Atrahasis

The Labor of the Gods

I 1 When gods were man, I 2 They did forced labor, they bore drudgery. I 3 Great indeed was the drudgery of the gods, I 4 The forced labor was heavy, the misery too much: I 5 The great Anunna-gods, the seven, were burdening I 6 The Igigi-gods with forced labor.

I 7 Anu their father was king, I 8 Their counselor was the warrior Enlil, I 9 Their prefect was Ninurta, I 10 And their canal inspector Ennugi.

I 11 They took the lot in their hands, I 12 They cast lots, the gods took their shares: I 13 Anu went up to heaven, I 14 Enlil took the earth for his subjects, I 15 The bolt, the trap of the sea, I 16 They had given to Enki the leader.

I 17 Those of Anu had gone up to heaven, I 18 Those of Enki had descended to the depths, I 19 Those... of heaven had nothing to do, I 20 They burdened the Igigi-gods with forced labor.

I 21 The gods were digging watercourses, I 22 The waterways of the gods, the life of the land, I 23 The Igigi-gods were digging watercourses, I 24 The waterways of the gods, the life of the land. I 25 First they dug the Tigris river, I 26 And the Euphrates thereafter. I 27 Springs they opened up from the depths, I 28 Wells... they established. I 29 ... the depth I 30 ... of the land I 31 ... within it I 32 ... they lifted up, I 33 They heaped up all the mountains.

I 34 They built... of drudgery, I 35 ... the vast marsh. I 36 They built... of drudgery, I 37 ... and forty years, too much! I 38 The gods performed forced labor night and day.

The Gods Rebel

I 39 They were complaining, denouncing,⁠a I 40 Muttering down in the ditch, I 41 “Let us face up to our foreman the prefect, I 42 He must lift this heavy burden from us! I 43 The god, counselor of the gods, the warrior, I 44 Come, let us remove him from his home, I 45 Enlil, counselor of the gods, the warrior, I 46 Come, let us remove him from his home!”

I 47 Wê began to speak, I 48 And said to the gods his brothers, I 49 “Let us strike down the prefect from long ago I 50 Enlil will appoint... ... ... ... ... ... ...

I 57 “The counselor of the gods, the warrior, I 58 Come, let us remove him from his home, I 59 Enlil, counselor of the gods, the warrior, I 60 Come, let us remove him from his home! I 61 Now then, call for battle! I 62 Let us stir up battle and war!”

I 63 The gods heard his words, I 64 They set fire to their tools, I 65 They put fire to their spades, I 66 And flame to their workbaskets. I 68 Off they went, one and all, I 69 To the gate of the warrior Enlil’s home.

I 70 It was night, halfway through the watch, I 71 The house was surrounded, but the god did not know. I 72 It was night, halfway through the watch, I 73 Ekur was surrounded, but Enlil did not know! I 74 Kalkal noticed it, he locked the door, I 75 He touched the bolt and looked behind the door.

I 76 Kalkal woke Nusku, I 77 And they listened to the clamor of the Igigi-gods. I 78 Nusku woke his lord, I 79 He got him out of bed,

I 80 “My lord, your house is surrounded, I 81 Battle has run right up to your gate. I 82 Enlil, your house is surrounded, I 83 Battle has run right up to your gate!” I 84 Enlil let fear engulf his home.

I 85 Enlil began to speak, I 86 And said to the courier Nusku, I 87 “Nusku, bar your gate, I 88 Get your weapons and stand before me.”

I 89 Nusku barred his gate, I 90 Got his weapons and stood before Enlil.

I 91 Nusku began to speak, I 92 And said to the warrior Enlil,

I 93 “My lord, your face has gone as pale as tamarisk, I 94 Why are you afraid of your own children? I 95 My lord, your face has gone as pale as tamarisk, I 96 Why are you afraid of your own children? I 97 Send for Anu to be brought down to you, I 98 And have Enki brought before you.”

I 99 He sent and they brought Anu down to him, I 100 They brought Enki before him.

The Assembly of the Gods

I 101 Anu, king of heaven, was present, I 102 The king of the depths, Enki, noticed it I 103 With the great Anunna-gods present, I 104 Enlil stood up, the debate was underway.

I 105 Enlil began to speak, I 106 And said to the great gods,

I 107 “Against me, will they dare rise? I 108 Shall I take on a battle that...? I 109 Alas, what have I seen? I 110 Battle ran right up to my gate!”

I 111 Anu began to speak, I 112 And said to the warrior Enlil,

I 113 “The reason why the Igigi-gods surrounded your gate, I 115 Let Nusku go out, let him learn their cause, I 116 Your great command... I 117 Let him take to your sons”

I 118 Enlil began to speak, I 119 And said to the courier Nusku,

I 120 “Nusku, open your gate, I 121 Take your weapons, go out to the group. I 122 In the group of all the gods I 123 Bow down, stand up, and repeat to them our command: I 124 ‘Anu, your father, I 125 Your counselor, the warrior Enlil, I 126 Your prefect, Ninurta, I 127 And your canal inspector Ennugi have sent me to say, I 128 Which god started the battle? I 129 Which god began the fighting? I 130 Who stirred up war, I 131 So that battle reached Enlil’s gate?”’

