CDLI-Found Texts

CDLI Literary 002718 (enuma elish) composite
Click for archival page

Primary publication	CDLI Literary 002718 (enuma elish) composite
Author(s)	CDLI
Publication date	2014ff.
Secondary publication(s)	Lambert, Wilfred G., MC 16 (2013) 050-060
Collection
Museum no.
Accession no.
Provenience
Excavation no.
Period	Neo-Assyrian (ca. 911-612 BC)
Dates referenced
Object type	other (see object remarks)
Remarks	composite text
Material	composite
Language	Akkadian
Genre	Literary
Sub-genre	enuma eliš 1 (composite)
CDLI comments
Catalogue source	201504521 cdliadmin
ATF source	Lambert, Wilfred G.
Translation	McAllister, Ray
UCLA Library ARK
Composite no.	Q002718
Seal no.
CDLI no.	P480701

Can you improve upon the content of this entry?
Please contact us!

(click on image to enlarge)

Composite text

surface a

1. e-nu-ma e-lisz la na-bu-u2 sza2-ma-mu
en: When on high the heaven had not been named,
2. szap-lisz am-ma-tum szu-ma la zak-rat
en: Firm ground below had not been called by name,
3. _abzu_-u-ma resz-tu-u2 za-ru-szu-un
en: When primordial Apsu, their begetter,
4. mu-um-mu ti-amat mu-al-li-da-at gim-ri-szu2-un
en: And Mummu-Tiamat, she who bore them all,
5. _me-mesz_-szu2-nu isz-te-nisz i-hi-qu-u2-ma
en: Their waters mingled as a single body,
6. gi-pa-ra la ki-is,-s,u-ru s,u-s,a-a la sze-’-u2
en: No reed hut had sprung forth, no marshland had appeared,
7. e-nu-ma _dingir_ la szu-pu-u ma-na-ma
en: None of the gods had been brought into being,
8. szu-ma la zuk-ku-ru szi-ma-tu2 la szi-i-mu
en: And none bore a name, and no destinies determined--
9. ib-ba-nu-u2-ma _dingir_ qi2-rib-szu2-un
en: Then it was that the gods were formed in the midst of heaven.
10. {d}lah-mu {d}la-ha-mu usz-ta-pu-u2 szu-mi-iz-zak-ru
en: Lahmu and Lahamu were brought forth, by name they were called. (10)
11. a-di ir-bu-u2 i-szi-hu
en: Before they had grown in age and stature,
12. an-szar2 {d}ki-szar2 ib-ba-nu-u e-li-szu-nu at-ru
en: Anshar and Kishar were formed, surpassing the others.
13. ur-ri-ku _u4-mesz_ us,-s,i-bu _mu-an-na-mesz_
en: Long were the days, then there came forth.....
14. {d}a-num a-pil-szu-nu sza2-nin _ad_-szu2
en: Anu was their heir, of his fathers the rival;
15. an-szar2 {d}a-num bu-uk-ra-szu u2-masz-szil-ma
en: Yes, Anshar’s first-born, Anu, was his equal.
16. u3 {d}a-num tam-szi-la-szu2 u2-lid {d}nu-dim2-mud
en: Anu begot in his image Nudimmud.
17. {d}nu-dim2-mud sza2 _ad-mesz_-szu sza2-lit,-su-nu szu-ma
en: This Nudimmud was of his fathers the master;
18. pal-ka uz-nu ha-sis e-mu-qan pu-un-gul
en: Of broad wisdom, understanding, mighty in strength,
19. gu-usz-szu ma-’-disz a-na a-lid _ad_-szu2 an-szar2
en: Mightier by far than his grandfather, Anshar.
20. la i-szi sza-ni-na i-na _dingir-mesz_ at-he-e-szu2
en: He had no rival among the gods, his brothers. (20)
21. in-nen-du-ma at-hu-u2 _dingir-mesz_-ni
