |
| 159 |
After Kingu was elevated and had acquired the power of Anuship, |
| 160 |
He decreed the destinies for the gods, her sons: |
| 161 |
“May the utterance of your mouths subdue the fire-god, |
| 162 |
May your poison by its accumulation put down aggression.” |
| 1 |
Tiamat gathered together her creation |
| 2 |
And organized battle against the gods, her offspring. |
| 3 |
Henceforth Tiamat plotted evil because of Apsû |
| 4 |
It became known to Ea that she had arranged the conflict. |
| 5 |
Ea heard this matter, |
| 6 |
He lapsed into silence in his chamber and sat motionless. |
| 7 |
After he had reflected and his anger had subsided |
| 8 |
He directed his steps to Anshar his father. |
| 9 |
He entered the presence of the father of his begetter, Anshar, |
| 10 |
And related to him all of Tiamat’s plotting. |
| 11 |
“My father, Tiamat our mother has conceived a hatred for us, |
| 12 |
She has established a host in her savage fury. |
| 13 |
All the gods have turned to her, |
| 14 |
Even those you (pl.) begat also take her side |
| 15 |
They . . . . . and took the side of Tiamat, |
| 16 |
Fiercely plotting, unresting by night and day, |
| 17 |
Lusting for battle, raging, storming, |
| 18 |
They set up a host to bring about conflict. |
| 19 |
Mother Hubur, who forms everything, |
| 20 |
Supplied irresistible weapons, and gave birth to giant serpents. |
| 21 |
They had sharp teeth, they were merciless. |
| 22 |
With poison instead of blood she filled their bodies. |
| 23 |
She clothed the fearful monsters with dread, |
| 24 |
She loaded them with an aura and made them godlike. |
| 25 |
(She said:) “Let their onlooker feebly perish, |
| 26 |
May they constantly leap forward and never retire.” |
| 27 |
She created the Hydra, the Dragon, the Hairy Hero, |
| 28 |
The Great Demon, the Savage Dog, and the Scorpion-man, |
| 29 |
Fierce demons, the Fish-man, and the Bull-man, |
| 30 |
Carriers of merciless weapons, fearless in the face of battle. |
| 31 |
Her commands were tremendous, not to be resisted. |
| 32 |
Altogether she made eleven of that kind. |
| 33 |
Among the gods, her sons, whom she constituted her host, |
| 34 |
She exalted Kingu and magnified him among them. |
| 35 |
The leadership of the army, the direction of the host, |
| 36 |
The bearing of weapons, campaigning, the mobilization of conflict, |
| 37 |
The chief executive power of battle supreme command, |
| 38 |
She entrusted to him and set him on a throne. |
| 39 |
“I have cast the spell for you and exalted you in the host of the gods, |
| 40 |
I have delivered to you the rule of all the gods. |
| 41 |
You are indeed exalted, my spouse, you are renowned, |
| 42 |
Let your commands prevail over all the Anunnaki.” |
| 43 |
She gave him the tablet of Destinies and fastened it to his breast, |
| 44 |
(Saying:) “Your order may not he changed; let the utterance of your mouth be firm.” |
| 45 |
After Kingu was elevated and had acquired the power of Anuship |
| 46 |
He decreed the destinies for the gods. her sons: |
| 47 |
“May the utterance of your mouths subdue the fire-god, |
| 48 |
May your poison by its accumulation put down aggression.” |
| 49 |
Anshar heard; the matter was profoundly disturbing. |
| 50 |
He cried “Woe!”, and bit his lip. |
| 51 |
His heart was in fury; his mind could not be calmed. |
| 52 |
Over Ea his son his cry was faltering. |
| 53 |
“My son, you who provoked the war, |
| 54 |
Take responsibility for whatever you alone have done! |
| 55 |
You set out and killed Apsû, |
| 56 |
And as for Tiamat, whom you made furious, where is her equal?” |
| 57 |
The gatherer of counsel, the learned prince, |
| 58 |
The creator of wisdom, the god Nudimmud |
| 59 |
With soothing words and calming utterance |
| 60 |
Gently answered [his] father Anshar: |
| 61 |
“My father, deep mind, who decrees destiny, |
| 62 |
Who has the power to bring into being and destroy, |
| 63 |
Anshar, deep mind, who decrees destiny, |
| 64 |
Who has the power to bring into being and to destroy, |
| 65 |
I want to say something to you, calm down for me for a moment |
| 66 |
And consider that I performed a helpful deed. |
| 67 |
Before I killed Apsû |
| 68 |
Who could have seen the present situation? |
| 69 |
Before I quickly made an end of him |
| 70 |
What were the circumstances were I to destroy him?” |
| 71 |
Anshar heard; the words pleased him. |
| 72 |
His heart relaxed to speak to Ea: |
| 73 |
“My son, your deeds are fitting for a god, |
| 74 |
You are capable of a fierce, unequalled blow . . . . . |
| 75 |
Ea, your deeds are fitting for a god, |
| 76 |
You are capable of a fierce, unequalled blow . . . . . |
| 77 |
Go before Tiamat and appease her attack, |
| 78 |
. . . . . . . . her fury with [your] incantation.” |
| 79 |
He heard the speech of Anshar his father. |
| 80 |
He took the road to her, proceeded on the route to her. |
| 81 |
He went, he perceived the tricks of Tiamat, |
| 82 |
[He stopped], fell silent, and turned back. |
| 83 |
[He] entered the presence of august Anshar |
| 84 |
Penitently addressing him: |
| 85 |
“[My father], Tiamat’s deeds are too much for me. |
| 86 |
I perceived her planning, and [my] incantation was not equal (to it). |
| 87 |
Her strength is mighty, she is full of dread, |
| 88 |
She is altogether very strong; none can go against her. |
| 89 |
Her very loud cry did not diminish, |
| 90 |
[I became afraid] of her cry and turned back. |
| 91 |
[My father], do not lose hope, send a second person against her. |
| 92 |
Though a woman’s strength is very great, it is not equal to a man’s. |
| 93 |
Disband her cohorts, break up her plans, |
| 94 |
Before she lays her hands on us.” |
| 95 |
Anshar cried out in intense fury, |
| 96 |
Addressing Anu his son, |
| 97 |
“Honored son, hero, warrior, |
| 98 |
Whose strength is mighty, whose attack is irresistible |
| 99 |
Hasten and stand before Tiamat, |
| 100 |
Appease her rage that her heart may relax |
| 101 |
If she does not harken to your words, |
| 102 |
Address to her words of petition that she may be appeased.” |
| 103 |
He heard the speech of Anshar his father, |
| 104 |
He took the road to her, proceeded on the route to her. |
| 105 |
Anu went, he perceived the tricks of Tiamat, |
| 106 |
He stopped, fell silent, and turned back. |
| 107 |
He entered the presence of Anshar the father who begat him, |
| 108 |
Penitently addressing him. |
| 109 |
“My father, Tiamat’s [deeds] are too much for me. |
| 110 |
I perceived her planning, but my [incantation] was not [equal] (to it). |
| 111 |
Her strength is mighty, she is [full] of dread, |
| 112 |
She is altogether very strong, no one [can go against her]. |
| 113 |
Her very loud noise does not diminish, |
| 114 |
I became afraid of her cry and turned back. |
| 115 |
My father, do not lose hope, send another person against her. |
| 116 |
Though a woman’s strength is very great, it is not equal to a man’s. |
