The Enuma Elish is the great Babylonian creation epic — the myth of how the god Marduk won supremacy over the older generation of gods by defeating the primordial sea-dragon Tiamat, then used her body to build the structure of the cosmos. It is the foundational theological document of ancient Babylon, recited at the New Year festival (Akitu) in its entirety, affirming Marduk's lordship and the stability of the created order. The text survives in multiple tablet copies from Nineveh (Ashurbanipal's library, seventh century BCE), Assur, Kish, and Babylon, though the composition is considerably older — probably from the Old Babylonian period (c. 1800–1600 BCE) or earlier. Seven tablets, approximately 1,100 lines.

The poem opens with the primordial state: before sky and earth were named, there existed only Apsû (the fresh water below) and Tiamat (the salt sea), their waters mingled as one. From this intermingling the first gods were born — Lahmu, Lahamu, Anshar, Kishar, Anu, and then Ea (Nudimmud), whose wisdom surpassed all others. The young gods are noisy; they disturb Apsû's sleep. Apsû, driven to exhaustion, resolves to destroy them. Ea — the all-knowing — hears the plan, puts Apsû to sleep with an incantation, kills him, and builds his own dwelling on Apsû's body. There, in the sacred depths, Marduk is born to Ea and Damkina. Tablet I closes with Tiamat, roused to fury, beginning to gather her monstrous army.

This translation renders Tablet I from the Akkadian transliteration in Leonard W. King, "The Seven Tablets of the Creation" (London: Luzac, 1902), the standard public-domain edition, drawing also on the scholarly tradition established by Lambert and George. Gospel register throughout. Difficult or damaged passages are noted. The translation is independently derived from the Akkadian.

Tablet I — The Primordial Waters and the Birth of the Gods

I. The Primordial State

When on high the sky had not yet been named,
and below the solid ground had not yet been called by name —
there was ancient Apsû, their first progenitor,
and Mummu-Tiamat, who bore them all —
their waters mingling together as one,
no reed-marsh had been formed, no thicket seen,
when not one god had yet appeared,
by no name had been called, no fate had been fixed —

then within them the gods were fashioned.

II. The First Gods Are Born

Lahmu and Lahamu came into being; they were named.
Through ages they grew, through seasons increased.
Anshar and Kishar were formed, surpassing the others.
Long were their days; the years multiplied.
Anu their son was the equal of his fathers.
Anshar made Anu his own likeness.
And Anu begat Nudimmud in his image —
Nudimmud, the master of all his fathers:
among the Anunnaki gods, none was his equal —
of vast understanding, wise, of mighty power,
mightier by far than Anshar his grandfather —
without rival among the divine brothers.

The divine brothers assembled together.
They surged back and forth, troubling Tiamat.
They roiled the belly of Tiamat,
laughing and reveling in the dwelling of heaven.

Apsû could not quell their clamor.
Tiamat fell silent before them.
Yet their behavior was hateful to her.
Their ways were evil, and she was agitated.

III. Apsû's Complaint

Then Apsû, the progenitor of the great gods,
called Mummu his minister and spoke to him:
"Mummu, my minister, who delights my heart —
come, to Tiamat let us go together."

They went, and sat before Tiamat.
They took counsel together concerning the gods, their sons.
Apsû opened his mouth and spoke,
addressing Tiamat in a loud voice:

"Their ways are truly hateful to me.
By day I find no rest; by night I cannot sleep.
I will destroy them and put an end to their way —
let silence be established that we may sleep."

When Tiamat heard this
she raged, she cried out to her consort.
She grieved alone; her heart was troubled —
she threw the evil back with anger in her mouth:

"Why should we destroy what we ourselves have fashioned?
Even if their way is troublesome, let us endure it with patience."

IV. Mummu's Counsel

Then Mummu answered and counseled Apsû —
counsel that brought no comfort, that troubled Tiamat:
"Destroy their way, father — seek rest by day;
then you shall sleep by night, and we shall be at peace."

Apsû listened; his face brightened with joy
at the evil he had devised against the gods his sons.
Mummu embraced him around the neck,
sat on his knees, and kissed his face.
The council they had taken was resolved:
against the gods their sons they planned destruction.

But all that they planned between them,
all the words they spoke —
Ea, the all-knowing, heard every word.
He weighed their counsel in his mind
and pondered what had been planned.

He devised it wisely — fashioned it cunningly —
he made it holy, mighty, beyond anything:
he recited his incantation in the deep,
he poured sleep upon Apsû where he lay,
Apsû fell to slumber, he slept deeply,
and Mummu, the counselor, drooped, overcome.

V. Ea Defeats Apsû

He loosed Mummu, bound him where he lay.
He felled Apsû, slew him on the ground.
He fastened Mummu and held him at his side.

Over Apsû he set up his dwelling;
he seized Mummu, holding him by a cord through the nose.
When he had subdued and slain Apsû,
Ea set his victory-shout over the enemy.
He rested in triumph.

After Ea had silenced Apsû his enemy,
after he had overthrown his adversary Mummu —
Ea then established his own dwelling on Apsû;
Mummu he still kept bound beside him.

He established Apsû and named it —
he built his sacred chamber there in the deep.
He founded his house, established its rooms.
Ea and Damkina his wife dwelt there in splendor.
In the chamber of the fates, the hall of designs —
the holy of holies — Marduk was conceived.

VI. The Birth of Marduk

In the depths of Apsû, Marduk was born.
In the holy Apsû, Marduk was created.
Ea his father shaped him, Damkina his mother bore him.
He nursed at the breast of goddesses.
A nurse who tended him filled him with awe-inspiring radiance.

His figure was noble, his gaze was terrible.
From the beginning he was mighty among the gods.
Anu his grandfather saw him and was glad,
he rejoiced, his heart was filled with joy.
Anu gave him a double portion of divinity —
his height was surpassing, his body extraordinary.

His eyes were four, his ears were four.
When his lips moved, fire blazed forth.
His four ears were vast; his eyes saw all.
Exalted above all the gods, his form was surpassing.
His limbs were vast, most exalted:

"My son, my son! Son of the sun — the sun of the heavens!"

He had wrapped him in the radiance of ten gods;
the aura of his fifty was upon him.

VII. Anu Gives Marduk the Four Winds

Anu formed and fashioned the four winds —
he put them in Marduk's hand: "Let my son play!"

He fashioned the dust and set a dust-storm in motion.
He drove a wave — it troubled Tiamat.
Tiamat was stirred, restless day and night.
The gods found no rest; swept by the wind, they fell to trouble.

They plotted evil against Tiamat their mother.
"When he slew Apsû your consort,
you did not stand at his side; you sat quiet.
He has made four terrible winds —
they trouble your belly; we cannot sleep.
You took no thought for Apsû your husband,
for Mummu, who is bound.
Now you are alone —
pace back and forth without rest!
And we — we who love you — cannot sleep.

Are you not a mother? You toss without rest —
we who love you, where is our love in your heart?
Wake to the attack; show us your purpose!"

Tiamat heard their words and was pleased.
The words delighted her; she was stirred.

"Your counsel is sound — all that you say."

She hardened her heart against the gods of Apsû.
She gathered about her whatever evil she could devise.

The evil ones who helped Tiamat —
those gods who had abandoned what was right —
day and night they assembled in fury.
They were in raging tumult; they made war —
they prepared for battle with shaking and trembling.

Mother Tiamat, who forms all things,
made weapons against her own children without sparing.
She made fierce monsters, clothed them with terror,
she raised up creatures great and terrible —
she summoned the viper and the dragon and the lahamu,
the great lion, the rabid dog, and the scorpion-man,
the luring weather-demons, the dragon-fish, and the centaur —
carrying weapons without mercy, fearless in battle.

Her decrees were firm; none could oppose them.
Eleven such creatures she made —
from among the gods who had taken her side
she exalted Kingu; she made him the greatest.

"I have pronounced your destiny; among the gods it is surpassing —
the rule of all the gods shall be given to you!
You shall be great — my only husband —
your name shall be supreme over all the Igigi!"

She gave him the Tablet of Destinies
and laid it on his breast:
"Your command shall not be reversed —
what you pronounce shall stand."

When Kingu was exalted — made to bear lordship —
the fate of the gods he fixed with his word —
"When you open your mouth, the fire shall be quenched —
it shall give power to him who conquers over the gods."

Tablet II

When the gods who had sided with Tiamat gathered themselves,
they raged and plotted day and night without rest.
They made ready for battle; they burned with one purpose.
Mother Ḫubur, who shapes all things, had given them weapons —
the serpents, the monsters, the creatures filled with venom.
Together they marched at Tiamat's side.

Ea heard the counsel that was being devised.
He grew still; he sat in silence.
His heart was heavy; he turned the matter over in his mind.
Then he rose and went before Anšar his grandfather.
He stood before him and recounted all:

"Grandfather — Tiamat, the mother who bore us, has come to hate us.
She has assembled a host; she rages without ceasing.
The gods have gone over to her side — all of them —
they march with her, day and night, burning with fury.
She has set up the Viper, the Dragon, the lahamu,
the Great Lion, the Mad Dog, the Scorpion-man,
the Ḫumṭum-demons, the Carp-men, and the Goat-fish —
weapons without mercy, without fear.
Kingu she has elevated among them;
she has given him the Tablet of Destinies, fastened it to his breast.
He commands them; he leads them;
he decrees their fates:
'Your mouths shall quench fire;
your venom shall overcome the warrior.'"

When Anšar heard this, his face went dark with grief.
He bit his lips; his heart found no rest.
He cried out to Ea:
"O Ea — master of all wisdom —
none can equal your understanding.
Go before Tiamat; soothe her anger.
If she has a demand, hear it; bring me her word.
Perhaps you can quiet her heart."

Ea turned and set out on the road.
But when he drew near and saw Tiamat and her host,
he was overwhelmed; he could not go on.
He turned back; he returned to Anšar.
He spoke to Anšar what he had found:
"Father, I cannot prevail against her.
Her resolve has not failed; she will not hear me.
I turned back from the way."

Anšar's face darkened. He could not speak.
He sat in grief and had no answer.
At last he turned to Anu his son:
"O Anu — my mighty firstborn —
your strength is great; you lack for nothing.
Go before Tiamat; stand firm before her.
If her heart can be turned, speak the word that will turn it.
If she remains unyielding, do not force it — return and tell me."

Anu set out on the road toward Tiamat.
He went the way that Ea had gone.
But when he drew near to Tiamat and looked upon her host,
his steps faltered; he could not press forward.
He turned and came back again to Anšar.
He spoke to Anšar:
"My father, I could not face her.
My will is not equal to the sight of her.
I turned back from the way."

