Enuma Elish (The Seven Tablets of Creation)
Direct
Original title:
𒂊𒉡𒈠 𒂊𒇺
Chapter 1
/
1
1
When in the height heaven was not named
When in the height heaven was not named
2
And the earth beneath did not yet bear a name
And the earth beneath did not yet bear a name
3
And the primeval Apst, who begat them
And the primeval Apst, who begat them
4
And chaos, Tiamat, the mother of them both,—
And chaos, Tiamat, the mother of them both,—
5
Their waters were mingled together
Their waters were mingled together
6
And no field was formed, no marsh was to be seen
And no field was formed, no marsh was to be seen
7
When of the gods none had been called into being
When of the gods none had been called into being
8
And none bore a name, and no destinies [were
And none bore a name, and no destinies [were
9
Then were created the gods in the midst* of
Then were created the gods in the midst* of
10
Ages*increased,[ . . - - J
Ages*increased,[ . . - - J
11
Then Ansar and KiSar were created, and over
Then Ansar and KiSar were created, and over
12
Long were the days, then there came forth*[. . ]
Long were the days, then there came forth*[. . ]
13
Anu, theirson, [ 2... 2. 2 ee eee
Anu, theirson, [ 2... 2. 2 ee eee
14
AnSarandAnu[ .......... |
AnSarandAnu[ .......... |
15
Andthe god Anu [ . . . ; = iy i]
Andthe god Anu [ . . . ; = iy i]
16
Nudimmud, whom his fathers [his] bedetrers# fe
Nudimmud, whom his fathers [his] bedetrers# fe
17
He was exceeding strongf . . . . . . . |
He was exceeding strongf . . . . . . . |
18
Hehadnorival[ . . . . . 2... ]
Hehadnorival[ . . . . . 2... ]
19
And unto Tiamat, the glistening one, he addressed
And unto Tiamat, the glistening one, he addressed
20
When Tiamat [heard]* these words
When Tiamat [heard]* these words
21
She raged and cried aloudf . . . . |}.
She raged and cried aloudf . . . . |}.
22
She uttered a curse, and unto [Apsii she spake|":
She uttered a curse, and unto [Apsii she spake|":
23
Mummu answered, and gave counsel unto Apsii
Mummu answered, and gave counsel unto Apsii
24
Apsi [hearkened unto]* him and his countenance
Apsi [hearkened unto]* him and his countenance
25
Lamentation[ . . . . ] they sat in [sorrow] °
Lamentation[ . . . . ] they sat in [sorrow] °
26
Then Ea, who knoweth all that [is],1 went up and
Then Ea, who knoweth all that [is],1 went up and
27
To direct the battle, to control the fight
To direct the battle, to control the fight
28
Now Kingu, (thus) exalted, having received [the
Now Kingu, (thus) exalted, having received [the
1
His[ . . . ], he made a bitter lamentation :
His[ . . . ], he made a bitter lamentation :
2
Ansar opened his mouth,! and
Ansar opened his mouth,! and
1
Su-me-la u [im-na... ]-a tpatifu.... elu-d[zP!
Su-me-la u [im-na... ]-a tpatifu.... elu-d[zP!
2
He sent forth the winds which he had created, the
He sent forth the winds which he had created, the
3
To disturb the inward parts of Tiamat, they
To disturb the inward parts of Tiamat, they
4
Then the lord raised the thunderbolt, his mighty
Then the lord raised the thunderbolt, his mighty
5
He mounted the chariot, the storm’ unequalled for
He mounted the chariot, the storm’ unequalled for
6
He harnessed and yoked unto it four horses
He harnessed and yoked unto it four horses
7
Destructive," ferocious, overwhelming, and swift of
Destructive," ferocious, overwhelming, and swift of
8
They were skilled inf . . . J, they had been
They were skilled inf . . . J, they had been
9
Leftand[right . . . 2. 2... 2. JP
Leftand[right . . . 2. 2... 2. JP
10
His garment was[ . . . . J], he was clothed
His garment was[ . . . . J], he was clothed
11
He seized the spear and burst her belly
He seized the spear and burst her belly
12
He cast down her body and stood upon it.
He cast down her body and stood upon it.
13
When he had slain Tiamat, the leader
When he had slain Tiamat, the leader
14
Her might was broken, her host was scattered.
Her might was broken, her host was scattered.
15
Trembled, and were afraid, and turned back.
Trembled, and were afraid, and turned back.
