Epic of Gilgamesh:
Tablet 9
Over his friend, Enkidu, Gilgamesh cried bitterly, roaming the wilderness.
"I am going to die!--am I not like Enkidu?!
Deep sadness penetrates my core,
I fear death, and now roam the wilderness--
I will set out to the region of Ut-anapishtim, son of Ubartutu, and will go with utmost speed!
When I arrived at mountain passes at nightfall,
I saw lions, and I was terrified!
I raised my head in prayer to Sin (moon god),
to ... the Great Lady of the gods my supplications poured forth, 'Save me from... !"'
He was sleeping in the night, but awoke with a start with a dream:
A warrior(!) enjoyed his life--
he raised his axe in his hand,
drew the dagger from his sheath,
and fell into their midst like an arrow.
He struck ... and he scattered them,
The name of the former ...
The name of the second ...
(26 lines are missing here, telling of the beginning of his quest.]
The Scorpion-Beings
The mountain is called Mashu.
Then he reached Mount Mashu,
which daily guards the rising and setting of the Sun,
above which only the dome of the heavens reaches,
and whose flank reaches as far as the Netherworld below,
there were Scorpion-beings watching over its gate.
Trembling terror they inspire, the sight of them is death,
their frightening aura sweeps over the mountains.
At the rising and setting they watch over the Sun.
When Gilgamesh saw them, trembling terror blanketed his face,
but he pulled himself together and drew near to them.
The scorpion-being called out to his female:
"He who comes to us, his body is the flesh of gods!"
The scorpion-being, his female, answered him:
"(Only) two-thirds of him is a god, one-third is human."
The male scorpion-being called out,
saying to the offspring of the gods:
"Why have you traveled so distant a journey?
Why have you come here to me,
over rivers whose crossing is treacherous!
I want to learn your ...
I want to learn ..."
[16 lines are missing here. When the text resumes Gilgamesh is speaking.]
"I have come on account of my ancestor Ut-anapishtim,
who joined the Assembly of the Gods, and was given eternal life.
About Death and Life I must ask him!"
The scorpion-being spoke to Gilgamesh ..., saying:
"Never has there been, Gilgamesh, a mortal man who could do that(?).
No one has crossed through the mountains,
for twelve leagues it is darkness throughout--
dense is the darkness, and light there is none.
To the rising of the sun ...
To the setting of the sun ...
To the setting of the sun ...
They caused to go out..."
[67 lines are missing, in which Gilgamesh convinces the scorpion-being to allow him passage.]
"Though it be in deep sadness and pain,
in cold or heat ...
gasping after breath ... I will go on!
Now! Open the Gate!"
The scorpion-being spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"Go on, Gilgamesh, fear not!
The Mashu mountains I give to you freely (!),
the mountains, the ranges, you may traverse ...
In safety may your feet carry you.
The gate of the mountain ..."
To the rising of the sun ...
To the setting of the sun ...
To the setting of the sun ...
They caused to go out..."
[67 lines are missing, in which Gilgamesh convinces the scorpion-being to allow him passage.]
"Though it be in deep sadness and pain,
in cold or heat ...
gasping after breath ... I will go on!
Now! Open the Gate!"
The scorpion-being spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"Go on, Gilgamesh, fear not!
The Mashu mountains I give to you freely (!),
the mountains, the ranges, you may traverse ...
In safety may your feet carry you.
The gate of the mountain ..."
As soon as Gilgamesh heard this
he heeded the utterances of the scorpion-being.
Along the Road of the Sun he journeyed--
one league he traveled ...,
dense was the darkness, light there was none.
Neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.
Two leagues he traveled ...,
dense was the darkness, light there was none,
neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.
[22 lines are missing here.]
Four leagues he traveled ...,
dense was the darkness, light there was none,
neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.
Five leagues he traveled ...,
dense was the darkness, light there was none,
neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.
Six leagues he traveled ...,
dense was the darkness, light there was none,
neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.
Seven leagues he traveled ..
dense was the darkness, light there was none,
neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.
Eight leagues he traveled and cried out (!),
dense was the darkness, light there was none,
neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.
Nine leagues he traveled ... the North Wind.
It licked at his face,
dense was the darkness, light there was none,
neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.
Ten leagues he traveled ...
... is near,
... four leagues.
Eleven leagues he traveled and came out before the sun(rise).
Twelve leagues he traveled and it grew brilliant.
...it bears lapis lazuli as foliage,
bearing fruit, a delight to look upon.
(25 lines are missing here, describing the garden in detail.]
... cedar
... agate
... of the sea ... lapis lazuli,
like thorns and briars ... carnelian,
rubies, hematite,...
like... emeralds (!)
... of the sea,
Gilgamesh ... on walking onward,
raised his eyes and saw ...
Epic of Gilgamesh:
Tablet 10
The tavern-keeper Siduri who lives by the seashore, she lives...
the pot-stand was made for her, the golden fermenting vat was made for her.
She is covered with a veil ...
Gilgamesh was roving about...
wearing a skin,...
having the flesh of the gods in his body,
but sadness deep within him,
looking like one who has been traveling a long distance.
The tavern-keeper was gazing off into the distance,
puzzling to herself, she said,
wondering to herself:
"That fellow is surely a murderer(!)!
Where is he heading! ..."
As soon as the tavern-keeper saw him, she bolted her door, bolted her gate, bolted the lock.
But at her noise Gilgamesh pricked up his ears, lifted his chin (to look about) and then laid his eyes on her.
Gilgamesh spoke to the tavern-keeper, saying:
"Tavern-keeper, what have you seen that made you bolt your door, bolt your gate, bolt the lock!
if you do not let me in I will break your door, and smash the lock!
... the wilderness."
... Gilgamesh
The tavern-keeper Siduri who lives by the seashore,
she lives...
the pot-stand was made for her, the golden fermenting vat was made for her.
She is covered with a veil ...
Gilgamesh was roving about...
wearing a skin,...
having the flesh of the gods in his body,
but sadness deep within him,
looking like one who has been traveling a long distance.
The tavern-keeper was gazing off into the distance,
puzzling to herself, she said,
wondering to herself:
"That fellow is surely a murderer(!)!
Where is he heading! ..."
As soon as the tavern-keeper saw him, she bolted her door,
bolted her gate, bolted the lock.
But at her noise Gilgamesh pricked up his ears,
lifted his chin (to look about) and then laid his eyes on her.
Gilgamesh spoke to the tavern-keeper, saying:
"Tavern-keeper, what have you seen that made you bolt your door,
bolt your gate, bolt the lock!
if you do not let me in I will break your door, and smashthe lock!
... the wilderness."
