Tablet I

The stage is set for the story. The various gods represent aspects of the physical world. Apsu is the god of fresh water and thus male fertility. Tiamat, wife of Apsu, is the goddess of the sea and thus chaos and threat. Tiamat gives birth to Anshar and Kishar, gods who represented the boundary between the earth and sky (the horizon). To Anshar and Kishar is born Anu, god of sky, who in turn bears Ea. These "sons of the gods" make so much commotion and are so ill-behaved that Apsu decides to destroy them. When Ea learns of the plan, he kills Apsu and with his wife Damkina establishes their dwelling above his body. Damkina then gives birth to Marduk, the god of spring symbolized both by the light of the sun and the lightning in storm and rain. He was also the patron god of the city of Babylon. Meanwhile Tiamat is enraged at the murder of her husband Apsu, and vows revenge. She creates eleven monsters to help her carry out her vengeance. Tiamat takes a new husband, Kingu, in place of the slain Apsu and puts him in charge of her newly assembled army.

When on high the heaven had not been named,
Firm ground below had not been called by name,
When primordial Apsu, their begetter,
And Mummu-Tiamat, she who bore them all,
Their waters mingled as a single body,
No reed hut had sprung forth, no marshland had appeared,
None of the gods had been brought into being,
And none bore a name, and no destinies determined--
Then it was that the gods were formed in the midst of heaven.
Lahmu and Lahamu were brought forth, by name they were called. (10)

Before they had grown in age and stature,
Anshar and Kishar were formed, surpassing the others.
Long were the days, then there came forth.....
Anu was their heir, of his fathers the rival;
Yes, 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. (20)

Thus were established and were... the great gods.
They disturbed Tiamat as they surged back and forth,
Yes, they troubled the mood of Tiamat
By their hilarity in the Abode of Heaven.
Apsu could not lessen their clamor
And Tiamat was speechless at their ways.
Their doings were loathsome unto . . . .
Thier way was evil; they were overbearing.
Then Apsu, the begetter of the great gods,
Cried out, addressing Mummu, his minister: (30)

"O Mummu, my vizier, who rejoices my spirit,
Come here 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 to resplendent Tiamat:
"Their ways are truly loathsome to me.
By day I find no relief, nor repose by night.
I will destroy, I will wreck their ways,
That quiet may be restored. Let us have rest!" (40)

As soon as Tiamat heard this,
She was furious and called out to her husband.
She cried out aggrieved, as she raged all alone,
She uttered a curse, and unto Apsu she spoke:
"What? Should we destroy that which we have built?
Their ways indeed are most troublesome, but let us attend kindly!"
Then Mummu answered, giving counsel to Apsu;
Ill-wishing and ungracious was Mummu's advice:
"Do destroy, my father, the mutinous ways.
Then you will have relief by day and rest by night!" (50)

When Apsu heard this, his face grew radiant
Because of the evil he planned against the gods, his sons.
As for Mummu, he embraced him by the neck
As that one sat down on his knees to kiss him.
Now whatever they had 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. (60)

A master design against it he devised and set up,
Made artful 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 he had made Apsu prone, drenched with sleep,
Mummu, the adviser, was powerless to stir.
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. (70)

Having thus established his dwelling upon Apsu,
He laid hold of Mummu, holding him by the nose-rope.
After Ea had vanquished and trodden down his foes,
Had secured his triumph over his enemies,
In his sacred chamber in profound peace had 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.

[The Birth of Marduk]
In the chamber of fates, the abode of destinies,
A god was engendered, most able and wisest of gods. (80)

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 bore him was Damkina, his mother.
The breast of goddesses he did suck.
The nurse that nursed him filled him with awesomeness.
Alluring was his figure, sparkling the lift of 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. (90)

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, difficult to perceive.
Four were his eyes, four were his ears;
When he moved his lips, fire blazed forth.
Large were all four 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 enormous, he was exceeding tall. (100)

"My little son, my little son!"
My son, the Sun! Sun of the heavens!"
Clothed with the halo of ten gods, he was strong to the utmost,
As their awesome flashes were heaped upon him.
Anu brought forth and begot the fourfold wind
Consigning to its power the leader of the host.
He fashioned . . . , stationed the whirlwind,
He produced streams to disturb Tiamat.
The gods, given no rest, suffer in the storm.
Their hearts having plotted evil, (110)

To Tiamat, their mother, said:
"When they slew Apsu, your consort,
You did not aid him but remained still.
When he created the dread fourfold wind,
Your vitals were diluted and so we can have no rest.
Let Apsu, your consort, be in your mind
And Mummu, who has been vanquished! You are left alone!
. . . you pace about distraught,
. . . without cease. You do not love us!
. . . our eyes are pinched, (120)

. . . without cease. Let us have rest!
. . . to battle. Avenge them!
. . . and render them as the wind!"
When Tiamat heard these words, she was pleased:
" . . . you have given. Let us make monsters,
. . . and the gods in the midst . . . .
. . . let us do battle and against the gods . . . !"
They banded themselves together and marched at the side of Tiamat.
Enraged, they plot without cease night and day,
They are set for combat, growling, raging, (130)

They form a council to prepare for the fight.
Mother Hubur, she who fashions all things,
Added matchless weapons, bore 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,
Whoever beheld them, terror overcame him,
And that, with their bodies reared up, none might turn them back.
She set up the Viper, the Dragon, and the monster Lahamu, (140)

The Great-Lion, the Mad-Dog, and the Scorpion-Man,
Mighty lion-demons, the Dragon-Fly, the Centaur--
Bearing weapons that do not spare, fearless in battle.
Her decrees were firm, they were beyond resisting.
All together eleven of this kind she brought forth.
From among the gods, her first-born, who formed her Assembly,
She elevated Kingu, made him chief among them.
The leading of the ranks, command of the Assembly,
The raising of weapons for the encounter, advancing to combat,
To direct the battle, to control the fight, (150)

These she entrusted to his hand as she seated him in the Council:
"I have cast for you the spell, 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 gave 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,
they decreed the fate for the gods, his sons:
"Your word shall make the first subside, (160)

Shall humble the `Power-Weapon,' so potent in its sweep!"

Tablet II

Tiamat represents the forces of disorder and chaos in the world. In the cycle of seasons, Tiamat is winter and barrenness. In the second tablet, to avenge the murder of her husband Tiamat prepares to unleash on the other gods the destructive forces that she has assembled. Ea learns of her plan and attempts to confront Tiamat. While the tablet is damaged, it is apparent that Ea fails to stop Tiamat. Then Anu attempts to challenge her but fails as well. The gods become afraid that no one will be able to stop Taimat’s vengeful rampage.

When Tiamat had thus lent import to her handiwork,
She prepared for battle against the gods, her offspring.
To avenge Apsu, Tiamat planned evil.
That she was girding for battle was divulged to Ea.
As soon as Ea heard of this matter,
He lapsed into dark silence and sat still.
The days went by, and his anger subsided,
He went to Anshar, his fore father.
When he came before his grandfather, Anshar,
He repeated all that Tiamat had plotted to him: (10)

"My father, 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.
Mother Hubur, she who fashions all things,
Has added matchless weapons, has born monster-serpents, (20)

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 is overcome by terror,
Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack.
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. (30)

Her decrees are firm, they are beyond resisting.
All together 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,
To direct the battle, to control the fight,
She entrusted these to his hands 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. (40)

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,
They decreed the fate for the gods, her sons:
‘Your word shall make the fire subside,
Shall humble the "Power-Weapon," so potent in its sweep!’
When Anshar heard that Tiamat was sorely troubled,
He struck his loins and bit his lips. (50)

[The following lines are corrupted because the tablet is damaged here; there are various proposals for how to reconstruct them]

His heart was gloomy, his mood restless.
He covered his mouth to stifle his outcry:
. . . battle.
. . .you . . .
Lo, you killed Mummu and Apsu.
Now, kill Kingu, who marches before her.
. . . wisdom."
Nudimmud, the. . . of the gods, . . . .

[A break in the tablet loses about 12 lines here.]

He addressed a word to Anu, his son:
" . . . mighty hero,
Whose strength is outstanding, his onslaught cannot be withstood.
Go and stand before Tiamat,
That her mood be calmed, that her heart may be merciful.
If she will not listen to your word,
Then tell her our word, that she might be calmed."
When he heard the command of his father, Anshar,
He made straight for her way, following the road to her. (80)

But when Anu was near enough to see the plan of Tiamat,
He was not able to face her and he turned back.
[He came abjectly to his father,] Anshar.
. . . he addressed him:

[The following 20 lines are badly damaged; there are various reconstructions of this section]

"My hand suffices not for me to subdue you."
Anshar was speechless as he stared at the ground,
Hair on edge, shaking his head at Ea.
All the Anunnaki gathered at that place;
Their lips closed tight, they sat in silence.
"No god," they thought "can go to battle and, (90)

Facing Tiamat, escape with his life."
. . .Anshar . . .
. . .he said to . . .
. . .an avenger . . .
. . .the hero!"
. . .in his place of seclusion.
. . .he spoke to him:
. . .your father,
For you are my son who comforts his heart.
When facing Anshar, approach as though in combat; (100)

Stand up as you speak; seeing you, he will grow restful."
The lord rejoiced at the word of his father;
He approached and stood before Anshar.
When Anshar saw him, his heart filled with joy.
He kissed his lips and his fear departed from him
"Anshar, be not muted; open wide thy lips.
I will go and attain thy heart's desire.
Anshar, be not muted; open wide your lips.
I will go and attain your heart's desire!
What male is it who has pressed his fight against you? (110)

. . .Tiamat, a woman, that flies at you with weapons!
. . . be glad and rejoice;
You shall soon tread upon the neck of Tiamat!
. . . be glad and rejoice;
You shall soon tread upon the neck of Tiamat!"
"My son, you who knows all wisdom,
Calm Tiamat with your holy spell.
On the storm-chariot proceed with all speed.
For your blood shall not be spilled; you will return again."
The lord rejoiced at the word of his father. (120)

His heart exulting, he said to his father:
"Creator of the gods, destiny of the great gods,
If I indeed, as your avenger,
Conquer Tiamat and give you life,
Set up the Assembly, proclaim my destiny to be supreme!
When jointly in Ubshukinna you have sat down rejoicing,
Let my word, instead of you, determine the fates.
What I may bring into being shall be unalterable;
The command of my lips shall be neither recalled nor changed."

Tablet III

Anshar’s minister Gaga is dispatched to the other gods to report the activities of Tiamat and to tell them of Marduk’s willingness to face her. Much of this tablet is poetic repetition of previous conversations.

Anshar opened his mouth and
Addressed a word to Gaga, his minister:
"O Gaga, my vizier, who gladdens my spirit,
I will dispatch you to Lahmu and Lahamu.
. . . you are adept;
. . . produce you before me!
. . . let all the gods,
Let them hold converse, sit down to a banquet,
Let them eat bread, let them mix wine,
For Marduk, their avenger, let them fix the decrees. (10)

Be on your way, Gaga, take the stand before them,
And that which I shall tell you repeat to them:
‘Anshar, your son, has sent me here,
Charging me to give voice to the dictates of his heart,
He says that 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 is overcome by terror,
Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack. (30)

She has set up the Viper, the Dragon, and the monster Lahamu,
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, none can. resist them;
After this fashion 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)

To direct the battle, to control the fight,
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.
But Marduk came forth, 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 here,
Charging me to give voice to the dictates of his heart,
He sya that 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 re banded together 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 terror overcomes him,
Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack.
She has set up vipers, dragons, and the monster Lahamu,
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.
After this fashion 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,
To direct the battle, to control the fight,
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!"(110)

I sent forth Anu; he could not face her.
Nudimmud was afraid and turned back.
But Marduk came forth, 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 bread, they mixed 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.
For Marduk, their avenger, they fixed the decrees.

Tablet IV

The council of the gods tests Marduk’s powers by having him make a garment disappear and then reappear. After passing the test, the council enthrones Marduk as high king and commissions him to fight Tiamat. With the authority and power of the council, Marduk assembles his weapons, the four winds as well as the seven winds of destruction. He rides in his chariot of clouds with the weapons of the storm to confront Tiamat. After entangling her in a net, Marduk unleashes the Evil Wind to inflate Tiamat. When she is incapacitated by the wind, Marduk kills her with an arrow through her heart and takes captive the other gods and monsters who were her allies. He also captured her husband Kingu. After smashing Tiamat’s head with a club, Marduk divided her corpse, using half to create the earth and the other half to create the sky complete with bars to keep the chaotic waters from escaping. The tablet ends with Marduk establishing dwelling places for his allies.

They erected for him a princely throne.
Facing his fathers, he sat down, presiding.
"You are the most honored of the great gods,
Your decree is unrivaled, your 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! (10)

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 a garment,
They addressed themselves to Marduk, their first-born: (20)

"May thy fate, O lord, be supreme among the gods,
Say but to wreck or create; it shall be.
Open your mouth: the garment will vanish!
Speak again, and the garment shall be whole!"
At the word of his mouth the garment vanished.
He spoke again, and the garment was 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.
The lord went forth and followed his course,
Towards the raging Tiamat he set his face. (60)

In his lips he held a spell;
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, he loses his way,
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 while as yet she had not shut her lips
As the terrible winds filled 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. (110)

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 to him.
Then the lord paused to view her dead body,
That he might divide the form and do artful works.
He split her like a shellfish into two parts:
Half of her he set up as a covering for heaven,
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.

Tablet V

Marduk builds dwelling places for the other gods. As they take their place, they establish the days and months and seasons of the year. Since this is a myth about the natural world, the "stations" that Marduk establishes for the gods correspond to the celestial luminaries that figured in Babylonian astrology. The phases (horns) of the Moon determine the cycles of the months. From the spittle of Tiamat Marduk creates rain for the earth. The city of Babylon is established as the audience room of King Marduk.

He constructed stations for the great gods,
Fixing their astral likenesses as the stars of the Zodiac.
He determined the year and into sections he divided it;
He set up three constellations for each of the twelve months.
After defining the days of the year by means of heavenly figures,
He founded the station of the pole star [Nebiru] to determine their bounds,
That none might err or go astray.
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,
And marked off every month, without cease, by means of his 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.
So shall the fifteen-day period be like one another-two halves for each 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 badly damaged and untranslatable. Apparently after Marduk created the moon he then created the sun (Shamash).]

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 . . .
These he planned himself, took into his own hand.
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 from her breasts 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 battle 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 badly damaged for translation. Apparently it describes Marduk on his throne with his weapons.]

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!" (110)

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,
Let him prepare the plans, we will be the workers."

Tablet VI

Marduk decides to create human beings, but needs blood and bone from which to fashion them. Ea advises that only one of the gods should die to provide the materials for creation, the one who was guilty of plotting evil against the gods. Marduk inquires of the assembly of the gods about who incited Tiamat’s rebellion, and was told that it was her husband Kingu. Ea kills Kingu and uses his blood to fashion mankind so they can perform menial tasks for the gods. To honor Marduk, the gods construct a house for him in Babylon. After its completion, Marduk gives a great feast for the gods in his new house who all praise Marduk for his greatness in subduing Tiamat. The first group of the fifty throne names of Marduk are recited.

When Marduk heard the words of the gods,
His heart prompted him to fashion artful works.
Opening his mouth, he addressed Ea
To impart the plan he had conceived in his heart:
"I will take blood and fashion bone.
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. (10)

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 issued instructions.
To his utterance the gods pay heed.
The king addressed 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 punishment and severed his blood vessels.
Out of his blood they fashioned mankind.
He imposed on him the service and let free the gods.
After Ea, the wise, had created mankind,
Had imposed upon them 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 great gods [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 allotted 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,
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!
Marukka truly is the god, creator of all,
Who gladdens the heart of the Anunnaki, appeases the Igigi.
Marutukku truly is the refuge of his land, city, and people.
Unto him shall the people give praise forever.
Barashakushu stood up and took hold of its reins;
Wide is his heart, warm his sympathy.
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."
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.
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 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 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,
All of them uttering his names in the sanctuary.

Tablet VII

Continuation of praise of Marduk as chief of Babylon and head of the Babylonian pantheon because of his role in creation. The rest of Marduk’s fifty throne names declaring his dominion are recited. Final blessings on Marduk and instructions to the people to remember and recite Marduk’s deeds.

