光のシェヘラザード

ENUMA ELISH
THE EPIC OF CREATION
L.W. King Translator
(from The Seven Tablets of Creation, London 1902)


THE FIRST TABLET

When in the height heaven was not named,
And the earth beneath did not yet bear a name,
And the primeval Apsu, who begat them,
And chaos, Tiamut, the mother of them both
Their waters were mingled together,
And no field was formed, no marsh was to be seen;
When of the gods none had been called into being,
And none bore a name, and no destinies were ordained;
Then were created the gods in the midst of heaven,
Lahmu and Lahamu were called into being...
Ages increased,...
Then Ansar and Kisar were created, and over them....
Long were the days, then there came forth.....
Anu, their son,...
Ansar and Anu...
And the god Anu...
Nudimmud, whom his fathers, his begetters.....
Abounding in all wisdom,...'
He was exceeding strong...
He had no rival -
Thus were established and were... the great gods.
But Tiamat and Apsu were still in confusion...
They were troubled and...
In disorder...
Apru was not diminished in might...
And Tiamat roared...
She smote, and their deeds...
Their way was evil...
Then Apsu, the begetter of the great gods,
Cried unto Mummu, his minister, and said unto him:
"O Mummu, thou minister that rejoicest my spirit,
Come, unto Tiamut let us go!
So they went and before Tiamat they lay down,
They consulted on a plan with regard to the gods, their sons.
Apsu opened his mouth and spake,
And unto Tiamut, the glistening one, he addressed the word:
...their way...
By day I can not rest, by night I can not lie down in peace.
But I will destroy their way, I will...
Let there be lamentation, and let us lie down again in peace."
When Tiamat heard these words,
She raged and cried aloud...
She... grievously...,
She uttered a curse, and unto Apsu she spake:
"What then shall we do?
Let their way be made difficult, and let us lie down again in peace."
Mummu answered, and gave counsel unto Apsu,
...and hostile to the gods was the counsel Mummu gave:
Come, their way is strong, but thou shalt destroy it;
Then by day shalt thou have rest, by night shalt thou lie down in peace."
Apsu harkened unto him and his countenance grew bright,
Since he (Mummu) planned evil against the gods his sons.
... he was afraid...,
His knees became weak; they gave way beneath him,
Because of the evil which their first-born had planned.
... their... they altered.
... they...,
Lamentation they sat in sorrow
..................
Then Ea, who knoweth all that is, went up and he beheld their muttering.

[about 30 illegible lines]

... he spake:
... thy... he hath conquered and
... he weepeth and sitteth in tribulation.
... of fear,
... we shall not lie down in peace.
... Apsu is laid waste,
... and Mummu, who were taken captive, in...
... thou didst...
... let us lie down in peace.
... they will smite....
... let us lie down in peace.
... thou shalt take vengeance for them,
... unto the tempest shalt thou...!"
And Tiamat harkened unto the word of the bright god, and said:
... shalt thou entrust! let us wage war!"
... the gods in the midst of...
... for the gods did she create.
They banded themselves together and at the side of Tiamat they advanced;
They were furious; they devised mischief without resting night and day.
They prepared for battle, fuming and raging;
They joined their forces and made war,
Ummu-Hubur [Tiamat] who formed all things,
Made in addition weapons invincible; she spawned monster-serpents,
Sharp of tooth, and merciless of fang;
With poison, instead of blood, she filled their bodies.
Fierce monster-vipers she clothed with terror,
With splendor she decked them, she made them of lofty stature.
Whoever beheld them, terror overcame him,
Their bodies reared up and none could withstand their attack.
She set up vipers and dragons, and the monster Lahamu,
And hurricanes, and raging hounds, and scorpion-men,
And mighty tempests, and fish-men, and rams;
They bore cruel weapons, without fear of the fight.
Her commands were mighty, none could resist them;
After this fashion, huge of stature, she made eleven [kinds of] monsters.
Among the gods who were her sons, inasmuch as he had given her support,
She exalted Kingu; in their midst she raised him to power.
To march before the forces, to lead the host,
To give the battle-signal, to advance to the attack,
To direct the battle, to control the fight,
Unto him she entrusted; in costly raiment she made him sit, saying:
I have uttered thy spell, in the assembly of the gods I have raised thee to power.
The dominion over all the gods have I entrusted unto him.
Be thou exalted, thou my chosen spouse,
May they magnify thy name over all of them the Anunnaki."
She gave him the Tablets of Destiny, on his breast she laid them, saying:
Thy command shall not be without avail, and the word of thy mouth shall be established."
Now Kingu, thus exalted, having received the power of Anu,
Decreed the fate among the gods his sons, saying:
"Let the opening of your mouth quench the Fire-god;
Whoso is exalted in the battle, let him display his might!"

THE SECOND TABLET

Tiamat made weighty her handiwork,
Evil she wrought against the gods her children.
To avenge Apsu, Tiamat planned evil,
But how she had collected her forces, the god unto Ea divulged.
Ea harkened to this thing, and
He was grievously afflicted and he sat in sorrow.
The days went by, and his anger was appeased,
And to the place of Ansar his father he took his way.
He went and, standing before Ansar, the father who begat him,
All that Tiamat had plotted he repeated unto him,
Saying, "Tiamat our mother hath conceived a hatred for us,
With all her force she rageth, full of wrath.
All the gods have turned to her,
With those, whom ye created, thev go at her side.
They are banded together and at the side of Tiamat they advance;
They are furious, they devise mischief without resting night and day.
They prepare for battle, fuming and raging;
They have joined their forces and are making war.
Ummu-Hubur, who formed all things,
Hath made in addition weapons invincible; she hath spawned monster-serpents,
Sharp of tooth, and merciless of fang.
With poison, instead of blood, she hath filled their bodies.
Fierce monster-vipers she hath clothed with terror,
With splendor she hath decked them; she hath made them of lofty stature.
Whoever beholdeth them is overcome by terror,
Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack.
She hath set up vipers, and dragons, and the monster Lahamu,
And hurricanes and raging hounds, and scorpion-men,
And mighty tempests, and fish-men and rams;
They bear cruel weapons, without fear of the fight.
Her commands are mighty; none can resist them;
After this fashion, huge of stature, hath she made eleven monsters.
Among the gods who are her sons, inasmuch as he hath given her support,
She hath exalted Kingu; in their midst she hath raised him to power.
To march before the forces, to lead the host,
To give the battle-signal, to advance to the attack.
To direct the battle, to control the fight,
Unto him hath she entrusted; in costly raiment she hath made him sit, saving:.
I have uttered thy spell; in the assembly of the gods I have raised thee to power,
The dominion over all the gods have I entrusted unto thee.
Be thou exalted, thou my chosen spouse,
May they magnify thy name over all of them
She hath given him the Tablets of Destiny, on his breast she laid them, saying:
'Thy command shall not be without avail, and the word of thy mouth shall be established.'
Now Kingu, thus exalted, having received the power of Anu,
Decreed the fate for the gods, her sons, saying:
'Let the opening of your mouth quench the Fire-god;
Whoso is exalted in the battle, let him display his might!'"
When Ansar heard how Tiamat was mightily in revolt,
he bit his lips, his mind was not at peace,
..., he made a bitter lamentation:
... battle,
... thou...
Mummu and Apsu thou hast smitten
But Tiamat hath exalted Kingu, and where is one who can oppose her?
... deliberation
... the ... of the gods, -Nudimmud.