... Gilgamesh
... gate
Gilgamesh said to the tavern-keeper:
"I am Gilgamesh, I killed the Guardian!
I destroyed Humbaba who lived in the Cedar Forest, I slew lions in the mountain passes!
I grappled with the Bull that came down from heaven, and killed him."
The tavern-keeper spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"lf you are Gilgamesh, who killed the Guardian,
who destroyed Humbaba who lived in the Cedar Forest,
who slew lions in the mountain passes,
who grappled with the Bull that came down from heaven, and killed him,
why are your cheeks emaciated, your expression desolate!
Why is your heart so wretched, your features so haggard!
Why is there such sadness deep within you!
Why do you look like one who has been traveling a long distance so that ice and heat have seared your face!
... you roam the wilderness!"
Gilgamesh spoke to her, to the tavern-keeper he said:
"Tavern-keeper, should not my cheeks be emaciated?
Should my heart not be wretched, my features not haggard?
Should there not be sadness deep within me!
Should I not look like one who has been traveling a long distance, and should ice and heat not have seared my face!
..., should I not roam the wilderness?
My friend, the wild ass who chased the wild donkey, panther of the wilderness,
Enkidu, the wild ass who chased the wild donkey, panther of the wilderness,
we joined together, and went up into the mountain.
We grappled with and killed the Bull of Heaven,
we destroyed Humbaba who lived in the Cedar Forest, we slew lions in the mountain passes!
My friend, whom I love deeply, who went through every hardship with me,
Enkidu, whom I love deeply, who went through every hardship with me,
the fate of mankind has overtaken him.
Six days and seven nights I mourned over him
and would not allow him to be buried
until a maggot fell out of his nose.
I was terrified by his appearance(!),
I began to fear death, and so roam the wilderness.
The issue of my friend oppresses me,
so I have been roaming long trails through the wilderness.
The issue of Enkidu, my friend, oppresses me,
so I have been roaming long roads through the wilderness.
How can I stay silent, how can I be still!
My friend whom I love has turned to clay.
Am I not like him? Will I lie down, never to get up again?"'
Gilgamesh spoke to the tavern-keeper, saying:
"So now, tavern-keeper, what is the way to Ut-anapishtim!
What are its markers Give them to me! Give me the markers!
If possible, I will cross the sea;
if not, I will roam through the wilderness."
The tavern-keeper spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"There has never been, Gilgamesh, any passage whatever,
there has never been anyone since days of old who crossed the sea.
The (only) one who crosses the sea is valiant Shamash, except for him who can cross!
The crossing is difficult, its ways are treacherous--
and in between are the Waters of Death that bar its approaches!
And even if, Gilgamesh, you should cross the sea,
when you reach the Waters of Death what would you do!
Gilgamesh, over there is Urshanabi, the ferryman of Ut-anapishtim.
'The stone things' are with him, he is in the woods picking mint( !).
Go on, let him see your face.
If possible, cross with him;
if not, you should turn back."
When Gilgamesh heard this he raised the axe in his hand,
drew the dagger from his belt,
and slipped stealthily away after them.
Like an arrow he fell among them ("the stone things").
From the middle of the woods their noise could be heard.
Urshanabi, the sharp-eyed, saw...
When he heard the axe, he ran toward it.
He struck his head ... Gilgamesh.'
He clapped his hands and ... his chest,
while "the stone things" ... the boat
... Waters of Death
... broad sea
in the Waters of Death ...
... to the river
... the boat
... on the shore.
Gilgamesh spoke to Urshanabi (?), the ferryman,
... you."
Urshanabi spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:'
"Why are your cheeks emaciated, your expression desolate!
Why is your heart so wretched, your features so haggard?
Why is there such sadness deep within you!
Why do you look like one who has been traveling a long distance
so that ice and heat have seared your face!
Why ... you roam the wilderness!"
Gilgamesh spoke to Urshanabi, saying:
"Urshanabi, should not my cheeks be emaciated, my expression desolate!
Should my heart not be wretched, my features not haggard
Should there not be sadness deep within me?
Should I not look like one who has been traveling a long distance,
and should ice and heat not have seared my face!
... should I not roam the wilderness?
My friend who chased wild asses in the mountain, the panther of the wilderness,
Enkidu, my friend, who chased wild asses in the mountain, the panther of the wilderness,
we joined together, and went up into the mountain.
We grappled with and killed the Bull of Heaven,
we destroyed Humbaba who dwelled in the Cedar Forest,
we slew lions in the mountain passes!
My friend, whom I love deeply, who went through every hardship with me,
Enkidu, my friend, whom I love deeply, who went through every hardship with me,
the fate of mankind has overtaken him.
Six days and seven nights I mourned over him
and would not allow him to be buried
until a maggot fell out of his nose.
I was terrified by his appearance(!),
I began to fear death, and so roam the wilderness.
The issue of my friend oppresses me,
so I have been roaming long trails through the wilderness.
The issue of Enkidu, my friend, oppresses me,
so 1 have been roaming long roads through the wilderness.
How can I stay silent, how can I be still!
My friend whom I love has turned to clay;
Enkidu, my friend whom I love, has turned to clay!
Am I not like him! Will I lie down, never to get up again!"
Gilgamesh spoke to Urshanabi, saying:
"Now, Urshanabi! What is the way to Ut-anapishtim?
What are its markers! Give them to me! Give me the markers!
If possible, I will cross the sea;
if not, I will roam through the wilderness!"
Urshanabi spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"It is your hands, Gilgamesh, that prevent the crossing!
You have smashed the stone things, you have pulled out their retaining ropes (?).
'The stone things have been smashed, their retaining ropes (!) pulled out!
Gilgamesh, take the axe in your hand, go down into the woods,
and cut down 300 punting poles each 60 cubits in length.
Strip them, attach caps(?), and bring them to the boat!"
When Gilgamesh heard this he took up the axe in his hand, drew the dagger from his belt,
and went down into the woods,
and cut 300 punting poles each 60 cubits in length.
He stripped them and attached caps(!), and brought them to the boat.
Gilgamesh and Urshanabi bearded the boat,
Gilgamesh launched the magillu-boat and they sailed away.
By the third day they had traveled a stretch of a month and a half, and
Urshanabi arrived at the Waters of Death.
Urshanabi said to Gilgamesh:
"Hold back, Gilgamesh, take a punting pole,
but your hand must not pass over the Waters of Death ... !
Take a second, Gilgamesh, a third, and a fourth pole,
take a fifth, Gilgamesh, a sixth, and a seventh pole,
take an eighth, Gilgamesh, a ninth, and a tenth pole,
take an eleventh, Gilgamesh, and a twelfth pole!"