I 132 Nusku took the command, I 133 He opened the gate and went out to the group, I 134 In the group of all the gods, I 135 He bowed down, stood up, delivered the command,

I 136 “Anu, your father, I 137 Your counselor, the warrior Enlil, I 138 Your prefect, Ninurta, I 139 And your canal inspector Ennugi have sent me to say: I 140 ‘Which god started the battle? I 141 Which god began the fighting? I 142 Who stirred up war, I 143 So that battle reached Enlils gate?”’

I 144 The Igigi answered him in the group, I 145 They were defiant, the labor gang cried out,

I 146 “Every one of us gods has declared war, I 147 We formed our group in the ditch. I 149 Excessive drudgery has killed us, I 150 Our forced labor was heavy, our misery too much! I 151 And so every one of us gods I 152 Has resolved on a battle with Enlil.”

I 153 Nusku took the command, I 154 He went, he brought back....

I 155 “My lord, you sent me to the group of the gods, I 156 I went,... many..., I 157 I delivered your great command, I 158 All the Anunna-gods, the labor gang, cried out. I 159 ‘Every one of us gods has declared war, I 161 We have formed our group in the ditch. I 162 Excessive drudgery has killed us, I 163 Our forced labor was heavy, the misery too much! I 164 Now, every one of us gods I 165 Has resolved on a battle with Enlil.”’

I 166 When he heard that speech, I 167 Enlil’s tears flowed down, I 168 Enlil became disturbed at what he said. I 169 He said to the warrior Anu,

I 170 “Noble one, you should take authority with you to heaven. I 171 Take away the power, strip away your design! I 172 With the great gods in session before you, I 173 Summon one god,... a new order.”

The Creation of Humanity

I 174 Ea began to speak, I 175 And said to the gods his brothers, I 176 “Why are we blaming them? I 177 Their forced labor was heavy, their misery too much. I 178 Every day, as we survey the earth, I 179 The outcry was loud, we could hear their clamor. I 180 There is a task to be done,

I 181 “Mami, the birth-goddess, is present, I 182 Let the mother-goddess create a human being, I 184 Let her create humanity, I 185 Let him bear the yoke, the lordly task,⁠b I 186 Let him bear the yoke, the task of Enlil, I 187 Let man take on the gods’ heavy labor.”

I 188 They summoned and asked the birth-goddess, I 189 The midwife of the gods, wise Mami,

I 190 “Will you be the birth-goddess, creator of humankind? I 191 Create a human being, let him bear the yoke, I 192 Let him bear the yoke, the lordly task, I 196 Let him bear the yoke, the task of Enlil, I 197 Let man take on the gods’ heavy labor.”

I 198 Mami began to speak, I 199 And said to the great gods,

I 200 “It is not for me to do it, I 201 This task is Enki’s. I 202 He is the one who brings everything into being, I 203 Let him give me the clay so I can do the making.”

I 204 Enki began to speak, I 205 And said to the great gods,

I 206 “On the first, seventh, and fifteenth days of the month, I 207 I will establish a purification, a bath. I 208 Let one god be slaughtered,⁠c I 209 Then let the gods be purified in it. I 210 With his flesh and blood I 211 Let Nintu mix clay, I 212 Let that same god and man I 213 be thoroughly mixed in the clay. I 214 Let us hear the drumbeat for the rest of time, I 215 From the flesh of the god let a spirit remain, I 216 Let it make the living know its sign, I 217 So that he will not be forgotten, let the spirit remain.”

I 218 The great Anunna-gods, who determine destinies, Answered Yes! in the assembly.

I 221 On the first, seventh, and fifteenth days of the month, I 222 He established a purification, a bath. I 223 Aw-ila, who had the inspiration, I 224 They slaughtered in their assembly. I 225 With his flesh and blood I 226 Nintu mixed the clay. I 227 For the rest of time they would hear the drumbeat, I 228 From the flesh of the god a spirit remained. I 229 It would make the living know its sign, I 230 So that he will not be forgotten, the spirit remained.

I 231 After she had mixed that clay, I 232 He summoned the Anunna, the great gods. I 233 The Igigi, the great gods, I 234 Spat on the clay.

I 235 Mami began to speak, I 236 And said to the great gods,

I 237 “You ordered me the task and I have completed it! I 239 You have slaughtered the god, along with his inspiration. I 240 I have done away with your heavy forced labor, I 241 I have imposed your drudgery on man. I 242 You have given clamor upon humankind. I 243 I have released the yoke, I have made restoration.”

I 244 They heard this speech of hers, I 245 Their freedom restored, they ran and kissed her feet, saying,

I 246 “Before we used to call you Mami, I 247 Now let your name be Mistress of All the Gods.”

Birth and Marriage

I 249 They entered the house of destiny I 250 Prince Ea and wise Mami.

I 251 With the birth goddesses assembled, I 252 He trod the clay in her presence. I 253 She kept reciting the incantation, I 254 Enki, seated before her, was prompting her. I 255 After she had finished her incantation, I 256 She pinched off fourteen pieces of clay. I 257 Seven she put on the right, I 258 Seven on the left I 259 Between them she placed the brick. I 260 ... the umbilical cord.... I 260a She summoned the wise birth-goddesses, I 260b Seven and seven, skilled in their work. I 260c Seven brought forth males, I 260d Seven brought forth females. I 260e The birth-goddess determined their destinies, I 260f And paired them in front of her.

