The Enuma Elish

Tablet I

1When in the height heaven was not named,

2And the earth beneath did not yet bear a name,

3And the primeval Apsu, who begat them,

4And chaos, Tiamut, the mother of them both

5Their waters were mingled together,

6And no field was formed, no marsh was to be seen;

7When of the gods none had been called into being,

8And none bore a name, and no destinies were ordained;

9Then were created the gods in the midst of heaven,

10Lahmu and Lahamu were called into being...

11Ages increased,...

12Then Ansar and Kisar were created, and over them....

13Long were the days, then there came forth.....

14Anu, their son,...

15Ansar and Anu...

16And the god Anu...

17Nudimmud, whom his fathers, his begetters.....

18Abounding in all wisdom,...'

19He was exceeding strong...

20He had no rival Thus were established and were... the great gods.

21But Tiamat and Apsu were still in confusion...

22They were troubled and...

23In disorder...

24Apru was not diminished in might...

25And Tiamat roared...

26She smote, and their deeds...

27Their way was evil...

28Then Apsu, the begetter of the great gods,

29Cried unto Mummu, his minister, and said unto him:

30"O Mummu, thou minister that rejoicest my spirit,

31Come, unto Tiamut let us go!

32So they went and before Tiamat they lay down,

33They consulted on a plan with regard to the gods, their sons.

34Apsu opened his mouth and spake,

35And unto Tiamut, the glistening one, he addressed the word:

36...their way...

37By day I can not rest, by night I can not lie down in peace.

38But I will destroy their way, I will...

39Let there be lamentation, and let us lie down again in peace."

40When Tiamat heard these words,

41She raged and cried aloud...

42She... grievously...,

43She uttered a curse, and unto Apsu she spake:

44"What then shall we do?

45Let their way be made difficult, and let us lie down again in peace."

46Mummu answered, and gave counsel unto Apsu,

47...and hostile to the gods was the counsel Mummu gave:

48Come, their way is strong, but thou shalt destroy it;

49Then by day shalt thou have rest, by night shalt thou lie down in peace."

50Apsu harkened unto him and his countenance grew bright,

51Since he (Mummu) planned evil against the gods his sons.

52... he was afraid...,

53His knees became weak; they gave way beneath him,

54Because of the evil which their first-born had planned.

55... their... they altered.

56... they...,

57Lamentation they sat in sorrow

58..................

59Then Ea, who knoweth all that is, went up and he beheld their muttering.

60[about 30 illegible lines]

61... he spake:

62... thy... he hath conquered and

63... he weepeth and sitteth in tribulation.

64... of fear,

65... we shall not lie down in peace.

66... Apsu is laid waste,

67... and Mummu, who were taken captive, in...

68... thou didst...

69... let us lie down in peace.

70... they will smite....

71... let us lie down in peace.

72... thou shalt take vengeance for them,

73... unto the tempest shalt thou...!"

74And Tiamat harkened unto the word of the bright god, and said:

75... shalt thou entrust! let us wage war!"

76... the gods in the midst of...

77... for the gods did she create.

78They banded themselves together and at the side of Tiamat they advanced;

79They were furious; they devised mischief without resting night and day.

80They prepared for battle, fuming and raging;

81They joined their forces and made war,

82Ummu-Hubur [Tiamat] who formed all things,

83Made in addition weapons invincible; she spawned monster- serpents,

84Sharp of tooth, and merciless of fang;

85With poison, instead of blood, she filled their bodies.

86Fierce monster-vipers she clothed with terror,

87With splendor she decked them, she made them of lofty stature.

88Whoever beheld them, terror overcame him,

89Their bodies reared up and none could withstand their attack.

90She set up vipers and dragons, and the monster Lahamu,

91And hurricanes, and raging hounds, and scorpion-men,

92And mighty tempests, and fish-men, and rams;

93They bore cruel weapons, without fear of the fight.

94Her commands were mighty, none could resist them;

95After this fashion, huge of stature, she made eleven [kinds of] monsters.

96Among the gods who were her sons, inasmuch as he had given her support,

97She exalted Kingu; in their midst she raised him to power.

