de-17.07.2016 / 5.05.2022

Enuma Elish (with Nibiru)

An Interpetation by Pierluigi Peruzzi

the first 3 tablets of the enuma elish — Above: The first 3 sections of the 1st tablet of Enuma Elish

Preface

In my humble opinion, this is an extremely racist text where, moreover, drunken gods decide to kill their grandmother in order to inherit power.

I made the comparison of two old translations on purpose. They are the translations by B. R. Foster from 1916 and L. W. King from 1902.

Although there are gaps in the 1902 translation by L. W. King. I have included it as an interesting alternative translation.

Racist text

In this religious "story", religious leaders try to legitimise the enslavement of dark-skinned people on a religious level. Marduk and Ea are said to have created the black-headed people, whose sole task is to serve the Annunaki. He also provides 300 divine guards on earth. Today we know that the Africans are the original humans and that we Europeans are only a further development of them. So it should be the other way round. We also know how this ends from the Nippur Tablet or the Flood.

Primitive expressions in the text

That a grandchild kills his grandfather "Apsu" is very primitive and certainly not divine. That the other grandchildren then have their grandmother killed is not much better. The ancient writer shows a questionable sense of family here.

Illogical text

Killing the primordial creator "Apsu" only means that he cannot be a god, because gods are all-powerful. But did the Sumerians mean that it was a "god" or a "lord"?

Nibiru or Neberu, also Nebiru

is also described in this Enuma Elish. These descriptions can be found on Tavel 5/line 6 (Foster) and on Tavel 7/lines (Foster)124, 126 and 129.

Go to top

TABLET 1

TABLET 2

TABLET 3

TABLET 4

TABLET 5

TABLET 6

TABLET 7

Sources

Now for my effective interpretation

Tablet 1

td>

	TABLET 1	Go to top
	B. R. Foster, 1916	L. W. King, 1902
1/1	When on high no word was used for heaven,	When in the height heaven was not named,
	Nor below was firm ground called by name,	And the earth beneath did not yet bear a name,
	Primeval Apsu was their progenitor,	And the primeval Apsû, who begat them,
	Matrix-Tiamat was she who bore them all,	And chaos, Tiamat, the mother of them both,
1/5	They were mingling their waters together,	Their waters were mingled together,
	No lea was packed together, no canebrake matted close.	And no field was formed, no marsh was to be seen;
	When no gods at all had been brought forth,	When of the gods none had been called into being,
	Nor called by names, none destinies ordained,	And none bore a name, and no destinies [were ordained];
	Then were gods formed within these two.	Then were created the gods in the midst of [heaven],
1/10	Lahmu and Lahamu were brought forth, were called by name.	Lahmu and Lahamu were called into being [...].
	While they matured, while they grew tall,	Ages increased, [...],
	Anshar and Kishar were formed, surpassing them,	Then Anshar and Kishar were created, and over them [...].
	Lengthy were they of days, added years to years.	Long were the days, then there came forth [...]
	Anu their firstborn was like unto his forebears,	Anu, their son, [...]
1/15	Anu, his son, became Anshar’s equal.	Anshar and Anu [...]
	Then Anu begot his own equal, Nudimmud,	And the god Anu [...]
	Nudimmud was one to dominate his forebears:	Nudimmud, whom his fathers [his] begetters [...]
	Profound in wisdom, acute of sense, he was massively strong,	Abounding in all wisdom, [...]
	Far more stalwart than his grandfather Anshar,	He was exceeding strong [...]
1/20	No rival had he among the gods his brethren.	He had no rival [...]
	The divine brethren swarmed about,	(Thus) were established and [were ... the great gods (?)].
	Confounding Tiamat as their uproar grew ever more loud,	But T[iamat and Apsu] were (still) in confusion [...],
	Roiling the vitals of Tiamat,	They were troubled and [...]
	Their romping troubled the Heavenly Abode.	In disorder(?) ... [...]
1/25	Apsu could not lessen their clamor,	And Tiamat roared [...]
	But Tiamat was silent before them.	Apsu was not diminished in might [...]
	Their actions were noisome to her,	She smote, and their deeds [...]
	As offensive their behavior, she was indulgent.	Their way was evil ... [...] ...
	Thereupon Apsu, begetter of the great gods,	Then Apsu, the begetter of the great gods,
1/30	Summoned Mummu his vizier, saying to him,	Cried unto Mummu, his minister, and said unto him:
	Mummu, vizier who contents me,	"O Mummu, thou minister that rejoicest my spirit,"
	Come, let us go to Tiamat.”	"Come, unto Tiamat let us [go]!"
	They went, took their places facing Tiamat,	So they went and before Tiamat they lay down,
	They took counsel concerning the gods their offspring.	They consulted on a plan with regard to the gods [their sons].
1/35	Apsu made ready to speak,	Apsû opened his mouth [and spake],
	Saying to her, Tiamat, in a loud voice,	And unto Tiamat, the glistening one, he addressed [the word]:
	Their behavior is noisome to me!	[...] their way [...],
	By day I have no rest, at night I do not sleep!	“By day I cannot rest, by night [I cannot lie down (in peace)].
	I wish to put an end to their behavior, to do away with it!	“But I will destroy their way, I will [...],
1/40	Let silence reign that we may sleep.”	"Let there be lamentation, and let us lie down (again in peace)."
	When Tiamat heard this,	When Tiamat [heard] these words,
	She grew angry and cried out to her spouse,	She raged and cried aloud [...].
	She cried out bitterly, outraged that she stood alone,	[She ...] grievously [...],
	This wicked speech had fallen heavy upon her:	She uttered a curse, and unto [Apsu she spake]:
1/45	What? Shall we put an end to what we created?	"What then shall we [do]?"
	Their behavior may be most noisome, but we should bear it in good part.”	"Let their way be made difficult, and let us [lie down (again) in peace]."
	It was Mummu who answered, counselling Apsu,	Mummu answered, and gave counsel unto Apsû,
	Like a dissenting vizier's was the counsel of his Mummu,	[...] and hostile (to the gods) was the counsel Mu[mmu gave]:
	Put an end here and now, father, to the troublesome behavior!	"Come, their way is strong, but thou shalt destroy [it];"
1/50	By day you should have rest, at night you should sleep.	"Then by day shalt thou have rest, by night shalt thou lie down (in peace)."
	Apsu was delighted with him, he beamed,	Apsû [hearkened unto] him and his countenance grew bright,
	On account the wicked deed he plotted against the gods his children,	[Since] he (i.e. Mummu) planned evil against the gods his sons.
	He embraced Mummu, around his neck,	[...] he was afraid [...],
	He sank down on his knees so he could kiss him.	His knees [became weak(?)], they gave way beneath him,
1/55	Whatsoever they plotted between them,	[Because of the evil] which their first-born had planned.
	Was repeated to the gods their offspring.	[...] their [...] they altered(?).
	The gods heard it as they stirred about,	[...] they [...],
	They were stunned, they collapsed, stupefied.	Lamentation [...] they sat in [sorrow] '
	Surpassing in wisdom, ingenious, resourceful,	[...]
Foster 1/60	Ea was aware of it all, was privy to their plans.	Then Ea, who knoweth all that [is], went up and he beheld their muttering.	King 1/60
Foster 1/61	He worked it out, he set it up, a master plan,		King 1/61
Foster 1/62	He contrived it to be surpassing, his incorruptible magic spell.	[...] ... his pure incantation	King 1/62
Foster 1/63	He recited it and brought calm into the waters,	*From here on, there is a jump of 20 lines between the two translations.*	??
1/64	He put him in deep slumber, he lay fast asleep,	??	??
1/65	He made Apsu sleep, he was put into deep slumber.
	Mummu the advisor was in a daze, as if robbed of sleep.
	He untied his sash, he stripped off his tiara,
	He took away his glory, he himself put it on.
	He tied him up, he killed him, Apsu,
1/70	Mummu he confined, put him under restraint.
	He founded his dwelling upon Apsu,
	He secured Mummu, held firm by a lead rope.
	After Ea had captured and vanquished his foes,
	Had won the victory over his opponents,
1/75	In his chamber, in profound quiet, he rested.
	He called it “Apsu,” (which means) “They Recognize Sanctuaries.”
	He established therein his living quarters,
	Ea and Damkina his wife dwelt there in splendor.
	In the cella of destinies, the abode of designs,
1/80	The most capable, the sage of the gods, the Lord was conceived,
	In the midst of Apsu was Marduk born,
	In the midst of holy Apsu was Marduk born!
	Ea his father begot him,
	Damkina his mother was confined with him.
1/85	He suckled at the breasts of goddesses,
	The nursemaid who raised him endowed him well with glories.
	His body was magnificent, fiery his glance,
	He was a hero at birth, he was a mighty one from the beginning!
	When Anu his grandfather saw him
1/90	He was happy, he beamed, his heart was filled with joy.
	He perfected him, so that his divinity was unique,
	He was much greater, he surpassed them in every way.
	His members were fashioned with cunning beyond comprehension,
	Impossible to conceive, too difficult to visualize:
1/95	Fourfold his vision, fourfold his hearing,
	When he moved his lips a fire broke out.
	Formidable his fourfold perception,
	And his eyes, in like manner, saw in every direction.
	He was tallest of the gods, surpassing in form,
Foster 1/100	His limbs gigantic, by birthright was he surpassing.
	Mar-Utu, Mar-Utu,
	The son, the sun, the sunlight of the gods!”
	Clad in the glories of ten gods, he was of power prodigious,	*From here on, the texts begin to coincide again.*	King 1/83
	Fifty glories were heaped upon him.	[...]	King 1/84
Foster 1/105	Anu formed and made rise the four cardinal winds,	[...] the god Anu,	King 1/85
	He put them in his hand, “Let my son play!”	[... an aven]ger.	1/86
	He fashioned dust, he made a storm bear it up,	[...]
	He caused a wave and it roiled Tiamat,	[...] and he shall confound Tiamat.
	Tiamat was roiled, churning day and night,	[...] he ...
1/110	The gods, finding no rest, bore the brunt of each wind.	[...] for ever.	1/90
	They plotted evil in their hearts,	[...] the evil,
	They said to Tiamat their mother,	[...] ... he spake:
	When he killed Apsu your husband,	[...] thy [...] he hath conquered and
	You did nothing to save him but sat by, silent.	[...] he [weepeth] and sitteth in tribulation(?).
1/115	Now he has made four terrible winds,	"[...] of fear,"	1/95
	They are roiling your vitals so we cannot sleep.	"[...] we shall not lie down (in peace)."
	You had no care for Apsu your husband,	"[...] Apsû is laid waste(?),"
	As for Mummu, who was captured, you remained aloof,	"[...] and Mummu, who were taken captive, in [...]"
	Since then you churn back and forth, in a turmoil.	"[...] thou didst, ..."
1/120	As for us, who cannot lie down to rest, you do not love us!	"[...] let us lie down (in peace)."	1/100
	Think of our burden, our eyes are pinched,	"[...] ... they will smite (?) [...]."	1/101
	Break off this unremitting yoke, let us sleep!	" [...] let us lie down (in peace)."	1/102
	Declare war, give them what they deserve,	"[...] thou shalt take vengeance for them,"	1/103
	Make a [ . . . ], turn them into nothingness.”	"[...]unto the tempest shalt thou [...]!"	1/104
1/125	When Tiamat heard these words, they pleased her,	[And Tiamat hearkened unto] the word of the bright god, (and said):	1/105
	Whatever you think best, let us do it forthwith.”	"[...] shalt thou entrust! let us wage [war]!"
	The gods were united within her,	[...] the gods in the midst of [...]
	They took up wicked plans against the gods their ancestors.	[...] for the gods did she create.'
	They rallied around and drew up at Tiamat's side,	[They banded themselves together and] at the side of Tiamat [they] advanced;
1/130	Angry, scheming, never lying down to rest night nor day,	[They were furious, they devised mischief without resting] night and [day].	1/110
	Eager for battle, rumbling, raging,	[They prepared for battle], fuming and raging;
	Forming a host, that they might start hostilities.	[They joined their forces] and made war.
	Mother Hubur, who can form everything,	Ummu-Hubu]r, who formed all things,
	Added countless invincible weapons, gave birth to monster serpents,	[Made in addition] weapons invincible, she spawned monster-serpents,
1/135	Pointed of fang, with merciless incisors(?),	[Sharp of] tooth, and merciless of fang;	1/115
	She filled their bodies with venom for blood.	[With poison instead of] blood she filled [their] bodies.
	Fierce dragons she clad with glories,	Fierce [monster-vipers] she clothed with terror,
	Gave them glories, made them like gods, (saying)	[With splendour] she decked them, [she made them] of lofty stature.
	Whoever sees them shall go numb with terror!	[Whoever beheld] them, terror overcame him,
1/140	Let their bodies keep leaping forward and never retreat!”	Their bodies reared up and none could withstand [their attack].	1/120
	She deployed serpents, dragons, and hairy hero-men,	[She set] up vipers, and dragons, and the (monster) [Lahamu],
	Lion monsters, lion men, scorpion men,	[And hurricanes], and raging hounds, and scorpion-men,
	Mighty demons, fish men, bull men,	And mighty [tempests], and fish-men, and[rams];
	Bearing unsparing arms, fearless in battle.	[They bore] cruel weapons, without fear of [the fight].
1/145	Her commands were absolute, no one opposed them,	Her commands [were mighty], [none] could resist them;	1/125
	Eleven indeed on this wise she created.	After this fashion, huge of stature, [she made] eleven (monsters).
	From among the gods her offspring, who made up her host,	Among the gods who were her sons, inasmuch as he had given [her support],	1/127
	She raised up Qingu, it was he she made greatest among them.	She exalted Kingu; in their midst [she raised] him [to power].	1/128
	Leadership of the forces, command of the host,	To march before the forces, to lead [the host],	1/129
1/150	Arming, contact, ordering the attack,	To give the battle-signal, to advance to the attack,	1/130
	Chief strategist in warfare,	To direct the battle, to control the fight,
	v(All) she entrusted to him, stationed him at the command post.	Unto him she entrusted; in [costly raiment] she made him sit, (saying):
	I have cast a magic spell for you. I make you the greatest in the host of the gods,	"I have uttered thy spell, in the assembly of the gods I have raised thee to power."
	Kingship of all the gods I put in your power.	"The dominion over all the gods [have I entrusted unto him]."
1/155	You are the greatest, my husband, you are illustrious,	"Be thou exalted, thou my chosen spouse,"	1/135
	Your command shall always be greatest, over all the Anunna-gods.”	"May they magnify thy name over all [of them ... the Anunnaki]."	1/136
	She gave him the tablet of destinies, had him hold it to his chest, (saying)	She gave him the Tablets of Destiny, on [his] breast she laid them, (saying):	1/137
	As for you, your command shall not be changed, your utterance shall endure.”	"Thy command shall not be without avail, and[the word of thy mouth shall be established]."	1/138
	When Qingu was the highest, had taken supremacy,	Now Kingu, (thus) exalted, having received [the power of Anu],	1/139
1/160	He ordained destinies for the gods her children,	[Decreed] the fate among the gods his sons, (saying):	1/140
	Whatever you (gods) command shall cause a blaze to die out,	"Let the opening of your mouth [quench] the Fire-god;
1/141	Your concentrated venom shall make a mighty one yield.”	"Whoso is exalted in the battle, let him [display (his) might]!"	1/142

