THE gODS of THE ENUMA ELISH

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THE ENUMA ELISH

This is the Babylonian version of The Sumerian Creation. "Originally the chief figure of the myth was Enlil, the Sumerian storm god. When Babylon conquered the rest of Mesopotamia and established the Old Babylonian Empire around 1800 BCE, it became necessary to explain how the local god of Babylon, Marduk, had now become supreme among the gods. Therefore, the older Sumerian myth of creation was retold and Marduk was substituted for Enlil".

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The Babylonian Creation story begins when the fresh water (Apsu), and the salt water (Tiamat) and came forth Lahmu and Lahamu from within them. Then Anshar and Kishar were shaped and are described as being more mighty than the others and they extended the days, added on the years. They bore Anu who bore Nudimmud, broad in wisdom, understanding and mighty in strength. The divine brothers banded together and disturbed Tiamat as they rushed here and there. The disturbance was mighty to Apsu and as such he sought to destroy them. However, Tiamat objected to this. Mummu joined Apsu in his plot for the destruction of the godly sons. However Ea put a spell on Apsu which sent him to sleep which Mummu could not undo. Ea then took Apsu's bands and tore off his tiara and halo, and put the halo on himself. He then slew Apsu and bound and imprisoned Mummu. Ea then rested his chamber and founded his cult. Ea and Damkina (his wife) lived in the chamber and Marduk was created.

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Tiamat however created an army of monsters against Ea to avenge Apsu. Ea could not withstand the attack and as such asked Marduk to defend them against Tiamat.

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Marduk agreed and was made a king. Marduk then constructed a bow and arrow, he set the lightening in his path and filled his body with fire and made a net to capture Tiamat and commanded the South, North, East and West Winds against Tiamat. Marduk then brought forth 'the Evil Wind' the Whirlwind, the Hurricane, The Fourfold Wind, The Sevenfold Wind, the Cyclone, the Matchless Wind. Then he sent the sevens winds to stir up Tiamat and raised up the flood-storm. Mounting his storm chariot, Marduk set his path towards Tiamat with a spell between his lips. Weighing up Tiamat and Kingu (Tiamat's consort), Marduk sought to conceive a scheme. As Kingu became distracted, his army and their sight became blurred. Tiamat and Mark engaged in battle and Marduk spread out his net to capture her and let loose The Evil Wind in her face when she opened her mouth. Marduk then shot an arrow into her mouth which tore her belly, cutting her insides and splitting her heart. Marduk then smote Tiamat and stood upon her corpse. Marduk then enslaved her armies (the gods who marched at her side), and the eleven demons that marched before her, he chained. Kingu was then bound and eventually was taken before Ea where his blood vessels were severed and he was sent to Uggae (the god of death). Out of Kingu's blood Ea created humankind imposing on them the service of the gods.

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Tiamat was split into two parts. Half of her he sat up as the ceiling of the sky, and ordered that her waters were not to escape. Apsu's quarter where Nudimmud was residing Marduk fixed as Esharra (the firmament (the dome of Earth)). Anu, Enlil and Ea he made places for abode aligning their astral likenesses as constellations in the heavens, determined the year by assigning the zones and set up three constellations for each of the twelve months. He then founded the station of Nebiru. He then set up stations of Enlil and Ea.

 

In Tiamat's belly, he established the zenith. He then caused the moon to shine - a creature of the night to signify the days with luminous horns to signify six days and on the seventh day reaching, a half-crown.

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The Enuma Elish can be found here.

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