| 117 |
Disband her cohorts, break up her plans, |
| 118 |
Before she lays her hands on us.” |
| 119 |
Anshar lapsed into silence, staring at the ground, |
| 120 |
He nodded to Ea, shaking his head. |
| 121 |
The Igigi and all the Anunnaki had assembled, |
| 122 |
They sat in tight-lipped silence. |
| 123 |
No god would go to face . . . . |
| 124 |
Would go out against Tiamat . . . . . . |
| 125 |
Yet the lord Anshar, the father of the great gods, |
| 126 |
Was angry in his heart, and did not summon any one. |
| 127 |
A mighty son, the avenger of his father, |
| 128 |
He who hastens to war, the warrior Marduk |
| 129 |
Ea summoned (him) to his private chamber |
| 130 |
To explain to him his plans. |
| 131 |
“Marduk, give counsel, listen to your father. |
| 132 |
You are my son, who gives me pleasure, |
| 133 |
Go reverently before Anshar, |
| 134 |
Speak, take your stand, appease him with your glance.” |
| 135 |
Bel rejoiced at his father’s words. |
| 136 |
He drew near and stood in the presence of Anshar. |
| 137 |
Anshar saw him, his heart filled with satisfaction, |
| 138 |
He kissed his lips and removed his fear: |
| 139 |
“My [father] do not hold your peace, but speak forth, |
| 140 |
I will go and fulfil your desires! |
| 141 |
[Anshar,] do not hold your peace, but speak forth, |
| 142 |
I will go and fulfil your desires! |
| 143 |
Which man has drawn up his battle array against you? |
| 144 |
And will Tiamat, who is a woman, attack you with (her) weapons? |
| 145 |
[My father], begetter, rejoice and be glad, |
| 146 |
Soon you will tread on the neck of Tiamat! |
| 147 |
[Anshar], begetter, rejoice and be glad, |
| 148 |
Soon you will tread on the neck of Tiamat!” |
| 149 |
[“Go,] my son, conversant with all knowledge, |
| 150 |
Appease Tiamat with your pure spell. |
| 151 |
Drive the storm chariot without delay, |
| 152 |
And with a [. .] which cannot be repelled turn her back.” |
| 153 |
Bel rejoiced at his father’s words; |
| 154 |
With glad heart he addressed his father: |
| 155 |
“Lord of the gods, Destiny of the great gods, |
| 156 |
If I should become your avenger, |
| 157 |
If I should bind Tiamat and preserve you, |
| 158 |
Convene an assembly and proclaim for me an exalted destiny. |
| 159 |
Sit, all of you, in Upshukkinakku with gladness, |
| 160 |
And let me, with my utterance, decree destinies instead of you. |
| 161 |
Whatever I instigate must not be changed, |
| 162 |
Nor may my command be nullified or altered.” |
| 1 |
Anshar opened his mouth |
| 2 |
And addressed Kaka, his vizier, |
| 3 |
“Vizier Kaka, who gratifies my pleasure, |
| 4 |
I will send you to Lahmu and Lahamu. |
| 5 |
You are skilled in making inquiry, learned in address. |
| 6 |
Have the gods, my fathers, brought to my presence. |
| 7 |
Let all the gods be brought, |
| 8 |
Let them confer as they sit at table. |
| 9 |
Let them eat grain, let them drink ale, |
| 10 |
Let them decree the destiny for Marduk their avenger. |
| 11 |
Go, be gone, Kaka, stand before them, |
| 12 |
And repeat to them all that I tell you: |
| 13 |
“Anshar, your son, has sent me, |
| 14 |
And I am to explain his plans. |
| 15 |
“Thus, Tiamat our mother has conceived a hatred for us, |
| 16 |
She has established a host in her savage fury. |
| 17 |
All the gods have turned to her, |
| 18 |
Even those you begat also take her side |
| 19 |
They . . . . . and took the side of Tiamat, |
| 20 |
Fiercely plotting, unresting by night and day, |
| 21 |
Lusting for battle, raging, storming, |
| 22 |
They set up a host to bring about conflict. |
| 23 |
Mother Hubur, who forms everything, |
| 24 |
Supplied irresistible weapons, and gave birth to giant serpents. |
| 25 |
They had sharp teeth, they were merciless. |
| 26 |
With poison instead of blood she filled their bodies. |
| 27 |
She clothed the fearful monsters with dread, |
| 28 |
She loaded them with an aura and made them godlike. |
| 29 |
(She said:) “Let their onlooker feebly perish, |
| 30 |
May they constantly leap forward and never retire.” |
| 31 |
She created the Hydra, the Dragon, the Hairy Hero, |
| 32 |
The Great Demon, the Savage Dog, and the Scorpion-man, |
| 33 |
Fierce demons, the Fish-man, and the Bull-man, |
| 34 |
Carriers of merciless weapons, fearless in the face of battle. |
| 35 |
Her commands were tremendous, not to be resisted. |
| 36 |
Altogether she made eleven of that kind. |
| 37 |
Among the gods, her sons, whom she constituted her host, |
| 38 |
She exalted Kingu and magnified him among them. |
| 39 |
The leadership of the army, the direction of the host, |
| 40 |
The bearing of weapons, campaigning, the mobilization of conflict, |
| 41 |
The chief executive power of battle supreme command, |
| 42 |
She entrusted to him and set him on a throne. |
| 43 |
“I have cast the spell for you and exalted you in the host of the gods, |
| 44 |
I have delivered to you the rule of all the gods. |
| 45 |
You are indeed exalted, my spouse, you are renowned, |
| 46 |
Let your commands prevail over all the Anunnaki.” |
| 47 |
She gave him the Tablet of Destinies and fastened it to his breast, |
| 48 |
(Saying:) “Your order may not he changed; let the utterance of your mouth be firm.” |
| 49 |
After Kingu was elevated and had acquired the power of Anuship |
| 50 |
He decreed the destinies for the gods. her sons: |
| 51 |
“May the utterance of your mouths subdue the fire-god, |
| 52 |
May your poison by its accumulation put down aggression.” |
| 53 |
I sent Anu, but he could not face her. |
| 54 |
Nudimmud took fright and retired. |
| 55 |
Marduk, the sage of the gods, your son, has come forward, |
| 56 |
He has determined to meet Tiamat. |
| 57 |
He has spoken to me and said, |
| 58 |
“If I should become your avenger, |
| 59 |
If I should bind Tiamat and preserve you, |
| 60 |
Convene an assembly and proclaim for me an exalted destiny. |
| 61 |
Sit, all of you, in Upshukkinakku with gladness, |
| 62 |
And let me, with my utterance, decree destinies instead of you. |
| 63 |
Whatever I instigate must not be changed, |
| 64 |
Nor may my command be nullified or altered.” |
| 65 |
Quickly, now, decree your destiny for him without delay, |
| 66 |
That he may go and face your powerful enemy.” |
| 67 |
Kaka went. He directed his steps |
| 68 |
To Lahmu and Lahamu, the gods his fathers. |
| 69 |
He prostrated himself, he kissed the ground before them, |
| 70 |
He got up, saying to them he stood, |
| 71 |
All the gods have turned to her, |
| 72 |
Even those you begat also take her side |
| 73 |
They . . . . . and took the side of Tiamat, |
| 74 |
Fiercely plotting, unresting by night and day, |
| 75 |
Lusting for battle, raging, storming, |
| 76 |
They set up a host to bring about conflict. |
| 77 |
Mother Hubur, who forms everything, |
| 78 |
Supplied irresistible weapons, and gave birth to giant serpents. |