Tablet 2

To march before the forces, to lead the host,Forster
2/81

	TABLET 2	Go to top
	B. R. Foster, 1916	L. W. King, 1902
Foster 2/1	Tiamat assembled her creatures,	Tiamat made weighty her handiwork,	King 2/1
	Drew up for battle against the gods her brood.	[Evil] she wrought against the gods her children.
	Thereafter Tiamat, more than Apsu, was become an evildoer.	[To avenge] Apsû, Tiamat planned evil,
	She informed Ea that she was ready for battle.	But how she had collected her [forces, the god ...] unto Ea divulged.
Foster 2/5	When Ea heard this,	Ea [hearkened to] this thing, and	King 2/5
	He fell silent in his chamber and sat stock still.	He was [grievous]ly afflicted and he sat in sorrow.
	After he had taken thought and his anger had calmed,	[The days] went by, and his anger was appeased,
	He made straight his way to Anshar his grandfather.	And to [the place of] Anshar his father he took[his way].
	He came in before his grandfather, Anshar,	[He went] and standing before Anshar, the father who begat him,
Forster 2/10	All that Tiamat plotted he recounted to him,	[All that] Tiamat had plotted he repeated unto him,	King 2/10
	My father, Tiamat our mother has come to hate us,“	[Saying, "Ti]amat our mother hath conceived a hatred for us,"
	She has assembled a host, savage with rage.“	With all her force she rageth, full of wrath.
	All the gods rallied around her,“	All the gods have turned to her,
	Even those you created are going over to her side,“	[With] those, whom ye created, they go at her side.
Forster 2/15	They massed around her, drew up at Tiamat’s side.	"They are banded together and at the side of Tiamat they advance;"	King 2/15
	Angry, scheming, never lying down to rest night nor day,	"They are furious, they devise mischief without resting night and day."
	Eager for battle, rumbling, raging,	"They prepare for battle, fuming and raging;"
	Forming a host, that they might start hostilities.	"They have joined their forces and are making war."
	Mother Hubur, who can form everything,	"Ummu-Hubur, who formed all things,"
Forster 2/20	Added countless invincible weapons, gave birth to monster serpents,	"Hath made in addition weapons invincible, she hath spawned monster-serpents,"	King 2/20
	Pointed of fang, with merciless incisors(?),	"Sharp of tooth, and merciless of fang."
	She filled their bodies with venom for blood.	"With poison instead of blood she hath filled their bodies."
	Fierce dragons she clad with glories,	"Fierce monster-vipers she hath clothed with terror,"
	Gave them glories, made them like gods, (saying)	"With splendour she hath decked them, she hath made them of lofty stature."
Forster 2/25	Whoever sees them, shall collapse in terror!	"Whoever beholdeth them is overcome by terror,"	King 2/25
	Let their bodies keep leaping forward and never retreat!’	"Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack."
	She deployed serpents, dragons, and hairy hero-men,	"She hath set up vipers, and dragons, and the"
	Lion monsters, lion men, scorpion men,	"And hurricanes and raging hounds, and scorpion-men,"
	Mighty demons, fish men, bull men,	"And mighty tempests, and fish-men and rams;"
Forster 2/30	Bearing unsparing arms, fearless in battle.	"They bear cruel weapons, without fear of the fight."	King 2/30
	"Her commands were absolute, no one opposed them,"	Her commands are mighty, none can resist them;
	"Eleven indeed on this wise she created."	After this fashion, huge of stature, hath she made eleven (monsters).
	"From among the gods her offspring, who made up her army,"	Among the gods who are her sons, inasmuch as he hath given her support,
	"She raised up Qingu, it was he she made greatest among them."	She hath exalted Kingu; in their midst she hath raised him to power.
Forster 2/35	Leadership of the forces, command of the host,	To march before the forces, to lead the host,	King 2/35
	Arming, contact, ordering the attack,	To give the battle-signal, to advance to the attack,
	Supreme strategist in warfare,	[To direct] the battle, to control the fight,
	(All) she entrusted to him, stationed him at the command post.	Unto him [hath she entrusted]; in costly raiment she hath made him sit, (saying):
	I have cast a magic spell for you. I make you the greatest in the assembly of the gods,	[I have uttered] thy [spell], in the assembly of the gods I have raised thee to power,
Forster 2/40	Kingship of all the gods I put in your power.	[The dominion over all] the gods have I entrusted [unto thee].	King 2/40
	You are the greatest, my husband, you are illustrious.	[Be thou exalted], thou [my chosen spouse],
	Your command shall always be greatest, over all the Anunna-gods.’	[May they magnify thy name over all of them ...] ...'
	She gave him the tablet of destinies, had him hold it to his chest, (saying)	[She hath given him the Tablets of Destiny, on his breast she] laid them, (saying):
	As for you, your command shall not be changed, your utterance shall endure.’	'[Thy command shall not be without avail], and the [word] of thy mouth shall be established.'
Forster 2/45	When Qingu was the highest, had taken supremacy,	[Now Kingu, (thus) exalted], having received the power of Anu,	King 2/45
	He ordained destinies for the gods her children,	Decreed the fate [for the gods, her sons], (saying):
	Whatever you (gods) command shall cause a blaze to die out,	Let [the opening of your mouth] quench the Fire-god;
	Your concentrated venom shall make the mighty one yield.’”	"'[Whoso is exalted in the battle], let him display (his) might!'"
	When Anshar heard, the speech was very alarming,	[When Anshar heard how Tiamat] was mightily in revolt,
Forster 2/50	He cried out “Woe!”; he bit his lip,	[...], he bit his lips,	King 2/50
	His feelings were outraged, his mind was uneasy,	[...], his mind was not at peace,
	His cries to Ea his offspring grew choked,	His [...], he made a bitter lamentation:
	My son, you yourself were instigator of battle!	[...] battle,
	Do you bear the consequences of your own handiwork!	[...] thou ....
Forster 2/55	You went forth and killed Apsu,	[Mummu and] Apsû thou hast smitten,	King 2/55
	So Tiamat, whom you have enraged, where is one who can face her?”	"[But Tiamat hath exalted Kin]gu, and where is one who can oppose her?"
	The sage counsellor, wise prince,	[...] deliberation
	Producer of wisdom, divine Nudimmud,	[ ... the ... of] the gods, N[u]di[mmud]
	Answered [his] father Anshar gently,	*From here on, there is a jump of 20 lines between the two translations.*	King 2/59
Forster 2/60	With soothing words, calming speech,		King 2/60
	My father, inscrutable, ordainer of destinies,
	Who has power to create and destroy,
	O Anshar, inscrutable, ordainer of destinies,
	Who has power to create and destroy,
Forster 2/65	I will declare my thoughts to you, calm yourself for a moment,		King 2/65
	Recall in your heart that I made a good plan.
	Before I undertook to kill Apsu,
	Who had foreseen what is happening now?
Forster 2/69	Ere I was the one who moved quickly to snuff out his life,		King 2/69
Forster 2/70	I indeed, for it was I who destroyed him, [wh]at was occurring?”
	When Anshar heard this, the speech pleased him,
	He relaxed, saying to Ea,
	My son, your deeds are worthy of a god,
	Such a cruel, irresistible blow, you can [ward it off],
Forster 2/75	Ea, your deeds are worthy of a god,		King 2/75
Forster 2/76	Such a cruel, irresistible blow, you can [ward it off]!		King 2/76
Forster 2/77	Go then to Tiamat, mollify her onslaught,	*From here on, the texts begin to coincide again.*	King 2/77
Forster 2/78	May her anger be pacified, quickly banished by your magic spell.”	Our [word] shalt thou speak unto her, that she may be pacified.	King 2/78
Forster 2/79	When he heard the command [of his father] A[nshar],	[He heard the] word of his father Anshar	King 2/79
Forster 2/80	He set off, making straight his way,	And [he directed] his path to her, towards her he took the way.	King 2/80
	Ea went to seek out Tiamat's intentions.	Anu [drew nigh], he beheld the muttering of Tiamat,	King 2/81
Forster 2/82	He stopped, speechless, then turned back.	[But he could not withstand her], and he turned back.	King 2/82
Forster 2/83	He came before Anshar the sovereign,	[...] Anshar	King 2/83
Forster 2/84	He entreated him, saying,	[...] he spake unto him:	King 2/84
Forster 2/85	[My father], Tiamat has carried her actions beyond me,	*From here on, there is a jump of 20 lines between the two translations.*	King 2/85
Forster 2/86	I verified her intent, but my magic spell cannot counter it.		King 2/86
	Her strength is enormous, she is utterly terrifying,
	She is reinforced with a host, none can go out against her.
	Her challenge does not lessen in loudness.
Forster 2/90	I felt fear at her clamor, I turned back.
	My father, do not despair, send another to her,
	A woman's force may be very great, but it cannot match a man’s.
	Do you be the one to scatter her ranks, to thwart her intentions,
	Before she lays her hands on us.”
Forster 2/95	Anshar was shouting, in a passion,
	To Anu his son he said these words,
	Cherished son, valiant warrior,
	Whose strength is enormous, whose onslaught is irresistible,
	Make haste, take a stand before Tiamat,
Forster 2/100	Soothe her feelings, let her heart be eased.
	If she will not listen to what you say,
	Say something by way of entreaty to her, so that she be pacified.”
	When he heard what his father Anshar said,
	He set off, [made str]aight his way,
Forster 2/105	Anu went to seek out Tiamat's intentions.
	He stopped, speechless, then turned back.
	He came before Anshar, his father who begot him,
	He entreated him, s[aying],
	My father, Tiamat has carried her actions beyond me,
Forster 2/110	I verified her intent, but my magic spell cannot counter it.
	Her strength is enormous, she is utterly terrifying,
	She is reinforced with a host, none can [go out against] her.
	Her challenge does not lessen in loudness,
	I felt fear at her clamor, I turned back.
Forster 2/115	My father, do not despair, send another to her,
	A woman's strength may be very great, but it cannot match a man’s.
	Do you be the one to scatter her ranks, to thwart her intentions,
	Before she lays her hands on us.”
	Anshar fell silent, gazing at the ground,
Forster 2/120	Nodding toward Ea, he shook his head.
	The Igigi-gods and Anunna-gods were all assembled,
	With lips closed tight, they sat in silence.
	No god would go out [at his command],
	None would go against Tiamat as [he] ordered.
Forster 2/125	So it was that Anshar, father of the great gods,	*From here King starts to translate again, but with completely different line numbers than Foster.*
	His heart full of anger, did not summon anyone!	[...]	2/104
	The mighty firstborn, champion of his father,	[...] an avenger [...]	2/105
	Hastener to battle, the warrior Marduk	[...] va[liant]	2/106
	Did Ea summon to his secret place,	[...] in the place of his decision	2/107
Forster 2/130	That he made the speech to him he had prepared in his mind,	[...] he spake unto him:	King 2/108
	O Marduk, think carefully, heed your father,	[...] thy father	King 2/109
	Thou art my son, who maketh merciful his heart.	You are my son who can relieve his heart!	King 2/110
	Draw nigh, approach Anshar,	[...] to the battle shalt thou draw nigh,	King 2/111
	Be ready to speak, wait, seeing you he will be calm.”	"[...] he that shall behold thee shall have peace."	King 2/112
Forster 2/135	The Lord was delighted at his father's words,	And the lord rejoiced at the word of his father,	King 2/113
	He drew near and waited before Anshar.	And he drew nigh and stood before Anshar.	King 2/114
	When Anshar saw him, his heart was filled with joyful feelings,	Anshar beheld him and his heart was filled with joy,	King 2/115
	He kissed his lips, he banished his gloom.	He kissed him on the lips and his fear departed from him.	King 2/116
	My father, let not your lips be silent but speak,	[O my father], let not the word of thy lips be overcome,	King 2/117
Forster 2/140	Let me go, let me accomplish your heart's desire.	Let me go, that I may accomplish all that is in thy heart.	King 2/118
	[O Anshar], let not your lips be silent but speak,	[O Anshar], let not the word of thy lips be overcome,	King 2/119
	Let me go, let me accomplish your heart's desire!	.[Let me] go, that I may accomplish all that is in thy heart.	King 2/120
	What man is it who has sent forth his forces for battle against you?	What man is it, who hath brought thee forth to battle?	King 2/121
	Why, Tiamat, a woman, comes out against you to arms!	[...] Tiamat, who is a woman, is armed and attacketh thee.	King 2/122
Forster 2/145	[My father], creator, rejoice and be glad,	[...] ... rejoice and be glad;	King 2/123
	Soon you will trample the neck of Tiamat.	The neck of Tiamat shalt thou swiftly trample under foot.	King 2/124
	[Anshar], creator, rejoice and be glad,	[...] ... rejoice and be glad;	King 2/125
	Soon you will trample the neck of Tiamat!”	[The neck] of Tiamat shalt thou swiftly trample under foot.	King 2/126
	[Go], son, knower of all there is to know,	O my [son], who knoweth all wisdom,	King 2/127
Forster 2/150	Bring Tiamat to rest with your sacral spell.	Pacify [Tiama]t with thy pure incantation.	King 2/128
	Make straight, quickly, ride the storm chariot,	"Speedily set out upon thy way,"	King 2/129
	At the sight of it, unstoppable, turn her back!	"For [thy blood (?)] shall not be poured out, thou shalt return again."	King 2/130
	The Lord was delighted at his grandfather's words,	The lord rejoiced at the word of his father,	King 2/131
	His heart was overjoyed as he said to his grandfather,	His heart exulted, and unto his father he spake:	King 2/132
Forster 2/155	Lord of the gods, of the destiny of the great gods,	"O Lord of the gods, Destiny of the great gods,"	King 2/133
	If indeed I am to champion you,“	"If I, your avenger,"
	Subdue Tiamat and save your lives,“	"Conquer Tiamat and give you life,"
	Convene the assembly, nominate me for the ultimate destiny!“	"Appoint an assembly, make my fate preeminent and proclaim it."
	Take your places in the Assembly Place of the Gods, all of you, in joyful mood.“	"In Upshukkinaku seat yourselves joyfully together,"	King 2/137
Forster 2/160	When I speak, let me ordain destinies instead of you.	"With my word in place of you will I decree fate."	King 2/138
	Let nothing that I shall bring about be altered,	"May whatsoever I do remain unaltered,"	King 2/139
	Nor what I command be revoked or changed.”	"May the word of my lips never be changed nor made of no avail."	King 2/140

