Second Tablet

Tiâmat made firm what she had shaped, then bound her own divine children with cruel bonds, and set herself to wickedness to avenge Apsu.

When word of this reached Ea, he listened, and was deeply troubled, sitting in sorrow until his anger cooled. He went to Anshar, his father, entered his presence, and repeated everything Tiâmat had planned, saying that their mother had stirred up these deeds, gathered her assembly, and raged in fury, with the gods marching at her side.

To aid her, they formed a war band, plotting day and night without rest, setting their battle lines and shouting defiance.

Tiâmat, the maker of monstrous things, raised a matchless weapon and brought forth huge serpents, sharp-toothed and pitiless, filling them with venom. She fashioned terrifying creatures in exalted shapes, bright with dread, so that anyone who looked upon them would be overcome, and no one could withstand their assault. She set in place the viper and the snake, then the whirlwind, the ravening dog, the scorpion-man, the storm-wind, the fish-man, and the horned beast, each carrying a weapon that did not spare. Her allies were mighty and could not be resisted, and she made eleven such monsters.

Among the gods she raised up Kingu, her first-born who had gathered her company, and made him chief. She set him as leader of hosts, organiser of troops, bearer of the weapon, master in battle, and she placed him in fine apparel, declaring that she had honoured him in the assembly, and put sovereignty into his hand, and that the Anunnaki should exalt his renown. She gave him the Tablet of Destinies and fixed it to his breast, telling him that his command would stand, and what he spoke would be established.

Kingu, raised on high, fixed destinies for the gods, ordering them to open their mouths and quench the fire-god, and to let the most mighty in battle do great deeds.

When Anshar heard that Tiâmat was stirred to violence, he was unsettled, and called to Ea, reminding him that he had slain Mummu and Apsu, but now Tiâmat had exalted Kingu, and asked who could face her.

Then Anshar spoke to his son Anu and sent him to stand before Tiâmat, to quiet her spirit and soften her heart, and if she would not listen, to speak their word so she might be appeased. Anu went quickly, drew near, and sought out her plan, but he could not prevail and turned back, returning to Anshar with the report that she had laid hands on him and withered him.

Anshar was distressed and lifted his head towards Ea as the Anunnaki assembled and sat in lament, saying there was no god who could attack Tiâmat and live.

Then Anshar, father of the gods, spoke with authority and declared that a mighty avenger would be found, Marduk the hero. Ea called Marduk, counselled him as a father, and urged him to go before Anshar, saying that Anshar would be at peace when he saw him.

Marduk rejoiced, took his place before Anshar, and Anshar’s heart was glad; he kissed Marduk and his fear fell away. Marduk promised he would go and bring about all that was in Anshar’s heart.

Anshar told him that Tiâmat pursued with weapons, and urged him to make their hearts glad, saying he would soon trample Tiâmat’s neck, and he instructed him to cast deep sleep upon her with a holy spell and march with speed.

Marduk’s heart leapt, and he answered that if he was to be their avenger, to slay Tiâmat and give them life, then they must summon an assembly, proclaim his rank, sit together in council, and grant that his decrees would stand unaltered, and that what his mouth uttered would not fail.