I 261 Prince Enki and wise Mami. I 262 With the birth-goddesses assembled I 263 She prayed to the clay... I 264 She prayed to the oil...

I 265 Mami was laying down the designs for the human race:

I 265a “In the house of the woman giving birth, let the brick remain for seven days. I 265c Let the great birth-goddess, wise Mami, be honored. I 265d Let the midwife be joyful in the house of the woman giving birth. I 265e When the pregnant woman gives birth, I 265f Let the mother of the baby ... herself.”

I 266 “Let the baby boy grow into a young man, I 267 And the baby girl into a young woman! I 268 Let the young woman lift her eyes toward the young man, I 269 And the young man toward the young woman! I 270 May he admire the young woman’s charms! I 272 ... in her breast, I 273 ... beard I 274 ... on the cheek of the young man.

I 275 “In the gardens and streets, I 276 Wife and husband will choose each other.”

I 277 The birth-goddesses were assembled, I 278 And Nintu sat reckoning the months. I 280 In the house of destinies they summoned the tenth month.

I 281 The tenth month arrived; I 282 She opened the womb, the tree of the dynasty. I 283 Her face beaming and joyful, I 284 With her head covered she performed the midwifery. I 286 She wrapped the mother’s waist as she pronounced a blessing. I 288 She drew a circle with meal and placed the brick,

I 289 “I am the one who created, my hands have made it! I 290 Let the midwife be joyful in the consecrated woman’s house. I 291 Where the pregnant woman gives birth, I 292 And the mother of the baby is separated, I 294 Let the brick be in place for nine days, I 295 Let Nintu, the birth-goddess, be honored. I 296 Let the mother call Mami their sister, I 297 Always praise the birth-goddess, praise Kesh.

I 299 “In their house, when the bed is laid, I 300 Let wife and her husband choose each other, I 301 At the time for being man and wife, I 302 Let Ishtar be joyful in the marriage chamber. I 303 For nine days let there be celebration, I 304 Let them call Ishtar Ishara.”

I 305 ... at the destined time I 306 ... you named for me. I 307 ... baby... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

I 328 A man... I 329 “Cleanse the dwelling... I 330 The son to his father...” ... I 332 They sat and... I 333 He it was who was carrying...

Humanity Takes Up the Work

I 334 He saw... I 335 Enlil... I 336 They took hold of... I 337 They fashioned fresh hoes and spades, I 338 They built up the great irrigation banks, I 339 To provide food for people and support the gods. I 340 ...

The Plague

I 352 Twelve hundred years had not yet passed I 353 when the land had expanded and the peoples multiplied. I 354 The land was bellowing like wild bulls. I 355 The god was disturbed by their uproar. I 356 Enlil heard their noise. I 357 He addressed the great gods:

I 358 “The noise of humanity has become too much for me. I 359 With their uproar they prevent my sleep. I 360 Let there be plague among the people!” ...

I 363c He commanded Namtar to cut their numbers. I 363e Disease, sickness, plague, and pestilence blew upon them like a storm. ...

Enki Advises Atrahasis

I 364 The man Atrahasis — his god was Enki, and his ear was open to his lord Enki. I 366 He would speak with his god, I 367 and his god would speak with him.

I 368 Atrahasis opened his mouth I 369 and addressed his lord Enki:

I 370 “How long ago did the gods create us? I 371 Will they make us suffer this sickness forever?”

I 372 Enki opened his mouth I 373 and addressed his servant Atrahasis:

I 374 “Summon the elders to your house. Make a plan in your house. I 376 Have the heralds proclaim throughout the country: Have them carry a message: direct your worship to Namtar alone. I 378 Do not worship your gods. I 379 Do not pray to your goddesses. I 380 Seek the door of Namtar. I 381 Set baked bread before him. I 382 Present him with an offering of flour. I 383 Let him be shamed by the offering I 384 and take his hand away.”

I 385 Atrahasis summoned the elders to his house. I 387 He opened his mouth I 388 and addressed the elders:

I 389 “I have called you to my house. Carry a message — I 391 Have the heralds proclaim throughout the country: I 393 do not worship your gods. I 394 Do not pray to your goddesses. I 395 Seek the door of Namtar. I 396 Set baked bread before him. I 397 Present him with an offering of flour. I 398 He will be shamed by the offering I 399 and will take his hand away.” ...

I 401 They built a temple for Namtar in their city. I 403 The heralds announced the command throughout the country.

I 407 The elders addressed Namtar alone. I 408 The offering that the people presented — I 409 Namtar was shamed by the gift I 410 and took his hand away. I 411 The plague was taken from them. The gods returned to their offerings.