Tablet 3

	TABLET 3	Go to top
	B. R. Foster, 1916	L. W. King, 1902
Foster 3/1	Anshar made ready to speak,	Anshar opened his mouth, and	King 3/1
	Saying to Kakka his vizier these words,	[Unto Gaga], his [minister], spake the word:
	Kakka, vizier who contents me,	"[O Gaga, thou minis]ter that rejoicest my spirit,"
	Let it be you that I send off toward Lahmu and Lahamu.	[Unto Lahmu and Lah]amu will I send thee.
Forster 3/5	You know how [to find a way], you can make a fine speech.	[...] thou canst attain,	King 3/5
	Send over to my presence the gods my ancestors,	[...] thou shalt cause to be brought before thee.
	Let them bring all the gods before me.	[... let] the gods, all of them,
	Let them converse, sit down at a feast,	[Make ready for a feast], at a banquet let them sit,
	On produce of the field let them feed, imbibe of the vine.	[Let them eat bread], let them mix wine,
Foster 3/10	Let them ordain destiny for Marduk, their champion.	[That for Marduk], their avenger, they may decree the fate.	King 3/10
	Be off, Kakka, wait upon them,	[Go,] Gaga, stand before them,
	All that I tell you, repeat to them:	[And all that] I, tell thee, repeat unto them, (and say):
	It is Anshar your son who has ordered me to come,	[Anshar], your son, hath sent me,
	He has bade me speak in full the command of his heart,	[The purpose] of his heart he hath made known unto me.
Foster 3/15	To wit: “Tiamat our mother has grown angry with us,	[He saith that Tia]mat our mother hath conceived a hatred for us,	King 3/15
	She has assembled a host, savage with rage.	[With all] her force she rageth, full of wrath.
	All the gods rallied around her,	All the gods have turned to her,
	Even those you created are going over to her side.	With those, whom ye created, they go at her side.
	They massed around her, drew up at Tiamat's side.	They are banded together, and at the side of Tiamat they advanc
Foster 3/20	Angry, scheming, never lying down night and day,	They are furious, they devise mischief without resting night and day.	King 3/20
	Eager for battle, rumbling, raging,	They prepare for battle, fuming and raging;
	Forming a host, that they might start hostilities.	They have joined their forces and are making war.
	Mother Hubur, who can form everything,	Ummu-Hubur, who formed all things,
	Added countless invincible weapons, gave birth to monster serpents,	Hath made in addition weapons invincible, she hath spawned monster-serpents,
Foster 3/25	Pointed of fang, with merciless incisors(?),	Sharp of tooth and merciless of fang.	King 3/25
	She filled their bodies with venom for blood.	With poison instead of blood she hath filled heir bodies.
	Fierce dragons she clad with glories,	Fierce monster-vipers she hath clothed with terror,
	Causing them to bear glories like gods, (saying)	With splendour she hath decked them, she hath made them of lofty stature.
	Whoever sees them shall go numb with terror!	Whoever beholdeth them, terror overcometh him,
Foster 3/30	Let their bodies keep leaping forward and never retreat!’	Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack.	King 3/30
	She deployed serpents, dragons, and hairy hero-men,	She hath set up vipers, and dragons, and the (monster) Lahamu,
	Lion monsters, lion men, scorpion men,	And hurricanes, and raging hounds, and scorpion-men,
	Mighty demons, fish men, bull men,	And mighty tempests, and fish-men, and rams;
	Bearing unsparing arms, fearless in battle.	They bear merciless weapons, without fear of the fight.
Foster 3/35	Her commands were absolute, no one opposed them.	Her commands are mighty, none can resist them;	King 3/35
	Eleven indeed on this wise she created.	After this fashion, huge of stature, hath she made eleven (monsters).
	From among the gods her offspring, who made up her host,	Among the gods who are her sons, inasmuch as he hath given her [support],
	She raised up Qingu from among them, it was he she made greatest among them.	She hath exalted Kingu; in their midst she hath raised [him] to power.
	Leadership of the army, command of the assembly,	To march before the forces, [to lead the host],
Foster 3/40	Arming, contact, advance of the melee,	[To] give the battle-signal, to advance [to the attack],	King 3/40
	Supreme command in warfare:	[To direct] the battle, to control the [fight],
	All she entrusted to him, made him sit on the dais.	Unto him [hath she entrusted; in costly raiment] she hath made him sit, (saying):
	I cast your spell, I make you the greatest in the assembly of the gods,	[I have] uttered thy spell, in the assembly of the gods [I have raised thee to power],
	Kingship of all the gods I put in your power.	[The] dominion over all the gods [have I entrusted unto thee].
Foster 3/45	You are greatest, my husband, you are illustrious,	Decreed the fate for the gods, her sons, (saying):	King 3/45
	Your command shall always prevail over all the Anunna-gods.’	[To direct] the battle, to control the [fight],
	She gave him the tablet of destinies, had him hold it to his chest, (saying)	Unto him [hath she entrusted; in costly raiment] she hath made him sit, (saying):
	As for you, your command will not be changed, your utterance shall endure.’	Thy command shall not be without avail, and the word of [thy] mouth shall be established.'
	When Qingu was the highest, had taken over supremacy,	Now Kingu, (thus) exalted, having received [the power of Anu],
Foster 3/50	He ordained destinies for her divine children,	Decreed the fate for the gods, her sons, (saying):	King 3/50
	Whatever you (gods) command shall cause a blaze to die out,	Let the opening of your mouth quench the Fire-god;
	Your concentrated venom shall make the mighty one yield.	Whoso is exalted in the battle, let him display (his) might!
	I sent Anu, he could not confront her,	I sent Anu, but he could not withstand her;
	Nudimmud was afraid and turned back.	Nudimmud was afraid and turned back.
Foster 3/55	Marduk came forward, the sage of the gods, your son,	But Marduk hath set out, the director of the gods, your son;	King 3/55
	He has resolved to go against Tiamat.	To set out against Tiamat his heart hath prompted (him).
	When he spoke, he said to me,	He opened his mouth and spake unto me, (saying):
	If indeed I am to champion you,	If I, your avenger,
	Subdue Tiamat and save your lives,	Conquer Tiamat and give you life,
Foster 3/60	'Convene the assembly, nominate me for the ultimate destiny!	Appoint an assembly, make my fate preeminent and proclaim it.	King 3/60
	Take your places in the Assembly Place of the Gods, all of you, in joyful mood,	In Upshukkinaku seat yourselves joyfully together;
	When I speak, let me ordain destinies instead of you.	With my word in place of you will I decree fate.
	Let nothing that I shall bring about be altered,	May whatsoever I do remain unaltered,
	Nor what I say be revoked or changed.'	May the word of my lips never be changed nor made of no avail.'
Foster 3/65	Come quickly to me, straightaway ordain him your destinies,	Hasten, therefore, and swiftly decree for him the fate which you bestow,	King 3/65
	"Let him go and confront your powerful enemy.”	"That he may go and fight your strong enemy!"
	Kakka went and made straight his way	Gaga went, he took his way and
	Toward Lahmu and Lahamu the gods his ancestors.	Humbly before Lahmu and Lahamu, the gods, his fathers,
	He prostrated, kissed the ground before them.	He made obeisance, and he kissed the ground at their feet.
Foster 3/70	He stood up straight, saying to them,	He humbled himself; then he stood up and spake unto them, (saying):	King 3/70
	It is Anshar your son who has ordered me to come,	Anshar, your son, hath sent me,
	He has bade me speak in full the command of his will:	The purpose of his heart he hath made known unto me.
	Tiamat our mother has grown angry with us,	He saith that Tiamat our mother hath conceived a hatred for us,
	She has assembled a host, savage with rage.	With all her force she rageth, full of wrath.
Foster 3/75	All the gods rallied around her,	All the gods have turned to her,	King 3/75
	'Even those you created are going over to her side.	With those, whom ye created, they go at her side.
	They massed around her, drew up at Tiamat's side.	They are banded together and at the side of Tiamat they advance;
	Angry, scheming, never lying down night and day,	They are furious, they devise mischief without resting night and day.
	Eager for battle, rumbling, raging,	They prepare for battle, fuming and raging;
Foster 3/80	Forming a host, that they might start hostilities.	They have joined their forces and are making war.	King 3/80
	Mother Hubur, who can form everything,	Ummu-Hubur, who formed all things,
	Added countless invincible weapons,gave birth to monster serpents,	Hath made in addition weapons invincible, she hath spawned monster-serpents,
	Pointed of fang, with merciless incisors(?),	Sharp of tooth and merciless of fang.
	She filled their bodies with venom for blood.	With poison instead of blood she hath filled their bodies.
Foster 3/85	Fierce dragons she clad with glories,	Fierce monster-vipers she hath clothed with terror,	King 3/85
	Causing them to bear glories like gods, (saying)	With splendour she hath decked them, she hath made them of lofty stature.
	Whoever sees them shall go numb with terror!	Whoever beholdeth them, terror overcometh him,
	Let their bodies keep leaping forward and never retreat!“	Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack.
	She deployed serpents, dragons, and hairy hero-men,	She hath set up vipers, and dragons, and the (monster) Lahamu,
Foster 3/90	Lion monsters, lion men, scorpion men,	And hurricanes, and raging hounds, and scorpion-men,	King 3/90
	Mighty demons, fish men, bull men,	And mighty tempests, and fish-men, and [rams];
	Bearing unsparing arms, fearless in battle.	They bear merciless weapons, without fear of the fight.
	Her commands were absolute, no one opposed them.	Her commands are mighty, none can resist them;
	Eleven indeed on this wise she created.	After this fashion, huge of stature, hath she made eleven (monsters).
Foster 3/95	From among the gods her offspring who made up her host,	Among the gods who are her sons, inasmuch as he hath given her support,	King 3/95
	She raised up Qingu from among them, it was he she made greatest among them.	She hath exalted Kingu; in their midst she hath raised him to power.
	Leadership of the forces, command of the host,	To march before the forces, to lead the host,
	Arming, contact, ordering the attack,	To give the battle-signal, to advance to the attack,
	Chief strategist in warfare:	To direct the battle, to control the fight,
Foster 3/100	(All) she entrusted to him, stationed him at the command post.	Unto him hath she entrusted; in costly raiment she hath made him sit, (saying):	King 3/100
	I cast a magic spell for you, I make you the greatest in the host of the gods,	I have uttered thy spell, in the assembly of the gods I have raised thee to power,
	Kingship of all the gods I put in your power.	The dominion over all the gods have I entrusted unto thee.
	You are the greatest, my husband, illustrious,	Be thou exalted, thou my chosen spouse,
	Your command shall always prevail over all the Anunna-gods.”	May they magnify thy name over all of them ... the Anunna[ki].'
Foster 3/105	She gave him the tablet of destinies, had him hold it to his chest, (saying)	She hath given him the Tablets of Destiny, on [his] breast [she laid them], (saying):	King 3/105
	As for you, your command shall not be changed, your utterance shall endure.”	Thy command shall not be without avail, [and the word of thy mouth shall be established].
	When Qingu was the highest, had taken over supremacy,	Now Kingu, (thus) exalted, [having received the power of Anu],
	bestimmte sie das Schicksal für seine göttlichen Söhne:	[Decreed the fate] for the gods, her sons, (saying):
	»Möge ein Wort eures Mundes den Feuergott bändigen,	Let the opening of your mouth [quench] the Fire-god;
Foster 3/110	Your concentrated venom shall make the mighty one yield.“	Whoso is exalted in the battle, [let him display] (his) might!	King 3/110
	I sent Anu, he could not confront her,	I sent Anu, but he could not [withstand her];
	Nudimmud was afraid and turned back.	Nudimmud was afraid and [turned back].
	Marduk came forward, the sage of the gods, your son,	But Marduk hath set out, the director of the[gods, your son];
	He has resolved to go against Tiamat.	T o set out against Tiamat [his heart hath prompted (him)].
Foster 3/115	When he spoke, he said to me,	He opened his mouth [and spake unto me], (saying):	King 3/115
	If indeed I am to champion you,	If I, [your avenger],
	Subdue Tiamat and save your lives,	Conquer Tiamat and [give you life],
	Convene the assembly, nominate me for the ultimate destiny!	Appoint an assembly, [make my fate preeminent and proclaim it].
	In the Assembly Place of the Gods take your places, all of you, in joyful mood.	In Upshukkinaku [seat yourselves joyfully together];
Foster 3/120	When I speak, let me ordain destinies instead of you.	With my word in place of [you will I decree fate].	King 3/120
	Let nothing that I shall bring about be altered,	May whatsoever [I] do remain unaltered,
	Nor what I say be revoked or changed.	'May the word of [my lips] never be changed nor made of no avail.'
	Come quickly to me, straightaway ordain him your destinies,	Hasten, therefore, and swiftly [decree for him] the fate which you bestow,
	Let him go and confront your powerful enemy.	That he may go and fight your strong enemy!
Foster 3/125	When Lahmu and Lahamu heard, they cried aloud,	Lahmu and Lahamu heard and cried aloud,	King 3/125
	All of the Igigi-gods wailed bitterly,	All of the Igigi wailed bitterly, (saying):
	What has gone wrong, that she has taken action against us?	What has been altered so that they should ... [...]
	We scarcely know what Tiamat might do!	We do not understand the d[eed] of Tiamat!
	They came together in a swarm,	Then did they collect and go,
Foster 3/130	All the great gods, ordainers of [destinies],	The great gods, all of them, who decree [fate].	King 3/130
	Came before Anshar, they were full of [joy]	They entered in before Anshar, they filled [...];
	One kissed the other in the assembly [of the gods],	They kissed one another, in the assembly [...].
	They conversed, sat down at a feast,	They made ready for the feast, at the banquet [they sat];
	On produce of the field they fed, imbibed of the vine,	They ate bread, they mixed [sesame-wine].
Foster 3/135	They gorged their systems with syrupy pudding,	The sweet drink, the mead, confused their [...],	King 3/135
	They felt good from drinking the beer.	They were drunk with drinking, their bodies were filled.
	Utterly carefree, their spirits soared,	They were wholly at ease, their spirit was exalted;
	They ordained the destiny of Marduk their champion.	Then for Marduk, their avenger, did they decree the fate.