[A gap of about a dozen lines occurs here.]

Ansar unto his son addressed the word:
"... my mighty hero,
Whose strength is great and whose onslaught can not be withstood,
Go and stand before Tiamat,
That her spirit may be appeased, that her heart may be merciful.
But if she will not harken unto thy word,
Our word shalt thou speak unto her, that she may be pacified."
He heard the word of his father Ansar
And he directed his path to her, toward her he took the way.
Ann drew nigh, he beheld the muttering of Tiamat,
But he could not withstand her, and he turned back.
... Ansar
... he spake unto him:

[A gap of over twenty lines occurs here.]

an avenger...
... valiant
... in the place of his decision
... he spake unto him:
... thy father
" Thou art my son, who maketh merciful his heart.
... to the battle shalt thou draw nigh,
he that shall behold thee shall have peace."
And the lord rejoiced at the word of his father,
And he drew nigh and stood before Ansar.
Ansar beheld him and his heart was filled with joy,
He kissed him on the lips and his fear departed from him.
"O my father, let not the word of thy lips be overcome,
Let me go, that I may accomplish all that is in thy heart.
O Ansar, let not the word of thy lips be overcome,
Let me go, that I may accomplish all that is in thy heart."
What man is it, who hath brought thee forth to battle?
... Tiamat, who is a woman, is armed and attacketh thee.
... rejoice and be glad;
The neck of Tiamat shalt thou swiftly trample under foot.
... rejoice and be glad;
The neck of Tiamat shalt thou swiftly trample under foot.
0 my son, who knoweth all wisdom,
Pacify Tiamat with thy pure incantation.
Speedily set out upon thy way,
For thy blood shall not be poured out; thou shalt return again."
The lord rejoiced at the word of his father,
His heart exulted, and unto his father he spake:
"O Lord of the gods, Destiny of the great gods,
If I, your avenger,
Conquer Tiamat and give you life,
Appoint an assembly, make my fate preeminent and proclaim it.
In Upsukkinaku seat yourself joyfully together,
With my word in place of you will I decree fate.
May whatsoever I do remain unaltered,
May the word of my lips never be chanced nor made of no avail."