en: Thus were established and were... the great gods.
22. e-szu-u2 ti-amat-ma na-s,ir-szu2-nu isz-tab-bu
en: They disturbed Tiamat as they surged back and forth,
23. dal-hu-nim-ma sza2 ti-amat ka-ras-sa
en: Yes, they troubled the mood of Tiamat
24. i-na szu-’-a-ri szu-’-du-ru qi2-rib an-duru2-na
en: By their hilarity in the Abode of Heaven.
25. la na-szi-ir _abzu_-u ri-gim-szu-un
en: Apsu could not lessen their clamor
26. u3 ti-amat szu-qam2-mu-mat i-na _igi_-szu-un
en: And Tiamat was speechless at their ways.
27. im-tar-s,a-am-ma ep-szi-ta-szu-un e-li-sza
en: Their doings were loathsome unto ... .
28. la t,a-bat al-kat2-su-nu szu-nu-ti i-ga-me-la
en: Thier way was evil; they were overbearing.
29. i-nu-szu _abzu_-u za-ri _dingir_ ra-bi2-u3-tim
en: Then Apsu, the begetter of the great gods,
30. is-si-ma {d}mu-um-mu suk-kal-la-szu i-zak-kar-szu
en: Cried out, addressing Mummu, his minister: (30)
31. {d}mu-um-mu suk-kal-lu mu-t,ib-ba ka-bat-ti-ia
en: “O Mummu, my vizier, who rejoices my spirit,
32. al-kam2-ma s,i-ri-isz ti-amat i ni-il-li-ik
en: Come here and let us go to Tiamat!”
33. il-li-ku-ma qu-ud-mi-isz ta-ma-tum u2-szi-bu
en: They went and sat down before Tiamat,
34. a-ma-a-ti im-tal-li-ku asz-szum _dingir_ bu-uk-ri-szu-un
en: Exchanging counsel about the gods, their first-born.
35. _abzu_-u pa-a-szu i-pu-szam-ma
en: Apsu, opening his mouth,
36. a-na ti-amat el-le-tam-ma i-zak-kar-szi
en: Said to resplendent Tiamat:
37. im-tar-s,a-am-ma al-kat3-su-nu e-li-ia
en: “Their ways are truly loathsome to me.
38. ur-ri-isz la szu-up-szu-ha-ku mu-szi-isz la s,a-al-la-ku
en: By day I find no relief, nor repose by night.
39. lu-usz-hal-liq-ma al-kat3-su-nu lu-sa-ap-pi-ih
en: I will destroy, I will wreck their ways,
40. qu-lu lisz-sza2-kin-ma i ni-is,-lal ni-i-ni
en: That quiet may be restored. Let us have rest!” (40)
41. ti-amat an-ni-ta i-na sze-me-e-sza
en: As soon as Tiamat heard this,
42. i-zu-uz-ma il-ta-si e-lu har-me-sza
en: She was furious and called out to her husband.
43. is-si-ma mar-s,i-isz ug-gu-gat e-disz-szi-sza
en: She cried out aggrieved, as she raged all alone,
44. le-mut-ta it-ta-di a-na kar-szi-sza
en: She uttered a curse, and unto Apsu she spoke:
45. mi-na-a ni-i-nu sza2 ni-ib-nu-u2 nu-usz-hal-laq-ma
en: “What? Should we destroy that which we have built?
46. al-kat3-su-nu lu szum-ru-s,a-at-ma i ni-isz-du-ud t,a-bisz
en: Their ways indeed are most troublesome, but let us attend kindly!”
47. i-pul-ma {d}mu-um-mu _abzu_-a i-ma-al-lik
en: Then Mummu answered, giving counsel to Apsu;
48. suk-kal-lum la ma-gi-ru mi-lik mu-um-mi-szu
en: Ill-wishing and ungracious was Mummu’s advice:
49. hul-li-qam-ma a-bi al-ka-ta e-szi-ta
en: “Do destroy, my father, the mutinous ways.
50. ur-ri-isz lu-u2 szup-szu-ha-at mu-szisz lu-u2 s,al-la-at
en: Then you will have relief by day and rest by night!” (50)
51. ih-du-szum-ma _abzu_-u im-me-ru pa-nu-szu
