the religion of babylonia and assyria-第6章
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vens）； and enabled their possessor to determine the gates among the gods her sons。
Kingu replaces Absu。
The change in the narrative which comes in here suggests that this is the point at which two legends current in Babylonia were united。 Henceforward we hear nothing more of Apsu； the begetter of all things； Tiawath's spouse； nor of Mummu； their son。 In all probability there is good reason for this； and inscriptions will doubtless ultimately be found which will explain it； but until then it is only natural to suppose that two different legends have been pieced together to form a harmonious whole。
Tiawath's aim。
As will be gathered from the above； the story centres in the wish of the goddess of the powers of evil and her kindred to retain creation the forming of all living thingsin her own hands。 As Tiawath means 〃the sea；〃 and Apsu 〃the deep；〃 it is probable that this is a kind of allegory personifying the productive power seen in the teeming life of the ocean； and typifying the strange and wonderful forms found therein； which were symbolical； to the Babylonian mind； of chaos and confusion； as well as of evil。
The gods hear of the conspiracy。
Aa； or êa； having learned of the plot of Tiawath and her followers against the gods of heaven； naturally became filled with anger； and went and told the whole to An？ar； his father； who in his turn gave way to his wrath； and uttered cries of the deepest grief。 After considering what they would do； An？ar applied to his son Anu； 〃the mighty and brave；〃 saying that； if he would only speak to her； the great dragon's anger would be assuaged； and her rage disappear。 In obedience to this behest； Anu went to try his power with the monster； but on beholding her snarling face； feared to approach her； and turned back。 Nudimmud was next called upon to become the representative of the gods against their foe； but his success was as that of Anu； and it became needful to seek another champion。
And choose Merodach as their champion。
The choice fell upon Merodach； the Belus （Bel…Merodach） of Damascius's paraphrase； and at once met with an enthusiastic reception。 The god asked simply that an 〃unchangeable command〃 might be given to him that whatever he ordained should without fail come to pass； in order that he might destroy the common enemy。 Invitations were sent to the gods asking them to a festival； where； having met together； they ate and drank； and 〃decided the fate〃 for Merodach their avenger； apparently meaning that he was decreed their defender in the conflict with Tiawath； and that the power of creating and annihilating by the word of his mouth was his。 Honours were then conferred upon him； princely chambers were erected for him； wherein he sat as judge 〃in the presence of his fathers；〃 and the rule over the whole universe was given to him。 The testing of his newly acquired power followed。 A garment was placed in their midst：
〃He spake with his mouth； and the garment was destroyed； He spake to it again； and the garment was reproduced。〃
Merodach proclaimed king。
On this proof of the reality of the powers conferred on him； all the gods shouted 〃Merodach is king！〃 and handed to him sceptre； throne； and insignia of royalty。 An irresistible weapon； which should shatter all his enemies； was then given to him； and he armed himself also with spear or dart； bow； and quiver； lightning flashed before him； and flaming fire filled his body。 Anu； the god of the heavens； had given him a great net； and this he set at the four cardinal points； in order that nothing of the dragon； when he had defeated her； should escape。 Seven winds he then created to accompany him； and the great weapon called /Abubu/； 〃the Flood；〃 completed his equipment。 All being ready； he mounted his dreadful； irresistible chariot； to which four steeds were yokedsteeds unsparing； rushing forward； rapid in flight； their teeth full of venom； foam…covered； experienced in galloping； schooled in overthrowing。 Being now ready for the fray； Merodach fared forth to meet Tiawath； accompanied by the fervent good wishes of 〃the gods his fathers。〃
The fight with Tiawath。
Advancing； he regarded Tiawath's retreat； but the sight of the enemy was so menacing that even the great Merodach （if we understand the text rightly） began to falter。 This； however； was not for long； and the king of the gods stood before Tiawath； who； on her side； remained firm and undaunted。 In a somewhat long speech； in which he reproaches Tiawath for her rebellion； he challenges her to battle； and the two meet in fiercest fight。 To all appearance the type of all evil did not make use of honest weapons； but sought to overcome the king of the gods with incantations and charms。 These； however； had not the slightest effect； for she found herself at once enclosed in Merodach's net； and on opening her mouth to resist and free herself； the evil wind； which Merodach had sent on before him； entered； so that she could not close her lips； and thus inflated； her heart was overpowered； and she became a prey to her conqueror。 Having cut her asunder and taken out her heart； thus destroying her life； he threw her body down and stood thereon。 Her followers then attempted to escape； but found themselves surrounded and unable to get forth。 Like their mistress； they were thrown into the net； and sat in bonds； being afterwards shut up in prison。 As for Kingu； he was raised up； bound； and delivered to be with Ugga； the god of death。 The tablets of fate； which Tiawath had delivered to Kingu； were taken from him by Merodach； who pressed his seal upon them； and placed them in his breast。 The deity An？ar； who had been； as it would seem； deprived of his rightful power by Tiawath； received that power again on the death of the common foe； and Nudimmud 〃saw his desire upon his enemy。〃
Tiawath's fate。
The dismemberment of Tiawath then followed； and her veins having been cut through； the north wind was caused by the deity to carry her blood away into secret places； a statement which probably typifies the opening of obstructions which prevent the rivers flowing from the north from running into the southern seas； helped thereto by the north wind。 Finally her body was divided； like 〃a /ma？dê/…fish；〃 into two parts； one of which was made into a covering for the heavensthe 〃waters above the firmament〃 of Genesis i。 7。
Merodach orders the world anew。
Then came the ordering of the universe anew。 Having made a covering for the heavens with half the body of the defeated Dragon of Chaos； Merodach set the Abyss； the abode of Nudimmud； in front； and made a corresponding edifice abovethe heavenswhere he founded stations for the gods Anu； Bel； and Ae。 Stations for the great gods in the likeness of constellations； together with what is regarded as the Zodiac； were his next work。 He then designated the year； setting three constellations for each month； and made a station for Nibiru Merodach's own staras the overseer of all the lights in the firmament。 He then caused the new moon； Nannaru； to shine； and made him the ruler of the night； indicating his phases； one of which was on the seventh day； and the other； a /？abattu/； or day of rest； in the middle of the month。 Directions with regard to the moon's movements seem to follow； but the record is mutilated； and their real nature consequently doubtful。 With regard to other works which were performed we have no information； as a gap prevents their being ascertained。 Something； however； seems to have been done with Merodach's net probably it was placed in the heavens as a constellation； as was his bow； to which several names were given。 Later on； the winds were bound and assigned to their places； but the account of the arrangement of other things is mutilated and obscure； though it can be recognised that the details in this place were of considerable interest。
The creation of man。
To all appearance the gods； after he had ordered the universe and the things then existing； urged Merodach to further works of wonder。 Taking