THE THIRD TABLET

Ansar opened his mouth, and
Unto Gaga, his minister, spake the word.
"O Gaga, thou minister that rejoicest my spirit,
Unto Lahmu and Lahamu will I send thee.
... thou canst attain,
... thou shalt cause to be brought before thee.
... let the gods, all of them,
Make ready for a feast, at a banquet let them sit,
Let them eat bread, let them mix wine,
That for Marduk, their avenger they may decree the fate.
Go, Gaga, stand before them,
And all that I tell thee, repeat unto them, and say:
'Ansar, vour son, hath sent me,
The purpose of his heart he hath made known unto me.
The purpose of his heart he hath made known unto me.
He saith that Tiamat our mother hath conceived a hatred for us,
With all her force she rageth, full of wrath.
All the gods have turned to her,
With those, whom ye created, they go at her side.
They are banded together, and at the side of Tiamat they advance;
They are furious, they devise mischief without resting night and day.
They prepare for battle, fuming and raging;
They have joined their forces and are making war.
Ummu-Hubur, who formed all things,
Hath made in addition weapons invincible; she hath spawned monster-serpents,
Sharp of tooth and merciless of fang.
With poison, instead of blood, she hath filled their bodies.
Fierce monster-vipers she hath clothed with terror,
With splendor she hath decked them; she hath made them of lofty stature.
Whoever beboldeth them, terror overcometh him,
Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack.
She hath set up vipers, and dragons, and the monster Lahamu,
And hurricanes, and raging bounds, and scorpion-men,
And mighty tempests, and fish-men, and rams;
They bear merciless weapons, without fear of the fight.
Her commands are miahty; none can. resist them;
After this fashion, huge of stature, hath she made eleven monsters.
Among the gods who are her sons, inasmuch as he hath given her support,
She hath exalted Kingu; in their midst she hath raised him to power.
To march before the forces, to lead the host,
To give the battle-signal, to advance to the attack,
To direct the battle, to control the fight,
Unto him hath she entrusted; in costly raiment she hath made him sit, saying:
I have uttered thy spell; in the assembly of the gods
I have raised thee to power,
The dominion over all the gods have I entrusted unto thee.
Be thou exalted, thou my chosen spouse,
May they magnify thy name over all of them ... the Anunnaki."
She hath given him the Tablets of Destiny, on his breast she laid them, saying:
Thy command shall not be without avail, and the word of thy mouth shall be established."
Now Kingu, thus exalted, having received the power of Anu,
Decreed the fate for the gods, her sons, saving:
Let the opening of your mouth quench the Fire-god;
Whoso is exalted in the battle, let him display his might!"
I sent Anu, but he could not withstand her;
Nudimmud was afraid and turned back.
But Marduk hath set out, the director of the gods, your son;
To set out against Tiamat his heart hath prompted him.
He opened his mouth and spake unto me, saying: "If I, your avenger,
Conquer Tiamat and give you life,
Appoint an assembly, make my fate preeminent and proclaim it.
In Upsukkinaku seat yourself joyfully together;
With my word in place of you will I decree fate.
May whatsoever I do remain unaltered,
May the word of my lips never be changed nor made of no avail."'
Hasten, therefore, and swiftly decree for him the fate which you bestow,
That he may go and fight your strong enemy.
Gaga went, he took his way and
Humbly before Lahmu and Lahamu, the gods, his fathers,
He made obeisance, and he kissed the ground at their feet.
He humbled himself; then he stood up and spake unto them saying:
"Ansar, your son, hath sent me,
The purpose of his heart he hath made known unto me.
He saith that Tiamat our mother hath conceived a hatred for us,
With all her force she rageth, full of wrath.
All the gods have turned to her,
With those, whom ye created, they go at her side.
They are banded together and at the side of Tiamat they advance;
They are furious, they devise mischief without resting night and day.
They prepare for battle, fuming and raging;
They have joined their forces and are making war.
Ummu-Hubur, who formed all things,
Hath made in addition weapons invincible; she hath spawned monster-serpents,
Sharp of tooth and merciless of fang.
With poison, instead of blood, she hath filled their bodies.
Fierce monster-vipers she hath clothed with terror,
With splendor she hath decked them, she hath made them of lofty stature.
Whoever beboldeth them, terror overcometh him,
Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack.
She hath set up vipers, and dragons, and the monster Lahamu,
And hurricanes, and raging hounds, and scorpion-men,
And mighty tempests, and fish-men, and rams;
They bear merciless weapons, without fear of the fight.
Her commands are mighty; none can resist them;
After this fashion, huge of stature, hath she made eleven monsters.
Among the gods who are her sons, inasmuch as he hath given her support,
She hath exalted Kingu; in their midst she hath raised him to power.
To march before the forces, to lead the host,
To give the battle-signal, to advance to the attack, To direct the battle, to control the fight,
Unto him hath she entrusted; in costlv raiment she hath made him sit, saving:
I have uttered thy spell; in the assembly of the gods I have raised thee to power,
The dominion over all the gods have I entrusted unto thee.
Be thou exalted, thou my chosen spouse,
May they magnify thy name over all of them...the Anunnaki.
She hath given him the Tablets of Destiny on his breast she laid them, saving:
Thy command shall not be without avail, and the word of thy mouth shall be established.'
Now Kingu, thus exalted, having received the power of Anu,
Decreed the fate for the gods, her sons, saying:
'Let the opening of your mouth quench the Fire-god;
Whoso is exalted in the battle, let him display his might!'
I sent Anu, but he could not withstand her;
Nudimmud was afraid and turned back.
But Marduk hath set out, the director of the gods, your son;
To set out against Tiamat his heart hath prompted him.
He opened his mouth and spake unto me, saying:
'If I, your avenger,
Conquer Tiamat and give you life,
Appoint an assembly, make my fate preeminent and proclaim it.
In Upsukkinaku seat yourselves joyfully together;
With my word in place of you will I decree fate.
May, whatsoever I do remain unaltered,
May the word of my lips never be changed nor made of no avail.'
Hasten, therefore, and swiftly decree for him the fate which you bestow,
That he may go and fight your strong enemy!
Lahmu and Lahamu heard and cried aloud
All of the Igigi [The elder gods] wailed bitterly, saying:
What has been altered so that they should
We do not understand the deed of Tiamat!
Then did they collect and go,
The great gods, all of them, who decree fate.
They entered in before Ansar, they filled...
They kissed one another, in the assembly...;
They made ready for the feast, at the banquet they sat;
They ate bread, they mixed sesame-wine.
The sweet drink, the mead, confused their...
They were drunk with drinking, their bodies were filled.
They were wholly at ease, their spirit was exalted;
Then for Marduk, their avenger, did they decree the fate.