Drought and Relief

II Seg. A 1 Twelve hundred years had not yet passed II Seg. A 2 when the land had expanded and the peoples multiplied.⁠a II Seg. A 3 The land was bellowing like a bull.⁠b II Seg. A 4 The god was disturbed by their uproar. II Seg. A 5 Enlil heard their noise. II Seg. A 6 He addressed the great gods:

II Seg. A 7 “The noise of humanity has become too much for me. II Seg. A 8 With their uproar they prevent my sleep. II Seg. A 9 Cut off the people’s food supplies. II Seg. A 10 Let plants be too scarce to satisfy their hunger. II Seg. A 11 Let Adad hold back his rain above. II Seg. A 12 Do not let water flow from the deep springs, Or floodwater rise from below. II Seg. A 14 Let the wind blow. II Seg. A 15 Let it dry out the ground. II Seg. A 16 Let the clouds gather without releasing rain. II Seg. A 18 Let the field withhold its yield. II Seg. A 19 Let Nisaba close her breast. II Seg. A 20 Let their celebrations cease. II Seg. A 21 Let... be dark. II Seg. A 22 Do not let...” II Seg. A 23 ...

II Seg. B 7 They cut off food for the peoples. II Seg. B 9 Adad held back his rain above. II Seg. B 10 Below, the flood did not rise from the depths. II Seg. B 11 The field diminished its yield. II Seg. B 12 Nisaba barred her breast. II Seg. B 13 At night the fields became white. II Seg. B 14 The broad plain produced salt. II Seg. B 15 The womb of the earth rebelled — II Seg. B 16 no plant sprang up, no grain grew. II Seg. B 17 Pestilence struck the people. II Seg. B 18 The womb was bound, it could not deliver. ...

II Seg. D 1 Blood thickened. II Seg. D 2 His belly swelled. II Seg. D 3 His mind could not form a plan. II Seg. D 4 An animal was gripped by cramps. II Seg. D 5 It could not open its mouth. II Seg. D 6 People cried out under the grip of cramps. II Seg. D 7 Then Atrahasis, the wise man, II Seg. D 8 Saw this and spoke to Ea, his lord: II Seg. D 9 ...

Enki Advises Atrahasis

Atrahasis — his ear was open to his god Enki — would speak with Enki, his lord. II Seg. E 9 Enki opened his mouth II Seg. E 10 and addressed his servant Atrahasis:

II Seg. E 13 “Summon the elders to your house. Make a plan in your house. II Seg. E 15 Have the heralds proclaim throughout the country: Have them carry a message: Direct your worship to Adad alone. II Seg. E 17 Do not worship your gods. II Seg. E 18 Do not pray to your goddesses. II Seg. E 19 Seek the door of Adad. II Seg. E 20 Set baked bread before him. II Seg. E 21 Present him with an offering of flour. II Seg. E 38 Let him be shamed by the offering II Seg. E 39 And take his hand away. II Seg. E 40 Let him send mist each morning, II Seg. E 41 And let dew fall secretly during the night. II Seg. E 43 Let the fields secretly yield ninefold.”

II Seg. E 25 Atrahasis summoned the elders to his house. II Seg. E 27 He opened his mouth II Seg. E 28 and addressed the elders:

II Seg. E 29 “I have called you to my house. Carry a message — II Seg. E 31 Have the heralds proclaim throughout the country: II Seg. E 33 do not worship your gods. II Seg. E 34 Do not pray to your goddesses. II Seg. E 35 Seek the door of Adad. II Seg. E 36 Set baked bread before him. II Seg. E 37 Present him with an offering of flour. II Seg. E 38 He will be shamed by the offering II Seg. E 39 And he will take his hand away.” ...

II Seg. E 44 They built a temple for Adad in the city. II Seg. E 45 The heralds proclaimed the order throughout the land. II Seg. E 47 They did not worship their gods, II Seg. E 48 Or offer prayers to their goddesses. II Seg. E 49 They went to Adad’s door, II Seg. E 50 And set a loaf before him. The elders addressed Adad alone. II Seg. E 51 They presented their offering. II Seg. E 52 Adad was shamed by the gift II Seg. E 53 And took his hand away.

II Seg. E 54 He sent mist each morning, II Seg. E 55 And secretly sent dew during the night. II Seg. E 57 The fields secretly yielded ninefold. II Seg. E 59 Their healthy appearance returned, II Seg. E 60 And their former noise began again. II Seg. E 61 Their days of well-being returned. II Seg. E 62 The womb opened and gave birth to a child. ...

The Gods Guard the Waters

II Seg. E 63 Twelve hundred years had not yet passed II Seg. E 64 when the land had expanded and the peoples multiplied. II Seg. E 65 The land was bellowing like wild bulls. II Seg. E 66 Enlil was angered by their noise. II Seg. E 67 He addressed the assembly of the gods:

II Seg. E 69 “The noise of humanity is too much for me. II Seg. E 70 With their uproar they prevent my sleep. II Seg. E 71 Order Anu and Adad to keep watch above. II Seg. E 72 Let Sin and Nergal watch the earth between. II Seg. E 73 Let Ea and his long-haired heroes guard The bolt that holds the sea in check.”

II Seg. E 75 He gave the order. Anu and Adad kept watch above. II Seg. E 76 Sin and Nergal kept watch over the earth. II Seg. E 77 Ea and his long-haired heroes guarded The bolt that holds the sea in check. ...

Atrahasis Appeals to Enki

II Seg. E 79 The wise Atrahasis, the man, II Seg. E 80 His thoughts turned to Ea, his lord. II Seg. E 81 He spoke with his god. II Seg. E 81a His lord Ea spoke with him.

II Seg. E 90 ... he left the doorway of his god. II Seg. E 91 By the river he placed his bed. II Seg. E 82 He went out of his city, II Seg. E 83 And wept every day. II Seg. E 84 Each morning he brought offerings for a dream.

