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T. G. PINCHES^ LL.D., M.R.A.S., OX VERSIONS 



of Babylonia), had planted in the ground the root of the ground 

 (a phrase not altogether certain in the original), and then the 

 gods had called into existence suitably the four-limbed beasts of 

 the field. 



Notwithstanding the fact that we have here several doubtful 

 phrases — and such are always to be expected in the present 

 state of our knowledge — it must be admitted that, as far as it 

 goes, this portion reads exceedingly well. 



After this is a considerable gap, caused by the loss of the 

 upper part of the second column (about two-thirds of its contents), 

 and where it resumes the lines are unfortunately very defective. 



Apparently some divine personage is still speaking, and there 

 is a reference to looking upon someone — probably the creator of 

 all things. This personage had created the insignia (apparently) 

 of royalty, and also perfected the divine law ; and it was seem- 

 ingly he who proclaimed by their names five cities, allotting 

 them to certain commanders {kab-duga). First on the list is the 

 central city (so called, apparently , a because regarded as the mid- 

 point of the earth), Uru-duga or Eridu, which was given to the 

 chieftain Xudimmud (the god Ea). The second was the 

 tunugira, apparently theDur-Kis or "fortification of Kis," which 

 he gave. The third was Larak (Larancha), given to the god 

 Papil-hursag. The fourth city was Zimbir (Sippar), given to 

 Utu, the sun-god, patron of that divine site. Fifth and last 

 comes Suruppak, given to the god of that name, who seems also 

 to have been called Sukurru. " These cities he proclaimed by 

 their names, and appointed to a commander." The next line, of 

 which Poebel only translates the pronouns, seems to state that 

 he (the deity) dug the watercourses, made plentiful the rains, 

 and set (by this means) water therein. The last line of the 

 column then states that he made the small rivers or canals, and 

 their branches (?) by which they increased in volume. 



This agrees with the bilingual account of the Creation in 

 making the artificial constructions of Babylonia, such as cities 

 and irrigation-channels (as distinct from the rivers), the creation 

 of the gods. 



The third column is, unfortunately, just as mutilated where it 

 opens as the second, and about two- thirds of the text it con- 

 tained are wanting. Poebel sees in the much-defaced opening 

 lines references to " the people " and " a rainstorm," suggesting 

 the destruction of mankind by a flood. " At that time Nintu 

 screamed like a woman in travail" translates and completes the 

 Editor — a completion evidently inspired by the corresponding 

 passage in the story of the Flood first translated by George 



