The Anzu Epic

Tablet I

1Son of the king of the inhabited world, splendid one, beloved of [Ma]|m1,

2The mighty one will I ever sing, divine firstborn of [En ]lil,

3Ninurta, the splendid one, beloved of Mami,

4The mighty one will I ever praise, divine firstborn of Enlil.

5Born (in) Ekur, leader of the Anu[nna-gods], Eninnu’s* hope,

6s62 III. The Mature Period

7Who [wa]ters pen, garden, town, street, and city,*

8Wave of battles, dancer (in combat),! sash of valor,

9Whose tireless onset raging fiends dread,

10Hear the praise of the mighty one's power!

11It is he who in his fierceness bound and fettered the stone creatures,^*

12Overcoming soaring Anzu with his weapon,

13Slaying the bull man in the midst of the sea.?

14Doughty, valorous, murderous with his weapon,

15Mighty one, fleet of foot, always leader in fight and fray!

16Before that, no dais had been built among the Igigi-gods,

17It was the Igigi-gods who knelt in their supremacy.*

18Tigris and [Euph]rates rivers had been fashioned,

19But the [springs] were not bearing [their?] waters to the land.

20The very seas [ ]

21Clouds were ... from the horizon [ ]

22Then were the [Igigi-gods] convened from all parts,

23To Enlil, their father, wa[rrior of the gods?],

24Did his children bring [the news],

25"Hee[d? you well] the propitious word!

26“In its fork the Anu[nna-gods

27“THis] beak a saw" [

28The south wind [ ]

29Dik, LUGAL UD ME-LAM-bi NIR-GAL (Leiden, 1983), and Cooper, AnOr 52 (1978), 121.

30The massive [ ]

31The voluminous [flooding crest ]

32The whirlwinds [ ]

33They met and [ ]

34The four winds [ ]

35When the fat[her of the gods] saw him [ ]

36He took what [they] said of him [to his heart],

37He inspected Anzu closely [ ]

38Debated with [himself ]

39“Why this [ Je”

40[Ea] answered the query of his heart,

41The Leader [said] to En[hl these words],

42“No doubt the waters of the fl[ood ]

43"The pure waters of the gods of the deep [ ]

44“The [wide] earth conceived him,

45"He is the one [born] in the rocks of the mountain,

46“It is Anzu you have seen [ |

47"Let him serve you ce[aselessly],

48“Let him always block the way to the cella [seat].”

49The god con[sented to the word] he spoke to him,

50He took up holy places [ ]

51And gave to all the [gods] their responsibilities.

52He would reinstitute the decree (each morning?) and Anzu would hold [ ],

53Enlil entrusted him with the entrance to the cella, which he had wrought.

54He was wont to bathe in pure waters before him.

55His eyes looked upon the trappings of supremacy,

56On his lordly crown, his divine apparel,

57On the tablet of destinies in his hands

58Anzu was wont to gaze.

59He was wont to gaze, indeed, at the father of the gods,

60He resolved in his heart to make off with supremacy.

61Anzu was wont to gaze on the father of the gods,

62He resolved in his heart to make off with supremacy!

63^I myself will take the gods' tablet of destinies,

64“Then I will gather to myself the responsibilities of all the gods,

65^I will have the throne for myself,

66I will take power over authority,

67“I will be commander of each and every Igigi-god."

68His heart plotted the assault,

69At the entrance to the cella, where he was wont to gaze, he bided (his) time.

70When Enlil was bathing in the pure waters,

71Undressed(?),* his crown set on the throne,

72He took control of the tablet of destinies,

73He took supremacy, [authority] was overthrown!

74Anzu soared off and [made his way] to his mountain,

75Awful silence spread, deathly sti[llness] reigned.

76Their father and counsellor Enlil was speechless.

77The cella was stripped of its divine splendor.

78The gods of the land converged, after another, for a pl[an].

79made ready to speak,

80Saying to the gods his children,

81“Which one would slay Anzu?

82“He shall make for himself the greatest name in every habitation.”

