Part 11 (2/2)

Ptah-Osiris retained his archaic beard until the Ptolemaic period.

It seems highly probable that in similarly depicting their G.o.ds with beards, the early Sumerians were not influenced by the practices of any alien people or peoples. Not until the period of Gudea, the Patesi of Lagash, did they give their G.o.ds heavy moustaches, side whiskers, and flowing beards of Semitic type. It may be, however, that by then they had completely forgotten the significance of an ancient custom.

Possibly, too, the sculptors of Lagash were working under the influence of the Akkadian school of art, which had produced the exquisite stele of victory for Naram-Sin, and consequently adopted the conventional Semitic treatment of bearded figures. At any rate, they were more likely to study and follow the artistic triumphs of Akkad than the crude productions of the archaic period. Besides, they lived in an age when Semitic kings were deified and the Semitic overlords had attained to great distinction and influence.

The Semitic folks were not so highly thought of in the early Sumerian period. It is not likely that the agricultural people regarded as models of G.o.ds the plunderers who descended from the hills, and, after achieving successes, returned home with their spoils. More probably they regarded them as ”foreign devils”. Other Semites, however, who came as traders, bringing wood, stone, and especially copper, and formed communities in cities, may well have influenced Sumerian religious thought. The G.o.d Ramman, for instance, who was given recognition all through Babylonia, was a G.o.d of hill folks as far north as Asia Minor and throughout Syria. He may have been introduced by settlers who adopted Sumerian habits of life and shaved scalp and face. But although the old cities could never have existed in a complete state of isolation from the outer world, it is unlikely that their inhabitants modelled their deities on those wors.h.i.+pped by groups of aliens. A severe strain is imposed on our credulity if we are expected to believe that it was due to the teachings and example of uncultured nomads that the highly civilized Sumerians developed their G.o.ds from composite monsters to anthropomorphic deities. Such a supposition, at any rate, is not supported by the evidence of Ancient Egypt.

CHAPTER VII.

CREATION LEGEND: MERODACH THE DRAGON SLAYER

Elder Spirits of the Primordial Deep--Apsu and the Tiamat Dragon--Plot to Destroy the Beneficent G.o.ds--Ea overcomes Apsu and Muminu--The Vengeful Preparations of the Dragon--Anshar's Appeal to Merodach--The Festival of the High G.o.ds--Merodach exalted as Ruler of the Universe--Dragon slain and Host taken captive--Merodach rearranges the Pantheon--Creation of Man--Merodach as Asari--The Babylonian Osiris--The Chief Purpose of Mankind--Tiamat as Source of Good and Evil--The Dragon as the Serpent or Worm--Folk Tale aspect of Creation Myth--British Neolithic Legends--German and Egyptian Contracts--Biblical references to Dragons--The Father and Son theme--Merodach and Tammuz--Monotheistic Tendency--Bi-s.e.xual Deities.

In the beginning the whole universe was a sea. Heaven on high had not been named, nor the earth beneath. Their begetter was Apsu, the father of the primordial Deep, and their mother was Tiamat, the spirit of Chaos. No plain was yet formed, no marsh could be seen; the G.o.ds had no existence, nor had their fates been determined. Then there was a movement in the waters, and the deities issued forth. The first who had being were the G.o.d Lachmu and the G.o.ddess Lachamu. Long ages went past. Then were created the G.o.d Anshar and the G.o.ddess Kishar. When the days of these deities had increased and extended, they were followed by Anu, G.o.d of the sky, whose consort was Anatu; and Ea, most wise and all-powerful, who was without an equal. Now Ea, G.o.d of the deep, was also Enki, ”lord of earth”, and his eternal spouse, Damkina, was Gashan-ki, ”lady of earth”. The son of Ea and Damkina was Bel, the lord, who in time created mankind.[152] Thus were the high G.o.ds established in power and in glory.

Now Apsu and Tiamat remained amidst confusion in the deeps of chaos.

They were troubled because their offspring, the high G.o.ds, aspired to control the universe and set it in order.[153] Apsu was still powerful and fierce, and Tiamat snarled and raised tempests, smiting herself.

Their purpose was to work evil amidst eternal confusion.

Then Apsu called upon Mummu, his counsellor, the son who shared his desires, and said, ”O Mummu, thou who art pleasing unto me, let us go forth together unto Tiamat and speak with her.”

So the two went forth and prostrated themselves before the Chaos Mother to consult with her as to what should be done to prevent the accomplishment of the purpose of the high G.o.ds.

Apsu opened his mouth and spake, saying, ”O Tiamat, thou gleaming one, the purpose of the G.o.ds troubles me. I cannot rest by day nor can I repose by night. I will thwart them and destroy their purpose. I will bring sorrow and mourning so that we may lie down undisturbed by them.”

Tiamat heard these words and snarled. She raised angry and roaring tempests; in her furious grief she uttered a curse, and then spake to Apsu, saying, ”What shall we do so that their purpose may be thwarted and we may lie down undisturbed again?”

Mummu, the counsellor, addressing Apsu, made answer, and said, ”Although the G.o.ds are powerful, thou canst overcome them; although their purpose is strong, thou canst thwart it. Then thou shalt have rest by day and peace by night to lie down.”

The face of Apsu grew bright when he heard these words spoken by Mummu, yet he trembled to think of the purpose of the high G.o.ds, to whom he was hostile. With Tiamat he lamented because the G.o.ds had changed all things; the plans of the G.o.ds filled their hearts with dread; they sorrowed and spake with Mummu, plotting evil.

Then Ea, who knoweth all, drew near; he beheld the evil ones conspiring and muttering together. He uttered a pure incantation and accomplished the downfall of Apsu and Mummu, who were taken captive.[154]

Kingu, who shared the desires of Tiamat, spake unto her words of counsel, saying, ”Apsu and Mummu have been overcome and we cannot repose. Thou shalt be their Avenger, O Tempestuous One.”

Tiamat heard the words of this bright and evil G.o.d, and made answer, saying, ”On my strength thou canst trust. So let war be waged.”

Then were the hosts of chaos and the deep gathered together. By day and by night they plotted against the high G.o.ds, raging furiously, making ready for battle, fuming and storming and taking no rest.

Mother Chuber,[155] the creator of all, provided irresistible weapons.

She also brought into being eleven kinds of fierce monsters--giant serpents, sharp of tooth with unsparing fangs, whose bodies were filled with poison instead of blood; snarling dragons, clad with terror, and of such lofty stature that whoever saw them was overwhelmed with fear, nor could any escape their attack when they lifted themselves up; vipers and pythons, and the Lachamu, hurricane monsters, raging hounds, scorpion men, tempest furies, fish men, and mountain rams. These she armed with fierce weapons and they had no fear of war.

Then Tiamat, whose commands are unchangeable and mighty, exalted Kingu, who had come to her aid, above all the evil G.o.ds; she made him the leader to direct the army in battle, to go in front, to open the attack. Robing Kingu in splendour, she seated him on high and spoke, saying:

”I have established thy command over all the G.o.ds. Thou shalt rule over them. Be mighty, thou my chosen husband, and let thy name be exalted over all the spirits of heaven and spirits of earth.”

Unto Kingu did Tiamat deliver the tablets of fate; she laid them in his bosom, and said, ”Thy commands cannot be changed; thy words shall remain firm.”

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