When on high the heaven had not been named,
Firm ground below had not been called by name,
Naught but primordial Apsu, their begetter,
(And) Mummu-Tiamat, she who bore them all,
Their waters commingling as a single body;
No reed hut had been matted, no marsh land had appeared,
When no gods whatever had been brought into being,
Uncalled by name, their destinies undetermined-
Then it was that the gods were formed within them.

Lahmu and Lahamu were brought forth, 
by name they were called.
For aeons they grew in age and stature.

Anshar and Kishar were formed, 
surpassing the others.
They prolonged the days, added on the years.

Anu was their son, 
of his fathers the rival;
Yea, Anshar's first born, Anu was his equal.

Anu begot in his image Nudimmud. 

This Nudimmud was of his fathers the master;
Of broad wisdom, understanding, mighty in strength,
Mightier by far than his grandfather, Anshar.
He had no rival among the gods, his brothers.

The divine brothers banded together,
They disturbed Tiamat as they surged back and forth,
Yea, they troubled the mood of Tiamat
By thier hilarity in the Abode of Heaven.
Apsu could not lessen their clamour
And Tiamat was speechless at their ways.
Their doings were loathsome unto (. . .).

Unsavory were their ways; they were overbearing.
Then Apsu, the begetter of the great gods,
Cried out, addressing Mummu, his vizier:

"O Mummu. my vizier, who rejoicest my spirit,
Come hither and let us go to Tiamat!"

They went and sat down before Tiamat,
Exchanging counsel about the gods, 
their first born.

Apsu, opening his mouth,
Said unto resplendent Tiamat:

"Their ways are verily loathsome unto me.
By day I find no relief, 
nor repose by night.
I will deystroy, 
I will wreck their ways,
That quiet may be restored. Let us have rest!"

As soon as Tiamat heard this,
She was wroth and called out to her husband.

She cried out arrgrieved, as she raged all alone,
Injecting woe into her mood:

"What? Should we deystroy what we have built?
Their ways are indeed troublesome, 
but let us attend kindly!"

Ill wishing and ungracious was Mummu's advice:

"Do deystroy, my father, the mutinonous ways.
Then shalt thou have relief by day and rest by night!"

When Apsu heard this, his face grew radiant
Because of the evil he planned against the gods, his sons.

As for Mummu, by the neck he embraced him
As (that one) sat down on his knees to kiss him.

(Now) whatever they plotted between them
Was repeated unto the gods, their first born.

When the gods heard (this), they were astir,
(Then) lapsed into silence and remained speechless,
Surpassing in wisdom, accomplished, resourceful,
Ea, the all wise, saw through their scheme.

A master design against it he devised and setup,
Made artfull his spell against it, 
surpassing and holy.
He recited it 
and made it subsist in the deep,
As he poured sleep upon him. Sound asleep he lay.
When Apsu he made prone, drenched with sleep,
Mummu, the adviser, was impotent to move,

He loosened his band , tore off his tiara,
Removed his halo (and) put it on himself.
Having fettered Apsu, he slew him.
Mummu he bound and left behind lock.
 

Having thus upon Apsu established his dwelling,
He laid hold on Mummu, holding him by the nose rope.

After he vanquished and trodden down his foes,
Ea, his triumph over his enemies secured,
In his sacred chamber in profound sleep he rested.

He named it "Apsu," for shrines he assigned (it).
In that same place his cult hut he founded.
Ea and Damkina, his wife, dwelled (there) in splendor.

"Als oben der Himmel noch nicht benannt,
fester Grunddrunter unbekannt,
nichts als der ewig seiende Apsu, ihr Erzeuger,
und Mummu-Tiamat, die alles gebar,

Tablett II

In the heart of Apsu was Marduk created,
In the heart of holy Apsu was Marduk created.

He who begot him was Ea, his father;
She who concieved him wa Damkina, his mother.
The breast of goddesses did she suck.
The nurse that nursed him filled him with awesomeness.

Alluring was his figure, sparkling the lift in his eyes.
Lordly was his gait, commanding from of old.

When Ea saw him, the father who begot him,

He exulted and glowed, his heart filled with gladness.
He rendered him perfect and endowed him with a double godhead.

Greatly exalted was he above them, exceeding throughout.
Perfect were his members beyond comprehension,
Unsuited for understanding, dificult to percieve.
Four were his eyes, four were his ears;
When he moved his lips, fire blazed forth.
 

Large were all hearing organs,
And the eyes, in like number, scanned all things.
He was the loftiest of the gods, surpassing was his stature;
His members were enourmous, he was exceedingly tall.
 

"My little son, my little son!
My son, the Sun! Sun of the heavens!"
Clothed with the halo of the ten gods, he was storng to the utmost,
As their awesome flashes were heaped upon him.
 
 
 
 

Disturbed was Tiamat, astir night and day.
The gods, in malice, contributed to the storm.

Their insides having plotted evil.
 

To Tiamat these brothers said:

"When they slew Apsu, thy consort,
Thou didst not aid him but remaindest still.
 

Although he fashioned the awesome Saw,
Thy insides are diluted and so we can have no rest.
 

Let Apsu, thy consort, be in thy mind
And Mummu, who has been vanquished! Thou are left alone.

Then joined issue Tiamat and Marduk, wisest of gods,
They swayed in single combat, locked in battle.
The lord spread out his net to enfold her,
The Evil Wind, which followed behind, he let loose in her face.
When Tiamat opened her mouth to consume him,
He drove the Evil Wind that she close not her lips.
As the fierce winds charged her belly,
Her body was distended and her mouth was wide open.
He released the arrow, it tore her belly,
It cut through her insides, splitting the heart.
Having thus subdued her, he extinguished her life.
He cast down her carcass to stand upon it...