Asaru [Marduk], bestower of cultivation, who established water levels;
Creator of grain and herbs, who causes vegetation to sprout.
Asarualim, who is honored in the place of counsel, who excels in counsel;
To whom the gods hope, not being possessed of fear.
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 . . . .
Tutu is he, who created then anew.
Let him purify their shrines that they may have ease. (10)

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 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 Ziku, who brings purification,
god of the favoring breeze, the Lord of hearing and mercy;" (20)

Who produces riches and treasures, establishes abundance;
Who has turned all our wants to plenty;
Whose favoring breeze we felt in sore distress.
Let them speak, let them exalt, let them sing his praises!
Tutu, fourthly, let the people magnify as 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 deeds endure, not to be forgotten
In the mouth of the black-headed, whom his hands have created.
Tutu, fifthly, is Tuku, whose holy spell their mouths shall murmur;
Who with his holy charm has uprooted all the evil ones.
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 as Zisi,
Who silences the insurgent;
Who banishes consternation from the body of the gods, his fathers.
Shazu is, thirdly, 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, 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 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 Zahgurim,
Who all the foes destroyed as though in battle.
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 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 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 Hegal, who heaps up abundance for the people's consumption;
Who causes rich rains over the wide earth, provides vegetation.
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 Malah--and so forth--
Tiamat is his vessel and he the rider.
Gil, who stores up grain heaps--massive mounds--
Who brings forth barley and millet, furnishes the seed of the land.
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.
Agilma, the exalted one, who tears off the crown from the wrong position,
Who creates the clouds above the waters, makes enduring aloft.
Zulum, who designates the fields for the gods, allots the creation,
Who grants portions and food-offerings, tends the shrines.
Mummu, Creator of heaven and earth, who directs. . . .
The god who sanctifies heaven and earth is, secondly, Zulummar,
Whom no other among the gods can match in strength.
Gishnumunab, Creator of all people, who made the world regions,
Destroyer of the gods of Tiamat; who made men out of their substance. (90)

Lugalabdubur, the king who frustrated the work of Tiamat,rooted out her weapons;
Whose foundation is firm in front and in the rear.
Pagalguenna, the foremost of all the lords, whose strength is outstanding;
Who is pre-eminent in the royal abode, most exalted of the gods.
Lugaldurmah, the King of the band of the gods, lord of rulers,
Who is pre-eminent in the abode of the gods, most exalted of the gods.
Aranunna, counselor of Ea, creator of the gods, his fathers,
Whose princely ways no god whatever can equal.
Dumuduku, whose pure dwelling is renewed in Duku;
Dumuduku, without whom Lugalkuduga makes no decision. (100)

Lugallanna, the king whose strength is outstanding among the gods,
The lord, strength of Anu, who became supreme at the call of Anshar.
Lugalugga, who carried off all of them amidst the struggle,
Who all wisdom encompasses, broad in perception.
Irkingu, who carried off Kingu in the thick of the battle,
Who conveys guidance for all, establishes rulership.
Kinma, who directs all the gods, the giver of counsel,
At whose name the gods quake in fear, as at the storm.
Esizkur shall sit aloft in the house of prayer;
May the gods bring their presents before him, (110)

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.
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.
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
Asharu, who, as is his name, guided the gods of destiny;
All of the people are truly in his charge.
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.
May he hold the Beginning and the Future, may they pay homage unto him,
Saying: "He who forced his way through the midst of Tiamat without resting,
Let Nebiru be his name, who controls its midst. (130)

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 "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.

Epilog
Let them be kept in mind and let the leader explain them.
Let the wise and the knowing discuss them together.
Let the father recite them and impart to his son.
Let the ears of shepherd and herdsman be opened.
Let him rejoice in Marduk, the Enlil of the gods,
That his land may be fertile and that he may prosper. (150)

Firm in his order, his command unalterable,
The utterance of his mouth no god shall change.
When he looks he does not turn away his neck;
When he is angry, no god can withstand his wrath.
His heart is unfathomable, his purpose is broad,
Sinner and transgressor may come before him.
He wrote down and thereby preserved it for the future.
The dwelling of Marduk which the gods, the Igigi, had made,
. . . let them speak. (160)

. . . the song of Marduk,
Who vanquished Tiamat and achieved the kingship.

"Copyright © 2018 CRI/Voice, Institute"
(http://www.crivoice.org/enumaelish.html)

Tablet I

1   When the heavens above did not exist,
2   And earth beneath had not come into being—
3   There was Apsû, the first in order, their begetter,
4   And demiurge Tia-mat, who gave birth to them all;
5   They had mingled their waters together
6   Before meadow-land had coalesced and reed-bed was to he found —
7   When not one of the gods had been formed
8   Or had come into being, when no destinies had been decreed,
9   The gods were created within them:
10   Lah(mu and Lah(amu were formed and came into being.
11   While they grew and increased in stature
12   Anšar and Kišar, who excelled them, were created.
13   They prolonged their days, they multiplied their years.
14   Anu, their son, could rival his fathers.
15   Anu, the son, equalled Anšar,
16   And Anu begat Nudimmud, his own equal.
17   Nudimmud was the champion among his fathers:
18   Profoundly discerning, wise, of robust strength;
19   Very much stronger than his father's begetter, Anšar
20   He had no rival among the gods, his brothers.
21   The divine brothers came together,
22   Their clamour got loud, throwing Tia-mat into a turmoil.
23   They jarred the nerves of Tia-mat,
24   And by their dancing they spread alarm in Anduruna.
25   Apsû did not diminish their clamour,
26   And Tia-mat was silent when confronted with them.
27   Their conduct was displeasing to her,
28   Yet though their behaviour was not good, she wished to spare them.
29   Thereupon Apsû, the begetter of the great gods,
30   Called Mummu, his vizier, and addressed him,
31   "Vizier Mummu, who gratifies my pleasure,
32   Come, let us go to Tia-mat!"
33   They went and sat, facing Tia-mat,
34   As they conferred about the gods, their sons.
35   Apsû opened his mouth
36   And addressed Tia-mat
37   "Their behaviour has become displeasing to me
38   And I cannot rest in the day-time or sleep at night.
39   I will destroy and break up their way of life
40   That silence may reign and we may sleep."
41   When Tia-mat heard this
42   She raged and cried out to her spouse,
43   She cried in distress, fuming within herself,
44   She grieved over the (plotted) evil,
45   "How can we destroy what we have given birth to?
46   Though their behaviour causes distress, let us tighten discipline graciously."
47   Mummu spoke up with counsel for Apsû—
48   (As from) a rebellious vizier was the counsel of his Mummu—
49   "Destroy, my father, that lawless way of life,
50   That you may rest in the day-time and sleep by night!"
51   Apsû was pleased with him, his face beamed
52   Because he had plotted evil against the gods, his sons.
53   Mummu put his arms around Apsû's neck,
54   He sat on his knees kissing him.
55   What they plotted in their gathering
56   Was reported to the gods, their sons.
57   The gods heard it and were frantic.
58   They were overcome with silence and sat quietly.
59   Ea, who excels in knowledge, the skilled and learned,
60   Ea, who knows everything, perceived their tricks.
61   He fashioned it and made it to be all-embracing,
62   He executed it skilfully as supreme—his pure incantation.
63   He recited it and set it on the waters,
64   He poured sleep upon him as he was slumbering deeply.
65   He put Apsû to slumber as he poured out sleep,
66   And Mummu, the counsellor, was breathless with agitation.
67   He split (Apsû's) sinews, ripped off his crown,
68   Carried away his aura and put it on himself.
69   He bound Apsû and killed him;
70   Mummu he confined and handled roughly.
71   He set his dwelling upon Apsû,
72   And laid hold on Mummu, keeping the nose-rope in his hand.
73   After Ea had bound and slain his enemies,
74   Had achieved victory over his foes,
75   He rested quietly in his chamber,
76   He called it Apsû, whose shrines he appointed.
77   Then he founded his living-quarters within it,
78   And Ea and Damkina, his wife, sat in splendour.
79   In the chamber of the destinies, the room of the archetypes,
80   The wisest of the wise, the sage of the gods, Be-l was conceived.
81   In Apsû was Marduk born,
82   In pure Apsû was Marduk born.
83   Ea his father begat him,
84   Damkina his mother bore him.
85   He sucked the breasts of goddesses,
86   A nurse reared him and filled him with terror.
87   His figure was well developed, the glance of his eyes was dazzling,
88   His growth was manly, he was mighty from the beginning.
89   Anu, his father's begetter, saw him,
90   He exulted and smiled; his heart filled with joy.
91   Anu rendered him perfect: his divinity was remarkable,
92   And he became very lofty, excelling them in his attributes.
93   His members were incomprehensibly wonderful,
94   Incapable of being grasped with the mind, hard even to look on.
95   Four were his eyes, four his ears,
96   Flame shot forth as he moved his lips.
97   His four ears grew large,
93   And his eyes likewise took in everything.
99   His figure was lofty and superior in comparison with the gods,
100   His limbs were surpassing, his nature was superior.
101   'Mari-utu, Mari-utu,
102   The Son, the Sun-god, the Sun-god of the gods.'
103   He was clothed with the aura of the Ten Gods, so exalted was his strength,
104   The Fifty Dreads were loaded upon him.
105   Anu formed and gave birth to the four winds,
106   He delivered them to him, "My son, let them whirl!"
107   He formed dust and set a hurricane to drive it,
108   He made a wave to bring consternation on Tia-mat.
109   Tia-mat was confounded; day and night she was frantic.
110   The gods took no rest, they . . . . . . .
111   In their minds they plotted evil,
112   And addressed their mother Tia-mat,
113   "When Apsû, your spouse, was killed,
114   You did not go at his side, but sat quietly.
115   The four dreadful winds have been fashioned
116   To throw you into confusion, and we cannot sleep.
117   You gave no thought to Apsû, your spouse,
113   Nor to Mummu, who is a prisoner. Now you sit alone.
119   Henceforth you will be in frantic consternation!
120   And as for us, who cannot rest, you do not love us!
121   Consider our burden, our eyes are hollow.
122   Break the immovable yoke that we may sleep.
123   Make battle, avenge them!
124   [ . . ] . . . . reduce to nothingness!
125   Tia-mat heard, the speech pleased her,
126   (She said,) "Let us make demons, [as you] have advised."
127   The gods assembled within her.
128   They conceived [evil] against the gods their begetters.
129   They . . . . . and took the side of Tia-mat,
130   Fiercely plotting, unresting by night and day,
131   Lusting for battle, raging, storming,
132   They set up a host to bring about conflict.
133   Mother H(ubur, who forms everything,
134   Supplied irresistible weapons, and gave birth to giant serpents.
135   They had sharp teeth, they were merciless . . . .
136   With poison instead of blood she filled their bodies.
137   She clothed the fearful monsters with dread,
138   She loaded them with an aura and made them godlike.
139   (She said,) "Let their onlooker feebly perish,
140   May they constantly leap forward and never retire."
141   She created the Hydra, the Dragon, the Hairy Hero
142   The Great Demon, the Savage Dog, and the Scorpion-man,
143   Fierce demons, the Fish-man, and the Bull-man,
144   Carriers of merciless weapons, fearless in the face of battle.
145   Her commands were tremendous, not to be resisted.
146   Altogether she made eleven of that kind.
147   Among the gods, her sons, whom she constituted her host,
148   She exalted Qingu, and magnified him among them.
149   The leadership of the army, the direction of the host,
150   The bearing of weapons, campaigning, the mobilization of conflict,
151   The chief executive power of battle, supreme command,
152   She entrusted to him and set him on a throne,
153   "I have cast the spell for you and exalted you in the host of the gods,
154   I have delivered to you the rule of all the gods.
155   You are indeed exalted, my spouse, you are renowned,
156   Let your commands prevail over all the Anunnaki."
157   She gave him the Tablet of Destinies and fastened it to his breast,
158   (Saying) "Your order may not be changed; let the utterance of your mouth be firm."
159   After Qingu was elevated and had acquired the power of Anuship,
160   He decreed the destinies for the gods, her sons:
161   "May the utterance of your mouths subdue the fire-god,
162   May your poison by its accumulation put down aggression."

Tablet II

1   Tia-mat gathered together her creation
2   And organised battle against the gods, her offspring.
3   Henceforth Tia-mat plotted evil because of Apsû
4   It became known to Ea that she had arranged the conflict.
5   Ea heard this matter,
6   He lapsed into silence in his chamber and sat motionless.
7   After he had reflected and his anger had subsided
8   He directed his steps to Anšar his father.
9   He entered the presence of the father of his begetter, Anšar,
10   And related to him all of Tia-mat's plotting.
11   "My father, Tia-mat our mother has conceived a hatred for us,
12   She has established a host in her savage fury.
13   All the gods have turned to her,
14   Even those you (pl.) begat also take her side
15   They . . . . . and took the side of Tia-mat,
16   Fiercely plotting, unresting by night and day,
17   Lusting for battle, raging, storming,
18   They set up a host to bring about conflict.
19   Mother H(ubur, who forms everything,
20   Supplied irresistible weapons, and gave birth to giant serpents.
21    They had sharp teeth, they were merciless.
22   With poison instead of blood she filled their bodies.
23   She clothed the fearful monsters with dread,
24   She loaded them with an aura and made them godlike.
25    (She said,) "Let their onlooker feebly perish,
26   May they constantly leap forward and never retire."
27   She created the Hydra, the Dragon, the Hairy Hero,
28   The Great Demon, the Savage Dog, and the Scorpion-man,
29   Fierce demons, the Fish-man, and the Bull-man,
30   Carriers of merciless weapons, fearless in the face of battle.
31   Her commands were tremendous, not to be resisted.
32   Altogether she made eleven of that kind.
33   Among the gods, her sons, whom she constituted her host,
34   She exalted Qingu and magnified him among them.
35   The leadership of the army, the direction of the host,
36   The bearing of weapons, campaigning, the mobilization of conflict,
37   The chief executive power of battle supreme command,
38   She entrusted to him and set him on a throne.
39   "I have cast the spell for you and exalted you in the host of the gods,
40   I have delivered to you the rule of all the gods.
41   You are indeed exalted, my spouse, you are renowned,
42   Let your commands prevail over all the Anunnaki."
43   She gave him the tablet of Destinies and fastened it to his breast,
44   (Saying) "Your order may not he changed; let the utterance of your mouth be firm."
45   After Qingu was elevated and had acquired the power of Anuship
46   He decreed the destinies for the gods. her sons:
47   "May the utterance of your mouths subdue the fire-god,
48   May your poison by its accumulation put down aggression."
49   Anšar heard; the matter was profoundly disturbing.
50    He cried "Woe!" and bit his lip.
51    His heart was in fury, his mind could not be calmed.
52   Over Ea his son his cry was faltering.
53   "My son, you who provoked the war,
54   Take responsibility for whatever you alone have done!
55   You set out and killed Apsû,
56   And as for Tia-mat, whom you made furious, where is her equal?"
57   The gatherer of counsel, the learned prince,
58    The creator of wisdom, the god Nudimmud
59   With soothing words and calming utterance
60   Gently answered [his] father Anšar
61   "My father, deep mind, who decrees destiny,
62   Who has the power to bring into being and destroy,
63   Anšar, deep mind, who decrees destiny,
64   Who has the power to bring into being and to destroy,
65   I want to say something to you, calm down for me for a moment
66   And consider that I performed a helpful deed.
67   Before I killed Apsû
68   Who could have seen the present situation?
69   Before I quickly made an end of him
70   What were the circumstances were I to destroy him?
71   Anšar heard, the words pleased him.
72   His heart relaxed to speak to Ea,
73   "My son, your deeds are fitting for a god,
74   You are capable of a fierce, unequalled blow . . [ . . . ]
75   Ea, your deeds are fitting for a god,
76   You are capable of a fierce, unequalled blow . . [ . . . ]
77   Go before Tia-mat and appease her attack,
78   . . [ . . . ] . . . her fury with [your] incantation."
79   He heard the speech of Anšar his father,
80   He took the road to her, proceeded on the route to her.
81   He went, he perceived the tricks of Tia-mat,
82   [He stopped], fell silent, and turned back.
83   [He] entered the presence of august Anšar
84   Penitently addressing him,
85   "[My father], Tia-mat's deeds are too much for me.
86   I perceived her planning, and [my] incantation was not equal (to it).
87   Her strength is mighty, she is full of dread,
88   She is altogether very strong, none can go against her.
89   Her very loud cry did not diminish,
90   [I became afraid] of her cry and turned back.
91   [My father], do not lose hope, send a second person against her.
92   Though a woman's strength is very great, it is not equal to a man's.
93   Disband her cohorts, break up her plans
94   Before she lays her hands on us."
95   Anšar cried out in intense fury,
96   Addressing Anu his son,
97   "Honoured son, hero, warrior,
98   Whose strength is mighty, whose attack is irresistible
99   Hasten and stand before Tia-mat,
100   Appease her rage that her heart may relax
101   If she does not harken to your words,
102   Address to her words of petition that she may be appeased."
103   He heard the speech of Anšar his father,
104   He took the road to her, proceeded on the route to her.
105   Anu went, he perceived the tricks of Tia-mat,
106   He stopped, fell silent, and turned back.
107   He entered the presence of Anšar the father who begat him,
108   Penitently addressing him.
109   "My father, Tia-mat's [deeds] are too much for me.
110   I perceived her planning, but my [incantation] was not [equal] (to it).
111   Her strength is mighty, she is [full] of dread,
112   She is altogether very strong, no one [can go against her].
113   Her very loud noise does not diminish,
114   I became afraid of her cry and turned back.
115   My father, do not lose hope, send another person against her.
116   Though a woman's strength is very great, it is not equal to a man's.
117   Disband her cohorts, break up her plans,
118   Before she lays her hands on us."
119   Anšar lapsed into silence, staring at the ground,
120   He nodded to Ea, shaking his head.
121   The Igigi and all the Anunnaki had assembled,
122   They sat in tight-lipped silence.
123   No god would go to face . . [ . . ]
124   Would go out against Tia-mat . . . . [ . . ]
125   Yet the lord Anšar, the father of the great gods,
126   Was angry in his heart, and did not summon any one.
127   A mighty son, the avenger of his father,
128   He who hastens to war, the warrior Marduk
129   Ea summoned (him) to his private chamber
130   To explain to him his plans.
131   "Marduk, give counsel, listen to your father.
132   You are my son, who gives me pleasure,
133   Go reverently before Anšar,
134   Speak, take your stand, appease him with your glance."
135   Be-l rejoiced at his father's words,
136   He drew near and stood in the presence of Anšar.
137   Anšar saw him, his heart filled with satisfaction,
138   He kissed his lips and removed his fear.
139   "My [father] do not hold your peace, but speak forth,
140   I will go and fulfil your desires!
141   [Anšar,] do not hold your peace, but speak forth,
142   I will go and fulfil your desires!
143   Which man has drawn up his battle array against you?
144   And will Tia-mat, who is a woman, attack you with (her) weapons?
145   ["My father], begetter, rejoice and be glad,
146   Soon you will tread on the neck of Tia-mat!
147   [Anšar], begetter, rejoice and be glad,
148   Soon you will tread on the neck of Tia-mat!
149   ["Go,] my son, conversant with all knowledge,
150   Appease Tia-mat with your pure spell.
151   Drive the storm chariot without delay,
152   And with a [ . . ] which cannot be repelled turn her back."
153   Be-l rejoiced at his father's words,
154   With glad heart he addressed his father,
155   "Lord of the gods, Destiny of the great gods,
156   If I should become your avenger,
157   If I should bind Tia-mat and preserve you,
158   Convene an assembly and proclaim for me an exalted destiny.
159   Sit, all of you, in Upšukkinakku with gladness,
160   And let me, with my utterance, decree destinies instead of you.
161   Whatever I instigate must not be changed,
162   Nor may my command be nullified or altered."

