Before anything else exists, two primeval gods, Apsu and Tiamat, dwell together. In time, more gods are begotten out of the mixing of the two gods’ waters—notably Lahmu and Lahamu, Anshar, Anu, and Nudimmud, or Ea.
When the younger gods get together, their noisy clamor disturbs Apsu and Tiamat. Apsu proposes that the gods be destroyed so that he and Tiamat can get some sleep, but Tiamat is furious at this idea, wanting to indulge their offspring. However, behind Tiamat’s back, Apsu’s vizier Mummu wickedly urges him to destroy the gods anyway.
Ea, the wisest of the gods, finds out Apsu’s plan, lulls him with a spell, and slays him in his sleep. He builds a dwelling atop Apsu’s remains and, with his lover, Damkina, begets Marduk there. From his birth, Marduk is the most awesome of all the gods.
When Marduk plays with the winds, Tiamat’s waters become restless, and none of the older gods can sleep. They beseech Tiamat to avenge Apsu’s slaying and enable them to sleep. Tiamat is pleased by this suggestion, agreeing that Ea and those younger gods who dwell with him deserve evil in their turn. Tiamat begins creating fearful creatures, such as deadly snakes, dragons, and demons, to join her battle-force. She also appoints her lover, Qingu, as king and commander of her army.
Ea finds out about Tiamat’s battle preparations and reports to his father, Anshar, who sends him to settle the conflict; however, Ea is intimidated by Tiamat and quickly admits defeat. Before the gods can despair, Marduk steps forward, offering to confront the fearsome goddess. Anshar agrees, but first, Marduk asks that the other gods recognize him in a special council.
Accordingly, the gods gather at a celebratory banquet, where they champion Marduk as their sovereign. They equip Marduk with an array of powerful weapons and send him off to subdue and conquer the chaotic Tiamat. Marduk quickly shakes off Tiamat’s spell of deception and challenges her to single combat. Enraging Tiamat with accusations, Marduk quickly nets her, fills her with fierce whirlwinds, and slays her.
After triumphing over Tiamat, Marduk uses her remains to build the earth, making the Tigris and Euphrates rivers from the water that flows from her eyes. All the gods pay homage to Marduk as their King. Then he announces that he will build Babylon to be the home for the gods and the center of religion.
Marduk and Ea create humanity from the blood of Qingu and impose the labors of the gods—such as preserving order amongst creation—upon humanity. Then the gods get to work constructing shrines for themselves in Babylon. When their work is done, they all gather at a final banquet, where they solemnly recite the fifty titles and attributes of Marduk.