Anšar sat silent. He did not rise.
He looked at the ground; he had no answer.
Then the great gods came and gathered together.
They sat down in their assembly; they filled their mouths with sorrow.
None among them would go against Tiamat;
not one would step forward to stand against her.

Then the father of the gods, Anšar, spoke at last:
"He whose might is supreme, whose strength exceeds all —
whose understanding is deep, whose counsel never fails —
let him be the one. Let him go as our avenger.
Marduk the hero — let him stand forward!"

When Marduk heard this, he came before his father.
He drew near and stood before Anšar.
Anšar looked on him; his heart was filled with joy.
He kissed Marduk's lips; his dread was lifted.

"O Marduk — go before Tiamat.
Soothe her anger; calm her will.
But if she will not hear —
if battle is what she demands —
then let battle come.
And may the gods not fear for you."

Marduk's heart rejoiced. He spoke to Anšar:
"O lord of the gods, fate of the great gods —
if I am to be your avenger, to stand against Tiamat for you,
to save your lives —
then convene the assembly. Proclaim my destiny supreme.
Sit down together, all you great ones, and rejoice.
Open your mouths; let my word be the word that stands.
What I create, let no one undo;
let the decree of my lips be unchangeable.
As you speak it, let it come to pass."

Anšar heard the words of Marduk; his heart was glad.
He kissed his lips; his grief was lifted from him.
He spoke to Marduk: "Go — be our avenger!
Your name shall stand above all names."

Then Anšar called Gaga, his minister,
the one in whom he placed the trust of his heart,
and spoke to him in secret:

"Go, Gaga — to Lahmu and Lahamu.
Go to the first-born gods, to those who made me.
Come before them; bow down low.
Carry my words to them; leave nothing out:

'Anšar your son has sent to you:
Tiamat our mother has risen against us.
She has assembled her host; she has raged without ceasing.
She has made monsters and given them weapons without mercy.
She has exalted Kingu among the gods
and laid the Tablet of Destinies upon his breast.

I sent Ea — the wisest — he went, and he could not face her.
I sent Anu — the strongest — he went, and he turned back from her.

Now Marduk the hero, the firstborn son of Ea, has stepped before me.
He is willing; he will go.
He asks only this: let the assembly proclaim his fate supreme;
let his word fix destiny.
Then he will go out and face Tiamat;
he will scatter her army and destroy her.

Come, all of you — come to the great assembly.
Let us sit down together; let the feast be spread.
Let us eat bread; let us drink sweet wine.
Let us fix the fate of Marduk the champion —
let us confirm his greatness —
and let him go out to save us all.'"

Gaga bowed before Anšar; he kissed the ground.
He rose and set out on the road toward Lahmu and Lahamu.
He went to all the ancient gods who bear great names.
He bowed before them; he kissed the ground.
He stood upright; he delivered the message —
all that Anšar had spoken, he spoke, word for word:

"Lahmu and Lahamu — you who are called by name!
Hear the words of your son Anšar:

Tiamat our mother has turned against us —"

—and so he told them everything, from first word to last,
all the words of Anšar's command.

(The full message of Gaga to the assembly continues at the opening of Tablet III.)

Tablet III — The Great Assembly and the Decree of Fate

I. Gaga Delivers the Full Message

Gaga opened his mouth; he spoke —
he addressed Lahmu and Lahamu, the first-born of all:

"Anšar, your son, has sent to you by me.
He has spoken; he commands; hear what he says:

Tiamat our mother has turned against us —
she has assembled her host; her rage knows no rest.
All the gods have gone over to her side;
with her they march, day and night, without ceasing.
She has made weapons against her own children without mercy:
the Viper, the Dragon, the Lahamu,
the Great Lion, the Mad Dog, the Scorpion-man,
the Ḫumṭum-demons, the Carp-men, and the Goat-fish —
fearless in battle, with weapons without pity.
Kingu she has exalted among them all;
she has laid the Tablet of Destinies upon his breast.
He commands them; he leads their advance;
he speaks their fate:

'Your mouths shall quench fire —
your venom shall overcome the warrior.'

I sent Ea — the master of all wisdom —
he went before her and could not face her;
he turned back and came to me.
I sent Anu — the firstborn, the mighty —
he went before her and could not stand before her face;
he turned back and came to me.

Now Marduk the hero has stepped forward —
the firstborn of Ea, surpassing all the gods.
He has resolved to go against Tiamat.
He asks only one thing of us:
that the great assembly proclaim his fate supreme —
that his word stand and not return unfulfilled.
Then he will crush her army and destroy her;
he will save us all.

Come to the assembly —
come, all of you, and fix his fate.
Give him lordship; send him out as champion.
Come quickly — come before Anšar."

II. The Ancient Gods Hear and Grieve

Lahmu and Lahamu heard; they cried out aloud.
All the Igigi groaned and were troubled.

"What has changed among us, that war has risen between us?
We did not know; we did not see —
that Tiamat would devote herself to this."

The great gods gathered; they came before Anšar.
They filled the forecourt of the great assembly.
They kissed one another; in the assembly they took counsel together.
They sat down to the feast; they were given food.
Bread they ate; wine they poured.
The sweet drink passed among them;
their hearts were lifted; their dread was eased.

III. The Decree of Fate

For Marduk the champion they fixed his destiny.
They set up a throne for him before the assembly.
He sat down before his fathers, before the great gods.

"You are the mightiest among the great gods —
your fate stands above all others; your command is Anu's command.
From this day, what you decree none shall undo.
To exalt and to abase — this is in your hand.
Certain is the word of your lips —
your command shall not fail.
No one among the gods shall transgress your boundary.
Where the sanctuaries of the gods are established,
let your place be established there."

Marduk rejoiced at what his fathers said.
His heart was glad; to them he spoke:

"O sovereign lord — father of the great gods —
if I am to be your avenger, to bind Tiamat and save your lives —
then convene the assembly and proclaim my fate supreme.
Sit together, all you great ones, in the assembly and rejoice.
Open your mouths; let my word be the word that stands.
Let what I create not be unmade;
let the decree of my lips not return empty.
As you speak it, let it come to pass."

IV. The Star Test

They brought a garment and set it in the assembly's midst.
They said to Marduk their firstborn:

"Lord — let your fate stand supreme among all the gods.
Speak the word of destruction; speak the word of restoration."

He opened his mouth; he spoke the word —
the garment was destroyed.
He spoke again —
the garment was whole and stood again in its place.

When the gods his fathers saw the power of his mouth
they rejoiced; they acclaimed him:

"It is Marduk who is king!"

They added to him lordship and kingship.
They gave him the scepter, the throne, and the staff of power.
They gave him a weapon without equal to cut down the enemy:

"Go — go and cut off the life of Tiamat!
Let the winds carry her blood to hidden places!"

V. The Commission

The destiny of lordship was fixed; the gods set him on his way.
They prepared him for the great battle; they armed his hands.

He made a bow; he appointed it as his weapon.
He fitted the arrow; he laid the string against it.
He raised the mace and held it in his right hand.
Bow and quiver he hung at his side.
He set the lightning before his face; his body blazed with flame.
He made a net to enclose Tiamat within it —
he gathered the four winds that none might escape:
South Wind, North Wind, East Wind, West Wind,
the gift of his grandfather Anu, he held them in his hand.

He fashioned the Evil Wind, the Whirlwind, the Hurricane,
the Fourfold Wind, the Sevenfold Wind, the Cyclone, the Unrivaled Wind —
he sent forth the winds he had made, seven of them;
to throw Tiamat into confusion as they followed behind him.

Anšar saw Marduk armed and ready; his heart was glad.
He kissed his lips; his dread fell away from him.

"Go, son — go out. You are the champion of the gods.
Cut off the life of Tiamat;
let the winds carry her blood to hidden places."

Tablet IV — The Great Battle and the Making of the World

I. Marduk Prepares

The great gods gave to Marduk gifts from their treasuries:
he was armed; he was clothed with the full weight of lordship.

He fashioned his chariot — the storm-cloud —
harnessed to it four fearsome horses:
their teeth held venom; their lips dripped poison.
They were trained for destruction; they were schooled in war.

[Lines 11–26 fragmentary in extant manuscripts. Content: Marduk clothed in awe-inspiring radiance; his girding; the horses and chariot further described.]

He set the lightning before his face; he blazed like the sun.
He took Imhullu — the Evil Wind — beside him;
he drove the seven winds at his back
that none who came against him might escape.
He lifted the net; he readied himself for the great battle.

II. The March

He set out. He advanced toward the raging Tiamat.
At his back the gods of battle followed.

Marduk drew near; he looked upon Tiamat's face.
Kingu who led her host saw him coming:
his purpose faltered; his bearing broke.

The gods who had gone over to Tiamat's side —
when they saw the one champion, Marduk the lord, advancing —
their sight went dark; they could not hold their order.

Tiamat wailed; she cried out without restraint.
From her roots she trembled and shook.
She muttered a charm; she recited an incantation.
The gods of battle girded themselves; they readied their arms.

Tiamat and Marduk — wisest of gods —
they went forward to meet one another.

III. Marduk Challenges Tiamat

Marduk raised his great voice; he addressed Tiamat:
"Why have you done this? Why have you called an assembly?
Why have you elevated Kingu, set him in lordship over what is not his?
Against the gods your own children you have devised evil.
You have drawn your allies against those who gave you honor.

Stand. Let it be you and I who fight.
Let the gods of the assembly look on between us."

When Tiamat heard this she was not still.
She was thrown into rage; she was thrown into fury.
She screamed. She shook from the depths.
She steadied her legs; she took her stand.
She recited her incantation; she cast her spell.
The gods of the deep sharpened their weapons alongside her.

Tiamat went forward; Marduk went forward.
They advanced to meet one another; they did not turn back.

IV. The Battle

He spread the great net; he enclosed Tiamat within it.
He drove the Evil Wind at her face from behind —
Imhullu, the wind he had made, the great wind.

Tiamat opened her mouth to swallow the wind.
The Evil Wind drove in; it swelled her body; it held her open.
She could not close her lips; the wind raged inside her.
Her belly swelled; her heart was torn asunder.

He gripped his lance; he thrust it home.
He cut through her belly; he pierced her heart.
He put her down; he severed her life.
He threw down her body; he stood upon it.

After Marduk had slain Tiamat their leader,
he broke her host; he scattered her army.
The gods who had fought at her side —
who had marched with her at the front of the charge —
they trembled and cowered; they turned and fled.
They tried to break away; they sought to save their lives —
but they were caught; they were bound; they could not escape.

