1When in the height heaven was not named,[1]
And the earth beneath did not yet bear a name,
And the primeval Apsu, who fathered them,
And chaos, Tiamat, 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 the gods were created in the midst of [heaven],
Lahmu and Lahamu were formed and came into being.
While they grew and increased in stature
Anshar and Kishar, who excelled them, were created.
They prolonged their days, they multiplied their years.
Anu, their son, could rival his fathers.
Anu, the son, equalled Anshar,
And Anu fathered Nudimmud, his own equal.
Nudimmud was the champion among his fathers:
Profoundly discerning, wise, of robust strength;
Very much stronger than his father’s begetter, Anshar
He had no rival among the gods, his brothers.
The divine brothers came together,
Their clamour got loud, throwing Tiamat into a turmoil.
They jarred the nerves of Tiamat,
And by their dancing they spread alarm in Anduruna.
Apsu did not diminish their clamour,
And Tiamat was silent when confronted with them.
Their conduct was displeasing to her,
Yet though their behaviour was not good, she wished to spare them.
Then Apsu, the begetter of the great gods,
Cried to Mummu, his minister, and said to him:
“O Mummu, you minister who rejoices my spirit,
Come, to Tiamat 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 spoke],
And to Tiamat, the glistening one, he addressed [the word]:
“Their behaviour has become displeasing to me
By day I cannot rest, by night [I cannot lie down (in peace)].
I will destroy and break up their way of life
Let there be lamentation, and let us lie down (again in peace).”
When Tiamat [heard] these words,
She raged and cried out to her spouse,
She cried in distress, fuming within herself,
She uttered a curse, and to [Apsu she spoke]:
“What then shall we [do]?
Let their way be made difficult, and let us [lie down (again) in peace].”
Mummu answered, and gave counsel to Apsu,
(As from) a rebellious vizier was the counsel of his Mummu—
“Come, their way is strong, but you shall destroy [it];
Then by day you shall have rest, by night you shall lie down (in peace).”
Apsu [listened to] him and his face grew bright,
[Since] he (i.e. Mummu) planned evil against the gods his sons.
Mummu put his arms around Apsu’s neck,
His knees [became weak(?)], they gave way beneath him,
What they plotted in their gathering
Was reported to the gods, their sons.
The gods heard it and were frantic.
They were overcome with silence and sat quietly.
Ea, who excels in knowledge, the skilled and learned,
Ea, who knows everything, perceived their tricks.
He fashioned it and made it to be all-embracing,
He executed it skilfully as supreme—his pure incantation.
He recited it and set it on the waters,
He poured sleep upon him as he was slumbering deeply.
He put Apsu to slumber as he poured out sleep,
And Mummu, the counsellor, was breathless with agitation.
He split (Apsu’s) sinews, ripped off his crown,
Carried away his aura and put it on himself.
He bound Apsu and killed him;
Mummu he confined and handled roughly.
He set his dwelling upon Apsu,
And laid hold on Mummu, keeping the nose-rope in his hand.
After Ea had bound and slain his enemies,
Had achieved victory over his foes,
He rested quietly in his chamber,
He called it Apsu, whose shrines he appointed.
Then he founded his living-quarters within it,
And Ea and Damkina, his wife, sat in splendour.
In the chamber of the destinies, the room of the archetypes,
The wisest of the wise, the sage of the gods, Bel was conceived.
In Apsu was Marduk born,
In pure Apsu was Marduk born.
Ea his father fathered him,
Damkina his mother bore him.
He sucked the breasts of goddesses,
A nurse reared him and filled him with terror.
His figure was well developed, the glance of his eyes was dazzling,
His growth was manly, he was mighty from the beginning.
Anu, his father’s begetter, saw him,
He exulted and smiled; his heart filled with joy.
Anu rendered him perfect: his divinity was remarkable,
And he became very lofty, excelling them in his attributes.
His members were incomprehensibly wonderful, and his eyes likewise took in everything.
Incapable of being grasped with the mind, hard even to look on.
Four were his eyes, four his ears,
Flame shot forth as he moved his lips.
His four ears grew large,
[…]
His figure was lofty and superior in comparison with the gods,
His limbs were surpassing, his nature was superior.
“Mari-utu, Mari-utu,
The Son, the Sun-god, the Sun-god of the gods.”[2]
He was clothed with the aura of the Ten Gods, so exalted was his strength,
The Fifty Dreads were loaded upon him.
Anu formed and gave birth to the four winds,
He delivered them to him, “My son, let them whirl!”
He formed dust and set a hurricane to drive it,
He made a wave to bring consternation on Tiamat.
Tiamat was confounded; day and night she was frantic.
The gods took no rest, they […]
In their minds they plotted evil,
And addressed their mother Tiamat,
“When Apsu, your spouse, was killed,
You did not go at his side, but sat quietly.
The four dreadful winds have been fashioned
To throw you into confusion, and we cannot sleep.
You gave no thought to Apsu, your spouse,
Nor to Mummu, who is a prisoner. Now you sit alone.
From now on you will be in frantic consternation!
And as for us, who cannot rest, you do not love us!
Consider our burden, our eyes are hollow.
Break the immovable yoke that we may sleep.
Make battle, avenge them!
[…] to the tempest you shall […]!”
Tiamat heard, the speech pleased her,
(She said,) “Let us make demons, [as you] have advised.”