The lord trod on the legs of Tiamat,
With his unsparing mace he crushed her skull.
When the arteries of her blood he had severed,
 

The North Wind bore (it) to places undisclosed.
On seeing this, his fathers were joyful and jubliant,
They brought gifts of Homage, they to him.
Then the lord paused to view her dead body,
That he might divide the monster and do artful works.
He split her like a shellfish into two parts:
Half of her he set up and ceiled as sky,
Pulled down the bar and posted guards.
He bade them to allow not her waters to escape.
He crossed the heavens and surveyed (its) regions.
He squared Apsu's quarter, the abode of Nudimmud,
As the lord measured the dimensions of Apsu.
The Great Abode, its likeness, he fixed as Esharra,
The Great Abode, Esharra, which he made as the firmament.
Anu, Enlil, and Ea he made occupy their places.
When Marduk hears the words of the gods,
His heart prompts (him) to fashion artful works.
Opening his mouth he addresses EA
To impart the plan he addresses EA
To impart the plan he had concieved in his heart:
"Blood I will mass and cause boned to be.
I will establish a savage, 'man' shall be his name.
Verily, savage man I will create.
He shall be charged with the service of the gods
That they might be at ease! The ways of the gods I will artfully alter.
Though alike revered, into two (groups) they shall be divided."
Ea answered him, speaking a word to him.
To relate to him a scheme for the relief of the gods:
"Let but one of their brothers be handed over;"
He alone shall perish that mankind may be fashioned.
Let the great gods be here in Assembly,
Let the guilty be handed over that they may endure."
Marduk summoned the great gods to Assembly;
Presiding graciously, he issued instructions.
Th is utterance the gods pay heed.
The king addresses a word to the Anunnaki:
"If your former statement was true,
Do (now) the truth on oath by me declare!
Who was it that contrived the uprising,
And made Tiamat rebel, and joined battle?
Let him be handed over who contrived the uprising.
His guilt I will make him bear that you may dwell in peace!"
The Igigi, the great gods, replied to him,
To Lugaldimmerankia, counsellor of the gods, their lord:
"It was Kingu who contrived the uprising,
And made Tiamat rebel, and joined battle."
The bound him holding him before Ea.
They imposed on him his guilt and severed his blood (vessels).
Out of his blood they fashioned mankind.
He imposed the service and let free the gods

Tablet III

`Anshar, your son, has sent me here,
Charging me to give voice to the dictates of his heart,
Saying : "Tiamat, she who bore us, detests us.
She has set up the Assembly and is furious with rage.
All the gods have rallied to her;
Even those whom you brought forth march at her side.
They throng and march at the side of Tiamat.
Enraged, they plot without cease night and day. (20)
They are set for combat, growling, raging,
They have formed a council to prepare for the fight.
Mother Hubur, she who fashions all things,
Has added matchless weapons, has born monster-serpents,
Sharp of tooth, unsparing of fang.
With venom for blood she has filled their bodies.
Roaring dragons she has clothed with terror,
Has crowned them with haloes, making them like gods,
So that he who beholds them shall perish abjectly,
And that, with their bodies reared up, none might turn them back. (30)
She has set up the Viper, the Dragon, and the Sphinx,
The Great-Lion, the Mad-Dog, and the Scorpion-Man,
Mighty lion-demons, the Dragon-Fly, the Centaur--
Bearing weapons that spare not, fearless in battle.
Her decrees are firm, they are past withstanding.
Withal eleven of this kind she has brought forth.
From among the gods, her first-born, who formed her Assembly,
She has elevated Kingu, has made him chief among them.
The leading of the ranks, command of the Assembly,
The raising of weapons for the encounter, advancing to combat, (40)
In battle the command-in-chief--
These to his hands she entrusted as she seated him in the Council:
`I have cast the spell for you, exalting you in the Assembly of the gods.
To counsel all the gods I have given you full power.
truly, you are supreme, you are my only consort!
Your utterance shall prevail over all the Anunnaki!'
She has given him the Tablet of Destinies, fastened on his breast:
`As for you, your command shall be unchangeable, your word shall endure!'
As soon as Kingu was elevated, possessed of the rank of Anu,
For the gods, her sons, they decreed the fate: (50)
`Your word shall make the fire subside,
Shall humble the "Power-Weapon," so potent in its sweep!'
I sent forth Anu; he could not face her.
Nudimmud was afraid and turned back.
Forth came Marduk, the wisest of gods, your son,
His heart having prompted him to set out to face Tiamat.
He opened his mouth, saying unto me:
`If I indeed, as your avenger,
Am to vanquish Tiamat and save your lives,
Set up the Assembly, proclaim supreme my destiny! (60)
When jointly in Ubshukinna you have sat down rejoicing,
Let my word, instead of you, determine the fates.
Unalterable shall be what I may bring into being;
Neither recalled nor changed shall be the command of my lips!'
Now hasten here and promptly fix for him your decrees,
That he may go forth to face your mighty foe!" ' "

Gaga departed, proceeding on his way.
Before Lahmu and Lahamu, the gods, his fathers,
He made obeisance, kissing the ground at their feet.
He bowed low as he took his place to address them: (70)

"It was Anshar, your son, who has sent me hither,
Charging me to give voice to the dictates of his heart,
Saying: `Tiamat, she who bore us, detests us.
She has set up the Assembly and is furious with rage.
All the gods have rallied to her,
Even those whom you brought forth march at her side.
They throng and march at the side of Tiamat.
Enraged, they plot without cease night and day.
They are set for combat, growling, raging,
They have formed a council to prepare for the fight. (80)
Mother Hubur, she who fashions all things,
Has added matchless weapons, has born monster-serpents,
Sharp of tooth, unsparing of fang.
With venom for blood she has filled their bodies,
Roaring dragons she has clothed with terror,
Has crowned them with haloes, making them like gods,
So that he who beholds them shall perish abjectly,
And that, with their bodies reared up, none might turn them back.
She has set up vipers, dragons, and sphlinxes,
Great-lions, mad-dogs, and scorpion-men, (90)
Mighty lion-demons, dragon-flies, and centaurs--
Bearing weapons that spare not, fearless in battle.
Firm are decrees, past withstanding are they.
Withal eleven of this kind she has brought forth.
From among the gods, her first-born, who formed her Assembly,
She has elevated Kingu, has made him chief among them.
The leading of the ranks, command of the Assembly,
The raising of weapons for the encounter, advancing to combat,
In battle the command-in-chief--
These to his hands she has entrusted as she seated him in the Council: (100)
`I have cast the spell for you, exalting you in the Assembly of the gods.
To counsel all the gods I have given you full power.
Truly, you are supreme, you are my only consort!
Your utterance shall prevail over all the Anunnaki!'
She has given him the Tablet of Destinies, fastened on his breast:
`As for you, your command shall be unchangeable, your word shall endure!'
As soon as Kingu was elevated, possessed of the rank of Anu,
For the gods, her sons, they decreed the fate:
`Your word shall make the fire subside,
Shall humble the "Power-Weapon," so potent in its sweep!'
I sent forth Anu; he could not face her.
Nudimmud was afraid and turned back.
Forth came Marduk, the wisest of gods, your son,
His heart having prompted him to set out to face Tiamat.

