THE BABYLONIAN STOEY OF THE CREATION. 



29 



gods, Merodach, stood forward for the conflict and approached 

 to do battle. At once Merodach spread forth his net, and 

 caused it to enclose her, sending forth the evil wind which 

 followed behind him. At that moment Tiiimthu opened her 

 mouth, and before she could close it, the wind entered, so that 

 she could not shut her lips. The angry winds filled out her 

 body, her heart was overpowered, and she lay with open mouth 

 deprived of strength. With his spear then he killed her, cut 

 asunder her body, split her open, cut out her heart, and overcame 

 her. Her life having been destroyed, he threw her down, and 

 stood upon her prostrate corpse. Next came the turn of her 

 helpers, whose force was scattered and sundered, and the gods 

 going by her side — apparently those sons of Anu who had 

 joined her — turned and fled, each seeking to save his life. They 

 found themselves surrounded, however, by an enclosure, unable 

 to flee, and the god who had conquered their leader then shut 

 them in, and broke their weapons. Being thrown into the net, 

 and sitting in bonds, their groaning filled all the region where 

 they were, and they found themselves obliged to bear the anger 

 of Merodach, shut up in prison. 



After this came the turn of the eleven beings whom Tiamthu 

 had created, and made so terrible — the troop of devils, as the 

 original seems to say, going by her side. These Merodach set 

 in bonds, deprived of their power, and trampled beneath him. 

 Lastly, he is represented as turning his attention to Kingu, the 

 spouse of Tiamthu, who, having been bound, was reckoned 

 worthy to be the peer of Ugga, the god of death. Like unto 

 the moment when Merodach overcame Tiamthu, this also was 

 a period of supreme triumph to the god of heaven, for at last he 

 was able to gain possession of the things which he desired above 

 all, namely, the tablets of Fate, which Tiamthu had given to 

 Kingu. These now being in his hands, he pressed his seal upon 

 them, and grasped them to his breast. 



"After he had captured and overthrown liis opponent, 

 The dreadful foe he completely (?) rooted out (?). 

 He set up the power of Ansara over the enemy completely, 

 And the mighty Merodach attained Nudimmud's desire. 

 Over the conquered gods be strengthened then his hold, 

 Returned against Tiamthu, whom captive he had made. 

 Trampled then the lord upon Tiamthu's breast (?), 

 With his unsparing weapon cleft he then her skull, 

 Cut through the veins of her blood, 



And caused the noi th wind to carry it away to secret places. 



When his fathers saw him, they rejoiced, and were glad. 



And caused gifts and offerings to be brought to him, even to him. 



