FIRST TABLET (Continued) It was unimaginable; it was irksome visually. 95 Four were his eyes; four were his ears. His lips, in emitting, breathed fire. There grew four ears; And eyes like that (number); they discerned everything. 100 His members grew high; he was unusually tall. 125 He was clothed with the majesty of ten gods: he was exceedingly powerful. Regard for their predicament overcame him. begat Anu. (Twenty-two fragmentary lines follow.) ... thou hast given; yes we will make a [fight]. the gods in the midst of [heaven]. the gods, the begettors. [They are banded together], and they pr[oceed] at Tiamat's side. 130 They formed a horde; they planned a re[volt]. Ummu-Khubur, who formed all things], Has [ad]ded weapons invincible; she bore monster serpents, [With poison, instead] of blood, she filled their bodies. 135 Raging [monsters], she clothed with terror; With [splendor] she endowed; [she made like] a god. 140 Hurricanes, raging dogs, scorpion-[men], Mighty storms, fishmen, and rams, Bearing relentless weapons, without fear of bat[tle]. In all, eleven like that [she made]. 145 Among the gods her firstborn of the [assembly], she made him; She exalted Kingu; among them she made him great. Marching before the van of the army, leading the crowd], FIRST TABLET (Continued) Bearing the weapon of assault, the assembler of the hostility Of the conflict, the chief conductor, 150 She intrusted in his ha[nd]s; she caused him to sit in the karru. "I have cast thy formula in the assembly of the gods; I have made thee great." With the kingship of the gods, all of them, I have filled [thy] hand. "Verily thou art exalted, my spouse, thou only one! Let thy name be exalted above all of them-the Anunnaki!" 155 She gave him the tablets of fate, which on his breast she placed. "Thy command shall not be altered; the [utterance of thy mouth] shall be established." When Kingu was exalted, he received [godship] (anûti). Among the gods, his [so]ns, he [decreed] dest[inies]. "Open your mouth, the fire god [will be quenched]. 160 In the conflict, let him be supreme; let his strength [increase]." SECOND TABLET When Tiamat made her work strong, She collected a force] against the gods her offspring; [To avenge] Apsu, Tiamat planned evil. As she had collected [her army], it was revealed to Ea. 5 Ea [gave attention to] this thing. He was [grievously] affected; he sat in sorrow. As the [days] passed by, his anger quieted down. To the [place] of Anshar, his father, he set upon [his way]. [He went] before Anshar, the father who begat him. 10 [Everything] which Tiamat had planned, he repeated to him. [Thus]: "Tiamat, the bearer of us, hates us. She has called an assembly; she rages furiously. The gods have turned to her, all of them; [Including] those thou hast created, they go by her side. 15 They are [ban]ded together, and they proceed at Tiamat's side. They formed a horde; they planned a revolt. 20 Has added weapons invincible; she bore monster serpents, SECOND TABLET (Continued) Sharp of tooth, and relentless in attack(?). With splendor she endowed; she made like a god. Hurricanes, raging dogs, scorpion-men, Mighty storms, fishmen, and rams, 30 Bearing relentless weapons, without fear of battle. Powerful are her orders; they are irresistible. In all, eleven like that she made. Among the gods her firstborn of the assembly, she made him; She exalted Kingu; among them she made him great. 35 Marching before the van of the army, leading the crowd, Bearing the weapon of assault, the assembler of the hostility, [Of the] conflict, the chief conductor, [She intru]sted in his hands; she caused him to sit in the karru. "[I have cast] thy formula in the assembly of the gods; I have made thee great." 40 [With the king]ship of the gods, all of them, I have filled [thy] hand. [Verily] thou art exalted [my spouse], tho[u o]nly one! [Let] thy name be exalted [above all] of them—the [Anu]nnaki!” [She gave] him the tablets of fat[e, which on his breast] she [plac]ed. "[Thy command [shall not be altered]; the [utter]ance of thy mouth shall be established." 45 [When] Kin[gu was exalt]ed, he received godship (anûti). [Among the gods, his sons], he decreed destinies. "[Op]en [your] mouth, the fire god will be quenched. In the con[flict], [let him be supreme]; let his strength increase." (Lines 49 to 71 are fragmentary.) [Anshar, to] his son, spoke [the word]. "this is my mighty hero. [Lofty] is his strength, whose onslaught is invincible. 75 [Go], stand thou before Tiamat That her spirit [may be appeased], her heart be merciful. [If] she hearkens not to thy word, Our [word] tell her, that she may be appeased." SECOND TABLET (Continued) When he [heard] the command of his father Anshar, 80 [He set out] on her road, he made his way upon her path. Anu [drew nigh], he saw the design of Tiamat. [He was impotent before her]; he turned back. [He went to the father, his begettor], Anshar, [Concerning Tiamat,] he said to him: 85 "...hand......against me." Anshar was troubled; he looked at the ground. 90 No god goes forth [to meet Tiamat]. From the presence of Tiamat, no one comes away [alive]. The lord Anshar, the father of the gods, was greatly [agitated]. 95 ......battle, Marduk the hero. Ea, the place of his oracle, [He came] and he told him, what was on his heart. 100 [Belfore Anshar, proceed in the attack! .he shall observe thee, resting." The lord rejoiced at the word of his father. He approached, and he stood in the presence of Anshar. 105 He kissed his lips, his fear departed. "Before thine open lips be covered, Let me go and satisfy all that is in thy heart. Before thine open lips are covered, Let me go and satisfy all that is in thy heart. 110 What man has brought against thee this battle? The neck of Tiamat, thou shall tread upon quickly. 115 [The neck] of Tiamat, thou shall tread upon quickly." SECOND TABLET (Continued) Quiet [Tiamat] with thy holy incantation. [The chariot] of the storm, speedily set out. ...will not be cut off; return later!" 120 The lord rejoiced at the word of his father. His heart [exulted]; to his father he spoke. "Oh, lord of the gods, the destiny of the great gods, If I, your avenger, Enchain Tiamat, and give you life, 125 Proclaim an assembly, exalt my destiny; In upshukkinaki, seat yourselves joyfully together! That nothing shall be changed which I will do, That the word of my lips is not altered, is not changed." THIRD TABLET Anshar opening his mouth To Gaga, his minister, he spoke the word: To Lakhmu and Lakhamu, I will send thee. 5 The [order] of my heart which thou hast obtained, thou shalt relate. The gods, my fathers, bring before me, Let the gods, all of them assemble. Let a banquet be established; at the board let them sit. Bread let them eat; let them prepare wine. 10 For Marduk, their avenger, let them decree the destiny. Go, proceed Gaga, before them stand! [Everything] I told thee, repeat to them. Anshar, your son, has sent me. [The command] of his heart he has caused me to comprehend. 15 [Thus: Tilamat, the bearer of us, hates us. She has called an assembly]; she rages furiously. The gods have [tu]rned to her, all of them; Including those thou hast created, they go by her side. They are banded together, and they proceed at Tiamat's side. 20 They are angry; they plan without resting, night and day. They prepare for the conflict, fuming and raging. They formed a horde; they planned a revolt. |