98To march before the forces, to lead the host,

99To give the battle-signal, to advance to the attack,

100To direct the battle, to control the fight,

101Unto him she entrusted; in costly raiment she made him sit, saying:

102I have uttered thy spell, in the assembly of the gods I have raised thee to power.

103The dominion over all the gods have I entrusted unto him.

104Be thou exalted, thou my chosen spouse,

105May they magnify thy name over all of them the Anunnaki."

106She gave him the Tablets of Destiny, on his breast she laid them, saying:

107Thy command shall not be without avail, and the word of thy mouth shall be established."

108Now Kingu, thus exalted, having received the power of Anu,

109Decreed the fate among the gods his sons, saying:

110"Let the opening of your mouth quench the Fire-god;

111Whoso is exalted in the battle, let him display his might!"

Tablet II

112Tiamat made weighty her handiwork,

113Evil she wrought against the gods her children.

114To avenge Apsu, Tiamat planned evil,

115But how she had collected her forces, the god unto Ea divulged.

116Ea harkened to this thing, and

117He was grievously afflicted and he sat in sorrow.

118The days went by, and his anger was appeased,

119And to the place of Ansar his father he took his way.

120He went and, standing before Ansar, the father who begat him,

121All that Tiamat had plotted he repeated unto him,

122Saying, "Tiamat our mother hath conceived a hatred for us,

123With all her force she rageth, full of wrath.

124All the gods have turned to her,

125With those, whom ye created, thev go at her side.

126They are banded together and at the side of Tiamat they advance;

127They are furious, they devise mischief without resting night and day.

128They prepare for battle, fuming and raging;

129They have joined their forces and are making war.

130Ummu-Hubur, who formed all things,

131Hath made in addition weapons invincible; she hath spawned monster-serpents,

132Sharp of tooth, and merciless of fang.

133With poison, instead of blood, she hath filled their bodies.

134Fierce monster-vipers she hath clothed with terror,

135With splendor she hath decked them; she hath made them of lofty stature.

136Whoever beholdeth them is overcome by terror,

137Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack.

138She hath set up vipers, and dragons, and the monster Lahamu,

139And hurricanes and raging hounds, and scorpion-men,

140And mighty tempests, and fish-men and rams;

141They bear cruel weapons, without fear of the fight.

142Her commands are mighty; none can resist them;

143After this fashion, huge of stature, hath she made eleven monsters.

144Among the gods who are her sons, inasmuch as he hath given her support,

145She hath exalted Kingu; in their midst she hath raised him to power.

146To march before the forces, to lead the host,

147To give the battle-signal, to advance to the attack.

148To direct the battle, to control the fight,

149Unto him hath she entrusted; in costly raiment she hath made him sit, saving:.

150I have uttered thy spell; in the assembly of the gods I have raised thee to power,

151The dominion over all the gods have I entrusted unto thee.

152Be thou exalted, thou my chosen spouse,

153May they magnify thy name over all of them

154She hath given him the Tablets of Destiny, on his breast she laid them, saying:

155'Thy command shall not be without avail, and the word of thy mouth shall be established.'

156Now Kingu, thus exalted, having received the power of Anu,

157Decreed the fate for the gods, her sons, saying:

158'Let the opening of your mouth quench the Fire-god;

159Whoso is exalted in the battle, let him display his might!'"

160When Ansar heard how Tiamat was mightily in revolt, he bit his lips, his mind was not at peace,

161..., he made a bitter lamentation:

162... battle,

163... thou...

164Mummu and Apsu thou hast smitten

165But Tiamat hath exalted Kingu, and where is one who can oppose her?

166... deliberation

167... the ... of the gods, -Nudimmud.

168[A gap of about a dozen lines occurs here.]

169Ansar unto his son addressed the word:

170"... my mighty hero,

171Whose strength is great and whose onslaught can not be withstood,

172Go and stand before Tiamat,

173That her spirit may be appeased, that her heart may be merciful.

174But if she will not harken unto thy word,

175Our word shalt thou speak unto her, that she may be pacified."

176He heard the word of his father Ansar

177And he directed his path to her, toward her he took the way.

