The Babylonian creation myth, Enuma Elish, is a poem engraved on seven stone tablets that tells the story of chaos and vengeance by gods and goddesses. The main character, Marduk, created the calendar, rain, and man. There are many versions of the myth, and scholars debate whether it influenced the Bible or vice versa. The myth begins with Apsu and Tiamat, and their descendants became so disruptive that Apsu plotted to kill them. Tiamat sought revenge, and Marduk defeated her, using her body to create the earth and sky and creating mankind with her blood and bones. Marduk also created days, months, and years based on astrology and was rewarded with a new home and a feast. The final tablet urges followers to honor Marduk for his actions.
The Babylonian creation myth, also called Enuma Elish, is a legend in mythology told using symbolism and metaphors to explain the creation of the earth and mankind. Written in the form of a poem, the Babylonian creation myth was engraved on seven stone tablets and tells a story of chaos and vengeance by gods and goddesses. The theme of the myth revolves around Marduk, the deity who created the calendar, rain and man.
There are many versions of the Babylonian creation myth, with different words used to describe the gods. In the Assyrian version, Marduk is called Assur. The earliest Sumerian version was written in the 12th century BC but was only discovered in the 19th century AD The legend was first published in 12 as The Chaldean Genesis.
Some religious historians believe that there are many similarities between the Bible and the Babylonian creation myth. Others believe the Sumerian version was written first, perhaps hundreds of years before the Bible. Scholarly debate centers around different translations and interpretations of the myth, making it difficult to determine whether the Babylonian creation myth was copied from the Bible or whether the Bible was based on the myth.
The Babylonian creation myth begins with the god of water and fertility, referred to as Apsu, who married Tiamat, the goddess of the sea and the representation of chaos. Their two sons became gods of sky and earth, or horizon; their descendant is Marduk, the main character of the myth. Apsu and Tiamat’s offspring and their children became so disruptive that Apsu plotted to kill them, but his great-grandson learned of the plan and destroyed Apsu first. Tiamat sought revenge for her husband’s death.
He unleashed 11 destructive gods in a vengeful rampage. Marduk, who became king of Babylon, used the winds of destruction and a storm of cloud-formed chariots to capture Tiamat in a net before driving an arrow through her heart. He then divided it in half and used one part to create the earth and the other part to shape the sky. Marduk slew Tiamat’s new husband and created mankind with his blood and bones.
Marduk built houses for the remaining gods. He also created days, months and years based on stars and planets in early astrology, using the phases of the moon to represent monthly cycles. Using Tiamat’s saliva, Marduk made rain.
As king, Marduk was rewarded with a new home, followed by a great feast. The final tablet urges followers to honor Marduk for destroying Tiamat and creating earth and man. People are instructed to praise him for his actions that have brought calm to chaos.
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