Babylonian+Heroes

(to be entered by Joe Worthy)

**__Description __** **__Babylonian__** __**mythology (Heroes)**__ - is a set of stories showing the activities of Babylonian deities, heroes, and mythological creatures. These stories are in modern times, and are usually considered a part of Babylonian religion; their purpose was not exactly religious in nature. These stories are often explained with a mystery of nature, taken from the rewards for proper behavior, illustrated punishments for taboo behavior, and performed with a combination of them. Some mythological texts have proof of some ceremonial purposes in religious activities. The Babylonian creation myth is recounted in the "Epic of Creation" also known as the Enuma Elish. The Mesopotamian "Epic of Creation" dates to the late second millennium B.C.E. The god Marduk is created to defend the divine beings from an attack plotted by the ocean goddess Tiamat. The hero Marduk offers to save the gods only if he is appointed their supreme unquestioned leader and is allowed to remain so even after the threat passes. The gods agree to Marduk's terms. Marduk challenges Tiamat to combat and destroys her. He then rips her corpse into two halves with which he fashions the Earth and the heavens. Marduk then creates the calendar, organizes the planets, stars and regulates the moon, sun, and weather. The gods pledge their allegiance to Marduk and he creates Babylon as the terrestrial counterpart to the realm of the gods. Marduk then destroys Tiamat's husband, Kingu using his blood to create mankind so that they can do the work of the gods.

The Enuma Elish is written on seven tablets, each are between 115 and 170 lines long. They were written no later than the reign of Nebuchadrezzar in the 12th century B.C.E. But there is also little doubt that this story was written much earlier, during the time of the Sumerians. Drawing some new light on the ancients, Henry Layard found within the ruins of the library of Ashurbanipal in Nineveh, texts that were not unlike the Genesis creation in the Bible. George Smith first published these texts in 1876 under the title, “ The Chaldean Genesis”. The Babylonian god finished his work within the span of 6 tablets of stone. The last and 7th stone exalted the hand work and greatness of the work. Thus the comparison must be made that the 7 days of creation found in the Bible, borrowed its theme from the Babylonians and them form the Sumerians.

**__Creation Story __** The 7 tablet that contains this myth was first discovered, when evidence indicated that the myth was used as a "ritual" myth, describing it as a ceremony or celebration. The meant it was the Babylonian New Year. This myth tells the yearly cycle of death and the rebirth of Marduk, the greatest king of the gods. The first tablet describes the beginning of the world, before earth and sky had any definition or identification. There were two gods from which all the other Gods descended from; Apsu (male) and Tiamat (female), whom were both known as the sweet and salt water oceans. The togetherness brought from both Apsu and Tiamat bore to children named, Lahmu and Lahamu, who are believed to be silt and are represented as snakes. Each generation brings more gods: Lahmu and Lahamu bore Anshar and Kishar. Anshar and Kishar bore a son named Anu. Anu had a son whom was called Ea (all-wise). Each new god born was more perfect and more powerful than his/her predecessors. Soon after, they all became disobedient and rebellious, while Tiamat, the mother of them all, sat by and simply did nothing even though they caused their mother much pain and sorrow. They refused to listen to their father’s pleas to settle down and grow up.

In anger, Apsu decided to finally fix all the problems going on. Soon after, Ea learned of Apsu's plans, and he decided to create and cast a sleep spell upon Apsu and kill him while he was sleeping. Tiamat remained still while all of this was occurring. Ea built a great temple upon Apsu's body, and he lived there in comfort and luxury with Damkina, his wife. Damkina bore Ea a son, Marduk (the hero-king). He is described as a perfect man from the start. He had four ears and four eyes, all of which were unordinary big, and his body showed off his giant muscles and fit figure. Marduk's grandfather, Anu created the four winds for Marduk to play with and use as necessary. This had the unfortunate side effect of constantly disrupting Tiamat’s sleeping body. The other gods became furious and pissed off with the lack of sleep they were getting, and they yelled at Tiamat for sitting by, quietly while Ea killed Apsu. Throughout all their groaning they finally got the great ocean goddess to take action. Therefore, Tiamat whom had a short temper, decided to go to war. 

Tiamat brought together a great bunch of gods and monsters to fight for her. At the head of this gruesome pack of gods, she placed Kingu, and Kingu who is often used to talk about as her son or lover and holder of the Tablet of Destinies, declaring him the greatest hero among all the gods. The few remaining gods that did not join Tiamat learn of her recruitment of gods, so they assembled to take a course of action. The tablet describing this part of the story was damaged, and the exact happenings can only be guessed. Both Ea and Anu attempted to turn Tiamat away from her course, but both returned unsuccessful. Then, at Ea’s command, Marduk agreed to do battle with Tiamat. After demanding that in return for his service he be named supreme god, Marduk was named the gods' champion and prepared for battle. Marduk's  arsenal for the battle was listed as a great bow, a single arrow, a mace, lightning, and a net held by the four winds. He also crafted seven windstorms and filled his body with fire. He then mounted his storm chariot and rode off to battle. The seven hurricanes trailed behind him, causing disturbances in Tiamat's ocean. Marduk challenged her to single combat. He cast the net upon her, and snared her and the army of monsters. She tried to swallow him, and he split her jaws with the hurricanes, and then split her heart and body with the arrow. He reclaimed the Tablet of Destinies from Kingu and attached it to his own breast, securing his place as overlord of all. He then embarked on his destined course of creation. Among his exploits are the developing of the calendar, and the creation of man. Mankind he crafted from the blood of Kingu, and man’s purpose was to toil and do physical labor so that the gods might spend their time in leisure. It is also worth noting that because of Tiamat’s actions, goddesses were forever after excluded from the various councils the gods held.