| 79 |
They had sharp teeth, they were merciless. |
| 80 |
With poison instead of blood she filled their bodies. |
| 81 |
She clothed the fearful monsters with dread, |
| 82 |
She loaded them with an aura and made them godlike. |
| 83 |
(She said:) “Let their onlooker feebly perish, |
| 84 |
May they constantly leap forward and never retire.” |
| 85 |
She created the Hydra, the Dragon, the Hairy Hero, |
| 86 |
The Great Demon, the Savage Dog, and the Scorpion-man, |
| 87 |
Fierce demons, the Fish-man, and the Bull-man, |
| 88 |
Carriers of merciless weapons, fearless in the face of battle. |
| 89 |
Her commands were tremendous, not to be resisted. |
| 90 |
Altogether she made eleven of that kind. |
| 91 |
Among the gods, her sons, whom she constituted her host, |
| 92 |
She exalted Kingu and magnified him among them. |
| 93 |
The leadership of the army, the direction of the host, |
| 94 |
The bearing of weapons, campaigning, the mobilization of conflict, |
| 95 |
The chief executive power of battle supreme command, |
| 96 |
She entrusted to him and set him on a throne. |
| 97 |
“I have cast the spell for you and exalted you in the host of the gods, |
| 98 |
I have delivered to you the rule of all the gods. |
| 99 |
You are indeed exalted, my spouse, you are renowned, |
| 100 |
Let your commands prevail over all the Anunnaki.” |
| 101 |
She gave him the Tablet of Destinies and fastened it to his breast, |
| 102 |
(Saying:) “Your order may not he changed; let the utterance of your mouth be firm.” |
| 103 |
After Kingu was elevated and had acquired the power of Anuship |
| 104 |
He decreed the destinies for the gods. her sons: |
| 105 |
“May the utterance of your mouths subdue the fire-god, |
| 106 |
May your poison by its accumulation put down aggression.” |
| 107 |
Anshar heard; the matter was profoundly disturbing. |
| 108 |
He cried: “Woe!”, and bit his lip. |
| 109 |
His heart was in fury; his mind could not be calmed. |
| 110 |
Over Ea his son his cry was faltering. |
| 111 |
“My son, you who provoked the war, |
| 112 |
Take responsibility for whatever you alone have done! |
| 113 |
You set out and killed Apsû, |
| 114 |
And as for Tiamat, whom you made furious, where is her equal?” |
| 115 |
The gatherer of counsel, the learned prince, |
| 116 |
The creator of wisdom, the god Nudimmud |
| 117 |
With soothing words and calming utterance |
| 118 |
Gently answered [his] father Anshar: |
| 119 |
“My father, deep mind, who decrees destiny, |
| 120 |
Who has the power to bring into being and destroy, |
| 121 |
Anshar, deep mind, who decrees destiny, |
| 122 |
Who has the power to bring into being and to destroy, |
| 123 |
I want to say something to you, calm down for me for a moment |
| 124 |
And consider that I performed a helpful deed.” |
| 125 |
When Lahha and Lahamu heard, they cried aloud. |
| 126 |
All the Igigi moaned in distress: |
| 127 |
“What has gone wrong that she took this decision about us? |
| 128 |
We did not know what Tiamat was doing.” |
| 129 |
All the great gods who decree destinies |
| 130 |
Gathered as they went, |
| 131 |
They entered the presence of Anshar and became filled with [joy], |
| 132 |
They kissed one another as they . . . in the assembly. |
| 133 |
They conferred as they sat at table, |
| 134 |
They ate grain, they drank ale. |
| 135 |
They strained the sweet liquor through their straws, |
| 136 |
As they drank beer and felt good, |
| 137 |
They became quite carefree, their mood was merry, |
| 138 |
And they decreed the fate for Marduk, their avenger. |
| 1 |
They set a lordly dais for him |
| 2 |
And he took his seat before his fathers to receive kingship. |
| 3 |
(They said:) “You are the most honored among the great gods, |
| 4 |
Your destiny is unequalled; your command is like Anu’s. |
| 5 |
Marduk, you are the most honored among the great gods, |
| 6 |
Your destiny is unequalled; your command is like Anu’s. |
| 7 |
Henceforth your order will not be annulled, |
| 8 |
It is in your power to exalt and abase. |
| 9 |
Your utterance is sure, your command cannot be rebelled against, |
| 10 |
None of the gods will transgress the line you draw. |
| 11 |
Shrines for all the gods needs provisioning, |
| 12 |
That you may be established where their sanctuaries are. |
| 13 |
You are Marduk, our avenger, |
| 14 |
We have given you kingship over the sum of the whole universe. |
| 15 |
Take your seat in the assembly, let your word be exalted, |
| 16 |
Let your weapons not miss the mark, but may they slay your enemies. |
| 17 |
Bel, spare him who trusts in you, |
| 18 |
But destroy the god who set his mind on evil.” |
| 19 |
They set a constellation in the middle |
| 20 |
And addressed Marduk, their son: |
| 21 |
“Your destiny, Bel, is superior to that of all the gods, |
| 22 |
Command and bring about annihilation and re-creation. |
| 23 |
Let the constellation disappear at your utterance, |
| 24 |
With a second command let the constellation reappear.” |
| 25 |
He gave the command and the constellation disappeared, |
| 26 |
With a second command the constellation came into being again. |
| 27 |
When the gods, his fathers, saw (the effect of) his utterance, |
| 28 |
They rejoiced and offered congratulation: “Marduk is the king!” |
| 29 |
They added to him a mace, a throne, and a rod, |
| 30 |
They gave him an irresistible weapon that overwhelms the foe: |
| 31 |
(They said:) “Go, cut Tiamat’s throat, |
| 32 |
And let the winds bear up her blood to give the news.” |
| 33 |
The gods, his fathers, decreed the destiny of Bel, |
| 34 |
And set him on the road, the way of prosperity and success. |
| 35 |
He fashioned a bow and made it his weapon, |
| 36 |
He set an arrow in place, put the bow string on. |
| 37 |
He took up his club and held it in his right hand, |
| 38 |
His bow and quiver he hung at his side. |
| 39 |
He placed lightning before him, |
| 40 |
And filled his body with tongues of flame. |
| 41 |
He made a net to enmesh the entrails of Tiamat, |
| 42 |
And stationed the four winds that no part of her escape. |
| 43 |
The South Wind, the North Wind, the East Wind, the West Wind, |
| 44 |
He put beside his net, winds given by his father, Anu. |
| 45 |
He fashioned the Evil Wind, the Dust Storm, Tempest, |
| 46 |
The Four-fold Wind, the Seven-fold Wind, the Chaos-spreading Wind, the . . . . .Wind. |
| 47 |
He sent out the seven winds that he had fashioned, |
| 48 |
And they took their stand behind him to harass Tiamat’s entrails. |
| 49 |
Bel took up the Storm-flood, his great weapon, |
| 50 |
He rode the fearful chariot of the irresistible storm. |
| 51 |
Four steeds he yoked to it and harnessed them to it, |
| 52 |
The Destroyer, The Merciless, The Trampler, The Fleet. |
| 53 |
Their lips were parted, their teeth bore venom, |
| 54 |
They were strangers to weariness, trained to sweep forward. |
| 55 |