en: When Apsu heard this, his face grew radiant
52. asz-szum lem-ne2-e-ti ik-pu-du a-na _dingir_ ma-re-e-szu
en: Because of the evil he planned against the gods, his sons.
53. {d}mu-um-mu i-te-dir ki-szad-su
en: As for Mummu, he embraced him by the neck
54. usz-ba-am bir-ka-a-szu2 u2-na-asz2-saq sza-a-szu
en: As that one sat down on his knees to kiss him.
55. mim-mu-u2 ik-pu-du pu-uh-ru-usz-szun
en: Now whatever they had plotted between them,
56. a-na _dingir_ bu-uk-ri-szu-nu usz-tan-nu-ni
en: Was repeated unto the gods, their first-born.
57. isz-mu-nim-ma _dingir_ i-dul-lu
en: When the gods heard this, they were astir,
58. qu-lu is,-ba-tu sza2-qu-um-mesz usz-bu
en: Then lapsed into silence and remained speechless.
59. szu-tur uz-na et-pe-szu te-le-u2
en: Surpassing in wisdom, accomplished, resourceful,
60. {d}e2-a ha-sis mi-im-ma-ma i-sze-’-a szib-qi2-szu-un
en: Ea, the all-wise, saw through their scheme. (60)
61. ib-szim-szum-ma us,-rat ka-li u2-kin-szu
en: A master design against it he devised and set up,
62. u2-nak-kil-szu szu-tu-ra ta-a-szu el-lum
en: Made artful his spell against it, surpassing and holy.
63. im-nu-szum-ma ina _me-mesz_ u2-szap-szi-ih
en: He recited it and made it subsist in the deep,
64. szit-tu ir-te-hi-szu s,a-lil t,u-ba-tisz
en: As he poured sleep upon him. Sound asleep he lay.
65. u2-sza2-as,-lil-ma _abzu_-a re-hi szit-tum
en: When he had made Apsu prone, drenched with sleep,
66. {d}mu-um-mu tam-la-ku da-la-pisz ku-u2-ru
en: Mummu, the adviser, was powerless to stir.
67. ip-t,ur rik-si-szu isz-ta-hat, a-ga-szu2
en: He loosened his band, tore off his tiara,
68. me-lam-mi-szu it-ba-la szu-u2 u2-ta-di-iq
en: Removed his halo and put it on himself.
69. ik-mi-szu-ma _abzu_-a i-na-ra-asz2-szu
en: Having fettered Apsu, he slew him.
70. {d}mu-um-mu i-ta-sir3 eli-szu2 ip-tar-ka
en: Mummu he bound and left behind lock. (70)
71. u2-kin-ma eli _abzu_-i szu-bat-su
en: Having thus established his dwelling upon Apsu,
72. {d}mu-um-mu it-ta-mah u2-kal s,er-ret-su
en: He laid hold of Mummu, holding him by the nose-rope.
73. ul-tu lem-ne2-e-szu2 ik-mu-u2 i-sa-a-du
en: After Ea had vanquished and trodden down his foes,
74. {d}e2-a usz-ziz-zu ir-nit-ta-szu2 eli ga-ri-szu2
en: Had secured his triumph over his enemies,
75. qir-bisz ku-um-mi-szu2 szup-szu-hi-isz i-nu-uh2-ma
en: In his sacred chamber in profound peace had rested,
76. im-bi-szum-ma _abzu_-a u2-ad-du-u2 esz-re-e-ti
en: He named it “Apsu,” for shrines he assigned it.
77. asz2-ru-usz-szu gi-pa-ra-szu2 u2-szar-szid-ma
en: In that same place his cult hut he founded.
78. {d}e2-a {d}dam-ki-na hi-ra-tusz ina rab-ba-a-te usz-bu
en: Ea and Damkina, his wife, dwelled there in splendor.
79. ina ki-is,-s,i _nam-tar-mesz_ at-ma-an _gesz-hur-mesz_
en: The Birth of Marduk In the chamber of fates, the abode of destinies,
80. le-’-u2 le-’-u2-ti _abgal dingir-mesz_ {d}en usz-tar-hi