178Ann drew nigh, he beheld the muttering of Tiamat,

179But he could not withstand her, and he turned back.

180... Ansar

181... he spake unto him:

182[A gap of over twenty lines occurs here.] an avenger...

183... valiant

184... in the place of his decision

185... he spake unto him:

186... thy father

187" Thou art my son, who maketh merciful his heart.

188... to the battle shalt thou draw nigh, he that shall behold thee shall have peace."

189And the lord rejoiced at the word of his father,

190And he drew nigh and stood before Ansar.

191Ansar beheld him and his heart was filled with joy,

192He kissed him on the lips and his fear departed from him.

193"O my father, let not the word of thy lips be overcome,

194Let me go, that I may accomplish all that is in thy heart.

195O Ansar, let not the word of thy lips be overcome,

196Let me go, that I may accomplish all that is in thy heart."

197What man is it, who hath brought thee forth to battle?

198... Tiamat, who is a woman, is armed and attacketh thee.

199... rejoice and be glad;

200The neck of Tiamat shalt thou swiftly trample under foot.

201... rejoice and be glad;

202The neck of Tiamat shalt thou swiftly trample under foot.

2030 my son, who knoweth all wisdom,

204Pacify Tiamat with thy pure incantation.

205Speedily set out upon thy way,

206For thy blood shall not be poured out; thou shalt return again."

207The lord rejoiced at the word of his father,

208His heart exulted, and unto his father he spake:

209"O Lord of the gods, Destiny of the great gods,

210If I, your avenger,

211Conquer Tiamat and give you life,

212Appoint an assembly, make my fate preeminent and proclaim it.

213In Upsukkinaku seat yourself joyfully together,

214With my word in place of you will I decree fate.

215May whatsoever I do remain unaltered,

216May the word of my lips never be chanced nor made of no avail."

Tablet III

217Ansar opened his mouth, and

218Unto Gaga, his minister, spake the word.

219"O Gaga, thou minister that rejoicest my spirit,

220Unto Lahmu and Lahamu will I send thee.

221... thou canst attain,

222... thou shalt cause to be brought before thee.

223... let the gods, all of them,

224Make ready for a feast, at a banquet let them sit,

225Let them eat bread, let them mix wine,

226That for Marduk, their avenger they may decree the fate.

227Go, Gaga, stand before them,

228And all that I tell thee, repeat unto them, and say:

229'Ansar, vour son, hath sent me,

230The purpose of his heart he hath made known unto me.

231The purpose of his heart he hath made known unto me.

232He saith that Tiamat our mother hath conceived a hatred for us,

233With all her force she rageth, full of wrath.

234All the gods have turned to her,

235With those, whom ye created, they go at her side.

236They are banded together, and at the side of Tiamat they advance;

237They are furious, they devise mischief without resting night and day.

238They prepare for battle, fuming and raging;

239They have joined their forces and are making war.

240Ummu-Hubur, who formed all things,

241Hath made in addition weapons invincible; she hath spawned monster-serpents,

242Sharp of tooth and merciless of fang.

243With poison, instead of blood, she hath filled their bodies.

244Fierce monster-vipers she hath clothed with terror,

245With splendor she hath decked them; she hath made them of lofty stature.

246Whoever beboldeth them, terror overcometh him,

247Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack.

248She hath set up vipers, and dragons, and the monster Lahamu,

249And hurricanes, and raging bounds, and scorpion-men,

250And mighty tempests, and fish-men, and rams;

251They bear merciless weapons, without fear of the fight.

252Her commands are miahty; none can. resist them;

253After this fashion, huge of stature, hath she made eleven monsters.

254Among the gods who are her sons, inasmuch as he hath given her support,

255She hath exalted Kingu; in their midst she hath raised him to power.

256To march before the forces, to lead the host,

257To give the battle-signal, to advance to the attack,

258To direct the battle, to control the fight,

259Unto him hath she entrusted; in costly raiment she hath made him sit, saying:

260I have uttered thy spell; in the assembly of the gods

261I have raised thee to power,

262The dominion over all the gods have I entrusted unto thee.

