Part 24 (1/2)

166. Then Bel again took counsel and ascended into the s.h.i.+p.

167. He took my hand and caused me, even me, to ascend,

168. he took up my wife (also, and) caused her to bow at my side;

169. he turned to us and stood between us; he blessed us (saying):

170. 'Hitherto Sisuthros has been mortal, but

171. henceforth Sisuthros and his wife shall be like unto the G.o.ds, even unto us, and

172. Sisuthros shall dwell afar at the mouth of the rivers,'

173. Then he took us afar, at the mouth of the rivers he made us dwell.

XII

THE BABYLONIAN EPIC OF THE CREATION

TABLET I.

When the heaven above was not yet named or the earth beneath had recorded a name, the primaeval (_ristu_) deep was their generator, Mummu-Tiamat (the chaos of the sea) was the mother of them all.

Their waters were embosomed together, and the corn-field was unharvested, the reed-bed was ungrown.

When the G.o.ds had not yet appeared, any one of them, by no name were they recorded, no destiny [was fixed].

Then the great G.o.ds were created, Lakhmu and Lakhamu issued forth [the first], until they grew up [when]

Ansar and Kisar (the upper and lower firmaments) were created.

Long were the days, extended [was the time, till]

the G.o.ds [Anu, Bel, and Ea were born], Ansar [and Kisar gave them birth].

The deep [opened] its mouth [and said,]

to [Tiamat], the glorious, [it spake]: While their path ...

I will overthrow their path ...

Let lamentations arise, let complaining [be made]

[When] Tiamat [undertakes] this [work]

Their way shall be difficult ...

[Then] the G.o.d Mummu answered [his] father the deep:

Their way [shall be overthrown], the light shall be darkened, let [it be] as the night!

The deep [heard] him and [his] countenance was lightened; evil planned they against the G.o.ds.

Tiamat, the mother of the G.o.ds, lifted up herself against them, gathering her forces, madly raging.

The G.o.ds united themselves together with her, until (all) that had been created marched at her side.

Banning the day they followed Tiamat, wrathful, devising mischief, untiring (?) day and night, prepared for the conflict, fiercely raging, they gathered themselves together and began the battle.

The mother of the deep (?) (_Khubur_), the creatress of them all, added victorious weapons, creating monstrous serpents, with sharp fangs, unsparing in their attack.

With poison for blood she filled their bodies.

Horrible adders she clothed with terror, she decked them with fear, and raised high their ...

'May their appearance ...