II Seg. E 86 “My god is bound by an oath, II Seg. E 87 But he can make things known through dreams. II Seg. E 88 Enki is bound by an oath, II Seg. E 89 But he can make things known through dreams.”

II Seg. E 93 He sat by the river and wept. II Seg. E 94 When the water was quiet, II Seg. E 95 He poured an offering during the night. II Seg. E 96 Sleep was approaching. II Seg. E 97 He spoke to the flowing water:

II Seg. E 98 “May the stream take my gift and the river carry it. II Seg. E 99 May it reach Enki, my lord. II Seg. E 101 May he see it and remember me. II Seg. E 103 Let me have a dream tonight.”

II Seg. E 104 After sending his message with the water, II Seg. E 105 He sat by the river, weeping. II Seg. E 107 His cry descended to the Apsu. II Seg. E 108 Enki heard his voice. II Seg. E 109 He summoned his long-haired heroes:

II Seg. E 110 “The man who... II Seg. E 112 Go quickly and bring me his message. II Seg. E 113 Ask how his country fares, and report to me.”

The Messengers and Usmu

II Seg. E 114 They crossed the broad sea, II Seg. E 115 And reached the quay of the Apsu. II Seg. E 116 They repeated Ea’s message to Atrahasis:

II Seg. E 117 “You who are weeping, II Seg. E 118 Your cry has reached the Apsu. II Seg. E 119 Ea has heard your voice, II Seg. E 120 And sent us to you.”

II Seg. E 121 “Has Ea truly heard me? II Seg. E 122 What...?”

II Seg. E 123 They answered Atrahasis at once:

II Seg. E 125 “As sleep was approaching, II Seg. E 125a You spoke to the flowing river. II Seg. E 126 The stream took your gift, and the river carried it. II Seg. E 127 The gift was placed before Ea, your lord. II Seg. E 128 He saw it and remembered you, II Seg. E 129 And sent us here.”

II Seg. E 130 He bowed and kissed the ground before them. II Seg. E 131 The long-haired heroes returned to the sea.

II Seg. E 132 Ea began to speak. II Seg. E 133 He addressed Usmu, his minister:

II Seg. E 134 “Go to Atrahasis and give him my message: II Seg. E 135 The land’s condition is like that of its people.”

II Seg. E 136 Usmu, Ea’s minister, spoke to Atrahasis:

II Seg. E 137 “The land’s condition is like that of its people. II Seg. E 138 If its water has gone... II Seg. E 139 ... II Seg. E 141 The land... lay face down. II Seg. E 142 ...”

The Years of Famine

II Seg. E 144 Above, the teats of heaven were sealed. II Seg. E 145 Below, the floodwater did not flow from the deep. II Seg. E 147 The earth’s womb did not give birth. II Seg. E 148 No plants grew. II Seg. E 149 No people could be seen about. II Seg. E 150 The dark fields turned white. II Seg. E 151 The broad plain filled with salt.

II Seg. E 152 In the first year they ate old grain. II Seg. E 153 In the second year their stores ran out.

II Seg. E 154 When the third year arrived, II Seg. E 155 The people in their...were changed by hunger.

II Seg. E 160a When the fourth year arrived, their condition was miserable. II Seg. E158 Their broad shoulders became narrow, and their long legs grew short. II Seg. E 159 The people walked hunched through the streets.

II Seg. E 161a When the fifth year arrived, the daughter watched her mother eating. II Seg. E 161c The mother did not open her door to the daughter. II Seg. E 161d The daughter watched the scales at the sale of her mother. II Seg. E 161e The mother watched the scales at the sale of her daughter.

II Seg. E 161f When the sixth year arrived, they prepared the daughter for a meal. II Seg. E 161h For morsels they prepared the child. II Seg. E 161i Full was... one household consumed another. II Seg. E 161k Their faces were crusted like malt. II Seg. E 161l The people were barely alive.

Enki Hears the Report

II Seg. E 161m The god heard and wept. II Seg. E 161n His tears flowed with compassion. II Seg. E 161o Enki heard and wept. II Seg. E 161p His wise long-haired heroes... II Seg. E 161q Enki began to speak to them... II Seg. E 161s ...

II Seg. E 162 The messengers received the message, II Seg. E 163 Crossed to the shore of the sea, II Seg. E 164 And repeated Atrahasis’s words to Enki:

II Seg. E 166 “The land’s god has turned against it, II Seg. E 167 And you have abandoned me. II Seg. E 168 ... let it be your will. II Seg. E 172 The land, like a bull... II Seg. E 175 Let me descend to the Apsu and live before you.”

... II Seg. F 13 Atrahasis assembled the elders... II Seg. F 15 ...

Enlil Confronts Enki

II Seg. G 13 Enlil was filled with anger.

II Seg. G 14 “All of us, the great Anunnaki, II Seg. G 15 Took an oath together. II Seg. G 16 Anu and Adad kept watch above, II Seg. G 17 And I kept watch over the earth below. II Seg. G 18 Wherever Enki went, II Seg. G 19 He loosened the yoke and restored freedom. II Seg. G 20 He released the sea’s abundance for the people, II Seg. G 21 And placed... in the sun’s glare.”

