Enuma Elish (Babylonian Creation Epic) · 6 of 9

The Sixth Tablet

When Marduk heard the word of the gods,

His heart prompted him and he devised a cunning plan.

He opened his mouth and unto Ea he spake

That which he had conceived in his heart he imparted unto him:

“My blood will I take and bone will I fashion

I will make man, that man may

I will create man who shall inhabit the earth,

That the service of the gods may be established, and that their shrines may be built.

But I will alter the ways of the gods, and I will change their paths;

Together shall they be oppressed and unto evil shall they....

And Ea answered him and spake the word:

“… the … of the gods I have changed

… and one…

… shall be destroyed and men will I…

… and the gods .

… and they…”

[The rest of the text is wanting with the exception of the last few lines of the tablet, which read as follows.]

They rejoiced…

In Upsukkinnaku they set their dwelling.

Of the heroic son, their avenger, they cried:

“ We, whom he succored.... !”

They seated themselves and in the assembly they named him…,

They all cried aloud, they exalted him…