THE FOURTH TABLET

They prepared for him a lordly chamber,
Before his fathers as prince he took his place.
"Thou art chiefest among the great gods,
Thy fate is unequaled, thy word is Anu!
O Marduk, thou art chiefest among the great gods,
Thy fate is unequaled, thy word is Anu!
Henceforth not without avail shall be thy command,
In thy power shall it be to exalt and to abase.
Established shall be the word of thy mouth, irresistible shall be thy command,
None among the gods shall transgress thy boundary.
Abundance, the desire of the shrines of the gods,
Shall be established in thy sanctuary, even though they lack offerings.
O Marduk, thou art our avenger!
We give thee sovereignty over the whole world.
Sit thou down in might; be exalted in thy command.
Thy weapon shall never lose its power; it shall crush thy foe.
O Lord, spare the life of him that putteth his trust in thee,
But as for the god who began the rebellion, pour out his life."
Then set they in their midst a garment,
And unto Marduk,- their first-born they spake:
"May thy fate, O lord, be supreme among the gods,
To destroy and to create; speak thou the word, and thy command shall be fulfilled.
Command now and let the garment vanish;
And speak the word again and let the garment reappear!
Then he spake with his mouth, and the garment vanished;
Again he commanded it, and. the garment reappeared.
When the gods, his fathers, beheld the fulfillment of his word,
They rejoiced, and they did homage unto him, saying, " Marduk is king!"
They bestowed upon him the scepter, and the throne, and the ring,
They give him an invincible weapony which overwhelmeth the foe.
Go, and cut off the life of Tiamat,
And let the wind carry her blood into secret places."
After the gods his fathers had decreed for the lord his fate,
They caused him to set out on a path of prosperity and success.
He made ready the bow, he chose his weapon,
He slung a spear upon him and fastened it...
He raised the club, in his right hand he grasped it,
The bow and the quiver he hung at his side.
He set the lightning in front of him,
With burning flame he filled his body.
He made a net to enclose the inward parts of Tiamat,
The four winds he stationed so that nothing of her might escape;
The South wind and the North wind and the East wind and the West wind
He brought near to the net, the gift of his father Anu.
He created the evil wind, and the tempest, and the hurricane,
And the fourfold wind, and the sevenfold wind, and the whirlwind, and the wind which had no equal;
He sent forth the winds which he had created, the seven of them;
To disturb the inward parts of Tiamat, they followed after him.
Then the lord raised the thunderbolt, his mighty weapon,
He mounted the chariot, the storm unequaled for terror,
He harnessed and yoked unto it four horses,
Destructive, ferocious, overwhelming, and swift of pace;
... were their teeth, they were flecked with foam;
They were skilled in... , they had been trained to trample underfoot.
... . mighty in battle,
Left and right....
His garment was... , he was clothed with terror,
With overpowering brightness his head was crowned.
Then he set out, he took his way,
And toward the raging Tiamat he set his face.
On his lips he held ...,
... he grasped in his hand.
Then they beheld him, the gods beheld him,
The gods his fathers beheld him, the gods beheld him.
And the lord drew nigh, he gazed upon the inward parts of Tiamat,
He perceived the muttering of Kingu, her spouse.
As Marduk gazed, Kingu was troubled in his gait,
His will was destroyed and his motions ceased.
And the gods, his helpers, who marched by his side,
Beheld their leader's..., and their sight was troubled.
But Tiamat... , she turned not her neck,
With lips that failed not she uttered rebellious words:
"... thy coming as lord of the gods,
From their places have they gathered, in thy place are they! "
Then the lord raised the thunderbolt, his mighty weapon,
And against Tiamat, who was raging, thus he sent the word:
Thou art become great, thou hast exalted thyself on high,
And thy heart hath prompted thee to call to battle.
... their fathers...,
... their... thou hatest...
Thou hast exalted Kingu to be thy spouse,
Thou hast... him, that, even as Anu, he should issue deerees.
thou hast followed after evil,
And against the gods my fathers thou hast contrived thy wicked plan.
Let then thy host be equipped, let thy weapons be girded on!
Stand! I and thou, let us join battle!
When Tiamat heard these words,
She was like one posessed, .she lost her reason.
Tiamat uttered wild, piercing cries,
She trembled and shook to her very foundations.
She recited an incantation, she pronounced her spell,
And the gods of the battle cried out for their weapons.
Then advanced Tiamat and Marduk, the counselor of the gods;
To the fight they came on, to the battle they drew nigh.
The lord spread out his net and caught her,
And the evil wind that was behind him he let loose in her face.
As Tiamat opened her mouth to its full extent,
He drove in the evil wind, while as yet she had not shut her lips.
The terrible winds filled her belly,
And her courage was taken from her, and her mouth she opened wide.
He seized the spear and burst her belly,
He severed her inward parts, he pierced her heart.
He overcame her and cut off her life;
He cast down her body and stood upon it.
When he had slain Tiamat, the leader,
Her might was broken, her host was scattered.
And the gods her helpers, who marched by her side,
Trembled, and were afraid, and turned back.
They took to flight to save their lives;
But they were surrounded, so that they could not escape.
He took them captive, he broke their weapons;
In the net they were caught and in the snare they sat down.
The ... of the world they filled with cries of grief.
They received punishment from him, they were held in bondage.
And on the eleven creatures which she had filled with the power of striking terror,
Upon the troop of devils, who marched at her...,
He brought affliction, their strength he...;
Them and their opposition he trampled under his feet.
Moreover, Kingu, who had been exalted over them,
He conquered, and with the god Dug-ga he counted him.
He took from him the Tablets of Destiny that were not rightly his,
He sealed them with a seal and in his own breast he laid them.
Now after the hero Marduk had conquered and cast down his enemies,
And had made the arrogant foe even like
And had fully established Ansar's triumph over the enemy
And had attained the purpose of Nudimmud,
Over the captive gods he strengthened his durance,
And unto Tiamat, whom he had conquered, he returned.
And the lord stood upon Tiamat's hinder parts,
And with his merciless club he smashed her skull.
He cut through the channels of her blood,
And he made the North wind bear it away into secret places.
His fathers beheld, and they rejoiced and were glad;
Presents and gifts they brought unto him.
Then the lord rested, gazing upon her dead body,
While he divided the flesh of the ... , and devised a cunning plan.
He split her up like a flat fish into two halves;
One half of her he stablished as a covering for heaven.
He fixed a bolt, he stationed a watchman,
And bade them not to let her waters come forth.
He passed through the heavens, he surveyed the regions thereof,
And over against the Deep he set the dwelling of Nudimmud.
And the lord measured the structure of the Deep,
And he founded E-sara, a mansion like unto it.
The mansion E-sara which he created as heaven,
He caused Anu, Bel, and Ea in their districts to inhabit.

THE FIFTH TABLET

He (Marduk) made the stations for the great gods;
The stars, their images, as the stars of the Zodiac, he fixed.
He ordained the year and into sections he divided it;
For the twelve months he fixed three stars.
After he had ... the days of the year ... images,
He founded the station of Nibir [the planet Jupiter] to determine their bounds;
That none might err or go astray,
He set the station of Bel and Ea along with him.
He opened great gates on both sides,
He made strong the bolt on the left and on the right.
In the midst thereof he fixed the zenith;
The Moon-god he caused to shine forth, the night he entrusted to him.
He appointed him, a being of the night, to determine the days;
Every month without ceasing with the crown he covered him, saying:
"At the beginning of the month, when thou shinest upon the land,
Thou commandest the horns to determine six days,
And on the seventh day to divide the crown.
On the fourteenth day thou shalt stand opposite, the half....
When the Sun-god on the foundation of heaven...thee,
The ... thou shalt cause to ..., and thou shalt make his...
... unto the path of the Sun-god shalt thou cause to draw nigh,
And on the ... day thou shalt stand opposite, and the Sun-god shall...
... to traverse her way.
... thou shalt cause to draw nigh, and thou shalt judge the right.
... to destroy..."

[Nearly fifty lines are here lost.]