263Be thou exalted, thou my chosen spouse,

264May they magnify thy name over all of them ... the Anunnaki."

265She hath given him the Tablets of Destiny, on his breast she laid them, saying:

266Thy command shall not be without avail, and the word of thy mouth shall be established."

267Now Kingu, thus exalted, having received the power of Anu,

268Decreed the fate for the gods, her sons, saving:

269Let the opening of your mouth quench the Fire-god;

270Whoso is exalted in the battle, let him display his might!"

271I sent Anu, but he could not withstand her;

272Nudimmud was afraid and turned back.

273But Marduk hath set out, the director of the gods, your son;

274To set out against Tiamat his heart hath prompted him.

275He opened his mouth and spake unto me, saying: "If I, your avenger,

276Conquer Tiamat and give you life,

277Appoint an assembly, make my fate preeminent and proclaim it.

278In Upsukkinaku seat yourself joyfully together;

279With my word in place of you will I decree fate.

280May whatsoever I do remain unaltered,

281May the word of my lips never be changed nor made of no avail."'

282Hasten, therefore, and swiftly decree for him the fate which you bestow,

283That he may go and fight your strong enemy.

284Gaga went, he took his way and

285Humbly before Lahmu and Lahamu, the gods, his fathers,

286He made obeisance, and he kissed the ground at their feet.

287He humbled himself; then he stood up and spake unto them saying:

288"Ansar, your son, hath sent me,

289The purpose of his heart he hath made known unto me.

290He saith that Tiamat our mother hath conceived a hatred for us,

291With all her force she rageth, full of wrath.

292All the gods have turned to her,

293With those, whom ye created, they go at her side.

294They are banded together and at the side of Tiamat they advance;

295They are furious, they devise mischief without resting night and day.

296They prepare for battle, fuming and raging;

297They have joined their forces and are making war.

298Ummu-Hubur, who formed all things,

299Hath made in addition weapons invincible; she hath spawned monster-serpents,

300Sharp of tooth and merciless of fang.

301With poison, instead of blood, she hath filled their bodies.

302Fierce monster-vipers she hath clothed with terror,

303With splendor she hath decked them, she hath made them of lofty stature.

304Whoever beboldeth them, terror overcometh him,

305Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack.

306She hath set up vipers, and dragons, and the monster Lahamu,

307And hurricanes, and raging hounds, and scorpion-men,

308And mighty tempests, and fish-men, and rams;

309They bear merciless weapons, without fear of the fight.

310Her commands are mighty; none can resist them;

311After this fashion, huge of stature, hath she made eleven monsters.

312Among the gods who are her sons, inasmuch as he hath given her support,

313She hath exalted Kingu; in their midst she hath raised him to power.

314To march before the forces, to lead the host,

315To give the battle-signal, to advance to the attack, To direct the battle, to control the fight,

316Unto him hath she entrusted; in costlv raiment she hath made him sit, saving:

317I have uttered thy spell; in the assembly of the gods I have raised thee to power,

318The dominion over all the gods have I entrusted unto thee.

319Be thou exalted, thou my chosen spouse,

320May they magnify thy name over all of them...the Anunnaki.

321She hath given him the Tablets of Destiny on his breast she laid them, saving:

322Thy command shall not be without avail, and the word of thy mouth shall be established.'

323Now Kingu, thus exalted, having received the power of Anu,

324Decreed the fate for the gods, her sons, saying:

325'Let the opening of your mouth quench the Fire-god;

326Whoso is exalted in the battle, let him display his might!'

327I sent Anu, but he could not withstand her;

328Nudimmud was afraid and turned back.

329But Marduk hath set out, the director of the gods, your son;

330To set out against Tiamat his heart hath prompted him.

331He opened his mouth and spake unto me, saying:

332'If I, your avenger,

333Conquer Tiamat and give you life,

334Appoint an assembly, make my fate preeminent and proclaim it.

335In Upsukkinaku seat yourselves joyfully together;

336With my word in place of you will I decree fate.

337May, whatsoever I do remain unaltered,

338May the word of my lips never be changed nor made of no avail.'