The gods assembled within her.
They conceived [evil] against the gods their begetters.
[They banded themselves together and] at the side of Tiamat [they] advanced;
Fiercely plotting, unresting by night and day,
[They prepared for battle], fuming and raging;
[They joined their forces] and made war.
[Mother Hubu]r, 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.[3]
Fierce [monster-vipers] she clothed with terror,
[With splendour] she decked them, [she made them] of lofty stature.[4]
[Whoever saw] 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 (monsters).
Among the gods who were her sons, inasmuch as he had given [her support],
She exalted Qingu; in their midst [she raised] him [to power].
To march before the forces, to lead [the host],[5]
To give the battle-signal, to advance to the attack,
To direct the battle, to control the fight,
To him she entrusted; in [costly clothing] she made him sit, (saying):
“I have uttered your spell, in the assembly of the gods I have raised you to power.
The dominion over all the gods [I have entrusted to you].
Be exalted, you my chosen spouse,
Let your commands prevail over all the Anunnaki.”
She gave him the Tablets of Destiny, on [his] breast she laid them, (saying):
“Your command shall not be without avail, and [the word of your mouth shall be established].”
Now Qingu, (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;
Whoever is exalted in the battle, let him [display (his) might]!”
2Tiamat made weighty her handiwork,
[Evil] she worked against the gods her children.
[To avenge] Apsu, Tiamat planned evil,
It became known to Ea that she had arranged the conflict.
Ea [listened to] this thing, and
He was [grievous]ly afflicted and he sat in sorrow.
[The days] went by, and his anger was appeased,
And to [the place of] Anshar his father he took [his way].
[He went] and standing before Anshar, the father who fathered him,
[All that] Tiamat had plotted he repeated to him,
[Saying, “Ti]amat our mother has conceived a hatred for us,
With all her force she rages, full of wrath.
All the gods have turned to her,
[With] those whom you 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.
Mother Hubur, who formed all things,
Has made in addition weapons invincible, she has spawned monster-serpents,
Sharp of tooth, and merciless of fang.
With poison instead of blood she has filled their bodies.
Fierce monster-vipers she has clothed with terror,
With splendour she has decked them, she has made them of lofty stature.
Whoever sees them is overcome by terror,
Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack.
She has 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, she has made eleven (monsters).
Among the gods who are her sons, inasmuch as he has given her support,
She has exalted Qingu; in their midst she has 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,
To him [she has entrusted]; in costly clothing she has made him sit, (saying):
‘[I have uttered] your [spell], in the assembly of the gods I have raised you to power,
[The dominion over all] the gods I have entrusted [to you].
You are indeed exalted, my spouse, you are renowned,
Let your commands prevail over all the Anunnaki.’
She gave him the Tablet of Destinies and fastened it to his breast,
‘[Your command shall not be without avail], and the [word] of your mouth shall be established.’
[Now Qingu, (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;
[Whoever is exalted in the battle], let him display (his) might!’”
[When Anshar heard how Tiamat] was mightily in revolt,
He cried “Woe!” and bit his lip.
His heart was in fury, his mind could not be calmed.
Over Ea his son his cry was faltering.
“My son, you who provoked the war,
Take responsibility for whatever you alone have done!
[Mummu and] Apsu you have struck,
[But Tiamat has exalted Qin]gu, and where is one who can oppose her?”
The gatherer of counsel, the learned prince,
The creator of wisdom, the god Nudimmud
With soothing words and calming utterance
Gently answered [his] father Anshar
“My father, deep mind, who decrees destiny,
Who has the power to bring into being and destroy,
Anshar, deep mind, who decrees destiny,
Who has the power to bring into being and to destroy,
I want to say something to you, calm down for me for a moment
And consider that I performed a helpful deed.
Before I killed Apsu
Who could have seen the present situation?
Before I quickly made an end of him
What were the circumstances were I to destroy him?”
Anshar heard, the words pleased him.
His heart relaxed to speak to Ea,
“My son, your deeds are fitting for a god,
You are capable of a fierce, unequalled blow […]
Ea, your deeds are fitting for a god,
You are capable of a fierce, unequalled blow […]
Go before Tiamat and appease her attack,
[…] her fury with [your] incantation.”
He heard the speech of Anshar his father,
He took the road to her, proceeded on the route to her.
He went, he perceived the tricks of Tiamat,
[He stopped], fell silent, and turned back.
[He] entered the presence of august Anshar
Penitently addressing him,
“[My father], Tiamat’s deeds are too much for me.
I perceived her planning, and [my] incantation was not equal (to it).
Her strength is mighty, she is full of dread,
She is altogether very strong, none can go against her.
Her very loud cry did not diminish,
[I became afraid] of her cry and turned back.
[My father], do not lose hope, send a second person against her.
Though a woman’s strength is very great, it is not equal to a man’s.
Disband her cohorts, break up her plans
Before she lays her hands on us.”
Anshar cried out in intense fury,
[Anshar to] his son addressed [the word]:
“Honoured son, hero, warrior,
[Whose] strength [is great] and whose onslaught cannot be withstood,
[Go] and stand before Tiamat,
[That] her spirit [may be appeased], that her heart may be merciful.
[But if] she will not listen to your word,
Our [word] you shall speak to her, that she may be pacified.”
[He heard the] word of his father Anshar
And [he directed] his path to her, towards her he took the way.
