Once upon a time there was no heaven and no earth. There was nothing in the world but water and the two great beings who ruled it. The fresh water belonged to Apsu, and the salt water to his wife, Tiamat. But at that time the two mixed and mingled together, for there were as yet neither rivers nor seas.

    Out of their marriage there sprang at length two colossal creatures, Lahmu and his mate, Lahamu; and from them, in turn, rose a second pair, Anshar and his mate, Kishar. Anshar was the spirit of all above, and Kishar the spirit of all below; and from them came Anu, or Heaven.

    The son of Anu was Ea, wise as he was strong, far superior to his parents and to any that had been before him.

    After the birth of Ea, the family of the gods grew apace, and a loud and noisy crew they were! Up and down they raced, bawling and screaming at the tops of their voices, until poor Grandma Tiamat was nothing but a bundle of nerves. Nevertheless she suffered in silence and made no complaint. "Children are children," thought she, "and what cannot be cured must be endured." But Grandpa Apsu was of another mind, and one day he could stand the din no longer. So he sent for Mummu, the dwarf whom he kept in his house to counsel and amuse him.

    "Come," said he, "let us go together to Tiamat and talk to her about it." And off they went to Tiamat to discuss what to do about the children.

    But Apsu was in no mood for quiet discussion. "Listen," he cried, "I can stand it no more—not a moment's rest by day, and not a wink of sleep at night. We must have our peace and quiet, and I am going to get rid of them all!"

    When she heard these words, Tiamat, pale with anger, turned to Apsu. "What do you mean?" she thundered. "Are we now to destroy what we ourselves created? Of course they set us on edge, as all children do older people, but we should take it in our stride!"

    But her words had no effect. As Soon as she had spoken them Mummu sidled up to his master and whispered in his ear. "Sir," said he, "take no notice. If you want your peace and quiet, go ahead and destroy them!"

    The advice delighted Apsu. Lifting the dwarf upon his knees, he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. Then they set off together to tell the gods what they had decided.

    When the gods heard the decision they were seized with panic and started rushing to and fro across the vault of heaven, wringing their hands in wild dismay. Then they sat down in a gloomy, mournful silence, brooding on the fate that hung over their heads.

    All except Ea, the wisest and shrewdest and most subtle of all the hosts of heaven, to whom there is nothing unforeseen, and nothing which he cannot forestall. While all his brothers and sisters huddled together in helpless despair, Ea was busy forming a plan. Suddenly, without a word, he rose from his seat, took a pitcher and filled it with water, and recited over it a high and holy spell. Then he brought it to Apsu and Mummu and bade them drink.

    Within a few moments Apsu was fast asleep, and Mummu was nodding his head, drowsy and scarcely able to keep awake. Ea lost no time. Quick as a flash, he ripped off Apsu's loincloth and crown and removed his halo and put them on himself. Then he bound Apsu in fetters and slew him and seized his dwelling. As for the wicked counselor Mummu, he trussed him up, passed a ring through his nose, and dragged him away to a dungeon.

    When he had conquered his enemies and set up a pillar lo record his triumph, he made a gay and beautiful bower, and when he had finished it he took Damkina, his bride. And there, in that holy and blessed abode, there was born to them the mightiest and strongest of gods, the prince of princes, the king of kings, LORD MARDUK HIMSELF. At the breasts of goddesses was he suckled, and along with their milk he drank majesty and power. Lithe was his figure, lustrous his eyes, lordly his gait; and he was fully mature from the day of his birth. No sooner did his father behold Marduk than he was filled with joy and his face shone, and he set on him the stamp of approval and decided then and there to confer on him a double meed of godhead. So Ea gave him a form so stately and grand that human mind cannot conceive it nor human tongue express it. Four eyes Marduk had, and four ears, and whenever his lips moved fire blazed forth from them. His stature was huge, and his limbs were immense, and he was clothed in the radiance of ten gods.

    But high adventure was in his blood, and as he grew he began to develop a taste for mischievous escapades, which became wilder and wilder. Once, for a prank, he tied the winds on a leash, so that they could blow only where he chose. Another time he calmly muzzled the dragon which guarded the heavenly abodes.

    At last the gods could stand it no longer, and off to Tiamat they went to complain.

    "Can't you see how Marduk is turning things upside down?" they cried. "His antics are making us dizzy. But you sit idly by. It's the same story all over again. When Apsu and Mummu complained you refused to do anything. You had in your hands a mighty saw, which Apsu himself had fashioned, but even when he was in the deadliest peril you simply refused to use it! And look what has happened to you—you are left a widow. Even if you did not care for your husband, at least you might care for your children! Get up and give him a trouncing!"

