[The Babylonian "Epic of Creation -- Enuma Elish" is written on seven tablets; each is between 115 and 170 lines long.
It supposedly was written no later than the reign of Nebuchadnezzar in the 12th century BCE. Drawing some new light on
the ancients, Henry Layard found within the ruins of the library of Ashurbanipal in Nineveh, texts that were not unlike the
Genesis creation in the Bible. However, it is generally accepted that the Enuma Elish was written during the time of the Sumerians,
well before the book of Genesis. George Smith first published these texts in 1876 under the title The Chaldean Genesis.
The Babylonian God finished his work within the span of six tablets of stone. The last and seventh stone exalted the handiwork
and greatness of the deity's work. Thus the comparison must be made that the seven days of creation found in the Bible borrowed
its theme from the Babylonians, who had borrowed it from the Sumerians.
The Sumerian epic places Anu, Enil and Ninurta as the heroes. The Babylonian epic stars Marduk. Some portions of the tablets
are illegible.]
The First Tablet
When in the height heaven was not named, And the earth beneath did not yet bear a name, And the primeval Apsu, who
begat them, And chaos, Tiamut, the mother of them both Their waters were mingled together, And no field was formed,
no marsh was to be seen; When of the gods none had been called into being, And none bore a name, and no destinies were
ordained; Then were created the gods in the midst of heaven, Lahmu and Lahamu were called into being... Ages increased,... Then
Ansar and Kisar were created, and over them.... Long were the days, then there came forth.... Anu, their son,... Ansar
and Anu... And the god Anu... Nudimmud, whom his fathers, his begetters.... Abounding in all wisdom,... He was
exceeding strong... He had no rival -- Thus were established and were... the great gods. But Tiamat and Apsu were
still in confusion... They were troubled and... In disorder... Apru was not diminished in might... And Tiamat
roared... She smote, and their deeds... Their way was evil... Then Apsu, the begetter of the great gods, Cried
unto Mummu, his minister, and said unto him: "O Mummu, thou minister that rejoicest my spirit, Come, unto Tiamut let
us go! So they went and before Tiamat they lay down, They consulted on a plan with regard to the gods, their sons. Apsu
opened his mouth and spake, And unto Tiamut, the glistening one, he addressed the word: ...their way... By day I
can not rest, by night I can not lie down in peace. But I will destroy their way, I will... Let there be lamentation,
and let us lie down again in peace." When Tiamat heard these words, She raged and cried aloud... She... grievously..., She
uttered a curse, and unto Apsu she spake: "What then shall we do? Let their way be made difficult, and let us lie down
again in peace." Mummu answered, and gave counsel unto Apsu, ...and hostile to the gods was the counsel Mummu gave: Come,
their way is strong, but thou shalt destroy it; Then by day shalt thou have rest, by night shalt thou lie down in peace." Apsu
harkened unto him and his countenance grew bright, Since he (Mummu) planned evil against the gods his sons. ... he was
afraid..., His knees became weak; they gave way beneath him, Because of the evil which their first-born had planned. ...
their... they altered. ... they..., Lamentation they sat in sorrow... Then Ea, who knoweth all that is, went up and
he beheld their muttering.
[about 30 illegible lines]
... he spake: ... thy... he hath conquered and ... he weepeth and sitteth in tribulation. ... of fear, ...
we shall not lie down in peace. ... Apsu is laid waste, ... and Mummu, who were taken captive, in... ... thou didst... ...
let us lie down in peace. ... they will smite.... ... let us lie down in peace. ... thou shalt take vengeance for
them, ... unto the tempest shalt thou...!" And Tiamat harkened unto the word of the bright god, and said: ... shalt
thou entrust! let us wage war!" ... the gods in the midst of... ... for the gods did she create.
They banded themselves together and at the side of Tiamat they advanced; They were furious; they devised mischief without
resting night and day. They prepared for battle, fuming and raging; They joined their forces and made war, Ummu-Hubur
[Tiamat] who formed all things, Made in addition weapons invincible; she spawned monster-serpents, Sharp of tooth, and
merciless of fang; With poison, instead of blood, she filled their bodies. Fierce monster-vipers she clothed with terror, With
splendor she decked them, she made them of lofty stature. Whoever beheld them, terror overcame him, Their bodies reared
up and none could withstand their attack.
