The Enuma Elish California State University, （人们所知的加州州立大学,）.pdf

The Enuma Elish The Enuma Elish (which are the first two words of the epic and mean simply “When on high”) is the creation myth of ancient Mesopotamia. This is the Babylonian version of a much older Sumerian myth and originally the chief figure of the myth was Enlil, the Sumerian storm god. When Babylon conquered the rest of Mesopotamia and established the Old Babylonian Empire around 1800 BCE, it became necessary to explain how the local god of Babylon, Marduk, had now become supreme among the gods. Therefore, the older Sumerian myth of creation was retold and Marduk was substituted for Enlil. ________________________ When on high the heaven had not been named,1 Firm ground below had not been called by name, Naught but primordial Apsu, their begetter, (And) Mummu2 Tiamat, she who bore them all, Their waters commingling as a single body,3 No reed but had been matted, no marsh land had appeared, 1 The Enuma Elish When no gods whatever had been brought into being, Un-named, their destinies yet undermined— Then it was that the gods were emerged from within them. Lahmu and Lahamu were came forth, were called by name, Before they had grown in age and statue. Anshar and Kishar were shaped, more mighty than the others. They extended the days, added on the years. Anu was their heir, rival of his father; Verily, Anu, Anshar’s first-born, was his equal. Anu sired his image Nudimmud.4 This Nudimmud was the master of his father,5 Of broad wisdom, understanding, mighty in strength, Mightier by far than his grandfather, Anshar. He had no rival among the gods, his brothers. The divine brothers6 banded together, They disturbed Tiamat as they rushed here and there, Indeed, they distraught and tormented Tiamat By their boister