II Seg. G 22 Enlil began to speak to Nusku, his minister:

II Seg. G 24 “Bring the two companions before me. II Seg. G 25 Let them enter my presence.”

II Seg. G 26 They brought the two companions to him. II Seg. G 27 The warrior Enlil addressed them:

II Seg. G 28 “All of us, the great Anunnaki, II Seg. G 29 Took an oath together. II Seg. G 30 Anu and Adad watched the upper regions, II Seg. G 31 And I watched the earth below. II Seg. G 31a You were to guard the sea’s bolt with your long-haired heroes. II Seg. G 32 But wherever you went, II Seg. G 33 You loosened the yoke and restored freedom. II Seg. G 34 You released the sea’s abundance for the people, II Seg. G 35 And placed... in the sun’s glare.”

... II Seg. G 35a They crossed the broad sea, II Seg. G 35b And delivered Enlil’s message to Ea.

The Escape of the Fish

II Seg. G 36 Ea began to speak to the messengers:

II Seg. G 38 “You ordered Adad to watch above. II Seg. G 39 ... watched the earth between. II Seg. G 40 I guarded the sea’s bolt with my long-haired heroes. II Seg. G 42 When... escaped me, II Seg. G 43 Tens of thousands of fish followed tens of thousands. II Seg. G 44 ... gathered them, but they disappeared. II Seg. G 45 They broke half of the bolt. II Seg. G 46 I killed the sea’s guards, II Seg. G 48 And imposed a penalty on them.” ...

II Seg. G 49a The messengers took Ea’s message, II Seg. G 49b Crossed the broad sea, II Seg. G 49c And repeated it to the warrior Enlil:

II Seg. G 49e “You ordered Anu and Adad to watch above. II Seg. G 49f Nergal watched the earth between. II Seg. G 49g I guarded the sea’s bolt with my long-haired heroes. II Seg. G 49j Tens of thousands of fish followed tens of thousands. II Seg. G 49l They broke half of the bolt. II Seg. G 49m I killed the sea’s guards, II Seg. G 49n And imposed a second penalty on them.”

The Oath of the Gods

II Seg. G 49q Enlil was furious. He addressed the assembly of the gods:

We all of us together took an oath! II Seg. G 49s “Come, all of us, let us swear an oath concerning the flood!”

II Seg. G 49t Anu swore first. II Seg. G 49u Enlil swore. II Seg. G 49u His sons took the oath with him.

II Seg. G 50 ...

II Seg. G 55 Adad... his rain. II Seg. G 56 Anu flew down from heaven. II Seg. G 57 The floodwater from the deep covered the plain. II Seg. G 58 The fields filled with grass, II Seg. G 59 To feed the people and sustain the land. II Seg. G 61 The people fed themselves on grain.

The Gods Dispute

II Seg. G 63 The god grew troubled as he sat. II Seg. G 64 Bitter laughter consumed him in the gods’ assembly. II Seg. G 65 Ea grew troubled as he sat. II Seg. G 66 Bitter laughter consumed him in the gods’ assembly. II Seg. G 67 He complained in his distress. II Seg. G 68 ...

II Seg. G 73 Enki and Enlil disputed:

II Seg. G 76 “Anu and Adad watched above. II Seg. G 77 I watched the earth below. II Seg. G 78 Wherever you went, you restored freedom, II Seg. G 80 And released abundance for the people.”

II Seg. G 82 Ea began to speak to the warrior Enlil:

II Seg. G 84 “Why did Anu and Adad keep watch, II Seg. G 85 And why did you watch the earth below? II Seg. G 86 Wherever I went, II Seg. G 87 I acted with authority from all of you. II Seg. G 88 The first keeper controlled tens of thousands of fish. II Seg. G 89 The second began a quarrel. II Seg. G 90 They broke the great bolt, II Seg. G 91 And the mass of fish escaped. II Seg. G 92 The keepers were Torrent and Sea. II Seg. G 93 I punished them and made the penalty pursue them.”

II Seg. G 94 Enlil began to speak to Ea: II Seg. G 96 “What you...” II Seg. G 97 ...

II Seg. H 1 “You imposed your heavy labor on humanity. II Seg. H 3 You gave people their noise. II Seg. H 4 You slaughtered a god with his understanding, II Seg. H 5 And sat down to bathe. II Seg. H 7 You agreed on an order... II Seg. H 8 Let that order return to its hiding place. II Seg. H 9 Let us bind the wise prince Enki by an oath.”

II Seg. H 11 but opened his mouth and addressed the gods his brothers:

II Seg. H 13 “Why would you bind me by an oath? II Seg. H 14 Am I to lay hands on my own people? II Seg. H 15 The flood that you mention to me — II Seg. H 16 what is it? I do not know. II Seg. H 17 Am I to produce a flood? II Seg. H 18 That is Enlil’s task.

II Seg. H 19 “Let him choose... II Seg. H 20 Let Shullat and Hanish go ahead. II Seg. H 22 Let Errakal tear up the mooring poles. II Seg. H 23 Let Ninurta go and open the dams. II Seg. H 24 Let the throne-bearer follow... II Seg. H 25 Let the waters overflow and the outlet widen. II Seg. H 26 ... below... II Seg. H 27 Inspect your weapons. I will... II Seg. H 28 By the new moon I will do this work. II Seg. H 29 Adad... II Seg. H 30 His voice... II Seg. H 31 I will do... II Seg. H 32 Atrahasis... II Seg. H 33 The work... II Seg. H 34 From his storehouse... II Seg. H 35 He will sit... II Seg. H 36 The gods...” ...