She set up vipers and dragons, and the monster Lahamu, And hurricanes, and raging hounds, and scorpion-men, And mighty
tempests, and fish-men, and rams; They bore cruel weapons, without fear of the fight. Her commands were mighty, none
could resist them; After this fashion, huge of stature, she made eleven [kinds of] monsters. Among the gods who were
her sons, inasmuch as he had given her support, She exalted Kingu; in their midst she raised him to power. To march
before the forces, to lead the host, To give the battle-signal, to advance to the attack, To direct the battle, to control
the fight, Unto him she entrusted; in costly raiment she made him sit, saying: I have uttered thy spell, in the assembly
of the gods I have raised thee to power. The dominion over all the gods have I entrusted unto him. Be thou exalted,
thou my chosen spouse, May they magnify thy name over all of them the Anunnaki." She gave him the Tablets of Destiny,
on his breast she laid them, saying: Thy command shall not be without avail, and the word of thy mouth shall be established." Now
Kingu, thus exalted, having received the power of Anu, Decreed the fate among the gods his sons, saying: "Let the opening
of your mouth quench the Fire-god; Whoso is exalted in the battle, let him display his might!"
The Second Tablet
Tiamat made weighty her handiwork, Evil she wrought against the gods her children. To avenge Apsu, Tiamat planned
evil, But how she had collected her forces, the god unto Ea divulged. Ea harkened to this thing, and He was grievously
afflicted and he sat in sorrow. The days went by, and his anger was appeased, And to the place of Ansar his father he
took his way. He went and, standing before Ansar, the father who begat him, All that Tiamat had plotted he repeated
unto him, Saying, "Tiamat our mother hath conceived a hatred for us, With all her force she rageth, full of wrath. All
the gods have turned to her, With those, whom ye created, they go at her side. They are banded together and at the side
of Tiamat they advance; They are furious, they devise mischief without resting night and day. They prepare for battle,
fuming and raging; They have joined their forces and are making war. Ummu-Hubur, who formed all things, Hath made
in addition weapons invincible; she hath spawned monster-serpents, Sharp of tooth, and merciless of fang. With poison,
instead of blood, she hath filled their bodies. Fierce monster-vipers she hath clothed with terror, With splendor she
hath decked them; she hath made them of lofty stature. Whoever beholdeth them is overcome by terror, Their bodies rear
up and none can withstand their attack. She hath set up vipers, and dragons, and the monster Lahamu, And hurricanes
and raging hounds, and scorpion-men, And mighty tempests, and fish-men and rams; They bear cruel weapons, without fear
of the fight. Her commands are mighty; none can resist them; After this fashion, huge of stature, hath she made eleven
monsters. Among the gods who are her sons, inasmuch as he hath given her support, She hath exalted Kingu; in their midst
she hath raised him to power. To march before the forces, to lead the host, To give the battle-signal, to advance to
the attack. To direct the battle, to control the fight, Unto him hath she entrusted; in costly raiment she hath made
him sit, saving: I have uttered thy spell; in the assembly of the gods I have raised thee to power, The dominion over
all the gods have I entrusted unto thee. Be thou exalted, thou my chosen spouse, May they magnify thy name over all
of them She hath given him the Tablets of Destiny, on his breast she laid them, saying: "my command shall not be without
avail, and the word of thy mouth shall be established." Now Kingu, thus exalted, having received the power of Anu, Decreed
the fate for the gods, her sons, saying: "Let the opening of your mouth quench the Fire-god; Whoso is exalted in the
battle, let him display his might!" When Ansar heard how Tiamat was mightily in revolt, he bit his lips, his mind was
not at peace, ..., he made a bitter lamentation: ... battle, ... thou... Mummu and Apsu thou hast smitten But
Tiamat hath exalted Kingu, and where is one who can oppose her? ... deliberation ... the ... of the gods, Nudimmud.
[A gap of about a dozen lines occurs here.]