In twice 60 rods Gilgamesh had used up the punting poles.
Then he loosened his waist-cloth(?) for...
Gilgamesh stripped off his garment
and held it up on the mast(!) with his arms.
Ut-anapishtim was gazing off into the distance,
puzzling to himself he said, wondering to himself:
"Why are 'the stone things' of the boat smashed to pieces!
And why is someone not its master sailing on it?
The one who is coming is not a man of mine, ...
I keep looking but not...
I keep looking but not ...
I keep looking..."
lines are missing here.]
Ut-anapishtim said to Gilgamesh:
"Why are your cheeks emaciated, your expression desolate!
Why is your heart so wretched, your features so haggard!
Why is there such sadness deep within you!
Why do you look like one who has been traveling a long distance
so that ice and heat have seared your face!
... you roam the wilderness!"
Gilgamesh spoke to Ut-anapishtim saying:
"Should not my cheeks be emaciated, my expression desolate!
Should my heart not be wretched, my features not haggard!
Should there not be sadness deep within me!
Should I not look like one who has been traveling a long distance,
and should ice and heat not have seared my face!
... should I not roam the wilderness)
My friend who chased wild asses in the mountain, the panther of the wilderness,
Enkidu, my friend, who chased wild asses in the mountain, the panther of the wilderness,
we joined together, and went up into the mountain.
We grappled with and killed the Bull of Heaven,
we destroyed Humbaba who dwelled in the Cedar Forest,
we slew lions in the mountain passes!
My friend, whom I love deeply, who went through every hardship with me
Enkidu, my friend, whom I love deeply, who went through every hardship with me,
the fate of mankind has overtaken him.
Six days and seven nights I mourned over him
and would not allow him to be buried
until a maggot fell out of his nose.
I was terrified by his appearance(!),
I began to fear death, and so roam the wilderness.
The issue of my friend oppresses me,
so I have been roaming long trails through the wilderness.
The issue of Enkidu, my friend, oppresses me,
so I have been roaming long roads through the wilderness.
How can I stay silent, how can I be still!
My friend whom I love has turned to clay;
Enkidu, my friend whom I love, has turned to clay!
Am I not like him! Will I lie down never to get up again!"
Gilgamesh spoke to Ut-anapishtim, saying:
"That is why (?) I must go on, to see Ut-anapishtim whom they call 'The Faraway.'"
I went circling through all the mountains,
I traversed treacherous mountains, and crossed all the seas--
that is why (!) sweet sleep has not mellowed my face,
through sleepless striving I am strained,
my muscles are filled with pain.
I had not yet reached the tavern-keeper's area before my clothing gave out.
I killed bear, hyena, lion, panther, tiger, stag, red-stag, and beasts of the wilderness;
I ate their meat and wrapped their skins around me.'
The gate of grief must be bolted shut, sealed with pitch and bitumen!
As for me, dancing...
For me unfortunate(!) it(?) will root out..."
Ut-anapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"Why, Gilgamesh, do you ... sadness?
You who were created (!) from the flesh of gods and mankind
who made ... like your father and mother?
Have you ever... Gilgamesh ... to the fool ...
They placed a chair in the Assembly, ...
But to the fool they gave beer dregs instead of butter,
bran and cheap flour which like ...
Clothed with a loincloth (!) like ...
And ... in place of a sash,
because he does not have ...
does not have words of counsel ...
Take care about it, Gilgamesh,
... their master...
... Sin...
... eclipse of the moon ...
The gods are sleepless ...
They are troubled, restless(!) ...
Long ago it has been established...
You trouble yourself...
... your help ...
If Gilgamesh ... the temple of the gods
... the temple of the holy gods,
... the gods ...
... mankind,
they took ... for his fate.
You have toiled without cease, and what have you got!
Through toil you wear yourself out, you fill your body with grief,
your long lifetime you are bringing near (to a premature end)!
Mankind, whose offshoot is snapped off like a reed in a canebreak,
the fine youth and lovely girl
... death.
No one can see death,
no one can see the face of death,
no one can hear the voice of death,
yet there is savage death that snaps off mankind.
For how long do we build a household?
For how long do we seal a document!
For how long do brothers share the inheritance?
For how long is there to be jealousy in the land!
For how long has the river risen and brought the overflowing waters,
so that dragonflies drift down the river!'
The face that could gaze upon the face of the Sun has never existed ever.
How alike are the sleeping(!) and the dead.
The image of Death cannot be depicted.
(Yes, you are a) human being, a man (?)!
After Enlil had pronounced the blessing,'"
the Anunnaki, the Great Gods, assembled.
Mammetum, she who forms destiny, determined destiny with them.
They established Death and Life, but they did not make known 'the days of death'".
Epic of Gilgamesh:
Tablet 11
The Story of the Flood
Gilgamesh spoke to Ut-anapishtim, the Faraway:
"I have been looking at you, but your appearance is not strange--you are like me!
You yourself are not different--you are like me!
My mind was resolved to fight with you,
(but instead?) my arm lies useless over you.
Tell me, how is it that you stand in the Assembly of the Gods, and have found life!"
Ut-anapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"I will reveal to you, Gilgamesh, a thing that is hidden, a secret of the gods I will tell you!
Shuruppak, a city that you surely know, situated on the banks of the Euphrates,
that city was very old, and there were gods inside it.
The hearts of the Great Gods moved them to inflict the Flood.
Their Father Anu uttered the oath (of secrecy),
Valiant Enlil was their Adviser,
Ninurta was their Chamberlain,
Ennugi was their Minister of Canals.
Ea, the Clever Prince (?), was under oath with them
so he repeated their talk to the reed house:
'Reed house, reed house! Wall, wall!
O man of Shuruppak, son of Ubartutu:
Tear down the house and build a boat!
Abandon wealth and seek living beings!
Spurn possessions and keep alive living beings!
Make all living beings go up into the boat.
The boat which you are to build,
its dimensions must measure equal to each other:
its length must correspond to its width.
Roof it over like the Apsu.
I understood and spoke to my lord, Ea:
'My lord, thus is the command which you have uttered
I will heed and will do it.
But what shall I answer the city, the populace, and the Elders!'
Ea spoke, commanding me, his servant:
'You, well then, this is what you must say to them:
"It appears that Enlil is rejecting me
so I cannot reside in your city (?),
nor set foot on Enlil's earth.
I will go down to the Apsu to live with my lord, Ea,
and upon you he will rain down abundance,
a profusion of fowl, myriad(!) fishes.
He will bring to you a harvest of wealth,
in the morning he will let loaves of bread shower down,
and in the evening a rain of wheat!"'