The Decision to Destroy Humanity

II Seg. I 2 Assemble... II Seg. I 3 Do not listen to evil... II Seg. I 4 The gods ordered total destruction.⁠c II Seg. I 5 Enlil carried out an evil deed against the people. II Seg. I 6 Atrahasis began to speak, II Seg. I 7 And addressed his lord.

Enki Warns Atrahasis

III i 1 Atrahasis opened his mouth and addressed his lord Enki:

III i 13 “Teach me the meaning of the dream, III i 14 ... that I may seek its outcome.”

III i 15 Enki opened his mouth III i 16 and addressed his servant:

III i 17 “You ask how you can learn in your bedroom. III i 18 Pay attention to the message that I send you. III i 20 Reed fence, reed fence! Brick wall, brick wall! Reed fence, hear! Brick wall, reflect! III i 22 Leave your house and build a boat!⁠a III i 23 Abandon your possessions, save your life! III i 25 The boat that you build — III i 26 Let its ... Be equal ...” III i 27 ... III i 28 ... a circle...

W 6′ “Enter the boat and close its door. W 7′ Put your grain, possessions, and property inside it, W 8′ Your wife, family, relatives, and the craftsmen, W 9′ The cattle of the field, the beasts of the field, All that feed on grass, W 10′ I will send you... and they will guard your door.”

The Plan of the Boat

W 11′ Atrahasis opened his mouth, and spoke. W 12′ He said to Ea, his lord:

W 13′ “I have never built a boat. W 14′ Draw a plan on the ground! W 15′ Let me see the plan, and I will build the boat.” W 16′ ... on the ground he drew. W 17′ ... which you have commanded.

“The boat that you build, III i 29 roof it over like the deep. III i 30 Let no sun see inside. III i 31 Let it be roofed above and below. III i 32 The gear should be very strong, III i 33 the pitch should be thick, to give strength. III i 34 I will shower down on you later III i 35 a windfall of birds, a rush of fishes.”

III i 36 He opened the water-clock and filled it. III i 37 He told him of the coming flood, And its seven nights.

Atrahasis Addresses the Elders

III i 38 Atrahasis received the command. III i 39 He assembled the elders at his gate. III i 40 Atrahasis opened his mouth III i 41 and addressed the elders:

III i 42 “My god does not agree with your god. III i 43 Enki and Enlil are angry with each other. III i 44 They have driven me from my house. III i 45 Since I have always worshiped Enki, III i 46 he told me this. III i 47 I cannot live in... III i 48 I cannot set my foot on the earth of Enlil. ...

III i 49 “I will go down to the Apsu with my god. III i 50 This is what my god Enki told me.” ...

Building and Boarding the Boat

III ii 10 The elders... III ii 11 The carpenter brought his axe, III ii 12 And the reed-worker brought his stone. III ii 13 The rich brought bitumen, III ii 14 And the poor brought what was needed. III ii 15 ... III ii 18 Atrahasis... III ii 19 ...

III ii 30 Everything he had... III ii 31 Everything he had... III ii 32 He slaughtered clean cattle, III ii 33 And killed fat sheep.⁠b

III ii 34 He selected what to bring aboard. III ii 35 The birds that fly in the sky, III ii 36 The cattle... III ii 37 The wild creatures of the open country, III ii 38 And the craftsmen, he brought aboard. III ii 39 ... the month...

III ii 40 He invited his people to a feast...⁠c III ii 42 his family he brought aboard. III ii 43 They were eating. They were drinking. III ii 45 But he himself went in and out — III ii 46 could not sit down, could not crouch — III ii 47 For his heart was broken and he was retching bile.

The Storm Begins

III ii 48 The face of the weather changed. III ii 49 Adad bellowed from the clouds.

III ii 50 When Atrahasis heard the voice of Adad,⁠d III ii 51 pitch was brought to him and he sealed his door. III ii 52 While he was sealing his door, III ii 53 Adad was bellowing from the clouds. III ii 54 The winds raged as he went up III ii 55 and cut the mooring rope, setting the boat free.

III iii 1 ... III iii 5 The storm... for one day, III iii 6 ... were yoked together. III iii 7 Anzu tore the sky with his claws, III iii 9 ... the land. III iii 10 Its roar shattered like a pot.

The Flood

III iii 11 The flood emerged. III iii 12 Its power came on the peoples like a battle. III iii 13 One person could not see another. III iii 14 They could not recognize each other in the destruction. III iii 15 The flood bellowed like a bull. III iii 16 The wind howled like a screaming eagle. III iii 18 The darkness was thick. There was no sun.

The Fear of the Gods

III iii 19 ... the people became like flies. III iii 20 The gods feared the flood’s roar. III iii 21 They sought shelter in heaven, III iii 22 And sat outside. III iii 23 Anu feared the roar of the flood. III iii 24 Terror gripped the gods. III iii 25 Anu lost his composure, III iii 26 For his divine children were crowding around him.