The gods, his fathers, beheld the net which he had made,
They beheld the bow and how its work was accomplished.
They praised the work which he had done...
Then Anu raised the ... in the assembly of the gods. He kissed the bow, saving, " It is...!"
And thus he named the names of the bow, saving,
"'Long-wood' shall be one name, and the second name shall be ...,
And its third name shall be the Bow-star, in heaven shall it...!"
Then he fixed a station for it...
Now after the fate of...
He set a throne...
...in heaven...
[The remainder of this tablet is missing.]

THE SIXTH TABLET

When Marduk heard the word of the gods,
His heart prompted him and he devised a cunning plan.
He opened his mouth and unto Ea he spake
That which he had conceived in his heart he imparted unto him:
"My blood will I take and bone will I fashion
I will make man, that man may
I will create man who shall inhabit the earth,
That the service of the gods may be established, and that their shrines may be built.
But I will alter the ways of the gods, and I will change their paths;
Together shall they be oppressed and unto evil shall they....
And Ea answered him and spake the word:
"... the ... of the gods I have changed
... and one...
... shall be destroyed and men will I...
... and the gods .
... and they..."

[The rest of the text is wanting with the exception of
the last few lines of the tablet, which read as follows.]

They rejoiced...
In Upsukkinnaku they set their dwelling.
Of the heroic son, their avenger, they cried:
" We, whom he succored.... !"

They seated themselves and in the assembly they named him...,
They all cried aloud, they exalted him...

THE SEVENTH TABLET

O Asari, [Marduk] "Bestower of planting," "Founder of sowing"
"Creator of grain and plants," "who caused the green herb to spring up!"
O Asaru-alim, [Mardk] "who is revered in the house of counsel," "who aboundeth in counsel,"
The gods paid homage, fear took hold upon them!

O Asaru-alim-nuna, [Marduk] "the mighty one," "the Light of the father who begat him,"
"Who directeth the decrees of Anu Bel, and Ea!"
He was their patron, be ordained their...;
He, whose provision is abundance, goeth forth...
Tutu [Marduk] is "He who created them anew";
Should their wants be pure, then are they satisfied;
Should he make an incantation, then are the gods appeased;
Should they attack him in anger, he withstandeth their onslaught!
Let him therefore be exalted, and in the assembly of the gods let him... ;
None among the gods can rival him!
15 Tutu [Marduk] is Zi-ukkina, "the Life of the host of the gods,"
Who established for the gods the bright heavens.
He set them on their way, and ordained their path;
Never shall his ... deeds be forgotten among men.
Tutu as Zi-azag thirdly they named, "the Bringer of Purification,"
"The God of the Favoring Breeze," "the Lord of Hearing and Mercy,"
"The Creator of Fulness and Abundance," " the Founder of Plenteousness,"
"Who increaseth all that is small."
In sore distress we felt his favoring breeze,"
Let them say, let them pay reverence, let them bow in humility before him!
Tutu as Aga-azag may mankind fourthly magnify!
"The Lord of the Pure Incantation," " the Quickener of the Dead,"
"Who had mercy upon the captive gods,"
"Who removed the yoke from upon the gods his enemies,"
"For their forgiveness did he create mankind,"
"The Merciful One, with whom it is to bestow life!"
May his deeds endure, may they never be forgotten ,
In the mouth of mankind whom his hands have made!
Tutu as Mu-azag, fifthly, his "Pure incantation" may their mouth proclaim,
Who through his Pure Incantation hath destroyed all the evil ones!"
Sag-zu, [Marduk] "who knoweth the heart of the gods," " who seeth through the innermost part!"
"The evil-doer he hath not caused to go forth with him!"
"Founder of the assembly of the gods," who ... their heart!"
"Subduer of the disobedient," "...!"
"Director of Righteousness," "...,"
" Who rebellion and...!"
Tutu as Zi-si, "the ...,"
"Who put an end to anger," "who...!"
Tutu as Suh-kur, thirdly, "the Destroyer of the foe,"
"Who put their plans to confusion,"
"Who destroyed all the wicked," "...,"
... let them... !

[There is a gap here of sixty lines. But somewhere among the lost lines belong the following fragments.]

who...
He named the four quarters of the world, mankind hecreated,
And upon him understanding...
"The mighty one...!"
Agil...
"The Creator of the earth...!"
Zulummu... .
"The Giver of counsel and of whatsoever...!"
Mummu, " the Creator of...!"
Mulil, the heavens...,
"Who for...!"
Giskul, let...,
"Who brought the gods to naught....!"
...............
... " the Chief of all lords,"
... supreme is his might!
Lugal-durmah, "the King of the band of the gods," " the Lord of rulers."
"Who is exalted in a royal habitation,"
"Who among the gods is gloriously supreme!
Adu-nuna, " the Counselor of Ea," who created the gods his fathers,
Unto the path of whose majesty
No god can ever attain!
... in Dul-azag be made it known,
... pure is his dwelling!
... the... of those without understanding is Lugaldul-azaga!
... supreme is his might!
... their... in the midst of Tiamat,
... of the battle!

[Here follows the better-preserved ending.]

... the star, which shineth in the heavens.
May he hold the Beginning and the Future, may they pay homage unto him,
Saying, "He who forced his way through the midst of Tiamat without resting,
Let his name be Nibiru, 'the Seizer of the Midst'!
For the stars of heaven he upheld the paths,
He shepherded all the gods like sheep!
He conquered Tiamat, he troubled and ended her life,"
In the future of mankind, when the days grow old,
May this be heard without ceasing; may it hold sway forever!
Since he created the realm of heaven and fashioned the firm earth,
The Lord of the World," the father Bel hath called his name.
This title, which all the Spirits of Heaven proclaimed,
Did Ea hear, and his spirit was rejoiced, and he said:
"He whose name his fathers have made glorious,
Shall be even as I, his name shall be Ea!
The binding of all my decrees shall he control,
All my commands shall he make known! "
By the name of "Fifty " did the great gods
Proclaim his fifty names, they, made his path preeminent.

