Marduk The Creator

This is a simplified version of the Babylonian Creation Myth

At the very beginning of time, the two great gods Apsu and Tiamat existed alone. They created creatures to serve them – dragons and giant scorpions, fish-men and blood-drinking rams – and they created other gods as well. But soon these other gods began to annoy Apsu with their noisy talking and singing. He wanted to destroy them.

Ea, god of the rivers, learned of Apsu’s decision. He called a meeting to warn the other gods and goddesses. None of them knew what to do, but Ea devised a plan and destroyed Apsu. Tiamat was furious and wanted revenge for Apsu’s death, so she created an army of fearsome monsters.

Both Ea and his father Anshar went forward in turn to do battle with Tiamat, both were defeated. Then Marduk, son of Ea, spoke up, “I have a plan to defeat the monster Tiamat, ” he said. “But if I risk my life to save you, and succeed, I want you to make me king of you all.” The other gods agreed.

Marduk prepared weapons of flames, lightning, winds, floods, and storms. When he challenged Tiamat to battle, she opened her mouth to tear at him, but before she could do any harm, Marduk released the winds. Tiamat tried to swallow them, but the winds filled up her whole body so that she could not close her mouth. Then Marduk shot an arrow into her stomach, which split her body open and pierced her heart.

Marduk threw Tiamat to the ground and tore her body in half. One half he made into the Earth and the other half became the sky. Marduk formed the sky with stars, moon, and sun, and he set the length of days, months, and years. Then he shaped the land into mountains, valleys, and hills.

From Tiamat’s eyes he made the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. In the most fertile valley he created a place he would make his own. He called it Babylon.

From: World Myths