Anu [drew near], he saw the muttering of Tiamat,
[But he could not withstand her], and he turned back.
He entered the presence of Anshar the father who fathered him,
Penitently addressing him.
“My father, Tiamat’s [deeds] are too much for me.
I perceived her planning, but my [incantation] was not [equal] (to it).
Her strength is mighty, she is [full] of dread,
She is altogether very strong, no one [can go against her].
Her very loud noise does not diminish,
I became afraid of her cry and turned back.
My father, do not lose hope, send another person against her.
Though a woman’s strength is very great, it is not equal to a man’s.
Disband her cohorts, break up her plans,
Before she lays her hands on us.”
Anshar lapsed into silence, staring at the ground,
He nodded to Ea, shaking his head.
The Igigi and all the Anunnaki had assembled,
They sat in tight-lipped silence.
No god would go to face […]
Would go out against Tiamat […]
Yet the lord Anshar, the father of the great gods,
Was angry in his heart, and did not summon any one.
A mighty son, the avenger of his father,
He who hastens to war, the warrior Marduk
Ea summoned (him) to his private chamber
To explain to him his plans.
“Marduk, give counsel, listen to your father.
You are my son, who makes merciful his heart.
Go reverently before Anshar,
Speak, take your stand, appease him with your glance.”
And the lord rejoiced at the word of his father,
And he drew near and stood before Anshar.
Anshar saw him and his heart was filled with joy,
He kissed him on the lips and his fear departed from him.
“[O my father], do not let the word of your lips be overcome,
Let me go, that I may accomplish all that is in your heart.
[O Anshar], do not let the word of your lips be overcome,
[Let me] go, that I may accomplish all that is in your heart.”
“What man is it who has brought you forth to battle?
And will Tiamat, who is a woman, attack you with (her) weapons?”
[“My father], begetter, rejoice and be glad,
The neck of Tiamat you shall swiftly trample under foot.
[Anshar], begetter, rejoice and be glad,
[The neck] of Tiamat you shall swiftly trample under foot.”
“O my [son], who knows all wisdom,
Pacify [Tiama]t with your pure incantation.
Speedily set out upon your way,
For [your blood (?)] shall not be poured out, you shall return again.”
The lord rejoiced at the word of his father,
His heart exulted, and to his father he spoke:
“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 Ubshu-ukkinna seat yourselves joyfully together,
With my word in place of you I will decree fate.
May whatever I do remain unaltered,
May the word of my lips never be changed nor made of no avail.”
3Anshar opened his mouth, and
[To Kakka], his [minister], spoke the word:
“[O Kakka, you minis]ter who rejoices my spirit,
[To Lahmu and Lah]amu I will send you.
You are skilled in making inquiry, learned in address.
Have the gods, my fathers, brought to my presence.
Let all the gods be brought,
[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,] Kakka, stand before them,
[And all that] I tell you, repeat to them, (and say):
‘[Anshar], your son, has sent me,
[The purpose] of his heart he has made known to me.
[He says that Tia]mat our mother has conceived a hatred for us,
[With all] her force she rages, full of wrath.
All the gods have turned to her,
With those whom you 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.
Mother Hubur, who formed all things,
Has made in addition weapons invincible, she has spawned monster-serpents,
Sharp of tooth and merciless of fang.
With poison instead of blood she has filled their bodies.
Fierce monster-vipers she has clothed with terror,
With splendour she has decked them, she has made them of lofty stature.
Whoever sees them, terror overcomes him,
Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack.
She has 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, she has made eleven (monsters).
Among the gods who are her sons, inasmuch as he has given her [support],
She has exalted Qingu; in their midst she has 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],
To him [she has entrusted; in costly clothing] she has made him sit, (saying):
“[I have] uttered your spell, in the assembly of the gods [I have raised you to power],
[The] dominion over all the gods [I have entrusted to you].
[Be] exalted, [you] my chosen spouse,
May they magnify your name over all of [them … the Anunnaki].”
She has given him the Tablets of Destiny, on his breast she laid them, (saying):
“Your command shall not be without avail, and the word of [your] mouth shall be established.”
Now Qingu, (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;
Whoever 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 has set out, the director of the gods, your son;
To set out against Tiamat his heart has prompted (him).
He opened his mouth and spoke to me, (saying):
“If I, your avenger,
Conquer Tiamat and give you life,
Appoint an assembly, make my fate preeminent and proclaim it.
In Ubshu-ukkinna seat yourselves joyfully together;
With my word in place of you I will decree fate.
May whatever 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!’”
Kakka 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 spoke to them, (saying):
“Anshar, your son, has sent me,
The purpose of his heart he has made known to me.
He says that Tiamat our mother has conceived a hatred for us,
With all her force she rages, full of wrath.
All the gods have turned to her,
With those whom you 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.
Mother Hubur, who formed all things,
Has made in addition weapons invincible, she has spawned monster-serpents,
Sharp of tooth and merciless of fang.
With poison instead of blood she has filled their bodies.
Fierce monster-vipers she has clothed with terror,
With splendour she has decked them, she has made them of lofty stature.
Whoever sees them, terror overcomes him,
Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack.
She has 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, she has made eleven (monsters).
Among the gods who are her sons, inasmuch as he has given her support,
She has exalted Qingu; in their midst she has 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,
To him she has entrusted; in costly clothing she has made him sit, (saying):
‘I have uttered your spell, in the assembly of the gods I have raised you to power,
The dominion over all the gods I have entrusted to you.