Tablet III

1   Anšar opened his mouth
2   And addressed Kaka, his vizier,
3   "Vizier Kaka, who gratifies my pleasure,
4   I will send you to Lah(mu and Lah(amu.
5   You are skilled in making inquiry, learned in address.
6   Have the gods, my fathers, brought to my presence.
7   Let all the gods be brought,
8   Let them confer as they sit at table.
9   Let them eat grain, let them drink ale,
10   Let them decree the destiny for Marduk their avenger.
11   Go, be gone, Kaka, stand before them,
12   And repeat to them all that I tell you:
13   " Anšar, your son, has sent me,
14   And I am to explain his plans.
15-52   = II, 11*-48   (* instead of ' "My father,' put ' "Thus,' )
53   I sent Anu, but he could not face her.
54   Nudimmud took fright and retired.
55   Marduk, the sage of the gods, your son, has come forward,
56   He has determined to meet Tia-mat.
57   He has spoken to me and said,
58-64   = II, 156*-162   (* begin with quotation marks: "If )
65   Quickly, now, decree your destiny for him without delay,
66   That he may go and face your powerful enemy."
67   Kaka went. He directed his steps
68   To Lah(mu and Lah(amu, the gods his fathers.
69   He prostrated himself, he kissed the ground before them,
70   He got up, saying to them he stood,
71-124. = II, 13-66
125   When Lah(h(a and Lah(amu heard, they cried aloud.
126   All the Igigi moaned in distress,
127   "What has gone wrong that she took this decision about us?
128   We did not know what Tia-mat was doing."
129   All the great gods who decree destinies
130   Gathered as they went,
131   They entered the presence of Anšar and became filled with [joy],
132   They kissed one another as they . [ . . ] in the assembly.
133   They conferred as they sat at table,
134   They ate grain, they drank ale.
135   They strained the sweet liquor through their straws,
136   As they drank beer and felt good,
137   They became quite carefree, their mood was merry,
138   And they decreed the fate for Marduk, their avenger.

Tablet IV

1   They set a lordly dais for him
2   And he took his seat before his fathers to receive kingship.
3   (They said,) "You are the most honoured among the great gods,
4   Your destiny is unequalled, your command is like Anu's.
5   Marduk, you are the most honoured among the great gods,
6   Your destiny is unequalled, your command is like Anu's.
7   Henceforth your order will not be annulled,
8   It is in your power to exalt and abase.
9   Your utterance is sure, your command cannot be rebelled against,
10   None of the gods will transgress the line you draw.
11   Shrines for all the gods needs provisioning,
12   That you may be established where their sanctuaries are.
13   You are Marduk, our avenger,
14   We have given you kingship over the sum of the whole universe.
15   Take your seat in the assembly, let your word be exalted,
16   Let your weapons not miss the mark, but may they slay your enemies.
17   Be-l, spare him who trusts in you,
18   But destroy the god who set his mind on evil."
19   They set a constellation in the middle
20   And addressed Marduk, their son,
21   "Your destiny, Be-l, is superior to that of all the gods,
22   Command and bring about annihilation and re-creation.
23   Let the constellation disappear at your utterance,
24   With a second command let the constellation reappear."
25   He gave the command and the constellation disappeared,
26   With a second command the constellation came into being again.
27   When the gods, his fathers, saw (the effect of) his utterance,
28   They rejoiced and offered congratulation: "Marduk is the king!"
29   They added to him a mace, a throne, and a rod,
30   They gave him an irresistible weapon that overwhelms the foe:
31   (They said,) "Go, cut Tia-mat's throat,
32   And let the winds bear up her blood to give the news."
33   The gods, his fathers, decreed the destiny of Be-l,
34   And set him on the road, the way of prosperity and success.
35   He fashioned a bow and made it his weapon,
36    He set an arrow in place, put the bow string on.
37   He took up his club and held it in his right hand,
38   His bow and quiver he hung at his side.
39   He placed lightning before him,
40   And filled his body with tongues of flame.
41   He made a net to enmesh the entrails of Tia-mat,
42   And stationed the four winds that no part of her escape.
43   The South Wind, the North Wind, the East Wind, the West Wind,
44   He put beside his net, winds given by his father, Anu.
45   He fashioned the Evil Wind, the Dust Storm, Tempest,
46   The Four-fold Wind, the Seven-fold Wind, the Chaos-spreading Wind, the . . . . .Wind.
47   He sent out the seven winds that he had fashioned,
48   And they took their stand behind him to harass Tia-mat's entrails.
49   Be-l took up the Storm-flood, his great weapon,
50   He rode the fearful chariot of the irresistible storm.
51   Four steeds he yoked to it and harnessed them to it,
52   The Destroyer, The Merciless, The Trampler, The Fleet.
53   Their lips were parted, their teeth bore venom,
54   They were strangers to weariness, trained to sweep forward.
55   At his right hand he stationed raging battle and strife,
56   On the left, conflict that overwhelms a united battle array.
57   He was clad in a tunic, a fearful coat of mail,
58   And on has head he wore an aura of terror.
59   Be-l proceeded and set out on his way,
60   He set his face toward the raging Tia-mat.
61   In his lips he held a spell,
62   He grasped a plant to counter poison in his hand,
63   Thereupon they milled around him, the gods milled around him,
64   The gods, his fathers, milled around him, the gods milled around him.
65   Be-l drew near, surveying the maw of Tia-mat,
66   He observed the tricks of Qingu, her spouse.
67   As he looked, he lost his nerve,
68   His determination went and he faltered.
69   His divine aides, who were marching at his side,
70   Saw the warrior, the foremost, and their vision became dim.
71   Tia-mat cast her spell without turning her neck,
72   In her lips she held untruth and lies,
73   "[ . ] . . . . . . . . . . . . .
74   In their [ . ] . they have assembled by you."
75   Be-l [lifted up] the Storm-flood, his great weapon,
76   And with these words threw it at the raging Tia-mat,
77   "Why are you aggressive and arrogant,
78   And strive to provoke battle?
79   The younger generation have shouted, outraging their elders,
80   But you, their mother, hold pity in contempt.
81   Qingu you have named to be your spouse,
82   And you have improperly appointed him to the rank of Anuship.
83   Against Anšar, king of the gods, you have stirred up trouble,
84   And against the gods, my fathers, your trouble is established.
85   Deploy your troops, gird on your weapons,
86   You and I will take our stand and do battle."
87   When Tia-mat heard this
88   She went insane and lost her reason.
89   Tia-mat cried aloud and fiercely,
90   All her lower members trembled beneath her.
91   She was reciting an incantation, kept reciting her spell,
92   While the (battle-)gods were sharpening their weapons of war.
93   Tia-mat and Marduk, the sage of the gods, came together,
94   Joining in strife, drawing near to battle.
95   Be-l spread out his net and enmeshed her;
96   He let loose the Evil Wind, the rear guard, in her face.
97   Tia-mat opened her mouth to swallow it,
98   She let the Evil Wind in so that she could not close her lips.
99   The fierce winds weighed down her belly,
100   Her inwards were distended and she opened her mouth wide.
101   He let fly an arrow and pierced her belly,
102   He tore open her entrails and slit her inwards,
103   He bound her and extinguished her life,
104   He threw down her corpse and stood on it.
105   After he had killed Tia-mat, the leader,
106   Her assembly dispersed, her host scattered.
107   Her divine aides, who went beside her,
108   In trembling and fear beat a retreat.
109    . . . . to save their lives,
110   But they were completely surrounded, unable to escape.
111   He bound them and broke their weapons,
112   And they lay enmeshed, sitting in a snare,
113   Hiding in corners, filled with grief,
114   Bearing his punishment, held in a prison.
115   The eleven creatures who were laden with fearfulness,
116   The throng of devils who went as grooms at her right hand,
117   He put ropes upon them and bound their arms,
118   Together with their warfare he trampled them beneath him.
119   Now Qingu, who had risen to power among them,
120   He bound and reckoned with the Dead Gods.
121   He took from him the Tablet of Destinies, which was not properly his,
122   Sealed it with a seal and fastened it to his own breast.
123   After the warrior Marduk had bound and slain his enemies,
124   Had . . . . the arrogant enemy . . . ,
125   Had established victory for Anšar over all his foes,
126   Had fulfilled the desire of Nudimmud,
127   He strengthened his hold on the Bound Gods,
128   And returned to Tia-mat, whom he had bound.
129   Be-l placed his feet on the lower parts of Tia-mat
130   And with his merciless club smashed her skull.
131   He severed her arteries
132   And let the North wind bear up (her blood) to give the news.
133   His fathers saw it and were glad and exulted;
134   They brought gifts and presents to him.
135   Be-l rested, surveying the corpse,
136   In order to divide the lump by a clever scheme.
137   He split her into two like a dried fish:
138   One half of her he set up and stretched out as the heavens.
139   He stretched the skin and appointed a watch
140   With the instruction not to let her waters escape.
141   He crossed over the heavens, surveyed the celestial parts,
142   And adjusted them to match the Apsû, Nudimmud's abode.
143   Be-l measured the shape of the Apsû
144   And set up Ešarra, a replica of Ešgalla.
145   In Ešgalla, Ešarra which he had built, and the heavens,
146   He settled in their shrines Anu, Enlil, and Ea.