He opened his mouth, saying unto me:

`If I indeed, as your avenger,
Am to vanquish Tiamat and save your lives,
Set up the Assembly, proclaim supreme my destiny!
When in Ubshukinna jointly you sit down rejoicing,
Let my word, instead of you, determine the fates. (120)
Unalterable shall be what I may bring into being;
Neither recalled nor changed shall be the command of my lips!'
Now hasten here and promptly fix for him your decrees,
That he may go forth to face your mighty foe!"

When Lahmu and Lahamu heard this, they cried out aloud,
All the Igigi wailed in distress:

"How strange that they should have made this decision!
We cannot fathom the doings of Tiamat!"

They made ready to leave on their journey,
All the great gods who decree the fates. (130)
They entered before Anshar, filling Ubshukinna.
They kissed one another in the Assembly.
They held converse as they sat down to the banquet.
They ate festive bread, poured the wine,
They wetted their drinking-tubes with sweet intoxicant.
As they drank the strong drink, their bodies swelled.
They became very languid as their spirits rose.

Tablet IV

"You are the most honored of the great gods,
Your decree is unrivaled, you command is Anu.
You, Marduk, are the most honored of the great gods,
Your decree is unrivaled, your word is Anu.
From this day your pronouncement shall be unchangeable.
To raise or bring low--these shall be in your hand.
Your utterance shall be true, your command shall be unimpeachable.
No one among the gods shall transgress your bounds!
Adornment being wanted for the seats of the gods,
Let the place of their shrines ever be in your place.
O Marduk, you are indeed our avenger.
We have granted you kingship over the universe entire.
When you sit in Assembly your word shall be supreme.
Your weapons shall not fail; they shall smash your foes!
O lord, spare the life of him who trusts you,
But pour out the life of the god who seized evil."

Having placed in their midst the Images,
They addressed themselves to Marduk, their first-born: (20)

"Lord, truly your decree is first among gods.
Say but to wreck or create; it shall be.
Open your mouth: the Images will vanish!
Speak again, and the Images shall be whole!"

At the word of his mouth the Images vanished.
He spoke again, and the Images were restored.
When the gods, his fathers, saw the fruit of his word,
Joyfully they did homage: "Marduk is king!"
They conferred on him scepter, throne, and vestment;
They gave him matchless weapons that ward off the foes: (30)

"Go and cut off the life of Tiamat.
May the winds bear her blood to places undisclosed."

Bel's destiny thus fixed, the gods, his fathers,
Caused him to go the way of success and attainment.
He constructed a bow, marked it as his weapon,
Attached thereto the arrow, fixed its bow-cord.
He raised the mace, made his right hand grasp it;
Bow and quiver he hung at his side.
In front of him he set the lightning,
With a blazing flame he filled his body. (40)

He then made a net to enfold Tiamat therein.

The four winds he stationed that nothing of her might escape,
The South Wind, 
the North Wind, 
the East Wind,
the West Wind.

Close to his side he held the net, the gift of his father, Anu.

He brought forth Imhullu "the Evil Wind," 
the Whirl-wind, 
the Hurricane,
The Fourfold Wind,
the Sevenfold Wind, 
the Cyclone,
the Matchless Wind;
Then he sent forth the winds he had brought forth, 
the seven of them.
 

To stir up the inside of Tiamat they rose up behind him.

Then the lord raised up the flood-storm, his mighty weapon.

He mounted the storm-chariot irresistible and terrifying. (50)

He harnessed and yoked to it a team-of-four,
The Killer, the Relentless, the Trampler, the Swift.

Their lips were parted, their teeth bore poison.
They were tireless and skilled in destruction.
On his right he posted the Smiter, fearsome in battle,
On the left the Combat, which repels all the zealous.

For a cloak he was wrapped in an armor of terror;
With his fearsome halo his head was turbaned.

A plant to put out poison was grasped in his hand.
Then they milled about him, the gods milled about him,
The gods, his fathers, milled about him, the gods milled about him.
The lord approached to scan the inside of Tiamat,
And of Kingu, her consort, the scheme to perceive.
As he looks on, his course becomes upset,
His will is distracted and his doings are confused.
And when the gods, his helpers, who marched at his side,
 
 

Saw the valiant hero, their vision became blurred. (70)
Tiamat emitted a cry, without turning her neck,
Framing savage defiance in her lips:

"You are too important for the lord of the gods to rise up against you!
Is it in their place that they have gathered, or in your place?"

Thereupon the lord, having raised the flood-storm, his mighty weapon,
To enraged Tiamat he sent word as follows:

"Why are you risen, haughtily exalted,
You have charged your own heart to stir up conflict, . . . sons reject their own fathers,

While you, who have born them, have foresworn love! (80)
You have appointed Kingu as your consort,
Conferring upon him the rank of Anu, not rightfully his.
Against Anshar, king of the gods, you seek evil;
Against the gods, my fathers, you have confirmed your wickedness.
Though your forces are drawn up, your weapons girded on,
Stand up, that I and you might meet in single combat!"
 
 
 
 
 

When Tiamat heard this,
She was like one possessed; she took leave of her senses.

In fury Tiamat cried out aloud.
To the roots her legs shook both together. (90)
She recites a charm, keeps casting her spell,
While the gods of battle sharpen their weapons.
 