16
They took to flight to save their lives
They took to flight to save their lives
17
But they were surrounded, so that they could not
But they were surrounded, so that they could not
18
He took them captive, he broke their weapons
He took them captive, he broke their weapons
19
In the net they were caught and in the snare
In the net they were caught and in the snare
20
The [ . . ] . . of the world they filled
The [ . . ] . . of the world they filled
21
They received punishment from him, they were
They received punishment from him, they were
22
And on the eleven creatures which she had filled
And on the eleven creatures which she had filled
23
He brought affliction, their strength [he . . . ]
He brought affliction, their strength [he . . . ]
24
Them and their opposition he trampled under
Them and their opposition he trampled under
1
The stars, their images, as the stars of the Zodiac,’
The stars, their images, as the stars of the Zodiac,’
2
He ordained the year and into sections he divided it
He ordained the year and into sections he divided it
3
For the twelve months he fixed three stars.
For the twelve months he fixed three stars.
4
After he had[... | the days of the year[... |
After he had[... | the days of the year[... |
5
That none might err or go astray
That none might err or go astray
6
He set the station of Bél and Ea along with him.
He set the station of Bél and Ea along with him.
7
He opened great gates on both sides
He opened great gates on both sides
8
He made strong the bolt on the left and on the
He made strong the bolt on the left and on the
9
In the midst‘ thereof he fixed the zenith
In the midst‘ thereof he fixed the zenith
10
He appointed him, a being of the night, to deter-
He appointed him, a being of the night, to deter-
11
Every month without ceasing with the crown he
Every month without ceasing with the crown he
12
Eland t- kab - bul - u
Eland t- kab - bul - u
1
When Marduk heard the word of the gods,'
When Marduk heard the word of the gods,'
2
He opened his mouth and unto Ea [he spake]
He opened his mouth and unto Ea [he spake]
3
Met pote 8 Se oe Re Re Ee betes
Met pote 8 Se oe Re Re Ee betes
4
When [ . .... J]. £ j
When [ . .... J]. £ j
5
They rejoiced [ . . J. . |
They rejoiced [ . . J. . |
6
In Upgukkinnaku they set [their dwelling].
In Upgukkinnaku they set [their dwelling].
7
Of the heroic son, their avenger, [they cried]:
Of the heroic son, their avenger, [they cried]:
8
They seated themselves and in the assembly they
They seated themselves and in the assembly they
9
They all [cried aloud (?)], they exalted [him . .. |
They all [cried aloud (?)], they exalted [him . .. |
1
O Asari, “ Bestower of planting,” “(Founder of
O Asari, “ Bestower of planting,” “(Founder of
2
O Asaru-alim, “who is revered in the house of
O Asaru-alim, “who is revered in the house of
3
The gods paid homage, fear [took hold upon
The gods paid homage, fear [took hold upon
4
O Asaru-alim-nuna, “the mighty one,” “the Light of [the father who begat him],” °
O Asaru-alim-nuna, “the mighty one,” “the Light of [the father who begat him],” °
5
He was their patron, he ordained [their . . . . ]
He was their patron, he ordained [their . . . . ]
6
He, whose provision is abundance, goeth forth
He, whose provision is abundance, goeth forth
7
Sa u-kin-nu an itlani Ssamée(e) el - lu - [t7]
Sa u-kin-nu an itlani Ssamée(e) el - lu - [t7]
8
Should their wants be pure, then are they
Should their wants be pure, then are they
9
Should he make an incantation, then are the gods
Should he make an incantation, then are the gods
10
Let him therefore be exalted, and in the assembly
Let him therefore be exalted, and in the assembly
11
None among the gods can [rival him]!
None among the gods can [rival him]!
12
Tutu is Zi-ukkina, “the Life of the host [of the
Tutu is Zi-ukkina, “the Life of the host [of the
13
Who established for the gods the bright heavens.
Who established for the gods the bright heavens.