Tablet V

1   He fashioned heavenly stations for the great gods,
2   And set up constellations, the patterns of the stars.
3   He appointed the year, marked off divisions,
4   And set up three stars each for the twelve months.
5   After he had organized the year,
6   He established the heavenly station of Ne-beru to fix the stars' intervals.
7   That none should transgress or be slothful
8   He fixed the heavenly stations of Enlil and Ea with it.
9   Gates he opened on both sides,
10   And put strong bolts at the left and the right.
11   He placed the heights (of heaven) in her (Tia-mat's) belly,
12   He created Nannar, entrusting to him the night.
13   He appointed him as the jewel of the night to fix the days,
14   And month by month without ceasing he elevated him with a crown,
15   (Saying,) "Shine over the land at the beginning of the month,
16   Resplendent with horns to fix six days.
17   On the seventh day the crown will be half size,
18   On the fifteenth day, halfway through each month, stand in opposition.
19   When Šamaš [sees] you on the horizon,
20   Diminish in the proper stages and shine backwards.
21   On the 29th day, draw near to the path of Šamaš,
22   . [ . . ] the 30th day, stand in conjunction and rival Šamaš.
23   I have ( . . . . ] . the sign, follow its track,
24   Draw near . . ( . . . . . ) give judgment.
25   . [ . . . . ] . Šamaš, constrain [murder] and violence,
26   . [ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ] . me.
*   *   *   *   *   *
35   At the end [ . . .
36   Let there [be] the 29th day [ . . . "
37   After [he had . . . . ] the decrees [ . . .
38   The organization of front and . [ . . .
39   He made the day [ . . .
40   Let the year be equally [ . . .
41   At the new year [ . . .
42   The year . . . . . [ . . .
43   Let there be regularly [ . . .
44   The projecting bolt [ . . .
45   After he had [ . . .
46   The watches of night and day [ . . .
47   The foam which Tia-mat [ . . .
48   Marduk fashioned [ . . .
49   He gathered it together and made it into clouds.
50   The raging of the winds, violent rainstorms,
51   The billowing of mist—the accumulation of her spittle—
52   He appointed for himself and took them in his hand.
53   He put her head in position and poured out . . [ . . ] .
54   He opened the abyss and it was sated with water.
55   From her two eyes he let the Euphrates and Tigris flow,
56   He blocked her nostrils, but left . .
57   He heaped up the distant [mountains] on her breasts,
58   He bored wells to channel the springs.
59   He twisted her tail and wove it into the Durmah(u,
60   [ . . . ] . . the Apsû beneath his feet.
61   [He set up] her crotch—it wedged up the heavens—
62   [(Thus) the half of her] he stretched out and made it firm as the earth.
63   [After] he had finished his work inside Tia-mat,
64   [He spread] his net and let it right out.
65   He surveyed the heavens and the earth . . [ . ] .
66   [ . . ] their bonds . . . . . . .
67   After he had formulated his regulations and composed [his] decrees,
68   He attached guide-ropes and put them in Ea's hands.
69   [The Tablet] of Destinies which Qingu had taken and carried,
70   He took charge of it as a trophy (?) and presented it to Anu.
71   [The . ] . of battle, which he had tied on or had put on his head,
72   [ . ] . he brought before his fathers.
73   [Now] the eleven creatures to which Tia-mat had given birth and . . . ,
74   He broke their weapons and bound them (the creatures) to his feet.
75   He made images of them and stationed them at the [Gate] of the Apsû,
76   To be a sign never to be forgotten.
77   [The gods] saw it and were jubilantly happy,
78   (That is,) Lah(mu, Lah(amu and all his fathers.
79   Anšar [embraced] him and published abroad his title, "Victorious King,"
80   Anu, Enlil and Ea gave him gifts.
81   Mother Damkina, who bore him, hailed him,
82   With a clean festal robe she made his face shine.
83   To Usmû, who held her present to give the news,
84   [He entrusted] the vizierate of the Apsû and the care of the holy places.
85   The Igigi assembled and all did obeisance to him,
86   Every one of the Anunnaki was kissing his feet.
87   They all [gathered] to show their submission,
88   [ . . . ] . they stood, they bowed down, "Behold the king!"
89   His fathers [ . . . ] . and took their fill of his beauty,
90   Be-l listened to their utterance, being girded with the dust of battle.
91   . [ . . . . . . . . . . . . ] . . . . . . .
92   Anointing his body with . [ . . . ] cedar perfume.
93   He clothed himself in [his] lordly robe,
94   With a crown of terror as a royal aura.
95   He took up his club and held it in his right hand,
96      . . . ] . he grasped in his left.
97   [ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]
98      . . . ] . he set his feet.
99   He put upon . [ . . .
100   The sceptre of prosperity and success [he hung] at his side.
101   After [he had . . . ] the aura [
102   He adorned(?) his sack, the Apsû, with a fearful [ . . ]   
103   Was settled like . [ . . .
104   In [his] throne room [ . . .
105   In his cella [ . . .
106   Every one of the gods [ . . .
107   Lah(mu and Lah(amu . [ . . . . . . . ] .
108   Opened their mouths and [addressed] the Igigi gods,
109   "Previously Marduk was our beloved son,
110   Now he is your king, heed his command!"
111   Next, they all spoke up together,
112   "His name is Lugaldimmerankia, trust in him!"
113   When they had given kingship to Marduk,
114   They addressed to him a benediction for prosperity and success,
115   "Henceforth you are the caretaker of our shrine,
116   Whatever you command, we will do!"
117   Marduk opened his mouth to speak
118   And addressed the gods his fathers,
119   "Above the Apsû, the emerald (?) abode,
120   Opposite Ešarra, which I built for you,
121   Beneath the celestial parts, whose floor I made firm,
122   I will build a house to be my luxurious abode.
123   Within it I will establish its shrine,
124   I will found my chamber and establish my kingship.
125   When you come up from the Apsû to make a decision
126   This will be your resting place before the assembly.
127   When you descend from heaven to make a decision
128   This will be your resting place before the assembly.
129   I shall call its name 'Babylon', "The Homes of the Great Gods",
130   Within it we will hold a festival: that will be the evening festival.
131   [The gods], his fathers, [heard] this speech of his,
132   . [ . . . . . . . . . . . . ] . they said,
133   "With regard to all that your hands have made,
134   Who has your [ . . . ]?
135   With regard to the earth that your hands have made,
136   Who has your [ . . . 1?
137   In Babylon, as you have named it,
138   Put our [resting place] for ever.
139   . [ . . . . . . . . . ] let them our bring regular offerings
140   . [ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ] . .
141   Whoever [ . . . ] our tasks which we . [ . . .
142   Therein [ . . . . . ] its toil . [ . . .
143   [ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]
144   They rejoiced [ . . . . . . . . . . . ] . . [ . . .
145   The gods . [ . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]
146   He who knows [ . . . . . . . . . ] . them
147   He opened [his mouth showing] them light,
148   . . [ . . . . . . . . . ] his speech . [ . ]
149   He made wide [ . . . . . . . . ] . them [ . . .
150   And . [ . . . . . . . . . . . . ] . . . . .
151   The gods bowed down, speaking to him,
152   They addressed Lugaldimmerankia, their lord,
153   "Formerly, lord, [you were our beloved] son,
154   Now you are our king, . . [ . . . ]
155   He who . [ . ] . [ . ] preserved [us]
156   . . [. . . ] the aura of club and sceptre.
157   Let him conceive plans [ . . . . ] . . [ . . . ]
158   [ . ] . . [ . . . . . . that] we . [ . . ."
 

Tablet VI

1   When Marduk heard the gods' speech
2   He conceived a desire to accomplish clever things.
3   He opened his mouth addressing Ea,
4   He counsels that which he had pondered in his heart,
5   "I will bring together blood to form bone,
6   I will bring into being Lullû, whose name shall be 'man'.
7   I will create Lullû—man
8   On whom the toil of the gods will be laid that they may rest.
9   I will skilfully alter the organization of the gods:
10   Though they are honoured as one, they shall be divided into two."
11   Ea answered, as he addressed a word to him,
12   Expressing his comments on the resting of the gods,
13   "Let one brother of theirs be given up.
14   Let him perish that people may be fashioned.
15   Let the great gods assemble
16   And let the guilty one be given up that they may be confirmed."
17   Marduk assembled the great gods,
18   Using gracious direction as he gave his order,
19   As he spoke the gods heeded him:
20   The king addressed a word to the Anunnaki,
21   "Your former oath was true indeed,
22   (Now also) tell me the solemn truth:
23   Who is the one who instigated warfare,
24   Who made Tia-mat rebel, and set battle in motion?
25   Let him who instigated warfare be given up
26   That I may lay his punishment on him; but you sit and rest.
27   The Igigi, the great gods, answered him,
28   That is, Lugaldimmerankia, the counsellor of the gods, the lord,
29   "Qingu is the one who instigated warfare,
30   Who made Tia-mat rebel and set battle in motion."
31   They bound him, holding him before Ea,
32   They inflicted the penalty on him and severed his blood-vessels.
33   From his blood he (Ea) created mankind,
34   On whom he imposed the service of the gods, and set the gods free.
35   After the wise Ea had created mankind
36   And had imposed the service of the gods upon them—
37   That task is beyond comprehension
38   For Nudimmud performed the creation with the skill of Marduk—
39   King Marduk divided the gods,
40   All the Anunnaki into upper and lower groups.
41   He assigned 300 in the heavens to guard the decrees of Anu
42   And appointed them as a guard.
43   Next he arranged the organization of the netherworld.
44   In heaven and netherworld he stationed 600 gods.
45   After he had arranged all the decrees,
46   And had distributed incomes among the Anunnaki of heaven and netherworld,
47   The Anunnaki opened their mouths
48   And addressed their lord Marduk,
49   "Now, lord, seeing you have established our freedom
50   What favour can we do for you?
51   Let us make a shrine of great renown:
52   Your chamber will be our resting place wherein we may repose.
53   Let us erect a shrine to house a pedestal
54   Wherein we may repose when we finish (the work)."
55   When Marduk heard this,
56   He beamed as brightly as the light of day,
57   "Build Babylon, the task you have sought.
58   Let bricks for it be moulded, and raise the shrine!"
59   The Anunnaki wielded the pick.
60   For one year they made the needed bricks.
61   When the second year arrived,
62   They raised the peak of Esagil, a replica of the Apsû.
63   They built the lofty temple tower of the Apsû
64   And for Anu, Enlil, and Ea they established its . . as a dwelling.
65   He sat in splendour before them,
66   Suveying its horns, which were level with the base of Ešarra.
67   After they had completed the work on Esagil
68   All the Anunnaki constructed their own shrines.
69   {300 Igigi of heaven and 600 of the Apsû, all of them, had assembled.}
70   Be-l seated the gods, his fathers, at the banquet
71   In the lofty shrine which they had built for his dwelling,
72   (Saying,) "This is Babylon, your fixed dwelling,
73   Take your pleasure here! Sit down in joy!
74   The great gods sat down,
75   Beer-mugs were set out and they sat at the banquet.
76   After they had enjoyed themselves inside
77   They held a service in awesome Esagil.
78   The regulations and all the rules were confirmed:
79   All the gods divided the stations of heaven and netherwor1d.
80   The college of the Fifty great gods took their seats,
81   The Seven gods of destinies were appointed to give decisions.
82   Be-l received his weapon, the bow, and laid it before them:
83   His divine fathers saw the net which he had made.
84   His fathers saw how skilfully wrought was the structure of the bow
85   As they praised what he had made.
86   Anu lifted it up in the divine assembly,
87   He kissed the bow, saying, "It is my daughter!"
88   Thus he called the names of the bow:
89   "Long Stick" was the first; the second was, "May it hit the mark."
90   With the third name, "Bow Star", he made it to shine in the sky,
91   He fixed its heavenly position along with its divine brothers.
92   After Anu had decreed the destiny of the bow,
93   He set down a royal throne, a lofty one even for a god,
94   Anu set it there in the assembly of the gods.
95   The great gods assembled,
96   They exalted the destiny of Marduk and did obeisance.
97   They invoked a curse on themselves
98   And took an oath with water and oil, and put their hands to their throats.
99   They granted him the right to exercise kingship over the gods,
100   They confirmed him as lord of the gods of heaven and netherworld.
101   Anšar gave him his exalted name, Asalluh(i
102   "At the mention of his name, let us show submission!
103   When he speaks, let the gods heed him,
104   Let his command be superior in upper and lower regions.
105   May the son, our avenger, be exalted,
106   Let his lordship be superior and himself without rival.
107   Let him shepherd the black-heads, his creatures,
108   Let them tell of his character to future days without forgetting.
109   Let him establish lavish food offerings for his fathers,
110   Let him provide for their maintenance and be caretaker of their sanctuaries,
111   Let him burn incense to rejoice their sanctums.
112   Let him do on earth the same as he has done in heaven:
113   Let him appoint the black-heads to worship him.
114   The subject humans should take note and call on their gods,
115   Since he commands they should heed their goddesses,
116   Let food offerings be brought [for] (?) their gods and goddesses,
117   May they (?) not be forgotten, may they remember their gods,
118   May they . . . their . . , may they . . their shrines.
119   Though the black-heads worship some one, some another god,
120   He is the god of each and every one of us!
121   Come, let us call the fifty names
122   Of him whose character is resplendent, whose achievement is the same.
123   (1) MARDUK
As he was named by his father Anu from his birth,
124   Who supplies pasturage and watering, making the stables flourish.
125   Who bound the boastful with his weapon, the storm flood,
126   And saved the gods, his fathers, from distress.
127   He is the son, the sun-god of the gods, he is dazzling,
128   Let them ever walk in his bright light.
129   On the peoples that he created, the living beings,
130   He imposed the service of the gods and they took rest.
131   Creation and annihilation, forgiveness and exacting the penalty
132   Occur at his command, so let them fix their eyes on him.
133   (2) Marukka: he is the god who created them
134   Who put the Anunnaki at ease, the Igigi at rest.
135   (3) Marutukku: he is the support of land, city, and its peoples,
136   Henceforth let the peoples ever heed him.
137   (4) Meršakušu: fierce yet deliberating, angry yet relenting,
138   His mind is wide, his heart is all-embracing.
139   (5) Lugaldimmerankia is the name by which we all called him,
140   Whose command we have exalted above that of the gods his fathers.
141   He is the lord of all the gods of heaven and netherworld,
142   The king at whose injunctions the gods in upper and lower regions shudder.
143   (6) Narilugaldimmerankia is the name we gave him, the mentor of every god,
144   Who established our dwellings in heaven and netherworld in time of trouble,
145   Who distributed the heavenly stations between Igigi and Anunnaki,
146   Let the gods tremble at his name and quake on their seats.
147   (7) Asalluh(i is the name by which his father Anu called him,
148   He is the light of the gods, a mighty hero,
149   Who, as his name says, is a protecting angel for god and land,
150   Who by a terrible combat saved our dwelling in time of trouble.
151   (8) Asalluh(i-Namtilla they called him secondly, the life-giving god,
152   Who, in accordance with the form (of) his (name), restored all the ruined gods,
153   The lord, who brought to life the dead gods by his pure incantation,
154   Let us praise him as the destroyer of the crooked enemies.
155   (9) Asalluh(i-Namru, as his name is called thirdly,
156   The pure god, who cleanses our character."
157   Anšar, Lah(mu, and Lah(amu (each) called him by three of his names,
158   Then they addressed the gods, their sons,
159   "We have each called him by three of his names,
160   Now you call his names, like us."
161   The gods rejoiced as they heard their speech,
162   In Upšuukkinaki they held a conference,
163   "Of the warrior son, our avenger,
164   Of the provisioner, let us extol the name."
165   They sat down in their assembly, summoning the destinies,
166   And with all due rites they called his name:

Tablet VII

1   (10) Asarre, the giver of arable land who established plough-land,
2   The creator of barley and flax, who made plant life grow.
3   (11) Asaralim, who is revered in the counsel chamber, whose counsel excels,
4   The gods heed it and grasp fear of him.
5   (12) Asaralimnunna, the noble, the light of the father, his begetter,
6   Who directs the decrees of Anu, Enlil, and Ea, that is Ninšiku.
7   He is their provisioner, who assigns their incomes,
8   Whose turban multiplies abundance for the land.
9   (13) Tutu is he, who accomplishes their renovation,
10   Let him purify their sanctuaries that they may repose.
11   Let him fashion an incantation that the gods may rest,
12   Though they rise up in fury, let them withdraw.
13   He is indeed exalted in the assembly of the gods, his [fathers],
14   No one among the gods can [equal] him.
15   (14) Tutu-Ziukkinna, the life of [his] host,
16   Who established, the pure heavens for the gods,
17   Who took charge of their courses, who appointed [their stations],
16   May he not be forgotten among mortals, but [let them remember] his deeds.
19   (15) Tutu-Ziku they called him thirdly, the establisher of purification,
20   The god of the pleasant breeze, lord of success and obedience,
21   Who produces bounty and wealth, who establishes abundance,
22   Who turns everything scant that we have into profusion,
23   Whose p1easant breeze we sniffed in time of terrible trouble,
24   Let men command that his praises be constantly uttered, let them offer worship to
him.
25   As (16) Tutu-Agaku, fourthly, let humans extol him,
26   Lord of the pure incantation, who brought the dead back to life,
27   Who showed mercy on the Bound Gods,
28   Who threw the imposed yoke on the gods, his enemies,
29   And to spare them created mankind.
30   The merciful, in whose power it is to restore to life,
31   Let his words be sure and not forgotten
32   From the mouths of the black-heads, his creatures.
33   As (17) Tutu-Tuku, fifthly, let their mouth give expression to his pure spell,
34   Who extirpated all the wicked by his pure incantation.
35   (18) Šazu, who knew the heart of the gods, who saw the reins,
36   Who did not let an evil-doer escape from him,
37   Who established the assembly of the gods, who rejoiced their hearts,
38   Who subjugated the disobedient, he is the gods' encompassing protection.
39   He made truth to prosper, he uprooted perverse speech,
40   He separated falsehood from truth.
41   As (19) Šazu-Zisi, secondly, let them continually praise him, the subduer of aggressors,
42   Who ousted consternation of from the bodies of the gods, his fathers.
43   (20) Šazu-Suh(rim, thirdly, who extirpated every foe with his weapons,
44   Who confounded their plans and turned them into wind.
45   He snuffed out all the wicked who came against him,
46   Let the gods ever shout acclamations in the assembly.
47   (21) Šazu-Suh(gurim, fourthly, who established success for the gods, his fathers,
48   Who extirpated foes and destroyed their offspring,
49   Who scattered their achievements, leaving no part of them,
50   Let his name be spoken and proclaimed in the land.
51   As (22) Šazu-Zah(rim, fifthly, let future gererations discuss him,
52   The destroyer of every rebel, of all the disobedient,
53   Who brought all the fugitive gods into the shrines,
54   Let this name of his be established.
55   As (23) Šazu-Zah(gurim, sixthly, let them altogether and everywhere worship him,
56   Who himself destroyed all the foes in battle.
57   (24) Enbilulu is he, the lord who supplies them abundantly,
58   Their great chosen one, who provides cereal offerings,
59   Who keeps pasturage and watering in good condition and established it for the land,
60   Who opened watercourses and distributed plentiful water.
61   (25) Enbilulu-Epadun, lord of common land and . . ., let them [call him] secondly,
62   Canal supervisor of heaven and netherworld, who sets the furrow,
Who establishes clean arable land in the open country,
63   Who directs irrigation ditch and canal, and marks out the furrow.
64   As (26) Enbilulu-Gugal, canal supervisor of the water courses of the gods, let them praise him thirdly,
65   Lord of abundance, profusion, and huge stores (of grain),
66   Who provides bounty, who enriches human habitations,
67   Who gives wheat, and brings grain into being.
68   (27) Enbilulu-H(egal, who accumulates abundance for the peoples . . . .
69   Who rains down riches on the broad earth, and supplies abundant vegetation.
70   (28) Sirsir, who heaped up a mountain on top of Tia-mat,
71   Who plundered the corpse of Tia-mat with [his] weapons,
72   The guardian of the land, their trustworthy shepherd,
73   Whose hair is a growing crop, whose turban is a furrow,
74   Who kept crossing the broad Sea in his fury,
75   And kept crossing over the place of her battle as though it were a bridge.
76   (29) Sirsir-Malah( they named him secondly—so be it—
77   Tia-mat was his boat, he was her sailor.
78   (30) Gil, who ever heaps up piles of barley, massive mounds,
79   The creator of grain and flocks, who gives seed for the land.
80   (31) Gilima, who made the bond of the gods firm, who created stability,
81   A snare that overwhelmed them, who yet extended favours.
82   (32) Agilima, the lofty, who snatches off the crown, who takes charge of snow,
83   Who created the earth on the water and made firm the height of heaven.
84   (33) Zulum, who assigns meadows for the gods and divides up what he has created,
85   Who gives incomes and food-offerings, who administers shrines.
86   (34) Mummu, creator of heaven end underworld, who protects refugees,
87   The god who purifies heaven and underworld, secondly Zulummu,
88   In respect of whose strength none other among the gods can equal him.
89   (35) Gišnumunab, creator of all the peoples, who made the world regions,
90   Who destroyed Tia-mat's gods, and made peoples from part of them.
91   (36) Lugalabdubur, the king who scattered the works of Tia-mat, who uprooted her weapons,
92   Whose foundation is secure on the "Fore and Aft".
93   (37) Pagalguenna, foremost of all lords, whose strength is exalted,
94   Who is the greatest among the gods, his brothers, the most noble of them all.
95   (38) Lugaldurmah(, king of the bond of the gods, lord of Durmah(u,
96   Who is the greatest in the royal abode, infinitely more lofty than the other gods.
97   (39) Aranunna, counsellor of Ea, creator of the gods, his fathers,
98   Whom no god can equal in respect of his lordly walk.
99   (40) Dumuduku, who renews for himself his pure abode in Duku,
100   Dumuduku, without whom Lugalduku does not make a decision.
101   (41) Lugalšuanna, the king whose strength is exalted among the gods,
102   The lord, the strength of Anu, he who is supreme, chosen of Anšar.
103   (42) Irugga, who plundered them all in the Sea,
104   Who grasps all wisdom, is comprehensive in understanding.
105   (43) Irqingu, who plundered Qingu in . . . battle,
106   Who directs all decrees and establishes lordship.
107   (44) Kinma, the director of all the gods, who gives counsel,
108   At whose name the gods bend down in reverence as before a hurricane.
109   (45) Dingir-Esiskur—let him take his lofty seat in the House of Benediction,
110   Let the gods bring their presents before him
111   Until he receives their offerings.
112   No one but he accomplishes clever things
113   The four (regions) of black-heads are his creation,
114   Apart from him no god knows the measure of their days.
115   (46) Girru, who makes weapons hard (?),
116   Who accomplished clever things in the battle with Tia-mat,
117   Comprehensive in wisdom, skilled in understanding,
118   A deep mind, that all the gods combined do not understand.
119   Let (47) Addu be his name, let him cover the whole span of heaven,
120   Let him thunder with his pleasant voice upon the earth,
121   May the rumble fill (?) the clouds
And give sustenance to the peoples below.
122   (48) Aša-ru, who, as his name says, mustered the Divine Fates
123   He indeed is the warden of absolutely all peoples.
124   As (49) Ne-beru let him hold the crossing place of heaven and underworld,
125   They should not cross above or below, but should wait for him.
126   Ne-beru is his star, which he caused to shine in the sky,
127   Let him take his stand on the heavenly staircase that they may look at him.
128   Yes, he who constantly crosses the Sea without resting,
129   Let his name be Ne-beru, who grasps her middle,
130   Let him fix the paths of the stars of heaven,
131   Let him shepherd all the gods like sheep,
132   Let him bind Tia-mat and put her life in mortal danger,
133   To generations yet unborn, to distant future days,
134   May he continue unchecked, may he persist into eternity.
135   Since he created the heavens and fashioned the earth,
136   Enlil, the father, called him by his own name, (50) 'Lord of the Lands'.
137   Ea heard the names which all the Igigi called
]38   And his spirit became radiant.
139   "Why! He whose name was extolled by his fathers
140   Let him, like me, be called (51) 'Ea'.
141   Let him control the sum of all my rites,
142   Let him administer all my decrees."
143   With the word "Fifty" the great gods
144   Called his fifty names and assigned him an outstanding position.
145   They should be remembered; a leading figure should expound them,
146   The wise and learned should confer about them,
147   A father should repeat them and teach them to his son,
148   One should explain them to shepherd and herdsman.
149   If one is not negligent to Marduk, the Enlil of the gods,
150   May one's land flourish, and oneself prosper,
151   (For) his word is reliable, his command unchanged,
152   No god can alter the utterance of his mouth.
153   When he looks in fury, he does not relent,
154   When his anger is ablaze, no god can face him.
155   His mind is deep, his spirit is all-embracing,
156   Before whom sin and transgression are sought out.
157   Instruction which a leading figure repeated before him (Marduk):
158   He wrote it down and stored it so that generations to come might hear it.
159   [ . . ] . Marduk, who created the Igigi gods,
160   Though they diminish . . . let them call on his name.
161   . . . . the song of Marduk,
162   Who defeated Tia-mat and took kingship.

Enuma Elish (Épopée de la Création)

Tablette I

1. Quand dans les hauteurs le ciel n’était pas nommé
2. et que la terre dessous ne portait pas encore de nom
3. et le primordial APSÛ, leur géniteur
4. et le chaos TIAMAT, leur mère à tous les deux
5. Leurs eaux étaient mêlées ensemble
6. et aucun champ n’était formé aucun marais ne pouvait être vu
7. Lorsque des dieux aucun n’avait été appelé à être
8. et qu’aucun ne porta de nom ni de destinée
9. alors furent créés les dieux dans le milieu du Ciel
10. Lahmu et Lahamu furent appelés à être
11. Les âges s’ajoutèrent
12. Alors Anshar et Kishar furent créés, et au au-dessus d’eux (…)
13. longs furent les jours et naquit
14. Anu, leur fils premier-né
15. Conforme à ses parents comme Anshar avait fait semblable à lui
16. Anu son rejeton
17. Anu comme à sa ressemblance procréa (EA/ENKI) Nudimmud
18. Abondant de toute connaissance
19. Il était extrêmement fort
20. Il n’avait pas de rival (…)
21. Ainsi furent établis et furent…les grands dieux
22. Mais Tiamat et Apsû étaient encore dans la confusion (…)
23. Ils étaient troublés et (…) en désordre (…)
24. Et Tiamat rugit (…)
25. Apsû n’était pas diminué en puissance
26. Elle s’affligea, et leurs actes (…)
27. Leur manière ou route était mauvaise
28. Alors Apsû, le géniteur des grands dieux
29. Cria vers Mummu, son ministre, et lui dit :
30. Ô Mummu,
31. Toi le ministre qui réjouit mon esprit
32. Viens, vers Tiamat allons !
33. Alors ils allèrent donc et devant Tiamat se prosternèrent
34. Ils se consultèrent sur un plan au sujet des dieux leurs fils
35. Apsû ouvrit la bouche et parla
36. Et vers Tiamat, la scintillante,
37. il adressa le mot (…) leur manière ou route (…)
38. De jours je ne peux me reposer, le soir je ne peux m’étendre en Paix
39. Mais je vais détruire leur manière ou route, je vais (…)
40. Qu’il y ait des lamentations et couchons nous encore en paix
41. Lorsque Tiamat entendit ces mots
42.  Elle ragea et cria à tue-tête (…)
43.  (Elle…) douloureusement (…)
44.  Elle proféra un sort et à (Apsû elle parla)
45. Qu’allons nous alors faire ?
46.  Rendons leurs manières (ou routes) difficiles et (re)couchons-nous en paix
47. Mummu répondit et donna un conseil à Apsû
48.  (…) et hostile (aux dieux) fut le conseil de Mu (que donna Mummu)
49.  Allons, leur manière (ou route) est puissante, mais tu devrais la détruire
50. Alors de jours tu pourras te reposer et de nuit te coucher (en paix)
51.  Apsû acquiesça et sa physionomie s’éclaira
52. (Comme) il avait planifié du mal contre les dieux ses fils
53. (…) il était effrayé (…) ses genoux (devinrent faible (?)
54. ils lâchèrent sous lui,
55. (À cause du mal) que leur premier-né avait planifié
56. L’ayant appris ces dieux
57. s’agitèrent puis gardèrent le silence et demeurèrent cois
58. (.) Leur (…) ils changèrent (?)  Lamentations ( ) ils s’assirent en (chagrin) (…) Ils (…)
59. Alors Ea qui connait tout ce qui est, monta et considéra leur marmonnement
60. Ea le tout connaissant perça leur intention.
61. Il devisa un plan défensif et l’installa
62. Contre cela il fit un sort astucieux, supérieur et sacré
63. Il le récita et le fit subsister dans les profondeurs
64. Comme il versa le sommeil sur lui. Il gisait profondément endormi
65. Quand il eut disposé d’Apsou, imbibé de sommeil
66. Mummu le conseiller fut figé sur place
67. Il libera le bandeau et arracha la tiare (d’Apsû)
68. Enleva sa brillance et la plaça sur lui
69. L’ayant terrassé, il le tua
70. Il attacha Mummu et le laissa derrière, bouclé
71. Ayant ainsi établit son logis sur Apsû
72. Il assure la prise sur Mummu, le tenant au moyen de la laisse-au-nez
73. Après qu’Ea eut vaincu et terrassé ses ennemis
74. Qu’il ait eu assuré son triomphe sur ses ennemis
75. que dans sa chambre sacrée, dans une profonde paix, se fut reposé
76. Il l’appela «Apsû», et l’assigna comme chapelle
77. Dans ce même endroit sa hutte de culte fut établie
78. Où Ea et Damkina, son épouse, se promenèrent avec splendeur
79. Dans la chambre des partages, la résidence des destinées
80. Un dieu fut engendré, le plus capable et le plus sage des dieux
81. Au Coeur de l’Apsû, Marduk fut créé
82. Au Coeur du Saint Apsû, Marduk fut créé
83. Celui qui l’engendra fut Ea son père
84. Celle qui le porta fut sa mère Damnika
85. Le sein des déesses il téta
86. La nourrice qui le nourrit l’emplit de merveilles
87. Attrayante était sa figure, scintillant le regard de ses yeux.
88. Seigneuriale était sa démarche, impérieuse d’ancienneté
89. Lorsque Ea le vit, le père qui le généra
90. Il s’exalta et brilla, son Coeur emplis de bonheur
91. Il l’a rendu parfait et l’a doté d’une double tête divine.
92. Extrêmement exalté était-il au-dessus d’eux, les surpassant complètement
93. Parfait était ses membres, au-delà de la compréhension
94. Impropre à la compréhension, difficile à conceptualiser
95. Quatre étaient ses yeux, quatre étaient ses oreilles
96. Lorsqu’il bouge les lèvres des flammes surgissent
97. Grandes étaient ses organes de l’ouïe
98. Et les yeux, du même nombre, examinaient toutes choses

Tablette II

1. Lorsque Tiamat ait eu ainsi donné l’importance à son travail
2. Elle se prépara au combat contre les dieux, sa progéniture
3. Pour venger Apsû, Tiamat planifia le mal (ou le désastre)
4. Qu’elle se ceignait pour la bataille fut divulgué à Ea
5. Aussitôt qu’Ea entendit parler de cela
6. Il tomba dans un silence noir et resta assis immobile.
7. Les jours passèrent et sa colère diminua
8. Il alla avers Anshar, son ancêtre
9. Lorsqu’il vint devant son grand-père Anshar 
10. Il lui répéta tout ce que Tiamat avait comploté
11. Mon père, Tiamat, elle qui nous a donné naissance, nous déteste.
12. Elle a organisé le rassemblement et est furieuse de rage
13. Tous les dieux se sont ralliés à elle
14. Même ceux que vous avez générés marchent à ses côtés
15. Ils se pressent et marchent au côté de Tiamat
16. Enragés, ils complotent sans arrêt, nuit et jour
17. Ils sont prêts au combat, grognant, rageant
18. Ils ont formé un conseil pour préparer la bataille
19. Mère Hubur, elle qui façonne tout
20. a ajouté des armes incomparables, a donné naissance à des monstres-serpents
21. acérés des dents, impitoyable des crocs
22. avec du venin en guise de sang, elle a empli leurs corps.
23. Dragons rugissant qu’elle a habillé de terreur
24. les a couronné de brillance, les faisant comme des dieux
25. de sorte que celui qui les contemple est submergé de terreur
26. Leur corps projetés, rien ne peut retenir leur attaque
27. Elle a installé la vipère, le dragon et le sphinx
28. le Grand-Lion, le Chien-Fou et l’Homme-Scorpion
29. Puissant démon-lion, la libellule, le centaure
30. Portant de armes qui n’épargnent pas, sans peur dans la bataille
31. Ses décrets sont fermes, ils sont au-delà de toute opposition
32. Dans l’ensemble, onze de ce genre elle a engendré
33. parce que parmi les dieux, son premier-né, qui formèrent l’assemblée
34. Elle a promu Kingu, l’a fait chef parmi eux.
35. Le plus haut grade, commandant de l’assemblée
36. Le brandissement des armes pour le face à face, avançant vers le combat
37. de diriger la bataille, de contrôler le combat
38. Elle confia tout ça à ses mains lorsqu’elle l’assit au conseil
39. J’ai jeté le sort pour toi, t’élevant dans l’assemblée des dieux
40. Pour diriger tous les dieux, je t’ai donné plein pouvoir
41. En vérité, tu es suprême, tu es mon seul époux
42. Ta parole prévaudra sur tous les Anunnaki
43. Elle lui a donné la tablette des destinées, fixée sur sa poitrine
44. «Quant à toi, ton commandement sera inchangeable, ta parole prévaudra !»
45. Aussitôt que Kingu fut élevé, possédant le rang d’Anu
46. Ils décrétèrent le sort des dieux, ses fils
47. «Ta parole fera s’éteindre le feu
48. Humiliera «l’arme de puissance» tellement efficace dans son balayage»
49. Lorsque Anshar entendit que Tiamat était douloureusement troublée
50. Il frappe ses cuisses et mordit ses lèvres 
        Les lignes suivantes sont endommagées et plusieurs interprétations sont accessibles voici l’une d’elles :
51. son Coeur fut maussade, son humeur inquiète
52. Il couvrit sa bouche pour étouffer son exclamation
53. ….combat
54. ….toi….
55. Voit ! Tu as tué Mummu et Apsû
56. maintenant, occis Kingu qui marche devant elle.
57. ….sagesse.»
58. Nudimmud, le….des dieux
59. Il adressa un mot à Anu son fils 
60. «…. Puissant héros
61. duquel la puissance est remarquable, son assaut ne peut être résisté
62. Va et affronte Tiamat
63. que son humeur se calme, que son Coeur puisse être tolérant
64. Si elle ne veut pas entendre tes mots
65. alors dis-lui nos mots qu’elle puisse être calme»
66. Lorsqu’il entendit l’ordre de son père Anshar,
67. Il se dirigea directement vers sa voie (route), poursuivant la route vers elle.
68. mais lorsqu’Anu fut assez près pour voir les plans de Tiamat
69. Il ne fut pas capable de lui faire face et rebroussa chemin
70. (Il vint honteusement vers son père,) Anshar
71. ……il s’adressa à lui
72. ………………………………………….
 Note : Lacune de plusieurs lignes possible tout autant que le lien soit fait par le vers manquant qui a précédé.
73. Ma main ne me suffit pas pour te soumettre
 Note : Il semble dire qu’il n’est pas assez puissant pour soumettre Tiamat probablement
74. Anshar fut sans voix pendant qu’il regardait vers le sol
75. démoralisé, hochant la tête vers Ea
76. tous les Anunnakis se rassemblèrent à cet endroit
77. Leurs lèvres pincées, ils s’assirent en silence
78. « Aucun dieu,» pensaient-ils», ne peut engager le combat
79. face à Tiamat, et en sortir vivant»
80. …..Anshar….
81. ….il dit à ….
82. ….un vengeur…
83. …..le héros !» 
84. …. Dans son endroit de réclusion
85. ….il lui parla:
86. …..ton père
87. Parce que tu es mon fils qui réconforte son cœur
88. Lorsqu’en face d’Anshar, approche-toi comme pour le combat
89. Tiens-toi debout pendant que tu parles, il se rassurera.»
90. Le Seigneur se réjouit aux paroles de son père
91. Il s’approcha et se tint devant Anshar
92. Lorsque Anshar l’aperçu, son Coeur fut rempli de joie
93. Il embrassa ses lèvres et la peur s’éloigna de lui
94. «Anshar, ne soit pas muet; ouvre grande tes lèvres
95. Je vais aller et atteindre le désir de ton coeur
96. Anshar, ne soit pas muet; ouvre grande tes lèvres
97. Je vais aller et atteindre le désir de ton coeur
98. Quel mâle est celui qui a imposé son combat contre toi ?
99. ….Tiamat, une femme, qui vole vers toi avec des armes !
100. ……sois heureux et réjouis-toi;
101. Tu vas bientôt piétiner le cou de Tiamat
102. ….. Sois heureux et réjouis-toi
103. Tu vas bientôt piétiner le cou de Tiamat !»
104. «Mon fils, toi qui connait toute sagesse
105. Calme Tiamat avec ton sort sacré
106. Sur le chariot-tempête avance à toute vitesse
107. Parce que ton sang ne coulera pas, tu reviendras encore.»
108. Le Seigneur se réjouit du discours de son père
109. Son Cœur triomphant, il dit à son père
110. «Créateur des dieux, destiné des grands dieux,
111. Si moi, vraiment, en tant que vengeur
112. Triomphe de Tiamat et vous donne la vie
113. Organisez l’assemblée, proclamez que ma destiné soit suprême !
114. Lorsque conjointement dans Ubshukinna, vous aurez siégé en vous réjouissant
115. Laissez ma parole, au lieu de vous, déterminer les destinées.
116. Que ce que je pourrais amener à être soit invariable
117. L’ordre venant de mes lèvres ne sera ni rappelée, ni changée.»