Just as dawn began to glow the land assembled around me-
the carpenter carried his hatchet,
the reed worker carried his (flattening) stone,
... the men ...
The child carried the pitch,
the weak brought whatever else was needed.
On the fifth day I laid out her exterior.
It was a field in area,
its walls were each 10 times 12 cubits in height,
the sides of its top were of equal length, 10 times It cubits each.
I laid out its (interior) structure and drew a picture of it (?).
I provided it with six decks,
thus dividing it into seven (levels).
The inside of it I divided into nine (compartments).
I drove plugs (to keep out) water in its middle part.
I saw to the punting poles and laid in what was necessary.
Three times 3,600 (units) of raw bitumen I poured into the bitumen kiln,
three times 3,600 (units of) pitch ...into it,
there were three times 3,600 porters of casks who carried (vegetable) oil,
apart from the 3,600 (units of) oil which they consumed (!)
and two times 3,600 (units of) oil which the boatman stored away.
I butchered oxen for the meat(!),
and day upon day I slaughtered sheep.
I gave the workmen(?) ale, beer, oil, and wine, as if it were river water,
so they could make a party like the New Year's Festival.
... and I set my hand to the oiling(!).
The boat was finished by sunset.
The launching was very difficult.
They had to keep carrying a runway of poles front to back,
until two-thirds of it had gone into the water(?).
Whatever I had I loaded on it:
whatever silver I had I loaded on it,
whatever gold I had I loaded on it.
All the living beings that I had I loaded on it,
I had all my family and friend go up into the boat,
all the beasts and animals of the field and the craftsmen I had go up.
Shamash had set a stated time:
'In the morning I will let loaves of bread shower down,
and in the evening a rain of wheat!
Go inside the boat, seal the entry!'
That stated time had arrived.
In the morning he let loaves of bread shower down,
and in the evening a rain of wheat.
I watched the appearance of the weather--
the weather was frightful to behold!
I went into the boat and sealed the entry.
For the caulking of the boat, to Puzuramurri, the boatman,
I gave the palace together with its contents.
Just as dawn began to glow
there arose from the horizon a black cloud.
Adad rumbled inside of it,
before him went Shullat and Hanish,
heralds going over mountain and land.
Erragal pulled out the mooring poles,
forth went Ninurta and made the dikes overflow.
The Anunnaki lifted up the torches, setting the land ablaze with their flare.
Stunned shock over Adad's deeds overtook the heavens,
and turned to blackness all that had been light.
The... land shattered like a... pot.
All day long the South Wind blew ...,
blowing fast, submerging the mountain in water,
overwhelming the people like an attack.
No one could see his fellow,
they could not recognize each other in the torrent.
The gods were frightened by the Flood,
and retreated, ascending to the heaven of Anu.
The gods were cowering like dogs, crouching by the outer wall.
Ishtar shrieked like a woman in childbirth,
the sweet-voiced Mistress of the Gods wailed:
'The olden days have alas turned to clay,
because I said evil things in the Assembly of the Gods!
How could I say evil things in the Assembly of the Gods,
ordering a catastrophe to destroy my people!!
No sooner have I given birth to my dear people
than they fill the sea like so many fish!'
The gods--those of the Anunnaki--were weeping with her,
the gods humbly sat weeping, sobbing with grief(?),
their lips burning, parched with thirst.
Six days and seven nights
came the wind and flood, the storm flattening the land.
When the seventh day arrived, the storm was pounding,
the flood was a war--struggling with itself like a woman writhing (in labor).
The sea calmed, fell still, the whirlwind (and) flood stopped up.
I looked around all day long--quiet had set in
and all the human beings had turned to clay!
The terrain was as flat as a roof.
I opened a vent and fresh air (daylight!) fell upon the side of my nose.
I fell to my knees and sat weeping,
tears streaming down the side of my nose.
I looked around for coastlines in the expanse of the sea,
and at twelve leagues there emerged a region (of land).
On Mt. Nimush the boat lodged firm,
Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowing no sway.
One day and a second Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowing no sway.
A third day, a fourth, Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowing no sway.
A fifth day, a sixth, Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowing no sway.
When a seventh day arrived
I sent forth a dove and released it.
The dove went off, but came back to me;
no perch was visible so it circled back to me.
I sent forth a swallow and released it.
The swallow went off, but came back to me;
no perch was visible so it circled back to me.
I sent forth a raven and released it.
The raven went off, and saw the waters slither back.
It eats, it scratches, it bobs, but does not circle back to me.
Then I sent out everything in all directions and sacrificed (a sheep).
I offered incense in front of the mountain-ziggurat.
Seven and seven cult vessels I put in place,
and (into the fire) underneath (or: into their bowls) I poured reeds, cedar, and myrtle.
The gods smelled the savor,
the gods smelled the sweet savor,
and collected like flies over a (sheep) sacrifice.
Just then Belet-Ili arrived.
She lifted up the large flies (beads) which Anu had made for his enjoyment(!):
'You gods, as surely as I shall not forget this lapis lazuli around my neck,
may I be mindful of these days, and never forget them!
The gods may come to the incense offering,
but Enlil may not come to the incense offering,
because without considering he brought about the Flood
and consigned my people to annihilation.'
Just then Enlil arrived.
He saw the boat and became furious,
he was filled with rage at the Igigi gods:
'Where did a living being escape?
No man was to survive the annihilation!'
Ninurta spoke to Valiant Enlil, saying:
'Who else but Ea could devise such a thing?
It is Ea who knows every machination!'
La spoke to Valiant Enlil, saying:
'It is yours, O Valiant One, who is the Sage of the Gods.
How, how could you bring about a Flood without consideration
Charge the violation to the violator,
charge the offense to the offender,
but be compassionate lest (mankind) be cut off,
be patient lest they be killed.
Instead of your bringing on the Flood,
would that a lion had appeared to diminish the people!
Instead of your bringing on the Flood,
would that a wolf had appeared to diminish the people!
Instead of your bringing on the Flood,
would that famine had occurred to slay the land!
Instead of your bringing on the Flood,
would that (Pestilent) Erra had appeared to ravage the land!
It was not I who revealed the secret of the Great Gods,
I (only) made a dream appear to Atra-hasis, and (thus) he heard the secret of the gods.
Now then! The deliberation should be about him!'
Enlil went up inside the boat and, grasping my hand, made me go up.
He had my wife go up and kneel by my side.
He touched our forehead and, standing between us, he blessed us:
'Previously Ut-anapishtim was a human being.
But now let Ut-anapishtim and his wife become like us, the gods!
Let Ut-anapishtim reside far away, at the Mouth of the Rivers.'
They took us far away and settled us at the Mouth of the Rivers."