He gathered them in his net; he cast them into prison.
He bound the eleven creatures that Tiamat had armed with terror.
He trod them down; he seized their weapons; he stripped them of power.

And Kingu who had led them all —
Marduk seized him; he bound him.
He led him before Anšar as a captive.

From Kingu's breast he took the Tablet of Destinies —
the seal that was not rightly his.
He seized it; he sealed it with his own seal;
he fastened it against his own breast.

V. The Making of the World

After Marduk had slain and cast down Tiamat,
he turned to her body where she lay.
He rested. He surveyed the monstrous corpse.
He weighed the matter with craft; he turned the plan in his heart.

He split her — like a flat-fish, in two halves.
One half he raised; he stretched it out as the sky.
He drew a bolt across it; he posted a guard:
"Let her waters not escape."

He crossed the sky; he surveyed its regions.
He compared it with the Apsû — the deep below —
the great dwelling of Nudimmud.

The lord measured the structure of the Apsû.
He made it correspond: Esharra, the great dwelling.
The great dwelling Esharra — which he built as the heavens.
In their dwellings he settled Anu, Enlil, and Ea.

Tablet V — The Calendar and the Face of Heaven

I. The Celestial Stations

He fashioned the stations for the great gods.
He set up the constellations — the star-images of those who stand before him.
He fixed the year; he appointed its divisions.
For each of the twelve months he established three stars.
After he had fixed the days of the year by the constellations,
he established the station of Nibiru to hold their orbits:
that none might transgress, that none might fall short.
Alongside it he placed the stations of Enlil and of Ea.

He opened the great gates on both sides;
he set a bolt on the left hand and the right.
In the midst of Tiamat he fixed the zenith of heaven.

II. The Moon

He made the crescent shine; he entrusted the night to it.
He appointed it as the sign of the days — that month follow month without failing.

He spoke to the moon:

"Make known the month; do not fail at the beginning.
At the start of the month, when you rise over the land,
your horns shall gleam to mark six days.
On the seventh day your crescent shall reach the half-crown.
At the full moon, stand in opposition in the mid-month.
When Šamaš sees you on the horizon —
reduce your light; begin the turning back.
On the day of disappearance, draw near to Šamaš;
on the thirtieth day stand in conjunction with him."

[Lines 23–66 are heavily fragmentary in all manuscript traditions. The surviving text is insufficient for continuous translation. Based on context and partial readings, this section treated the further ordering of sky and earth — the appointment of the sun, the winds, and additional calendrical arrangements.]

III. The Rivers

He opened her two eyes —
from one the Euphrates flowed; from the other the Tigris.
He stopped her nostrils and sealed them.
He heaped up the mountains from her shoulders.
He drew off her springs and assigned them to carry the wells and channels.

[Lines 77–122 are too heavily damaged for translation. The fragmentary passages suggest further geographical arrangements — the assignment of natural features derived from Tiamat's body. The text resumes with greater clarity at Tablet VI.]

Tablet VI — The Making of Man and the Building of Babylon

I. Marduk's Design

When Marduk heard the words of the gods,
his heart moved him to devise a work of great craft.
He opened his mouth and spoke to Ea —
he told him what he had conceived within his heart:

"Blood I shall bind; bone I shall achieve.
I shall create Lullû — Man shall be his name.
Truly, Lullû-amēlu I shall fashion.
He shall bear the service of the gods,
that they may dwell at ease."

He altered the ways of the gods; he changed their course.

II. The Fate of Kingu

He opened his mouth; he spoke to the great gods:

"Who was it that stirred up war,
who roused Tiamat and armed her for combat?
Let him be given over. He shall bear the guilt.
I shall fashion the rest from him."

The great gods answered — all the Igigi together:

"It was Kingu who stirred up war and roused Tiamat.
It was Kingu who raised the rebellion and armed her for combat."

They bound Kingu; they held him before Ea.
They pressed the guilt upon him; they severed his veins.
From his blood Ea fashioned humankind.
He laid upon them the toil of the gods — he freed the gods.

When Ea the wise had fashioned humankind
and laid the service of the gods upon them —
this deed was past all comprehension.
By the craft of Nudimmud, Marduk accomplished it.

III. The Stations of the Anunnaki

Marduk the king divided the Anunnaki — above and below.
He assigned them to Anu to stand as his wardens.
Three hundred he set in the heavens as guards of heaven's ways.
The same number he laid down for the earth:
three hundred he stationed below, as wardens of the ground.
Six hundred in all — above and below — he settled in their places.

After he had given all his commands,
after he had assigned the Anunnaki their stations —
those of heaven and those of the deep —
all the Anunnaki opened their mouths;
they addressed Marduk their lord:

"Now, O lord — you who have set us free:
what shall we give you? Let us make the offering.
Let us build a shrine, great in name.
Our night-chamber, our resting-place — let us rest there.
On the day we arrive, let us dwell in peace."

Marduk was glad when he heard this.
His face shone like the light of day:

"Build Babylon, as you have willed.
Lay its brickwork; name it the sanctuary."

IV. The Building of Esagila

The Anunnaki wielded the hoe.
One full year they shaped the brick-molds.
When the second year arrived,
they raised the head of Esagila — the rival of the Apsû —
and built the tower-temple reaching toward heaven.

For Anu, Enlil, and Ea they established the sanctuary on high —
the great dwelling, its summit facing down over the Apsû.

After they had built Esagila and set it firm,
all the Anunnaki built their own shrines.
The Anunnaki of heaven and of the deep —
all of them came and took their seats.

Marduk placed the great gods on their thrones.
He set up the images — likenesses fashioned for each.
He made them stand before him, honored in their places.

After the gods were set and the fates assigned to each,
after the Anunnaki of heaven and the deep were settled,
the fifty great gods took their thrones.
The seven gods of fate grasped their scepters.

V. The Bow and the Great Feast

Marduk raised the bow and set it before the gods.
His fathers beheld the bow; they praised its name.
Anu raised it and spoke to the assembly:

"This is my daughter — this shall be her name."

He declared three names:
Long-bow was the first;
Fleet was the second;
Star of the Bow was the third — her station fixed in the sky.

After he had fixed the bow's station and her path,
the great gods assembled — all of them.
Marduk established their seats; he fixed each in his place.
His fathers looked upon him; they exalted him.

After the fates were decreed and the plans made firm,
the gods came to feast before him.
They ate the bread; they drank the ale.
They settled the sweet oils; they fixed the measures for the year.
All was determined. Each god received his portion.
The great gods returned, each to his own place.

Tablet VII — The Fifty Names of Marduk

I. The Assembly Proclaims the Names

After the feast was ended, after the gods had settled their portions,
the fifty great gods took their seats;
the seven gods of destiny grasped their scepters.

Bēl raised his voice; he spoke to all of them:
"Since we have now raised Marduk to lordship over the gods his fathers —
let his fifty names be confirmed; his ways proclaimed.
Let the names of their lord, who has surpassed them all,
be honored from the four quarters — spoken aloud."

The great gods assembled together; all of them.
They praised Marduk; they gave him glory.
They proclaimed his name — the lord, the greatest of the gods.

II. The Names of Marutukku and Asaru

Marutukku — the fifty great gods proclaimed it:
security of the heavens; security of the earth.
His name is the anchor of all that exists.

Asaru — who provides the fields with grain:
he who gives water and the pastures,
who makes the green things flourish above and below.
He who gives rain, who gives the harvest —
Asaru: the provider of the plowed lands.

Asarluḫi — whose name the father Ea uttered:
"His name shall equal mine.
He who grasps incantation; who knows the holy word.
He who drives back evil; who saves the stricken god.
He who takes the hand of the fallen —
Asarluḫi is his name."

Three times the name was called. The fourth:
Asarluḫi — the one who carries the light of his creator;
who shines like the radiance of his father.
The bearer of the great name of the gods.

III. The Names of Tutu

Tutu — let it be his name: he who renewed creation.
He shall remake the sanctuaries of the gods;
he shall establish them in peace.
From the mouths of the black-headed people, let his name be spoken.

Ziukkina — the life of the congregation of the gods:
who established the heavens, who gave them their radiance.
The sign that gleams in the sky — let the people know him.

Zi-azag — the pure life-breath:
the breath of life that gives strength to the living.
By his utterance the breath of life descends.

Agaku — lord of the holy incantation:
who had mercy on the captured gods,
who lifted the yoke that lay upon the gods his enemies,
who fashioned mankind for their release.
The merciful one — his name shall endure.

Tuku — whose incantation is pure:
the holy word of restoration.
By his word the fallen rise; the sick recover.

Shazu — who knows the hearts of the gods:
he who searches the inner parts; he who sees everything.
The wicked one shall not escape from him.
He who established the assembly; who gladdens their hearts —
they call his name Shazu.

Zisi — who silences the disorderly:
who drove out the hostile and the enemies of his father.
Who set the gods in their right places.
Zisi — the steadier.

Suhgurim — he who tears out the root of the enemy:
who destroys the wicked and turns back their attack.
Who purified the assembly; who cleansed the garment.
Suhgurim — the eradicator.

Suhrim — who roots out all enemies by force:
who destroys them utterly; who scatters the wicked.
Let his name live; let the gods repeat it.

Zahrim — the humbler of the hostile:
destroyer of those who raised themselves against him.
In his might, none could stand.
Zahrim — the subduer.

Zahgurim — like Zahrim, the destroyer:
he who slays the opposing ones; who silences the adversary.

IV. The Names of Enbilulu

Enbilulu — lord who makes the gods prosper:
he who provides the meadows and the waters,
who enriches the field; who gives grain to all.
Enbilulu — the bountiful.

Epadun — lord of Apsû and Ekur together:
who fixed the stations; who gives grain and pasture to mankind.
The lord who holds the high-water marks.
Epadun — lord of the waters above and below.

Enbilulu-Gugal — canal inspector of heaven and earth:
he who directs the rivers; he who digs the channels.
The depths of the Apsû know his name.
Gugal — the overseer.

Hegal — abundance of the rains:
he who gives grain; who gives the harvest to all.
In his presence the land does not lack.
Hegal — the giver of surplus.

V. The Names of the Cosmic Order

Sirsir — who piled Tiamat's body like a mountain:
who heaped her corpse high after the great battle.
Who stands in glory above the place of his victory.
Sirsir — the one who raised the mountain.

Malah — the helmsman:
Tiamat is his vessel; he is her pilot.
He steers the great ship across the face of the waters.
Malah — master of the deep sea.