 

Then Tiamat and Marduk joined issue , wisest of gods.
They strove in single combat, locked in battle.
The lord spread out his net to enfold her,
The Evil Wind, which followed behind, he let loose in her face.
 

When Tiamat opened her mouth to consume him,
He drove in the Evil Wind that she close not her lips.
As the fierce winds charged her belly,
 

Her body was distended and her mouth was wide open. (100)
He released the arrow, it tore her belly,
It cut through her insides, splitting the heart.
Having thus subdued her, he extinguished her life.
He cast down her carcass to stand upon it.

After he had slain Tiamat, the leader,
Her band was shattered, her troupe broken up;
And the gods, her helpers who marched at her side,
Trembling with terror, turned their backs about,
In order to save and preserve their lives.
Tightly encircled, they could not escape.
He made them captives and he smashed their weapons.
Thrown into the net, they found themselves ensnared;
Placed in cells, they were filled with wailing;
Bearing his wrath, they were held imprisoned.
 
 

And the eleven creatures which she had charged with awe,
The whole band of demons that marched on her right,
He cast into fetters, their hands he bound.
For all their resistance, he trampled them underfoot.
And Kingu, who had been made chief among them,
He bound and accounted him to Uggae. (120)
He took from him the Tablet of Destinies, not rightfully his,
Sealed them with a seal and fastened them on his breast.
When he had vanquished and subdued his adversaries,
Had . . . the vainglorious foe,
Had wholly established Anshar's triumph over the foe,
Had achieved Nudimmud's desire, valiant Marduk
Strengthened his hold on the vanquished gods,
 
 
 
 

And turned back to Tiamat whom he had bound.
The lord trod on the legs of Tiamat,
 

With his unsparing mace he crushed her skull. (130)
When the arteries of her blood he had severed,
The North Wind bore it to places undisclosed.

On seeing this, his fathers were joyful and jubilant,
They brought gifts of homage, they to him.
Then the lord paused to view her dead body,
That he might divide the monster and do artful works.

He split her like a shellfish into two parts:
Half of her he set up and ceiled it as sky,
Pulled down the bar and posted guards.
 

He bade them to allow not her waters to escape. (140)
 

He crossed the heavens and surveyed the regions.
 

He squared Apsu's quarter, the abode of Nudimmud,
As the lord measured the dimensions of Apsu.

The Great Abode, its likeness, he fixed as Esharra,
The Great Abode, Esharra, which he made as the firmament.
Anu, Enlil, and Ea he made occupy their places.

 60 Und wandte sich zu Tiâmat, die wütend tobte. 
      Auf den Lippen hatte er eine Beschwörung, 

      Mit den Händen umschloß er die Pflanze, die das Gift vertreibt. 
      An jenem Tage liefen sie, die Götter, ja sie liefen voll Angst um ihn, 
      Die Götter, seine Väter, liefen, ja die Götter liefen voll Angst um ihn. 
 65 Es nahte sich der Herr, der Tiâmat Vorkehrungen zu beobachten, 
      Und die Absichten Kingus, ihres Gatten, zu erforschen: 
      Beim ersten Blick schwankt sein Gang, 
      Sein Geist wird kraftlos, seine Gebärden ohne Zusammenhang, 
      Und die Götter, seine Helfer, die ihm zur Seite gehen,
 70 Sehen den tapferen Helden, und ihr Blick wird verwirrt. 
      Er warf, doch Tiâmat wandte das Haupt nicht, 
      Auf ihren Lippen trug sie grobe Lügen: 
      'Du bist wichtig; dein Vorgehen ist das des Herrn der Götter! 
      Von ihrer Stätte begaben sie sich zu deiner.' 
 75 Der Herr erhob den Zyklon, seine gewaltige Waffe, 
      Und der Tiâmat, die Versöhnung heuchelte, rief er zu: 
      'Warum sprichst du überfreundliche Worte, 
      Da du dich innerlich zum Angriff rüstest? 
      Die Söhne haben sich getrennt, ohne Achtung vor ihren Vätern, 
 
 
 

80 Denn du, die sie geboren, hast jedem mütterlichen Sinn entsagt. 
      Du wähltest diesen Kingu dir als Gatten, 
      Rechtswidrig hast du ihn mit allerhöchster Macht bekleidet, 
      Wider Anschar, den König der Götter, 
      hast du feindliche Pläne geschmiedet, 
      Wider die Götter, meine Väter, hast du deine Bosheit gerichtet. 
 85 Deine Truppe mag sich ausrüsten oder dir die Waffen anlegen! 
      Begegnen wir uns lieber und kämpfen im Zweikampf!' 
 

      Als Tiâmat dies hörte, 
      Geriet sie außer sich, verlor den Verstand. 

      Sie stieß gegen ihn ein solches Gebrüll aus, 
 90 Daß ihre Beine von oben bis unten gegeneinander schlotterten. 
      Sie sagte eine Beschwörung und warf einen Zauberspruch aus, 
      Indes die Götter des Kampfes ihre Waffen schärften. 

      Da traten zusammen Tiâmat und Marduk, der weiseste der Götter, 
      Stürzten sich aufeinander und begegneten sich im Kampf. 
 95 Es breitete der Herr sein Netz aus, fing sie darin, 
      Er ließ vor ihr los den schlimmen Wind, den er aufbewahrt hatte, 

      Als Tiâmat das Maul auftat, um ihn zu verschlingen, 
      Warf er den Sturm hinein, damit sie ihre Lippen nicht wieder schließen könne. 
      Die grimmigen Winde füllten ihren Leib. 

100 Ihr Leib blähte sich auf, und ihr Maul blieb offen. 
      Er schoß einen Pfeil ab, zerriß ihr den Bauch, 
      Ihr Inneres zerriß er und durchbohrte ihr Herz. 
      Als er sie bezwungen hatte, tilgte er ihr Leben aus, 
      Ihren Leichnam warf er zu Boden und stellte sich darauf. 