339Hasten, therefore, and swiftly decree for him the fate which you bestow,

340That he may go and fight your strong enemy!

341Lahmu and Lahamu heard and cried aloud

342All of the Igigi [The elder gods] wailed bitterly, saying:

343What has been altered so that they should

344We do not understand the deed of Tiamat!

345Then did they collect and go,

346The great gods, all of them, who decree fate.

347They entered in before Ansar, they filled...

348They kissed one another, in the assembly...;

349They made ready for the feast, at the banquet they sat;

350They ate bread, they mixed sesame-wine.

351The sweet drink, the mead, confused their...

352They were drunk with drinking, their bodies were filled.

353They were wholly at ease, their spirit was exalted;

354Then for Marduk, their avenger, did they decree the fate.

Tablet IV

355They prepared for him a lordly chamber,

356Before his fathers as prince he took his place.

357"Thou art chiefest among the great gods,

358Thy fate is unequaled, thy word is Anu!

359O Marduk, thou art chiefest among the great gods,

360Thy fate is unequaled, thy word is Anu!

361Henceforth not without avail shall be thy command,

362In thy power shall it be to exalt and to abase.

363Established shall be the word of thy mouth, irresistible shall be thy command,

364None among the gods shall transgress thy boundary.

365Abundance, the desire of the shrines of the gods,

366Shall be established in thy sanctuary, even though they lack offerings.

367O Marduk, thou art our avenger!

368We give thee sovereignty over the whole world.

369Sit thou down in might; be exalted in thy command.

370Thy weapon shall never lose its power; it shall crush thy foe.

371O Lord, spare the life of him that putteth his trust in thee,

372But as for the god who began the rebellion, pour out his life."

373Then set they in their midst a garment,

374And unto Marduk,- their first-born they spake:

375"May thy fate, O lord, be supreme among the gods,

376To destroy and to create; speak thou the word, and thy command shall be fulfilled.

377Command now and let the garment vanish;

378And speak the word again and let the garment reappear!

379Then he spake with his mouth, and the garment vanished;

380Again he commanded it, and. the garment reappeared.

381When the gods, his fathers, beheld the fulfillment of his word,

382They rejoiced, and they did homage unto him, saying, " Marduk is king!"

383They bestowed upon him the scepter, and the throne, and the ring,

384They give him an invincible weapony which overwhelmeth the foe.

385Go, and cut off the life of Tiamat,

386And let the wind carry her blood into secret places."

387After the gods his fathers had decreed for the lord his fate,

388They caused him to set out on a path of prosperity and success.

389He made ready the bow, he chose his weapon,

390He slung a spear upon him and fastened it...

391He raised the club, in his right hand he grasped it,

392The bow and the quiver he hung at his side.

393He set the lightning in front of him,

394With burning flame he filled his body.

395He made a net to enclose the inward parts of Tiamat,

396The four winds he stationed so that nothing of her might escape;

397The South wind and the North wind and the East wind and the

398West wind

399He brought near to the net, the gift of his father Anu.

400He created the evil wind, and the tempest, and the hurricane,

401And the fourfold wind, and the sevenfold wind, and the whirlwind, and the wind which had no equal;

402He sent forth the winds which he had created, the seven of them;

403To disturb the inward parts of Tiamat, they followed after him.

404Then the lord raised the thunderbolt, his mighty weapon,

405He mounted the chariot, the storm unequaled for terror,

406He harnessed and yoked unto it four horses,

407Destructive, ferocious, overwhelming, and swift of pace;

408... were their teeth, they were flecked with foam;

409They were skilled in... , they had been trained to trample underfoot.

410... . mighty in battle,

411Left and right....

412His garment was... , he was clothed with terror,

413With overpowering brightness his head was crowned.

414Then he set out, he took his way,

415And toward the raging Tiamat he set his face.

416On his lips he held ...,

417... he grasped in his hand.

418Then they beheld him, the gods beheld him,

419The gods his fathers beheld him, the gods beheld him.

420And the lord drew nigh, he gazed upon the inward parts of

421Tiamat,

422He perceived the muttering of Kingu, her spouse.

423As Marduk gazed, Kingu was troubled in his gait,

424His will was destroyed and his motions ceased.