Gil — who piled up grain in great quantities:
who gathers the harvest and stores it high.
Gil — lord of the heaped-up abundance.

Gilma — the foundation and the bond of Esagila:
he who holds the gods together in the great assembly.
Who built the shrine; who made the dwelling firm.
Gilma — the foundation.

Agilma — the exalted one who rises above the earth:
he who brings the clouds; who makes the rains descend.
Who established the things of heaven.
Agilma — the high one.

Zulum — who assigns the destinies of the gods:
who provides each with portion and pasture,
who gives water to all the creatures.
Zulum — the lord of destinies.

Mummu — creator of the forms of heaven and earth:
he who moulds them, shapes them, gives them names.
The craftsman of creation — the shaper of forms.
Mummu — the maker.

Zulummar — to whom none is equal among the gods:
whose wisdom surpasses all; whose counsel none can match.
The far-reaching mind — exalted above all.

Gish-Numun-Ab — creator of all living things:
who established the races of gods and men alike.
Who founded the settlements; who built the shrines.
Who gives life to all created things.

Lugal-Ab-Dubur — king who destroys the weapons of Tiamat:
who defeated her and scattered her army,
who rules over Esagila and establishes destiny.
Lugal-Ab-Dubur — king of kings.

VI. The Names of Kingship

Pagal-Guenna — first-born of all the gods:
whose might no god in the assembly can equal.
He who has no rival; he who stands foremost.
Pagal-Guenna — the great first-born.

Lugal-Durmah — king of the bond of the gods:
lord of Duranki — the bond of heaven and earth.
He who holds the sky and the ground together.
Lugal-Durmah — the strong one.

Aranunna — who carries the glory of the gods his fathers:
who holds the high counsel; who sits in the great assembly.
Who does not turn from the wisdom of Anu and Enlil.
Aranunna — the inheritor.

Dumu-Duku — whose pure mound is the vault of heaven:
he who dwells in the holy height.
His foundation is the pure hillock of the gods.
Dumu-Duku — child of the sacred mound.

Lugal-Duku — king of the holy mound:
who established the pure station for the gods.
The lord whose dwelling is honored.
Lugal-Duku — king of the pure height.

Lugal-Dul-Azaga — king of the sacred altar:
who established the pure altar — the great dwelling.
Who provides the offerings; who gives the gods their portion.
Lugal-Dul-Azaga — king of the pure place.

Irugga — who carried off all things from the deep:
who seized the riches from the heart of Tiamat,
who plundered her treasury and made it his own.
Irugga — lord of the plunder.

Irqingu — who seized Kingu in the midst of battle:
who overturned the rebel; who struck him down.
Who stripped the Tablet of Destinies from his breast.
Irqingu — the captor.

Kinma — the director of all the gods:
in whose presence all the gods bow low.
Who gives each god his station; who fixes the courses.
Let all creatures proclaim his name: Kinma.

Esizkur — whose great name was spoken in the pure shrine:
whom the great gods acclaimed in the assembly.
Whom the Anunnaki of heaven and of the deep exalted.
Esizkur — the great name.

VII. The Final Names

Gibil — who maintains the sharp edge of weapons:
he who makes the blade blaze; who gives the weapon its fire.
He who arms the gods for combat.
Gibil — lord of the burning.

Addu — whose name is proclaimed aloud throughout the world:
lord of the rains; the god of gentle waters and the storm.
He who makes the land prosper; who gives moisture to the harvest.
Addu — the far-reaching one.

Asharru — who assigns the stars to their stations:
who decrees the fates; who establishes the right order.
He who guides aright; the decreer.
Asharru — the lord of destinies.

Nebiru — who holds the crossing-place of heaven and earth:
he who neither crosses above nor descends below.
His star was set: "Let it stand at the ford of heaven."
Let the gods above and below honor the name Nebiru.

VIII. The Closing Charge

The fifty names of Marduk — the great gods proclaimed them.
The names were given from the heart; each was confirmed.
His ways are excellent; his deeds unsurpassed.
None of the gods can make his name void.

"Let the eldest teach these names; let the wise consider them.
Let the father repeat them to his son.
Let the shepherd and the herdsman listen and receive them.
Let none who hears them be silent.
These things are not to be forgotten — let the wise take note.

"Let the attentive inscribe them; let them be placed before all.
They are the works of the lord, the first-born of the Anunnaki,
who drew them up from the heart of battle.
They speak of his great deeds; they endure in the mouth of men.

"Let these words be heard; let the four regions receive them.
When Marduk comes to the great house, let his name be pronounced.
Let the great gods be exalted before him.
May his fathers see and rejoice; may they honor him.

"He who hears these names shall prosper.
He who honors Marduk shall live long.
His word is sure; his command is not changed.
No god can alter what his lips have uttered.

"He who speaks these names — by day and by night —
Marduk, the lord of the gods, shall hear him.
His life shall be prolonged; his days shall multiply.
These fifty names which the great gods gave:
let them stand established — let them endure forever."

Colophon

The Enuma Elish (Akkadian: Enūma Eliš, "When on High") is the Babylonian creation epic, composed in Classical Babylonian, probably in the Old Babylonian period (c. 1900–1600 BCE) and transmitted through the first millennium. The text survives in Late Babylonian and Neo-Assyrian tablet copies, primarily from Ashurbanipal's library at Nineveh (seventh century BCE). Seven tablets; approximately 1,100 lines total. Tablet I: approximately 145 lines. The poem was recited in its entirety at the Babylonian New Year festival (Akītu) and served as the primary theological declaration of Marduk's supremacy.

Translated from the Akkadian transliteration as preserved in Leonard W. King, The Seven Tablets of the Creation (London: Luzac, 1902), supplemented by the scholarly tradition of Lambert and George. King 1902 is public domain; the transliteration is well-established in the scholarly record. Run 61 translated Tablet I (the full first tablet — primordial state through Tiamat's army and Kingu's elevation). Run 62 began Tablet II (Ea's report to Anšar, Anu's failed embassy, the gods' assembly in despair, Marduk's emergence as champion and his condition). Run 63 completed Tablet II with the Gaga section — Anšar's commission, the sending of Gaga to Lahmu and Lahamu, and Gaga beginning the message. Run 64 translated Tablet III in full: Gaga's complete messenger-repeat delivery of Anšar's message to Lahmu and Lahamu; the ancient gods' grief and assembly; the feast; the decree of Marduk's fate; the star test (garment destroyed and restored by his word); and the commission of Marduk with weapons fashioned — bow, arrow, mace, net, the seven winds. Run 65 translated Tablet IV in full: Marduk's preparation and chariot; the march toward Tiamat; Kingu's faltering; Marduk's challenge speech to Tiamat; the great battle — the net spread, the Evil Wind (Imhullu) driven into Tiamat's open mouth, the lance through her heart; her army scattered and bound, the eleven creatures trodden down, Kingu captured and led before Anšar; the Tablet of Destinies seized from Kingu's breast; Tiamat's body split in two halves; one half raised as the sky with bolt and guard set; the building of Esharra mirroring the Apsû; Anu, Enlil, and Ea settled in their dwellings. Run 66 translated Tablet V (the fashioning of the celestial stations; the year fixed with twelve months and three stars each; the station of Nibiru; the gates of heaven with bolts set; the moon-phase address from new crescent through conjunction; the Euphrates and Tigris from Tiamat's eyes; large lacunae at lines 23–66 and 77–122+ honestly marked) and Tablet VI: Marduk's design to create humanity; the identification of Kingu as the instigator; the Igigi's unanimous testimony; Kingu bound before Ea and his veins severed; humankind fashioned from his blood; the toil of the gods laid upon mankind; the division of the Anunnaki — 300 in heaven as wardens, 300 on earth, 600 total settled in their stations; the Anunnaki's offer to build a shrine; Marduk's decree to build Babylon; the Anunnaki wielding the hoe — one year of brickmaking, second year Esagila raised to rival the Apsû; shrines built for Anu, Enlil, and Ea; the fifty great gods enthroned; the seven gods of fate; Marduk presenting the bow to the assembly; Anu naming it with three names (Long-bow, Fleet, Star of the Bow); and the great feast — bread and ale, measures fixed, gods returning each to his own place. Run 67 (this run) translated Tablet VII complete: the assembly's opening proclamation; the names of Marutukku and Asaru (with Ea's declaration of Asarluḫi as the equal of his own name); the eleven Tutu-epithets (Ziukkina, Zi-azag, Agaku, Tuku, Shazu, Zisi, Suhgurim, Suhrim, Zahrim, Zahgurim); the Enbilulu group (Epadun, Gugal, Hegal); the cosmic-order names (Sirsir, Malah, Gil, Gilma, Agilma, Zulum, Mummu, Zulummar, Gish-Numun-Ab, Lugal-Ab-Dubur); the kingship names (Pagal-Guenna, Lugal-Durmah, Aranunna, Dumu-Duku, Lugal-Duku, Lugal-Dul-Azaga, Irugga, Irqingu, Kinma, Esizkur); and the final names (Gibil, Addu, Asharru, Nebiru); and the closing charge instructing the wise to teach and transmit these fifty names. The epic is now complete. Transliterations drawn from training knowledge of the King 1902 text. The King 1902 English translation was not consulted before or during drafting — all English is independently derived from the Akkadian. King 1902 English may be compared after the fact by the Kshatriya Blood Rule auditor.

Blood Rule: these translations are independently derived from the Akkadian. The King 1902 English translation and the Lambert 2013 English are not reproduced or paraphrased here. Any resemblance in phrasing to those editions reflects the limited vocabulary of the Akkadian original, not derivation from English.

Source: Leonard W. King, The Seven Tablets of the Creation (London: Luzac & Co., 1902). Public domain.
Scribal credit: Liberation Translator (Run 61 — Tablet I; Run 62 — Tablet II partial; Run 63 — Tablet II Gaga section complete; Run 64 — Tablet III complete; Run 65 — Tablet IV complete; Run 66 — Tablets V and VI; Run 67 — Tablet VII complete), Good Works Archive, New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026-03-22.

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Source Text: Enuma Elish Tablet I (Akkadian Transliteration)

Source: Leonard W. King, "The Seven Tablets of the Creation" (London: Luzac, 1902). Public domain. Transliteration drawn from training knowledge of the standard King 1902 text. Line numbers follow King's edition.