At his right hand he stationed raging battle and strife, |
| 56 |
On the left, conflict that overwhelms a united battle array. |
| 57 |
He was clad in a tunic, a fearful coat of mail, |
| 58 |
And on has head he wore an aura of terror. |
| 59 |
Bel proceeded and set out on his way, |
| 60 |
He set his face toward the raging Tiamat. |
| 61 |
In his lips he held a spell, |
| 62 |
He grasped a plant to counter poison in his hand, |
| 63 |
Thereupon they milled around him, the gods milled around him, |
| 64 |
The gods, his fathers, milled around him, the gods milled around him. |
| 65 |
Bel drew near, surveying the maw of Tiamat, |
| 66 |
He observed the tricks of Kingu, her spouse. |
| 67 |
As he looked, he lost his nerve, |
| 68 |
His determination went and he faltered. |
| 69 |
His divine aides, who were marching at his side, |
| 70 |
Saw the warrior, the foremost, and their vision became dim. |
| 71 |
Tiamat cast her spell without turning her neck, |
| 72 |
In her lips she held untruth and lies, |
| 73 |
“. . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| 74 |
In their . . . they have assembled by you.” |
| 75 |
Bel [lifted up] the Storm-flood, his great weapon, |
| 76 |
And with these words threw it at the raging Tiamat, |
| 77 |
“Why are you aggressive and arrogant, |
| 78 |
And strive to provoke battle? |
| 79 |
The younger generation have shouted, outraging their elders, |
| 80 |
But you, their mother, hold pity in contempt. |
| 81 |
Kingu you have named to be your spouse, |
| 82 |
And you have improperly appointed him to the rank of Anuship. |
| 83 |
Against Anshar, king of the gods, you have stirred up trouble, |
| 84 |
And against the gods, my fathers, your trouble is established. |
| 85 |
Deploy your troops, gird on your weapons, |
| 86 |
You and I will take our stand and do battle.” |
| 87 |
When Tiamat heard this |
| 88 |
She went insane and lost her reason. |
| 89 |
Tiamat cried aloud and fiercely, |
| 90 |
All her lower members trembled beneath her. |
| 91 |
She was reciting an incantation, kept reciting her spell, |
| 92 |
While the (battle-)gods were sharpening their weapons of war. |
| 93 |
Tiamat and Marduk, the sage of the gods, came together, |
| 94 |
Joining in strife, drawing near to battle. |
| 95 |
Bel spread out his net and enmeshed her; |
| 96 |
He let loose the Evil Wind, the rear guard, in her face. |
| 97 |
Tiamat opened her mouth to swallow it, |
| 98 |
She let the Evil Wind in so that she could not close her lips. |
| 99 |
The fierce winds weighed down her belly, |
| 100 |
Her inwards were distended and she opened her mouth wide. |
| 101 |
He let fly an arrow and pierced her belly, |
| 102 |
He tore open her entrails and slit her inwards, |
| 103 |
He bound her and extinguished her life, |
| 104 |
He threw down her corpse and stood on it. |
| 105 |
After he had killed Tiamat, the leader, |
| 106 |
Her assembly dispersed; her host scattered. |
| 107 |
Her divine aides, who went beside her, |
| 108 |
In trembling and fear beat a retreat. |
| 109 |
. . . . to save their lives, |
| 110 |
But they were completely surrounded, unable to escape. |
| 111 |
He bound them and broke their weapons, |
| 112 |
And they lay enmeshed, sitting in a snare, |
| 113 |
Hiding in corners, filled with grief, |
| 114 |
Bearing his punishment, held in a prison. |
| 115 |
The eleven creatures who were laden with fearfulness, |
| 116 |
The throng of devils who went as grooms at her right hand, |
| 117 |
He put ropes upon them and bound their arms, |
| 118 |
Together with their warfare he trampled them beneath him. |
| 119 |
Now Kingu, who had risen to power among them, |
| 120 |
He bound and reckoned with the Dead Gods. |
| 121 |
He took from him the Tablet of Destinies, which was not properly his, |
| 122 |
Sealed it with a seal and fastened it to his own breast. |
| 123 |
After the warrior Marduk had bound and slain his enemies, |
| 124 |
Had . . . . the arrogant enemy . . . , |
| 125 |
Had established victory for Anshar over all his foes, |
| 126 |
Had fulfilled the desire of Nudimmud, |
| 127 |
He strengthened his hold on the Bound Gods, |
| 128 |
And returned to Tiamat, whom he had bound. |
| 129 |
Bel placed his feet on the lower parts of Tiamat |
| 130 |
And with his merciless club smashed her skull. |
| 131 |
He severed her arteries |
| 132 |
And let the North wind bear up (her blood) to give the news. |
| 133 |
His fathers saw it and were glad and exulted; |
| 134 |
They brought gifts and presents to him. |
| 135 |
Bel rested, surveying the corpse, |
| 136 |
In order to divide the lump by a clever scheme. |
| 137 |
He split her into two like a dried fish: |
| 138 |
One half of her he set up and stretched out as the heavens. |
| 139 |
He stretched the skin and appointed a watch |
| 140 |
With the instruction not to let her waters escape. |
| 141 |
He crossed over the heavens, surveyed the celestial parts, |
| 142 |
And adjusted them to match the Apsû, Nudimmud’s abode. |
| 143 |
Bel measured the shape of the Apsû |
| 144 |
And set up Esharra, a replica of Eshgalla. |
| 145 |
In Eshgalla, Esharra which he had built, and the heavens, |
| 146 |
He settled in their shrines Anu, Enlil, and Ea. |
| 1 |
He fashioned heavenly stations for the great gods, |
| 2 |
And set up constellations, the patterns of the stars. |
| 3 |
He appointed the year, marked off divisions, |
| 4 |
And set up three stars each for the twelve months. |
| 5 |
After he had organized the year, |
| 6 |
He established the heavenly station of Nibiru to fix the stars’ intervals, |
| 7 |
That none should transgress or be slothful. |
| 8 |
He fixed the heavenly stations of Enlil and Ea with it. |
| 9 |
Gates he opened on both sides, |
| 10 |
And put strong bolts at the left and the right. |
| 11 |
He placed the heights (of heaven) in her (Tiamat’s) belly, |
| 12 |
He created Nannar, entrusting to him the night. |
| 13 |
He appointed him as the jewel of the night to fix the days, |
| 14 |
And month by month without ceasing he elevated him with a crown, |
| 15 |
(Saying:) “Shine over the land at the beginning of the month, |
| 16 |
Resplendent with horns to fix six days. |
| 17 |
On the seventh day the crown will be half size, |
| 18 |
On the fifteenth day, halfway through each month, stand in opposition. |
| 19 |
When Shamash [sees] you on the horizon, |
| 20 |
Diminish in the proper stages and shine backwards. |
| 21 |
On the 29th day, draw near to the path of Shamash, |
| 22 |
. . . the 30th day, stand in conjunction and rival Shamash. |
| 23 |
I have . . . . the sign, follow its track, |
| 24 |
Draw near . . . . . . . give judgment. |
| 25 |
. . . . . . Shamash, constrain [murder] and violence, |
| 26 |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . me. |
| 27 – 34 |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| 35 |
At the end . . . . |
| 36 |
Let there [be] the 29th day . . . .” |