83They summoned the Irrigator, Anu's son,

84Plan made(?), he said to him,

85They summoned Adad, the irrigator, Anu's son,

86Plan [ma]de(?), he said to him,

87“O mighty one, Adad, victorious Adad, let your battle not waver,

88“Blitz Anzu with your weapon.

89“Let your [name] be greatest among all the great gods,

90“You shall have no equal [among] the gods your brethren.

91“Let there be daises to be built,

92“Establish your holy places in the four [world regions],

93“Let your [holy places] come into Ekur.

94“(Show yourself] mighty before the gods, for your name shall be ‘Mighty One’.”

95[Adad] answered the command,

96[To] Anu his father he said these words,

97[^My father], who would assault an inaccessible [moun]tain?

98"[Which] of the gods your children can overcome Anzu?

99"He took control of the [tablet of destinies],

100“He took away [supremacy], authority is overthrown.

101"[Anzu] soared off and made his way to his mountain,

102“His [utterance] has become like that of divine Duranki.

103"[If he commands, the one he cur]ses will turn into clay.”

104The gods were despondent [at his utteranc]e.

105[He turned away, he refused to go].

106[They called Girra, firstborn of Annunitum],

107[Plan made(?), he said to him],

108“[O mighty one, Girra, victorious Girra, let your battle not waver].

109“[Blitz Anzu with your weapon],

110“[Let your name be greatest among all the great gods],

111“[You shall have no equal among the gods your brethren].

112“[Let there be daises to be built],

113“[Establish your holy places in the four world regions],

114“[Let your holy places come into Ekur].

115"[Show yourself mighty before the gods, for your name shall be ‘Mighty One’.”

116[Girra answered the command],

117[To Anu his father he said these words],

118"[My father, who would assault an inaccessible mountain]?

119"[Which of the gods your children can overcome Anzu]?

120"[He took control of the tablet of destinies],

121“THe took away supremacy, authority is overthrown].

122"[Anzu soared off and ma]de [his way to his mountain],

123“THis utterance] has become like that of divine Duranki.

124“TIf he commands, the one he curses] will turn into clay."

125The gods were despondent [at his utter|ance.

126[He turned away], he refused to go.

127They [called Shara], firstborn of Ishtar,

128[Pl]an [made](?), he said to him,

129"[O mi]ghty one, [Shara], victorious Shara,

130let your battle not waver.

131"[Bli]tz Anzu with your weapon.

132“Let yo[ur name] be greatest among all the great gods,

133“You shall have no equal among the gods your brethren.

134“Let there be daises to be built,

135“Establish your holy places in the four world regions,

136“Let your holy places come into Ekur.

137"Show yourself mighty before the gods,

138for your name shall be ‘Mighty One’.”

139Shara answered the command,

140To Anu his father he said these words,

141“My father, who would assault an inaccessible mountain?

142“Which of the gods your children can overcome Anzu?

143“He took control of the tablet of destinies,

144“He took away supremacy, authority is overthrown.

145“Anzu flew off and [made his wlay to his mountain.

146“His utterance has become like that of divine Duranki.

147“If he commands, the one he curses will turn into clay.”

148The gods were despondent at his utterance.

149He turned away, he refused to go.

150The gods were spent and left off making proposals,

151The Igigi-gods, (still) in session,

152were frowning(?) and in a turmoil.

153The lord of wisdom, who dwells in the depths,

154the clever one,

155Was devising an idea in his cunning mind.

156devised wisdom(?) in his heart,

157What he thought of in his mind he explained to Anu,

158“Let me give a command and so find the god,

159“For then I will appoint Anzu’s conqueror in the assembly,

160"Let me be the one to find the god,

161"For then I will appoint Anzu's conqueror in the assembly."

162When the Igigi-gods [he]ard this speech of his,

163The Igigi-gods, restored, did homage to him.

164The Leader made ready to speak,

165[Saying t]o Anu and Dagan these words,

166"Let them summon to me the mistress of the gods, sister of the [great] gods,

167“The resourceful one, coun[sellor] of the gods [her] brethren.

168“Let them proclaim her surpassing greatness in the as[sembly],

169“Let all the gods honor [her] in their assembly.