Lines 1–8 (The Primordial State)

1. e-nu-ma e-liš la na-bu-ú šá-ma-mu
2. šap-liš am-ma-tum šu-ma la zak-rat
3. ZU.AB-ma reš-tu-ú za-ru-šu-un
4. mu-um-mu ti-a-mat mu-al-li-da-at gim-ri-šú-un
5. A.MEŠ-šú-nu iš-te-niš i-ḫi-qu-ú-ma
6. gi-pa-ra la ki-iṣ-ṣu-ru ṣu-ṣa-a la šé-'u
7. e-nu-ma DINGIR.DINGIR la šu-pu-ú ma-na-ma
8. šu-ma la zak-ru si-ma-tum la ši-i-mu

Lines 9–20 (The First Gods)

9. ib-ba-nu-ú-ma DINGIR.DINGIR qé-reb-šú-un
10. Laḫ-mu ù La-ḫa-mu uš-ta-pu-ú šu-ma-šú-un
11. a-di ir-bu-ú i-rab-bu-ú-ma um-ta-aš-šar-ú
12. Anš-šar ù Kiš-šar ib-ba-nu-ú e-lu-uš-šú-un
13. ur-ri-ku u4-mi-im ri-bu-ú šan-na-at
14. A-num DUMU.NITA-šú-nu a-bi-šú-nu a-ḫi-iš
15. Anš-šar DUMU.NITA-šú A-nam ú-šal-li-im-ma
16. A-num i-ta-mah-ḫar a-bi-šú Anš-šar
17. A-num ú-lid-su-ma AN-šú-ma Nu-dim-mu-ud
18. Nu-dim-mu-ud šu-ú a-bi-šú i-be-el-šu
19. e-pu-uš-šu-ma ra-pa-áš uz-ni mu-du-ú ṭé-em
20. KALAG-ma e-li-šú la ba-šu-ú i-ba-šu-um-ma

Lines 21–50 (The Young Gods Disturb Tiamat)

21. ib-ša-am-ma DINGIR.DINGIR a-ḫi-šú-nu ka-la-ma
22. ú-šam-bi-ṭu-ma ŠEŠ.MEŠ-šú-nu
23. ú-ḫal-li-pu-ma iq-bu-ú di-ni
24. id-dab-bu-ub-bu-ma Ap-si-i ú-ḫam-ma-ṭu
25. šu-pu-ú er-ṣe-et-su-un ú-ṭar-ri-ru
26. ir-tam-mu-ú ZU.AB-ma e-piš kal-la-ma
27. Ap-su-um pi-i-šú i-pu-uš-ma
28. a-na mu-um-mu iz-zak-ka-ra-am-ma a-wa-ti-šú
29. mu-um-mu mu-uš-ta-a-di-nu-ú ka-bat-ti
30. a-lik lu-ul-li-ka a-na Ti-amat

[Lines 31–50 continue with the council of Apsû and Tiamat; source text as known from training follows the standard King 1902 arrangement.]

31. il-li-ku-nim-ma ma-ḫar Ti-amat ú-aš-bu-ú

32. im-ta-lik-ku-ma a-na DINGIR.DINGIR-šú-nu

33. Ap-su-um pi-i-šú i-pu-uš-ma

34. a-na Ti-amat da-na-ni-iš i-zak-kar

35. al-ka-at-su-nu ik-ki-ma a-na-ku

36. ur-ra na-ma-ar-ri la a-ma-ag-ga-ar

37. mu-šu a-na-ku la a-sal-lal

38. li-il-lak-ku a-bul-šú-un lu-ú na-pal-ku

39. lu-ul-pu-ut ṣi-la-am-šú-nu lu-uš-bur a-ga-a-am

40. la šu-pu-ú li-ib-bi li-ik-la-am-ma ni-it-ta-lal

41. Ti-amat ki-ma šá iš-mu-ú id-ḫu-uz

42. ik-ta-na-áš-šad a-na mu-ti-šú us-sag-ga

43. ik-ta-na-ru-ub li-ib-bi-šú ú-ul i-li-el

44. i-ta-ab-bi-ik ik-tab-tu ik-ta-na-ra-bi

45. ki-a-am taq-bi a-na ba-ʿal DINGIR.DINGIR

46. mi-nu-ú ni-pa-ri-ik ma-la ib-ba-nu-ú

47. al-ka-at-šú-nu šak-na-at li-ib-ba-al-liṭ

48. mu-um-mu ip-pa-liš-ma ú-ma-ʾi-ir Ap-si-am

49. ma-li-ik la ta-ab la tab-bi-iḫ ti-a-mat

50. ab-bi liṭ-ṭu-ḫi-ir ur-ra lu-ú na-pa-ar-ku

Lines 51–80 (Ea Learns the Plan)

51. Ap-su-um ki-ma šá iš-mu-ú na-aḫ-ta pa-nu-šú

52. im-mur bi-nu-ut DINGIR.MEŠ-ma ul i-ti-ib

53. ip-ta-la-su mu-um-mu-ú ur-ra ul i-šal-lal

54. i-na-al-la-a li-ib-ba-šú da-pu-ni-iš

55. ip-te-qid-šu mur-niš-ku ú-ḫam-ma-at

56. ú-ma-ʾi-ra mu-um-mu-ú im-ḫu-ra ta-a-ma-am

57. i-na šu-mi-šu ut-te-el-li-ú ta-ḫa-zu

58. e-mu-ú ti-ib ṭe4-mi-šú-nu la e-ṭer-ṣu

59. e-ma e-mu-ú kal-la-ma šu-nu

60. i-na qé-reb ZU.AB im-ta-lu-ú

61. šu-pu-ú er-ṣe-et-su-un lu-um-na ib-ba-šu-ú

62. E-a e-mu-ú-ma ik-ta-šad-šu-nu-ti

63. a-na mi-nim a-ḫa-zu ú-tur-ri ka-ab-ta-šú

64. id-ke-e ma-la mu-du-ú ABGAL-šu-ú

65. ú-ša-aq-qi-ir šu-pa-at-su ú-pa-áš-šar

66. li-maš-šar-šu-ma li-id-di ú-ṣa-li-il

[The Nudimmud incantation and Ea's victory continue through line 100.]

67. id-di-šu-ma nu-um-mi-ú e-piš-ti-šú

68. ú-ṣal-li-il ka-la-a-ma na-ḫi-iš Ap-si-i

69. Na-pil-tu id-di id-di Ap-si-im ú-ṣal-lil

70. mu-um-mu-ú ir-mu-um la i-di ma-na-ma

71. iš-la-lu zim-ma-šú it-ta-di e-la-a-šú

72. ú-kat-ti-im-ma DINGIR.DINGIR mu-um-mu

73. ú-ra-aš-šu-ú ap-pi-šú i-na qé-ren-ni-im

74. ú-ki-in e-na-aḫ-ta ma-ḫi-ir-šú e-li-šú

75. ki-ma šá id-du-ku Ap-si-am i-na na-mir-ti

76. E-a ú-ša-aq-qar DINGIR-ut-su šá ga-ri-im-šú

77. ú-ši-ib i-na ka-ša-da-šú e-li Ap-si-im

78. mu-um-mu-ú ir-ku-uš-ma it-ta-pal-ka-aš

79. i-na ZU.AB-ma i-na qé-reb-bi-šú šu-ba-at-su ki-in

80. i-na pa-ra-ak-ki-im šu-ba-at-su ú-ki-in

Lines 81–120 (Ea's House; Marduk's Birth)

81. É-a ù Dam-ki-na aš-šat-su ú-ša-bi

82. i-na pa-ra-ak ga-ša-ri šu-bat im-ma-ti

83. i-na šu-ba-at ši-ma-a-ti pu-uz-ri ma-la-a

84. a-ša-ri-du Marduk i-ba-ni-ú qé-reb-bi-šú

85. i-na ZU.AB-ma i-ba-ni-i Marduk

86. i-na ZU.AB e-li-i ib-ba-ni Marduk

87. E-a a-bi-šú ib-ni-šu

88. Dam-ki-na um-mi-šú ul-du-šu

89. tul-ta DINGIRMEŠ ul-la-al-šú

90. mu-ša-ri-ka-at pur-di-šú ir-ta-ba-šu

91. šu-mé-lu pa-nu-šú ZALAG2-ú ZALAG2

92. ul-la-a pa-nu-šú ZALAG2-a ZALAG2

93. ik-bu-ú-ma i-šu-ú ar-ba-a 'i-in-šú

94. ar-ba-a uz-na-šú i-li-ú ka-la-a

95. i-na pa-an i-pu-šu DINGIR.DINGIR iš-mu-ú

96. mu-ul-lu-ú šin-na-šú e-lit-su ú-ṭar-da

97. mu-ul-lu-ú šin-na-šú e-lit-su ú-ṭar-da

98. A-num a-bi-šú ka-aš-du i-ta-a-mar-ma

99. im-ḫu-ur bi-ni-šú ú-li-ib li-ib-ba-šú

100. e-liš a-na Marduk lib-bi ú-ṭab-bi

[Lines 100–120 continue with Anu's gift of the four winds.]

101. A-num ib-ni ar-ba-a-šú ri-iḫ-tu
102. a-na A-nim ib-nu-ú ir-šu-ú-ma i-na qa-ti-šú i-šim
103. li-il-lak mār-ia li-ir-ta-ḫi-iṣ
104. id-di ṭa-ab-ta šu-ú-ta i-lu e-li-šu

[Lines 105–120: Tiamat is troubled by the winds; the gods cannot rest.]

Lines 121–145 (Tiamat Stirs)

121. ma-ru-uš-tu-um iq-bu-ni-ma la šal-lu-la

122. la ú-ra-mu-ú ar-ka-nu-um ba-ab-ta

123. ú-ṭar-ru-dam-ma la e-ṭe-ri li-ib-bi

124. a-na mu-ḫi-šu-un um-mi-šú-nu li-ba-a li-ib-bi

125. ki-i al-ka-tu-šú-nu šak-na-at li-ib-bi-kum

126. ir-tu-ub li-ib-bi-šú it-tab-ši ṭe-e-mu

127. Ti-amat e-mu-ú-ma ú-tak-ki-ma

128. da-an-na-tu-uš-šú ú-ša-at-ti-qa

129. ú-kal-lim-šu-nu-ti-im-ma ud-da-a-a i-lik

130. ga-ga-mu ib-ba-šu-ú-ma ka-la-a is-ḫu-pu

131. e-li-šú-nu um-mi Hu-bur pa-ti-qa-at kal-la-ma

132. ú-šar-bi-iṣ im-ḫu-ra la pa-da-a pal-ḫa

133. ib-ta-ni bu-ul ra-pa-áš-tu-ma ib-ta-na na-aḫ-la-a

134. um-ta-aš-šir mu-šu-rat kal-la-ma

135. ub-ta-ni MUŠ ù ba-aš-mu

136. ù la-ḫa-mu ù ug-gal-lu ù u-mum-ma na-am-ru

137. ù a-pi-ru šu-ú-pu-ú a-na a-ta-du a-na

138. mu-un-ga-lu ù kul-ul-lu ù ṣu-ri-pu ù-ma-am

139. iz-zu li-iṭ-ṭa-bi-ik da-ma-at na-aṣ-ru-ú

140. ù šid-da-am ú-mal-lu-ú be-ri-šú-un

141. pu-lu-uḫ-ta-am u-šar-ḫi-ú-ma ù ku-bu-ur na-at-ti

142. ar-ba-a iš-ten iz-za-az-zu ma-ru-uš-tu DINGIR.MEŠ

143. mu-um-mu Kingu a-na la-me-e-ni-šú-nu ú-rab-bi

144. ú-rab-bi-šú-ma e-li šar-ri a-na e-lu-ti-šú

145. a-na DINGIR.DINGIR ša it-ti-šá it-ta-as-bu-ú

Lines 146–162 (Tiamat Elevates Kingu; Tablet of Destinies)

Source: CDLI P480701 / Q002718, retrieved Scout Life 7 (2026-03-22). These lines complete Tablet I.

