Loading...
Enuma Elish
Anonymous Babylonian priests
The Babylonian creation epic describing the rise of Marduk to supremacy among the gods and his creation of the world from the body of Tiamat.
Notable Academic Translations
L.W. King (1902)Stephanie Dalley (1989)Benjamin R. Foster (2005)
Recommended Reading Order
Start with Tablet IV for the climactic battle between Marduk and Tiamat, then read Tablet I for the primordial creation of sweet and salt waters, followed by Tablet VI for the creation of humankind.
Canonical Figures in this Text
Key heroes and divinities who feature prominently across the chapters of this work
Deities & Immortals
Tiamat
Primordial salt-water sea dragon and mother of monsters who wages war against the younger gods
Tablets I-IV
Key Dramatic Scenes
Pivotal passages and mythological turning points recorded in this canon
- I
Tiamat's Uprising and the Army of Monsters
(Tablet II)Enraged by the death of her consort Apsu, Tiamat spawns an army of eleven horned serpents, dragons, and demons, bestowing the Tablet of Destinies upon Kingu.
- II
Marduk Chosen as Divine Champion
(Tablet III)The elder gods assemble in terror; Marduk agrees to face Tiamat only on condition that the council grant him supreme and absolute rule over the universe.
- III
The Cosmic Battle and Slaying of Tiamat
(Tablet IV)Armed with the four winds and a divine net, Marduk traps Tiamat, drives the evil wind into her gaping maw, splits her heart with an arrow, and divides her corpse to fashion heaven and earth.
- IV
Creation of Humanity and Esagila
(Tablet VI)From the blood of the slain rebel Kingu, Ea creates humankind to bear the labor of the gods, and the immortals build the great temple Esagila in Babylon to honor Marduk.
Source Passages and Editorial Notes
Direct quotations are distinguished from editorial paraphrases and records awaiting verification.
Ref: 1-5
Editorial paraphraseWhen on high the heavens were not yet named, and below the earth was not called by name, there was only primordial Apsu, their begetter, and Mother Tiamat, who bore them all, their waters mingling as a single body.
Translator: Adapted translation; exact edition not verifiedEditorial adaptation; no single translation verified
Featured in Enuma Elish - The Babylonian Creation Epic →Ref: 128-138
Editorial paraphraseThe Lord stepped forth, trampled upon Tiamat's body, and with his merciless weapon extinguished her life. He split her like a shellfish into two parts; half of her he set up and ceiled as the sky.
Translator: Stephanie DalleyEditorial selection; Dalley wording not checked
Featured in Enuma Elish - The Babylonian Creation Epic →