Ansar unto his son addressed the word: "... my mighty hero, Whose strength is great and whose onslaught can not be
withstood, Go and stand before Tiamat, That her spirit may be appeased, that her heart may be merciful. But if she
will not harken unto thy word, Our word shalt thou speak unto her, that she may be pacified." He heard the word of his
father Ansar And he directed his path to her, toward her he took the way. Ann drew nigh, he beheld the muttering of
Tiamat, But he could not withstand her, and he turned back. ... Ansar ... he spake unto him:
[A gap of over twenty lines occurs here.]
an avenger... ... valiant ... in the place of his decision ... he spake unto him: ... thy father "Thou art
my son, who maketh merciful his heart. ... to the battle shalt thou draw nigh, he that shall behold thee shall have
peace." And the lord rejoiced at the word of his father, And he drew nigh and stood before Ansar. Ansar beheld him
and his heart was filled with joy, He kissed him on the lips and his fear departed from him. "O my father, let not the
word of thy lips be overcome, Let me go, that I may accomplish all that is in thy heart. O Ansar, let not the word of
thy lips be overcome, Let me go, that I may accomplish all that is in thy heart." What man is it, who hath brought thee
forth to battle? ... Tiamat, who is a woman, is armed and attacketh thee. ... rejoice and be glad; The neck of Tiamat
shalt thou swiftly trample under foot. ... rejoice and be glad; The neck of Tiamat shalt thou swiftly trample under
foot. 0 my son, who knoweth all wisdom, Pacify Tiamat with thy pure incantation. Speedily set out upon thy way, For
thy blood shall not be poured out; thou shalt return again." The lord rejoiced at the word of his father, His heart
exulted, and unto his father he spake: "O Lord of the gods, Destiny of the great gods, If I, your avenger, Conquer
Tiamat and give you life, Appoint an assembly, make my fate preeminent and proclaim it. In Upsukkinaku seat yourself
joyfully together, With my word in place of you will I decree fate. May whatsoever I do remain unaltered, May the
word of my lips never be chanced nor made of no avail."
The Third Tablet
Ansar opened his mouth, and Unto Gaga, his minister, spake the word. "O Gaga, thou minister that rejoicest my spirit, Unto
Lahmu and Lahamu will I send thee. ... thou canst attain, ... thou shalt cause to be brought before thee. ... let
the gods, all of them, Make ready for a feast, at a banquet let them sit, Let them eat bread, let them mix wine, That
for Marduk, their avenger they may decree the fate. Go, Gaga, stand before them, And all that I tell thee, repeat unto
them, and say: "Ansar, your son, hath sent me, The purpose of his heart he hath made known unto me. He saith that
Tiamat our mother hath conceived a hatred for us, With all her force she rageth, full of wrath. All the gods have turned
to her, With those, whom ye created, they go at her side. They are banded together, and at the side of Tiamat they advance; They
are furious, they devise mischief without resting night and day. They prepare for battle, fuming and raging; They have
joined their forces and are making war. Ummu-Hubur, who formed all things, Hath made in addition weapons invincible;
she hath spawned monster-serpents, Sharp of tooth and merciless of fang. With poison, instead of blood, she hath filled
their bodies. Fierce monster-vipers she hath clothed with terror, With splendor she hath decked them; she hath made
them of lofty stature. Whoever beboldeth them, terror overcometh him, Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their
attack. She hath set up vipers, and dragons, and the monster Lahamu, And hurricanes, and raging bounds, and scorpion-men, And
mighty tempests, and fish-men, and rams; They bear merciless weapons, without fear of the fight. Her commands are mighty;
none can. resist them; After this fashion, huge of stature, hath she made eleven monsters. Among the gods who are her
sons, inasmuch as he hath given her support, She hath exalted Kingu; in their midst she hath raised him to power. To
march before the forces, to lead the host, To give the battle-signal, to advance to the attack, To direct the battle,
to control the fight, Unto him hath she entrusted; in costly raiment she hath made him sit, saying: "I have uttered
thy spell; in the assembly of the gods I have raised thee to power, The dominion over all the gods have I entrusted
unto thee. Be thou exalted, thou my chosen spouse, May they magnify thy name over all of them ... the Anunnaki." She
hath given him the Tablets of Destiny, on his breast she laid them, saying: "Thy command shall not be without avail, and
