The Enuma Elish

1. The Enuma Elish

2. Middle Eastern Myth • Oldest Recorded literature in the WORLD! • Babylonian Creation Myth – Modern Day Iraq/Part of Jordan

3. Written in Cuneiform (wedge-shaped) script on clay tablets

4. Story is thought to be written about the battle between chaos and order in Babylon • People of Babylon thought this myth had magical powers over the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Used chanting to protect their community from flooding

5. Myth combines religious and political aspects • The myth honored the god of Babylon who created the universe and brought order from chaos • The city of Babylon was honored because the city built the temple of Murduk in Babylon to be their earthly home

6. Problem #1 – Children (gods) were rowdy and didn’t listen to parents (Tiamet and Apsu) • Were so rowdy, Tiamet began to resent their presence • Tiamet asked Apsu (father) to speak to their children – they didn’t listen • Apsu, Tiamet and Mummu discussed the problem and Apsu wants to destroy the gods (their children- Anshar, Kishar, Anu & Ea) • Tiamet didn’t agree and wanted to be understanding of their children (archetype of mother)

7. Problem #1 continued… • Mummu supported Apsu and wanted to destroy the gods because they didn’t respect authority (their father) • The gods heard of Apsu’s plan and cried. • Ea (wisest) came up with a plan and created a magic circle to put the gods in then put a spell on Apsu to put him to sleep and on Mummu to make him powerless • Placed Apsu in chains and took his crown and halo to put on his own head.

8. Problem #2 – Tiamet goes against her children (does not follow mother archetype) • Anu creates winds that disturbs other gods • Kingu led gods and told Tiamet to go against children again and avenge Apsu and Mummu by attacking the gods • Tiamet creates monsters to fight the gods filled them with venom and gave them fangs. (11 monsters in all) • Tiamet gave Kingu power to rule over monsters – she gave him the tablet of Destinies

9. Problem #2 continued… • Ea heard of the plans and was scared but got the courage to face Kingu and the monsters – chickened out • Anshar went to attached the monsters – also chickened out • Murduk wasn’t scared (Tiamet was only a woman!) • Murduk told other gods if he succeeded he would become the Supreme Destiny

10. Gods builts Murduk a throne and granted him kingship over the entire universe • Murduk made a garment vanish and reappear and everyone cheered “Murduk is King!” • Murduk had team (The Destroyer, The Relentless, The Trampler & The Flier) • Tiamet vs. Murduk in single battle – Murduk shot her with his bow and killed her

11. Murduk divided Tiamet’s body into two parts…half became the sky and half became the earth • Tiamet’s saliva became clouds with water, her head became mountains and Tigris and Euphrates river flowed through her eyes. • Created the heavens, sun and moon (order in the world) • Created Babylon (meaning house of great gods)

12. Murduk collected blood and created bones to make “man” • “Man’s” job was to serve the gods • Created man out of Kingu’s blood • Gods now had a life of ease

13. Page 11, Paragraph 4 • “May Murduk rule unsurpassed among the gods,” they declared. “May he shepherd the human race that he created. May he establish for them the rites of religious worship; the food to be offered, the incense to be smelled, and the sacred spells to be recited. May all human beings remember to praise and honor Murduk to the end of days. May they serve and support their gods and tend their sanctuaries without fail. May they improve their lands, build their shrines, and remember the Mother Goddess.”