"Now then, who will convene the gods on your behalf,
that you may find the life that you are seeking!
Wait! You must not lie down for six days and seven nights."
soon as he sat down (with his head) between his legs
sleep, like a fog, blew upon him.
Ut-anapishtim said to his wife:
"Look there! The man, the youth who wanted (eternal) life!
Sleep, like a fog, blew over him."
his wife said to Ut-anapishtim the Faraway:
"Touch him, let the man awaken.
Let him return safely by the way he came.
Let him return to his land by the gate through which he left."
Ut-anapishtim said to his wife:
"Mankind is deceptive, and will deceive you.
Come, bake loaves for him and keep setting them by his head
and draw on the wall each day that he lay down."
She baked his loaves and placed them by his head
and marked on the wall the day that he lay down.
The first loaf was dessicated,
the second stale, the third moist(?), the fourth turned white, its ...,
the fifth sprouted gray (mold), the sixth is still fresh.
the seventh--suddenly he touched him and the man awoke.
Gilgamesh said to Ut-anapishtim:
"The very moment sleep was pouring over me
you touched me and alerted me!"
Ut-anapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"Look over here, Gilgamesh, count your loaves!
You should be aware of what is marked on the wall!
Your first loaf is dessicated,
the second stale, the third moist, your fourth turned white,
its ...
the fifth sprouted gray (mold), the sixth is still fresh.
The seventh--suddenly he touched him and the man awoke.
Gilgamesh said to Ut-anapishtim:
"The very moment sleep was pouring over me
you touched me and alerted me!"
Ut-anapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"Look over here, Gilgamesh, count your loaves!
You should be aware of what is marked on the wall!
Your first loaf is dessicated,
the second stale, the third moist, your fourth turned white,
its ...
the fifth sprouted gray (mold), the sixth is still fresh.
The seventh--at that instant you awoke!"
Gilgamesh said to Ut-anapishtim the Faraway:
"O woe! What shall I do, Ut-anapishtim, where shall I go!
The Snatcher has taken hold of my flesh,
in my bedroom Death dwells,
and wherever I set foot there too is Death!"
Home Empty-Handed
Ut-anapishtim said to Urshanabi, the ferryman:
"May the harbor reject you, may the ferry landing reject you!
May you who used to walk its shores be denied its shores!
The man in front of whom you walk, matted hair chains his body,
animal skins have ruined his beautiful skin.
Take him away, Urshanabi, bring him to the washing place.
Let him wash his matted hair in water like ellu.
Let him cast away his animal skin and have the sea carry it off,
let his body be moistened with fine oil,
let the wrap around his head be made new,
let him wear royal robes worthy of him!
Until he goes off to his city,
until he sets off on his way,
let his royal robe not become spotted, let it be perfectly new!"
Urshanabi took him away and brought him to the washing place.
He washed his matted hair with water like ellu.
He cast off his animal skin and the sea carried it oh.
He moistened his body with fine oil,
and made a new wrap for his head.
He put on a royal robe worthy of him.
Until he went away to his city,
until he set off on his way,
his royal robe remained unspotted, it was perfectly clean.
Gilgamesh and Urshanabi boarded the boat,
they cast off the magillu-boat, and sailed away.
The wife of Ut-anapishtim the Faraway said to him:
"Gilgamesh came here exhausted and worn out.
What can you give him so that he can return to his land (with honor) !"
Then Gilgamesh raised a punting pole
and drew the boat to shore.
Ut-anapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"Gilgamesh, you came here exhausted and worn out.
What can I give you so you can return to your land?
I will disclose to you a thing that is hidden, Gilgamesh,
a... I will tell you.
There is a plant... like a boxthorn,
whose thorns will prick your hand like a rose.
If your hands reach that plant you will become a young man again."
Hearing this, Gilgamesh opened a conduit(!) (to the Apsu)
and attached heavy stones to his feet.
They dragged him down, to the Apsu they pulled him.
He took the plant, though it pricked his hand,
and cut the heavy stones from his feet,
letting the waves(?) throw him onto its shores.
Gilgamesh spoke to Urshanabi, the ferryman, saying:
"Urshanabi, this plant is a plant against decay(!)
by which a man can attain his survival(!).
I will bring it to Uruk-Haven,
and have an old man eat the plant to test it.
The plant's name is 'The Old Man Becomes a Young Man.'"
Then I will eat it and return to the condition of my youth."
At twenty leagues they broke for some food,
at thirty leagues they stopped for the night.
Seeing a spring and how cool its waters were,
Gilgamesh went down and was bathing in the water.
A snake smelled the fragrance of the plant,
silently came up and carried off the plant.
While going back it shed its skin.
At that point Gilgamesh sat down, weeping,
his tears streaming over the side of his nose.
"Counsel me, O ferryman Urshanabi!
For whom have my arms labored, Urshanabi!
For whom has my heart's blood roiled!
I have not secured any good deed for myself,
but done a good deed for the 'lion of the ground'!"
Now the high waters are coursing twenty leagues distant,'
as I was opening the conduit(?) I turned my equipment over into it (!).
What can I find (to serve) as a marker(?) for me!
I will turn back (from the journey by sea) and leave the boat by the shore!"
At twenty leagues they broke for some food,
at thirty leagues they stopped for the night.
They arrived in Uruk-Haven.
Gilgamesh said to Urshanabi, the ferryman:
"Go up, Urshanabi, onto the wall of Uruk and walk around.
Examine its foundation, inspect its brickwork thoroughly--
is not (even the core of) the brick structure of kiln-fired brick,
and did not the Seven Sages themselves lay out its plan!
One league city, one league palm gardens, one league lowlands, the open area(?) of the Ishtar Temple,
three leagues and the open area(?) of Uruk it encloses.
End Tablet 11 and the Epic of Gilgamesh.
The Epic of Gilgamesh: Translated by Maureen Gallery Kovacs
Epic of Gilgamesh:
Tablet 12
"If only I'd have protected our instruments in the
safe home of the drum-maker;
If only I'd have given so precious a harp to the
craftsman's wife, she who shepherds such jewel-like children.
God, has your heart forgotten me?
Who shall descend to Hell and redeem the
drum from where it rests unused?
Who shall risk his life to retrieve
the precious gifts of Ishtar from death?"
10. And for this quest his friend alone did pledge.
So Gilgamesh said this to Enkidu:
"Descend, descend to hades where life does end
but listen now to words you need to know.
Go slow to where death rules, my brother dear,
and then arise again above and over fear."
And, once more, Gilgamesh said this to Enkidu:
"Let all who would be saved today, take heed,
and listen to god's words in time of need.
When walking with the strong or with the dead,
20. do not wear clothes of purple or of red.