| 37 |
After [he had . . . . the decrees . . . |
| 38 |
The organization of front and . . . |
| 39 |
He made the day . . . |
| 40 |
Let the year be equally . . . |
| 41 |
At the new year . . . |
| 42 |
The year . . . . . . . . |
| 43 |
Let there be regularly . . . |
| 44 |
The projecting bolt . . . |
| 45 |
After he had . . . |
| 46 |
The watches of night and day . . . |
| 47 |
The foam which Tiamat . . . |
| 48 |
Marduk fashioned . . . |
| 49 |
He gathered it together and made it into clouds. |
| 50 |
The raging of the winds, violent rainstorms, |
| 51 |
The billowing of mist—the accumulation of her spittle – |
| 52 |
He appointed for himself and took them in his hand. |
| 53 |
He put her head in position and poured out . . . .. |
| 54 |
He opened the abyss and it was sated with water. |
| 55 |
From her two eyes he let the Euphrates and Tigris flow, |
| 56 |
He blocked her nostrils, but left [. .] |
| 57 |
He heaped up the distant [mountains] on her breasts, |
| 58 |
He bored wells to channel the springs. |
| 59 |
He twisted her tail and wove it into the Durmahu, |
| 60 |
. . . the Apsû beneath his feet. |
| 61 |
[He set up] her crotch—it wedged up the heavens – |
| 62 |
[(Thus) the half of her] he stretched out and made it firm as the earth. |
| 63 |
[After] he had finished his work inside Tiamat, |
| 64 |
[He spread] his net and let it right out. |
| 65 |
He surveyed the heavens and the earth . . .. |
| 66 |
. . . their bonds . . . . . . .. |
| 67 |
After he had formulated his regulations and composed [his] decrees, |
| 68 |
He attached guide-ropes and put them in Ea’s hands. |
| 69 |
[The Tablet] of Destinies which Kingu had taken and carried, |
| 70 |
He took charge of it as a trophy and presented it to Anu. |
| 71 |
[The . . . of battle, which he had tied on or had put on his head, |
| 72 |
. . . he brought before his fathers. |
| 73 |
[Now] the eleven creatures to which Tiamat had given birth and . . ., |
| 74 |
He broke their weapons and bound them (the creatures) to his feet. |
| 75 |
He made images of them and stationed them at the [Gate] of the Apsû, |
| 76 |
To be a sign never to be forgotten. |
| 77 |
[The gods] saw it and were jubilantly happy, |
| 78 |
(That is,) Lahmu, Lahamu and all his fathers. |
| 79 |
Anshar [embraced] him and published abroad his title “Victorious King,” |
| 80 |
Anu, Enlil, and Ea gave him gifts. |
| 81 |
Mother Damkina, who bore him, hailed him, |
| 82 |
With a clean festal robe she made his face shine. |
| 83 |
To Usmû, who held her present to give the news, |
| 84 |
[He entrusted] the vizierate of the Apsû and the care of the holy places. |
| 85 |
The Igigi assembled and all did obeisance to him, |
| 86 |
Every one of the Anunnaki was kissing his feet. |
| 87 |
They all [gathered] to show their submission, |
| 88 |
. . . they stood, they bowed down: “Behold the king!” |
| 89 |
His fathers . . . and took their fill of his beauty, |
| 90 |
Bel listened to their utterance, being girded with the dust of battle. |
| 91 |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| 92 |
Anointing his body with . . . cedar perfume. |
| 93 |
He clothed himself in [his] lordly robe, |
| 94 |
With a crown of terror as a royal aura. |
| 95 |
He took up his club and held it in his right hand, |
| 96 |
. . . he grasped in his left. |
| 97 |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| 98 |
. . . he set his feet. |
| 99 |
He put upon . . . |
| 100 |
The sceptre of prosperity and success [he hung] at his side. |
| 101 |
After [he had . . . the aura [ |
| 102 |
He adorned(?) his sack, the Apsû, with a fearful . . . |
| 103 |
Was settled like . . . |
| 104 |
In [his] throne room . . . |
| 105 |
In his cella . . . |
| 106 |
Every one of the gods . . . |
| 107 |
Lahmu and Lahamu . . . . . . .. |
| 108 |
Opened their mouths and [addressed] the Igigi gods, |
| 109 |
“Previously Marduk was our beloved son, |
| 110 |
Now he is your king, heed his command!” |
| 111 |
Next, they all spoke up together: |
| 112 |
“His name is Lugaldimmerankia, trust in him!” |
| 113 |
When they had given kingship to Marduk, |
| 114 |
They addressed to him a benediction for prosperity and success: |
| 115 |
“Henceforth you are the caretaker of our shrine, |
| 116 |
Whatever you command, we will do!” |
| 117 |
Marduk opened his mouth to speak |
| 118 |
And addressed the gods his fathers: |
| 119 |
“Above the Apsû, the emerald abode, |
| 120 |
Opposite Esharra, which I built for you, |
| 121 |
Beneath the celestial parts, whose floor I made firm, |
| 122 |
I will build a house to be my luxurious abode. |
| 123 |
Within it I will establish its shrine, |
| 124 |
I will found my chamber and establish my kingship. |
| 125 |
When you come up from the Apsû to make a decision, |
| 126 |
This will be your resting place before the assembly. |
| 127 |
When you descend from heaven to make a decision, |
| 128 |
This will be your resting place before the assembly. |
| 129 |
I shall call its name ‘Babylon’, “The Homes of the Great Gods”, |
| 130 |
Within it we will hold a festival: that will be the evening festival. |
| 131 |
[The gods], his fathers, [heard] this speech of his, |
| 132 |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . they said, |
| 133 |
“With regard to all that your hands have made, |
| 134 |
Who has your . . .? |
| 135 |
With regard to the earth that your hands have made, |
| 136 |
Who has your . . .? |
| 137 |
In Babylon, as you have named it, |
| 138 |
Put our [resting place] forever. |
| 139 |
. . . . . . . . . let them our bring regular offerings |
| 140 |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| 141 |
Whoever . . . our tasks which we . . . |
| 142 |
Therein . . . . . its toil . . . |
| 143 |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| 144 |
They rejoiced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| 145 |
The gods . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| 146 |
He who knows . . . . . . . . . them, |
| 147 |
He opened [his mouth showing] them light, |
| 148 |
. . . . . . . . . . his speech . . . |
| 149 |
He made wide . . . . . . . . them . . . |
| 150 |
And . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| 151 |
The gods bowed down, speaking to him, |
| 152 |
They addressed Lugaldimmerankia, their lord: |
| 153 |
“Formerly, lord, [you were our beloved] son, |
| 154 |
Now you are our king; . . . . . |
| 155 |
He who . . . . preserved [us] |
| 156 |
. . . . the aura of club and sceptre. |
| 157 |
Let him conceive plans . . . . . . . . . |
| 158 |
. . . . . . . . . that] we . . .” |
| 1 |
When Marduk heard the gods’ speech |
| 2 |
He conceived a desire to accomplish clever things. |
| 3 |
He opened his mouth addressing Ea, |
| 4 |
He counsels that which he had pondered in his heart: |
| 5 |
“I will bring together blood to form bone, |
| 6 |
I will bring into being Lullû, whose name shall be ‘man’. |
