When the heaven above was not yet named or the earth beneath had recorded a name, the primæval (_ristû_) deep was their generator, Mummu-Tiamat (the chaos of the sea) was the mother of them all. Their waters were embosomed together, and the corn-field was unharvested, the reed-bed was ungrown. When the gods had not yet appeared, any one of them, by no name were they recorded, no destiny [was fixed]. Then the great gods were created, Lakhmu and Lakhamu issued forth [the first], until they grew up [when] Ansar and Kisar (the upper and lower firmaments) were created. Long were the days, extended [was the time, till] the gods [Anu, Bel, and Ea were born], Ansar [and Kisar gave them birth]. * * * * * The deep [opened] its mouth [and said,] to [Tiamat], the glorious, [it spake]: While their path ... I will overthrow their path ... Let lamentations arise, let complaining [be made] [When] Tiamat [undertakes] this [work] * * * * * Their way shall be difficult ... [Then] the god Mummu answered [his] father the deep: * * * * * Their way [shall be overthrown], the light shall be darkened, let [it be] as the night! The deep [heard] him and [his] countenance was lightened; evil planned they against the gods. * * * * * Tiamat, the mother of the gods, lifted up herself against them, gathering her forces, madly raging. The gods united themselves together with her, until (all) that had been created marched at her side. Banning the day they followed Tiamat, wrathful, devising mischief, untiring (?) day and night, prepared for the conflict, fiercely raging, they gathered themselves together and began the battle. The mother of the deep (?) (_Khubur_), the creatress of them all, added victorious weapons, creating monstrous serpents, with sharp fangs, unsparing in their attack. With poison for blood she filled their bodies. Horrible adders she clothed with terror, she decked them with fear, and raised high their ... 'May their appearance ... Make huge their bodies that none may withstand their breast!' She created the adder, the horrible serpent, the Lakhamu, the great monster, the raging dog, the scorpion-man, the dog-days, the fish-man and the (Zodiacal) ram, who carry weapons that spare not, who fear not the battle, insolent of heart, unconquerable by the enemy. Moreover that she might create (?) eleven such-like monsters, among the gods, her sons, whom she had summoned together, she raised up Kingu, and magnified him among them: 'To march before the host, be that thy duty! Order the weapons to be uplifted and the onset of battle!' That he might be the first in the conflict, the leader in victory, she took his hand and set him on a throne: 'I have uttered the spell for thee; exalt thyself among the gods, assume dominion over all the gods! Highly shalt thou be exalted, thou that art alone my