170. “[Then I will explain to her] the idea of my heart.”

171They summoned thither the mistress of the gods, the sister [of the great gods],

172The resourceful one, counsellor of the gods [her brethren].

173They proclaimed her surpassing greatness [in the assembly],

174The gods honored her in their assembly.

175Ea [explained the idea] from his cunning mind,

176“Formerly w[e called you|* ‘Mami’,

177“Now let ‘Mistress of All the Gods’ [be your name].

178“Give (us) the mighty one, [your] superb [beloved],

179“The broad-chested one who is ever leader in fight or fray.

180“Give (us) Ninurta, your superb beloved,

181“The broad-chested one who is ever leader in fight or fray.

182it. “THe shall be ] lord in the assembly of the gods,

183“He shall be proud in the [ ]

184[When she heard this speech of his],

185[She of surpassing greatness, the most exalted mistress of the gods, assented].

186[When she spoke, the Igigi-gods rejoiced],

187[Restored, they did homage to her].

188ant [She summoned her son in the assembly of the gods].

189Commissioning her heart's beloved, saying to him,

190“Be[fore Anu and Dagan ]

191"[They have discussed in the assembly] what has happened [to authority].

192"[I bore] all the Igigi-gods,

193"| made every [single one of them],

194“I made all the A[nunna-god;].

195"[To my brother I ... ] supremacy,

196"[I assigned] kingsh[ip of heaven] to Anu.

197" Anzu has thrown into confusion [the kingship I appointed]

198“The tablet of destinies, ... Anzu ... has taken control,

199“He has snatched from Enlil, he has spurned your father.

200“He has snatched away authority,

201[he has turned it over to himself].

Tablet II

202“Blitz the way, choose (your) moment,*

203"Make light come out for the gods I made.

204“Launch your fullest attack,

205“Let your ill winds go against him!

206“Flood the earth where he was made, bring chaos upon his dwelling.*

207“Let (your) armor clash against him,

208“Let your fierce battle keep raging against him,*

209"May whirlwinds totally block him.*

210“Draw the bow, let the arrows be poison to him,

211“Let your features turn into a fiend’s,

212“Send forth a mist so he cannot distinguish your face.

213“Let your brilliant glow move against him,’

214“Let your radiance be glorious, you should have an awe-inspiring sheen,

215“Let the sun not shine upon him,”

216“Let the bright day turn to gloom for him.

217“Kall him, conquer Anzu!

218“Let the winds bear off his wing feathers as glad tidings,

219“To the temple Ekur, to your father Enlil.

220“Flood and bring mayhem to the mountain meadows,

221“Let [king]ship (re-)enter Ekur,

222“Let authority return [to the] fa[ther] who begot you.

223"Let there be daises to be built,

224“Establish your holy places [in the flour [world regions],

225"[Let your shrine] come into Ekur.

226"Show yourself mighty before the gods, for your name shall be 'Mighty One'."

227The warrior heeded his mother's word,

228Seething with fury, he made his way toward his mountain.

229lord hitched up the seven battles,

230The warrior hitched up the seven ill winds,

231The seven whirlwinds that make the dust swirl.

232He launched a terrifying assault, made war,

233The winds were ready at his side for battle.

234Anzu and Ninurta met on the mountainside.

235When Anzu saw him, he shook with fury at him,

236He ground his teeth like a cyclone, he enveloped the mountain with his horrible glow.

237He was roaring like a lion, seized with passion.

238In his rage he cried to the w[arrior],

239“I have carried off all possible authority,

240“So I control the responsibilities all the gods must do.

241"Who are you who have to come fight with me?

242Account for yourself!"

243He advanced upon him, saying to him,

244The warrior Ninurta [answered] Anzu,

245"I [am Ninurta, the son of] divine Duranki,

246"Upholder of the vast netherworld, of Ea, king of destinies!

247"I am come to fight with you, your crusher!"*

248When Anzu heard what he said,

249He let loose his piercing shriek within the mountain.

250It grew dark, the face of the mountain was enveloped,

251The sun, light of the gods, became dark.