425And the gods, his helpers, who marched by his side,

426Beheld their leader's..., and their sight was troubled.

427But Tiamat... , she turned not her neck,

428With lips that failed not she uttered rebellious words:

429"... thy coming as lord of the gods,

430From their places have they gathered, in thy place are they! "

431Then the lord raised the thunderbolt, his mighty weapon,

432And against Tiamat, who was raging, thus he sent the word:

433Thou art become great, thou hast exalted thyself on high,

434And thy heart hath prompted thee to call to battle.

435... their fathers...,

436... their... thou hatest...

437Thou hast exalted Kingu to be thy spouse,

438Thou hast... him, that, even as Anu, he should issue deerees. thou hast followed after evil,

439And against the gods my fathers thou hast contrived thy wicked plan.

440Let then thy host be equipped, let thy weapons be girded on!

441Stand! I and thou, let us join battle!

442When Tiamat heard these words,

443She was like one posessed, .she lost her reason.

444Tiamat uttered wild, piercing cries,

445She trembled and shook to her very foundations.

446She recited an incantation, she pronounced her spell,

447And the gods of the battle cried out for their weapons.

448Then advanced Tiamat and Marduk, the counselor of the gods;

449To the fight they came on, to the battle they drew nigh.

450The lord spread out his net and caught her,

451And the evil wind that was behind him he let loose in her face.

452As Tiamat opened her mouth to its full extent,

453He drove in the evil wind, while as yet she had not shut her lips.

454The terrible winds filled her belly,

455And her courage was taken from her, and her mouth she opened wide.

456He seized the spear and burst her belly,

457He severed her inward parts, he pierced her heart.

458He overcame her and cut off her life;

459He cast down her body and stood upon it.

460When he had slain Tiamat, the leader,

461Her might was broken, her host was scattered.

462And the gods her helpers, who marched by her side,

463Trembled, and were afraid, and turned back.

464They took to flight to save their lives;

465But they were surrounded, so that they could not escape.

466He took them captive, he broke their weapons;

467In the net they were caught and in the snare they sat down.

468The ... of the world they filled with cries of grief.

469They received punishment from him, they were held in bondage.

470And on the eleven creatures which she had filled with the power of striking terror,

471Upon the troop of devils, who marched at her...,

472He brought affliction, their strength he...;

473Them and their opposition he trampled under his feet.

474Moreover, Kingu, who had been exalted over them,

475He conquered, and with the god Dug-ga he counted him.

476He took from him the Tablets of Destiny that were not rightly his,

477He sealed them with a seal and in his own breast he laid them.

478Now after the hero Marduk had conquered and cast down his enemies,

479And had made the arrogant foe even like

480And had fully established Ansar's triumph over the enemy

481And had attained the purpose of Nudimmud,

482Over the captive gods he strengthened his durance,

483And unto Tiamat, whom he had conquered, he returned.

484And the lord stood upon Tiamat's hinder parts,

485And with his merciless club he smashed her skull.

486He cut through the channels of her blood,

487And he made the North wind bear it away into secret places.

488His fathers beheld, and they rejoiced and were glad;

489Presents and gifts they brought unto him.

490Then the lord rested, gazing upon her dead body,

491While he divided the flesh of the ... , and devised a cunning plan.

492He split her up like a flat fish into two halves;

493One half of her he stablished as a covering for heaven.

494He fixed a bolt, he stationed a watchman,

495And bade them not to let her waters come forth.

496He passed through the heavens, he surveyed the regions thereof,

497And over against the Deep he set the dwelling of Nudimmud.

498And the lord measured the structure of the Deep,

499And he founded E-sara, a mansion like unto it.

500The mansion E-sara which he created as heaven,

501He caused Anu, Bel, and Ea in their districts to inhabit.

Tablet V

502He (Marduk) made the stations for the great gods;

503The stars, their images, as the stars of the Zodiac, he fixed.

504He ordained the year and into sections he divided it;

505For the twelve months he fixed three stars.

506After he had ... the days of the year ... images,

507He founded the station of Nibir [the planet Jupiter] to determine their bounds;

508That none might err or go astray,

509He set the station of Bel and Ea along with him.

