![]() Some versions have different translations of the names. These are Basmu, a venomous snake, Usumgallu, a dragon, Musmahhu, an exalted serpent, Mushussu, a furious snake, Lahmu, the Hairy One, Ugallu, Big Weather-Beast, Uridimmu, mad lion, Gitablullu, scorpion-man, Umu dabrutu, violent storms, Kulullu, fish-man, Kusarikku and bull-man. These gods conspired with Tiamat to create demons, also called the eleven monsters. The other gods were also disturbed so they urged Tiamat to take revenge upon the death of her husband. While Marduk played with the winds, a hurricane was formed and this angered Tiamat. Ea, greatly delighted formed four winds and gave them to his son. ![]() He had four eyes, four ears and flame shot forth from his mouth. He was described as a mighty warrior with dazzling eyes. They had a son named Marduk, sometimes replaced with the name Bel, who was nursed by goddesses and clothed with the aura of the ten gods. Mummu was imprisoned.Įa built his home on Apsu and married Damkina. Ea placed Apsu in deep sleep then split Apsu’s sinews and took his crown. The vizier Mummu, “the fog floating above water,” was summoned and he agreed with Apsu’s plan. Apsu decided to kill the young gods even if Tiamat tried to protest. When Tiamat’s offspring became too loud and obnoxious, she and Apsu became displeased. It is said that Anu became more powerful than all his forbears. Anu in turn gave birth to Nudimmud, also called Ea, who equaled his strength. They were followed by Ansar and Kisar, who bore Anu. ![]() When Apsu and Tiamat mingled, Lahmu and Lahamu were formed. Apsu also symbolized fresh water and Tiamat represented the ocean. The chaos Tiamat was next to appear and became the mother of everything. When the heavens and earth did not yet exist, the primeval Apsu came. In particular this paper will answer the following questions:ġ.What is the type of creation found in the epic?Ģ.How does this story differ from other creation myths?ģ.What are the qualities of the mother Tiamat? What does she represent?Ĥ.What are the qualities of the hero Marduk? What does he represent?ĥ.How does Marduk differ from other epic heroes?Ħ.Why is the protagonist a mother instead of a father like in the Kronos myth of the Greeks? To understand the significance of the epic, the paper will discuss the important parts such as the creation of the universe and analyze the two characters Tiamat and Marduk. This paper examines the contents of the epic and how the hero Marduk replaced an old tradition in the form of a battle against Tiamat. The epic was also used during rituals and celebrations especially on the Babylonian New Year or Akitu. These are: the creation myth, the conflict between Marduk and Tiamat, and the invocation to Marduk.Īccording to the researchers, the purpose of the epic was not to explain the ancient Mesopotamian theology but to glorify Marduk as the chief god, as evidenced by the list of his fifty names. The epic is generally divided into three sections. ![]() He leads the other gods against the old divinity who had turned against her children.īesides Marduk’s exploits, the epic also tells about the birth of the gods and goddesses and the creation of the universe. The title of the epic is taken from its opening line “When in the height, heaven was not named.” The epic chronicles Marduk’s war against Tiamat. In other versions, the god of the city is considered the hero. The most common version tells of Marduk as the hero. The name of the hero of the epic varies depending on where the tablet is found. It was recorded in seven clay tablets found at various locations including the infamous library of Ashurbanipal at Nineveh, discovered by Austen Henry Layard. It documents the Babylonian creation epic. The Enuma Elish is also called The Seven Tablets of Creation. Since I don't know what grade the professor gave me (or of she even read the paper at all), I decided to post it here. *Note: This was a term paper for a class. ![]()
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