105 Als er Tiâmat, die Anführerin, erschlagen hatte, 
      Zerbrach er ihre Rotte, ihr Heer zerstreute sich. 
      Und die Götter, ihre Helfer, die ihr zur Seite gingen, 
      Erzitterten, fürchteten sich, wandten sich rückwärts. 
      Sie versuchten zu entweichen, ihr Leben zu retten, 
110 Doch sie waren umgarnt, jede Flucht war ihnen versagt. 
      Er band sie und zerbrach ihre Waffen. 
      Sie waren in Netze geworfen, sie blieben im Garne gefangen, 
      Zusammengedrückt in Winkeln waren sie voll Wehklagen. 
      Sie erlitten ihre Strafe und blieben im Gefängnis. 
 

115 Die elf, die sie mit Furchtbarkeit beladen hatte, 
      Die Rotte der Dämonen, die zu ihrer Rechten eingesetzt war, 
      Warf er in Fesseln, band ihre Glieder. 
      Zur Strafe für ihren Aufruhr trat er sie nieder. 
      Und Kingu, der an ihre Spitze gestellt worden war, 
120 Fesselte er und setzte ihn unter die Zahl der toten Götter. 
      Er nahm ihm die Schicksalstafel, die ihm nicht gebührte, 
      Mit einem Siegel versiegelte er sie und heftete sie an seine Brust. 
      Nachdem er seine Feinde so bezwungen, 
      Den frechen Gegner versklavt hatte, 
125 Den Triumph Anschars über den Feind endgültig gewonnen hatte, 
      Nachdem er, Marduk, der Tapfere, den Wunsch des Ea erfüllt hatte, 
      Machte er über die gefangenen Götter gewaltig seine Haft 
 

      Und kehrte zurück zu Tiâmat, die er bezwungen hatte. 

      Es stellte der Herr seinen Fuß auf Tiâmats Kreuz, 

130 Mit seinem schonungslosen Dolch spaltete er ihren Schädel, 
      Durchschnitt ihre Adern, 
      Und der Nordwind entführte das Blut in die Ferne. 
      Als seine Väter es sahen, freuten sie sich, jubelten, 
      Brachten ihm Geschenke und Gaben. 
135 Es ruhte der Herr und beschaute ihren Leichnam. 
      Aus dem geteilten Ungeheuer wollte er Kunstvolles schaffen. 

      Er schnitt es also entzwei wie einen getrockneten Fisch, 
      Der einen Hälfte bediente er sich, das Himmelsgewölbe zu machen, 
      Zog den Riegel, setzte Wächter ein 

140 Und schärfte ihnen ein ihre Wassers nicht herauszulassen. 

      Er ging durch die Himmel, durchforschte ihre Gegenden, 
      Um dort ein Gegenstück des Apsu zu errichten als Wohnung Nudimmuds. 

      Es maß der Herr die Ausmaße des Apsu, 
      Einen Palast nach seinem Bild, errichtete er dort, den Escharra. 
145 Der Palast Escharra, den er erbaute, war der Himmel. 
      Anu, Enlil und Ea ließ er an ihren Stätten wohnen.» 

Tablet V

After defining the days of the year by means of heavenly figures,

He founded the station of Nebiru to determine their heavenly bands,
That none might transgress or fall short.
 

Alongside it he set up the stations of Enlil and Ea.
Having opened up the gates on both sides,
He strengthened the locks to the left and the right. (10)
In her belly he established the zenith.

The Moon he caused to shine, entrusting the night to him.
He appointed him a creature of the night to signify the days:
 

"Monthly, without cease, form designs with a crown.
At the month's very start, rising over the land,
You shall have luminous horns to signify six days,
On the seventh day reaching a half-crown.
 
 

At full moon stand in opposition in mid-month.
 

When the sun overtakes you at the base of heaven,
Diminish your crown and retrogress in light. (20)
At the time of disappearance approach the course of the sun,
And on the thirtieth you shall again stand in opposition to the sun.
I have appointed a sign, follow its path,
. . . approach and give judgement."

(Lines 25~44 are too broken for translation. It is clear from the traces, however, that after completing his creation of the moon Marduk turned his attention to establishing the sun.)

After he had appointed the days to Shamash, (45)
And had established the precincts of night and day,
Taking the spittle of Tiamat
Marduk created . . .
 

He formed the clouds and filled them with water.
The raising of winds, the bringing of rain and cold, (50)
Making the mist smoke, piling up her poison:
These he appointed to himself, took into his own charge.
Putting her head into position he formed thereon the mountains,
Opening the deep which was in flood,
He caused to flow from her eyes the Euphrates and Tigris,
Stopping her nostrils he left . . . ,
He formed at her udder the lofty mountains,
Therein he drilled springs for the wells to carry off the water
 
 
 

.
Twisting her tail he bound it to Durmah,
. . . Apsu at his foot, (60)
. . . her crotch, she was fastened to the heavens,
Thus he covered the heavens and established the earth.
. . . in the midst of Tiamat he made flow,
. . . his net he completely let out,
So he created heaven and earth . . . ,
. . . their bounds . . . established.
When he had designed his rules and fashioned his ordinances,
He founded the shrines and handed them over to Ea.

The Tablet of Destinies which he had taken from Kingu he carried,
He brought it as the first gift of greeting, he gave it to Anu. (70)
The gods who had done battIe and been scattered,
He led bound into the presence of his fathers.
Now the eleven creatures which Tiamat had made . . . ,
Whose weapons he had shattered, which he had tied to his foot:
Of these he made statues and set them up at the
Gate of Apsu saying:

"Let it be a token that this may never be forgotten!"

When the gods saw this they were exceedingly glad,
Lahmu, Lahamu, and all of his fathers
Crossed over to him, and Anshar, the king, made manifest his greeting,
Anu, Enlil, and Ea presented to him gifts. (80)
With a gift Damkina, his mother, made him joyous,
She sent offerings, his face brightened.
To Usmi who brought her gift to a secret place
He entrusted the chancellorship of Apsu and the stewardship of the shrines.
Being assembled, all the Igigi bowed down,
While everyone of the Anunnaki kissed his feet,
. . . their assembly to do obeisance,
They stood before him, bowed and said: "He is the king!"
After the gods, his fathers, were satiated with his charms. (89)

(Lines 90-106 are too mutilated for translation. In this passage the seating of Marduk on the throne with his weapons was described.)