Be exalted, you my chosen spouse,
May they magnify your name over all of them … the Anunna[ki].’
She has given him the Tablets of Destiny, on [his] breast [she laid them], (saying):
‘Your command shall not be without avail, [and the word of your mouth shall be established].’
Now Qingu, (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;
Whoever 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 has set out, the director of the [gods, your son];
To set out against Tiamat [his heart has prompted (him)].
He opened his mouth [and spoke to me], (saying):
‘If I, [your avenger],
Conquer Tiamat and [give you life],
Appoint an assembly, [make my fate preeminent and proclaim it].
In Ubshu-ukkinna [seat yourselves joyfully together];
With my word in place of [you I will decree fate].
May whatever [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 wailed bitterly, (saying):
“What has gone wrong that she took this decision about us?
We do not understand the d[eed] of Tiamat!”
Then they collected and went,
The great gods, all of them, who decree [fate].
They entered the presence of Anshar and became filled with [joy],
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].
They strained the sweet liquor through their straws,
They were drunk with drinking, their bodies were filled.
They were wholly at ease, their spirit was exalted;
Then for Marduk, their avenger, they decreed the fate.
4They set a lordly dais for him[6]
And he took his seat before his fathers to receive kingship.
“You are chief among the great gods,
Your fate is unequalled, your word is Anu!
O Marduk, you are chief among the great gods,
Your fate is unequalled, your word is Anu!
From now on your command shall not be without avail,
In your power it shall be to exalt and to abase.
Established shall be the word of your mouth, irresistible shall be your command;
None among the gods shall transgress your boundary.
Abundance, the desire of the shrines of the gods,
Shall be established in your sanctuary, even though they lack (offerings).
O Marduk, you are our avenger!
We give you sovereignty over the whole world.
Sit down in might, be exalted in your command.
Your weapon shall never lose its power, it shall crush your foe.
O lord, spare the life of him who puts his trust in you,
But as for the god who began the rebellion, pour out his life.”
They set a constellation in the middle[7]
And addressed Marduk, their son,
“Your destiny, Bel, is superior to that of all the gods,
Command and bring about annihilation and re-creation.
Let the constellation disappear at your utterance,
With a second command let the constellation reappear.”
He gave the command and the constellation disappeared,
With a second command the constellation came into being again.
When the gods, his fathers, saw (the fulfilment of) his word,
They rejoiced, and they did homage (to him, saying), “Marduk is king!”
They bestowed upon him the sceptre, and the throne, and the ring,
They give him an invincible weapon, which overwhelms 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,[8]
They caused him to set out on a path of prosperity and success.
He made ready the bow, he chose his weapon,
He set an arrow in place, put the bow string on.
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 unequalled for terror,
He harnessed and yoked to it four horses,[9]
Destructive, ferocious, overwhelming, and swift of pace;
Their lips were parted, their teeth bore venom,
They were strangers to weariness, trained to sweep forward.
At his right hand he stationed raging battle and strife,
On the left, conflict that overwhelms a united battle array.
He was clad in a tunic, a fearful coat of mail,
With overpowering brightness his head was crowned.
Then he set out, he took his way,
And towards the [rag]ing Tiamat he set his face.
In his lips he held a spell,
He grasped a plant to counter poison in his hand,
Then they saw him, the gods saw him,
The gods his fathers saw him, the gods saw him.
And the lord drew near, he gazed upon the inward parts of Tiamat,
He perceived the muttering of Qingu, her spouse.
As (Marduk) gazed, (Qingu) was troubled in his gait,
His will was destroyed and his motions ceased.
And the gods, his helpers, who marched by his side,
Saw the warrior, the foremost, and their vision became dim.
Tiamat cast her spell without turning her neck,
With lips that did not fail she uttered rebellious words:
“[…] your coming as lord of the gods,
From their places they have gathered, in your place are they!”
Then the lord [raised] the thunderbolt, his mighty weapon,
[And against] Tiamat, who was raging, thus he sent (the word):
“[You] have become great, you have exalted yourself on high,
And your [heart has prompted] you to call to battle.
The younger generation have shouted, outraging their elders,
But you, their mother, hold pity in contempt.
[You have exalted Qing]u to be [your] spouse,
And you have improperly appointed him to the rank of Anuship.
Against Anshar, king of the gods, you have stirred up trouble,
And [against] the gods my fathers you have contrived your wicked plan.
Let then your host be equipped, let your weapons be fastened on!
Stand! I and you, let us join battle!”
When Tiamat heard these words,
She was like one possessed, she lost her reason.
Tiamat uttered wild, piercing cries,
She trembled and shook to her very foundations.[10]
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 counsellor of the gods;
To the fight they came on, to the battle they drew near.
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.
Hiding in corners, filled with 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,
The throng of devils who went as grooms at her right hand,
He put ropes upon them and bound their arms,
Them and their opposition he trampled under his feet.
Moreover, Qingu, 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 Anshar’s triumph over the enemy,
And had attained the purpose of Nudimmud,[11]
Over the captive gods he strengthened his custody,
And to Tiamat, whom he had conquered, he returned.
And the lord stood upon Tiamat’s hindquarters,
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 saw, and they rejoiced and were glad;
Presents and gifts they brought to him.