Tablet 4

	TABLET 4	Go to top
	B. R. Foster, 1916	L. W. King, 1902
Foster 4/1	They set out for him a princely dais,	They prepared for him a lordly chamber,	King 4/1
	He took his place before his fathers to be made sovereign.	Before his fathers as prince he took his place.
	You are the most important among the great gods,	Thou art chiefest among the great gods,
	Your destiny is unrivalled, your command is sublime.	Thy fate is unequalled, thy word is Anu!
Foster 4/5	O Marduk, you are the most important among the great gods,	O Marduk, thou art chiefest among the great gods,	King 4/5
	Your destiny is unrivalled, your command is sublime!	Thy fate is unequalled, thy word is Anu!
	Henceforth your command cannot be changed,	Henceforth not without avail shall be thy command,
	To raise high, to bring low, this shall be your power.	In thy power shall it be to exalt and to abase.
	Your command shall be steadfast, your word shall not be gainsaid.	Established shall be the word of thy mouth, irresistible shall be thy command;
Foster 4/10	Not one of the gods shall go beyond the limits you set.	None among the gods shall transgress thy boundary.	King 4/10
	Support is wanted for the gods’ sanctuaries,	Abundance, the desire of the shrines of the gods
	Wherever their shrines are, your own shall be established.	Shall be established in thy sanctuary, even though they lack (offerings).
	You are Marduk, our champion,	O Marduk, thou art our avenger!
	We bestow upon you kingship of all and everything.	We give thee sovereignty over the whole world.
Foster 4/15	Take your place in the assembly, your word shall be supreme.	Sit thou down in night, be exalted in thy command.	King 4/15
	May your weapon never strike wide but dispatch your foes.	Thy weapon shall never lose its power, it shall crush thy foe.
	O Lord, spare his life who trusts in you,	O lord, spare the life of him that putteth his trust in thee,
	But the god who has taken up evil, snuff out his life!”	But as for the god who began the rebellion, pour out his life
	They set up among them a certain constellation,	Then set they in their midst a garment,
Foster 4/20	To Marduk their firstborn said they (these words),	And unto Marduk their first-born they spake:	King 4/20
	Your destiny, O Lord, shall be foremost of the gods’,	May thy fate, O lord, be supreme among the gods,
	Command destruction or creation, they shall take place.	To destroy and to create; speak thou the word, and (thy command) shall be fulfilled.
	At your word the constellation shall be destroyed,	Command now and let the garment vanish;
	Command again, the constellation shall be intact.”	And speak the word again and let the garment reappear!
Foster 4/25	He commanded and at his word the constellation was destroyed,	Then he spake with his mouth, and the garment vanished;	King 4/25
	He commanded again and the constellation was created anew.	Again he commanded it, and the garment reappeared.
	When the gods his fathers saw what he had commanded,	When the gods, his fathers, beheld (the fulfilment of) his word,
	Joyfully they hailed, “Marduk is king!	They rejoiced, and they did homage (unto him, saying), "Marduk is king!"
	They bestowed upon him scepter, throne, and staff,	They bestowed upon him the sceptre, and the throne, and the ring,
Foster 4/30	They gave him unopposable weaponry that vanquishes enemies, (saying),	They give him an invincible weapon, which overwhelmeth the foe.	King 4/30
	Go, cut off the life of Tiamat,	Go, and cut off the life of Tiamat,
	Let the winds bear her blood away as glad tidings!”	And let the wind carry her blood into secret places.
	The gods, his fathers, ordained the Lord’s destiny,	After the gods his fathers had decreed for the lord his fate,
	On the path to success and authority did they set him marching.	They caused him to set out on a path of prosperity and success.
Foster 4/35	He made a bow, appointed it his weapon,	He made ready the bow, he chose his weapon,	King 4/35
	He mounted an arrow, set it on the string.	He slung a spear upon him and fastened it . . .
	He took up a mace, held it in his right hand,	He raised the club, in his right hand he grasped (it),
	Bow and quiver he slung at his side.	The bow and the quiver he hung at his side.
	Thunderbolts he set before his face,	He set the lightning in front of him,
Foster 4/40	With raging fire he covered his body.	With burning flame he filled his body.	King 4/40
	Then he made a net to enclose Tiamat within it,	He made a net to enclose the inward parts of Tiamat,
	He deployed the four winds that none of her might escape:	He raised the club, in his right hand he grasped (it),
	South Wind, North Wind, East Wind, West Wind,	The bow and the quiver he hung at his side.
	He fastened the net at his side, gift of his grandfather Anu;	He set the lightning in front of him,
Foster 4/45	He made ill wind, whirlwind, cyclone,	He created the evil wind, and the tempest, and the hurricane,	King 4/45
	Four-ways wind, seven-ways wind, destructive wind, back-and-forth wind:	And the fourfold wind, and the sevenfold wind, and the whirlwind, and the wind which had no equal;
	He released the winds that he had made, the seven of them,	He sent forth the winds which he had created, the seven of them;
	Mounting in readiness behind him to roil inside Tiamat.	To disturb the inward parts of Tiamat, they followed after him.
	Then the Lord raised the Deluge, his great weapon.	Then the lord raised the thunderbolt, his mighty weapon,
Foster 4/50	He mounted the terrible chariot, the unopposable Storm Demon,	He mounted the chariot, the storm unequalled for terror,	King 4/50
	He hitched to it the four-steed team, he tied (the reins) at his side:	He harnessed and yoked unto it four horses,
	Slaughterer,” “Merciless,” “Overwhelmer,” “Soaring.”	Destructive, ferocious, overwhelming, and swift of pace;
	Their lips are curled back, their teeth bear venom,	[...] were their teeth, they were flecked with foam;
	They know not fatigue, they are trained to trample down.	They were skilled in [...], they had been trained to trample underfoot.
Foster 4/55	He stationed at his right gruesome battle and strife,	[...], mighty in battle,	King 4/55
	At his left fray that overthrows all formations.	Left and [right ...
	He was garbed in a ghastly armored garment,	His garment was [...], he was clothed with terror,
	On his head he was covered with terrifying glories.	With overpowering brightness his head was crowned.
	The Lord made straight and pursued his way,	Then he set out, he took his way,
Foster 4/60	Toward raging Tiamat he set his face.	And towards the [rag]ing Tiamat he set his face.	King 4/60
	He was holding a magic spell ready upon his lips,	On his lips he held [...],
	A plant, antidote to venom, he was grasping in his hand.	... [...] he grasped in his hand.
	At that moment the gods were stirring, stirring about him,	Then they beheld him, the gods beheld him,
	The gods his fathers were stirring about him, the gods stirring about him.	The gods his fathers beheld him, the gods beheld him.
Foster 4/65	The Lord drew near, to see the battle of Tiamat,	And the lord drew nigh, he gazed upon the inward parts of Tiamat,	King 4/65
	He was looking for the stratagem of Qingu her spouse.	He perceived the muttering of Kingu, her spouse.
	As he looked, his advance turned to confusion,	As (Marduk) gazed, (Kingu) was troubled in his gait,
	His thinking was disconcerted and his actions panicky,	His will was destroyed and his motions ceased.
	And as for the gods his allies, who went at his side,	And the gods, his helpers, who marched by his side,
Foster 4/70	When they saw the valiant vanguard, their sight failed them..	Beheld their leader's [...], and their sight was troubled.	King 4/70
	Tiamat cast her magic spell pointblank,	But Tiamat [...], she turned not her neck,
	Falsehood, lies she held ready on her lips.	With lips that failed not she uttered rebellious words:
	... lord, the gods rise against you,	[...] thy coming as lord of the gods,
	They assembled [where] they are, (but) are they on your side?”	From their places have they gathered, in thy place are they!
Foster 4/75	The Lord [raised] the Deluge, his great weapon,	Then the lord [raised] the thunderbolt, his mighty weapon,	King 4/75
	To Tiamat, who acted conciliatory, sent he (this word),	[And against] Tiamat, who was raging, thus he sent (the word):
	Why outwardly do you assume a friendly attitude,	[Thou] art become great, thou hast exalted thyself on high,
	While your heart is plotting to open attack?	And thy [heart hath prompted] thee to call to battle.
	The children cried out, they were oppressive to their parents,	[...] their fathers [...],
Foster 4/80	But you, their own mother, spurned all natural feeling.	[...] their [...] thou hatest [...].	King 4/80
	You named Qingu to be spouse for you,	[Thou hast exalted King]u to be [thy] spouse,
	Though he had no right to be, you set him up for chief god.	[Thou hast . . . ] him, that, even as Anu, he should issue decrees.
	You attempted wicked deeds against Anshar, sovereign of the gods,	[...] thou hast followed after evil,
	And you have perpetrated your evil against the gods my fathers.	And [against] the .gods my fathers thou hast contrived thy wicked plan.
Foster 4/85	Though your main force is drawn up, though these your weapons are in array,	Let then thy host be equipped, let thy weapons be girded on!	King 4/85
	"Come within range, let us meet in single combat, you and I!"	"Stand! I and thou, let us join battle!"
	When Tiamat heard this,	When Tiamat heard these words,
	She was beside herself, she turned into a maniac.	She was like one possessed, she lost her reason.
	Tiamat shrieked loud, in a passion,	Tiamat uttered wild, piercing cries,
Foster 4/90	Her frame shook all over, down to the ground.	She trembled and shook to her very foundations.	King 4/90
	She was reciting an incantation, casting her spell,	She recited an incantation, she pronounced her spell,
	While the gods of battle were whetting their blades.	And the gods of the battle cried out for their weapons.
	Tiamat and Marduk, sage of the gods, drew close,	Then advanced Tiamat and Marduk, the counsellor of the gods;
	They locked in single combat, joining for the fray.	To the fight they came on, to the battle they drew nigh.
Foster 4/95	The Lord spread out his net, encircled her,	The lord spread out his net and caught her,	King 4/95
	The ill wind he was holding behind him he released in her face.	And the evil wind that was behind (him) he let loose in her face.
	Tiamat opened her mouth to swallow (him),	As Tiamat opened her mouth to its full extent,
	He thrust in the ill wind so she could not close her lips.	He drove in the evil wind, while as yet she had not shut her lips.
	The raging winds bloated her belly,	The terrible winds filled her belly,
Foster 4/100	Her insides were stopped up, she gaped her mouth wide.	And her courage was taken from her, and her mouth she opened wide.	King 4/100
	He shot off an arrow, it ruptured her belly,	He seized the spear and burst her belly,
	It cut to her innards, it pierced the heart.	He severed her inward parts, he pierced (her) heart.
	He subdued her and snuffed out her life,	He overcame her and cut off her life;
	He flung down her carcass, he took a stand upon it.	He cast down her body and stood upon it.
Foster 4/105	After he had slain Tiamat, the vanguard.	When he had slain Tiamat, the leader,	King 4/105
	Her forces scattered, her host dispersed.	Her might was broken, her host was scattered.
	As for the gods her allies, who had marched beside her,	And the gods her helpers, who marched by her side,
	In fear and trembling they turned tail,	Trembled, and were afraid, and turned back.
	They tried to find a way out to save their lives,	They took to flight to save their lives;
Foster 4/110	There was no escaping the mesh that encircled them.	But they were surrounded, so that they could not escape.	King 4/110
	He drew them in and smashed their weapons.	He took them captive, he broke their weapons;
	They were cast in the net and sat in a heap,	In the net they were caught and in the snare they sat down.
	They were heaped up in the corners, full of woe,	The [...] ... of the world they filled with cries of grief.
	They were bearing his punishment, held in confinement.	They received punishment from him, they were held in bondage.
Foster 4/115	As for the eleven creatures, the ones adorned with glories,	And on the eleven creatures which she had filled with the power of striking terror,	King 4/115
	The demonic horde(?), who went as flunkies at her side,	Upon the troop of devils, who marched at her [...],
	He put on leadropes, he trussed their arms.	He brought affliction, their strength [he ...];
	He trampled them under, together with their belligerence.	Them and their opposition he trampled under his feet.
	As for Qingu, who was trying to be great among them,	Moreover, Kingu, who had been exalted over them,
Foster 4/120	He bound him and reckoned him among the doomed gods.	He conquered, and with the god Dug-ga he counted him.	King 4/120
	He took away from him the tablet of destinies, which he had no right to,	He took from him the Tablets of Destiny that were not rightly his,
	He sealed it with a seal and affixed it to his chest.	He sealed them with a seal and in his own breast he laid them.
	Having captured his enemies and triumphed,	Now after the hero Marduk had conquered and cast down his enemies,
	Having shown the vaunted foe subservient(?),	And had made the arrogant foe even like ...,
Foster 4/125	Having brought about Anshar's victory over all his enemies,	And had fully established Anshar's triumph over the enemy,	King 4/125
	Having attained what Nudimmud desired, young Marduk	And had attained the purpose of Nudimmud,
	Made firm his hold over the captured gods,	Over the captive gods he strengthened his durance,
	Then turned back to Tiamat whom he had rendered helpless.	And unto Tiamat, whom he had conquered, he returned.
	The Lord trampled upon the frame of Tiamat,	And the lord stood upon Tiamat's hinder parts,
Foster 4/130	With his merciless mace he crushed her skull.	And with his merciless club he smashed her skull.	King 4/130
	He cut open the arteries of her blood,	He cut through the channels of her blood,
	He let the North Wind bear (it) away as glad tidings.	And he made the North wind bear it away into secret places.
	When his fathers saw, they rejoiced and were glad,	His fathers beheld, and they rejoiced and were glad;
	They brought him gifts and presents.	Presents and gifts they brought unto him.
Foster 4/135	The Lord calmed down, he began inspecting her carcass,	Then the lord rested, gazing upon her dead body,	King 4/135
	That he might divide the monstrous lump and fashion artful things.	While he divided the flesh of the ..., and devised a cunning plan.
	He split her in two, like a fish for drying,	He split her up like a flat fish into two halves;
	Half of her he set up and made as a cover, heaven.	One half of her he stablished as a covering for heaven.
	He stretched out the hide, assigned watchmen,	He fixed a bolt, he stationed a watchman,
Foster 4/140	Them he ordered not to let her waters escape.	And bade them not to let her waters come forth.	King 4/140
	He crossed heaven, he inspected the firmament,	He passed through the heavens, he surveyed the regions (thereof),
	He made it a counterpart to Apsu, the dwelling of Nudimmud.	And over against the Deep he set the dwelling of Nudimmud.
	The Lord measured the construction of Apsu,	And the lord measured the structure of the Deep,
	He founded the Great Sanctuary, the likeness of Esharra	And he founded E-shara, a mansion like unto it.
Foster 4/145	(In) the Great Sanctuary, the Esharra he had built, (and in) heaven,	The mansion E-shara which he created as heaven,	King 4/145
	He made Ea, Enlil, and Anu dwell in their holy places.	He caused Anu, Bêl, and Ea in their districts to inhabit.