Ea and Damkina . . . , (107)
They opened their mouths to speak to the great gods, the Igigi:

"Formerly Marduk was merely our beloved son,
Now he is your king, proclaim his title!"

A second speech they made, they all spoke:

"His name shall be Lugaldimmerankia, trust in him!"

When they had given the sovereignty to Marduk,
They declared for him a formula of good fortune and success:

"Henceforth you will be the patron of our sanctuaries,
Whatever you command we will do."

Marduk opened his mouth to speak,
To say a word to the gods, his fathers:

"Above the Apsu where you have resided,
The counterpart of Esharra which I have built over you, (120)
Below I have hardened the ground for a building site,
I will build a house, it will be my luxurious abode.
I will found therein its temple,
I will appoint its inner rooms, I will establish my sovereignty.
When you come up from the Apsu for assembly,
You will spend the night in it, it is there to receive all of you.
When you descend from heaven for assembly,
You will spend the night in it, it is there to receive all of you.
I will call its name `Babylon' which means `the houses of the great gods,'
I shall build it with the skill of craftsmen." (130)

When the gods, his fathers, heard this speech of his,
They put the following question to Marduk, their firstborn:

"Over all that your hands have created,
Who will have your authority?
Over the ground which your hands have created,
Who will have your power?
Babylon, which you have given a fine name,
Therein establish our abode forever!
. . . , let them bring our daily ration,
. . . our . . . , (140)
Let no one usurp our tasks which we previously performed,
Therein . . . its labor . . .."

Marduk rejoiced when he heard this and
He answered those gods who had questioned him,
He that slew Tiamat showed them light,
He opened his mouth, his speech was noble:

" . . . them . . .,
. . . will be entrusted to you."

The gods bowed down before him, they spoke to him,
They said to Lugaldimmerankia: (150)

"Formerly the lord was merely our beloved son,
Now he is our king, proclaim his title!
He whose pure incantation gave us life,
He is the lord of splendor, mace, and sceptre.
Ea who knows the skill of all crafts,

When Marduk hears the words of the gods,
His heart prompts him to fashion artful works.
Opening his mouth, he addresses Ea
To impart the plan he had conceived in his heart:

"Blood I will mass and cause bones to be.
I will establish a savage, `man' shall be his name.
truly, savage-man I will create.
He shall be charged with the service of the gods
That they might be at ease!
The ways of the gods I will artfully alter.
Though alike revered, into two groups they shall be divided."
 
 

Ea answered him, speaking a word to him,
Giving him another plan for the relief of the gods:

"Let but one of their brothers be handed over;
He alone shall perish that mankind may be fashioned.
Let the great gods be here in Assembly,
Let the guilty be handed over that they may endure."

Marduk summoned the great gods to Assembly;
Presiding graciously, he issues instructions.
To his utterance the gods pay heed.

The king addresses a word to the Anunnaki: (20)

"If your former statement was true,
Now declare the truth on oath by me!
Who was it that contrived the uprising,
And made Tiamat rebel, and joined battle?
Let him be handed over who contrived the uprising.
His guilt I will make him bear. You shall dwell in peace!"

The Igigi, the great gods, replied to him,
To Lugaldimmerankia, counselor of the gods, their lord:

"It was Kingu who contrived the uprising,
And made Tiamat rebel, and joined battle." (30)

They bound him, holding him before Ea.
They imposed on him his guilt and severed his blood vessels.
Out of his blood they fashioned mankind.
He imposed the service and let free the gods.

After Ea, the wise, had created mankind,
Had imposed upon it the service of the gods--
That work was beyond comprehension;
As artfully planned by Marduk, did Nudimmud create it--

Marduk, the king of the gods divided
All the Anunnaki above and below. (40)
He assigned them to Anu to guard his instructions.
Three hundred in the heavens he stationed as a guard.
In like manner the ways of the earth he defined.
In heaven and on earth six hundred thus he settled.
After he had ordered all the instructions,
To the Anunnaki of heaven and earth had alloted their portions,
The Anunnaki opened their mouths
And said to Marduk, their lord:

"Now, O lord, you who have caused our deliverance,
What shall be our homage to you? (50)
Let us build a shrine whose name shall be called
`Lo, a chamber for our nightly rest'; let us repose in it!
Let us build a throne, a recess for his abode!
On the day that we arrive we shall repose in it."

When Marduk heard this,
Brightly glowed his features, like the day:

"Construct Babylon, whose building you have requested,
Let its brickwork be fashioned. You shall name it `The Sanctuary.'"

The Anunnaki applied the implement;
For one whole year they molded bricks. (60)
When the second year arrived,
They raised high the head of Esagila equaling Apsu.
Having built a stage-tower as high as Apsu,
They set up in it an abode for Marduk, Enlil, and Ea
In their presence he was seated in grandeur.
To the base of Esharra its horns look down.

After they had achieved the building of Esagila,
All the Anunnaki erected their shrines.
The three hundred Igigi . . . . . . all of them gathered,
The lord being on the lofty dais which they had built as his abode, (70)
The gods, his fathers, at his banquet he seated:

"This is Babylon, the place that is your home!
Make merry in its precincts, occupy its broad places."

The great gods took their seats,
They set up festive drink, sat down to a banquet.
After they had made merry within it,
In Esagila, the splendid, had performed their rites,
The norms had been fixed and all their portents,
All the gods apportioned the stations of heaven and earth.
The fifty great gods took their seats. (80)

The seven gods of destiny set up the three hundred in heaven.