en: A god was engendered, most able and wisest of gods. (80)
81. ina qi2-ri _abzu_-i ib-ba-ni {d}marduk
en: In the heart of Apsu was Marduk created,
82. ina qi2-rib _ku3 abzu_-i ib-ba-ni {d}marduk
en: In the heart of holy Apsu was Marduk created.
83. ib-ni-isz-ma {d}e2-a a-ba-szu
en: He who begot him was Ea, his father;
84. {d}dam-ki-na umma-szu har-sza2-as-szu
en: She who bore him was Damkina, his mother.
85. i-ti-niq-ma s,er-ret _{d}esz18-dar-mesz_
en: The breast of goddesses he did suck.
86. ta-ri-tu it-tar-ru-szu pul-ha-a-ta usz-ma-al-li
en: The nurse that nursed him filled him with awesomeness.
87. szam-hat nab-nit-su s,a-ri-ir ni-szi i-ni-szu
en: Alluring was his figure, sparkling the lift of his eyes.
88. ut,-t,u-lat s,i-ta-szu ga-szir3 ul-tu ul-la
en: Lordly was his gait, commanding from of old.
89. i-mur-szu-ma {d}a-num ba-nu-u a-bi-szu
en: When Ea saw him, the father who begot him,
90. i-risz im-mir lib3-ba-su hi-du-ta im-la
en: He exulted and glowed, his heart filled with gladness. (90)
91. usz-ta-as,-bi-szum-ma szu-un-na-at _dingir_-us-su
en: He rendered him perfect and endowed him with a double godhead.
92. szu-usz-qu ma-’-disz eli-szu2-nu a-tar mim-mu-szu
en: Greatly exalted was he above them, exceeding throughout.
93. la lam-da-ma nu-uk-ku-la mi-na-tu-szu
en: Perfect were his members beyond comprehension,
94. ha-sa-sisz la na-t,a-a a-ma-risz pa-asz2-qa
en: Unsuited for understanding, difficult to perceive.
95. 4(disz) _igi_-szu2 _4(disz) gesztu_-szu2
en: Four were his eyes, four were his ears;
96. szap-ti-szu2 ina szu-ta-bu-li _{d}gesz-bar_ it-tan-pah
en: When he moved his lips, fire blazed forth.
97. ir-ti-bu-u2 _4(disz)-ta-am3_ ha-si-sa
en: Large were all four hearing organs,
98. u3 _igi 2(disz)_ ki-ma szu-a-tu i-bar-ra-a gim-re-e-ti
en: And the eyes, in like number, scanned all things.
99. ul-lu-ma ina _dingir_ szu-tur la-an-szu
en: He was the loftiest of the gods, surpassing was his stature;
100. mesz-re-tu-szu szu-ut-tu-ha i-lit-ta szu-tur
en: His members were enormous, he was exceeding tall. (100)
101. ma-ri-u2-tu ma-ri-u2-tu
en: “My little son, my little son!”
102. ma-ri {d}utu-szi-{d}utu-szi sza2 _dingir_
en: My son, the Sun! Sun of the heavens!”
103. la-bisz mi-lam-mi esz-ret _dingir-mesz_ sza2-qisz it-bur
en: Clothed with the halo of ten gods, he was strong to the utmost,
104. pul-ha-a-tu ha-szat-si-na e-li-szu2 kam2-ra
en: As their awesome flashes were heaped upon him.
105. ib-ni-ma sza2-ar er-bit-ta u2-al-lid {d}a-num
en: Anu brought forth and begot the fourfold wind
106. qa-tusz-szu2 u2-ma-al-la-a ma-ri lim-mel-li
en: Consigning to its power the leader of the host.
107. ib-szim ep-ra me-ha-a u2-sza-az-bal
en: He fashioned ..., stationed the whirlwind,
108. u2-szab-szi a-ga-am-ma u2-dal-lah3 ti-amat
en: He produced streams to roil Tiamat.
109. dal-hat ti-amat-ma ur-ra u mu-sza i-dul-lu