    Thus importuned, Tiamat could not but consent. "Very well," she replied. "We will go out together and fight him. But I warn you, he is a match for us all, and we can't do it without reinforcements. So first we shall do a little creating."

    Thereupon the gods gathered together around Tiamat, and a council of war was held. Day and night they plotted and schemed and drew up plans for the battle, while Tiamat fashioned terrible beasts, sharp of tooth and unsparing of fang, and into their veins she poured venom instead of blood. Raging monsters they were, wreathed in fire and flame, and all about them was a sheen so bright that whoever beheld them must needs turn tail. Viper there was, and Dragon; Mammoth and Great Lion; Mad Dog and Scorpion-Man; furious demons of the storm, Dragon-Fly and Centaur -- eleven horrible beings, fearless in combat, whose onslaught none could withstand.

    Then she appointed, as commander of the host, a god named Kingu. "Kingu," she said, "you shall raise the standard and lead the charge and guard the spoil. Your word shall be supreme, for, behold, I have raised you to high estate, and you shall be as my consort!" And therewith she bestowed upon him the symbols of power and fastened on his breast the great Tablets of Decision. And when he had been in- vested, Tiamat and Kingu together turned to the gods and cried:

"The fire may rage, the flame may burn;

Your breath shall put it out!

The mightiest to a weakling turn,

The proud be put to rout!"

    And with these words ringing in their ears the army set forth.

    Meanwhile, Marduk himself knew nothing of what was afoot. But as soon as Ea learned that his beloved son was threatened he was filled with such anger and indignation that he could not think clearly, but only sit and brood in silence. At length, however, his hot-headedness gave way to cool deliberation, and a plan came to his mind. At once he rose up and went to Anshar. Shrewd and wise and subtle, he knew full well how best to arouse that ancient god.

    "Tiamat," said he, "is planning a rebellion against the court of heaven." Then he told Anshar how Tiamat had massed all the gods and created terrible monsters and was already going forth to battle.

    When Anshar heard these words he smote his thigh in anger and bit his lip, and his heart was filled with foreboding. "Ea," cried he, "you have already shown your mettle by besting Apsu and Mummu. Now go forth again and slay Kingu and Tiamat!"

    So Ea went forth to do battle against the advancing host, but when he saw the monsters marching in the van and the terrible sheen that enwrapped them, he was stricken with terror, turned tail, and fled.

    When Anshar heard that Ea had been routed he was filled with dismay and summoned before him his son Anu.

    "Anu," said he, "you are my firstborn, a hero whom none can withstand. Go now and comfort Tiamat. Try first to soothe and appease her, but, if she will not listen, tell her hat you come in my name and demand her obedience!"

    Thereupon Anu departed and made straight for Tiamat. But when he beheld her furious mien and the terrible look upon her face, he too was stricken with terror and, like Ea, ran away.

    Back he came to Anshar and reported what had happened. When Anu had finished speaking, Anshar turned to and shook his head in despair; and all the hosts of heaven huddled together, muttering one to another, "Behold, there none that can confront Tiamat and come back alive!"

    There they sat, cowed, craven, and disconsolate, until at length Anshar rose from his throne and faced them in all his glory and might. "There is but one," he said, "who could ever be our champion—the stalwart warrior, the soldier intrepid, the valiant, impetuous Marduk himself!"

    When Ea heard these words he summoned Marduk into an inner chamber so that he might speak privily with him. And he told him all about the plot of Tiamat. But he did not tell him that the plot was aimed against Marduk himself. "It is," he said, as he had told Anshar, "a rebellion against the court of heaven."

    Then an earnest look stole across his face. "Marduk," he said slowly, "I am speaking to you now as your father, so listen carefully and obey. I want you to pay a visit to your great-grandfather Anshar. Though your brothers and sisters may complain about you, Anshar has always been partial to you, and he has a warm spot for you in his heart. When you come before him, strut around boldly, and wear your best soldierly expression, for that will especially amuse him."

    So Marduk did as his father bade him, and paid a visit to Anshar and strutted before him like a man who is very sure of himself. And when Anshar saw his soldierly gait and bearing his heart was indeed cheered, and he kissed Marduk tenderly on the lips.

    Marduk was deeply moved. "Anshar," he said softly, "you know that I have always loved you and that there is nothing which I would not do for your sake. My father has told me what is afoot, and how Tiamat is plotting a rebellion against the court of heaven. Who's afraid of that? Tiamat is only a woman, and I am ready to go out and fight her. In no time you will be trampling on her neck!"