14
He set them on their way, and ordained [their
He set them on their way, and ordained [their
15
Never shall: his [ . . . . | deeds be for-
Never shall: his [ . . . . | deeds be for-
16
Sa Sa - ar - u 1: oa ae |
Sa Sa - ar - u 1: oa ae |
17
May his deeds endure, may they never be for-
May his deeds endure, may they never be for-
18
In the mouth of mankind’ whom his hands have
In the mouth of mankind’ whom his hands have
19
Tutu as Mu-azag, fifthly, his “Pure Incantation”
Tutu as Mu-azag, fifthly, his “Pure Incantation”
20
Tutuas Zi-si, “the[ . 2. 2 2. wee ]
Tutuas Zi-si, “the[ . 2. 2 2. wee ]
21
May’ he hold the Beginning and the Future,‘
May’ he hold the Beginning and the Future,‘
22
Sayiag, “ He who forced his way through the
Sayiag, “ He who forced his way through the
23
In the future of mankind, when the days grow old
In the future of mankind, when the days grow old
24
May this be heard without ceasing, may it hold
May this be heard without ceasing, may it hold
25
Since he created the realm (of heaven)” and
Since he created the realm (of heaven)” and
26
Let the wise and the understanding consider
Let the wise and the understanding consider
27
Let the father repeat them and teach them to
Let the father repeat them and teach them to
28
Let them be in the ears of the pastor and the
Let them be in the ears of the pastor and the
29
That he may cause his land to be fruitful, and
That he may cause his land to be fruitful, and
30
His word standeth fast, his command is un-
His word standeth fast, his command is un-
31
The utterance of his mouth hath no god ever
The utterance of his mouth hath no god ever
32
He gazed in his anger, he turned not his neck
He gazed in his anger, he turned not his neck
33
When he is wroth, no god can withstand his
When he is wroth, no god can withstand his
34
The sinner and evil-doer in his presence
The sinner and evil-doer in his presence
35
They received instruction, they spake before him
They received instruction, they spake before him
36
The cities sighed, men [ i|é
The cities sighed, men [ i|é
37
Men uttered lamentation, [they |
Men uttered lamentation, [they |
38
For their lamentation there was none [to hele
For their lamentation there was none [to hele
39
For their grief there was none to take [them by
For their grief there was none to take [them by
40
Who wasthe dragonf{ . . . . . . . . |?
Who wasthe dragonf{ . . . . . . . . |?
41
Tiamat? wasthe dragon{[ . . . . . . . |!
Tiamat? wasthe dragon{[ . . . . . . . |!
42
Bél in heaven hath formed £ :
Bél in heaven hath formed £ :
43
Six cubits is his mouth, twelve cubits [his . . . . ]
Six cubits is his mouth, twelve cubits [his . . . . ]
44
Twelve cubits is the circuit of his [ears . .. . ]
Twelve cubits is the circuit of his [ears . .. . ]
45
For the space of! sixty cubits he... . ]a bird
For the space of! sixty cubits he... . ]a bird
46
In water nine cubits deep he draggeth[ . ... ].
In water nine cubits deep he draggeth[ . ... ].
47
He raiseth his tail on high. ge ey ae de Ts
He raiseth his tail on high. ge ey ae de Ts
48
Allthe godsofheaven[ . . ..... |.
Allthe godsofheaven[ . . ..... |.
49
In heaven the gods bowed themselves down
In heaven the gods bowed themselves down
50
The border of the Moon-god’s robe they hasti{ly
The border of the Moon-god’s robe they hasti{ly
51
Su-us-hi-it urpa mi-ha-a [ ..... ]
Su-us-hi-it urpa mi-ha-a [ ..... ]
52
Sa lab- bi il-la-ku da-mu-su [ .... jh
Sa lab- bi il-la-ku da-mu-su [ .... jh
53
The blood of the dragon flowed[ . . . . J
The blood of the dragon flowed[ . . . . J
54
When the gods in their assembly had made [the
When the gods in their assembly had made [the
55
And had created the heavens, and had formed [the
And had created the heavens, and had formed [the
56
And had brought living creatures into being
And had brought living creatures into being
57
And {had fashioned|* the cattle of the field, and
And {had fashioned|* the cattle of the field, and
58
Through their sure counsel’ and by their great
Through their sure counsel’ and by their great
59
Ordained the renewal * of the Moon-god
Ordained the renewal * of the Moon-god
60
The reappearance of the moon,* and the creation
The reappearance of the moon,* and the creation
61
In the midst of heaven he beheld it come forth.
In the midst of heaven he beheld it come forth.
62
The great gods, through their sure counsel
The great gods, through their sure counsel
63
The creation of the day and the renewal of the
The creation of the day and the renewal of the
64
In the midst of heaven and earth they duly
In the midst of heaven and earth they duly
65
The deluge they sent not before thou wert!”
The deluge they sent not before thou wert!”
66
Fire, and wrath, and splendour, and terror
Fire, and wrath, and splendour, and terror
67
Thou judgest the cause of mankind!
Thou judgest the cause of mankind!
