FOURTH TABLET (Continued) 140 He ordered them not to let her waters escape. He founded the great house, Esharra, in its likeness; 145 The great house Esharra which he built in heaven. Anu, Enlil, and Ea he caused to occupy their cities. FIFTH TABLET He formed the stations for the great gods. The stars, their image he established lumashu constellations. For twelve months he fixed three stars (each). 5 After he designa[ted] images for the days of the year..... He founded the station Nibir, to determine their bounds. That none might go wrong or err The station of Enlil and Ea he fixed with him. He opened the gates on both sides. 10 The bolt, he made strong on the left and right. In its midst he established .... The moon-god, he caused to shine, and entrusted the night. He appointed him a being of the night, to determine the days, 15 In the beginning of the month, shining over the land, On the seventh day, let the crown [be halved]. On shapattu, verily thou shall stand over against [the sun]. 20 Divide the ..... look ...... [On the bubbulu day] the path of the sun-god approach, ..thou shalt approach, give justice ...to destroy. (Many lines missing.) SIXTH TABLET When Marduk, on [hear]ing the words of the gods, what he had planned in his heart, giving council. "Blood I will gather, and bone I will fashion. I will establish a lu-gal-lu; "man" shall be his name. 5 I will create a man—an amelu. They shall do the work of the gods, that they may be reconciled. I will change the ways of the gods; I will act cleverly. Alike they shall be honored; into two (groups) they shall be divided.” Ea answered him, speaking the word to him; 10 For the reconciliation of the gods, he repeated to him the plan. "Let one, their brother, be offered up; let him perish, and let people be fashioned. Let the great gods assemble; let this one be offered up that they may exist." Marduk assembled the great gods; presenting his plan; and giving the command, He opened his mouth; commanding the gods; as king to the Anunnaki, he speaks the word: 15 "Let your former designations be established. Trustworthy things, I swear the word with myself. Who was he who created warfare? Who incited Tiamat to revolt, and joined battle? Let him be offered up who created warfare. 20 I will cause him to bear his sin; that you may dwell in peace." The Igigi, the great gods, answered him; To the king of the gods of heaven and earth, counsellor of the gods, their lord: "Kingu was the one who created warfare. 'Twas he who incited Tiamat to revolt, who joined battle." 25 They bound him, and before Ea [brought] him; and the punishment they laid upon him; they extracted his blood. With his blood he made mankind; he imposed [upon him the serv]ice of the gods; he released the gods. When mankind was created, Ea [sav]ed (them); the work of the gods he placed upon him. That work, which was not intelligently done, FOURTH TABLET (Continued) He perceived the plan of Kingu, her spouse. His plan is destroyed, his action disturbed. When the gods, his helpers, marching by his side, 70 Beheld their ...... leader, their look was troubled. Tiamat utt[ered a cry], she did not turn her neck. With lips of boastfulness (?), she maintained the rebellion. ...thy coming as lord of the gods. They gathered at their places, they are in thy place. 75 The lord [raised] the abubu, his great weapon. The challenge to Tiamat, who was raging, thus he sent it. [Against the gods] my fathers thou hast devised thine evil. 85 Let thy forces be joined; verily, they have girded on thy weapons. Stand, I and thou, let us have the fight. Tiamat, in her hearing these words, Became like one possessed; her reason was distraught. Tiamat cried out highly furiously. 90 Like roots, her legs to her foundations shook. She recited an incantation, she pronounced her spell. And the gods of the battle unsheathed their weapons. Tiamat, and the leader of the gods, Marduk, stood before each other. They approached each other for the fight; they drew nigh for the battle. 95 The lord spread out his net, and enclosed her. The bad wind he had placed behind, he thrust into her face. Tiamat opened her mouth to its full extent. He drove in the bad wind that she could not close her lips. The furious winds filled her belly. 100 The heart was shocked, and she opened her mouth. He used the spear, he burst open her belly. He cut into her inwards; he pierced the heart. FOURTH TABLET (Continued) He bound her, and destroyed her life. He cast down her corpse, he stood upon it. 105 When he had slain Tiamat, the leader, Her power was broken; her crowd was scattered. And the gods her helpers, who went by her side Trembled, feared and turned their backs. They made an exit to save their lives. 110 They were surrounded by a cordon; they were not able to make an escape. He caught them; their weapons he broke. Into the net they were cast; in the snare they sat. Put in an enclosed place, they were filled with wailing. He thrust into fetters; their forces he ..... Together with their opposition, he trampled under him. And Kingu, who had been magnified [above] them, 120 He bound him and with the god Dugga (god of death) he reckoned him. He took from him the tablets of destiny which were not befitting him, Sealed with a seal and placed on his breast. After he bound and slew his enemies, And the arrogant foe he treated like a bull(?) 125 The victory of Anshar over the enemy he completely accomplished. The wish of Nudimmud he had attained, Marduk the warrior Over the captive gods he had strengthened his hold. To Tiamat whom he had bound, he turned back. The lord trod upon Tiamat's foundation. 130 With his merciless club he smashed the skull. 135 The lord rested, inspecting her corpse. In parting the carcass, devising a cunning plan, With her half he established and protected the heavens. FOURTH TABLET (Continued) 140 He ordered them not to let her waters escape. He founded the great house, Esharra, in its likeness; 145 The great house Esharra which he built in heaven. Anu, Enlil, and Ea he caused to occupy their cities. FIFTH TABLET He formed the stations for the great gods. The stars, their image he established lumashu constellations. For twelve months he fixed three stars (each). 5 After he designa[ted] images for the days of the year..... He founded the station Nibir, to determine their bounds. That none might go wrong or err The station of Enlil and Ea he fixed with him. He opened the gates on both sides. 10 The bolt, he made strong on the left and right. In its midst he established The moon-god, he caused to shine, and entrusted the night. He appointed him a being of the night, to determine the days, 15 In the beginning of the month, shining over the land, On the seventh day, let the crown [be halved]. On shapattu, verily thou shall stand over against [the sun]. 20 Divide the ..... look .... [On the bubbulu day] the path of the sun-god approach, ...to go her way. ........ thou shalt approach, give justice ...to destroy. (Many lines missing.) |