Tablet 5

	TABLET 5	Go to top
	B. R. Foster, 1916	L. W. King, 1902
Foster 5/1	He made positions for the great gods,	He.(i.e. Marduk) made the stations for the great gods;	King 5/1
	He set up constellations, the star images.	The stars, their images, as the stars of the Zodiac, he fixed.
	He marked the year, drew (its) boundaries,	He ordained the year and into sections he divided it;
	He set up twelve months of three stars each.	For the twelve months he fixed three stars.
Foster 5/5	After he had laid out the plan for the days of the year,	After he had [...] the days of the year [...] images,	King 5/5
5/6	He fixed the position of Nibiru to mark the (stars') relationships.	He founded the station of Nibir 1to determine their bounds;	Go to top
	Lest any make an error or go astray,	That none might err or go astray,
	He established the position(s) of Enlil and Ea in relation to it.	He set the station of Bêl and Ea along with him.
	He opened up gates on both (sides of her) ribs,	He opened great gates on both sides,
Foster 5/10	He made strong bolts to left and right.	He made strong the bolt on the left and on the right.	King 5/10
	He established the heights in her vitals,	In the midst thereof he fixed the zenith;
	He made the moon appear, entrusted (to him) the night.	The Moon-god he caused to shine forth, the night he entrusted to him.
	He assigned to him the crown jewel of nighttime to mark the days (of the month),	He appointed him, a being of the night, to determine the days;
	Every month, without ceasing, he exalted him with a crown.	Every month without ceasing with the crown he covered(?) him, (saying):
Foster 5/15	At the beginning of the month, waxing over the land,	At the beginning of the month, when thou shinest upon the land,	King 5/15
	You shine with two horns to mark the naming of six days,	Thou commandest the horns to determine six days,
	At the seventh day, the crown is [ha]lf.	And on the seventh day to [divide] the crown.
	At the fifteenth day, you shall be in opposition, at the midpoint of each [month].	On the fourteenth day thou shalt stand opposite, the half [...].
	When the sun can see you on the horizon,	When the Sun-god on the foundation of heaven [...] thee,
Foster 5/20	Wane at the same pace and form in reverse.	The [...] thou shalt cause to ..., and thou shalt make his [...].	King 5/20
	At the day of di[sappeara]nce, approach the sun's course,	[...] ... unto the path of the Sun-god shalt thou cause to draw nigh,
	.“On the [ ] of the thirtieth day, you shall be in conjunction with the sun as a double.	[And on the ... day] thou shalt stand opposite, and the Sun-god shall ... [...]
	I d[efined?] the celestial signs, proceed on their path,	[...] to traverse her way.
	[...] approach each other and render (oracular) judgment.	[...] thou shalt cause to draw nigh, and thou shalt judge the right.
Foster 5/25	.You, the sun, ... shall abjure murder, wrong-doing, -	[...] to destroy	King 5/25
	[...] me.	[...] me.	King 5/26
	W[hen he ]	In King's translation from here, almost 40 lines are missing.
	The val[iant ]
	The sun [...]
Foster 5/30	In [...]		King 5/30
	Let [...]
	[...]
	Let there arise no [...]
	Let there be [...]
Foster 5/35	At the end [of the month]		King 5/35
	Let there be the day of disappearance (of the moon) [...]
	After [he had ... ] given the orders,
	[He made] the plans for day [and night(?)],
	He made the day [...]
Foster 5/40	Let the year be equal [in days and nights],		King 5/40
	At New Year [...]
	(Another) year [...]
	Let there be regularly [...],
	The door bolt of ... [...].”
Foster 5/45	After he had as[signed] the days [...],
Foster 5/46	[And fixed] the divisions of night and day,
	[...] the foam of Tiamat,
	Marduk created [...]
	He compacted (the foam) and made it billow as clouds.
Foster 5/50	To raise the wind, to cause rainfall,
	To make mists steam, to pile up her spittle (as snow?),
	He assigned to himself, put under his control.
	He set down her head, he heaped di[rt] upon it,
	He opened underground springs, they filled up with water.
Foster 5/55	From her eyes he let the Euphr[ates] and Tigris flow out,
	He stopped up her nostrils, he left ...
	He heaped up distant mo[unt]ains from(?) her dugs.
	Waterholes he drilled through her to flow out into pools.
	He coiled up her tail and tied it as "The Great Bond" (of heaven and earth),
Foster 5/60	[...] Apsu beneath his feet.
	He set her crotch as the brace of heaven,
	Having spread [half of] her as a cover, he established the earth.
	[After] he had completed his task inside Tiamat,
	[He re]leased his net, let all (within) escape,
Foster 5/65	He created the ... [ ] of heaven and earth,		King 5/65
Foster 5/66	Tightening the connection between them.	*In King's translation, starting here, it starts with the text again. But it is very difficult to place King's text.*	King 5/66
Foster 5/67	After he had drawn up his rites, devised the ritual dues him,
Foster 5/68	He laid out [instruct]tions (for them), entrusted (those) to Ea.
Foster 5/69	[The tablet] of destinies, which he took from Qingu had carried off,
Foster 5/70	He took it away, as he foremost trophy, presented (it) to Anu.
Foster 5/71	The [...] of battle, which he had fastened on and set on his head,
Foster 5/72	[...].he brought before his fathers.
Foster 5/73	[And as for] the eleven creatures that Tiamat created ... ,
Foster 5/74	He smashed their [wea]pons, he tied them to his feet.
Foster 5/75	He made images [of them], set them up at the [Gate of] Apsu:
Foster 5/76	Lest ever after they be forgotten, let this be the sign.”
Foster 5/77	When [the gods] saw, they rejoiced and were glad,
Foster 5/78	Lahmu, Lahamu, and all his fathers.
Foster 5/79	Anshar [embra]ced him, proclaimed he be hailed as “the king.”
Foster 5/80	[A]nu, Enlil, and Ea gave him gifts,
	Damkina his mother made cries of joy over him,
	She delighted him [with] a clean festival robe.
	To Usmu, who held her gift for bringing glad tidings,
	[He en]trusted the ministry of Apsu and to care for the sanctuaries.
Foster 5/85	All the assembled Igigi-gods prostrated before him,
	The Anunna-gods, all there are, were doing him homage,
	The whole of them joined together to pay him reverence,
	[Before him] they stood, they bowed, “This is the king!”
	His fathers [sang his praises], enjoyed his beauty to the utmost.
Foster 5/90	The Lord listened, still covered with the dust of battle.
	.[...]...,
	With cedar [oil] and [ ] he anoi[nted] his body,
	He clothed himself in [his] lordly [rai]ment,
	The kingly glory, the awe-inspiring tiara,
Foster 5/95	He picked up the mace, he held it in his right hand,
	[...]. he held in his left hand.

	He set [...] upon [...],
	He rested his feet on a dragon.
	The staff of success and authority [he hung] at his side.
Foster 5/100	He [...] the [...] of kingship,
	After he [had put on] glory,
	His netted sack, the Apsu [...] awesomeness.
	He was seated like.[...]
	In [his] throne room [...]
Foster 5/105	In his cella [...].
	The gods, all there are, [....].
	Lahmu and Lahamu[...].
	Made ready to speak and [said to] the Igigi-gods,
	Formerly [Mar]duk was 'our beloved son’,
Foster 5/110	Now he is your king, pay heed to his command.”
	Next all of them spoke and said,
	Lugaldimmerankia’ is his name, trust in him!”
	When they had given kingship over to Marduk,
	They said to him expressions of goodwill and obedience,
Foster 5/115	Henceforth you shall be provider for our sanctuaries,
	Whatever you command, we will do.”
	Marduk made ready These words to the gods his fathers,to speak and said
	These words to the gods his fathers,
	Above Apsu, the azure dwelling,
Foster 5/120	As a counterpart to Esharra, which I built for you,
	Below the firmament, whose grounding I made firm,
	A house I shall build, let it be the abode of my pleasure.
	Within it I shall establish its holy place,
	I shall appoint my (holy) chambers, I shall establish my kingship.
Foster 5/125	When you come up from Apsu to make decisions,
	Let your stopping places be here, to receive all of you.
	When you come down from heaven to make decisions,
	Let your stopping places be there to receive all of you.
	I shall call [its] name [Babylon], ‘Home of the Great Gods’,
Foster 5/130	We shall hold a ceremony ever after with[in] it, that is, the evening rite.”
	When the gods his fathers heard what he commanded,
	They ...[...]:
	Over all things that your hands have created,
	Who has [authority, save for you]?
Foster 5/135	Over the earth that you have created,
	Who has [authority, save for] you?
	Babylon, to which you have given name,
	Make our [stopping place] there forever.
	Let them bring us our daily portions,
Foster 5/140	[...] our [...]
	Whosoever shall [...] our tasks that we [...],
	In this place [...] his toil [he shall rest from].”
	They rejoiced [...]
	The gods [...] ... them.
Foster 5/145	He who knew [ ] was pleasing to them.	*Up to here there was again a gap in King's translation.*
	He made ready to speak, enlightened them,	"[...] him [...]"	King 5/128
	[...] his command was pre-eminent,	"[...] them [...]"	King 5/129
	He ... [...]	"[...] him [...]"	King 5/130
	[...] them [...]	"[...] them [...]"	King 5/131
Foster 5/150	And [...]...	"[...] their [...] may [...]"	King 5/132
	The gods prostrated before him, saying,	[...] the gods spake,	King 5/133
	To Lugaldimmeran[ki]a, their lord, they [said],	[...] the heavens [...]: 1	King 5/134
	Formerly, O Lord, you were our beloved son,	"[... your] son [...]"	King 5/135
	Now you are our King [...]	"[...] our [...] hath he [...]"	King 5/136
Foster 5/155	He whose glory saved [our lives],	"[...] he hath caused to live [...]"	King 5/137
	[gl]ory, ma[ce] and ne[t],	"[...] splendour [...]"	King 5/138
	Let him make plans, everything demanding skill,	[...] not [...]!	King 5/139
	We shall [gladly execute them].”	"[...] we [...]!"	King 5/140