Then the lord rested, gazing upon her dead body,
In order to divide the lump by a clever scheme.
He split her up like a flat fish into two halves;
One half of her he set up and stretched out as the heavens.
He stretched the skin and appointed a watch
And ordered them not to let her waters come forth.
He passed through the heavens, he surveyed the regions (of it),
And opposite the Deep he set the dwelling of Nudimmud.
And the lord measured the structure of the Deep,
And he founded Esharra, a mansion like it.
The mansion Esharra which he created as heaven,
He caused Anu, Enlil, and Ea in their districts to inhabit.
5He (i.e. Marduk) made the stations for the great gods;[12]
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 organized the year,
He founded the station of Neberu to determine their bounds;
That none might err or go astray,
He set the station of Enlil 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 of it 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 you shine upon the land,
You command the horns to determine six days,
And on the seventh day to [divide] the crown.
On the fifteenth day, halfway through each month, stand in opposition.
When Shamash [sees] you on the horizon,
Diminish in the proper stages and shine backwards.
On the 29th day, draw near to the path of Shamash,
[And on the … day] you shall stand opposite, and the Sun-god shall … […]
[…] to traverse her way.
[…] you shall cause to draw near, and you shall judge the right.
[…] Shamash, constrain [murder] and violence,
[…] me.
[…]
[…]
[…]
[…]
[…]
[…]
[…]
[…]
At the end […]
Let there [be] the 29th day […]
After [he had … ] the decrees […]
The organization of front and […]
He made the day […]
Let the year be equally […]
At the new year […]
The year […]
Let there be regularly […]
The projecting bolt […]
After he had […]
The watches of night and day […]
The foam which Tiamat […]
Marduk fashioned […]
He gathered it together and made it into clouds.
The raging of the winds, violent rainstorms,
The billowing of mist—the accumulation of her spittle—
He appointed for himself and took them in his hand.
He put her head in position and poured out […]
He opened the abyss and it was sated with water.
From her two eyes he let the Euphrates and Tigris flow,
He blocked her nostrils, but left […]
He heaped up the distant [mountains] on her breasts,
He bored wells to channel the springs.
He twisted her tail and wove it into the Durmahu,
[…] the Apsu beneath his feet.
[He set up] her crotch—it wedged up the heavens—
[(Thus) the half of her] he stretched out and made it firm as the earth.
[After] he had finished his work inside Tiamat,
[He spread] his net and let it right out.
He surveyed the heavens and the earth […]
[…] their bonds […]
After he had formulated his regulations and composed [his] decrees,
He attached guide-ropes and put them in Ea’s hands.
[The Tablet] of Destinies which Qingu had taken and carried,
He took charge of it as a trophy (?) and presented it to Anu.
[The … of battle, which he had tied on or had put on his head,
[…] he brought before his fathers.
[Now] the eleven creatures to which Tiamat had given birth and […],
He broke their weapons and bound them (the creatures) to his feet.
He made images of them and stationed them at the [Gate] of the Apsu,
To be a sign never to be forgotten.
[The gods] saw it and were jubilantly happy,
(That is,) Lahmu, Lahamu and all his fathers.
Anshar [embraced] him and published abroad his title, “Victorious King,”
Anu, Enlil and Ea gave him gifts.
Mother Damkina, who bore him, hailed him,
With a clean festal robe she made his face shine.
To Usmu, who held her present to give the news,
[He entrusted] the vizierate of the Apsu and the care of the holy places.
The Igigi assembled and all did obeisance to him,
Every one of the Anunnaki was kissing his feet.
They all [gathered] to show their submission,
[…] they stood, they bowed down, “Behold the king!”
His fathers […] and took their fill of his beauty,
Bel listened to their utterance, being clothed in the dust of battle.
[…]
Anointing his body with […] cedar perfume.
He clothed himself in [his] lordly robe,
With a crown of terror as a royal aura.
He took up his club and held it in his right hand,
[…] he grasped in his left.
[…]
[…] he set his feet.
He put upon […]
The sceptre of prosperity and success [he hung] at his side.
After he had […] the aura […]
He adorned(?) his sack, the Apsu, with a fearful […]
Was settled like […]
In [his] throne room […]
In his cella […]
Every one of the gods […]
Lahmu and Lahamu […]
Opened their mouths and [addressed] the Igigi gods,
“Previously Marduk was our beloved son,
Now he is your king, heed his command!”
Next, they all spoke up together,
“His name is Lugaldimmerankia, trust in him!”
When they had given kingship to Marduk,
They addressed to him a benediction for prosperity and success,
“From now on you are the caretaker of our shrine,
Whatever you command, we will do!”
Marduk opened his mouth to speak
And addressed the gods his fathers,
“Above the Apsu, the emerald (?) abode,
Opposite Esharra, which I built for you,
Beneath the celestial parts, whose floor I made firm,
I will build a house to be my luxurious abode.
Within it I will establish its shrine,
I will found my chamber and establish my kingship.
When you come up from the Apsu to make a decision
This will be your resting place before the assembly.
When you descend from heaven to make a decision
This will be your resting place before the assembly.
I shall call its name ‘Babylon’, ‘The Homes of the Great Gods’,
Within it we will hold a festival: that will be the evening festival.”
[The gods], his fathers, [heard] this speech of his,
[…] they said,
“With regard to all that your hands have made,
Who has your […]?
