Babylon’s Story of Creation
...Tiamat created other children that came in brother and sister pairs, the first being Lahmu and Lahamu and the second Anshar and Kishar. There was stature in the gods during this time, and even though Anshar and Kishar were the youngest of the pairs they became more divine than the others. Their offspring was a god named Anu, the sky-god. Anu had a son whose name was Ea. Ea was “…a god of exceptional wisdom and strength… the god of the subterranean sweet waters, god of magic, and mastermind of Mesopotamian divinities… master even of his fathers.” (Heidel, pg.3 & 4). Now the older gods, Apsu and Tiamat, very much enjoyed peace and quiet, unfortunately the younger gods were not very quiet. In turn Apsu decided it was time to put an end to such noisy descendants by killing them. When the other gods heard of what Apsu was about to do they became upset and worried, they felt doomed. One god, Ea, would not be ended so swiftly. So as Apsu descended on the other gods Ea drew a magic circle around them shielding the gods from harm, Ea then recited a spell that sent a supernatural force on Apsu causing him to die. Ea took the royal spoils of Apsu, his kingly clothes and the power to rule. Yet all was not over, Tiamat had followed her husband but had not interfered before because she did not agree with the killing of her children. She was furious and vowed to get revenge. For a while there was a time of peace. Ea and his wife Damkina gave birth to a son Marduk. Marduk who was breast fed by his mother was endowed with more power and qualities of the divine. Ea also gave his son twice as much power of a normal god, in turn Marduk sprouted two faces and became a figure to be revered. In the meantime, Tiamat was furious over the death of her husband, so she began an army to rebel against the gods with her new spouse Kingu, who was put in charge of her armies. Tiamat was almost ready to strike down her opponent, Ea, when he was informed of the news. Out of fear Ea went to his grandfather to ask for advice. Anshar, once hearing Ea’s side of the story, told him to retaliate. Ea could not overcome Tiamat so Anshar asked Anu to try a quell Tiamat’s fury peacefully. Again there was failure; Anu was unable to overcome Tiamat. In desperation Anshar went to his grandson Marduk and when grandfather met grandson, Anshar knew that Marduk would be the champion to defeat Tiamat. Marduk was “…ready to go to battle and deliver the gods from disaster. But he demanded a high price-supreme and undisputed authority among the Gods.” (Heidel, pg.7). Anshar agreed to the terms and once the other gods had agreed, Marduk was assured of his new position as king over the entire universe. Marduk had to defeat Tiamat through physical force, once in hand to hand combat “…Marduk spread out his net and enmeshed her. ‘When Tiamat opened her mouth to devour him, he drove in the evil wind, in order that (she should) not (be able) to close her lips.’ As the raging winds distended her body, Marduk shot an arrow through her open mouth...