Tablet 6

	TABLET 6	Go to top
	B. R. Foster, 1916	L. W. King, 1902
Foster 6/1	When [Mar]duk had heard the speech of the gods,	When Marduk heard the word of the gods,	King 6/1
	He was resolved to make artful things:	His heart prompted him and he devised [a cunning plan].
	He would tel1 his idea to Ea,	He opened his mouth and unto Ea [he spake],
	What he thought of in his heart he proposes,	[That which] he had conceived in his heart he imparted [unto him]:
Foster 6/5	I shall compact blood, I shall cause bones to be,	My blood will I take and bone will I [fashion],	King 6/5
	I shall make stand a human being, let “Man” be its name.	I will make man, that man may ... [...].
	I shall create human beings,	I will create man who shall inhabit [the earth],
	They shall bear the gods’ toil and they shall rest”	That the service of the gods may be established, and that [their] shrines 1 [may be built].
	I shall artfully double the ways of the gods:	But I will alter the ways of the gods, and I will change [their paths];
Foster 6/10	Let them be honored as one but divided in twain.”	Together shall they be oppressed 2, and unto evil shall [they ...].	King 6/10
	Ea answered him, saying these words,	And Ea answered him and spake the word:
	He seconded the plan to let the gods rest,	[...] the [...] of the gods I have [changed]
	Let one, their brother, be given to me,	[...] ... and one ... [...]
	Let him perish that people may be fashioned.	[...shall be de]stroyed and men will I [...]
Foster 6/15	Let the great gods convene in assembly,	[...] and the gods [...]	King 6/15
	Let the guilty one be given up that they may abide.”	[...] ... and they [...]	King 6/16
	Marduk convened the great gods in assembly,	[...] ... and the gods [...]	King 6/17
	He spoke to them magnanimously as he gave the command,	[...] .... [...]	King 6/18
	The gods heeded his utterance,	[...] the gods [...]	King 6/19
Foster 6/20	As the king spoke to the Anunna-gods (these) words,	[...] the Anunnaki [...]	King 6/20
Foster 6/21	Let your first reply be the truth!	[...] ... [...]	King 6/21
Foster 6/22	Do you speak with me truthful words!	From here on, there is almost nothing about King in Tablet 6. Only the last few lines of the Tablet can be found, with different line numbers from Foster. Possibly King, in 1902, did not yet have all the fragments of the clay tablets.	King 6/22
	Who was it that started the war,
	Suborned Tiamat and drew up for battle?
Foster 6/25	Let him be given over to me, the one who started the war,		King 6/25
	I shall make him bear his punishment, you shall dwell in peace.”
	The Igigi, the great gods answered him,
	To Lugaldimmeankia, counselor of the gods, their lord,
	It was Qingu who made war,
Foster 6/30	Suborned Tiamat and drew up for battle.“
	They bound and held him before Ea,
	They imposed the punishment on him and shed his blood.
	From his blood they (Marduk and Ea) made humankind,
	He imposed the toil of the gods and the gods (from it).
Foster 6/35	After Ea the wise had made humankind,
	And had imposed the toil of the gods on them —
	That deed is beyond comprehension,
	By the artifices of Marduk did Nudimmud create —
	Marduk the king divided the gods,
Foster 6/40	All the Anunna-gods, all of them, into upper and lower,
	He assigned to Anu for duty at his command.
	Three hundred he posted in heaven for duty,
	A like number he designated for the ways of the netherworld:
	Six hundred he made dwell in heaven and netherworld.
Foster 6/45	After he had given all the commands,
	And had divided the shares of the Anunna-gods of heaven and netherworld,
	The Anunna-gods made ready to speak,
	To Marduk their lord they said,
	Now, Lord, you who have freed us from toil,
Foster 6/50	How may we requite you?
	We will make a shrine, whose name shall be a byword,
	Your chamber shall be our stopping place, we shall find rest therein.
	We shall set up a shrine shrine, we shall reinforce its emplacement,
	When we come (to visit you), we shall find rest therein.”
Foster 6/55	When Marduk heard this,
	His features glowed brightly, like the day,
	Then build Babylon the task as that you requested,
	Let bricks be formed for it, build high the shrine.”
	The Anunna-gods set to with hoes,
Foster 6/60	One (full) year they made its bricks.
	When the second year came,
	They raised the head of Esagila, the counterpart to Apsu,
	They built the lofty ziggurat of Apsu,
	For Anu, Enlil, Ea and him they founded the dwelling.
Foster 6/65	He took his seat in splendor before them,
	Its pinnacles were facing toward the base of Esharra.
	After they had done the work of Esagila,
	All the Anunna-gods devised their own shrines..
	The 300 Igigi-gods of heaven and the 600 of Apsu all convened.
Foster 6/70	The Lord, on the Exalted Dais, which they built as his dwelling,
	Seated the gods his fathers for a banquet,
	This is Babylon, your place of dwelling.
	Take your pleasure there, seat yourselves in its delights!”
	The great gods sat down,
Foster 6/75	They set out cups, they sat down at the feast.
	After they had taken their enjoyment inside it,
	In awe-inspiring Esagila they held a ceremony,
	All the orders and plans were made permanent,
	All the gods divided the stations of heaven and netherworld,
Foster 6/80	The 50 of the great gods took their thrones,
	The seven gods of destinies were confirmed forever for rendering judgment.
	The Lord took the bow, his weapon, and laid it before them,
	The gods his fathers looked upon the net he had made.
	They saw how artfully the bow was fashioned,
Foster 6/85	His fathers were full of praises for his handiwork.
	Anu raised (it), speaking to the assembly of the gods,
	He kissed the bow, “This be my daughter!”
	He named the bow, these are its names:
	Longwood’ shall be the first, ‘May It Be on Target’ shall be the second.”
Foster 6/90	The third name, ‘Bow Star’, he made visible in heaven,
	He fixed its position in the sky with respect to the gods his brethren.
	After Anu had ordained the destinies of the bow,
	He set up royal throne that stood highest among the gods,
	Anu had him sit there, in the assembly of the gods.
Foster 6/95	Then the great gods convened,
	They exalted Marduk's destiny, they prostrated themselves.
	They laid upon themselves a curse (if they broke the oath),
	With water and oil they swore, they touched their throats.
	They granted him exercise of kingship over the gods,
Foster 6/100	100. They established him forever for lordship of heaven and netherworld. 101. Anshar gave him his illustrious name, Asalluhi, 102. “When his name is spoken, we will all do obeisance, 103. “At his command the gods shall pay heed. 104. “His word shall be supreme above and below,
Foster 6/105	105. “The son, our champion, shall be the highest. 106. “His lordship shall be supreme, he shall have no rival, 107. “He shall be the shepherd of the people of this land, his creatures. 108. “They shall tell of his ways, without forgetting, in the future. 109. “He shall establish for his fathers great food offerings,
Foster 6/110	110. “He shall provide for them, he shall take care of their sanctuaries. 111. “He shall cause incense burners for them to savored, that their chambers be joyful. 112. “He shall do the same on earth as what he brought to pass in heaven, 113. “He shall appoint the people of this land to serve him. 114. “Let the subject peoples be mindful that their gods should be invoked,
Foster 6/115	115. “At his command let them heed their goddess(es). 116. “Let their gods, their goddesses be brought food offerings, 117. “Let (these) not be forgotten, let them sustain their gods. 118. “Let their holy places be conspicuous, let their sanctuaries be well built. 119. “Though the people of this land be divided as to gods,
Foster 6/120	120. “For us, whatever name we pronounce, he shall be our god. 121. “Let us pronounce his fifty names, 122. “That his ways shall be (thereby) manifest, his deeds likewise(?): 123. “MARDUK! Who, at his birth, was named by his forefather Anu, 124. “Establisher of pasture and watering place, who enriches (their) stables,
Foster 6/125	125. “Who by his Deluge weapon subdued the clangorous, 126. “Who rescued the gods his forefathers in distress. 127. “He is indeed the Son, the Sun, of the gods, radiant, 128. “They shall walk in his brilliant light forever. 129. “On the people he made, creatures with the breath of life,
Foster 6/130	130. “He imposed the gods' toil, that they be released. 131. “Creation, destruction, absolution, punishment: 132. “Each shall be at his command, they shall look to him. 133. “MARUKKA shall he be, the god who created them (humankind), 134. “Who granted (thereby) the Anunna-gods contentment, who let the Igigi-gods rest.
Foster 6/135	135. “MARUTUKKU shall be the trust of his land, city, and people, 136. “The people shall heed him hereafter. 137. “MERSHAKUSHU, angry but deliberative, furious but relenting 138. “Deep is his heart, all encompassing his feelings. 139. “LUGALDIMMERANKIA is his name that we all pronounced,
Foster 6/140	140. “Whose commands we exalted above those of the gods his fathers. 141. “He shall be Lord of All the Gods of Heaven and Netherworld, 142. The king at whose disclosures the gods above and below stand in awe. 143. “NARI-LUGALDIMMERANKIA is the name we invoked, mentor of all the gods, 144. “Who founded for us dwellings in heaven and netherworld in time of crisis,
Foster 6/145	145. “Who divided the positions of the Igigi- and Anunna-gods, 146. “At his name the gods shall tremble and quake in (their) dwellings. 147. “ASALLUHI is that name of his which Anu, his father, pronounced, 148. “He shall be the light of the gods, the mighty defender, 149. “Who, according to his name, is guardian spirit of god and land,
Foster 6/150	150. “And who in mighty single combat saved our dwellings from harm. 151. “Asalluhi they named secondly NAMTILA, god who maintains life, 152. “Who, in accordance with its meaning, repaired the shattered gods, 153. “The lord who revived the moribund gods by his sacral magic spell, 154. “Let us praise him as destroyer of the wayward foes!
Foster 6/155	155. Asalluhi, whose name was called thirdly NAMRU, 156. “The pure god who purifies our ways.” 157. Anshar, Lahmu, and Lahamu pronounced these three of his names, 158. They said to the gods their sons, 159. “We have pronounced these three of his names,	*Here follow the last lines, from King's translation in tablet 6.* 135. 136. 137. 138. [...] ... [...] 139. [...] ... [...]	King 6/135
Foster 6/160	160. “Do you, as we have, invoke his names.” 161. Joyfully the gods heeded their command, 162. They took counsel in the Assembly Place of the Gods, 163. “Of the valiant son, our champion, 164. “Our provider, we shall exalt his name!”	140. When [...] ... [...] 141. They rejoiced [...] ... [...] 142. In Upshukkinnaku they set [their dwelling]. 143. Of the heroic son, their avenger, [they cried]: 144. "We, whom he succoured, ... [...]!"	King 6/140
Foster 6/165	165. They sat down in their assembly to pronounce (his) destinies, 166. In each of their ceremonies they call his name:	145. They seated themselves and in the assembly they named [him ...], 146. They all [cried aloud (?), they exalted [him ...].	King 6/145