Enlil raised the bow, his weapon, and laid it before them.
The gods, his fathers, saw the net he had made.
When they beheld the bow, how skillful its shape,
His fathers praised the work he had wrought.
Raising it, Anu spoke up in the Assembly of the gods,
As he kissed the bow: "This is my daughter!"
He named the names of the bow as follows:

"Longwood is the first, the second is Accurate;
Its third name is Bow-Star, in heaven I have made it shine." (90)

He fixed its position with the gods its brothers.
After Anu had decreed the fate of the bow,
And had placed the lofty royal throne before the gods,
Anu placed it in the Assembly of the gods.
When the great gods had assembled,
They extolled the destiny of Marduk, they bowed down,
They pronounced among themselves a curse,
Swearing by water and oil to place life in jeopardy.
When they had granted him the exercise of kingship of the gods,
When they had given him dominion over the gods of heaven and underworld, (100)
Anshar pronounced supreme his name, Asarluhi, saying:

"Let us do obeisance at the mention of his name,
To his utterance let the gods give heed,
Let his command be supreme above and below!
Most exalted be the Son, our avenger;
Let his sovereignty be surpassing, having no rival.
May he shepherd the black-headed ones, his creatures.
To the end of days, without forgetting, let them acclaim his ways.
May he establish for his fathers the great food-offerings; (110)
Their support they shall furnish, shall tend their sanctuaries.
May he cause incense to be smelled, . . . their spells,
Make a likeness on earth of what he has wrought in heaven.
May he order the black-headed to revere him,
May the subjects ever bear in mind to speak of their god,
And may they at his word pay heed to the goddess.
May food-offerings be borne for their gods and goddesses.
Without fail let them support their gods!
Their lands let them improve, build their shrines,
Let the black-headed wait on their gods. (120)
As for us, by however many names we pronounce, he is our god!
Let us then proclaim his fifty names:

`He whose ways are glorious, whose deeds are likewise,
(1) MARDUK, as Anu, his father, called him from his birth;
Who provides grazing and drinking places, enriches their stalls,
Who with the flood-storm, his weapon, vanquished the detractors,
And who the gods, his fathers, rescued from distress.

Truly, the Son of the Sun, most radiant of gods is he.

In his brilliant light may they walk forever!

On the people he brought forth, endowed with life, (130)

The service of the gods he imposed that these may have ease.

Creation, destruction, deliverance, grace--
Shall be by his command. They shall look up to him!

(2) MARUKKA truly is the god, creator of all,
Who gladdens the heart of the Anunnaki, appeases the Igigi.

(3) MARUTUKKU truly is the refuge of his land, city, and people.

Unto him shall the people give praise forever.

(4) BARASHAKUSHU stood up and took hold of its reins;
Wide is his heart, warm his sympathy.

(5) LUGALDIMMERANKIA is his name which we proclaimed in our Assembly. (140)

His commands we have exalted above the gods, his fathers.

Truly, he is lord of all the gods of heaven and underworld,
The king at whose discipline the gods above and below are in mourning."

(6) NARI-LUGALDIMMERANKIA is the name of him
Whom we have called the monitor of the gods;
Who in heaven and on earth founds for us retreats in trouble,
And who allots stations to the Igigi and Anunnaki.

At his name the gods shall tremble and quake in retreat.

(7) ASARULUDU is that name of his
Which Anu, his father, proclaimed for him.

He is truly the light of the gods, the mighty leader,
Who, as the protecting deities of god and land, (150)
In fierce single combat saved our retreats in distress.

Asaruludu, secondly, they have named (8) NAMTILLAKU,
The god who maintains life,
Who restored the lost gods, as though his own creation;
The lord who revives the dead gods by his pure incantation,
Who destroys the wayward foes. Let us praise his prowess!

Asaruludu, whose name was thirdly called (9) NAMRU,
The shining god who illumines our ways.

Three each of his names have Anshar, Lahmu, and Lahamu proclaimed;
Unto the gods, their sons, they did utter them:

"We have proclaimed three each of his names. (160)
Like us, do you utter his names!"

Joyfully the gods heeded their command,
As in Ubshukinna they exchanged counsels:

"Of the heroic son, our avenger,
Of our supporter we will exalt the name!"

They sat down in their Assembly to fashion destinies,

Tablet VII

(11) ASARUALIM, 
who is honored in the place of counsel, 
who excels in counsel;

To whom the gods hope, not being possessed of fear.
(12) ASARUALIMNUNNA, 
the gracious, light of the father, his begetter,

Who directs the decrees of Anu, Enlil, Ea and Ninigiku.

He is their provider who assigns their portions,
Whose horned cap is plenty, multiplying . . . .

(13) TUTU is he, who effects their restoration.
Let him purify their shrines that they may have ease.
Let him devise the spell that the gods may be at rest.
Should they rise in anger, let them turn back.
Truly, he is supreme in the Assembly of the gods;
No one among the gods is his equal.

Tutu is (14) ZIUKKINNA, life of the host of the gods,
Who established for the gods the holy heavens;
Who keeps a hold on their ways, determines their courses;
He shall not be forgotten by the beclouded. 
Let them Remember his deeds!

Tutu they thirdly called (15) ZIKU, who establishes holiness,
The god of the benign breath, 
the lord who hearkens and acceeds; (20)

Who produces riches and treasures, establishes abundance;
Who has turned all our wants to plenty;
Whose benign breath we smelled in sore distress.
Let them speak, let them exalt, let them sing his praises!

Tutu, fourthly, let the people magnify as (16) AGAKU,
The lord of the holy charm, who revives the dead;
Who had mercy on the vanquished gods,
Who removed the yoke imposed on the gods, his enemies,
And who, to redeem them, created mankind;
The merciful, in whose power it lies to grant life. (30)
May his words endure, not to be forgotten,
In the mouth of the black-headed, 
whom his hands have created.

Tutu, fifthly, is (17) TUKU, 
whose holy spell their mouths shall murmur;
Who with his holy charm has uprooted all the evil ones.

(18) SHAZU, who knows the heart of the gods,
Who examines the inside;
From whom the evildoer cannot escape;
Who sets up the Assembly of the gods, gladdens their hearts;
Who subdues the insubmissive; their wide-spread protection;
Who directs justice, roots out crooked talk,
Who wrong and right in his place keeps apart. (40)
Shazu may they, secondly, 
exalt as (19) as Zisi,
Who silences the insurgent;
Who banishes consternation from the body of the gods, 
his fathers.