EPILOGUE

Let them [i.e. the names of Marduk] be held in remembrances and let the first man proclaim them;
Let the wise and the understanding consider them together!
Let the father repeat them and teach them to his son;
Let them be in the ears of the pastor and the shepherd!
Let a man rejoice in Marduk, the Lord of the gods,
That be may cause his land to be fruitful, and that he himself may have prosperity!
His word standeth fast, his command is unaltered;
The utterance of his mouth hath no god ever annulled.
He gazed in his anger, he turned not his neck;
When he is wroth, no god can withstand his indignation.
Wide is his heart, broad is his compassion;
The sinner and evil-doer in his presence...
They received instruction, they spake before him,
... unto...
... of Marduk may the gods...;
... May they ... his name... !
... they took and...
...................................!

END OF THE CREATION EPIC
THE FIGHT WITH TIAMAT

(ANOTHER VERSION)
[Note: Strictly speaking, the text is not a creation-legend, though it gives a variant form of the principal incident in the history of the creation according to the Enuma Elish. Here the fight with the dragon did not precede the creation of the world, but took place after men had been created and cities had been built.]

The cities sighed, men ...
Men uttered lamentation, they ...
For their lamentation there was none to help,
For their grief there was none to take them by the hand.
ｷ Who was the dragon... ?
Tiamat was the dragon.....
Bel in heaven hath formed.....
Fifty kaspu [A kaspu is the space that can be covered in two hours travel, i.e. six or seven miles] in his length, one kaspu in his height,
Six cubits is his mouth, twelve cubits his...,
Twelve cubits is the circuit of his ears...;
For the space of sixty cubits he ... a bird;
In water nine cubits deep he draggeth...."
He raiseth his tail on high...;
All the gods of heaven...
In heaven the gods bowed themselves down before the Moon-god...;
The border of the Moon-god's robe they hastily grasped:
"Who will go and slay the dragon,"
And deliver the broad land from...
And become king over... ?
" Go, Tishu, slav the dragon,
And deliver the broad land from...,
And become king over...!"
Thou hast sent me, O Lord, to... the raging creatures of the river,
But I know not the... of the Dragon!

[The rest of the Obverse and the upper part of the Reverse of the tablet are wanting.]

REVERSE
................
And opened his mouth and spake unto the god...
" Stir up cloud, and storm and tempest!
The seal of thy life shalt thou set before thy face,
Thou shalt grasp it, and thou shalt slay the dragon."
He stirred up cloud, and storm and tempest,
He set the seal of his life before his face,
He grasped it, and he slew the dragon.
For three years and three months, one day and one night
The blood of the dragon flowed. ...


もっと詳しく書かれているのは、「こちら」

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　天にも地にもまだ名前がつけられていなかった頃
　すなわち世界がまだはっきりした形をとっていなかった頃
　ただ男神アプスー（淡水）とムンム（霧の姿をした生命力）
　女神ティアマト（塩水）だけがいました。
　ティアマトはすべてのものを産んだ母神だとも言われています。

　この原初世界でアプスー（淡水）とティアマト（塩水）が
　混ざり合って、神々が生まれはじめました。

　まず男神ラフムと女神ラハムが生まれました。

　この二柱の神はたちまち大きくなり、この二神から次には
　アンシャルとキシャルが生まれ、アンシャルとキシャルは
　アヌ（天神）を生みました。

　このアヌからはヌ・ディン・ムド（創造者）と呼ばれた
　エア神が生まれましたが、エアは知恵も力も優れており、
　神々のだれもエアにはかないませんでした。

　こうして神々の数が増えてくると、しだいに群れをなし
　大さわぎをはじめました。

　ティアマトは我慢しましたが、アプスーは不愉快に思い、
　家来のムンムと共にうるさい神々をどうするか相談しました。

　この相談に気付いた知恵の神エアは、呪文を唱えてアプスーを
　眠らせ、身に付けている冠と輝く衣服などを取り上げ、
　自分の身につけるとアプスーを殺し、ムンムをしばって
　閉じ込めました。

　エアは原初の淡水の海（アプスー）の上に自分の住まいを建てて
　それを＜アプスー＞と名づけ聖所と定めました。

　しばらくしてエアの妻ダムキナは身ごもり、マルドゥーク神が
　生まれました。

　エアはことのほか喜び、普通の二倍の能力を与えたので
　この神の目は四つ、耳は四つあり、口を動かすと火が燃え
　たくましいその体は光り輝いていました。

　大神のアヌは遊び道具として四つの風をマルドゥークに与えると
　マルドゥークは土くれをつくり、つむじ風たちに運ばせて
　アシの沼地をつくり出し、ティアマト（塩水）を濁らせ、
　不愉快にさせました。

　他の神々もこのことを不愉快に思い、ティアマトに言うには

　「アプスーが殺されたとき、あなたは何もしませんでしたね。
　　マルドゥークの四つの風のために我々はゆっくり眠ることも
　　できません。ぜひ仇をうってください。」

　ティアマトはこの言葉を受け入れ、マルドゥークに対抗できる風と
　怪物‥ムシュマッヘー（七またの大蛇）、バシュム（毒蛇）、
　ムシュフッシュ（サソリの尾をした龍）、ラハム（海の怪獣）、
　ウガルルム（巨大ライオン）、ウリディンム（狂犬）
　ギルタブリル（サソリ人間）、激しい嵐、クリール（魚人間）、
　野牛をつくり、また息子のキングを軍勢の司令官に任じました。

　そして彼に天界の至上権を表す＜天命のタブレット*1＞を与えました。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　＊

　ティアマトとその味方が戦いの用意をしていることは、
　じきに知恵の神エアの耳に届きました。

　エアは祖父アンシャルのところへ助けを求めに行くと
　アンシャルは困惑し、しばらく考え込んだ後に言うには

　「この危機を乗り切ることができる者、
　　それはマルドゥークをおいてほかにない！」

　エアの息子であるマルドゥークは喜んで引き受け、
　これこそ力を試し、天上界で勢力をうる機会と考えて
　言うには

　「もし私が大洪水を起こす竜（ティアマトは大きな竜でもあった）を
　　捕らえ、あなた方の命をお助けできたならば、私に＜天命＞を
　　授けてください。
　　それによって私は、神々の集会で最高の位置につき、私の命令は
　　至上のものとなるように！」