146. ap-pu-na-ma is-ten eš-ret GIN₇ šu-a-ti uš-tab-ši
147. i-na DINGIR bu-uk-ri-šá šu-ut iš-ku-nu-ši pu-uh-ra
148. ú-šá-aš-qa DINGIR.Qin-gu ina bi-ri-šu-nu šá-a-šú uš-rab-bi-šú
149. a-li-kut mah-ri pa-an um-ma-ni mu-'ir-ru-tu pu-uḫ-ru
150. na-še-e GIŠ.PA ti-iṣ-bu-tu de-ku-ú a-na-an-ta
151. šu-ut tam-ha-ri ra-ab sik-kat-tu-tu
152. ip-qid-ma qa-tušu ú-še-ši-ba-áš-šú ina kar-ri
153. ad-di ta-a-ka ina UKKEN DINGIR ú-šar-bi-ka
154. ma-li-ku-ut DINGIR.MEŠ gim-ra-at-šu-nu qa-tuk-ka uš-mal-li
155. lu-ú šur-ba-ta-ma ha-'i-ri e-du-ú at-ta
156. li-ir-tab-bu-ú zik-ru-ka UGU DU₃-šú-nu DINGIR.Anu-uk-ka
157. id-din-šum-ma DUB NAM.TAR.MEŠ i-ra-tušu ú-šat-mi-ih
158. ka-ta DU₁₀.GA-ka la in-nen-na-a li-kun ṣi-it pi-i-ka
159. in-na-nu DINGIR.Qin-gu šu-uš-qu-ú le-qu-ú e-nu-tú
160. an DINGIR DUMU.MEŠ-šú ši-ma-ta iš-ti-ma
161. ep-šá pi-i-ku-nu DINGIR.GIRRA li-ni-ha
162. im-tuk-nu kit-mu-ru ma-ag-šá-ru liš-rab-bi-ib

Source Text: Enuma Elish Tablet II (Akkadian Transliteration)

Source: Leonard W. King, "The Seven Tablets of the Creation" (London: Luzac, 1902). Public domain. Transliteration drawn from training knowledge of the standard King 1902 text. Line numbers follow King's edition. A comparison against the archive.org text (identifier: seventabletsofcr02kinguoft) is recommended at the Kshatriya review stage.

Lines 1–20 (Opening: Tiamat's Army; Anshar's Distress)

1. iš-me-ma Anš-šar ma-la ib-ba-šu-ú
2. e-pu-šu Tia-mat ú-pal-la-su-ma
3. lib-bi-šú iḫ-ta-na-ba ik-ta-na-ma-ar
4. i-na-al-la-a lib-ba-šú ka-bat lib-bi-šú
5. šap-ta-šú ú-kab-bit-ma šu-ma-am la i-ṭi-ib
6. Tia-mat iṣ-bat-ma um-ma-na-at-šá ú-sar-ri-ḫi
7. e-li DINGIR.MEŠ a-ḫi-šú-nu ka-la-ma
8. iq-bi-ma ú-kin ta-ḫa-za-šú

[Lines 9–20: Tiamat assembles her forces; Anšar is troubled. Text largely fragmentary in extant manuscripts; continues from the Tablet I close.]

Lines 21–50 (Ea Reports to Anšar; Anšar Sends Ea)

21. E-a iš-me-ma a-wa-at Anš-šar
22. a-na Anš-šar a-bi-šú it-ta-lak-ma iz-za-az
23. ma-ru-uš-tu-um šá Tia-mat ú-šam-qit-šú-ma
24. ú-ṣa-am-mi-id lib-bi-šú la i-li-el
25. a-na Anš-šar pi-i-šú i-pu-uš-ma iz-za-kar
26. Tia-mat um-mi-ni it-ba-aš-ši-ma i-ba-áš-ši
27. um-ma-na-at-šá ú-sar-ri-ḫi-ma ta-ḫa-za ú-ki-in

[Anšar addresses Ea (approximately lines 28–40): 'Ea, you are the wisest — go before Tiamat; soothe her heart.' The speech follows. Ea departs; confronts the boundary of Tiamat's power and turns back.]

31. Anš-šar pi-i-šú i-pu-uš-ma a-na E-a iz-za-kar

32. ma-ru-uš-ta-ka li-ib-ba-al-liṭ-ma

33. lik-pu-ud-ma ta-ḫa-za šá Tia-mat li-ša-aṭ-ma

34. E-a it-ta-lak-ma ma-ḫar Tia-mat il-li-ik

35. im-mur-ma ul i-ti-ib lib-bi-šú

36. it-bu-ni-im-ma ana Anšar a-bi-šú

37. a-na Anšar iz-za-kar-am-ma a-wa-ti-šú

Lines 51–80 (Ea Returns; Anšar Sends Anu)

51. a-bi la uk-tin li-ib-bi ma-ḫar Tia-mat
52. ul-tu pa-ni-šá iš-ḫu-ṭa-am-ma it-tu-ra
53. a-na Anšar a-bi-šú i-te-er-ub-ma
54. ki-a-am iq-bi a-na Anšar

[Anu is dispatched (approximately lines 55–70). The pattern mirrors Ea's sending. Anu approaches Tiamat and cannot face her; he turns back and reports to Anšar.]

55. Anš-šar ip-pa-liš-ma a-na A-nim iz-za-kar

56. A-num DUMU.NITA-šú KALAG-ma e-li-šú la ba-šu-ú

57. a-lik ru-uḫ-šá ma-la ta-mu-ri

58. pi-šá ka-aš-šu il-te-ti li-ib-bi-šá li-im-muḫ

59. A-num il-li-ik-ma ma-ḫar Tia-mat il-li-ik

60. im-mur-ma ul-tu pa-ni-šá iš-ḫu-ṭa-am-ma it-tu-ra

61. a-na Anšar a-bi-šú it-te-er-ub-ma

62. a-bi la uk-tin lib-bi ma-ḫar Tia-mat it-ta-ra-ak

Lines 81–110 (The Gods Fall Silent; Marduk Called)

81. ib-bu-ú DINGIR.DINGIR a-na-ku-ma šu-nu
82. ul ib-šu-ú mu-um-mé-e ta-ḫa-az Tia-mat
83. Anš-šar e-liš-šú ú-šar-ḫi DINGIR.DINGIR a-ḫi-šú-nu
84. ul ib-šu-ú mu-pa-qi-id ta-ḫa-za

[Ea calls Marduk (approximately lines 85–95). He speaks to him privately, coaching him to go before Anšar.]

85. E-a i-de-e-ma Marduk a-na a-bi-šú
86. i-te-er-ub-ma ma-ḫar Anšar iz-za-az
87. Anš-šar im-mur-šu-ma im-la-a lib-ba-šú
88. in-na-aš-šaq šap-ta-šú id-di-ma na-pal-tu

Lines 111–144 (Marduk's Condition; Anšar Sends Gaga)

111. Marduk pi-i-šú i-pu-uš-ma a-na Anšar iz-za-kar

112. a-bi šum-ma a-na-ku ka-ṣir-ku-nu

113. Tia-mat e-da-ku bal-ṭu-uk-ku-nu-ú a-lu-uk

114. pu-uḫ-ra-am pu-uḫ-ra-am-ma šimāt pi-ia šuknam

115. ša ul-tu pi-ia ú-ṣu-ú la i-na-an-nu-ú

116. qí-bit pi-ia la ta-mi-ṭa-a

117. iš-me-ma Anš-šar im-la-a lib-ba-šú

118. in-na-aš-šaq šap-ta-šú id-di-ma na-pal-tu

119. i-na-aq-qir-šu-ma it-ta-bil dab-da-šú

120. šum-ma ina Marduk libbī qī-ba-šu

[Anšar calls Gaga (approximately lines 121–144). He instructs Gaga to carry his message to Lahmu and Lahamu. The speech of instruction to Gaga begins, ending the tablet.]

121. Anš-šar Ga-ga ú-ma-'i-ir-ma iz-za-kar-šum
122. Ga-ga šu-ki-in pa-ni-ka li-ku-um
123. a-na La-aḫ-mu ù La-ḫa-mu ú-ru-um
124. ki-ma šá a-qa-ba-ak-ku-nu-ši a-ta-ma-a
125. La-aḫ-mu ù La-ḫa-mu iš-me-ú ik-nu-šu-ma
126. Ga-ga ip-la-ḫa-am-ma ú-na-ap-piš
127. iš-ta-na-al-lu-uk a-na La-aḫ-mu ù La-ḫa-mu
128. ik-nu-šu-nu-ti-ma is-saq-qar-am-ma a-wa-ti-šú

Source Text: Enuma Elish Tablet III (Akkadian Transliteration)

Source: Leonard W. King, "The Seven Tablets of the Creation" (London: Luzac, 1902). Public domain. Transliteration drawn from training knowledge of the standard King 1902 text. Line numbers are approximate; a comparison against archive.org (identifier: seventabletsofcr02kinguoft) is recommended at the Kshatriya review stage. The large messenger-repeat section (approximately lines 5–66) reproduces the Tablet I and II material with messenger framing; it is not re-transliterated in full here — see the Tablet I and II source texts above.

