Category: History & Out of Place Items

Tablet VII (10) ASARU, bestower of cultivation, who established water levels; Creator of grain and herbs, who causes vegetation to sprout. (11) ASARUALIM, who is honored in the place of counsel, who excels in counsel; To whom the gods hope, not being possessed of fear. (12) 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 . . . . (13) TUTU is he, who effects their restoration. Let him purify their shrines that they may have ease. 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 (14) ZIUKKINNA, life of the host of […] Read More

Tablet VI When Marduk hears the words of the gods, His heart prompts him to fashion artful works. Opening his mouth, he addresses Ea To impart the plan he had conceived in his heart: “Blood I will mass and cause bones to be. 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. 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 […] Read More

Tablet V He constructed stations for the great gods, Fixing their astral likenesses as the Images. He determined the year by designating the zones: 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 Nebiru to determine their heavenly bands, That none might transgress or fall short. 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: “Monthly, without cease, form designs with a crown. At the month’s very start, rising over the land, You shall have luminous horns to signify […] Read More

Tablet IV 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, you 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! 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 […] Read More

Tablet III Anshar opened his mouth and Addressed a word to Gaga, his vizier: “O Gaga, my vizier, who gladdens my spirit, I will dispatch you to Lahmu and Lahamu. You know discernment, you are adept at fine talk; The gods, your fathers, produce you before me! Let all the gods proceed here, Let them hold converse, sit down to a banquet, Let them eat festive bread, poured wine; For Marduk, their avenger, let them fix the decrees. 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, Saying : “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 […] Read More

Tablet II When Tiamat had thus lent import to her handiwork, She prepared for battle against the gods, her offspring. To avenge Apsu, Tiamat wrought 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 right still. Then, on further thought, his anger subsided, He betook himself to Anshar, his fore father. When he came before his grandfather, Anshar, He repeated all that Tiamat had plotted to him: “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 […] Read More