Shun make-up that presents a holy face
for they attack the phony and the base.
Leave here with me your knife and rock and club;
such weapons only add to their own strife.
Put down your bow, as you would leave a wife.
The souls of death will soil your hands and feet.
Go naked, filthy, tearful, when you meet.
Be quiet, mild, remote, and distant too
as those who will surround and follow you.
30. Greet no girl with kiss so kind upon her lips;
push none away from you with fingertips.
Hold no child's hand as you descend to Hell
and strike no boy who chooses there to dwell.
Around you, Enkidu, the lament of the dead
will whirl and scream,
for she alone, in that good place, is at home who,
having given birth to beauty,
has watched that beauty die.
No graceful robe any longer graces her naked self
40. and her kind breasts, once warm with milk,
have turned into bowls of cold stone."
But Enkidu refused to heed his friend
as he set out that day to then descend
to where the dead who-do-not-live do stay.
He wore bright clothes of celebrative red,
the sight of which offended all the dead.
His colored face made him seem fair and good
but spirits hate the flesh that would dare
remind us of the beauty they have lost.
50. He brought with him his club and rock and knife
and did cause strife with those whom he did mock.
There, too, is where he showed off;
where he went clothed among the naked,
where he wasted food beside the starving,
where he danced beside the grief-stricken.
He kissed a happy girl.
He struck a good woman.
He enjoyed his fatherhood.
He fought with his son.
60. Around him, the lament for the dead arose;
for she alone, in that sad place, is at home who,
having given birth to beauty,
has watched that beauty die.
No graceful robe any longer graces her naked self
and her kind breasts, once warm with milk,
have turned into bowls of cold stone.
She never even dreamed once of letting him return
to life. Namtar, the decision-maker,
would not help Enkidu. Nor would illness
70. help. Hell became his home.
Nergal, chief-enforcer, would not help.
Dirges and laments rose all around.
Not even the soldier's death-in-battle,
with all its false and phony honor,
helped Enkidu. Death just swallowed him, unrecognized.
So the great son of Ninsun, proud Gilgamesh,
cried for his beloved friend
and went to the temple of Enlil,
the savage god of soldiers,
80. to say: "My god, when death
called for me, my best friend went
in my place and he is now no longer living."
But the savage god of soldiers, Enlil, was mute.
So Gilgamesh turned next to one who flies alone,
and to the moon he said: "My god, when death
called for me, my best friend went
in my place and he is now no longer living."
But the moon, who flies alone, was also mute;
so he went next to Ea, whose waters fill
90. the desert oasis even when no rain falls.
"My god," he cried, "when death
called for me, my best friend went
in my place and he is now no longer living."
And Ea, whose waters keep us alive as we journey over desert sands,
said this to Nergal, great soldier in arms.
"Go now, mighty follower; free Enkidu to speak once to kin
and show this Gilgamesh how to descend halfway
to Hell through the bowels of earth."
And Nergal, accustomed to absurd orders,
100. obeyed as soldiers do.
He freed Enkidu to speak once to kin
and showed Gilgamesh how to descend halfway
to Hell through the bowels of earth.
Enkidu's shadow (spirit) rose slowly toward the living
and the brothers, tearful and weak,
tried to hug, tried to speak,
tried and failed to do anything but sob.
"Speak to me please, dear brother,"
whispered Gilgamesh.
110. "Tell me of death and where you are."
"Not willingly do I speak of death,"
said Enkidu in slow reply.
"But if you wish to sit for a brief
time, I will describe where I do stay."
"Yes," his brother said in early grief.
"All my skin and all my bones are dead now.
All my skin and all my bones are now dead.
"Oh no," cried Gilgamesh without relief.
"Oh no," sobbed one enclosed by grief.
120. "Did you see there a man who never fathered any child?"
"I saw there a no-man who died."
"Did you see there a man whose one son died?"
"I saw him sobbing all alone in open fields."
"Did you see there a man with two grown sons?"
"I did indeed and he smiles all day long."
"Did you see there a man with three of his own boys?"
"I did, I did; and his heart's full of joys."
"Did you there see a king with four full kids?"
"I did see one whose pleasure is supreme."
130. "Did you see there anyone with five children?"
"oh yes, they go about with laughs and shouts."
"And could you find a man with six or seven boys?"
"You could and they are treated as the gods."
"Have you seen one who died too soon?"
"Oh yes; that one sips water fair and rests each night upon a couch."
"Have you seen one who died in War?"
"Oh yes; his aged father weeps and his young widow visits graves."
"Have you seen one buried poor, with other homeless nomads?"
140. "Oh yes; that one knows rest that is not sure, far from the proper place."
"Have you seen a brother crying among relatives
who chose to ignore his prayers?"
"Oh yes; he brings bread to the hungry from the dumps
of those who feed their dogs
with food they keep from people
and he eats trash that no other man would want."
Epic of Gilgamesh:
Another fragmentary version #2
(four columns)
This version is from George Barton, Archaeology and the Bible 7th edition, American Sunday-School Union. p. 332-335
Column I (3/4 of the column missing)
............................................
......................
"My human-kind from its destruction I will [raise up];
With the aid of Nintu my creation..,...I will raise up;
The people in their settlements I will establish;
The city, whereever man creates one--indeed its protection--therein I will give him rest.
Our house-- its brick may be cast in a clean spor!
Our places in a clean place may heestablish!"
Its brilliant splendor, the temple platform, he made straight,
The exalted regulations he completed for it;
The land he divided; a favorable plan he established.
After Anu, Enlil (Bel), Enik (Ea) and Ninkhursag
The black headed race had created,
All that is from the earth, from the earth they caused to spring,
Cattle and beasts of the field suitably they brought into beings.
Column II (3/5 missing)
...................................
.....................I will.........................................
.................I will turn my eye upon him...........
The ................creator of the land...........
..................of royalty..................
.......................of royalty by him was determined;
The exalted palace of the royal throne was by him set apart,
The exalted precepts............he made perfect,
In clean places..........cities.........he founded,
Their names were named, they were alloted to guardian-spirits (?)
Of these cities Eridu--the chief command to Nudimmud he gave,
Unto the second the nisag-priests of Umma (?) he gave.
Thirdly, Larak to Pabikhursag he gave,
Fourthly, Sippar as the dwelling of Shamash he gave,
Fifthly, Shurippak unto Lamkurru he gave.
Their names were assigned; to guardian-spirits (?) they were allotted;
Its rampart (?), a wall (?) he raised up, he established;
Small rivers, canals (?), and water-courses (?) he established.
Column III
.....................
..............................
The land the sway of Anu..
The people...
A deluge.......................
.........................
Their land (?) it entered...........