With regard to the earth that your hands have made,
Who has your […]?
In Babylon, as you have named it,
Put our [resting place] for ever.
[…] let them bring our regular offerings
[…]
Whoever […] our tasks which we […]
In it […] its toil […]
[…]
They rejoiced […]
The gods […]
He who knows […] them
He opened [his mouth showing] them light,
[…] his speech […]
He made wide […] them […]
[…]
The gods bowed down, speaking to him,
They addressed Lugaldimmerankia, their lord,
“Formerly, lord, [you were our beloved] son,
Now you are our king, […]
He who […] preserved [us]
[…] the aura of club and sceptre.
Let him conceive plans […]
[…]
6When Marduk heard the word of the gods,
His heart prompted him and he devised [a cunning plan].
He opened his mouth and to Ea [he spoke],
[That which] he had conceived in his heart he imparted [to him]:
“My blood I will take and bone I will [fashion],
I will bring into being Lullu, whose name shall be ‘man’.
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];
Though they are honoured as one, they shall be divided into two.”
And Ea answered him and spoke the word:
Expressing his comments on the resting of the gods,
“Let one brother of theirs be given up.
Let him perish that people may be fashioned.
Let the great gods assemble
And let the guilty one be given up that they may be confirmed.”
Marduk assembled the great gods,
Using gracious direction as he gave his order,
As he spoke the gods heeded him:
The king addressed a word to the Anunnaki,
“Your former oath was true indeed,
Now also tell me the solemn truth:
Who is the one who instigated warfare,
Who made Tiamat rebel, and set battle in motion?
Let him who instigated warfare be given up
That I may lay his punishment on him; but you sit and rest.”
The Igigi, the great gods, answered him,
That is, Lugaldimmerankia, the counsellor of the gods, the lord,
“Qingu is the one who instigated warfare,
Who made Tiamat rebel and set battle in motion.”
They bound him, holding him before Ea,
They inflicted the penalty on him and severed his blood-vessels.
From his blood Ea created mankind,
On whom he imposed the service of the gods, and set the gods free.
After the wise Ea had created mankind
And had imposed the service of the gods upon them—
That task is beyond comprehension
For Nudimmud performed the creation with the skill of Marduk—
King Marduk divided the gods,
All the Anunnaki into upper and lower groups.
He assigned 300 in the heavens to guard the decrees of Anu
And appointed them as a guard.
Next he arranged the organization of the netherworld.
In heaven and netherworld he stationed 600 gods.
After he had arranged all the decrees,
And had distributed incomes among the Anunnaki of heaven and netherworld,
The Anunnaki opened their mouths
And addressed their lord Marduk,
“Now, lord, seeing you have established our freedom[13]
What favour can we do for you?
Let us make a shrine of great renown:
Your chamber will be our resting place in which we may repose.
Let us erect a shrine to house a pedestal
In which we may repose when we finish (the work).”
When Marduk heard this,
He beamed as brightly as the light of day,
“Build Babylon, the task you have sought.
Let bricks for it be moulded, and raise the shrine!”
The Anunnaki wielded the pick.
For one year they made the needed bricks.
When the second year arrived,
They raised the peak of Esagila, a replica of the Apsu.
They built the lofty temple tower of the Apsu
And for Anu, Enlil, and Ea they established its […] as a dwelling.
He sat in splendour before them,
Surveying its horns, which were level with the base of Esharra.
After they had completed the work on Esagila
All the Anunnaki constructed their own shrines.
300 Igigi of heaven and 600 of the Apsu, all of them, had assembled.
Bel seated the gods, his fathers, at the banquet
In the lofty shrine which they had built for his dwelling,
Saying, “This is Babylon, your fixed dwelling,
Take your pleasure here! Sit down in joy!”
The great gods sat down,
Beer-mugs were set out and they sat at the banquet.
After they had enjoyed themselves inside
They held a service in awesome Esagila.
The regulations and all the rules were confirmed:
All the gods divided the stations of heaven and netherworld.
The college of the Fifty great gods took their seats,
The Seven gods of destinies were appointed to give decisions.
Bel received his weapon, the bow, and laid it before them:[14]
His divine fathers saw the net which he had made.
His fathers saw how skilfully made was the structure of the bow
As they praised what he had made.
Anu lifted it up in the divine assembly,
He kissed the bow, saying, “It is my daughter!”
Thus he called the names of the bow:
“Long Stick” was the first; the second was, “May it hit the mark.”
With the third name, “Bow Star”, he made it to shine in the sky,
He fixed its heavenly position along with its divine brothers.
After Anu had decreed the destiny of the bow,
He set down a royal throne, a lofty one even for a god,
Anu set it there in the assembly of the gods.
The great gods assembled,[15]
They exalted the destiny of Marduk and did obeisance.
They invoked a curse on themselves
And took an oath with water and oil, and put their hands to their throats.
They granted him authority as King of Kings,
They confirmed him as lord of the gods of heaven and netherworld.
Anshar gave him his exalted name, Asalluhi
“At the mention of his name, let us show submission!
When he speaks, let the gods heed him,
Let his command be superior in upper and lower regions.
May the son, our avenger, be exalted,
Let his lordship be superior and himself without rival.
Let him shepherd the black-heads, his creatures,
Let them tell of his character to future days without forgetting.