Tablet 7

	TABLET 7	Go to top
	B. R. Foster, 1916	L. W. King, 1902
Foster 7/1	1. “ASARI, grantor of arable land, who established irrigated fields, 2. “Creator of grain and flax, who causes vegetation to spring up, 3. “ASARALIM, who is honored in the house of counsel, whose counsel excels, 4. “The gods heed, they learn fear of him,	1. O Asari, "Bestower of planting," "[Founder of sowing]," 2. "Creator of grain and plants," "who caused [the green herb to spring up]!" 3. O Asaru-alim, "who is revered in the house of counsel," "[who aboundeth in counsel]," 4. The gods paid homage, fear [took hold upon them]!	King 7/1
Foster 7/5	5. “ASARALIMNUNNA, the honored one, light of the father who begot [him], 6. “Who implements the decrees of Anu, Enlil, Ea, (who is) Ninshiku, 7. “He is their provider who assigns their portions, 8. “Whose tiara increases abundance for the land. 9. “TUTU is [he] who effected their restoration,	5. O Asaru-alim-nuna, "the mighty one," "the Light of [the father who begat him]," 6. Who directeth the decrees of Anu, Bel, [and Ea]!" 7. He was their patron, he ordained [their . . . . ]; 8. He, whose provision is abundance, goeth forth [...]! 9. Tutu [is] 1 "He who created them anew;"	King 7/5
Foster 7/10	10. “He shall purify their shrines that they may be at rest, 11. “He shall devise the magic spell that the gods may be calm, 12. “Though they rise in anger, they shall turn [back]. 13. “He shall be supreme in the assembly of the gods his [fathers], 14. “No one among the gods shall [make himself equal] to him.	10. Should their wants be pure, then are they [satisfied]; 11. Should he make an incantation, then are the gods [appeased]; 12 . Should they attack him in anger, he withstandeth [their onslaught]! 13. Let him therefore be exalted, and in the assembly of the gods [let him ...]; 14. None among the gods can [rival him]!	King 7/10
Foster 7/15	15. “Tutu is ZIUKKENNA, life of [his] masses, 16. “Who established the holy heavens for the gods, 17. “Who took control of their courses, assigned their stations, 18. “He shall not be forgotten by teeming humankind, [let them hold fast to] his [deeds]. 19. “Tutu they called thirdly ZIKU, who maintains purity,	15. Tutu is Zi-ukkina, "the Life of the host [of the gods]," 16. Who established for the gods the bright heavens. 17. He set them on their way, and ordained [their path (?)] 18. Never shall his [...] deeds be forgotten among men. 19. Tutu as Zi-azag thirdly they named, "the Bringer 1 of Purification,"	King 7/15
Foster 7/20	20. “'God of the fair breeze, lord of obedience and consent, 21. “Producer of riches and wealth, who establishes abundance, 22. “Who turned all our want to plenty, 23. “Whose fair breeze we caught whiff of in our great crisis, 24. “Let them ever speak of his glorification, let them sing his praises!	20. "The God of the Favouring Breeze," "the Lord of Hearing and Mercy," 21. "The Creator of Fulness and Abundance," "the Founder of Plenteousness," 22. "Who increaseth all that is small." 23. "In sore distress we felt his favouring breeze," 24. Let them say, let them pay reverence, let them bow in humility before him!	King 7/20
Foster 7/25	25. “Tutu let teeming humankind magnify fourthly as AGAKU, 26. “Lord of the sacral magic spell, reviver of the moribund, 27. “Who had mercy on the vanquished gods, 28. “Who removed the yoke imposed on the gods who were hostile to him, 29. “Who, to free them, created humankind,	25. Tutu as Aga-azag may mankind fourthly magnify! 26. "The Lord of the Pure Incantation," "the Quickener of the Dead,"27. "Who had mercy upon the captive gods," 28. "Who removed the yoke from upon the gods his enemies," 29. "For their forgiveness did he create mankind,"	King 7/25
Foster 7/30	30. “The merciful, whose power is to revive, 31. “Word of him shall endure, not to be forgotten, 32. “In the mouth of the people of this land, whom his hands have created. 33. “Tutu, fifthly, is TUKU, his sacral magic spell shall ever be on their lips, 34. “Who with his sacral magic spell uprooted all the evil ones.	30. "The Merciful One, with whom it is to bestow life!" 31. May his deeds endure, may they never be forgotten 32. In the mouth of mankind 1 whom his hands have made! 33. Tutu as Mu-azag, fifthly, his "Pure Incantation" may their mouth proclaim, 34. "Who through his Pure Incantation hath destroyed all the evil ones!"	King 7/30
Foster 7/35	35. “SHAZU, who knew the hearts of the gods, who could examine their innermost, 36. “Who allowed no evildoers to escape from him, 37. “Who upheld the gods’ host, who contented them, 38. “Who subdued the insubmissive, their (the gods’) broad [pro]tection, 39. “Who administers justice, uproots twisted testimony,	35. Shag-zu, "who knoweth the heart of the gods," "who seeth through the innermost part!" 36. "The evil-doer he hath not caused to go forth with him!" 37. "Founder of the assembly of the gods," "[who ...] their heart! " 38. "Subduer of the disobedient," "[...]!" 39. "Who rebellion and [...]!"	King 7/35
Foster 7/40	40. “In whose place falsehood and truth are distinguished. 41. “Shazu they shall praise secondly as ZISI, who silenced those who rose (against him), 42. “Who banished paralyzing fear from the bodies of the gods his fathers, 43. “Shazu is, thirdly, SUHRIM, who uprooted all enemies with the weapon, 44. “Who thwarted their plots, turned them into thin air,	40. ? 41. "Tutu as Zi-si, "the [...], 42. "Who put an end to anger," "[who ...]!" 43. Tutu as Suh-kur, thirdly, "the [Destroyer of the foe]," 44. "Who put their plans to confusion," "[...],"	King 7/40
Foster 7/45	45. “Who snuffed out all wicked ones, as many as came against him. 46. “The gods shall ever hail him in the assembly! 47. “Shazu is, fourthly, SUHGURIM, who ensured obedience for the gods his fathers, 48. “Who uprooted the enemy, destroyed their offspring, 49. “Who dissipated their preparations, leaving not one of them intact.	45. "Who destroyed all the wicked," "[...]," 46. [...] let them [...]! 47. [...] ... [...] *Again missing fragment endings in King's 1902 translation. Perhaps King did not have all the fragments of the clay tablets.*	King 7/45
Foster 7/50	50. “His name shall be invoked and spoken of in the land! 51. "Shazu later generations shall reflect on fifthly as ZAHRIM," 52. “Who destroyed all adversaries, all the disobedient, 53. “Who brought all the gods who had fled back into their sanctuaries. 54. “This, his name, shall abide!
	55. “To Shazu, moreover, they shall all render universal honor sixthly as ZAHGURIM, 56. “He it is who destroyed all foes in battle. 57. “ENBlLULU, lord who made them flourish, is he, 58. “Their mighty chosen one, who established offerings, 59. “Who establishes grazing and well-ordered watering places for the land,
Foster 7/60	60. “Who opened channels, apportioned abundant waters. 61. “Enbilulu they shall [invoke] secondly as EPADUN, lord of open country and watercourses, 62. “Irrigator of heaven and earth, former of furrows, who formed the pristibe plow land in the steppe, 63. “Who regulates dike and ditch, who patterns the furrowed ground. 64. “Enbilulu they shall praise thirdly as ENBILULU-GUGAL, irrigator of the watercourses of the gods,
Foster 7/65	65. “Lord of abundance, plenty, high yields, 66. “Producer of wealth, enricher of the inhabited world, 67. “Bestower of grain, who causes barley to appear. 68. “Enbilulu let them speak of fourthly as HEGAL, who heaps up abundance for the peoples, 69. “Who rains prosperity over the wide earth, who makes vegetation flourish.
Foster 7/70	70. “SIRSIR, who heaped up the mountain over Tiamat, 71. “Who ravaged the corpse of Tiamat with [his] weapon, 72. “Leader of the land, their faithful shepherd, 73. “To whom have been granted the cultivated field, the subsistence field, the furrow, 74. “Who crossed vast Tiamat back and forth in his wrath,
Foster 7/75	75. “Passing back and forth, as a bridge, at the place of single combat with her. 76. “Sirsir they named secondly MALAH, so be it, 77. “Tiamat is his vessel and he the boatman. 78. “GIL, who stores up grain in massive mounds, 79. “Who brings forth barley and flocks, grantor of the land’s seed.
