Enuma Elish Summary


Tablet I

Before the heavens and earth existed, there was Apsu, their begetter, and demiurge Tiamat who gave birth to them all. They mingled their waters together (there was no land yet), and the gods were created within them:

Lahmu and Lahamu came into being, and as, they grew, Anshar and Kishar were created, excelled them, and gave birth to their son Anu who could rival his fathers and equalled Anshar.

Anu begat Nudimmud, his own equal, the champion among his fathers, much stronger than Anshar. He was profoundly discerning, wise, and of robust strength. He had no rival among the gods.

The divine brothers cam together and their clamor threw Tiamat into a turmoil and jarred her nerves. Their dancing spread alarm in Anduruna. Apsu didn't diminish their clamour, and Tiamat was silent when confronted with them. Their conduct was displeasing, but she wished to spare them. Apsu called his vizier Mummu to confer with Tiamat and their sons not allowing them to rest in the day or sleep at night. Apsu wished to destroy their way of life and let silence reign. Tiamat cried and fumed over the evil he plotted against what they gave birth to, and she suggested discipline as a gracious alternative. Mummu advised Apsu to destroy their lawlessness so he may sleep in peace. Apsu beamed at the plot, and Mummu put his arms around Apsu's neck and sat on his knees kissing him.

Their plot was reported to the gods, and the gods were frantic and sat in silence, overcome. Ea the wise god becomes aware of the plot and crafts an all-embracing and supreme incantation. He recited it and set it upon the waters, causing Apsu to fall into a deep slumber. Mummu was breathless with agitation. Ea split Apsu's sinews, ripped off his crown, carried away his aura, and put it on himself. He bound Apsu and killed him and set his dwelling upon him. He laid hold on Mummu, controlling him with a nose-rope.

After Ea bound and slain his enemies, he rested quietly in his chamber, which he called Apsu whose shrines he appointed. He founded his living-quarters within it. Ea and his wife Damkina sat in splendor in the chamber of the destinies, the room of the archetypes. They conceived the wisest of the wise, the sage of the gods, Bel, also known as Marduk. A nurse reared him and filled him with terror. His figure was well-developed, the glance of his eyes was dazzling, his growth was manly, and he was mighty from the beginning. Anu's heart was filled with joy when he saw his grandson, rendering him perfect.

Marduk's divinity was remarkable, and he became very lofty, excelling them in his attributes. His members were incomprehensibly wonderful, incapable of being grasped with the mind, hard even to look on. He had 4 eyes, 4 ears, flame shot forth as he moved his lips, his ears and eyes took in everything. His figure was lofty and superior to the gods, his limbs were surpassing, and his nature was superior. "Mari-utu, Mari-utu, The Son, the Sun-god, the Sun-god of the gods." He was clothed with the aura of the Ten Gods, so exalted was his strength, the Fifty Dreads were loaded upon him.

Anu begat the four winds and delivered them to Marduk and said, "My son, let them whirl!" He formed dust and set a hurricane to drive it, making a wave to bring consternation on Tiamat. She was confounded and found no rest, plotting evil.

(https://www.worldhistory.org/article/225/enuma-elish---the-babylonian-epic-of-creation---fu/)

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Similarities with the Creation Story in the Hebrew Bible

Bel