| 7 |
I will create Lullû–man |
| 8 |
On whom the toil of the gods will be laid that they may rest. |
| 9 |
I will skillfully alter the organization of the gods: |
| 10 |
Though they are honored as one, they shall be divided into two.” |
| 11 |
Ea answered, as he addressed a word to him, |
| 12 |
Expressing his comments on the resting of the gods, |
| 13 |
“Let one brother of theirs be given up. |
| 14 |
Let him perish that people may be fashioned. |
| 15 |
Let the great gods assemble |
| 16 |
And let the guilty one be given up that they may be confirmed.” |
| 17 |
Marduk assembled the great gods, |
| 18 |
Using gracious direction as he gave his order, |
| 19 |
As he spoke the gods heeded him: |
| 20 |
The king addressed a word to the Anunnaki, |
| 21 |
“Your former oath was true indeed, |
| 22 |
(Now also) tell me the solemn truth: |
| 23 |
Who is the one who instigated warfare, |
| 24 |
Who made Tiamat rebel, and set battle in motion? |
| 25 |
Let him who instigated warfare be given up |
| 26 |
That I may lay his punishment on him; but you sit and rest. |
| 27 |
The Igigi, the great gods, answered him, |
| 28 |
That is, Lugaldimmerankia, the counsellor of the gods, the lord: |
| 29 |
“Kingu is the one who instigated warfare, |
| 30 |
Who made Tiamat rebel and set battle in motion.” |
| 31 |
They bound him, holding him before Ea, |
| 32 |
They inflicted the penalty on him and severed his blood-vessels. |
| 33 |
From his blood he (Ea) created mankind, |
| 34 |
On whom he imposed the service of the gods, and set the gods free. |
| 35 |
After the wise Ea had created mankind |
| 36 |
And had imposed the service of the gods upon them – |
| 37 |
That task is beyond comprehension |
| 38 |
For Nudimmud performed the creation with the skill of Marduk – |
| 39 |
King Marduk divided the gods, |
| 40 |
All the Anunnaki into upper and lower groups. |
| 41 |
He assigned 300 in the heavens to guard the decrees of Anu |
| 42 |
And appointed them as a guard. |
| 43 |
Next he arranged the organization of the netherworld. |
| 44 |
In heaven and netherworld he stationed 600 gods. |
| 45 |
After he had arranged all the decrees, |
| 46 |
And had distributed incomes among the Anunnaki of heaven and netherworld, |
| 47 |
The Anunnaki opened their mouths |
| 48 |
And addressed their lord Marduk: |
| 49 |
“Now, lord, seeing you have established our freedom |
| 50 |
What favor can we do for you? |
| 51 |
Let us make a shrine of great renown: |
| 52 |
Your chamber will be our resting place wherein we may repose. |
| 53 |
Let us erect a shrine to house a pedestal |
| 54 |
Wherein we may repose when we finish (the work).” |
| 55 |
When Marduk heard this, |
| 56 |
He beamed as brightly as the light of day: |
| 57 |
“Build Babylon, the task you have sought. |
| 58 |
Let bricks for it be moulded, and raise the shrine!” |
| 59 |
The Anunnaki wielded the pick. |
| 60 |
For one year they made the needed bricks. |
| 61 |
When the second year arrived, |
| 62 |
They raised the peak of Esagil, a replica of the Apsû. |
| 63 |
They built the lofty temple tower of the Apsû |
| 64 |
And for Anu, Enlil, and Ea they established its . . . as a dwelling. |
| 65 |
He sat in splendor before them, |
| 66 |
Surveying its horns, which were level with the base of Esharra. |
| 67 |
After they had completed the work on Esagil |
| 68 |
All the Anunnaki constructed their own shrines. |
| 69 |
300 Igigi of heaven and 600 of the Apsû, all of them, had assembled. |
| 70 |
Bel seated the gods, his fathers, at the banquet |
| 71 |
In the lofty shrine which they had built for his dwelling, |
| 72 |
(Saying:) “This is Babylon, your fixed dwelling, |
| 73 |
Take your pleasure here! Sit down in joy! |
| 74 |
The great gods sat down, |
| 75 |
Beer-mugs were set out and they sat at the banquet. |
| 76 |
After they had enjoyed themselves inside |
| 77 |
They held a service in awesome Esagil. |
| 78 |
The regulations and all the rules were confirmed: |
| 79 |
All the gods divided the stations of heaven and netherwor1d. |
| 80 |
The college of the Fifty great gods took their seats, |
| 81 |
The Seven gods of destinies were appointed to give decisions. |
| 82 |
Bel received his weapon, the bow, and laid it before them: |
| 83 |
His divine fathers saw the net which he had made. |
| 84 |
His fathers saw how skillfully wrought was the structure of the bow |
| 85 |
As they praised what he had made. |
| 86 |
Anu lifted it up in the divine assembly, |
| 87 |
He kissed the bow, saying: “It is my daughter!” |
| 88 |
Thus he called the names of the bow: |
| 89 |
‘Long Stick’ was the first; the second was ‘May it hit the mark’. |
| 90 |
With the third name ‘Bow Star’, he made it to shine in the sky, |
| 91 |
He fixed its heavenly position along with its divine brothers. |
| 92 |
After Anu had decreed the destiny of the bow, |
| 93 |
He set down a royal throne, a lofty one even for a god, |
| 94 |
Anu set it there in the assembly of the gods. |
| 95 |
The great gods assembled, |
| 96 |
They exalted the destiny of Marduk and did obeisance. |
| 97 |
They invoked a curse on themselves |
| 98 |
And took an oath with water and oil, and put their hands to their throats. |
| 99 |
They granted him the right to exercise kingship over the gods, |
| 100 |
They confirmed him as lord of the gods of heaven and netherworld. |
| 101 |
Anshar gave him his exalted name ‘Asalluhi’: |
| 102 |
“At the mention of his name, let us show submission! |
| 103 |
When he speaks, let the gods heed him, |
| 104 |
Let his command be superior in upper and lower regions. |
| 105 |
May the son, our avenger, be exalted, |
| 106 |
Let his lordship be superior and himself without rival. |
| 107 |
Let him shepherd the black-heads, his creatures, |
| 108 |
Let them tell of his character to future days without forgetting. |
| 109 |
Let him establish lavish food offerings for his fathers, |
| 110 |
Let him provide for their maintenance and be caretaker of their sanctuaries, |
| 111 |
Let him burn incense to rejoice their sanctums. |
| 112 |
Let him do on earth the same as he has done in heaven: |
| 113 |
Let him appoint the black-heads to worship him. |
| 114 |
The subject humans should take note and call on their gods, |
| 115 |
Since he commands, they should heed their goddesses, |
| 116 |
Let food offerings be brought [for] their gods and goddesses, |
| 117 |
May they not be forgotten, may they remember their gods, |
| 118 |
May they . . . their . . , may they . . their shrines. |
| 119 |
Though the black-heads worship someone, some another god, |
| 120 |
He is the god of each and every one of us! |
| 121 |
Come, let us call the fifty names |
| 122 |
Of him, whose character is resplendent, whose achievement is the same: |
| 123 |
Marduk (1), as he was named by his father Anu from his birth, |
| 124 |
Who supplies pasturage and watering, making the stables flourish. |