510He opened great gates on both sides,

511He made strong the bolt on the left and on the right.

512In the midst thereof he fixed the zenith;

513The Moon-god he caused to shine forth, the night he entrusted to him.

514He appointed him, a being of the night, to determine the days;

515Every month without ceasing with the crown he covered him, saying:

516"At the beginning of the month, when thou shinest upon the land,

517Thou commandest the horns to determine six days,

518And on the seventh day to divide the crown.

519On the fourteenth day thou shalt stand opposite, the half....

520When the Sun-god on the foundation of heaven...thee,

521The ... thou shalt cause to ..., and thou shalt make his...

522... unto the path of the Sun-god shalt thou cause to draw nigh,

523And on the ... day thou shalt stand opposite, and the Sun-god shall...

524... to traverse her way.

525... thou shalt cause to draw nigh, and thou shalt judge the right.

526... to destroy..."

527[Nearly fifty lines are here lost.]

528The gods, his fathers, beheld the net which he had made,

529They beheld the bow and how its work was accomplished.

530They praised the work which he had done...

531Then Anu raised the ... in the assembly of the gods. He kissed the bow, saving, " It is...!"

532And thus he named the names of the bow, saving,

533"'Long-wood' shall be one name, and the second name shall be

534...,

535And its third name shall be the Bow-star, in heaven shall it...!"

536Then he fixed a station for it...

537Now after the fate of...

538He set a throne...

539...in heaven...

540[The remainder of this tablet is missing.]

Tablet VI

541When Marduk heard the word of the gods,

542His heart prompted him and he devised a cunning plan.

543He opened his mouth and unto Ea he spake

544That which he had conceived in his heart he imparted unto him:

545"My blood will I take and bone will I fashion

546I will make man, that man may

547I will create man who shall inhabit the earth,

548That the service of the gods may be established, and that their shrines may be built.

549But I will alter the ways of the gods, and I will change their paths;

550Together shall they be oppressed and unto evil shall they....

551And Ea answered him and spake the word:

552"... the ... of the gods I have changed

553... and one...

554... shall be destroyed and men will I...

555... and the gods .

556... and they..."

557[The rest of the text is wanting with the exception of the last few lines of the tablet, which read as follows.]

558They rejoiced...

559In Upsukkinnaku they set their dwelling.

560Of the heroic son, their avenger, they cried:

561" We, whom he succored.... !"

562They seated themselves and in the assembly they named him...,

563They all cried aloud, they exalted him...

Tablet VII

564O Asari, [Marduk] "Bestower of planting," "Founder of sowing"

565"Creator of grain and plants," "who caused the green herb to spring up!"

566O Asaru-alim, [Mardk] "who is revered in the house of counsel,"

567"who aboundeth in counsel,"

568The gods paid homage, fear took hold upon them!

569O Asaru-alim-nuna, [Marduk] "the mighty one," "the Light of the father who begat him,"

570"Who directeth the decrees of Anu Bel, and Ea!"

571He was their patron, be ordained their...;

572He, whose provision is abundance, goeth forth...

573Tutu [Marduk] is "He who created them anew";

574Should their wants be pure, then are they satisfied;

575Should he make an incantation, then are the gods appeased;

576Should they attack him in anger, he withstandeth their onslaught!

577Let him therefore be exalted, and in the assembly of the gods let him... ;

578None among the gods can rival him!

57915 Tutu [Marduk] is Zi-ukkina, "the Life of the host of the gods,"

580Who established for the gods the bright heavens.

581He set them on their way, and ordained their path;

582Never shall his ... deeds be forgotten among men.

583Tutu as Zi-azag thirdly they named, "the Bringer of

584Purification,"

585"The God of the Favoring Breeze," "the Lord of Hearing and

586Mercy,"

587"The Creator of Fulness and Abundance," " the Founder of

588Plenteousness,"

589"Who increaseth all that is small."

590In sore distress we felt his favoring breeze,"

591Let them say, let them pay reverence, let them bow in humility before him!

592Tutu as Aga-azag may mankind fourthly magnify!

