[Illustration: BEL ENCOUNTERING THE DRAGON; FROM BABYLONIAN CYLINDER.] The next fragment or collection of fragments gives the final struggle between Tiamtu and Bel Merodach. The _saparu_, or sickle-shaped sword, is always represented both in the sculptures and inscriptions as a weapon of Bel Merodach in this war. Sixth Fragment. 1. .... he fixed it .... 2. the weapon with his right hand he took 3. .... and the quiver from his hand he hung, 4. and he hurled the lightning before him, 5. heat filled his body. 6. He made also the scimitar (to produce) calm in the midst of the sea (Tiamtu). 7. The four winds he imprisoned that they might come forth from its calm, 8. the South, the North, the East, and the West winds. 9. His hand caused the scimitar to approach the bow of his father Anu. 10. He created the evil wind, the hostile wind, the tempest, the storm, 11. the four winds, the seven winds, the whirlwind, the unceasing wind. 12. He sent forth also the winds he had created, seven of them; 13. into the midst of the sea (Tiamtu) they were launched to disturb, they came after him. 14. He lifted up the weapon, the thunderbolt, his mighty weapon; 15. in a chariot that sweeps away all in front, which gives rest, he rode. 16. He fixed it and four yoke-thongs on its pole he hung, 17. .... the unyielding, the overwhelming, he that pursues her. 18. .... with their sting bringing poison 19. .... sweeping away knowledge (?) 20. .... destruction and fighting. (Several other fragmentary lines.) Reverse. 1. Unprevailing (is) thy troop; may thy arms strike their bodies! 2. I also stand firm, and with thee make battle. 3. Tiamtu (the sea) on hearing this 4. as before used spells, she changed her resolution. 5. Tiamtu also raised herself; warily she ascended. 6. At the roots fully she grounded (her) foundations. 7. She told over the spell; she determined return (to chaos), 8. and the gods for the war asked for themselves their weapons. 9. Then Tiamtu attacked the prince of the gods, Merodach, 10. who had made charms as for combat for the conflict in battle. 11. Then Bel made sharp his scimitar; he smote her. 12. The evil wind that seizes behind from before him fled. 13. And Tiamtu opened her mouth to swallow him. 14. The evil wind he made to descend so that she could not close her lips; 15. the force of the wind her stomach filled, and 16. she was sickened in heart, and her mouth it distorted. 17. She bit the shaft (of the sword); her stomach failed;[15] 18. her inside it cut asunder, it conquered the heart; 19. it consumed her, and her life it ended. 20. Her death he completed, over her he fixes (it). 21. When Tiamat their leader he had conquered, 22. her ranks he broke, her assembly was scattered; 23. and the gods her helpers who went beside her 24. returned in fear, they fled back behind them. 25. They fled and feared for their life. 26. They are companions in flight, powerless.