Ancient texts / Enuma Elish (The Babylonian Epic of Creation)
Enuma Elish (The Babylonian Epic of Creation) Tablet II
The gods learn of Tiamat's army. Ea and Anu fail against her. Marduk agrees to fight — on condition that his word be made supreme.
1Tiamat made solid that which she had moulded.
2She bound the gods her children with [evil bonds].
3Tiamat wrought wickedness to avenge Apsu.
4When ... had harnessed his chariot he went to meet Ea,
5Ea hearkened to his story,
6He was sorely afflicted and abode in sorrow,
7The days were long, his wrath died down.
8He went his way to the dwelling of Anshar, his father,
9He went into the presence of Anshar, the father who begat him,
10Whatsoever Tiamat had devised he repeated unto him,
11Mother Tiamat who gave us birth hath sown these things.
12She hath set in order her assembly, she rageth furiously,
13All the gods have joined themselves to her.
14They march by her side together with those whom ye have created.
15They formed a band and went forth to battle to help Tiamat,
16They were exceedingly wroth, they made plots by day and by night without ceasing,
17They offered battle, fuming and raging,
18They set the battle in array, they uttered cries of defiance.
19Ummu-Khubur, who fashioned all things,
20Set up the unrivalled weapon, she spawned huge serpents
21Sharp of tooth, pitiless in attack (?)
22She filled their bodies with venom instead of blood,
23Grim, monstrous serpents arrayed in terror.
24She decked them with brightness, she fashioned them in exalted forms,
25So that fright and horror might overcome him that looked upon them,
26So that their bodies might rear up, and no man resist their attack.
27She set up the Viper, and the Snake, and the god Lakhamu,
28The Whirlwind, the ravening Dog, the Scorpion-man,
29The Storm-wind, the Fish-man, the Horned Beast.
30They carried the Weapon which spared not, nor flinched from the battle.
31Most mighty were Tiamat's allies, they could not be resisted.
32Thus she caused eleven [monsters] of this kind to come into being.
33Among the gods, her first-born son who had collected her company,
34That is to say, Kingu, she set on high, she made him the great one amongst them.
35Leader of the hosts in battle, disposer of the troops,
36Bearer of the firmly-grasped weapon, attacker in the fight,
37He who in the battle is the master of the weapon,
38She appointed, she made him to sit down in [goodly apparel]
39[Saying], "I have recited the incantation for thee, I have magnified thee in the assembly of the gods,
40"I have filled his [sic, read 'thy'] hand with the sovereignty of the whole company of the gods.
41"Mayest thou be magnified, thou who art my only spouse,
42"May the Anunnaki make great thy renown over all of them."
43She gave him the TABLET OF DESTINIES, she fastened it on his breast, [saying]--
44"As for thee, thy command shall not fall empty, what goeth forth from thy mouth shall be established."
45When Kingu was raised on high and had taken the heavens (literally, "the god Anutum")
46He fixed the destinies for the gods his sons, [saying],
47"Open your mouths, let the Fire-god be quenched,
48"He who is glorious in battle and is most mighty shall do great deeds."
49When Anshar heard that Tiamat was stirred mightily,
50... he bit his lips
51... his mind was not at peace
55"Thou hast slain Mummu and Apsu
56"But Tiamat hath exalted Kingu--where is the one who can meet her?
72Anshar spake a word unto his son [Anu]:--
73"... this is a difficulty, my warrior
74"Whose power is exalted, whose attack cannot be stayed,
75"Go and stand thou in the presence of Tiamat,
76"That her spirit [be quieted], her heart softened.
77"But should she not hearken unto thy word,
78"Speak thou our word unto her so that she may be abated."
79[Anu] heard the order of his father Anshar.
80He took the straight road to her, and hastened on the way to her.
81Anu drew nigh, he searched out the plan of Tiamat,
82He could not prevail against her, he turned back.
83He (Anu) went to his father Anshar who begat him,
84He spake unto him a word [concerning Tiamat]
85[She laid] hands upon me that withered me up."
86Anshar was distressed, he looked down upon the ground,
87He turned pale; towards Ea he lifted up his head.
88All the Anunnaki assembled at their posts.
89They shut their mouths, they sat in lamentation.
90[They said], "Nowhere is there a god who can attack Tiamat.
91"He would not escape from Tiamat's presence with his life."
92The Lord Anshar, the Father of the gods, [spake] majestically,
93He lifted up his heart, he addressed the Anunnaki, [saying]
94"He whose [strength] is mighty [shall be] an avenger for [us]
95"The ... in the strife, Marduk the Hero."
96Ea called Marduk to the place where he gave oracles,
97Marduk came and according to his heart he addressed him,
98[Saying], "O Marduk, hear the counsel and advice of thy father,
99"Thou art the son who refresheth his heart,
100"Draw nigh and enter the presence of An-shar,
101"Stand there [with joy], when he looketh upon thee he will be at rest."
113The Lord [Marduk] rejoiced at the word of his father,
114He approached and took up his place before Anshar.
115Anshar looked upon him and his heart was filled with gladness.
116He (i.e., Anshar) kissed his (Marduk's) lips, and his (Anshar's) fear was removed. [Then Marduk said]
117"My father, let not the opening of thy mouth be closed,
118"I will go, I will make to take place all that is in thy heart.
119"Anshar, let not the opening of thy mouth be closed,
120"I will go, I will make to take place all that is in thy heart." [Anshar says to Marduk]
121"What man is the cause of the battle which made thee go forth
122"... Tiamat, who is a woman, pursueth thee with weapons.
123"Rejoice our [hearts] and make us glad.
124"Thou thyself shalt soon trample upon the neck of Tiamat,
125"Rejoice our [hearts] and make us glad.
126"Thou thyself shalt soon trample upon the neck of Tiamat.
127"My son, who dost comprehend everything,
128"Cast deep sleep upon Tiamat with thy holy spell.
129"Betake thyself to thy march with all speed.
130"..."
131The Lord [Marduk] rejoiced at the word of his father,
132His heart leaped with joy, to his father he spake, [saying],
133"O Lord of the gods, Overlord of the Great Gods,
134"Should I as your avenger
135"Slay Tiamat and bestow life upon you,
136"Summon a meeting, proclaim and magnify my position,
137"Sit ye down together in friendly fashion in Upshukkinaku.
138"Let me issue decrees by the opening of my mouth even as ye do.
139"Whatsoever I bring to pass let it remain unaltered,
140"That which my mouth uttereth shall never fail or be brought to nought."
Lines 52-54 too fragmentary for translation.
Lines 57 and 58 imperfect; lines 59-71 wanting.
Editorial restorations by the translator are in [square brackets]; “…” and italic notes mark where the tablet is broken. Bracketed scene-headings are the translator's, not part of the text.