68
GI NU E ais NU DIM
GI NU E ais NU DIM
69
E NU RU URU NU DIM
E NU RU URU NU DIM
70
URU NU DIM A- DAM NU MU-UN-[GAR]
URU NU DIM A- DAM NU MU-UN-[GAR]
71
ABZU NU RU NuUN(KI) NU DIM
ABZU NU RU NuUN(KI) NU DIM
72
The holy house, the house of the gods, in the
The holy house, the house of the gods, in the
73
No reed had sprung up, no tree had been created.
No reed had sprung up, no tree had been created.
74
No brick had been laid, no building had been
No brick had been laid, no building had been
75
No house had been erected, no city had been
No house had been erected, no city had been
76
No city had been made, no creature had been
No city had been made, no creature had been
77
Nippur had not been made, E-kur had not been
Nippur had not been made, E-kur had not been
78
Erech had not been created, E-ana had not been
Erech had not been created, E-ana had not been
79
The Deep had not been created, Eridu had not
The Deep had not been created, Eridu had not
80
E AZAG DINGIR-RI-E-NE KI-DUR-BI NU DIM
E AZAG DINGIR-RI-E-NE KI-DUR-BI NU DIM
81
NAM- LU- GISGAL- LU BA- RU
NAM- LU- GISGAL- LU BA- RU
82
Purify thee with the pure censer
Purify thee with the pure censer
83
And may she cleanse thee with cleansing fire!
And may she cleanse thee with cleansing fire!
84
By the incantation of Marduk, the king of the
By the incantation of Marduk, the king of the
85
May the abundance of the Jand enter into thee
May the abundance of the Jand enter into thee
86
May (Ezida) shine like the heavens, may it be
May (Ezida) shine like the heavens, may it be
87
Sa me” dal-hu-te isati{u) me” ga-ku-te Ila itsati(u))
Sa me” dal-hu-te isati{u) me” ga-ku-te Ila itsati(u))
88
His judgment was the decisionfof . . . . ].
His judgment was the decisionfof . . . . ].
89
The fiend was his offspring, the spectre was his
The fiend was his offspring, the spectre was his
90
He was lord of the height and of the depths, he
He was lord of the height and of the depths, he
91
A people who drink turbid water, and ae not
A people who drink turbid water, and ae not
92
Whose sense is perverted, had taken (men) captive
Whose sense is perverted, had taken (men) captive
93
On a tablet nought was written, nought was left
On a tablet nought was written, nought was left
94
Evil [fiends] and demons that lie in wait[ .. . ]
Evil [fiends] and demons that lie in wait[ .. . ]
95
Pursuing after (a man), turned [him] from his
Pursuing after (a man), turned [him] from his
96
I set out the lambs for sacrifice [in rows of ] seven.
I set out the lambs for sacrifice [in rows of ] seven.
97
And the gods [commanded me] that I should go
And the gods [commanded me] that I should go
98
Then spake I unto my heart
Then spake I unto my heart
99
Whois . . f[ . . . . Jasorcerer?
Whois . . f[ . . . . Jasorcerer?
100
But I will go, since -I have put my trust in the
But I will go, since -I have put my trust in the
101
And my weapon? of iron will I take!”
And my weapon? of iron will I take!”
102
As the first year drew nigh,*
As the first year drew nigh,*
103
Sanitum(tum) Ssattu ina kasadi(di) XC.M ado.
Sanitum(tum) Ssattu ina kasadi(di) XC.M ado.
104
VIJ a-na pa-an VII ”"**puhadu al - plu - tu
VIJ a-na pa-an VII ”"**puhadu al - plu - tu
105
Andsaidf . 2... 1. ee ee ed:
Andsaidf . 2... 1. ee ee ed:
106
The New Year’s Feast in the fourth y[ear . . . |
The New Year’s Feast in the fourth y[ear . . . |
107
With supplication unto Ea,[the . . . . ]of
With supplication unto Ea,[the . . . . ]of
108
Pure offerings for the Feast of the New Year
Pure offerings for the Feast of the New Year
109
Pureomens[ . . . . . . ]-
Pureomens[ . . . . . . ]-
110
I cried unto the magicians, and I [directed them]
I cried unto the magicians, and I [directed them]
111
I set [out] the lambs for sacrifice in rows of seven.
I set [out] the lambs for sacrifice in rows of seven.
112
I placedthere also the holy . 2. . ff
I placedthere also the holy . 2. . ff
113
And I enquired of the great gods
And I enquired of the great gods
114
Of Istar, [and . . . . , and Zamama, and
Of Istar, [and . . . . , and Zamama, and
115
Andf . . . . , and Samas, the warrior.