the word of thy mouth shall be established. Now Kingu, thus exalted, having received the power of Anu, Decreed the fate
for the gods, her sons, saving: Let the opening of your mouth quench the Fire-god; Whoso is exalted in the battle, let
him display his might!" I sent Anu, but he could not withstand her; Nudimmud was afraid and turned back. But Marduk
hath set out, the director of the gods, your son; To set out against Tiamat his heart hath prompted him. He opened his
mouth and spake unto me, saying: "If I, your avenger, Conquer Tiamat and give you life, Appoint an assembly, make my
fate preeminent and proclaim it. In Upsukkinaku seat yourself joyfully together; With my word in place of you will I
decree fate. May whatsoever I do remain unaltered, May the word of my lips never be changed nor made of no avail." Hasten,
therefore, and swiftly decree for him the fate which you bestow, That he may go and fight your strong enemy. Gaga went,
he took his way and Humbly before Lahmu and Lahamu, the gods, his fathers, He made obeisance, and he kissed the ground
at their feet. He humbled himself; then he stood up and spake unto them saying: "Ansar, your son, hath sent me, The
purpose of his heart he hath made known unto me. He saith that Tiamat our mother hath conceived a hatred for us, With
all her force she rageth, full of wrath. All the gods have turned to her, With those, whom ye created, they go at her
side. They are banded together and at the side of Tiamat they advance; They are furious, they devise mischief without
resting night and day. They prepare for battle, fuming and raging; They have joined their forces and are making war. Ummu-Hubur,
who formed all things, Hath made in addition weapons invincible; she hath spawned monster-serpents, Sharp of tooth and
merciless of fang. With poison, instead of blood, she hath filled their bodies. Fierce monster-vipers she hath clothed
with terror, With splendor she hath decked them, she hath made them of lofty stature. Whoever beboldeth them, terror
overcometh him, Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack. She hath set up vipers, and dragons, and the
monster Lahamu, And hurricanes, and raging hounds, and scorpion-men, And mighty tempests, and fish-men, and rams; They
bear merciless weapons, without fear of the fight. Her commands are mighty; none can resist them; After this fashion,
huge of stature, hath she made eleven monsters. Among the gods who are her sons, inasmuch as he hath given her support, She
hath exalted Kingu; in their midst she hath raised him to power. To march before the forces, to lead the host, To give
the battle-signal, to advance to the attack, To direct the battle, to control the fight, Unto him hath she entrusted; in
costly raiment she hath made him sit, saving: I have uttered thy spell; in the assembly of the gods I have raised thee
to power, The dominion over all the gods have I entrusted unto thee. Be thou exalted, thou my chosen spouse, May
they magnify thy name over all of them...the Anunnaki. She hath given him the Tablets of Destiny on his breast she laid
them, saving: Thy command shall not be without avail, and the word of thy mouth shall be established. Now Kingu, thus
exalted, having received the power of Anu, Decreed the fate for the gods, her sons, saying: "Let the opening of your
mouth quench the Fire-god; Whoso is exalted in the battle, let him display his might!" I sent Anu, but he could not
withstand her; Nudimmud was afraid and turned back. But Marduk hath set out, the director of the gods, your son; To
set out against Tiamat his heart hath prompted him. He opened his mouth and spake unto me, saying: "If I, your avenger, Conquer
Tiamat and give you life, Appoint an assembly, make my fate preeminent and proclaim it. In Upsukkinaku seat yourselves
joyfully together; With my word in place of you will I decree fate. May, whatsoever I do remain unaltered, May the
word of my lips never be changed nor made of no avail." Hasten, therefore, and swiftly decree for him the fate which you
bestow, That he may go and fight your strong enemy! Lahmu and Lahamu heard and cried aloud All of the Igigi [The
elder gods] wailed bitterly, saying: What has been altered so that they should We do not understand the deed of Tiamat! Then
did they collect and go, The great gods, all of them, who decree fate. They entered in before Ansar, they filled... They
kissed one another, in the assembly...; They made ready for the feast, at the banquet they sat; They ate bread, they
mixed sesame-wine. The sweet drink, the mead, confused their... They were drunk with drinking, their bodies were filled. They
were wholly at ease, their spirit was exalted; Then for Marduk, their avenger, did they decree the fate.
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