en: Roiled was Tiamat, and day and night dulled.
110. _dingir_ la szup-szu-ha i-za-ab-bi-lu sza2-ri-sza2
en: The gods, given no rest, suffer in the storm.
111. ik-tap-du-ma kar-szu-us-su2-nu le-mut-ta
en: Their hearts having plotted evil, (110)
112. a-na ti-amat um-mi-szu-nu szu-nu iz-zak-ru
en: To Tiamat, their mother, said:
113. e-nu-ma _abzu_-a ha-ram-ki i-na-ru-ma
en: “When they slew Apsu, your consort,
114. i-du-usz-szu la tal-li-ki-ma qa-lisz tusz-bi
en: You did not aid him but remained still.
115. ib-ni-ma sza2-ar er-bet-ti sza2 pu-luh-ti
en: When he created the dread fourfold wind,
116. szu-ud-lu-hu kar-sza-ki-ma ul ni-s,al-lal ni-i-nu
en: Your vitals were diluted and so we can have no rest.
117. ul ib-szi lib-bu-uk-ki _abzu_-u ha-ram-ki
en: Let Apsu, your consort, be in your mind
118. u3 {d}mu-um-mu sza2 ik-ka-mu-u2 e-disz asz2-ba-ti
en: And Mummu, who has been vanquished! You are left alone!
119. isz-tu _u4_-mu at-ti dul-lu-hisz ta-dul-li
en: ... you pace about distraught,
120. u3 ni-i-ni sza2 la ni-sak-ki-pu ul ta-ra-am-mi-na-szi
en: ... without cease. You do not love us!
121. am-ra sar-ma-’u-ni hu-um-mu-ra i-na-tu-ni
en: ... our eyes are pinched, (120)
122. hu-us,-bi ab-sza2-na la sa-ki-pi i ni-is,-lal ni-i-ni
en: ... without cease. Let us have rest!
123. ep-szi ta-ha-zi gi-mil-la-szu-nu tir-ri
en: ... to battle. Avenge them!
124. x-x-ru-u2-szu-nu ep-szi-ma a-na za-qi2-qu szu-uk-ni
en: ... and render them as the wind!”
125. isz-me-ma ti-amat a-ma-tum i-t,ib el-sza
en: When Tiamat heard these words, she was pleased:
126. mim-mu-u2 at-tu-nu tusz-ta-ad-di-nu i ni-pu-usz _u4_-mu
en: “... you have given. Let us make monsters,
127. pah-ru-nim-ma _dingir_ qi2-rib-sza2
en: ... and the gods in the midst ... .
128. lem-ne2-ti usz-tah-ha-zu an _dingir_ ba-ni-szu2-un
en: ... let us do battle and against the gods ... !”
129. im-ma-as-ru-nim-ma i-du-usz ti-amat ti-bu-ni
en: They banded themselves together and marched at the side of Tiamat.
130. ez-zu kap-du la sa-ki-pu mu-sza2 u im-ma
en: Enraged, they plot without cease night and day,
131. na-szu-u2 tam-ha-ri na-zar-bu-bu lab-bu
en: They are set for combat, growling, raging, (130)
132. _ukken_-na szit-ku-nu-ma i-ban-nu-u2 s,u-la-a-ti
en: They form a council to prepare for the fight.
133. um-ma hu-bur pa-ti-qat ka-la-mu
en: Mother Hubur, she who fashions all things,
134. usz-rad-di kak-ku la mah-ri it-ta-lad _musz-mah-mesz_
en: Added matchless weapons, bore monster-serpents,
135. zaq-tu-ma szin-ni la pa-du-u at-ta-’-i
en: Sharp of tooth, unsparing of fang.
136. im-tu ki-ma da-mu zu-mur-szu-nu usz-ma-al-li
en: With venom for blood she has filled their bodies.
137. _uszumgal-mesz_ na-ad-ru-ti pul-ha-ta u2-sal-bisz-ma
en: Roaring dragons she has clothed with terror,
138. me-lam-mi usz-tasz-sza-a i-li-isz um-tasz-szi-il
en: Has crowned them with haloes, making them like gods,
