Surviving tablets from 1stmillennium BC, but probablydates from 2nd millennium BC

Origins in Babylon, used in ritualsin city, esp. New Year festivalin Nisan (April)

The Epic of Creation - Enuma Elish

Later adapted for use in Assur inAssyria, with hero beingpatron god Assur

Highly nationalistic

The Epic of Creation - Enuma Elish

The Epic of Creation: Summary

In beginning is only Apsu (fresh-water ocean)and Tiamat (salt-water ocean). Theygive birth to line of gods ending inNudimmud (Ea), father of Marduk

Younger gods make too much noise.Apsu plots to kill them, but Ea killsApsu, imprisons his vizier Mummu,builds home with Apsu’s body

The Epic of Creation: Summary

Marduk is born, plays with four winds anddisturbs Tiamat. Elder gods persuade herto attack younger gods. She choosesQingu as leader and gives him Tablet ofDestinies

Anshar sends Ea, then Anu, to face Tiamat,but they fail

The Epic of Creation: Summary

Ea calls on Marduk to face Tiamat. He acceptson condition that gods make him theirruler. His power is proved usingconstellation

Marduk faces Tiamat, kills her with imhullu-wind, routs her army and takes Tablet ofDestinies

The Epic of Creation: Summary

Marduk completes creation of world usingbody of Tiamat. Humans are created,using blood of Qingu, to do work of gods

Gods build Babylon as shrine to Marduk andacclaim him with 50 names, whichnarrator urges listeners to remember

Kingship: advocating monarchy over primitivedemocracy

Thorkild Jacobsen, The Treasures of Darkness(New Haven: Yale University Press, 1976)

“Triggers” leading to articulation of idea:

1. Apsu’s failure to gain Tiamat’s support fordestruction of younger gods (pp. 233-34).Ea’s taking of the initiative (p. 234)

2. Consultation leading to choice of leaders byboth Tiamat (pp. 236-38) and youngergods (pp. 239-49). Reflecting practicesof earlier centuries

3. Marduk’s keeping of kingship throughimpressing younger gods (pp. 254-60,esp. 257, 258-59 and 260)

4. Creation of primitive man leading topermanency of Marduk’s kingship(pp. 261 and 264-73)

Order from chaos (pp. 255-56)

Epic of Creation vs. Anzu: influence ofagendas

Issue of family authority/slaying of ancestors(pp. 252-53 and 236-37). Possiblereflection of Babylon’s wars againstancient Sumer in first half of 2ndmillennium BC?