Then Nintu [cried out] like [a woman in travail].........
The brilliant Ishtar [uttered] a groan on account of her people.
Enki with himself communion in his wisdom/
Anu, Enlil, Enki, and Nikhursag,
The gods of heaven and earth, invoked the names of Anu and Enlil,
At that time Ziugiddu was king, the priest of.......
The chief deity he made of wood.......
In humility prostrating himself, in reverence...............
Daily at all times was he present in person......
Increasing dreams which had not come [before],
Conjuring by the name of heaven and earth......
Column IV
For the settlement (?) the gods a wall (?)...
Ziugiddu stood by its side, he heard......
"At the wall at my left side stand.....
At the wall I will speak a word to thee
O my brilliant one, let there enter thy ear.....
By our hand a deluge....will be sent,
The seed of mankind to destroy....
Is the momentous decision of the assembly (of the gods)/
The words of Anu and Enlil.....
Their kingdom, their rule......
To them............"
[From other versions Ziugiddu is being told about the coming flood. The command to stand by the wall then reads:]
"O reed-hut, reed-hut, O wall, wall,
O reed-hut, hearken; O wall, give heed!
O man of Shurippak, son of Ubartutu,
Pull down thy house, build a ship, etc.
Column V
The evil winds, the wind that is hostil, came; all of them descended,
The deluge.....came on with them
Seven days and seven nights
The deluge swept over the land,
The evil wind made the huge boat tremble.
Shamash (the Sun) came forth, on heaven and earth he shone;
Ziugiddu the ship at the top uncovered,
The peace of Shamash, his light, entered into the boat.
Ziugiddu, the king
Before Shamash bowed his face to the earth.
The king--an ox he sacrificed, a sheep offered as oblation.
..................
Column VI
By the life of heaven and the life of earth ye shall conjure him,
That he may raise up from you;
Anu and Enlil by the soul of heaven and the soul of earth ye shall conjure,
That they may raise up from you
The curse that has come upon the land, that they may remove it.
Ziugiddu the king
Before Anu and Enlil bowed his face to the earth.
Life like a god's he gave to him,
An immortal spirit like a god's he brought to him.
Then Ziugiddu the king,
Of the seed that was cursed, lord of mankind he made;
Of the seed that was cursed, lord of mankind he made;
In the fruitful land, the land of Dilmum....they made him dwell
Epic of Gilgamesh:
Another fragmentary version #3
This version is from George Barton, Archaeology and the Bible 7th edition, American Sunday-School Union. p. 327-331
1.Gilgamesh said to him, to Utnapishtim, the far-away:
2."I look upon thee, O Utnapishtim,
3.Thy appearance is unchanged; thou are like me;
4.Thou are not at all different, thou art like me;
5.Thy courage is unbroken, to make combat,
6.On thy side thou liest down 00 on thy back.
7.[Tell me] how didst thou thou advance and in the assembly of the gods find life?"
8.Utnapishtim spoke to him, to Gilgamesh:
9.I will reveal to thee, O Gilgamesh, the secret story,
10.And the decision of the gods to thee will I relate.
11.Shurippak, a city which thou knowest,
12.Is situated on the bank of the Euphrates.
13.That city was old and the gods in it--
14.Their hearts prompted them--the great gods--to make a deluge.
15.[There are near] their father An,
16.Their counsillor, the warrior Ellil,
17.Their herald, Enmashtu,
18.Their hero, Ennugi.
19.The lord of wisdom, Ea, counseled with them;
20.Their words he repeated to the reed-hut:
21."O reed-hut, reed-hut, O wall, wall,
22.O reed-hut, hearken; O wall, give heed!
23.O man of Shurippak, son of Ubarattutu,
24.Pull down thy house, build a ship,
25.Leave thy possessions, take thought for thy life,
26.Leave thy gods, thy life save!
27.Embark seed of life and all kinds on a ship!
28.The ship which thou shalt build,
29.Measure well its dimensions,
30.Make to correspond its breath and its length;
31.Upon the ocean thou shalt launch it."
32.I understood and spoke to Ea, my lord:
33."[I understand], my lord; what thou hast thus commanded
34.I will honor and will do.
35.[But] what shall I say to the city, the people, and the elders?"
36.Ea opened his mouth and spake,
37.He said unto me, his servant;
38."Thus shalt thou say unto them:
39.Know that me -- Ellil hates me.
40.I may not dwell in your city,
41.On Ellil's soil I may not lift my face,
42.I must go down to the ocean with Ea, my lord, to dwell.
43.Upon you will he (Ellil) then rain abundance--
44.[A catch] of birds, a catch of fishes,
45...........a rich (?) harvest.
46.[A time Shamash (the sun) appointed, at evening] the senders of rain
47.[Shall rain upon] you a mighty rainstorm.
48.When the grey of dawn brightens,
49.------broken line
50......broken line
51......broken line
52.....broken line
53........broken line
54.........broken line
55.........broken line
56.--------broken line
57.The strong....brought what was needed.
58.On the fifth day I raised its frame.
59.According to its plan (?) its walls were 120 cubits high;
60.120 cubits correspondingly was the extent of its roof.
61.I laid down its hull; I enclosed it.
62.I constructed it in storys, up to six;
63.I divided it [without (?)] into seven parts.
64.Its interior I divided into nine parts.
65......I fastened in its midst.
66.I looked out a rudder, and prepared what was necessary.
67.6 sars of bitumen I poured over its outside (?);
68.3 sars of bitumen I poured over its interior.
69.3 sars of oil the people who carry jars brought.
70.Besides a sar of oil which was used as a libation,
71.2 sars of oil the ship's captain stowed away.
72.For the people I slaughtered bullocks.
73.I slaughtered lambs daily.
74.Must, beer, oil, and wine,
75.I gave the people to drink like river-water.
76.I made a feast, like a new year's festival.
77.I opened (?) [a box of ointment]; I put ointment in my hand.
78.[By the setting] of great Shamash, the ship was finished.
79.[To move it from the stocks] was difficult
80.The men cleared the ship's ways above and below.
81............two thirds of it.
82.With all that I had I laded it (the ship).
83.With all the silver I had I laded it.
84.With all the gold I had I laded it.
85.With all the living things I had I laded it.
86.I embarked on the ship all my family and kindred.
87.Cattle of the fields, beasts of the field, craftsmen, all, I embarked.
88.A fixed time Shamash had appointed, [saying]:
89."When the senders of rain shall rain upon you a mighty rainstorm at evening,
90.Embark upon the ship and close the door."
91.The appointed time approached,
92.The senders of rain sent at evening a heavy rainstorm.
93.I observed the appearance of the day,
94.The day was terrible to look upon.