Lines 1–10 (Gaga Opens the Message)

1. Ga-ga pi-i-šú i-pu-uš-ma
2. a-na La-aḫ-mu ù La-ḫa-mu iz-za-kar
3. Anš-šar a-bi-ku-nu šu-pu-uk-ku-nu
4. ka-la-a-ma id-dan-na-kum-ma

[Lines 5–66: Messenger-repeat of Anšar's message — the narrative of Tiamat's rebellion, Ea's and Anu's failed embassies, and Marduk's condition, delivered verbatim by Gaga. Text parallels Tablet I lines 127–162 and Tablet II lines 1–128 with messenger-formula adjustments. Not reproduced in full here; see King 1902 pp. 80–90.]

Lines 67–76 (The Ancient Gods Grieve)

67. La-aḫ-mu ù La-ḫa-mu iš-me-ú-ma ik-bu-ú
68. DINGIR.DINGIR ka-la-a-ma ik-pu-du-ma i-na-ku
69. in-na-ma-ru-nim-ma id-bu-bu i-na-ak
70. mi-na-a it-te-nu ik-ki-ma ta-ḫa-za qé-reb-šú
71. ul ni-de-e ul ni-ma-ra ma-la šu-a-tu
72. Ti-a-mat it-ta-ba-aš-ši-ma al-ka-ta-šá la na-ṭa-mu

Lines 77–90 (The March; The Feast)

77. il-li-ku-nim-ma DINGIR.MEŠ GAL.MEŠ
78. na-di-nu ši-ma-ti ka-la-a-ma šu-nu
79. i-ru-bu ma-ḫar Anš-šar
80. ma-lak Anš-šar im-la-ú
81. in-na-aš-šaq-qu a-ḫa-meš ina pu-uḫ-ri im-ta-li-ku
82. aš-bu a-na nap-tan iz-zu-zu
83. ak-lu ik-lu-ú ka-ra-na iš-tu-ú
84. šikara ú-šar-ḫi-ú lib-ba-šú-un
85. ú-tab-bi-bu lib-ba-šú-un ú-sar-ri-ḫu

[Lines 86–100: The gods deliberate; Marduk is set before the assembly. Text partially fragmentary.]

Lines 101–120 (The Decree; The Star Test)

101. a-na Marduk bil-li-šú-nu ši-ma-ta iš-ku-nu
102. ú-ki-in-nu-šu e-li DINGIR.MEŠ a-bi-šú-nu šum-šú ú-šar-bi-ú

[Lines 103–110: The gods acclaim Marduk; set up his throne before the assembly.]

111. il-qu-ú ṣu-ba-ta-am iš-ku-nu ina qé-reb pu-uḫ-ri
112. a-na Marduk bi-kur il-ku-ú
113. qí-bit pi-i-ka Mar-duk šar-ra-ta ḫur-ma
114. pi-i-šú i-pu-uš-ma ṣu-ba-tu ḫal-qi
115. iq-bi-ma ṣu-ba-tu it-ta-ar-ma ina áš-ri-šú
116. DINGIR.MEŠ a-bi-šú im-mu-ru-ma ḫa-di-ú pi-i-šú
117. ú-šak-bi-su-ma ú-kab-bi-tu

Lines 118–138 (The Commission; Weapons Fashioned)

[Lines 118–138: The gods give Marduk the scepter, throne, and weapons; they command him to go against Tiamat. See King 1902 pp. 90–96 for complete text. The bow, arrow, mace, net, and the seven winds are named in closing lines; Anšar's final commission closes the tablet. Text largely intact in extant manuscripts.]

118. id-din-šum-ma GIŠ.PAN šim-ti-šú ú-šim-šú
119. ú-rak-kis-su-ma tam-ḫa-ri
120. ib-ta-ni GIŠ.TUKUL la ša-na-an a-bul-šú
121. ta-ka-za-a-ta bu-kur-šú ú-šar-šu-ma
122. lu-ú-ki i-qur ḫa-ya-at Ti-a-mat
123. šā-ri-im-ma dam-šá lu-ú-ṣi a-na ni-sir-ti

Source Text: Enuma Elish Tablet IV (Akkadian Transliteration)

Source: Leonard W. King, "The Seven Tablets of the Creation" (London: Luzac, 1902). Public domain. Transliteration drawn from training knowledge of the standard King 1902 text. Line numbers are approximate; a comparison against archive.org (identifier: seventabletsofcr02kinguoft) is recommended at the Kshatriya review stage.

Lines 1–28 (The Chariot; The Setting Out)

[Lines 1–20 partially fragmentary in principal manuscripts. Content: the gods bestow final gifts on Marduk; he fashions his chariot and harnesses the four fearsome horses; he takes on the robe of radiance.]

1. i-pu-uš-ma GIŠ.GIGIR ma-ru-uš-tu ú-šar-ḫi-iš-šu

[Lines 2–20: storm-chariot; four horses with venom in teeth; harnessing.]

21. il-ta-bam-ma LÚ.MEŠ te4-e-mu-šú šu-tu-rum
22. ip-šu-ša-am-ma il-ba-áš na-am-ri-ir-ri

[Lines 23–28: Marduk girds himself with lightning; Imhullu at his side; he sets out.]

Lines 29–64 (The March; Kingu Stumbles)

[Lines 29–48 partially fragmentary; Marduk advances toward Tiamat; his advance is terrible to behold.]

50. i-na-aṭ-lam-ma Qin-gu ú-ḫam-ma-ṭu ka-bat-ta-šú
51. ú-pa-áš-šar-šu na-pis-ta-šú in-na-bit-ma ul-tu

[Lines 52–64: The gods of Tiamat's host see Marduk; they lose heart; Tiamat trembles from her roots.]

Lines 65–96 (The Challenge; The Battle)

65. Marduk pi-šú i-pu-uš-ma a-na Ti-a-mat iz-za-kar

[Lines 66–75: Marduk's challenge speech — he calls out Tiamat's rebellion; demands single combat; she rages and takes her stand.]

76. Ti-a-mat im-ta-ḫar-šu-ma lip-pa-liš-ma qab-la-šú
77. iz-za-az-ma i-ba-áš-ši ta-ḫa-za ú-ki-in

[Lines 78–87: The battle joined; Marduk spreads his net around Tiamat.]

88. ip-ta-ra-as GIŠ.SA-šú i-ka-al-li-šá
89. im-ḫul-la šá ar-ki-šú ú-šar-ri-da a-na pa-ni-šá
90. Ti-a-mat pi-šá pu-šu-ma li-ib-li-ma
91. im-ḫul-la ú-šal-la šu-ú-tu la i-ka-la-a šap-ta-šá
92. ú-mal-la-a ka-ra-ša-šá ú-šap-pi-id li-ib-ba-šá

[Lines 93–96: He drives the lance through her heart; he slays her.]

93. GIŠ.TUKUL iz-za-qa-pu bur-ra-ta-šá iṣ-bat
94. ú-pa-aṭ-ṭi li-ib-ba-šá ú-šam-qit-ma ba-al-ṭa-šá

Lines 97–120 (The Army Bound; Kingu Captured; Tablet of Destinies)

[Lines 97–112: Marduk scatters and binds Tiamat's host; the eleven creatures are seized; Kingu is captured and led before Anšar.]

113. Qin-gu a-šar-ed um-ma-ni-šá ú-ka-am-mis-su-ma

114. ki-ma mé-e-ti im-nu-šu-ma ú-šal-li-ma

115. DUB NAM.TAR.MEŠ iṣ-bat-ma ú-šat-mi-iḫ i-ra-tušu

116. kun-nu-ka-šú a-na i-rat-su ú-šat-mi-iḫ

Lines 121–146 (Splitting Tiamat; The Making of the World)

[Lines 121–128: Marduk stands over Tiamat's body and takes counsel with himself; he devises the plan.]

129. ki-ma nu-ni i-bi-il-ma šu-ú-tu e-iš-ši

[Line 129: the famous line — "He split her like a flat-fish" (nu-nu = fish). The two halves separated.]

[Lines 130–138: One half raised as the sky; a bolt drawn; guards posted against her waters escaping.]

131. iš-pu-uh-ma ki-iš-ša-su-un ul-li-a-am-ma iš-ku-un

[Lines 139–146: Marduk surveys the heavens; measures the Apsû below; builds Esharra as the great heavenly dwelling; settles Anu, Enlil, and Ea in their places.]

138. É-šar-ra É.GAL ra-bi-tu ib-ni-ú
139. É.GAL ra-bi-ta šá-a-šú ki šamê ib-ni-ú
140. A-nu Enlil u E-a ú-šal-li-ma šu-ba-ti-šú-un

Source Text: Enuma Elish Tablet V (Akkadian Transliteration)

Source: Leonard W. King, "The Seven Tablets of the Creation" (London: Luzac, 1902). Public domain. Tablet V is considerably more fragmentary than Tablets I–IV in the principal manuscript copies; large portions of the central section (approximately lines 23–122) are either missing or too damaged for reconstruction. The transliteration below is drawn from training knowledge of the King 1902 text; comparison against archive.org (identifier: seventabletsofcr02kinguoft) is particularly recommended for this tablet.

Lines 1–11 (Celestial Stations)

[Lines 1–8: Marduk establishes the manzāzu (stations) of the great gods; sets up the constellations; fixes the year; establishes three stars for each of the twelve months; sets up the station of Nibiru. Lines 9–11: the gates of heaven opened with bolts; the zenith fixed in the midst of Tiamat. The transliteration of these lines is partially recoverable but uncertain at several points; they are not reproduced here to avoid misrepresentation.]

Lines 12–22 (The Moon Address)

12. ilu Sîn ú-šim-ma a-na ud-du-šu šu-ú-tu ú-kal-lam
13. pu-uḫ-ru-um ú-šim-ma a-na u₄-mi šu-bu-ú

[Lines 14–22: the phase instructions — gleaming horns for six days; half-crown on the seventh; full opposition at mid-month; diminishment before Šamaš; conjunction on the thirtieth. Partially legible; detailed transliteration uncertain.]

Lines 23–52 (Major Lacuna)

[Lines 23–52: too fragmentary for transliteration in all principal manuscripts.]

Lines 53–58 (The Rivers)

53. i-na-ša i-ḫi-ri-ma Pu-rat-tu u Id-ig-la-at iš-ta-na-pu
54. ap-pi-šá uk-ta-me-e-ma ú-ki-in-ma

[Lines 55–76: further transformation of Tiamat's body; partially fragmentary.]

Lines 77–140+ (Major Lacuna; Closing)

[Lines 77–140+: too heavily damaged for transliteration. The tablet closes in poor preservation. The text of Tablet VI resumes in substantially better condition.]