252Adad roared in great (thunderclaps),* the sign of Anzu was his clamor.

253In the midst of the melee, the conflict, battle was Joined, the deluge onset,*

254Battle array was on the move, bathed in blood,*

255Clouds of death rained down, arrows flashed as lightning,

256Battle ran on,* thundering between them.

257The Mighty One, the splendid firstborn of Mami,

258Hope of Anu and Dagan, beloved of the Leader,

259Mounted the bow with a shaft,

260From the handhold of the bow he sent against him an arrow.

261The shaft did not approach Anzu but returned!

262Anzu cried out against it,

263“Shaft that has come, go back to your thicket,

264“Frame of the bow to your forests,

265“Bowstring to the sheep's sinews, feather to the birds: go back!"

266Because he held the tablet of destinies of the gods in his hand,

267The bowstring brought forth arrows, but they did not approach his body.*

268Battle die[d do]wn, attack was held back,

269The fighting stopped, within the mountain they did not conquer Anzu.

270He summoned Sharur!* and commissioned him,

271“Tell Ea the Leader what you saw happen,

272“Say this:

273‘Lord, Ninurta had surrounded Anzu,

274‘Ninurta was enveloped with the dust of battle.

275‘He readied the bow, mounted the shaft,”

276‘He readied the bow, shot the shaft toward him.

277‘It did not approach Anzu but returned.

278‘Anzu cried out against it,

279“Shaft that has come, go back to your thicket,

280“Frame of the bow to your forests,

281“Bowstring to the sheep’s sinews,

282feathers to the birds: go back!”

283‘Because he was holding the tablet of destinies of the gods in his hand,

284‘The bowstring brought forth arrows, but they did not approach his body.

285‘Battle die[d d]own, attack was held back,

286“Within the mountain they did not conquer Anzu.""

287Sharur did obeisance, received the command,

288Bore the battle message to Ea the Leader,

289He repeated to Ea all the lord told him,

290“O lord, he says this,

291‘Ninurta had surrounded Anzu,

292‘Ninurta was enveloped with the dust of battle.

293‘He readied the bow, shot the shaft toward him,

294"shaft did not approach Anzu but returned.

295i ‘Anzu cried out against it,

296"Shaft that has come, go back to your thicket,

297"Frame of the bow to your forests,

298" [Bowstr]ing to the sheep's [sinews],

299feathers to the birds: go back!"

300[Because he was h]olding the [tablet of destini]es of the gods in his ha[nd],

301‘(The bowstring brought forth arrows, but they did not approach his body].

302[Battle died down, attack was held back],

303‘[The fighting stopped],

304[Within the mountain they did not conquer Anzu].’”

305When [the Lea]der heard the words of his son,

306He [called Sharur] and commissioned him,

307"[Heed for your lord, what I say,*

308A. “What I shall tell you, heed for him.

309‘Do not tire in battle, strive for victory,

310‘Tire him out that he let his wings fall to the brunt of the storm,

311‘Take, O lord, your darts toward the bottom,

312‘Cut off his pinions and hurl them, right and left,

313‘Once he sees his feathers, they will take away his (magic) words.

314“My wings!" to the wings he will cry; fear him not.**

315‘Ready your bow, let the lightning shafts fly from it,*

316‘Let pinions and wing feathers

317dance about like butterflies.*

318‘Kill him, conquer Anzu!

319‘Let the winds bear off his wing feathers as glad tidings

320‘To the temple Ekur, to your father Enlil.

321‘Flood and bring mayhem to the mountain meadows,

322‘Let kingship (re-)enter Ekur,

323‘Let authority return [to the father] who begot you.

324‘Let there be daises to be built,

325‘Establish your holy places in the four world regions,

326'[Let] your holy places come into Ekur.

327‘Show yourself mighty be[fore the gods],

328for your name shall be ‘Mighty One'.""

329[Sharur did ob]eis[ance] and received the command,

330Bo[re] off the battle message [to] his [lord],

331Every [thing] Ea to[ld him he repea]ted to him,

332"Do not ti[re] in battle, strive for victory,

333‘Tire him out that he let his wings fall

334[to the brunt of] the storm.