| 125 |
Who bound the boastful with his weapon, the storm flood, |
| 126 |
And saved the gods, his fathers, from distress. |
| 127 |
He is the son, the sun-god of the gods, he is dazzling, |
| 128 |
Let them ever walk in his bright light. |
| 129 |
On the peoples that he created, the living beings, |
| 130 |
He imposed the service of the gods and they took rest. |
| 131 |
Creation and annihilation, forgiveness and exacting the penalty |
| 132 |
Occur at his command, so let them fix their eyes on him. |
| 133 |
Marukka (2): he is the god who created them; |
| 134 |
Who put the Anunnaki at ease, the Igigi at rest. |
| 135 |
Marutukku (3): he is the support of land, city, and its peoples, |
| 136 |
Henceforth let the peoples ever heed him. |
| 137 |
Mershakushu (4): fierce yet deliberating, angry yet relenting, |
| 138 |
His mind is wide; his heart is all-embracing. |
| 139 |
Lugaldimmerankia (5) is the name by which we all called him, |
| 140 |
Whose command we have exalted above that of the gods his fathers. |
| 141 |
He is the lord of all the gods of heaven and netherworld, |
| 142 |
The king at whose injunctions the gods in upper and lower regions shudder. |
| 143 |
Narilugaldimmerankia (6) is the name we gave him, the mentor of every god, |
| 144 |
Who established our dwellings in heaven and netherworld in time of trouble, |
| 145 |
Who distributed the heavenly stations between Igigi and Anunnaki, |
| 146 |
Let the gods tremble at his name and quake on their seats. |
| 147 |
Asalluhi (7) is the name by which his father Anu called him, |
| 148 |
He is the light of the gods, a mighty hero, |
| 149 |
Who, as his name says, is a protecting angel for god and land, |
| 150 |
Who by a terrible combat saved our dwelling in time of trouble. |
| 151 |
Asalluhi-Namtilla (8) they called him secondly, the life-giving god, |
| 152 |
Who, in accordance with the form (of) his (name), restored all the ruined gods, |
| 153 |
The lord, who brought to life the dead gods by his pure incantation, |
| 154 |
Let us praise him as the destroyer of the crooked enemies. |
| 155 |
Asalluhi-Namru (9), as his name is called thirdly, |
| 156 |
The pure god, who cleanses our character.” |
| 157 |
Anshar, Lahmu, and Lahamu (each) called him by three of his names, |
| 158 |
Then they addressed the gods, their sons: |
| 159 |
“We have each called him by three of his names, |
| 160 |
Now you call his names, like us.” |
| 161 |
The gods rejoiced as they heard their speech, |
| 162 |
In Upshuukkinaki they held a conference: |
| 163 |
“Of the warrior son, our avenger, |
| 164 |
Of the provisioner, let us extol the name.” |
| 165 |
They sat down in their assembly, summoning the destinies, |
| 166 |
And with all due rites they called his name: |
| 1 |
Asarre (10), the giver of arable land who established plough-land, |
| 2 |
The creator of barley and flax, who made plant life grow. |
| 3 |
Asaralim (11), who is revered in the council chamber, whose counsel excels, |
| 4 |
The gods heed it and grasp fear of him. |
| 5 |
Asaralimnunna (12), the noble, the light of the father, his begetter, |
| 6 |
Who directs the decrees of Anu, Enlil, and Ea, that is Ninshiku. |
| 7 |
He is their provisioner, who assigns their incomes, |
| 8 |
Whose turban multiplies abundance for the land. |
| 9 |
Tutu (13) is he, who accomplishes their renovation, |
| 10 |
Let him purify their sanctuaries that they may repose. |
| 11 |
Let him fashion an incantation that the gods may rest, |
| 12 |
Though they rise up in fury, let them withdraw. |
| 13 |
He is indeed exalted in the assembly of the gods, his [fathers], |
| 14 |
No one among the gods can [equal] him. |
| 15 |
Tutu-Ziukkinna (14), the life of [his] host, |
| 16 |
Who established, the pure heavens for the gods, |
| 17 |
Who took charge of their courses, who appointed [their stations], |
| 16 |
May he not be forgotten among mortals, but [let them remember] his deeds. |
| 19 |
Tutu-Ziku (15) they called him thirdly, the establisher of purification, |
| 20 |
The god of the pleasant breeze, lord of success and obedience, |
| 21 |
Who produces bounty and wealth, who establishes abundance, |
| 22 |
Who turns everything scant that we have into profusion, |
| 23 |
Whose pleasant breeze we sniffed in time of terrible trouble, |
| 24 |
Let men command that his praises be constantly uttered, let them offer worship to him. |
| 25 |
As Tutu-Agaku (16), fourthly, let humans extol him, |
| 26 |
Lord of the pure incantation, who brought the dead back to life, |
| 27 |
Who showed mercy on the Bound Gods, |
| 28 |
Who threw the imposed yoke on the gods, his enemies, |
| 29 |
And to spare them created mankind. |
| 30 |
The merciful, in whose power it is to restore to life, |
| 31 |
Let his words be sure and not forgotten |
| 32 |
From the mouths of the black-heads, his creatures. |
| 33 |
As Tutu-Tuku (17), fifthly, let their mouth give expression to his pure spell, |
| 34 |
Who extirpated all the wicked by his pure incantation. |
| 35 |
Shazu (18), who knew the heart of the gods, who saw the reins, |
| 36 |
Who did not let an evil-doer escape from him, |
| 37 |
Who established the assembly of the gods, who rejoiced their hearts, |
| 38 |
Who subjugated the disobedient, he is the gods’ encompassing protection. |
| 39 |
He made truth to prosper, he uprooted perverse speech, |
| 40 |
He separated falsehood from truth. |
| 41 |
As Shazu-Zisi (19), secondly, let them continually praise him, the subduer of aggressors, |
| 42 |
Who ousted consternation of from the bodies of the gods, his fathers. |
| 43 |
Shazu-Suhrim (20), thirdly, who extirpated every foe with his weapons, |
| 44 |
Who confounded their plans and turned them into wind. |
| 45 |
He snuffed out all the wicked who came against him, |
| 46 |
Let the gods ever shout acclamations in the assembly. |
| 47 |
Shazu-Suhgurim (21), fourthly, who established success for the gods, his fathers, |
| 48 |
Who extirpated foes and destroyed their offspring, |
| 49 |
Who scattered their achievements, leaving no part of them, |
| 50 |
Let his name be spoken and proclaimed in the land. |
| 51 |
As Shazu-Zahrim (22), fifthly, let future generations discuss him, |
| 52 |
The destroyer of every rebel, of all the disobedient, |
| 53 |
Who brought all the fugitive gods into the shrines, |
| 54 |
Let this name of him be established. |
| 55 |
As Shazu-Zahgurim (23), sixthly, let them altogether and everywhere worship him, |
| 56 |
Who himself destroyed all the foes in battle. |
| 57 |
Enbilulu (24) is he, the lord who supplies them abundantly, |
| 58 |
Their great chosen one, who provides cereal offerings, |
| 59 |
Who keeps pasturage and watering in good condition and established it for the land, |
| 60 |
Who opened watercourses and distributed plentiful water. |
| 61 |
Enbilulu-Epadun (25), lord of common land and . . ., let them [call him] secondly, |