    "Very well," replied Anshar. "Go forth and confront her. See first if you can quiet her with words or some holy spell. But if she will not listen, mount the chariot of the whirlwind and fight!"

    Marduk, however, was his father's son, and if he was strong and intrepid, he was also shrewd and ambitious. "This," thought he, "is my golden chance. Why should I brave the monsters and save the honor of heaven for nought?" So he squared his massive shoulders and looked his great-grandfather boldly in the face.

    Anshar," he said, "I am ready to go forth. But if I am to be your champion and conquer Tiamat and save your life, then you must make me chief of the gods. Go, call the assembly together and issue the decree! From now on, I alone shall make the decisions, and whatever I say shall be law!"

    When he heard these words Anshar sent at once for his trusted messenger, Gaga.

    "Go," said he, "to my aged parents Lahmu and Lahamu, whom you will find in the depths of the sea. Tell them that Tiamat is raising a rebellion against the court of heaven and that Marduk has offered to fight her on condition that he becomes chief of the gods. Explain to them that this is a decision which I cannot make alone, for it affects the hosts below no less than those above. So bid them gather together all the gods in their realm, and let them come hither that we may take counsel together!"

    So Gaga went and delivered the message to Lahmu and Lahamu and told them all that had passed; and Lahamu and Lahamu in turn sent word to all the gods in their realm and bade them repair to the courts of heaven.

    When the gods received the summons they could scarcely believe their ears. "Something unusual must have happened," they murmured, "for Tiamat to behave like this. We had better go and find out."

    Presently the courts of heaven were thronged with gods and goddesses coming from all directions. As they met one another they would pause and embrace and exchange words of greeting. Then, when all were assembled, food and drink was set before them, and they sat down to a hearty banquet.

    By the time the meeting came to order, all were in a happy and carefree mood, and as soon as the resolution was laid before them, no one bothered to challenge or contest it. A dais was hastily constructed, and Marduk was seated in triumph upon it, while the company showered upon him lavish expressions of praise and approval.

    "Marduk for chieftain!" they cried. "Whatever he says shall be law! His to exalt, and his to abase! All the powers of Anu shall be conferred upon him! Marduk for king of the world, and may none of his arrows miss!"

    Then someone brought forward a garment. "Marduk," they cried, "that you may show the power that you have, say but the word again, and it shall be whole!"

    So Marduk uttered the word, and, behold, the garment was destroyed. And again he uttered the word, and, behold, it was whole.

    Then all the gods believed in Marduk, for they saw that his power was indeed supreme, and they bowed themselves low before him and cried out, "Marduk is king, Marduk is king!" And they handed him the scepter and set him upon the throne and placed in his hand the emblems of kingship, and they gave him a mighty sword and they said, " Go, cut the throat of Tiamat, and let the winds bear her blood away!"

    As soon as the gods had returned to their homes, Marduk at once set about to prepare weapons for the combat. He took a bow in his hand and set an arrow in it, and before him he carried the flail of the lightning; and his whole body shone in the gleam. Then he made a net to imprison his foes, and he created great stormwinds to march by his side.

    When all was ready he grasped in his hand the great bludgeon of the thunder and mounted the chariot of the whirlwind. Four monsters were they that drew it: Rager, Ruthless, Stormer, and Fleet—each of them filled with venom, dauntless and sharp of tooth. Over his lips he smeared red ocher to protect him against the powers of evil; and in his hand was a fragrant herb to drown the stench of Tiamat and her beasts. Then he rode forth.

    When Kingu and the vanguard saw him approaching they were filled with terror, for this they had not foreseen, and now all their plans were upset. But Tiamat herself neither wavered nor flinched. Boldly she strode forward, and the words of her war-song rent the air:

"So you are the chief, you boast,

And all must yield you place!

Well, here come gods in a host,

To challenge you face to face!"

    No sooner, however, did the words reach his ears than Marduk raised his club and brandished it in her face and hurled back his retort:

"Yours was the power and might,

You were the queen of all;

But nought to your heart was right

Save quarrel and strife and brawl!

You, whom we hailed as our mother,

Have nought in your soul but spite;

Brother must strive with brother,

And son against father must fight!

Brutal and base and black-hearted,

Faithless to living and dead,

No sooner was Apsu departed

Than Kingu you took in his stead!

What courage is this or defiance

To challenge the ancient and old,

On monsters to place your reliance,

To come forth with thousands untold?

