Third Tablet

THIRD TABLET OF THE STORY OF THE CREATION

Obverse

17. "The gods have marched round her, 1 all of them;
18. up to those whom thou hast created at her side I have gone."
19. When they were gathered (?) beside her, Tiamat they approached.
20. The strong one (Merodach), the glorious, who desists not night or day,
21. the exciter to battle, was disturbed in heart.
22. Then they marshalled (their) forces; they create darkness.
23. "The mother of Khubur, 2 the creatress of them all,
24. I pursued with (my) weapons unsurpassed; (then) did the great snake(s) bite. 3
25. With my teeth sharpened unsparingly did I bite.
26. With poisoned breath like blood their bodies I filled.
27. The raging vampires 4 I clothed with terror.
28. I lifted up the lightning-flash, on high I launched (it). 5
29. Their messenger Sar-baba ……
30. Their bodies were struck, but it pierced not their breasts.
31. I made ready the dragon, the mighty serpent and the god Lakha(ma),

p. 135

32. the great reptile, the deadly beast and the scorpion-man, 1
33. the devouring 2 reptiles, the fish-man 1 and the gazelle-god, 3
34. lifting up (my) weapons that spare not, fearless of battle,
35. strong through the law which (yields?) not before the foe.
36. The eleven-fold (offspring), like him (their messenger), were utterly (overthrown?).
37. Among the gods her forces
38. I humbled the god Kingu 4 in the sight (of his consort?), the queen.
39. They who went in front before the army (I smote?),
40. lifting up (my) weapons, a snare for Ti(amat).

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