III iii 28 Nintu, the great lady, III iii 29 Was overcome with fear, her lips... III iii 30 The great Anunnaki gods III iii 31 Sat hungry and thirsty.

III iii 32 The goddess watched and wept, III iii 33 Mami, the wise midwife of the gods:

The Grief of Nintu

III iii 34 “Let the day become dark, III iii 35 And return to gloom! III iii 36 How did I, in the assembly of the gods, Agree with them to total destruction? III iii 39 Did Enlil force me to speak? III iii 41 Did he confuse my words like Tiruru? III iii 42 To my own loss and to my own sorrow, III iii 43 I have heard their cries. III iii 44 The children I bore have become like flies, Beyond my power to help them. III iii 46 How can I remain in this house of mourning, With my voice silenced? III iii 48 Should I go up to heaven, And live in a house with provisions? III iii 51 Where has Anu gone, the one who makes decisions, III iii 52 Whose divine children obeyed his command? III iii 53 Without reflection they brought on the flood, III iii 54 And consigned the people to destruction.” ...

III iv 4 Nintu wailed:

III iv 5 “If only the father had given birth to my people! III iv 6 Like dragonflies filling a river, III iv 7 They have filled the sea. III iv 8 Like rafts they lie beside the riverside meadow, III iv 9 Like overturned rafts against the bank. III iv 10 I saw them and wept over them, III iv 11 And exhausted my tears for them.”

III iv 12 She wept and poured out her grief. III iv 14 Nintu wailed until her strength was spent. III iv 15 The gods wept with her for the land. III iv 16 She was filled with sorrow and thirsty for beer.

III iv 18 Where she sat weeping, they sat too. III iv 19 Like sheep they filled the watercourse. III iv 21 Their lips were tormented by thirst, III iv 23 And their bodies by hunger.

III iv 24 For seven days and seven nights⁠e the flood came, the storm, the deluge. III iv 26 Where... III iv 27 ... was thrown down. ...

The Offering

III v 30 To the four winds... He offered a sacrifice,⁠f III v 32 And provided food... III v 34 The gods smelled the aroma. III v 35 The gods gathered like flies around the offering.

III v 36 When they had eaten the offering, Nintu stood up and reproached them all:

III v 39 “Where has Anu gone, the one who makes decisions? III v 41 Has Enlil approached the incense? III v 42 Without reflection they brought on the flood, III v 43 And consigned the people to destruction. III v 44 You decided to destroy them completely. III v 45 Their bright faces have turned dark.”

III v 46 She approached the great fly ornaments III v 47 That Anu had hung before her:

III v 48 “Their sorrow is mine. III v 49 Let it be my destiny... III v 50 Let me be brought out of my misery, III v 51 And let a way be opened for me. III v 52 Let me go out... III vi 1 ...

III vi 2 “Let these flies be lapis lazuli around my neck.⁠g III vi 4 I will remember it every day, forever.”

Enlil Confronts the Gods

When at last Enlil arrived III vi 5 and saw the boat, Enlil was filled with fury. He was seized with rage against the gods:

III vi 7 “All of us, the great Anunnaki, III vi 8 Took an oath together. III vi 9 Where did life escape? III vi 10 How did a human survive the destruction?”

III vi 11 Anu opened his mouth III vi 12 and addressed the warrior Enlil:

III vi 13 “Who but Enki could do such a thing? III vi 15 He revealed the command.”

III vi 16 Enki opened his mouth III vi 17 and addressed the warrior Enlil:

III vi 18 “I did it openly, before all of you! III vi 19 I made sure that life was preserved. III vi 20 You are the wisest of the gods, the warrior. III vi 21 How could you send the flood without reflection? III vi 23 Ease your heart... III vi 24 Be firm, and show restraint. III vi 25 Direct your punishment at the wrongdoer. III vi 26 Who can disregard your command? III vi 27 Let the assembly...”

III vi 28 ...

III vi 40 “My heart has found relief.”

Death and Limits on Birth

III vi 41 Enlil began to speak, III vi 42 And addressed Enki, the prince:

III vi 43 “Come, summon Nintu, the birth-goddess. III vi 44 Confer with her in the assembly.”

III vi 45 Enki began to speak, III vi 46 And addressed Nintu, the birth-goddess:

III vi 47 “You, birth-goddess, creator of destinies — III vi 48 establish death for the peoples.

III vii 1 “Let there also be a third kind among the people. III vii 2 Let there be among the peoples the woman who does not bear. III vii 3 Let there be the Pasittu-demon III vii 4 who snatches the baby from the mother’s lap. III vii 6 Establish ugbabtu-priestesses, entu-priestesses, III vii 7 And egisitu-priestesses, III vii 8 let them be taboo, III vii 9 and so cut off childbearing.”

III vii 10 ... the cloistered woman, III vii 11 ... the consecrated woman. III vii 12 ...

Praise of Enki

III viii 9 “How we brought on the flood, III viii 10 Yet a human survived the destruction! III viii 11 You, counselor of the gods, III viii 12 At your command I brought conflict into being. III viii 14 For your praise I sing this song. III viii 16 Let the Igigi hear it, III viii 17 And proclaim your greatness. III viii 18 I have sung of the flood to all people. III viii 19 Listen!”