　マルドゥークの頼みを聴くとアンシャルは、父母神ラフムとラハムや
　その他の神々に今までの経緯を伝え、神々は、マルドゥークに
　＜天命＞を授けることにしました。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　＊

　マルドゥークは、弓と矢および三つ股の鉾をとり、稲妻と燃える炎を
　とりティアマトを捕らえるための網を手に持ちました。

　また、東西南北の四つの風、砂嵐や雷雨のような七つの恐ろしい風を
　用意しました。

　マルドゥークは四種類の嵐の怪物…＜殺し屋＞、＜容赦ないもの＞、
　＜怒涛のように押し寄せるもの＞＜翼のあるもの＞がひく車に乗り、
　それらは口から毒の泡をはき、見るからに恐ろしい光景でした。

　彼は鎧と長衣を身につけ、口には呪文を唱え、頭からは神聖な
　怖るべき光を発していました。

　そして両者の戦いが始まりました。

　マルドゥークは恐ろしい風をティアマトに向けて放つと
　ティアマトはこれを飲み込もうと口を開きます。

　荒れ狂う風はティアマトの腹の中に入り、これを
　大きく膨らませました。

　その時、マルドゥークは矢をティアマトめがけて放つと
　腹が破れ、矢は心臓にあたり、ティアマトは倒れました。

　ティアマトが殺されると、その仲間は恐れおののき
　マルドゥークに捕らえられてしまいました。
　司令官キングも縛りあげられ、マルドゥークは彼から
　＜天命の書板＞を取り上げて、自分の胸につけました。

　それからマルドゥークは大女神ティアマトの死骸を眺め、
　まず頭骸骨を打ち砕き、それから体を二つに切り裂き、
　一つを天に持ち上げて、天として張りめぐらしました。

　海の女神ティアマトの体には大量の塩水が含まれているので、
　マルドゥークは番人をおき大雨にならないように、
　水の流出を監視させる事にしました。

　次にマルドゥークは、ここに天の大神殿エ・シャラを建てさせ
　三柱の大神アヌとエンリルとエアを、それぞれ適した場所に
　住まわせました。

　つまり天、空（大気）、アプスー（天水）がそれです。

　それからマルドゥークは天体をつくり出して天におきました。

　まず彼は、天に神々の似姿としての星々と星座をおき
　一年を定め、十二の月にそれぞれ三つずつ、つまり三十六の
　星座を定めました。

　それから天にアヌの道、エンリルの道、エアの道の三つの
　領域を設け、天の東には太陽の入口、西には出口をつくりました。

　次にはティアマトの体からつくった天の内側に月神シンをおき、
　夜の飾りとしました。

　月神シンは、月の初めには冠の形をし、だんだん角の形になり
　満月の時には太陽神シャマシュと向かい合いになり、
　また欠けてもとに戻ります。

　月神シンが再び太陽神シャマシュと向き合いになるのは、
　二十九日目です。

　次にマルドゥークはティアマトの水分を集めて雲をつくり、
　雨や霧もつくりました。

　次には、ティアマトの頭を取り、これで山をつくり出し、
　地下水から川を流れ出させました。

　またティアマトの両目からは、ブラヌン（ユーフラテス）川と
　イディグラト（ティグリス）川が流れ出るようにしました。

　ティアマトの乳房だったところには、特別に大きな山をつくり
　そこから豊かな水が湧き出るようにしました。

　マルドゥークはティアマトの尾の部分をひねって
　天の＜結び目＞につなぎ、次にティアマトの下半身で
　地をつくりました。

　こうして天と地の創造がすむと、マルドゥークは地上に
　聖殿を建てて祭式を定め、キングから取り上げた
　＜天命のタブレット＞をアヌ神に戻しました。

　マルドゥーク側の神々、すなわちラフムとラハム、
　アンシャル、アヌ、エンリル、エア、そして彼の
　母親ダムキナたちは大いに喜び、天の神々はすべて集まりました。

　そしてマルドゥークのまえに平伏し、これこそ我らの王と叫びました。

　マルドゥークが口を開き、言うには

　「あなた方の住む神殿エ・シャラに対して、
　　下界にも立派な神殿を造営したい。
　　そこに祭式の場をつくり、私の王権を末永いものにしたい。
　　神々が集会にやってくる時、そこは神々の安らぎの場と
　　なることだろう。
　　私はそこをバーブ・イル（神の門。バビロン）と
　　名づけることにしよう。」