335‘Take, O lord, your darts toward the bottom,

336‘Cut off his pinions and hurl them, right and left.

337‘Once he sees his feathers,

338they will take away his (magic) words.

339“My wings!” to the wings he will cry; [fear him] not.

340‘Ready your bow, let the [lightning] shafts fly from it.

341‘Let pinions and wings dance about like butterflies.

342‘Kill him, conquer Anzu!

343‘Let the winds bear off his wing feathers as glad tidings

344‘To the temple Ekur, to your father Enlil.

345‘Flood and bring [mayhem] to the mountain meadows,

346‘Let kingship (re-)enter [Ekur],

347‘Let authority [return] to the father who begot you.

348‘Let there be [dais]es to be built,

349‘[Estab]lish your holy places in the four world regions,

350[Let] your holy places [come into] Ekur.

351‘Show yourself mighty before [the gods], for your name shall be ‘Mighty One’.’

352The lord heeded the words of Ea the Leader,

353Seething with fury, he made his way toward his mountain.

354The lord hitched up the seven battles,

355[The warrior hitched up] the seven ill winds,

356[The seven| whirlwinds [that make the dust swirl].

357He launched a [terrifying] assault, made war,

358[The winds were ready at his side] for his battle.

Tablet III’

359Constantly striking one another ...[ ]

360The blazing of the fiery glare [ ]

361[ | to the four winds, the storm [ ]

362The weapons he struck and struck, in horrible protection,*

363Both were bathed in the sweat of battle.

364Then Anzu grew tired, the onslaught of the storm he dropped his wings,

365The lord took his darts toward the bottom,

366He cut off his pinions, hurled them right and left.

367When Anzu saw his wings, they took away his (magic) words.

368When he cried “My wings!” to the wings, the arrow flew against him,

369The shaft passed through the ... of his heart,

370He made his dart pass through pinion and wing,

371The shaft pierced through his heart and lungs.

372He flooded, brought mayhem to the mountain meadows,

373He flooded the vast earth in his fury,

374He flooded the midst of the mountains,

375He killed wicked Anzu!

376. What follows is largely from R, based on the work of Saggs.

377The warrior Ninurta took control of the tablet of the gods' destinies.

378The wind bore Anzu's wing feathers

379As a sign of his glad tidings.

380Dagan rejoiced when he saw his sign,

381He summoned all the gods, saying to them in joy,

382“The Mighty One has outroared Anzu in his mountain,

383"He has regained control of Anu and Dagan's weapons.

384“Go to him, that he come to us,

385“Let him rejoice, let him dance, let him celebrate,

386“Let him stand with the gods his brethren, that he may hear the secret lore, ml ] the secret lore of the gods,

387“Let [ ] grant him responsibilities ...

388with the gods his brethren.”

389[Ea?] made ready to speak,

390Saying [to] Dagan (these) words,

391* .. he took the skin,

392“When he killed wicked Anzu in the mountains,

393“The warrior Ninurta regained control of the tablet of the gods’ destinies.

394“Send to him, let him come to you,

395"Let him place the tablet of destinies in your lap.”

396Enlil made ready to speak,

397Saying to Nusku his courier (these) words,

398"Nusku, go outside,

399“Bring Birdu* before me!”

400He brought Birdu into Enlil’s presence.

401Enlil made ready to speak,

402Saying to Birdu (these) words,

403“Birdu, I am sending you ..

404Ninurta [made] ready to speak,

405[Saying these words] to Birdu,

406“O Birdu, why did you come at such a furious pace to ...:

407Birdu m[ade ready] to speak,

408. A god; see E. Ebeling, “Birdu,” RLA 2, 31.

409[Saying these words] to Ninurta his lord,

410“My lord, [ | to you,

411“Your father Enlil sent me,

412‘The gods heard [ | (10°)

413‘That [you killed] wicked Anzu in the mountain.

414‘They were joyful and glad, but [ ].

415Before you [| ]...

416Ninurta [made ready to speak, saying to Birdu],

417“Why [surrender] the trap[pings of kingship]?

