When in the height heaven was not named
And the earth beneath did not yet bear a name
And the primeval Apsû, who begat 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 were created the gods in the midst of [heaven
Lahmu and Lahamu were called into being
Then Anshar and Kishar were created, and over them
Long were the days, then there came forth
Nudimmud, whom his fathers [his] begetters
Thus) were established and [were ... the great gods (?
But T[iamat and Âpsû] were (still) in confusion
Apsû was not diminished in might
She smote, and their deeds
Then Apsû, the begetter of the great gods
Cried unto Mummu, his minister, and said unto him
"O Mummu, thou minister that rejoicest my spirit
"Come, unto 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
Apsû opened his mouth [and spake
And unto Tiamat, the glistening one, he addressed [the word
"By day I cannot rest, by night [I cannot lie down (in peace
"But I will destroy their way, I will
"Let there be lamentation, and let us lie down (again in peace)."
When Tiamat [heard] these words
She raged and cried aloud
She uttered a curse, and unto [Apsû she spake
"What then shall we [do]?
"Let their way be made difficult, and let us [lie down (again) in peace]."
Mummu answered, and gave counsel unto Apsû
and hostile (to the gods) was the counsel Mu[mmu gave
"Come, their way is strong, but thou shalt destroy [it
"Then by day shalt thou have rest, by night shalt thou lie down (in peace)."
Apsû [hearkened unto] him and his countenance grew bright
Since] he (i.e. Mummu) planned evil against the gods his sons
His knees [became weak(?)], they gave way beneath him
Because of the evil] which their first-born had planned
Lamentation they sat in [sorrow] '
Then Ea, who knoweth all that [is], went up and he beheld their muttering
and he shall confound Tiamat
" thy he hath conquered and
" he [weepeth] and sitteth in tribulation(?
" we shall not lie down (in peace
" and Mummu, who were taken captive, in
" let us lie down (in peace
" let us lie down (in peace
" thou shalt take vengeance for them
" unto the tempest shalt thou !"
And Tiamat hearkened unto] the word of the bright god, (and said
" shalt thou entrust! let us wage [war]!"
for the gods did she create.'
They banded themselves together and] at the side of Tiamat [they] advanced
They were furious, they devised mischief without resting] night and [day
They prepared for battle], fuming and raging
They joined their forces] and made war
Ummu-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
Fierce [monster-vipers] she clothed with terror
With splendour] she decked them, [she made them] of lofty stature
Whoever beheld] them, terror overcame him
Their bodies reared up and none could withstand [their attack
She set] up vipers, and dragons, and the (monster) [Lahamu
And hurricanes], and raging hounds, and scorpion-men
And mighty [tempests], and fish-men, and[rams
They bore] cruel weapons, without fear of [the fight
Her commands [were mighty], [none] could resist them
After this fashion, huge of stature, [she made] eleven (monsters
Among the gods who were her sons, inasmuch as he had given [her support
She exalted Kingu; in their midst [she raised] him [to power
To march before the forces, to lead [the host
To give the battle-signal, to advance to the attack
To direct the battle, to control the fight
Unto him she entrusted; in [costly raiment] she made him sit, (saying
"I have uttered thy spell, in the assembly of the gods I have raised thee to power
"The dominion over all the gods [have I entrusted unto him
"Be thou exalted, thou my chosen spouse
"May they magnify thy name over all [of them ... the Anunnaki]."
She gave him the Tablets of Destiny, on [his] breast she laid them, (saying
"Thy command shall not be without avail, and[the word of thy mouth shall be established]."
Now Kingu, (thus) exalted, having received [the power of Anu
Decreed] the fate among the gods his sons, (saying
"Let the opening of your mouth [quench] the Fire-god
"Whoso is exalted in the battle, let him [display (his) might]!"