Fertile Crescent
myth series | | | | Mesopotamian | | Levantine | | Arabian | | Mesopotamia | | Primordial beings | | 7 gods who decree | | The great gods | | Demigods & heroes | | Spirits & monsters | | Tales from Babylon | | Enûma Elish
Atra-Hasis
Marduk & Sarpanit
Nabu, Nintu
Agasaya, Bel
Qingu Semitic gods refers to the gods or deities of peoples generally classified as speaking a Semitic language. ...
// The word mythology (Greek: μυθολογία, from μÏθος mythos, a story or legend, and λόγος logos, an account or speech) literally means the (oral) retelling of myths – stories that a particular culture believes to be true and that use supernatural events or characters to explain the nature of the universe and humanity. ...
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In the Levantine pantheon, the Elohim are the sons of El the ancient of days (olam) assembled on the divine holy place, Mount Zephon (Jebel Aqra). ...
Arabian mythology is the ancient beliefs of the Arabs. ...
Mesopotamia refers to the region now occupied by modern Iraq, eastern Syria, southeastern Turkey, and Southwest Iran. ...
The apsû (also known as abzu or engur) was the name for the mythological underground freshwater ocean in Sumerian and Akkadian mythology. ...
In Sumerian mythology and later for Assyrians and Babylonians, Anu (see also An) was a sky-god, the god of heaven, lord of constellations, king of gods, spirits and demons, and dwelt in the highest heavenly regions. ...
In Sumerian mythology, the Annuna, the fifty great gods, whose domain appears to be principally but not exclusively the underworld. ...
The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from Babylonia and is among the earliest known literary works. ...
In Sumerian mythology, the utukku were a type of spirits or demons that could be either benevolent or evil. ...
Enûma Eliš is the creation epic of Sumerian Babylonian mythology. ...
The 18th century BC Akkadian Atra-Hasis epic, named after its human hero, contains both a creation and a flood account, and is one of three surviving Babylonian flood stories. ...
Marduk [märdook] (Sumerian spelling in Akkadian AMAR.UTU solar calf; Biblical Merodach) was the name of a late generation god from ancient Mesopotamia and patron deity of the city of Babylon, who, when Babylon permanently became the political center of the Euphrates valley in the time of Hammurabi...
In Babylonian mythology, Sarpanit (alternately Zarpanit, Zarpandit, Zerpanitum, Zerbanitu, or Zirbanit) is a mother goddess and the consort of the chief god, Marduk. ...
It has been suggested that Nebo (god) be merged into this article or section. ...
Mami, Belet-ili or Nintu is a goddess in the Babylonian epic Atra-Hasis. ...
Agasaya, The Shrieker, was a Semitic war goddess who was merged into Ishtar in her identity as warrior of the sky. ...
Bel, signifying lord or master, is a title rather than a genuine name, applied to various gods in Babylonian relgion. ...
Kingu, also spelled Qingu, was a demon in Babylonian mythology, and the consort of the goddess Tiamat before she was slain by Marduk. ...
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 | This article or section recently underwent a major revision or rewrite and needs further review. You can help! | Babylonian mythology is a set of stories depicting the activities of Babylonian deities, heroes, and mythological creatures. While these stories are in modern times usually considered a component of Babylonian religion, their purpose was not necessarily religious in nature. Often these stories explained a mystery of nature, depicted the rewards for proper behavior, illustrated punishments for taboo behavior, or performed a combination of these or other purposes. Some mythological texts did, however, serve some ceremonial purpose in religious activity. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...
Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...
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Babylon was a city in Mesopotamia, the ruins of which can be found in present-day Babil Province, Iraq, about 50 miles south of Baghdad. ...
Look up deity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...
From the Greek , in mythology and folklore, a hero (male) or heroine (female). ...
A legendary creature is a mythical or fantastic creature (often known as fabulous creatures in historical literature). ...
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Galunggung in 1982, showing a combination of natural events. ...
A bounty is often offered by a group as an incentive for the accomplishment of a task by someone usually not associated with the group. ...
Look up Punishment in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...
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A ceremony is an activity, infused with ritual significance, performed on a certain occasion. ...
The Babylonian canon is largely derived from Sumerian mythology. This was written in Akkadian, a Semitic language, using cuneiform script on clay tablets. Most texts known today are copies made in scribal schools by student scribes, likely at a time when Akkadian was no longer the spoken language in Babylonia and serious belief in the myths had faded amongst educated people. This article is in need of attention. ...
Akkadian (liÅ¡Änum akkadÄ«tum) was a Semitic language (part of the greater Afro-Asiatic language family) spoken in ancient Mesopotamia, particularly by the Assyrians and Babylonians. ...
In linguistics and ethnology, Semitic (from the Biblical Shem, Hebrew: ש×, translated as name, Arabic: سام) was first used to refer to a language family of largely Middle Eastern origin, now called the Semitic languages. ...
The cuneiform script is one of the earliest known forms of written expression. ...
Small tablets made out of clay were used from late 4th millennium BC onwards as a writing medium in Sumerian, Mesopotamian, Hittite, and Minoan/Mycenaean civilizations. ...
Illustration of a 15th century scribe This is about scribe, the profession. ...
Some Babylonian texts were even translations into Akkadian from the Sumerian language of earlier texts, though the names of some deities were changed in Babylonian texts. Some Babylonian deities and myths are unique to that culture, however, such as the god Marduk and the Enûma Elish, a creation epic. The Sumerian language of ancient Sumer was spoken in Southern Mesopotamia from at least the 4th millennium BCE. Sumerian was replaced by Akkadian as a spoken language around 1800 BCE, but continued to be used as a sacred, ceremonial, literary and scientific language in Mesopotamia until the first century AD...