Tablette III

1. Anshar ouvrit la bouche et
2. adressa un mot à Gaga, son ministre
3. «O Gaga, mon vizir, qui réjouit mon esprit
4. Je vais t’envoyer vers Lahmu et Lahamu
5. …. Tu es adroit
6. ….. Présentez-vous devant moi !
7. …..laissez tous les dieux
8. Qu’ils tiennent conciliabule, s’assoient à un banquet
9. Qu’ils mangent le pain, qu’ils mélangent le vin
10. Au sujet de Marduk, leur vengeur, qu’ils fixent leurs décrets
11. Sois sur ton départ, Gaga, présente-toi devant eux
12. et tout ce que je te dirai, répète-le à eux
13. «Anshar, votre fils, m’a envoyé ici
14. me chargeant de verbaliser ce que son Cœur lui dicte
15. Il dit que Tiamat, celle qui nous a donné naissance, nous déteste
16. Elle a organisé le rassemblement et est furieuse de rage
17. Tous les dieux se sont ralliés à elle
18. Même ceux à qui vous avez donné naissance marchent à ses côtés
19. Dressés en cercle auprès de Tiamat
20. Ils se pressent et marchent au côté de Tiamat
21. Enragés, ils complotent sans cesse jour et nuit
22. Ils sont prêts au combat, grognant, rageants,
23. Ils ont formé un conseil pour se préparer à la bataille
24. Mère Hubur, elle qui façonne toutes choses
25. A ajouté des armes incomparables, a fait naître des monstres-serpents.
26. acérés de dents, impitoyables de crocs
27. J’ai envoyé Anu; il n’a pu lui faire face
28. Nudimmud a eu peur et a tourné les talons
29. Mais Marduk s’avança, le plus sage des dieux, votre fils
30. Lorsque Lahmu et Lahamu entendirent cela, ils s’exclamèrent
31. Tous les Igigis hurlèrent en détresse
32. Combien étrange qu’ils aient pu prendre cette décision !
33. Nous ne pouvons déchiffrer les actions de Tiamat
34. Ils se préparèrent à partir pour leur voyage
35. Tous les grands dieux qui décrètent les sorts
36. Ils entrèrent devant Anshar, emplissant Ubshukinna (Salle de réunion ?) 
37. Ils s’embrassèrent l’un l’autre dans l’assemblée
38. Ils tinrent dialogue en s’assoyant au Banquet
39. Ils mangèrent du pain et mêlèrent du vin
40. Ils mouillèrent leur tube à boire avec des spiritueux sucrés
41. Au fur et à mesure qu’ils buvaient la boisson forte, leurs corps s’allongèrent
42. Ils devinrent très somnolents au fur et à mesure que leur esprit flottait
43. Pour Marduk, leur vengeur, ils fixèrent les décrets.

Tablette IV

1. Ils érigèrent pour lui, un trône princier
2. faisant face à ses pères, il s’assit, trônant
3. «Tu es le plus honoré des grands dieux
4. Ton décret est sans rival, ton emprise est Anu
5. Toi Marduk, est le plus honoré des grands dieux
6. Ton décret est sans rival, ta parole est Anu
7. De ce jour tes arrêts seront inchangeables
8. Élever ou rabaisser, cela sera entre tes mains
9. Ton énoncé sera vrai, ton ordre sera indénouable
10. Personne parmi les dieux ne transgressera tes frontières
11. Des décorations étant voulues pour les sièges des dieux
12. Fait que l’endroit de leurs chapelles soit pour toujours dans ton espace.
13. Ô Marduk, tu es vraiment notre vengeur
14. Nous t’avons accordé la royauté sur l’univers entier
15. Quand tu siègeras en Assemblée, ta parole sera suprême
16. Tes armes ne failliront pas; elles écrabouilleront tes ennemis
17. Ô Seigneur, épargne la vie de celui qui a foi en toi
18. mais retire la vie du dieu qui a conçu le mal.»
19. Ayant placé dans leur groupe un habit (?)
20. Ils s’adressèrent à Marduk, leur premier-né
21. «Que ton sort, Ô Seigneur, soit suprême parmi les dieux
22. Dis que ce soit pour détruire ou créé, cela sera.
23. Ouvre la bouche : l’habit disparaîtra !
24. parle encore et l’habit sera entier»
25. À un mot de sa bouche, l’habit disparut
26. Il parla encore, et l’habit fut restauré
27. Lorsque les dieux, ses pères, virent le fruit de sa parole
28. Joyeusement ils rendirent hommage : « Marduk est roi ! »
29. Ils conférèrent sur lui sceptre, trône et revêtement
30. Ils lui donnèrent des armes incomparables qui sont mortelles pour les ennemis
31. «Vas et retranche la vie de Tiamat !
32. Que les vents portent son sang à des endroits non dévoilées.»
33. La destiné de Bel ainsi fixée, les dieux, ses pères
34. occasionnèrent qu’il aille sur l’orbite du succès et de la conquête
35. Il construisit un arc qu’il marqua comme son arme
36. à laquelle attacha une flèche, fixa sa corde d’arc
37. Il leva sa massue, la fit agripper par sa main droite
38. Arc et carquois il suspendit à son côté
39. devant lui installa l’éclair
40. d’une flamme ardente il remplit son corps
41. Ensuite il fabriqua un filet pour envelopper Tiamat à l’intérieur
42. Les quatre vents il postât pour que rien d’elle ne puisse s’échapper
43. Le Vent-du-Sud, le Vent-du-Nord, le Vent-de-l’Est, le Vent-de-l’Ouest
44. Près de son côté il tint le filet, le cadeau de son père Anu.
45. Il généra Imhullu «le Vent mauvais», le «tourbillon», l’ouragan
46. Le vent-quatre-direction, le Vent sept-direction, le Cyclone, le Vent incomparable
47. Ensuite il envoya les Vents qu’il avait générés, tous les sept 
48. Pour bouleverser l’intérieur de Tiamat ils se levèrent derrière lui
49. Ensuite le Seigneur leva la tempête-déluge, sa puissante arme.
50. Il monta le chariot-tempête irrésistible et terrifiant
51. Il harnacha et y attela un quadrige
52. Le tueur, le déterminé, le piaffeur, le rapide
53. Leurs lèvres étaient ouvertes, leurs dents jetaient du poison
54. Ils étaient infatigables et adroit en destruction
55. À sa droite, il posta le pourfendeur, sans peur en combat
56. À sa gauche, le Combat, qui repousse tous les zélés
57. En guise de chape, il était enveloppé dans une armure de terreur
58. De son effroyable rayonnement, sa tête était enturbannée
59. Le Seigneur partit et suivit son trajet
60. Vers la rageuse Tiamat il orienta son visage
61. Dans ses lèvres il tenait un sort
62. Une plante pour annuler le poison était agrippée dans sa main
63. Alors ils tournèrent autour de lui, les dieux tournèrent autour de lui,
64. Les dieux, ses pères, lui tournaient-autour, les dieux lui tournaient-autour.
65. Le Seigneur s’approcha pour scruter l’intérieur de Tiamat
66. et de Kingu, son époux, d’en percevoir les manigances
67. Comme il continu de regarder, il perd son orbite
68. Sa volonté est embarrassée et ses gestes sont confus
69. Et quand les dieux, ses alliés, qui marchaient à son côté
70. Virent le vaillant héros, leur vision devint brouillée
71. Tiamat émit un cri sans tourner le cou
72. formant un défi sauvage sur ses lèvres
73. «Tu es trop important pour que le Seigneur des dieux se dresse contre toi !
74. Est-ce en leur place qu’ils se sont réunis ou dans ta place ?
75. À cet instant le Seigneur, ayant levé la Tempête-déluge, sa puissante arme
76. Pour enrager Tiamat lui envoya le mot suivant :
77. «Pourquoi es-tu élevé, hautainement exaltée
78. Tu as chargé ton propre Cœur d’exciter le conflit,
79. …. fils rejettent leurs propres pères
80. pendant que toi, qui les a mis au monde, tu as promis l’amour!
81. Tu as désigné Kingu comme ton époux
82. Conférant sur lui le rang d’Anu, n’étant pas légitimement le sien
83. Contre Anshar, roi des dieux, tu cherches des maléfices
84. Contre les dieux, mes pères, tu as confirmé ta scélératesse
85. Malgré que tes force sont positionnées, tes armes ceintes
86. Lève-toi de sorte que toi et moi nous nous rencontrions en combat singulier !»
87. Lorsque Tiamat entendit cela
88. Elle fut comme une possédée, elle perdit l’esprit
89. En furie Tiamat cria à tue-tête :
90. jusqu’aux racines, ses jambes tremblèrent toutes les deux
91. Elle récitait des charmes, continuait de proférer ses sorts
92. pendant que les dieux du combat affûtaient leurs armes
93. Ensuite Tiamat et Marduk, s’engagèrent, le plus sage des dieux,
94. Ils compétionnèrent en combat singulier, verrouillés dans le combat
95. Le Seigneur étendit son filet pour l’envelopper
96. Le Vent Mauvais, qui suivait derrière, il lança à sa face
97. Lorsque Tiamat ouvrit la bouche pour le consommer
98. Il y enfournât Vent mauvais pendant qu’elle n’avait pas encore fermé la bouche
99. pendant que les vents terribles remplissaient son ventre
100. son corps fut distendu et sa bouche grande ouverte
101. Il libéra la flèche, elle lui déchira le ventre
102. Cela fendit son intérieur, séparant le cœur
103. L’ayant ainsi maîtrisée, il souffla sa vie
104. Il jeta bas sa carcasse pour se tenir debout dessus
105. Après qu’il ait eu abattu Tiamat, le chef
106. Sa bande fut pulvérisée, ses troupes éparpillées
107. et les dieux, ses aides qui marchaient à ses côtés
108. Tremblants de terreur, firent demi-tour
109. dans le but de sauver et préserver leurs vies
110. encerclés de près, ils ne pouvaient s’échapper.
111. Il les fit prisonniers et brisa leurs armes
112. Jetés dans le filet, ils se retrouvèrent empiégés
113. placés en cellules, ils étaient envahis de gémissements
114. Supportant son courroux, ils furent retenus prisonniers
115. Et les onze créatures qu’elle avait chargées d’horreur
116. toute la bande de démons qui marchait à sa droite
117. il les mit sous entraves, leurs mains il lia.
118. À cause de leur résistance, il les piétina
119. Et Kingu, qui avait été fait chef parmi eux
120. il l’attacha et l’attitra à Uggae
121. Il lui enleva la tablette des destinées, qui ne lui était pas légitime
122. scella ceux-ci de son sceau et les fixa sur sa poitrine
123. Lorsqu’il eut vaincu et terrassé ses adversaires
124. qu’il eut….les ennemis présomptueux
125. Qu’il eut complètement établit le triomphe d’Anshar sur ses ennemis
126. ait eu accomplit le vœu de Nudimmud, Vaillant Marduk
127. raffermi son emprise sur les dieux vaincus
128. et retourna à Tiamat qu’il avait lié
129. Le Seigneur marcha sur les jambes de Tiamat
130. avec son impitoyable massue lui fracassa le crâne
131. quand les artères de son sang qu’il avait tranché
132. Le Vent du Nord les enfouit dans des endroits cachés
133. En voyant cela, ses pères furent joyeux et enchantés
134. lui apportèrent des cadeaux en hommage
135. puis le Seigneur fit une pause pour regarder le cadavre, ferma la barrière et posta des sentinelles.
136. Afin qu’il en divise la forme pour en faire des œuvres d’art.
137. Il la divisa en deux comme un crustacé
138. Une moitié, il installa comme une toiture pour le ciel
139. Descendit les barrières et posta des gardes
140. il leur intima de ne pas laisser fuir ses eaux
141. Il traversa le ciel et dressa la carte des régions
142. Il quadrilla le cartier d’Apsû, l’habitacle de Nudimmud
143. Comme le Seigneur mesurait les dimensions de l’Apsû
144. Le grand habitacle, à sa ressemblance il fixa Esharra
145. Le grand Habitacle, Esharra, qu’il a fait comme le firmament
146. Anu, Enlil et Ea il fit occuper leur place.