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　＊

　またマルドゥークはティアマト側の神々を集め、言うには、

　「ティアマトをそそのかし、戦いを引き起こした者は誰か。
　　その者を引き渡せば、他の者たちは許されるだろう」

　この言葉を聴いた神々が、天地の神々の王であるマルドゥークに
　答えて言うには

　「ティアマトをそそのかし、戦いを引き起こしたのはキングだ。」

　そしてマルドゥークはキングの血から、最初のアメール、
　すなわち人間をつくりだしました。

　人間たちは訳が分からぬままに、マルドゥークの考えに従って
　神殿の建設にたずさわることになります。

　マルドゥークは、その言葉どおり、神々の居場所を上界と
　下界に分けることにし、上界に三百柱、下界に三百柱、
　合わせて六百柱の居場所を決めました。

　神々が口を開いてマルドゥークに言うには

　「我らの主よ、ありがとうございました。
　　我らはこれから、安息のための聖所をつくることに致します」

　マルドゥークがこれを聴いて喜んで言うには

　「そうだ、バーブ・イル（バビロン）を建てて、
　　プラック（聖所）と名づけるがよい。」

　すべての神々は働き始め、一年目には煉瓦をつくり
　二年目にはエ・サギラ神殿を築き上げました。

　また、ジッグラト（いわゆるバベルの塔）を天高く築き上げ
　そこにマルドゥーク､エンリル、エアの神殿を設けました。

　エ・サギラ神殿ができあがると、次にはすべての神々が
　自分の聖所を建て、それからマルドゥークは祝宴を開いて
　父祖の大神たちを招きました。

　それからエ・サギラ神殿で祭式が行なわれ、あらゆる
　お告げがきめられ、すべての神々の役割が定められました。

　マルドゥークは、彼が念入りに仕上げた弓をとり、
　これを大神たちに見せました。

　アヌがそれを手にとり、神々たちにむかって言うには

　「これは私の娘、その名は＜背高き木＞、＜征服者＞、
　　そして＜弓星＞であり、私はこれを天空に輝かせよう。」

　そして大神たちはこれを天空のどこにおくかを決めました。

　大神たちはマルドゥークを褒めたたえ、彼を天と地の
　神々の主と定めました。

　アンシャルが言うには

　「主の命令には上界でも下界でも従順を。
　　主の支配は最高のものたらんことを。
　　主の功績は語りつがれるべし。
　　主の父祖たちに絶えない供物を。
　　人間たちが主をかしこみおそれることを。
　　奴隷たちが神を忘れぬことを。
　　神と女神に供物が捧げられんことを。
　　彼らが神々の地をすぐれたものとせんことを。
　　人間たちが神々に仕えんことを。」

　そして言うには、

　「さあ、主を五十の名*2で呼ぼう。」

　そして、五十の名でマルドゥークを呼び、褒め称えました。



　　*1　天命のタブレット…神々の主権者の伝統的象徴とされ、
　　　　それを手に入れることが主神になるための要件だったらしい。
　　　　主神はそれに裏付けられて神々をはじめ万物の天命を定めた。
　　　　しかし主神の承認には神々の合意が必要とされる

　　*2　五十の名…ルガルドゥルマハ（ドゥルマハ：天の第一級地帯の主）、
　　　ルガルデイ・メル・アン・キ（天地の神々の王）、ギビル（火神）など

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　「アトラハシス叙事詩」

　世界が創造された後、アン、エンリルおよびエンキが
　それぞれ独自の領域、つまり天、地上、死の国と海
　（nether-sea）を支配していた頃、若い神たちが、
　最高神エンリルに対して反乱を起こした。

　理由はエンリルに命じられた、水路を切り開いたり、
　神々たちの食糧をつくる農業労働の苛酷さに
　耐えかねたためである。

　若い神たちは、リ－ダ－を選んでエンリルと対決すべく、
　エンリルの神殿へ押し寄せた。

　エンリルは恐怖に震え上がり、彼のミニスター
　（彼のオフィスの長官であろう）の後ろに隠れ、
　助けを乞う始末だった。

　その後、問題の解決のため神々の集会が持たれ、
　事態が沈静化すると、エンリルは反乱者のリ－ダ－の
　死刑を要求した。

　しかしアンをはじめ、集会のメンバ－たちはエンリルに
　反対した。

　アンに至っては、反乱者たちにも一部の利があると
　主張する始末だった。

　会議は袋小路に陥った。そこで知恵の神、エンキの意見が
　求められた。エンキは、若い神々の苦役を代行させるため
　人間を創造することを提案した。

　神々は喜び、エンリルも渋々実行するよう命令を下した。

　そうして、地球上で最初の人類が生まれ、シュメール語で
　｢混ぜ合わされた物｣という意味の｢ルル｣と呼ばれるように
　なる。

　アヌンナキの体からは、テマエ（記憶を保存する物）と
　シル（精子を意味する）という二つの聖なる物質が採取され、
　猿人からは卵子が採取され、清められた容器の中で混ぜ
　合わされ、それは鋳型に移され一定期間待った後、
　｢誕生の神｣アヌンナキの女性の子宮に戻され、人間が
　誕生する事になる。　

　アッカドの古文書では、アヌンナキの女性科学者
　ニンハルサグは、月を数えて10番目の月になっても、
　出産しなかったので、器具を用いて子宮を開き、胎児を
　取り出したとされている。　　

　ニンハルサグは、新しく生まれた胎児を高く差し上げ、
　喜びに打ち震えながら叫んだ。

　｢私は創造した！　わが手は創造をなしとげた！｣

　アヌンナキと猿人の交配種である地球人は帝王切開で
　誕生したのである。

　しかし、このやり方では、人間を創るのにアヌンナキ女性の
　苦労は大変な物になるので、エディンで人間に子供を
　生ませる能力をつけさせ、南東アフリカのアブズに移動させ、
　人間は南東アフリカのアブスで、最初に増殖する事になった。

　大洪水の前に王権が天から下され、最初の都市エリドウが
　築かれ、これ以降は神のアヌンナキが人間と交わった
　結果の半神半人の王が治めるようになる。　

　ウルクのギルガメッシュ王も、自分は、2/3は神、1/3が
　人間であると記されている。


　その後、約1200年以上が経過し、人間の数が膨れ上がった。
　するとエンリルは、人間たちが発する騒音で眠れなく
　なったので、人間たちを減らす決定をした。

　エンリルは病気の神に命じて、疫病をはやらせることに
　した。

　人間に同情的だったエンキは、人間の王、アトラハシスに
　命じて病気の神にのみ捧げ物をするようにアドバイスした。
　その結果、病気の神は仕事を止めてしまった。

　エンリルは今度は天候の神、アダドに命じて雨を降らせない
　ようにし、また別の神に飢饉を起こさせようとした。

　しかしこの時もエンキが介入し、エンリルの命令を無効に
　してしまった。

　人間の数はさらに増えた。

　そこでエンリルは、大洪水を起こして人間を全滅させることにし、
　エンキを含む神々に計画を人間に漏らさないよう誓わせた。

　しかしエンキは、誓いには背かないよう、
　葦でつくった小屋の壁越しに独り言を言うことにより、
　アトラハシスにその計画を知らせた。

　お蔭で、アトラハシスは大きな舟をつくって大洪水を
　生き延びることができた。

　この時点になると、最初はエンリルに従っていた
　母なる女神たちも、捧げ物が少なくなってきたため、
　エンリルに不満を抱くようになった。

　そこで、エンキは問題を解決するために、
　人間社会に秩序と文明をもたらすことにより、人口を
　制限することにしたのである。


　※アン＝アヌ、エア＝エンキ（水と大地の神様）

　※シュメールのギルガメシュ叙事詩に出てくる洪水神話では
　　洪水を免れる人の名は、「ウトナピシュティム」に
　　なっている。。。

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