418"[My utterance has become] like that of the ki[ng of the gods].

419"I will not re[turn] the tablet of destinies."

420(fragmentary lines, then breaks off)

421(A god is speaking to Ninurta.)

422"Let [ ] not be built,

423“| ] Anzu in Ekur.

424“[ ] the sign of the warrior,

425“Let him look upon wicked Anzu

426[in] the greatness of his might,

427“O warrior, you could slay mountains in your might,

428“You defeated Anzu, you could slay his might,

429“You could slay the might of soaring Anzu!

430“Because you were valiant and killed mountains,

431“You have made all enemies submit before your father, Enlil,

432^O Ninurta, because you were valiant and slew mountains,

433"You have made all enemies submit before your father, Enlil!

434"You have gained lordship, each and every divine authority,

435"For(?) whom besides you is the divine authority of the mountain?

436“Greatness has been given you the daises of the gods of destinies,

437“They called your lustrations ‘Nisaba’,

438"They called your name in the furrow ‘Ningirsu’.

439“They assigned to you full shepherdship of the people,

440^ As king, they gave (you) your name

441‘Guardian of the Throne’.

442“In Elam they gave (you) the name Hurabtil,

443“In Susa they speak of you as Inshushinak.'

444“In E-Ibbi-Anu^ they gave you the name

445‘Master of Secret Lore’,

446"[ ] among the gods your brethren

447"[ ] your father,

448“They gave you your name ‘[Pabilsag]’ in Egalmah,

449“They [called] your name '[ |’ in Ur,

450“f ] you ... Duranki,

451*[In Der] they speak of you as ‘Ishtaran’,

452“f ] they call as his name.

453“Your valor | ] Enlil over all the gods,

454“| ] to make surpassing your divinity,

455“f ] I praise you.

456“In NLSUR [they gave (you)] your name 'Lugalbanda',

457“TYour name] ‘Lugalmarade’ they gave you in Egishkalamma,

458“TIn] Esikilla they gave (you) [your name]

459“In Bube in the E-nimmanku [ |,

460“In Kullab they called (you) by your name ‘[Pis]angunuk’,* ul ] Belet-ili your mother, ml ] lord of the boundary,

461“| ] ‘Papsukkal, the vanguard’.

462^O ... lord, your names are surpassingly great among the gods,

463"Lord of understanding, capable and dreaded one,

464“I ] Ea the Leader, your father,

465A | battle and conflict,

466"He[ ]you'[ ] of their lands’.

467(fragmentary lines, then breaks off)

468Temple at Dilbat, a town in Babylonia (Moran, AfO 34 [1987], 29).

469published by K. Van Lerberghe, Northern Akkad Project Reports 6 (1991), 74, and identified by

470Cavigneaux, N.A.B.U. 2000/19, adds nothing but shows that the text was studied in Classical-

471Babylonian Epic of Anzu, SAACT 3 (2001).

472* Notes to Text: (OB II 10) Wiggermann, Studies Kraus, 41. (OB II 11) Moran, JCS 31 (1979), 97,

473also AHw, 1386b. Other translators understand "the commander” (or the like), and make that the subject, but this is grammatically difficult. (OB II 35) Moran, JCS 31 (1979), 100; see p. 237 collation favors sam*-ra*-x-x, here read Jam-ra-t[am-m]a by suggestion of W. Mayer. (OB III

47467) ri-hi-is dá-ul-li-ih (see CAD D, 45b). (OB III 68) AHw, 1221b, tablet has [tja-si-it. (OB III 76)

475Wiggermann, Studies Kraus, 419. (LV I 6) George, BSOAS 54 (1991), 145. (LV I 10) siknat abni

476(WGL). (LV I 79) Moran, JCS 31 (1979), 96. (LV I 181) Restoration WGL. NI is possible for the broken sign (collated), but the trace does not closely resemble the NI in the line above. (LV II 1)

477$78 III. The Mature Period

478(1987), 27. (LV II 111) It is unclear whether line 75, which should be repeated here, is a doublet there, or whether it has been accidentally omitted here. (LV II 112) CAD K, 564a, but see Wig-