Released on = February 28, 2007, 11:11 am

Press Release Author = Reliable

Industry = Education

Press Release Summary = 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.

Press Release Body =
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.

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.

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.

Web Site = http://myth.spiritualideas.com/babylonian_mythology.htm

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