593"The Lord of the Pure Incantation," " the Quickener of the

594Dead,"

595"Who had mercy upon the captive gods,"

596"Who removed the yoke from upon the gods his enemies,"

597"For their forgiveness did he create mankind,"

598"The Merciful One, with whom it is to bestow life!"

599May his deeds endure, may they never be forgotten ,

600In the mouth of mankind whom his hands have made!

601Tutu as Mu-azag, fifthly, his "Pure incantation" may their mouth proclaim,

602Who through his Pure Incantation hath destroyed all the evil ones!"

603Sag-zu, [Marduk] "who knoweth the heart of the gods," " who seeth through the innermost part!"

604"The evil-doer he hath not caused to go forth with him!"

605"Founder of the assembly of the gods," who ... their heart!"

606"Subduer of the disobedient," "...!"

607"Director of Righteousness," "...,"

608" Who rebellion and...!"

609Tutu as Zi-si, "the ...,"

610"Who put an end to anger," "who...!"

611Tutu as Suh-kur, thirdly, "the Destroyer of the foe,"

612"Who put their plans to confusion,"

613"Who destroyed all the wicked," "...,"

614... let them... !

615[There is a gap here of sixty lines. But somewhere among the lost lines belong the following fragments.] who...

616He named the four quarters of the world, mankind hecreated,

617And upon him understanding...

618"The mighty one...!"

619Agil...

620"The Creator of the earth...!"

621Zulummu... .

622"The Giver of counsel and of whatsoever...!"

623Mummu, " the Creator of...!"

624Mulil, the heavens...,

625"Who for...!"

626Giskul, let...,

627"Who brought the gods to naught....!"

628...............

629... " the Chief of all lords,"

630... supreme is his might!

631Lugal-durmah, "the King of the band of the gods," " the Lord of rulers."

632"Who is exalted in a royal habitation,"

633"Who among the gods is gloriously supreme!

634Adu-nuna, " the Counselor of Ea," who created the gods his fathers,

635Unto the path of whose majesty

636No god can ever attain!

637... in Dul-azag be made it known,

638... pure is his dwelling!

639... the... of those without understanding is Lugaldul-azaga!

640... supreme is his might!

641... their... in the midst of Tiamat,

642... of the battle!

643[Here follows the better-preserved ending.]

644... the star, which shineth in the heavens.

645May he hold the Beginning and the Future, may they pay homage unto him,

646Saying, "He who forced his way through the midst of Tiamat without resting,

647Let his name be Nibiru, 'the Seizer of the Midst'!

648For the stars of heaven he upheld the paths,

649He shepherded all the gods like sheep!

650He conquered Tiamat, he troubled and ended her life,"

651In the future of mankind, when the days grow old,

652May this be heard without ceasing; may it hold sway forever!

653Since he created the realm of heaven and fashioned the firm earth,

654The Lord of the World," the father Bel hath called his name.

655This title, which all the Spirits of Heaven proclaimed,

656Did Ea hear, and his spirit was rejoiced, and he said:

657"He whose name his fathers have made glorious,

658Shall be even as I, his name shall be Ea!

659The binding of all my decrees shall he control,

660All my commands shall he make known! "

661By the name of "Fifty " did the great gods

662Proclaim his fifty names, they, made his path preeminent.

Epilogue

663Let them [i.e. the names of Marduk] be held in remembrances and let the first man proclaim them;

664Let the wise and the understanding consider them together!

665Let the father repeat them and teach them to his son;

666Let them be in the ears of the pastor and the shepherd!

667Let a man rejoice in Marduk, the Lord of the gods,

668That be may cause his land to be fruitful, and that he himself may have prosperity!

669His word standeth fast, his command is unaltered;

670The utterance of his mouth hath no god ever annulled.

671He gazed in his anger, he turned not his neck;

672When he is wroth, no god can withstand his indignation.

673Wide is his heart, broad is his compassion;

674The sinner and evil-doer in his presence...

675They received instruction, they spake before him,

676... unto...

677... of Marduk may the gods...;

678... May they ... his name... !

679... they took and...

680...................................!