Come forth by yourself, I say,

Let your minions be banished from sight!

Come forth of yourself to the fray,

And hand to hand let us fight!"

    At these words Tiamat was stung to frenzy and, without looking to left or to right, she lunged blindly at her taunter, jaws agape to swallow him up; and even as she advanced, screaming insult and defiance, the gods who rode at her side furbished their weapons for combat.

    But Marduk was too quick. No sooner did he see her bearing down upon him than, quick as a flash, he spread his net in her path and enmeshed her, and in less time than it takes to tell she was struggling furiously within it. Then he called to the stormwind, who had been marching in the rear of his host, and bade him advance. And the stormwind charged forward and rushed into the gaping jaws of Tiamat, so that she could not close her lips. Instantly Marduk drew his bow and shot his dart into the wide-open mouth, and the dart went down into Tiamat's maw and rent her veins and pierced her heart. Then, as her great body sagged and fell, he bound her and extinguished her life; and upon her prostrate corpse he planted his heel.

    When the hosts of Tiamat saw that their leader had been slain, they broke ranks and attempted to flee, but at once the forces of Marduk closed in upon them and bound them in fetters and broke their weapons. And Marduk took them and placed them in a net and hurled them down into the caverns of the earth, to remain there as prisoners forever. The eleven monsters also he tied with ropes and trampled underfoot, so that all their might departed and all their pride was brought low, and they became as tame beasts upon a leash. As for Kingu, a special judgment was pronounced upon him: no more was he to be reckoned among the immortals.

    Having thus disposed of her allies, Marduk turned again to the fallen Tiamat. Raising aloft his mighty club, he brought it down with full force upon her skull, and the wind bore away the blood from her severed veins.

    When Anshar and Ea and all their companions saw what Marduk had done, they were overwhelmed with joy and relief, and at once they hastened toward him, bearing gifts and tribute. But Marduk would not stay to receive them, for already he was busy with other tasks; to him the end of Tiamat was but the beginning of his own new order. Taking the carcass of his prostrate foe, he split it in two like an oyster, and one half of it he raised aloft to form the firmament of heaven. Then he paced out the length of the waters which lay beneath that firmament, and he measured their width, and of the other half of Tiamat's body he made a kind of covering for them; and that covering was the foundation of the earth. And he set Anu in the realm that was above the firmament and Enlil in the realm that was between the firmament and the earth, and Ea in the waters that were below the earth. So Anu became the god of the sky, and Enlil the god of the air, and Ea the god of the deep.

    Then Marduk assigned places to all the other gods, and he created luminaries to shine in the heavens—even the sun and the moon and the stars—and he arranged the times and seasons of their movements. And he made courses for the stars, and he determined the lengths of the months; and he opened a gate in the east whence the sun might come forth at dawn, and a gate in the west whither it might repair at dusk.

    When Marduk heard these words he fell into deep thought. Then suddenly his face lit up. "I know what I will do," said he to himself. "I will take blood and bone and fashion a little puppet. Its name shall be Man. Man shall serve the gods and tend their needs while they perform their tasks!"

    But when he imparted this plan to Ea, that wise and shrewd old god was able at once to improve upon it. "Why make new blood and bone?" he asked. "Let one of the rebels supply them!"

    So Marduk ordered the bound rebels to be brought before him, and he questioned them closely and bade them declare in truth who was the prime offender of them all, that he might be put to death.

    Now, the rebels had been simple soldiers in the host of Tiamat, and they saw no reason why any of them should bear the guilt of the war. "The prime offender," they replied with one accord, "was Kingu. He was our leader and commander, who both planned the attack and led it!"

    Thereupon Kingu was led forth from his dungeon and delivered into the hands of Ea. And Ea cut off his head and slit open his veins, and out of the bone and blood he fashioned a puppet called Man, to serve the gods and tend their needs.

    Then the gods gathered around Marduk in great joy. "Lord Marduk," they cried, "you have eased our burden and lightened our labors, and we would show you our thanks by building you a shrine on earth where you too may rest while from your toils. Year by year we will come to that shrine and pay you homage and sing your praise."

    So for two whole years they worked and slaved with brick and mortar, and in the third year the city of Babylon was upreared, and towering above it was the palace of Esagila, the shrine of Marduk.

    When the building was completed all the gods gathered together and held a feast within it, and Marduk sat among them and received their homage and declared the laws and the fates and the destinies of the whole world. And he took the great bow wherewith he had vanquished his foe, and he hung it in the heavens for all to see.