139. a-mi-ir-szu2-nu szar-ba-bi-isz li-ih-har-mi-im
en: Whoever beheld them, terror overcame him,
140. zu-mur-szu2-nu lisz-tah-hi-t,am-ma la i-ne2-’u i-rat-su-un
en: And that, with their bodies reared up, none might turn them back.
141. usz-zi-iz ba-asz-mu _musz-husz_ u {d}la-ha-mu
en: She set up the Viper, the Dragon, and the monster Lahamu, (140)
142. u4-gal-la ur-idim-me u3 gir2-tab-lu2-u18-lu
en: The Great-Lion, the Mad-Dog, and the Scorpion-Man,
143. _u4_-me da-ab-ru-te ku6-lu2-u18-lu u3 ku-sa-rik-ku
en: Mighty lion-demons, the Dragon-Fly, the Centaur--
144. na-szi kak-ku la pa-du-u2 la a-di-ru ta-ha-zi
en: Bearing weapons that do not spare, fearless in battle.
145. gap-sza te-re-tu-sza2 la mah-ra szi-na-ma
en: Her decrees were firm, they were beyond resisting.
146. ap-pu-na-ma is-ten esz-ret _gin7_ szu-a-ti usz-tab-szi
en: All together eleven of this kind she brought forth.
147. i-na _dingir_ bu-uk-ri-sza szu-ut isz-ku-nu-szi pu-uh-ra
en: From among the gods, her first-born, who formed her Assembly,
148. u2-sza2-asz2-qa {d}qin-gu ina bi-ri-szu-nu sza2-a-szu2 usz-rab-bi-szu
en: She elevated Kingu, made him chief among them.
149. a-li-kut mah-ri pa-an um-ma-ni mu-’-ir-ru-tu pu-uh2-ru
en: The leading of the ranks, command of the Assembly,
150. na-sze-e _{gesz}pa_ ti-is,-bu-tu de-ku-u a-na-an-ta
en: The raising of weapons for the encounter, advancing to combat,
151. szu-ut tam-ha-ru ra-ab sik-kat2-tu-tu
en: To direct the battle, to control the fight, (150)
152. ip-qid-ma qa-tusz-szu2 u2-sze-szi-ba-asz2-szu2 ina kar-ri
en: These she entrusted to his hand as she seated him in the Council:
153. ad-di ta-a-ka ina _ukken dingir_ u2-szar-bi-ka
en: “I have cast for you the spell, exalting you in the Assembly of the gods.
154. ma-li-ku-ut _dingir-mesz_ gim-ra-at-szu-nu qa-tuk-ka usz-mal-li
en: To counsel all the gods I have given you full power.
155. lu-u2 szur-ba-ta-ma ha-’-i-ri e-du-u2 at-ta
en: Truly, you are supreme, you are my only consort!
156. li-ir-tab-bu-u2 zik-ru-ka _ugu du3_-szu2-nu {d}a-nu-uk-ka
en: Your utterance shall prevail over all the Anunnaki!”
157. id-din-szum-ma _dub nam-tar-mesz_ i-ra-tusz u2-szat-mi-ih
en: She gave him the Tablet of Destinies, fastened on his breast:
158. ka-ta _du10-ga_-ka la in-nen-na-a li-kun s,i-it pi-i-ka
en: “As for you, your command shall be unchangeable, your word shall endure!”
159. in-na-nu {d}qin-gu szu-usz-qu-u2 le-qu-u2 e-nu-tu2
en: As soon as Kingu was elevated, possessed of the rank of Anu,
160. an _dingir dumu-mesz_-szu szi-ma-ta isz-ti-ma
en: they decreed the fate for the gods, his sons:
161. ep-sza pi-i-ku-nu {d}girra li-ni-ha
en: “Your word shall make the first subside, (160)
162. im-tuk-nu kit-mu-ru ma-ag-sza-ru lisz-rab-bi-ib
en: Shall humble the ‘Power-Weapon,’ so potent in its sweep!”

(in progress)

Version History

Page: 1

Search results