Tablette V

1. Il construisit les enceintes pour les grands dieux
2. Fixant leurs apparences astrales comme les étoiles du Zodiaque
3. Il déterminât l’année et en sections la divisa
4. Il installa trois constellations pour chacun des douze mois
5. Après avoir défini les jours de l’année au moyen de dessins au ciel
6. Il fonda l’enceinte de l’étoile du Pôle (Nébiru) pour déterminer leurs frontières
7. De sorte qu’aucun n’erre ou ne partit à la dérive.
8. Parallèlement, il installa les enceintes d’Enlil et d’Éa
9. Ayant ouvert les barrières de chaque côté
10. Il renforcit les serrures à la gauche et la droite.
11. Dans son ventre il établit le zénith
12. il fit briller la Lune, lui confiant la nuit.
13. Il la nomma créature de la nuit pour déterminer les jours
14. Et marqua chacun des mois, sans arrêt, au moyen de sa couronne
15. Au tout début du mois, t’élevant au-dessus du sol
16. Tu possèderas des cornes lumineuses pour indiquer six jours
17. Au septième jour atteignant une demi-couronne
18. De sorte que cette période de quinze jours soit comme l’une de deux moitié de chacun des mois.
19. Quand le Soleil te dépassera à l’horizon
20. Diminue ta couronne et rétrograde en lumière
21. Au moment de la disparition, approche-toi du parcours du Soleil
22. Et au trentième, tu te tiendras encore en opposition avec le Soleil
23. J’ai désigné la balise, suit son trajet.
24. ….. approche (ou approchez) et donne le verdict.»
25. Après avoir assigné les jours à Shamash
26. Et établit les frontières de la nuit et du jour
27. Prenant la salive de Tiamat
28. Marduk créa ….
29. Il format les nuages et les remplit d’eau
30. Le lever du vent, l’apport de la pluie et du froid
31. Faisant fumer le brouillard, accumulant….
32. Tout ceci, il planifia lui-même, et en prit la responsabilité
33. Plaçant sa tête (Tiamat) en position, il forma alors les montagnes
34. Ouvrant les profondeurs qui était inondées
35. Il fit couler de ses yeux l’Euphrate et le Tigre
36. Bloquant ses narines il laissa …,
37. Il forma à partir de sa poitrine, les grandes montagnes
38. C’est là qu’il perça des sources pour que les puits apportent l’eau
39. Tordant sa queue, il l’assujettit à Durmah
40. ……Apsû à ses pieds
41. … son sexe, elle fut attachée à la sphère céleste
42. Ainsi il couvrit la sphère céleste et établit la Terre
43. … à l’intérieur de Tiamat il fit couler
44. … il déploya son filet complètement
45. Ainsi créa-t-il le Ciel et la Terre…,
46. ….. leurs frontières…..établies
47. Lorsqu’il eut instauré ses règles et donné forme à ses arrêtés
48. Il instaura les sanctuaires et les remit à Éa
49. La tablette des destinées qu’il avait enlevée à Kingu et qu’il portait
50. Il l’apporta comme étant le premier cadeau de bienvenue et le donna à Anu
51. Les dieux qui s’étaient battus et avaient été éparpillés, il emmena attachés en la présence de ses pères.
52. Maintenant les onze créatures que Tiamat avait fabriquées…
53. De leurs armes qu’il avait fracassés, qu’il avait attachés à son pied
54. De ceux-ci il fit des statues et les installa à la barrière de l’Apsû, disant
55. «Que ce soit un symbole pour que ceci ne soit jamais oublié»
56. Lorsque les dieux virent cela, ils furent extrêmement satisfaits.
57. Lahamu et Lahamu, et tous ses pères
58. Se rendirent vers lui, et Anshar, le roi, énonça ses salutations
59. Anu, Enlil et Éa lui présentèrent des présents
60. Avec un présent Damnika, sa mère, le rendit joyeux
61. Elle envoya des offrandes, son visage s’éclaira
62. À Usmi qui avait emporté les cadeaux (de sa mère) à un endroit secret
63. Il confia la direction de l’Apsû et la gestion des sanctuaires.
64. Étant rassemblés, tous les Igigi s’inclinèrent
65. Pendant que tous les Anunnaki lui baisèrent les pieds
66. …..leur assemblée à faire obédience
67. Ils se tinrent debout devant lui, s’inclinèrent et dirent : «Il est le roi !»
68. Après que les dieux, ses pères, furent saturés de ses sorts
69. Éa et Damnika….
70. Ils ouvrirent leurs bouches pour parler aux grands dieux, les Igigi
71. «Auparavant Marduk n’était que notre fils bien-aimé
72. Maintenant il est votre roi, proclamez son titre !»
73. Un deuxième discours ils firent, ils parlèrent tous :
74. «Son nom sera Lugaldimmerankia, ayez confiance en lui !»
75. Lorsqu’ils eurent donné la souveraineté à Marduk
76. Ils déclarèrent pour lui une formule de chance et de succès :
77. «Dorénavant tu seras le protecteur de nos sanctuaires,
78. Quelque soit ton ordre, nous le ferons !
79. Marduk ouvrit la bouche pour parler,
80. Pour dire un mot aux dieux, ses pères :
81. «Au-dessus de l’Apsû où vous avez résidé
82. La contrepartie de l’Ésarra que j’ai construit pour vous
83. En dessous, j’ai solidifié le sol pour un site de construction
84. Je vais construire une maison, ce sera mon séjour luxueux
85. J’établirai dedans ses temples
86. Je vais désigner ses chambres internes, je vais établir ma souveraineté
87. Lorsque vous monterez de l’Apsû pour venir à l’assemblée
88. Vous passerez la nuit à l’intérieur, elles sont là pour tous vous recevoir
89. J’appellerai son nom Babylone qui signifie «Les maisons des grands dieux»
90. Je la construirai avec l’adresse des hommes de compétence»
91. Quand les dieux, ses pères, entendirent son discours
92. Posèrent la question suivante à Mardouk, leur premier-né :
93. «sur tout ce que tes mains ont créé
94. Qui aura ton autorité ?
95. Sur ce sol que tes mains ont créé
96. Qui aura ton pouvoir ?
97. Babylone, à laquelle tu as donné un beau nom
98. En ce lieu établi notre résidence pour toujours
99. ….., qu’ils apportent notre ration quotidienne,
100. ….notre (ou nos)………………
101. Que personne n’usurpe nos tâches que nous performions auparavant
102. Ainsi…son labeur…...»
103. Marduk se réjouit lorsqu’il entendit cela et
104. Il répondit aux dieux qui l’avaient questionné
105. Lui qui avait tué Tiamat leur montra la lumière
106. Il ouvrit la bouche, son discours fut noble.
107. «…eux…,
108. …. Vous seront confiées.»
109. Les dieux s’inclinèrent devant lui, ils lui parlèrent
110. Ils dirent à Lugaldimmerankia
111. «Auparavant le Seigneur n’était que notre fils bien-aimé
112. Maintenant il est notre roi, proclamez son titre !
113. Lui dont la pure incantation nous a rendu la vie
114. Il est le Seigneur de la splendeur, de la massue et du sceptre
115. Éa qui connait la technique de tous les arts
116. Qu’il prépare les plans, nous nous serons les travailleurs.

Tablette VI

1. Lorsque Marduk entendit les mots des dieux
2. Son Cœur l’encourageait à façonner des travaux artistiques
3. Ouvrant la bouche, il s’adressa à Éa
4. Pour lui faire part du plan qu’il avait conçu dans son cœur
5. Je vais établir un sauvage, «homme» sera son nom.
6. En vérité, homme-sauvage je vais créer
7. Il sera chargé du service des dieux
8. Pour qu’ils soient soulagés
9. Les us et coutumes des dieux, je vais améliorer
10. Même s’ils sont vénérés de la même façon, en deux groupes ils seront séparés.
11. Éa lui répondit, lui disant un mot :
12. Lui donnant un autre plan pour le soulagement des dieux
13. «Qu’un de leurs frères me soit livré
14. Lui seul périra pour que l’humanité puisse être façonnée
15. Que les grands-dieux se retrouvent ici en assemblée
16. Que le coupable soit livré pour qu’il subisse.»
17. Marduk convoqua les grands-dieux à l’Assemblée
18. Présidant gracieusement, il émit ses instructions
19. À son énoncé les dieux portèrent attention
20. Le roi adressa un mot aux Anunnaki
21. «Si votre déclaration antérieure était vraie
22. Maintenant déclarez la vérité sur un serment par moi
23. Qui est-ce, celui qui forgea la révolte
24. Et fait rebeller Tiamat, et participa au combat ?
25. Que soit livré celui qui a forgea la révolte
26. Sa culpabilité je lui ferai porter.  Vous vivrez en paix !»
27. Les Igigi lui répliquèrent :
28. À Lugaldimmeranka, conseillé des dieux, leur Seigneur :
29. «Ce fut Kingu celui qui forgea la révolte,
30. Et fit Tiamat se rebeller, et participa au combat.»
31. Ils l’attachèrent, le tenant devant Éa
32. Ils lui imposèrent sa punition et coupèrent ses vaisseaux sanguins
33. À partir de son sang, ils façonnèrent l’humanité
34. Il imposa sur lui la servitude et libéra les dieux
35. Après qu’Éa le sage eut produit l’Humanité
36. Eut imposé sur eux le service des dieux
37. Ce travail était au-delà de la compréhension;
38. Aussi artistiquement planifié par Marduk, Éa l’a créé
39. Marduk le roi des dieux, divisa
40. Tous les grands dieux (Anunnaki), en haut et en bas.
41. Il les assigna à Anu pour garder ses directives
42. Trois cents dans le ciel il cantonna comme gardes
43. De la même manière l’installation de la Terre il définit
44. Dans le ciel et sur la Terre, six cents ainsi il installa
45. Après qu’il eut ordonné toutes les instructions
46. Aux Anunnaki du Ciel et de la Terre ayant alloué leurs portions
47. Les Anunnaki ouvrirent leurs bouches
48. Et dirent à Marduk, leur Seigneur
49. «Maintenant, Ô Seigneur, toi qui a causé notre délivrance
50. Quel sera notre tribu envers toi ?
51. Construisons le sanctuaire dont le nom sera :
52. «Vois, une chambre pour notre repos nocturne; reposons-nous dedans !
53. Construisons un trône, un refuge pour son habitacle !
54. Le jours de notre arrivé, nous nous y reposerons.»
55. Lorsque Marduk entendit cela.
56. Son apparence rayonna brillamment, comme le jour
57. «Construisez Babylone, dont les édifices vous avez réclamé,
58. Que sa maçonnerie soit façonnée. Vous l’appellerez Le Sanctuaire.
59. Les Anounaki appliquèrent l’outil
60. Pendant toute une année ils moulèrent les briques.
61. Lorsque la seconde année arriva
62. Ils levèrent haut la tête de l’Ésagil pareil à l’Apsû 
63. Ayant construit une tour à étage aussi élevée que l’Apsû
64. Ils installèrent dedans une résidence pour Marduk, Enlil et Éa
65. En leur présence il fut assis en majesté
66. Vers la base de l’Ésarra, ses cornes regardaient
67. Après avoir parachevé la construction de l’Ésagil,
68. Tous les Anunnaki érigèrent leur sanctuaire
69. Les trois cent Igigi…...tous rassemblés
70. Le Seigneur étant sur l’estrade élevée qu’ils avaient construite pour sa résidence
71. Les dieux, ses pères, à son banquet :
72. « Ceci est Babylone, l’endroit qui est votre demeure !
73. Soyez joyeux dans son enceinte, occupez ses places étendues.»
74. Les grands dieux prirent leur siège
75. Ils organisèrent des boissons de fête, s’assirent pour un banquet.
76. Après qu’ils s’en furent rendus joyeux
77. Dans l’Ésagil, le splendide, eurent performés leurs rites,
78. Les normes ayant été fixées et tous leurs présages
79. Tous les dieux répartirent les sites du Ciel et de la Terre
80. Les cinquante Grands-dieux prirent leurs sièges.
81. Les sept dieux des destinés installèrent les trois cent dans le ciel.
82. Enlil éleva l’Arc, son arme, et l’étendit devant eux
83. Les dieux, ses pères, virent le filet qu’il avait fait.
84. Lorsqu’ils contemplèrent l’Arc, combien habile sa configuration.
85. Ses pères louèrent le travail qu’il avait produit.
86. L’élevant, Anu parla devant l’Assemblée des dieux :
87. En embrassant l’Arc : «Celle-ci est ma fille !»
88. Il nomma les noms de l’Arc de la façon suivante :
89. «Boislong est le premier, le deuxième est Précis ;
90. Son troisième nom est Arc-étoile, au ciel je l’ai fait briller.»
91. Il fixa sa position avec les dieux, ses frères.
92. Après qu’Anu eut décrété le sort de l’Arc
93. Et eut placé le grand trône royal devant les dieux
94. Anu le plaça dans l’Assemblée des dieux.
95. Lorsque les Grands dieux s’assemblèrent
96. Ils exaltèrent la destiné de Marduk, ils s’inclinèrent,
97. Ils prononcèrent ensemble un sort
98. Jurant par l’eau et l’huile de risquer la vie
99. Lorsqu’ils lui décernèrent l’exercice de la royauté sur les dieux
100. Lorsqu’ils lui eurent donné la domination sur les dieux du Ciel et du monde d’en bas
101. Anshar déclara son nom suprême, Asarluhi, disant :
102. «Soyons obéissants à la mention de ce nom
103. Qu’à ses énoncés les dieux donne caution
104. Que ses ordres soient suprêmes en haut et en bas !
105. Le plus exalté soit le fils, notre Vengeur;
106. Que sa souveraineté prévale n’ayant aucun rival !
107. Qu’il dirige les têtes-noires ses créatures
108. Jusqu’à la fin des jours, sans l’oublier, qu’ils acclament ses routes.
109. Qu’il établisse pour ses pères la grande offrande de nourriture !
110. Leur nécessaire ils fourniront, entretiendront leurs sanctuaire.
111. Puisse-t-il faire en sorte que l’encens soit senti, ….leurs charmes,
112. Fasse identique sur Terre à ce qu’il a créé au Ciel
113. Puisse-t-il ordonner aux têtes-noires de le révérer
114. Puissent les sujets toujours se rappellent de parler à leurs dieux !
115. Et puissent-ils, à son nom, porter attention aux déesses.
116. Puisse des offrandes de nourriture soient portées à leurs dieux et déesses.
117. Sans faillir qu’ils supportent leurs dieux !
118. Qu’ils améliorent leur pays, construisent des sanctuaires.
119. Puisse les têtes-noires servir leurs dieux
120. Pour nous, aussi nombreux sont ses noms que nous prononçons, il est notre dieu !
121. Proclamons ses cinquante noms.
122. «Lui dont les routes sont glorieuses ainsi que ses œuvres!
123. Marduk, comme Anu, son père, l’appela depuis sa naissance,
124. Qui fournit pâturage et points d’eau, enrichit leurs étables,
125. Qui avec la tempête-déluge, son arme, a vaincu les détracteurs.
126. Et lesquels dieux, ses pères, il sauva de la détresse !
127. Vraiment, le fils du Soleil, le plus radieux des dieux est-il.
128. Dans sa lumière éclatante puissent-ils marcher pour toujours !
129. Aux gens qu’il a créés, a doté de la vie
130. Le service aux dieux il a imposé pour que ceux-ci aient l’aisance.
131. Création, destruction, libération, graciement-
132. Sera selon son ordre. Ils le contempleront !
133. Marukka est vraiment le dieu, créateur de tout,
134. Qui réjouit le Cœur des Anunnaki et apaise les Igigi.
135. Marutukku, est véritablement le refuge de cette terre, cette ville et du peuple.
136. Sur lui, le peuple déversera louanges pour toujours.
137. Barashakushu se leva et s’agrippa à son contrôle
138. Ouvert est son Cœur, chaude sa sympathie
139. Lugaldimmerankia est son nom que nous avons proclamé dans notre assemblée.
140. Ses ordres nous les avons exalté au-dessus des dieux, ses pères.
141. En vérité, il est le Seigneur de tous les dieux du Ciel et du monde d’en bas,
142. Le roi duquel la discipline, les dieux d’en haut et d’en bas sont désolés»
143. Nari-Lugaldimmerankia est le nom de Celui que nous avons appelé le moniteur des dieux.
144. Celui qui au Ciel et sur Terre institua pour nous une retraite lors de troubles,
145. Et qui a alloué les stations (orbites ?) aux Igigi et aux Anunnaki.
146. À son nom les dieux trembleront et frémiront en repli.
147. Asaruludu est son nom qu’Anu, son père, a proclamé pour lui
148. Il est vraiment la lumière des dieux, le grand dirigeant
149. Qui, protégeant les divinités du dieu et du sol
150. Dans un combat singulier, a sauvé nos tanières (ou ermitages) en détresse
151. Asaruludu, deuxièmement, ils ont appelé Namtillaku. Le dieu qui maintient la vie.
152. Celui qui a restauré les dieux perdus, comme s’ils étaient sa propre création;
153. Le Seigneur qui a ravivé les dieux morts avec son incantation pure,
154. Qui a détruit les capricieux ennemis.  Louangeons sa prouesse !
155. Asaruludu, dont le troisième nom fut appelé Namru
156. Le dieu rayonnant qui éclaire nos routes
157. Chacun de ses trios noms, Anshar, Lahmu et Lahamu ont proclamé;
158. Sur les dieux, leurs fils, ils les ont exprimé
159. «Nous avons proclamé trois chacun de ses noms»
160. Comme nous, prononcez-lui d’autres noms !
161. Joyeusement les dieux plièrent à cet ordre,
162. Comme dans l’Ubshukinna, ils échangèrent conseils :
163. «De notre fils héroïque, notre vengeur,
164. De notre supporter nous allons exalter le nom !»
165. Ils s’assirent dans l’assemblée pour façonner les destinées.
166. Tous prononcèrent ses noms dans le sanctuaire.