Let him establish lavish food offerings for his fathers,
Let him provide for their maintenance and be caretaker of their sanctuaries,
Let him burn incense to rejoice their sanctums.
Let him do on earth the same as he has done in heaven:
Let him appoint the black-heads to worship him.
The subject humans should take note and call on their gods,
Since he commands they should heed their goddesses,
Let food offerings be brought for their gods and goddesses,
May they not be forgotten, may they remember their gods,
May they […] their […], may they […] their shrines.
Though the black-heads worship some one, some another god,
He is the god of each and every one of us!
Come, let us call the fifty names
Of him whose character is resplendent, whose achievement is the same.
Marduk, as he was named by his father Anu from his birth,
Who supplies pasturage and watering, making the stables flourish.
Who bound the boastful with his weapon, the storm flood,
And saved the gods, his fathers, from distress.
He is the son, the sun-god of the gods, he is dazzling,
Let them ever walk in his bright light.
On the peoples that he created, the living beings,
He imposed the service of the gods and they took rest.
Creation and annihilation, forgiveness and exacting the penalty
Occur at his command, so let them fix their eyes on him.
Marukka: he is the god who created them
Who put the Anunnaki at ease, the Igigi at rest.
Marutukku: he is the support of land, city, and its peoples,
From now on let the peoples ever heed him.
Mershakushu: fierce yet deliberating, angry yet relenting,
His mind is wide, his heart is all-embracing.
Lugaldimmerankia is the name by which we all called him,
Whose command we have exalted above that of the gods his fathers.
He is the lord of all the gods of heaven and netherworld,
The king at whose injunctions the gods in upper and lower regions shudder.
Narilugaldimmerankia is the name we gave him, the mentor of every god,
Who established our dwellings in heaven and netherworld in time of trouble,
Who distributed the heavenly stations between Igigi and Anunnaki,
Let the gods tremble at his name and quake on their seats.
Asalluhi is the name by which his father Anu called him,
He is the light of the gods, a mighty hero,
Who, as his name says, is a protecting angel for god and land,
Who by a terrible combat saved our dwelling in time of trouble.
Asalluhi-Namtilla they called him secondly, the life-giving god,
Who, in accordance with the form of his name, restored all the ruined gods,
The lord, who brought to life the dead gods by his pure incantation,
Let us praise him as the destroyer of the crooked enemies.
Asalluhi-Namru, as his name is called thirdly,
The pure god, who cleanses our character.”
Anshar, Lahmu, and Lahamu each called him by three of his names,
Then they addressed the gods, their sons,
“We have each called him by three of his names,
Now you call his names, like us.”
The gods rejoiced as they heard their speech,
In Ubshu-ukkinna they set [their dwelling].
Of the heroic son, their avenger, [they cried]:
“Of the provisioner, let us extol the name.”
They sat down in their assembly, summoning the destinies,
And with all due rites they called his name:
7O Asari, “Bestower of planting,” “[Founder of sowing],”
“Creator of grain and plants,” “who caused [the green herb to spring up]!”
O Asaru-alim, “who is revered in the house of counsel,” “[who abounds in counsel],”
The gods paid homage, fear [took hold upon them]!
O Asaru-alim-nuna, “the mighty one,” “the Light of [the father who fathered him],”
Who directs the decrees of Anu, Enlil, [and Ea]!
He is their provisioner, who assigns their incomes,
Whose turban multiplies abundance for the land.
Tutu [is] “He who created them anew;”
Let him purify their sanctuaries that they may repose.
Should he make an incantation, then the gods are [appeased];
Should they attack him in anger, he withstands [their onslaught]!
He is indeed exalted in the assembly of the gods, his [fathers],
None among the gods can [rival him]!
Tutu 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 (?)]
May he not be forgotten among mortals, but let them remember his deeds.
Tutu as Zi-azag thirdly they named, “the Bringer of Purification,”
“The God of the Favouring Breeze,” “the Lord of Hearing and Mercy,”
“The Creator of Fullness and Abundance,” “the Founder of Plenty,”
“Who increases all that is small.”
“In sore distress we felt his favouring 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 Reviver of the Dead,”
“Who had mercy upon the captive gods,”
“Who removed the yoke from upon the gods his enemies,”
“For their forgiveness he created mankind,”
“The Merciful One, with whom it rests 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 has destroyed all the evil ones!”
Shag-zu, “who knows the heart of the gods,” “who sees through the innermost part!”
“The evil-doer he has not caused to go forth with him!”
Who established the assembly of the gods, who rejoiced their hearts,
Who subjugated the disobedient, he is the gods’ encompassing protection.
He made truth to prosper, he uprooted perverse speech,
He separated falsehood from truth.
As Shazu-Zisi, secondly, let them continually praise him, the subduer of aggressors,
Who ousted consternation from the bodies of the gods, his fathers.
Shazu-Suhrim, thirdly, who extirpated every foe with his weapons,
Who confounded their plans and turned them into wind.
He snuffed out all the wicked who came against him,
Let the gods ever shout acclamations in the assembly.
Shazu-Suhgurim, fourthly, who established success for the gods, his fathers,
Who extirpated foes and destroyed their offspring,
Who scattered their achievements, leaving no part of them,
Let his name be spoken and proclaimed in the land.
As Shazu-Zahrim, fifthly, let future generations discuss him,
The destroyer of every rebel, of all the disobedient,
Who brought all the fugitive gods into the shrines,
Let this name of his be established.