95.I embarked upon the ship, I closed my door.
96.To the master of the ship, to Puzur-Amurru, the sailor,
97.I entrusted the structure together with its contents.
98.When dew-dawn began to brighten,
99.There arose from the horizon a black cloud;
100.The god Adad thundered in its midst,
101.While Nebo and Sharru marched before;
102.They went as heralds over the mountain and country.
103.Nergal tore away the anchor,
104.Enmashtu advanced, the floods he poured down;
105.The Anunnaki raised their torches,
106.At their brightness the land trembled.
107.The raging of Adad reached to heaven;
108.All light was turned to darkness
109.......the land like....
110.One day [raged the storm )?)]
111.Swiftly it raged [and the waters covered[ the mountains,
112.Like a battle array over the people it swept.
113.No one could see his fellow/
114.No more were people recognized in heaven;
115.The gods were frightened at the deluge,
116.They fled, they climbed to the highest heaven;
117.The gods crouched like dogs, they lay down by the walls.
118.Ishtar cried like a woman in travail,
119.Wailed the queen of the gods with her beautiful voice:
120."Those creatures are turned to clay,
121.Since I commanded evil in the assembly of the gods;
122.Because I commanded evil in the assembly of the gods,
123.For the destruction of my people I commanded battle.
124.I alone bore my people;
125.like spawn of flies they fill the sea."
126.The gods along with the Annunaki wept with her,
127.The gods bowed, sat as they wept;
128.Closed were their lips; [silent their] assembly.
129.Six days and seven nights
130.Blew the wind, the deluge the flood overpowered.
131.When the seventh day approached, the deluge was prolonging the battle
132.Which, like an army, it had waged.
133.The sea calmed, the destruction abated, the flood ceased.
134.I looked upon the sea, the roaring was stilled
135.And all mankind was turned to clay;
136.Like logs all were floating about.
137.I opened the window, the light fell on my cheek;
138.I was overcome, I sat down, I wept;
139.Over my cheek streamed the tears.
140.I looked in all directions--a fearful sea!
141.After twelve days an island appeared;
142.Toward mount Nizir the ship stood off;
143.Mount Nizir held it fast, that it moved not.
144.One day, two days, Mount Nizier held it that it moved not,
145.Three days, four days, mount Nizir held it that it moved not,
146.Five days, six days, mount Nizir held it that it moved not,
147.When the seventh day approached,
148.I brought out a dove and let her go;
149.The dove went out and returned;
150.There was no resting-place and she came back.
151.I brought out a swallow and let it go;
152.The swallow went out and returned.
153.There was o resting place and it came back.
154.I brought out a raven and let it go;
155.The raven went out, the diminution of the waters it saw;
156.It alighted, it waded about, it croaked, it did not come back.
157.I disembarked [all]; to the four winds I poured a libation.
158.I appointed a sacrifice on top of the mountain peak'
159.Seven by seven I arranged the sacrificial vessels;
160.Beneath them I piled reeds, cedar wood, and myrtle.
161.The gods smelled the savor,
162.The gods smelled the sweet savor.
163.The gods above the sacrificer collected like flies.
164.When at length the queen of the gods drew near,
165.She raised the great bows which An at her wish had made.
166."O ye gods, as I shall not forget the jewel of my neck
167.These days I shall not forget--to eternity I shall remember!
168.Let the gods come to the sacrifice,
169.But let Ellil not come to the sacrifice,
170.For he was not wise; he sent the deluge,
171.And numbered my people for destruction."
172.When at last Ellil drew near,
173.He saw the ship, Ellil was angry,
174.His heart was filled against the gods and the Igigi (spirits of heaven)
175."Who then has come out alive?
176.No man must escape from destruction."
177.Then Enmashtu opened his mouth and spake,
178.He said to the warrior Ellil;
179."Who but Ea accomplished the thing?
180.Even Ea knows every undertaking."
181.Ea opened his mouth and spake,
182.He said to the warrior Ellil:
183."O thou, aleader of the gods, warrior,
184.How, how couldst thou without thought send a deluge?
185.On the sinner let his sin rest,
186.On the wrongdoer rest his misdeed.
187.Forbear, let it not be done, have mercy, [That men perish not].
188.Instead of thy sending a deluge
189.Had the lion come and diminished the people!
190.Instead of thy sending a deluge
191.Had a wolf come and diminished the people!
192.Instead of sending a deluge
193.Had a famine come and the land [depopulated!]
194.Instead of sending a deluge
195.Had a pestilence come and the land [depopulated!}
196.I have not divulged the decisions of the great gods.
197.I caused Adrakhasis to see a dream and the decisions of the gods be heard.
198.Now take counsel concerning him."
199.Then went Ea on board the ship,
200.He took my hand and brought me forth,
201.He brought forth my wife and made her kneel at my side;
202.He turned us toward each other and stood between us; he blessed us:
203."In former times Utnapishtim was a man;
204.Now let Utnapishtim and his wife be like gods-- even like us;
205.Let Utnapishtim dwell afar off at the mouth of the rivers!"
206.He took me and caused me to dwell afar off at the mouth of the rivers.
The global flood from the oldest archeology on earth:
Exhibit
Name
Sumerian Eridu
Sumerian Kings
Shuruppak
Atra-hasis
Gilgamesh
Berossus
Date of tablet
2150 BC
2119-2112 BC
2100 BC
1635 BC
1150 BC
280 BC
Language
Sumerian Cuneiform
Sumerian Cuneiform
Akkadian Cuniform
Akkadian Cuneiform
Akkadian Cuneiform
Greek
Noah figure
Zi-ud-sura
"he obtained immortality"
Cush, Noah's grandson
Zi-ud-sura
"he obtained immortality"
Atra-Hasis
"he who is very wise"
Ut-napištim
"he obtained immortality"
Xisuthrus
"he obtained immortality"
Country
Šuruppuk
Šuruppuk
Šuruppuk
(man)
Šuruppak
Šuruppak
Sippar
Destroyer God
Enlil
-
-
Enlil
Enlil
Enlil
Mutinous god who warned of flood
Enki
-
-
Enki
Enki
Enki
Where tablets found
Nippur, Iraq
Larsa, Iraq
Abu Salabikh Iraq
Sippar, Iraq
Nabu, Iraq
Nineveh, Turkey
Quoted by Josephus etc.
Museum
Pennsylvania Museum: Object B10673
Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England
Iraq Museum, Baghdad
(looted 2003)
British Museum
Room 56
British Museum, Room 55
No originals.
More Details
Sumerian Eridu
Sumerian Kings
Shuruppak
Atra-hasis
Gilgamesh
Berossus
By Steve Rudd