Tablette VII

1. Asaru (Marduk) octroyeur de l’agriculture, qui a établit le niveau des eaux;
2. Créateur des grains et herbes, qui a causé la pousse de la végétation.
3. Asarualim qui est honoré dans la place du conseil, qui excelle en conseil;
4. Vers qui va l’espoir des dieux, n’étant pas possédé par la peur.
5. Asarualimnunna, le gracieux, lumière du père, son progéniteur,
6. Celui qui dirige les décrets d’Anu, Enlil, Ea et Ninigiku
7. Il est leur proviseur qui assigne leurs portions
8. Dont le casque cornu est plein, multipliant…
9. Tutu est-il, qui les a recréé.
10. Qu’il purifie leurs oratoires pour qu’ils soient soulagés
11. Qu’il invente le charme pour que les dieux soient en paix.
12. Devraient-ils se lever en colère, qu’ils se retournent
13. En vérité, il est suprême dans l’assemblée des dieux !
14. Aucun parmi les dieux n’est son égal.
15. Tutu est Ziukkinna, la vie de l’armée des dieux
16. Lui qui a établit pour les dieux, le ciel sacré
17. Qui garde contrôle sur leurs routes, détermine leur course;
18. Il ne sera pas oublié par les obscurcis.  Qu’ils se rappellent ses actes !
19. Tutu qu’ils appelèrent troisièmement Ziku, qui apporte la purification.
20. dieu de la brise favorable, le Seigneur de l’écoute et du pardon»
21. Celui qui produit richesse et trésors, établit l’abondance,
22. Qui a transformé tous nos désires en profusion;
23. Duquel la brise favorable, nous avons senti, étant en détresse douloureuse.
24. Qu’ils parlent, qu’ils exaltent, qu’ils chantent ses louanges!
25. Tutu, en quatrième, que le peuple l’amplifie tel Agaku, 
26. Le Seigneur des charmes sacrés, qui ressuscite les morts;
27. Qui eut pitié des dieux vaincus
28. Qui enleva le joug imposé aux dieux, ses ennemis,
29. Et qui, pour les dégager, créa l’humanité.
30. Le Miséricordieux à qui il appartient de redonner la vie.
31. Que ses actes perdurent, sans être oubliés.
32. Dans la bouche des têtes-noires que ses mains ont créé
33. Tutu, cinquièmement, est Tuku, dont le charme sacré leur bouche murmureront.
34. Celui qui avec son charme sacré a déraciné tous les mauvais.
35. Shazu, qui connait le Cœur des dieux, qui examine l’intérieur;
36. Duquel les malfaisants ne peuvent échapper;
37. Qui organise l’assemblée des dieux, réjouit leurs cœurs
38. Qui soumet les récalcitrants, leur protection générale;
39. Qui dirige la justice, déracine les paroles fourbes.
40. Qui du faux ou vrai dans sa place demeure séparé.
41. Shazu puissent-ils, en second, exalter du nom de Zisi
42. Qui a fait taire les insurgés, qui a bannit la consternation des corps des dieux ses pères.
43. Shazu, troisièmement, qui avec les armes a déraciné tous les ennemis.
44. Qui défait leurs plans, les éparpille au vent
45. Qui biffe tous les scélérats qui tremblent devant lui.
46. Que les dieux exultent en Assemblée !
47. Shazu est, quatrièmement, Suhgurim qui assure une audience pour les dieux ses pères.
48. Créateur des dieux, ses pères, qui déracine l’ennemi, détruit leur progéniture.
49. Qui contrarie leurs méfaits et ne laisse rien d’eux.
50. Puisse son nom soit évoqué et prononcé dans le pays !
51. Shazu cinquièmement, ils loueront en tant que Zarim, le Seigneur des vivants
52. Qui détruit tous les adversaires, tous les désobéissants, poursuit le mal.
53. Qui a ramené à leurs sanctuaires les dieux fugitifs.
54. Puisse son nom perdurer !
55. À Shazu, en plus, ils rendront, sixièmement, les honneurs en tant que Zahgurim.
56. Qui détruit tous les ennemis comme dans une bataille
57. Enbilulu, le Seigneur qui les fait prospérer, il est;
58. Le Puissant qui les a nommé, qui à instituer les offrandes rôties.
59. Qui toujours régule sur le territoire les packages et les points d’eau.
60. Qui a ouvert les puits, et répartit les eaux de l’abondance.
61. Enbilulu, deuxièmement, ils glorifieront comme Épadun, le Seigneur qui arrose les champs.
62. L’irrigateur du ciel et de la Terre, qui a établi les sillons.
63. Qui a formé de belles terres arables dans la steppe.
64. Régule les dames et les rigoles, qui délimite les sillons
65. Enbilulu, troisièmement, ils loueront comme Enbilulugugal
66. L’irrigateur des plantations des dieux, Seigneur de l’abondance, de l’opulence et de grandes moissons. 
67. Qui fournit la fortune enrichit tous les logis
68. Qui fournit le millet et fait apparaître l’orge
69. Enbilulu est Hegal, qui amoncelle l’abondance pour la consommation du peuple.
70. Qui cause les pluies riches au-dessus de la grande Terre, fournit la végétation
71. Sirsir qui amoncela une montagne par-dessus elle, Tiamat.
72. Qui, le cadavre de Tiamat, emporta avec son arme
73. Qui dirige le pays, leur fidèle berger.
74. Dont les cheveux sont un champ de grains, son casque cornu sillons
75. Qui l’océan déferlant se voûte dans sa colère
76. La traversant tel un pont à l’endroit du combat singulier.
77. Sirsir, deuxièmement, ils nommèrent Malah ainsi de suite—
78. Tiamat est son vaisseau et lui son pilote.
79. Gil—qui entrepose des monceaux de grains, monticules massifs
80. Qui apporte l’orge et le millet, fournit les semences du sol
81. Gilma, qui fait durer le royal habitacle des dieux, créateur de la sécurité
82. Le cerceau qui assemble le baril, qui présente les bonnes choses.
83. Agilma, l’exalté, qui arrache la couronne de sa mauvaise position,
84. Qui crée les nuages au-dessus des eaux, les rends durable en haut.
85. Zulum, celui qui désigne les champs pour les dieux, alloue la création,
86. Qui distribue les portions et offrandes de nourriture, prépare les sanctuaires
87. Mummu. Créateur du Ciel et de la Terre, qui dirige…
88. nommèrent encore Zu.lum.um.mu :
89. Le dieu qui sanctifie Ciel et Terre est deuxièmement, Zulummar,
90. Celui qu’aucun parmi les dieux peu égaler en puissance.
91. Gishnumunab, créateur de tous peuples, qui fit les régions du monde,
92. Destructeur des dieux de Tiamat, qui a fabriqué les hommes à partir de leur substance.
93. Lugalabdubur, le roi qui contrecarra le travail de Tiamat, déracina ses armes;
94. Dont les fondations sont fermes devant comme derrière.
95. Pagalguenna, le premier de tous les Seigneurs, dont la puissance est hors pair.
96. Qui est prééminent dans l’habitacle royal, le plus exalté des dieux.
97. Lugaldurmah, le roi du groupe des dieux, Seigneur des souverains,
98. Qui prééminent dans l’habitacle des dieux, le plus exalté des dieux.
99. Aranunna, conseillé d’Éa, créateur des dieux ses pères,
100. Dont la route princière, aucun dieu ne peut égaler.
101. Dumuduku, dont la pure habitation est répétée dans Duku;
102. Dumuduku, sans qui Lugalkuduga ne prend aucune décision.
103. Lugallanna, le roi dont la puissance est hors pair parmi les dieux.
104. Le Seigneur, force d’Anu, qui devint suprême à l’appel d’Anshar.
105. Lugalugga, qui les a tous conduit au milieu de l’échauffourée,
106. Qui englobe toute sagesse, étendue en perception
107. Irkingu, qui emporta Kingu dans la mêlé du combat
108. Qui transmit la conduite pour tous, établit la royauté.
109. Kinma, qui dirige tous les dieux, leur conseiller,
110. Dont le nom fait trembler de peur les dieux, comme devant la tempête.
111. Esizkur s’assoira majestueusement dans la maison de prière.
112. Puissent les dieux apporter leurs présents devant lui.
113. De sorte que de lui, ils puissent recevoir leurs assignations.
114. Personne, sans lui, ne peut créer des œuvres d’art.
115. Les quatre têtes-noires sont parmi ses créatures;
116. Sauf lui, aucun dieu ne connait la réponse au sujet de leur durée.
117. Gibil, celui qui maintenu la pointe aiguisée de l’arme,
118. Qui créa des œuvres d’art durant le combat avec Tiamat
119. Qui possède une vaste sagesse, est maître en perspicacité
120. Dont l’esprit est tellement vaste que les dieux, tous, ne peuvent le déchiffrer.
121. Qu’Addu soit son nom, tous le Ciel puisse-t-il parcourir.
122. Que son rugissement bienfaisant gravite pour toujours au-dessus de la Terre;
123. Puisse-t-il, en tant que Mummu, diminuer les nuages;
124. En bas, puisse-t-il fournir la pitance pour le peuple
125. Asharu, qui, comme est son nom, guida les dieux des destinées :
126. Tous les peuples sont vraiment à sa charge !
127. Nébiru tiendra le Carrefour du Ciel et de la Terre,
128. De sorte que les dieux ne peuvent traverser au-dessus ou en dessous, ils doivent l’attendre.
129. Nébiru est l’étoile qui, dans le ciel, est brillante.
130. Puisse-t-il maintenir le début et la fin, puissent-ils lui rendre homage,
131. Disant : «Lui qui pousse sa route au milieu de Tiamat sans repos,
132. Que Nébiru soit son nom, qui contrôle son milieu.
133. Puissent-ils soutenir le trajet des étoiles du Ciel
134. Puisse-t-il garder tous les dieux comme des brebis
135. Puisse-t-il vaincre Tiamat, que sa vie soit étroite et courte.
136. Dans le futur de l’humanité, quand les jours seront devenus vieux,
137. Puisse-t-elle régresser sans arrêt et demeurer éloignée pour toujours.
138. Parce qu’il avait créé les espaces et façonné la terre ferme, 
139. Père Enlil nomma son nom : « Seigneur des territoires»
140. Lorsque tous les noms que les Igigi proclamèrent,
141. Éa eut entendu, son esprit se réjouit, ainsi :
142. «Lui dont les noms furent glorifies par ses pères
143. Il est vraiment mon égal; son nom sera Éa.
144. Tous mes rituels combinés il administrera,
145. Toutes mes instructions il réalisera !»
146. Par le titre de «Cinquante» les grands dieux
147. L’ont proclamé, lui, dont les noms sont cinquante, sa route suprême.
148. Qu’ils soient gardés en mémoire et que les dirigeants les expliquent.
149. Que le sage et le connaissant en discuter ensemble
150. Que le père les récite et les communique à son fils.
151. Que les oreilles du berger et du bouvier soient ouvertes.
152. Laissez-le se réjouir en Marduk, l’Enlil des dieux,
153. Que sa terre puisse être fertile et qu’il puisse prospérer.
154. Ferme dans son arrangement, son ordre est inaltérable,
155. L’énoncé de sa bouche, aucun dieu ne changera.
156. Lorsqu’il regarde il ne tourne pas le cou
157. Lorsqu’il est fâché, aucun dieu ne peut supporter sa colère.
158. Son Cœur est insondable, son objectif est étendu.
159. Pécheur et transgresseur peuvent venir devant lui.
160. Il inscrivit et donc le préserva pour le futur
161. Le logis de Marduk que les dieux, les Igigi avait fait,
162. ….laissez-les parler.
163. … le chant de Mardouk,
164. Qui vainquit Tiamat et parvint à la royauté.

(Source: Traduction de l'anglais "Leonard William King"/"Dennis Bratcher")

1-10. "Lorsque, en haut, le Ciel n'était pas encore nommé, et qu'ici-bas la Terre ne portait aucun nom, seuls Absu le premier, leur géniteur, et Mère Tiamat, leur génitrice à tous, mélangeaient ensemble leurs eaux. Tout n 'était qu'agglomérat : aucune pâture n 'était visible, aucune cannaie n'était parue. Alors qu'aucun des dieux n'avait encore été créé, qu'ils n'étaient ni nommés de noms ni dotés de destins, alors en leur domaine, des dieux furent produits. Lahmu et Lahamu apparurent et leurs noms prononcés". 

11-20. "Aussitôt qu'ils (Lahmu et Lahamu) furent à maturité et complètement formés, furent façonnés Ansar et Kisar, qui les surpassaient. Quand ils eurent prolongé leurs jours, multiplié leurs années, Anu fut leur premier-né - égal à ses ancêtres. Ansar avait créé son fils Anu à son image. Anu pareillement à sa ressemblance, procréa Nudimmud. Or Nudimmud était supérieur à ses aïeux, il était large d 'entendement, sage et doué d'une force immense, bien plus puissant que Ansar, le créateur de son père, il n'avait point d'égal comparé aux dieux ses frères".

21-32. "Les dieux de cette génération coexistèrent et la réverbération de leur clameur troubla Tiamat. Bouleversant l'intérieur de Tiamat, ils agacèrent par leurs jeux l'intérieur d'Anduruna. Absu ne put calmer leurs clameurs. Bien que leur comportement lui soit affreux, Tiamat, cependant, demeurait indulgente. Finalement Absu, le protecteur des grands dieux, s'adressa à Mummu son page : '0 Mummu, mon page qui me contente l'âme, viens, allons trouver Tiamat '". 

33-52. "Assis en présence de Tiamat, ils discutèrent des affaires concernant les dieux, leurs enfants. Absu, ayant pris la parole, haussa la voix et dit à Tiamat : 'Leur conduite m'est pénible, le jour je ne me repose pas, la nuit je suis sans sommeil ! Je veux détruire et abolir leur activité, pour que soit rétablie la paix et que nous puissions dormir'. Tiamat, entendant cela, furieuse contre son époux, et s 'étant montée d'elle-même, elle répondit à Absu avec rage : 'Pourquoi, détruirions-nous ce que nous avons produit ? Si pénible que soit leur conduite, patientons avec bienveillance ! ' [. .. ] Mummu, contestant l'avis de sa génitrice, dit à Absu : 'Abolis donc mon père, cette activité animée, pour que tu te reposes le jour et que tu dormes la nuit ! 'Alors Absu s'en réjouit et les traits de sa face étincelèrent pour le mal qu'il avait préparé contre les dieux ses enfants[. .. }". 

55-74. "Or, tout ce qu'ils avaient préparé en leur réunion, on le répéta aux dieux leurs enfants. Lorsqu'ils l'apprirent, les dieux s'agitèrent, puis gardèrent le silence et restèrent sans bruit. Mais le plus intelligent, l'expérimenté, le subtil, Éa qui comprend tout, saisit leur plan. À l'intention d'Absu, il conçut et arrangea un plan d'ensemble. Il ajusta contre lui son auguste incantation, il la lui récita et mit Absu au repos. Envahi de sommeil, le page Mummu, le conseiller, fut trop étourdi. Éa détacha la couronne d'Absu, confisqua son manteau de radiance et s 'en revêtit, puis l'ayant terrassé, il le mit à mort et enferma Mummu, barrant sur lui la porte. Il établit alors sur Absu son habitacle. [. .. } Une fois qu 'il eut immobilisé et terrassés ses ennemis, Éa utilisa son cri triomphal sur ses adversaires". 

75-82. "Alors, il se reposa dans le plus grand calme, il nomma cet endroit Absu et y assigna les salles de cérémonie. Ici, il fonda sa propre résidence, où Éa avec Damkina, son épouse, siégèrent en majesté. Dans ce sanctuaire aux destins, cette chapelle de l'élaboration, fut procréé le plus habile, le plus sage des dieux, le Seigneur, au milieu de l'Absu, Marduk fut né.[. .. } Sa nature était splendide, son regard étincelant. Il était mature dès la naissance, vigoureux dès le début. En l'observant, Anu, qui avait procréé son père [Éa}, se réjouit et s'illumina; son coeur se remplit de joie. Lorsqu 'ill 'eut regardé, (il dit) : 'Sa divinité est différente, il est bien plus extraordinaire, il les dépasse en tout'. [. .. }Dès lors, Anu produisit et occasionna quatre vents qu'il confia à Marduk 'pour que mon enfant s'en amuse'. Et Marduk créa la poussière qu'il fit emporter par (les vents de) la tempête. Ayant provoqué la houle, il troubla Tiamat. Perturbée, Tiamat s'agita jour et nuit". 

(Source : Eden : la vérité sur nos origines ; p48 ; FACSJMILE OF MESOPOTAMIAN TEXTS AND CUNEIFORM LITERATURE, Don Moore's personnal collection. Translations by Don Moore and Anton Parks)