Marduk [märdook] (Sumerian spelling in Akkadian AMAR.UTU solar calf; Biblical Merodach) was the name of a late generation god from ancient Mesopotamia and patron deity of the city of Babylon, who, when Babylon permanently became the political center of the Euphrates valley in the time of Hammurabi...
Enûma Eliš is the creation epic of Sumerian Babylonian mythology. ...
This article is becoming very long. ...
The epic is a broadly defined genre of poetry, and one of the major forms of narrative literature. ...
Creation When the seven tablets that contain this myth were first discovered, evidence indicated that it was used as a “ritual” myth, meaning it was recited during a ceremony or celebration. The occasion in this instance is the Babylonian new year. This myth tells of the yearly cycle of death and rebirth of Marduk, the greatest king of the gods (some fifty different names are attributed to Marduk). The first tablet describes the beginning of the world, before earth and sky had any definition or identification. There existed two gods from which all others were descended, Apsu (male) and Tiamat (female), the sweet and salt water oceans respectively. From the union of these two were born Lahmu and Lahamu, who are believed to represent silt (such as from river deltas) and are represented as snakes. Each generation brings more gods: Lahmu and Lahamu begat Anshar and Kishar, who bore a son named Anu. Anu sired a son most often called Ea, known as the "all-wise." Each new god born was more perfect and powerful than his predecessors. They soon became unruly and insubordinate, while Tiamat, the mother of them all, sat idly by and did nothing despite the pains their rambunctious behavior caused. They refused to heed their father’s pleas to calm themselves. Marduk [märdook] (Sumerian spelling in Akkadian AMAR.UTU solar calf; Biblical Merodach) was the name of a late generation god from ancient Mesopotamia and patron deity of the city of Babylon, who, when Babylon permanently became the political center of the Euphrates valley in the time of Hammurabi...
In Sumerian mythology Abzu or Apsu was the god of fresh water, also representing the primeval water and sometimes the cosmic abyss. ...
For other uses, see Tiamat (disambiguation). ...
Lahmu is a deity from Akkadian mythology, first-born son of Apsu and Tiamat. ...
Lahamu was the first-born daughter of Tiamat and Apsu in Akkadian mythology. ...
In Akkadian mythology and Sumerian mythology, Anshar (also Anshur, Ashur, Asshur) (which means sky pivot or sky axle) is a sky god. ...
In Akkadian mythology, Kishar is the daughter of Lahmu and Lahamu, two serpent-gods who were in turn the first children of Tiamat and Apsu. ...
In Sumerian mythology and later for Assyrians and Babylonians, Anu (see also An) was a sky-god, the god of heaven, lord of constellations, king of gods, spirits and demons, and dwelt in the highest heavenly regions. ...
Enki was a deity in Sumerian mythology, later known as Ea in Babylonian mythology. ...
In anger, Apsu decided to unmake that which he had made. But Ea learned of Apsu’s plans, and so he wove a spell of sleep upon Apsu and slew him while he slept. Tiamat remained inactive while all of this occurs. Ea built a great temple upon Apsu’s body, and resided there in comfort and luxury with Damkina, his lover. Damkina bore Ea a son, Marduk, the hero-king. He is described as perfect from the start, with four ears and four eyes, all of which were overlarge and his form is said to be incomprehensible in its perfection. Marduk’s grandfather, Anu, created the four winds for Marduk to let loose and play with. This had the unfortunate side effect of constantly disturbing Tiamat’s body (an ocean if you’ll recall), and the other gods who dwelled within her. The other gods became enraged and irritable with lack of rest, and they hounded Tiamat for sitting quietly by while Ea slew Apsu. Through all their goading they pushed the great ocean goddess to action. Tiamat, who had a notably short temper, decided on war. In Sumerian mythology, Ninhursag (or Ki) was the earth and mother-goddess. ...
Tiamat assembled a great host of gods and monsters to fight for her. At the head of this monstrous horde she placed Kingu, who is variously described as her son or lover (neither translation refers to him as both, only one or the other) and affixed the Tablet of Destinies to his breast, declaring him greatest among the gods. The few remaining gods that did not join Tiamat learn of her mobilization and assembled to deliberate a course of action. The tablet describing this part of the story was damaged, and the exact happenings can only be guessed at. Both Ea and Anu attempted to turn Tiamat from her course, but both returned unsuccessful, though details are unobtainable. Then, at Ea’s behest, 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. Kingu, also spelled Qingu, was a demon in Babylonian mythology, and the consort of the goddess Tiamat before she was slain by Marduk. ...
In Mesopotamian mythology, the Tablets of Destiny are a work of carved stone covered in writing of great significance. ...
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, 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 leisurely. It is also worth noting that because of Tiamat’s actions, goddesses were forever after excluded from the various councils the gods held.
Thus ends the myth of creation for the Babylonians. The entire story takes place over five tablets, though two more make the complete set. These last two are merely for the recitation of Marduk’s fifty names.
References - Dalley, S. M. Myths From Mesopotamia. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1989.
- Hooke, S. H. Middle Eastern Mythology. 1963. 1975 ed. Baltimore, MA: Penguin Books Ltd., 1975.
- “Lahmu and Lahamu.” Mesopotamian Mythology. Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica. 14 Feb. 2006 <http://search.eb.com>.
- Leach, Marjorie. Guide to the Gods. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 1992. 1992. Clark Memorial Library, Portsmouth. 13 Feb. 2006 [1]
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