Andf . . . . , and Samas, the warrior.
116
Sarru dan-[mu . . . . J w-lu-[ ow... ]
Sarru dan-[mu . . . . J w-lu-[ ow... ]
117
Bring in thy treasure-chests, and thy corn, and
Bring in thy treasure-chests, and thy corn, and
118
Andthy[ . . . ],' and thy household stuff.
Andthy[ . . . ],' and thy household stuff.
119
Fix firmly{the . . . J, and build surrounding
Fix firmly{the . . . J, and build surrounding
120
Guard [thy body] and take heed for thy person.
Guard [thy body] and take heed for thy person.
1
Du - DU 1 miu-ut-tar-ru-u wlan”
Du - DU 1 miu-ut-tar-ru-u wlan”
2
Mu - AZAG : Sa 84 - pat - su el - hit
Mu - AZAG : Sa 84 - pat - su el - hit
3
ZI (~ do.) - UKRIN
ZI (~ do.) - UKRIN
4
GIS-GID-DA a-rnk [ ??
GIS-GID-DA a-rnk [ ??
5
Asar-ri Sa-vik me-[yis-8 2...
Asar-ri Sa-vik me-[yis-8 2...
6
Tutu? sa pi-t-ik mati i-[ ‘|
Tutu? sa pi-t-ik mati i-[ ‘|
7
PERSaG- zu" Sun -[KUR eee
PERSaG- zu" Sun -[KUR eee
8
Shi ] mu f ]
Shi ] mu f ]
9
APPENDIX III.
APPENDIX III.
10
APPENDIX IIL
APPENDIX IIL
11
I pray unto thee, lady of ladies, goddess of goddesses !
I pray unto thee, lady of ladies, goddess of goddesses !
12
O Ishtar, queen of all peoples, directress of mankind !
O Ishtar, queen of all peoples, directress of mankind !
13
O Irnini} thou art raised on high, mistress of the Spirits
O Irnini} thou art raised on high, mistress of the Spirits
14
Thou art mighty, thou hast sovereign power, exalted is
Thou art mighty, thou hast sovereign power, exalted is
15
Thou art the light of heaven and earth, O valiant daughter
Thou art the light of heaven and earth, O valiant daughter
16
Irnini, the valiant daughter of the Moon-god, hath not
Irnini, the valiant daughter of the Moon-god, hath not
17
Prayer of the Raising of the Hand to [Star
Prayer of the Raising of the Hand to [Star
18
This shalt thou do
This shalt thou do
19
K. 5,419¢, Obv. : Cr, Ser., Tabl. I, Il. 1-16. No. 93,015, Obv.: Cr. Ser., Tabl. I, ll. 1-16.
K. 5,419¢, Obv. : Cr, Ser., Tabl. I, Il. 1-16. No. 93,015, Obv.: Cr. Ser., Tabl. I, ll. 1-16.
20
K. 3,938, Obv. : a » Ihe 33-42. No. 93,015, Rev. : ‘s > UL. r2qg-142, and
K. 3,938, Obv. : a » Ihe 33-42. No. 93,015, Rev. : ‘s > UL. r2qg-142, and
21
No. 38,396, Obv. : ‘5 Tabl. II, ll. 11-29.
No. 38,396, Obv. : ‘5 Tabl. II, ll. 11-29.
22
KK. 4,832, Obv.: ‘s oy ll. 32-58.
KK. 4,832, Obv.: ‘s oy ll. 32-58.
23
K. 3,473, etc., Obv. : » Tabl. III, ll, 1-56.
K. 3,473, etc., Obv. : » Tabl. III, ll, 1-56.
24
K. 7,067: see Appendix II, p. 195, note 1. K. 10,791: see Appendix II, p. 195, note 1 K. 8,572: see Appendis II, p. 395, note 1. K. 11,048: see Appendix II, p. 195, note 1. K, 12,000¢: see Appendix II, p. 195, note 1. R. 982, etc.: see Appendix II, p. 195, note 1.
K. 7,067: see Appendix II, p. 195, note 1. K. 10,791: see Appendix II, p. 195, note 1 K. 8,572: see Appendis II, p. 395, note 1. K. 11,048: see Appendix II, p. 195, note 1. K, 12,000¢: see Appendix II, p. 195, note 1. R. 982, etc.: see Appendix II, p. 195, note 1.
25
S.747: see Appendix I, p. 170 f.
S.747: see Appendix I, p. 170 f.
26
R. 282, Obv.: see pp. 116 ff.
R. 282, Obv.: see pp. 116 ff.