Foster 7/80	80. “GILIMMA, who established the bond of the gods, creator of enduring things, 81. “The bridle that curbed them, provider of good things, 82. “AGILIMMA, the lofty one, remover of the diadem, who controls the snow, 83. “Creator of the earth above the waters, establisher of the heights of heaven. 84. “ZULUM, who assigned fields for the gods, measured off his handiwork,
Foster 7/85	85. “Grantor of portions and food offerings, tender of sanctuaries. 86. “MUMMU, creator of heaven and netherworld, who guides the lost, 87. “Divine purifier of heaven and netherworld, is, secondly, ZULUMMU, 88. “To whom no other among the gods was equal in strength. 89. “GISHNUMUNAB, creator of all peoples, who made the world regions,
Foster 7/90	90. “Who destroyed Tiamat’s gods, who made human beings from parts of them. 91. “LUGALABDUBUR, the king who dissipated the preparations of Tiamat, neutralized [her] weapons, 92. “Whose support is firm in front and rear. 93. “PAGALGUENNA, foremost of all lords, whose strength is outstanding, 94. “Who was greatest of the gods his brethren, lord of them all.
Foster 7/95	95. “LUGALDURMAH, king of the bond of the gods, lord of the “Great Bond,” 96. “Who is greatest in the royal abode, most exalted by far among the gods. 97. “ARANUNNA, counsellor of Ea, creator of the gods [his] fathers, 98. “Who, for his lordly ways no god whatever could equal. 99. “DUMUDUKU, who renews for himself his pure dwelling in “Holy Hill,”
Foster 7/100	100. “Son of “Holy Hill,” without whom the lord of “Holy Hill” makes no decision. 101. “LUGALSHUANNA, king whose strength is outstanding among the gods, 102. “Lord, strength of Anu, he who became supreme, chosen of Anshar. 103. “IRUGGA, who ravaged all of them amidst Tiamat, 104. “Who gathered all wisdom to himself, universal in perception.
Foster 7/105	105. “IRQINGU, ravager of Qingu, ... of battle, 106. “Who took charge of all commands, established lordship. 107. “KINMA, commander of all the gods, grantor of counsel, 108. “At whose name the gods quake for fear like a whirlwind. 109. “DINGIR-ESIZKUR shall dwell aloft in the house of prayer,
Foster 7/110	110. “The gods shall bring in their presents before him, 111. “Until he receives their due. 112. “No one but he can create artful things, 113. “The four peoples of this land are his creatures, 114. “No god but he knows how long they will live.
Foster 7/115	115. “GIBIL, who tempered(?) the weapons, 116. “Who, in the battle with Tiamat, could create artful things, 117. “Universal in wisdom, ingenious in perception, 118. “Whose heart is so deep that all the gods together cannot comprehend it. 119. “ADDU shall be his name, the whole sky he shall cover,
Foster 7/120	His beneficent roar shall thunder over the earth,
	As he rumbles, he shall reduce the burden of the clouds, below, for the people, he shall grant sustenance.
	ASHARU, who, according to his name, mustered the gods of destinies,
	He has taken all peoples in his charge.	*Up to this point, a great many lines are missing from King's translation.*
7/124	“NEBERU shall hold the crossing place of heaven and earth,		Go to top
Foster 7/125	They shall not cross above and below without awaiting him,	105. [...] ... [...] him,	King 7/105
Foster 7/126	Neberu is his star that he made visible in the skies.	106. [...] ... the star, which [shineth in the heavens].	King 7/106
Foster 7/127	He shall stand at the turning point, they shall look upon him,	107. May he hold the Beginning and the Future 1, may they 2 pay homage unto him,	King 7/107
Foster 7/128	Saying, ‘He who crossed back and forth, without resting, in the middle of Tiamat,	108. Saying, "He who forced his way through the midst of Tiamat [without resting],"	King 7/108
Foster 7/129	Neberu (“Crossing”) shall be his name, who holds the middle of it.’	109. "Let his name be Nibiru, 'the Seizer of the Midst'!"	King 7/109
Foster 7/130	130. “He shall fix the motions of the stars of heaven, 131. “He shall herd all the gods like sheep. 132. “He shall keep Tiamat subdued, he shall keep her life cut short, 133. “In the future of humankind, with the passing of time, 134. “He shall proceed unhindered, he shall persevere till distant days.	110. "For the stars of heaven he upheld the paths," 111. "He shepherded all the gods like sheep!" 112. "He conquered Tiamat, he troubled and ended her life," 113. In the future of mankind, when the days grow old, 114. May this be heard without ceasing, may it hold sway for ever! 115. Since he created the realm (of heaven) and fashioned the firm ear	King 7/110 Go to top
Foster 7/135	135. “Because he created the firmament and fashioned the surface of the earth, 136. “Father Enlil has named (him) his own name ‘Lord of the World’.” 137. When Ea had heard all the names the Igigi-gods had named (him), 138. He was joyful of heart. 139. Saying, “He whose name his fathers have glorified,	115. Since he created the realm (of heaven) and fashioned the firm earth, 116. "The Lord of the World," the father Bêl hath called his name. 117. (This) title, which all the Spirits of Heaven proclaimed, 118. Did Ea hear, and his spirit was rejoiced, (and he said): 119. "He whose name his fathers have made glorious,	King 7/115
Foster 7/140	140. “His name, like mine, shall be ‘Ea’. 141. “He shall be master of the sum total of my powers, 142. “He shall execute of all my commands.” 143. The great gods named his fifty names 144. “The Fifty,” they made his position supreme.	120. "Shall be even as I, his name shall be Ea! 121. "The binding of all my decrees shall he control, 122. "All my commands shall he make known! " 123. By the name of "Fifty" did the great gods 124. Proclaim his fifty names, they made his path pre-eminent." 1	King 7/120
Foster 7/145	145. They must be grasped: the “first one” should reveal (them), 146. The wise and knowledgeable should ponder (them) together, 147. The master should repeat, and make the pupil understand. 148. The “shepherd,” the “herdsman” should pay attention, 149. He must not neglect the Enlil of the gods, Marduk,	125. Let them 2 be held in remembrance, and let the first man proclaim them; 126. Let the wise and the understanding consider them together! 127. Let the father repeat them and teach them to his son; 128. Let them be in the ears of the pastor and the shepherd! 129. Let a man rejoice in Marduk, the Lord of the gods,	King 7/125
Foster 7/150	150. So his land may prosper and he himself be safe. 151. His word is truth, his command unalterable, 152. Not one god can contradict what he sys. 153. If he frowns, he will not relent, 154. If he is angry, no god can face his rage.	130. That he may cause his land to be fruitful, and that he himself may have prosperity! 131. His word standeth fast, his command is unaltered; 132. The utterance of his mouth hath no god ever annulled. 133. He gazed in his anger, he turned not his neck; 134. When he is wroth, no god can withstand his indignation.	King 7/130
Foster 7/155	155. His heart is deep, his feelings all encompassing, 156. He before whom crime and sin must appear for judgment. 157. The revelation (of the names) that the “first one” discoursed before him (Marduk), 158. He wrote down and preserved for the future to hear, 159. The destiny of Marduk whom the Igigi-gods exalted,	135. Wide is his heart, broad is his compassion; 136. The sinner and evil-doer in his presence [...]. 137. They received instruction, they spake before him, 138. [...] unto [...]. 139. [...] of Marduk may the gods [...].	King 7/135
Foster 7/160	160. Wherever water is the drink, his name let them invoke. 161. ? 162. Let them sound abroad the song of Marduk, 163. How he defeated Tiamat and took kingship.	140. [May] they [... his ] name [...]! 141. [...] they took and [...]; 142. [...]!	King 7/140

Sources

Translation from B.R. Foster from 1916

Translation from L.W. King, from 1902

Translation Vaticano, from 1912

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