Cynthia Crowell Ancient Religions Final Exam

Enuma Elish

The creation myth is known across all cultures and time. It has existed in its many forms since before man had memory. We can view the Creation myth in Mesopotamian culture, Egyptian culture, Greek Culture, Roman Culture, and Christian Culture. It has many different names, and faces but in essence the story is the same. We find four main essential points to creation, sex for fertility, making of the terrestrial realm, combat between the gods, and by decree or word. In Mans constant struggle for order among chaos, he continually searches for the answer to the age-old question: What is the origin of the earth? How did man first come into being? Since man first started walking on two feet the myths have been there to provide some sense of reason to the chaos of the universe. For most modern people the most common myth to which we are familiar would be the story of creation in Genesis from the Old Testament. In the beginning, God through his word made the terrestrial real. He created the waters and terra firm, the plants and animals. He created man and woman. They left the Garden of Eden to reproduce and fill the earth. Before the world was made, there was a war in heaven and one of Gods sons was cast out along with t1/3 the hosts of heaven. The

son that was cast out is commonly called Lucifer. He dwells on the earth and is given the roll of trickster. His goal is to interfere with the destiny of man. In this case the myth is still relatively young, in fact much too young for this paper. We must go further back. In fact, we need to go to the 12th century b.c.e.; here we find probably the most familiar and popular creation myth: The Enuma Elish. It was the custom of the people of Mesopotamia to hold a celebration for the New Year around April 20-21st. During this celebration the king was dethroned and the creation myth was recited. All in attendance, paid strict heed to the recital, for it reinforced the validity of the King. Apsu and Tiamat mingle their waters in the first sexual encounter, which resulted in the twins Lahmu and Lahamu. These two gods represent silt. Then Apsu and Tiamat once again mingle their waters and produce Anshar and Kishar also known as the two horizons. On the story goes, and like all children, the gods were noisy and rambunctious. Tiamat and Apsu valued their sleep. Apsu was awakened by their commotion and decided they must all perish. Anshar produces a son named Ea who cunning and stronger than his father, hears of the plot against the young gods by Apsu. He slays his grandfather and takes over as ruler. Ea who knows everything found out their plotPut Apsu to sleep, drenched with sleepHe (Ea) unfastened his belt. Took off his crown, took away his mantle of radiance and put it on himself. He held Apsu down and slew him.(1) Once again we see combat as essential element of the myth. Ea and his consort Damkina produce Marduk.

Marduk is no ordinary god. From the epic of creation 1 we see him described as Proud was his form, piercing his stare, Mature his emergence, he was powerful form the start. He made him so perfect that this godhead was doubled. Elevated far above them, he was superior in every way. In the meantime Tiamat is upset with Ea and the fact that he has slain his father. She decides to go to war and destroy her children. She produces a great army. So great was her army that both Anshar and Ea were in awe and great fear to go against Tiamats army. Marduk then steps up to his father with a plan. He states he will go and slay Tiamats army and Tiamat herself but only on certain conditions. He states his condition as thus: My own utterance shall fix fate instead of you! Whatever I create shall never be altered! The decree of my lips shall never be revoked, never changed! (2) In the end Marduks request was granted. He defeated Tiamat and with her body and her army he created the galaxy, the sky and the earth. So lauded was his victory that he was made king. The gods in a show of unity to Marduk, knelt at his feet and kissed them. We are not given the answer to whether Tiamat and Apsu, in their copulation, actually intended for it to happen. In actuality, we are lead to believe it was a divine coincidence. However, the resulting actions of the young gods were not by cosmic accident. Ea planned the demise of Apsu. Marduk went even further to plan not just the fall of Tiamat and her army but also the creation of the world. He ensured his ability to fashion his plan by obtaining the blessings of Maa and removing the abilities of the gods to go against his word.

In the scheme of things, creation myths are for the benefit of mans understanding. It is a way to produce terra firma out of the chaos of living. Regardless, of what era in history, man is in need of the myth. We draw strength from the stories, faith in the continuance of the cycle of life. As Joseph Campbell said: We must find our myth to put us on our destined path for bliss. Where better to start than the Enuma Elish?

Bibliography- (1)(2) Myths from Mesopotamia; a new translation by Stephanie Dalley