Shazu is, thirdly, (20) SUHRIM, 
who with the weapon roots out all enemies,
Who frustrates their plans, scatters them to the winds;
Who blots out all the wicked ones who tremble before him.
Let the gods exult in Assembly!

Shazu is, fourthly, (21) SUHGURIM, 
who insures a hearing for the gods, his fathers,
Creator of the gods, his fathers,
Who roots out the enemies, destroys their progeny;
Who frustrates their doings, leaving nothing of them.
May his name be evoked and spoken in the land! (50)
Shazu, fifthly, they shall praise as (22) ZAHRIM, 
the lold of the living,
Who destroys all adversaries, 
all the disobedient; pursues the evil;
Who all the fugitive gods brought home to their shrines.
May this his name endure!

To Shazu, moreover, they shall, sixthly, 
render all honor as (23) ZAHGURIM,
Who all the foes destroyed as though in battle.
(24) ENBILULU, the lord who makes them flourish, is he;
The mighty one who named them, 
who instituted roast-offerings ;
Who ever regulates for the land 
the grazing and watering places;
Who opened the wells, apportioning waters of abundance. 
(60)

Enbilulu, secondly, they shall glorify as (25) EPADUN,
The lord who sprinkles the field,
Irrigator of heaven and earth, who establishes seed-rows,
Who forms fine plow land in the steppe,
Dam and ditch regulates, who delimits the furrow;
Enbilulu, thirdly, they shall praise as (36) ENBILULUGUGAL,
The irrigator of the plantations of the gods;
Lord of abundance, opulence, and of ample crops,
Who provides wealth, enriches all dwellings,
Who furnishes millet, causes barley to appear.

Enbilulu is (27) HEGAL, 
who heaps up abundance for the people's consumption;
Who causes rich rains over the wide earth, 
provides vegetation.
(28) SIRSIR, who heaped up a mountain over her, Tiamat, (70)

Who the corpse of Tiamat carried off with his weapon;
Who directs the land--their faithful shepherd;
Whose hair is a grain field, his horned cap furrows;
Who the wide-spreading Sea vaults in his wrath,

Crossing her like a bridge at the place of single combat.

Sirsir, secondly, they named (29) MALAH--and so forth--
Tiamat is his vessel and he the rider.
(30) GIL, who stores up grain heaps--massive mounds--
Who brings forth barley and millet, 
furnishes the seed of the land.
(31) GILMA, who makes lasting the lofty abode of the gods,
Creator of security, (80)
The hoop that holds the barrel together, 
who presents good things.
(32) AGILMA, the exalted one, 
who tears off the crown from the wrong position,
Who creates the clouds above the waters, 
makes enduring aloft.
(33) ZULUM, who designates the fields for the gods, 
allots the creation,
Who grants portions and food-offerings, 
tends the shrines.
(34) MUMMU, Creator of heaven and earth, who directs. . . .
The god who sanctifies heaven and earth is, 
secondly, (35) ZULUMMAR,
Whom no other among the gods can match in strength.
(35) GISHNUMUNAB,Creator of all people, 
who made the world regions,
Destroyer of the gods of Tiamat; 
who made men out of their substance. (90)
(36) LUGALABDUBUR, 
the king who frustrated the work of Tiamat,
Rooted out her weapons;

Whose foundation is firm in front and in the rear.
(37) PAGALGUENNA, the foremost of all the lords, 
whose strength is outstanding;
Who is pre-eminent in the royal abode, 
most exalted of the gods.
(38) LUGALDURMAH, the king, 
bond of the gods, lord of the Durmah,
Who is pre-eminent in the abode of the gods, 
most exalted of the gods.
(39) ARANUNNA, counselor of Ea, 
creator of the gods, his fathers,
Whose princely ways no god whatever can equal.
(40) DUMUDUKU, whose pure dwelling 
is renewed in Duku; Dumuduku, 
without whom Lugalkuduga makes no decision. (100)
(41) LUGALLANNA, 
the king whose strength is outstanding among the gods,
The lord, strength of Anu, 
who became supreme at the call of Anshar.
(42) LUGALUGGA, 
who carried off all of them amidst the struggle,
Who all wisdom encompasses, broad in perception.
(43) IRKINGU, who carried off Kingu in the thick of the battle,
Who conveys guidance for all, establishes rulership.

(44) KINMA, who directs all the gods, the giver of counsel,
At whose name the gods quake in fear, as at the storm.
(45) ESIZKUR shall sit aloft in the house of prayer;
May the gods bring their presents before him,
That from him they may receive their assignments;
None can without him create artful works.
Four black-headed ones are among his creatures;
Aside from him no god knows the answer as to their days.
(46) GIBIL, who maintains the sharp point of the weapon,
Who creates artful works in the battle with Tiamat;
Who has broad wisdom, is accomplished in insight,
Whose mind is so vast that the gods, 
all of them, cannot fathom it.
(47) ADDU be his name, the whole sky may he cover.
May his beneficent roar ever hover over the earth; (120)
May he, as Mummu, diminish the clouds;
Below, may he furnish sustenance for the people
(48) ASHARU, who, as is his name, guided the gods of destiny;
All of the people are truly in his charge.
(49) NEBIRU shall hold the crossings of heaven and earth,
So that the gods cannot cross above and below,
They must wait upon him.
Nebiru is the star which in the skies is brilliant.

Truly he holds the central position, they shall bow down to him,

Saying: "He who the midst of the Sea restlessly crosses,
Let `Crossing' be his name, who controls its midst.
May they uphold the course of the stars of heaven;
May he shepherd all the gods like sheep.

May he vanquish Tiamat; may her life be strait and short!
Into the future of mankind, when days have grown old,
May she recede without cease and stay away forever.

Because he created the spaces and fashioned the firm ground,
Father Enlil called his name (50) LORD OF THE LANDS.'
When all the names which the Igigi proclaimed,
Ea had heard, his spirit rejoiced,

Thus:
"He whose names his fathers have glorified,
He is indeed even as I; his name shall be Ea. (140)
All my combined rites he shall administer;
All my instructions he shall carry out!"

With the title "Fifty" the great gods Proclaimed him 
whose names are fifty and made his way supreme.

Epilogue