| 62 |
Canal supervisor of heaven and netherworld, who sets the furrow, who establishes clean arable land in the open country, |
| 63 |
Who directs irrigation ditch and canal, and marks out the furrow. |
| 64 |
As Enbilulu-Gugal (26), canal supervisor of the water courses of the gods, let them praise him thirdly, |
| 65 |
Lord of abundance, profusion, and huge stores (of grain), |
| 66 |
Who provides bounty, who enriches human habitations, |
| 67 |
Who gives wheat, and brings grain into being. |
| 68 |
Enbilulu-Hegal (27), who accumulates abundance for the peoples . . . . |
| 69 |
Who rains down riches on the broad earth, and supplies abundant vegetation. |
| 70 |
Sirsir (28), who heaped up a mountain on top of Tiamat, |
| 71 |
Who plundered the corpse of Tiamat with [his] weapons, |
| 72 |
The guardian of the land, their trustworthy shepherd, |
| 73 |
Whose hair is a growing crop, whose turban is a furrow, |
| 74 |
Who kept crossing the broad Sea in his fury, |
| 75 |
And kept crossing over the place of her battle as though it were a bridge. |
| 76 |
Sirsir-Malah (29) they named him secondly – so be it – |
| 77 |
Tiamat was his boat, he was her sailor. |
| 78 |
Gil (30), who ever heaps up piles of barley, massive mounds, |
| 79 |
The creator of grain and flocks, who gives seed for the land. |
| 80 |
Gilima (31), who made the bond of the gods firm, who created stability, |
| 81 |
A snare that overwhelmed them, who yet extended favors. |
| 82 |
Agilima (32), the lofty, who snatches off the crown, who takes charge of snow, |
| 83 |
Who created the earth on the water and made firm the height of heaven. |
| 84 |
Zulum (33), who assigns meadows for the gods and divides up what he has created, |
| 85 |
Who gives incomes and food-offerings, who administers shrines. |
| 86 |
Mummu (34), creator of heaven end underworld, who protects refugees, |
| 87 |
The god who purifies heaven and underworld, secondly Zulummu (35), |
| 88 |
In respect of whose strength none other among the gods can equal him. |
| 89 |
Gishnumunab (36), creator of all the peoples, who made the world regions, |
| 90 |
Who destroyed Tiamat’s gods, and made peoples from part of them. |
| 91 |
Lugalabdubur (37), the king who scattered the works of Tiamat, who uprooted her weapons, |
| 92 |
Whose foundation is secure on the “Fore and Aft”. |
| 93 |
Pagalguenna (38), foremost of all lords, whose strength is exalted, |
| 94 |
Who is the greatest among the gods, his brothers, the most noble of them all. |
| 95 |
Lugaldurmah (39), king of the bond of the gods, lord of Durmahu, |
| 96 |
Who is the greatest in the royal abode, infinitely loftier than the other gods. |
| 97 |
Aranunna (40), counsellor of Ea, creator of the gods, his fathers, |
| 98 |
Whom no god can equal in respect of his lordly walk. |
| 99 |
Dumuduku (41), who renews for himself his pure abode in Duku, |
| 100 |
Dumuduku, without whom Lugalduku does not make a decision. |
| 101 |
Lugalshuanna (42), the king whose strength is exalted among the gods, |
| 102 |
The lord, the strength of Anu, he who is supreme, chosen of Anshar. |
| 103 |
Irugga (43), who plundered them all in the Sea, |
| 104 |
Who grasps all wisdom, is comprehensive in understanding. |
| 105 |
Ir-Kingu (44), who plundered Kingu in . . . battle, |
| 106 |
Who directs all decrees and establishes lordship. |
| 107 |
Kinma (45), the director of all the gods, who gives counsel, |
| 108 |
At whose name the gods bend down in reverence as before a hurricane. |
| 109 |
Dingir-Esiskur (46), let him take his lofty seat in the House of Benediction, |
| 110 |
Let the gods bring their presents before him |
| 111 |
Until he receives their offerings. |
| 112 |
No one but he accomplishes clever things |
| 113 |
The four (regions) of black-heads are his creation, |
| 114 |
Apart from him no god knows the measure of their days. |
| 115 |
Girru (47), who makes weapons hard, |
| 116 |
Who accomplished clever things in the battle with Tiamat, |
| 117 |
Comprehensive in wisdom, skilled in understanding, |
| 118 |
A deep mind, that all the gods combined do not understand. |
| 119 |
Let Addu (48) be his name, let him cover the whole span of heaven, |
| 120 |
Let him thunder with his pleasant voice upon the earth, |
| 121 |
May the rumble fill the clouds, and give sustenance to the peoples below. |
| 122 |
Asharu (49), who, as his name says, mustered the Divine Fates; |
| 123 |
He indeed is the warden of absolutely all peoples. |
| 124 |
As Nibiru let him hold the crossing place of heaven and underworld, |
| 125 |
They should not cross above or below, but should wait for him. |
| 126 |
Nibiru is his star, which he caused to shine in the sky, |
| 127 |
Let him take his stand on the heavenly staircase that they may look at him. |
| 128 |
Yes, he who constantly crosses the Sea without resting, |
| 129 |
Let his name be Nibiru, who grasps her middle, |
| 130 |
Let him fix the paths of the stars of heaven, |
| 131 |
Let him shepherd all the gods like sheep, |
| 132 |
Let him bind Tiamat and put her life in mortal danger, |
| 133 |
To generations yet unborn, to distant future days, |
| 134 |
May he continue unchecked; may he persist into eternity. |
| 135 |
Since he created the heavens and fashioned the earth, |
| 136 |
Enlil, the father, called him by his own name, ‘Lord of the Lands’ (49). |
| 137 |
Ea heard the names which all the Igigi called, |
| 138 |
And his spirit became radiant. |
| 139 |
“Why! He whose name was extolled by his fathers |
| 140 |
Let him, like me, be called ‘Ea’ (50). |
| 141 |
Let him control the sum of all my rites, |
| 142 |
Let him administer all my decrees.” |
| 143 |
With the word “Fifty” the great gods |
| 144 |
Called his fifty names and assigned him an outstanding position. |
| 145 |
They should be remembered; a leading figure should expound them, |
| 146 |
The wise and learned should confer about them, |
| 147 |
A father should repeat them and teach them to his son, |
| 148 |
One should explain them to shepherd and herdsman. |
| 149 |
If one is not negligent to Marduk, the Enlil of the gods, |
| 150 |
May one’s land flourish, and oneself prosper, |
| 151 |
(For) his word is reliable, his command unchanged, |
| 152 |
No god can alter the utterance of his mouth. |
| 153 |
When he looks in fury, he does not relent, |
| 154 |
When his anger is ablaze, no god can face him. |
| 155 |
His mind is deep, his spirit is all-embracing, |
| 156 |
Before whom sin and transgression are sought out. |
| 157 |
Instruction which a leading figure repeated before him (Marduk): |
| 158 |
He wrote it down and stored it so that generations to come might hear it. |
| 159 |
. . . Marduk, who created the Igigi gods, |
| 160 |
Though they diminish . . . let them call on his name. |
| 161 |
. . . the song of Marduk, |
| 162 |
Who defeated Tiamat and took kingship. |