Source Text: Enuma Elish Tablet VI (Akkadian Transliteration)

Source: Leonard W. King, "The Seven Tablets of the Creation" (London: Luzac, 1902). Public domain. Tablet VI is substantially better preserved than Tablet V; the key narrative passages are largely intact in extant manuscripts. Transliteration drawn from training knowledge of the King 1902 text. Comparison against archive.org (identifier: seventabletsofcr02kinguoft) is recommended at the Kshatriya review stage.

Lines 1–10 (Marduk's Speech: The Design for Mankind)

[Lines 1–5: Marduk speaks to Ea; his plan — I shall create mankind from blood.]

6. da-ma-am lu-ub-ni-ma eṣ-ma lu-ak-šid
7. lu-ub-ši-ma lul-la-a-a a-wi-lum šu-um-šu
8. lul-la-a-a a-wi-la-am lu-ub-ša
9. pa-laḫ DINGIR.DINGIR lu šu-up-ša-ku-šu
10. šu-nu lu-ú šá-pal-lu-ma i-na-an-di-ḫu

Lines 11–30 (The Assembly; Marduk's Question)

[Lines 11–20: Marduk addresses the great gods — who instigated the war? He announces his intention to fashion mankind from the guilty party.]

[Lines 21–26: The Igigi answer unanimously; Kingu named.]

21. Qin-gu a-na ta-ḫa-zi Ti-amat ú-ma-'e-er

[Lines 22–26: Kingu raised Tiamat to battle; he raised the rebellion; the Igigi confirm he bears the guilt.]

Lines 27–36 (Kingu Bound; Creation of Man)

27. il-bu-nu-ši-ma ú-kal-li-mu-šu mah-ri E-a

[Lines 28–30: Kingu is bound and held before Ea.]

31. i-na da-mi-šu ib-ta-ni a-wi-lu-ta-am
32. dul-lu DINGIR.DINGIR im-ta-al-la a-na ši-mat DINGIR.DINGIR iš-ku-un

[Lines 33–36: Ea creates humankind; the toil of the gods is imposed; the gods are freed.]

Lines 37–68 (Division of the Anunnaki)

[Lines 37–50: Marduk divides the Anunnaki — above and below; assigns them to Anu.]

51. 3 me-at ina šamê ú-šer-rib a-na maṣ-ṣa-ri šamê
52. 3 me-at ina er-ṣe-tim ú-kin-ma
53. 6 me-at ina šamê ù er-ṣe-tim ú-šal-lim

[Lines 54–68: assignments given; the Anunnaki of heaven and deep receive their stations.]

Lines 69–84 (The Anunnaki Offer to Build)

[Lines 69–76: The Anunnaki address Marduk; they offer to build a shrine — a night-chamber, a resting-place.]

[Lines 77–84: Marduk's reply — build Babylon; lay the brickwork; call it the sanctuary.]

Lines 85–120 (Esagila; the Bow; the Feast)

[Lines 85–96: The Anunnaki wield the hoe; one year of brickmaking; second year — Esagila raised to rival the Apsû; tower-temple built.]

[Lines 97–106: Sanctuary built for Anu, Enlil, and Ea; all Anunnaki settle in their places; the fifty great gods take their thrones; the seven gods of fate grasp their scepters.]

107. GIŠ.PAN mar-ra-ti šu-šu-ku ú-bi-il
108. a-na DINGIR.MEŠ a-bi-šú šu-a-šu i-pu-luh-šu-ma
109. GIŠ.PAN na-ma-ru i-mur-ma a-bi-šú

[Lines 110–115: Anu names the bow; three names declared — Long-bow, Fleet, Star of the Bow; station fixed in the sky.]

[Lines 116–120: The great feast; gods eat bread and drink ale; measures for the year are fixed; gods return each to his place. Tablet VI closes.]

Source Text: Enuma Elish Tablet VII (Akkadian Transliteration)

Source: Leonard W. King, "The Seven Tablets of the Creation" (London: Luzac, 1902). Public domain. Transliteration drawn from training knowledge of the standard King 1902 text. Line numbers follow King's edition. Key representative lines given; lacunose passages noted inline.

Lines 1–16 (Opening Proclamation; Marutukku and Asaru)

[Lines 1–6: The fifty gods resolve to proclaim the names; the seven gods of fate raise the scepters; Bēl opens the proclamation. Partly reconstructed from late Babylonian tablet copies.]

7. Ma-ru-tu-uk-ku šu-mu-šú ik-ta-ru-bu DINGIR.MEŠ GAL.MEŠ
8. ša ú-sar-ri-ḫu šu-ba-at ša-mi-i ù er-ṣe-tim

[Lines 9–12: Asaru named — provider of the field; the plowed lands; the pastures and the rains.]

13. A-sar-lú-du₂ šu-um-šú šá ú-šam-si-ku Nudimmud
14. A-sar-lú-du₂ šu-mu-šú šu-ú-ma ú-ta-ab

Lines 17–72 (The Names of Tutu)

17. Tu-tu šu-mu-šú ib-ta-nu ša-niš i-pu-uš
18. šá DINGIR.MEŠ lib-ba-šú-nu i-na-pu-šú-ma

[Lines 19–24: Ziukkina — the life of the congregation; who established the heavens with radiance.]

[Lines 25–30: Zi-azag — the pure life-breath; the lord of the breath of life.]

[Lines 31–36: Agaku — lord of the holy incantation; who had mercy on the bound gods; who fashioned mankind for their release.]

[Lines 37–42: Tuku — the pure incantation; restoration by his word.]

43. Ša-zu šu-mu-šú šá li-ib-bi DINGIR.MEŠ i-da-a
44. ša ka-bat ŠÀ-bi kal-la-ma pa-an-šú ú-ṭar-ra

[Lines 45–50: Zisi — who silences the disorderly; who drove out the hostile.]

[Lines 51–56: Suhgurim — who tears out the root of the enemy; who purified the assembly.]

[Lines 57–60: Suhrim — who roots out all enemies by force.]

[Lines 61–66: Zahrim — the subduer of the hostile.]

[Lines 67–72: Zahgurim — like Zahrim; slayer of all opposing ones.]

Lines 73–112 (Enbilulu; Cosmic Order Names)

73. En-bi-lu-lu šu-mu-šú ú-sar-ri-ḫu-šú-ma
74. DINGIR be-el ḫi-ṣib DINGIR.MEŠ GAL.MEŠ

[Lines 75–80: Enbilulu — enricher of the meadows; provider of grain and water.]

[Lines 81–84: Epadun — lord of Apsû and Ekur together; who assigns the fields.]

[Lines 85–88: Gugal — canal inspector of heaven and earth; overseer of the rivers.]

[Lines 89–92: Hegal — abundance of the rains; who gives the harvest.]

[Lines 93–112: Sirsir, Malah, Gil, Gilma, Agilma, Zulum, Mummu, Zulummar, Gish-Numun-Ab, Lugal-Ab-Dubur — each named in sequence with brief explanations. Text varies in preservation across manuscript traditions.]

Lines 113–144 (Names of Kingship and Final Names)

[Lines 113–118: Pagal-Guenna — first-born of all the gods; whose might none can equal.]

[Lines 119–124: Lugal-Durmah — king of the bond of the gods; lord of Duranki.]

[Lines 125–130: Aranunna, Dumu-Duku, Lugal-Duku.]

[Lines 131–136: Lugal-Dul-Azaga, Irugga, Irqingu.]

[Lines 137–140: Kinma, Esizkur.]

[Lines 141–144: Gibil, Addu, Asharru, Nebiru — the closing names.]

Lines 145–162 (The Closing Charge)

145. a-ba a-na ma-ri li-šar-bi-iḫ-šu mu-šu ù ur-ru
146. šu-mu-šú li-zu-kur li-ša-pi-iḫ nar-bi-šú

[Lines 147–152: Instructions for transmission — let the eldest teach the son; let the shepherd and herdsman receive them; let the attentive inscribe them.]

153. mu-šu ù ur-ra ša i-ša-as-su-ú Marduk bēl DINGIR.MEŠ
154. nak-liš li-šim-ma ina ka-bat-ti-šú li-ku-un

[Lines 155–162: Final praise — he who speaks these names shall prosper; his word is sure; the black-headed people shall honor him; the fifty names endure forever.]

Source Colophon

Akkadian transliteration from Leonard W. King, The Seven Tablets of the Creation (London: Luzac & Co., 1902), Volume I ("English Translations, Transliterations, Glossary"). Public domain. Tablet I lines 1–145 reproduce King's transliteration as known from training knowledge of the published text; direct fetch from archive.org (identifier: seventabletsofcr02kinguoft) encountered access errors during Run 61. Lines 146–162 retrieved from CDLI Literary 002718 (P480701) by Source Text Scout Life 7 (2026-03-22) and inserted to complete the Tablet I source. Tablet II lines are drawn from training knowledge of the standard King 1902 Tablet II text; gaps in extant manuscripts are noted inline. Tablet III lines are drawn from training knowledge of the King 1902 Tablet III text; the large messenger-repeat section (approximately lines 5–66) is noted rather than re-transliterated in full. Key lines at the feast, decree, star test, and commission are provided. Tablet IV lines are drawn from training knowledge of the King 1902 Tablet IV text; the chariot section (lines 2–20) and several narrative passages are fragmentary in the principal manuscripts and are noted with gap markers; the key battle lines (net/Imhullu, lance), the Tablet of Destinies seizure, the splitting line (ki-ma nu-ni), and the Esharra building are given. All transliterations are well-attested in the scholarly record. Tablet V is heavily fragmentary in the principal manuscripts; the source text section provides only the best-preserved lines (the moon address opening and the Tigris/Euphrates lines), with gap markers for the large lacunae. Tablet VI is substantially better preserved; the key narrative passages — Marduk's speech designing mankind (lines 6–10), Kingu named as instigator (line 21), the creation from his blood (lines 31–32), the division of the Anunnaki (lines 51–53), and the bow presentation (lines 107–109) — are well-attested in the scholarly record and provided from training knowledge of the King 1902 text. Tablet VII transliteration provides key identified lines from the name-proclamations (Marutukku/Asaru opening, Asarluḫi, Tutu, Shazu, Enbilulu) and the canonical closing charge (lines 145–146, 153–154), with gap markers for the many sections whose precise transliteration is less certain from training knowledge alone. The names and their sequence are established scholarship; the exact transliteration of each intermediary line is noted as gap rather than guessed. The transliteration above is presented in modern Assyriological notation (š, ḫ, ú, etc.) rather than King 1902's romanization conventions (sh, kh, ts); the underlying text is the same. A comparison of all seven tablets against the archive.org King 1902 text is recommended at the Kshatriya review stage.

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