As Shazu-Zahgurim, sixthly, let them altogether and everywhere worship him,
Who himself destroyed all the foes in battle.
Enbilulu is he, the lord who supplies them abundantly,
Their great chosen one, who provides cereal offerings,
Who keeps pasturage and watering in good condition and established it for the land,
Who opened watercourses and distributed plentiful water.
Enbilulu-Epadun, lord of common land and […] let them [call him] secondly,
Canal supervisor of heaven and netherworld, who sets the furrow, who establishes clean arable land in the open country,
Who directs irrigation ditch and canal, and marks out the furrow.
As Enbilulu-Gugal, canal supervisor of the water courses of the gods, let them praise him thirdly,
Lord of abundance, profusion, and huge stores (of grain),
Who provides bounty, who enriches human habitations,
Who gives wheat, and brings grain into being.
Enbilulu-Hegal, who accumulates abundance for the peoples […]
Who rains down riches on the broad earth, and supplies abundant vegetation.
Sirsir, who heaped up a mountain on top of Tiamat,
Who plundered the corpse of Tiamat with his weapons,
The guardian of the land, their trustworthy shepherd,
Whose hair is a growing crop, whose turban is a furrow,
Who kept crossing the broad Sea in his fury,
And kept crossing over the place of her battle as though it were a bridge.
Sirsir-Malah they named him secondly—so be it—
Tiamat was his boat, he was her sailor.
Gil, who ever heaps up piles of barley, massive mounds,
The creator of grain and flocks, who gives seed for the land.
Gilima, who made the bond of the gods firm, who created stability,
A snare that overwhelmed them, who yet extended favours.
Agilima, the lofty, who snatches off the crown, who takes charge of snow,
Who created the earth on the water and made firm the height of heaven.
Zulum, who assigns meadows for the gods and divides up what he has created,
Who gives incomes and food-offerings, who administers shrines.
Mummu, creator of heaven and underworld, who protects refugees,
The god who purifies heaven and underworld, secondly Zulummu,
In respect of whose strength none other among the gods can equal him.
Gishnumunab, creator of all the peoples, who made the world regions,
Who destroyed Tiamat’s gods, and made peoples from part of them.
Lugalabdubur, the king who scattered the works of Tiamat, who uprooted her weapons,
Whose foundation is secure on the “Fore and Aft.”
Pagalguenna, foremost of all lords, whose strength is exalted,
Who is the greatest among the gods, his brothers, the most noble of them all.
Lugaldurmah, king of the bond of the gods, lord of Durmahu,
Who is the greatest in the royal abode, infinitely more lofty than the other gods.
Aranunna, counsellor of Ea, creator of the gods, his fathers,
Whom no god can equal in respect of his lordly walk.
Dumuduku, who renews for himself his pure abode in Duku,
Dumuduku, without whom Lugalduku does not make a decision.
Lugalshuanna, the king whose strength is exalted among the gods,
The lord, the strength of Anu, he who is supreme, chosen of Anshar.
Irugga, who plundered them all in the Sea,
Who grasps all wisdom, is comprehensive in understanding.
Irqingu, who plundered Qingu in […] battle,
Who directs all decrees and establishes lordship.
Kinma, the director of all the gods, who gives counsel,
At whose name the gods bend down in reverence as before a hurricane.
Dingir-Esiskur—let him take his lofty seat in the House of Benediction,
Let the gods bring their presents before him
Until he receives their offerings.
No one but he accomplishes clever things
The four regions of black-heads are his creation,
Apart from him no god knows the measure of their days.
Girru, who makes weapons hard,
Who accomplished clever things in the battle with Tiamat,
Comprehensive in wisdom, skilled in understanding,
A deep mind, that all the gods combined do not understand.
Let Addu be his name, let him cover the whole span of heaven,
Let him thunder with his pleasant voice upon the earth,
May the rumble fill the clouds and give sustenance to the peoples below.
Asharu, who, as his name says, mustered the Divine Fates
He indeed is the warden of absolutely all peoples.
As Neberu let him hold the crossing place of heaven and underworld,
They should not cross above or below, but should wait for him.
Neberu is his star, which he caused to shine in the sky,
May he hold the Beginning and the Future, may they pay homage to him,
Saying, “He who forced his way through the midst of Tiamat [without resting],
Let his name be Neberu, ‘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 for ever!
Since he created the realm (of heaven) and fashioned the firm earth,
“The Lord of the World,” the father Enlil has called his name.
(This) title, which all the Spirits of Heaven proclaimed,
Ea heard, and his spirit 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 he shall control,
All my commands he shall make known!”
By the name of “Fifty” the great gods
Proclaimed his fifty names, they made his path pre-eminent.
Let them be held in remembrance, 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 he may cause his land to be fruitful, and that he himself may have prosperity!
His word stands fast, his command is unaltered;
The utterance of his mouth no god has ever annulled.
He gazed in his anger, he did not turn his neck;
When he is angry, no god can withstand his indignation.
Wide is his heart, broad is his compassion;
Before whom sin and transgression are sought out.
They received instruction, they spoke before him,
He wrote it down and stored it so that generations to come might hear it.
[…] of Marduk may the gods […].
Though they diminish […] let them call on his name.
[…] the song of Marduk,
Who defeated Tiamat and took kingship