Anzu OB II

obv.

1       He had stolen the power of Enlil, the rites were abandoned.
2       The father, their counselor Enlil, was despondent,
3       Fearsome splendor was poured out, silence emplaced.

4       Each and every one of the Igigū(-gods) was thrown in disarray.
5       The shrine had cast off its radiance.

6       One by one the gods of the land gathered for a plan.
7       Anum opened his mouth,
8       spoke to the gods, his children:
9      “O gods, who will slay Anzûm?

10     I will make his name great among all.”

11    They called for the irrigator, the son of Anum. A report was delivered. (Then) he said to him:

12    ... your battle, flash lightning on Anzûm with your weapon!

13     [Your name shall become great] among the great gods.

14    You shall ha[ve] no equal [among the gods, your brothers.]

15     [Be pre-eminent among] the gods, [let] your name [be ‘Mighty’.”]

16     [The irrigator said to Anum his father:]

17    “[My father], w[ho] co[uld hurry to an inaccessable mountain?]

18     [Who is like Anzûm] among [your] sons?

19     [He got hold of the tablets of destinies], took away from the god [his Enlil-ship].

20     [He has soared off to his mo]untain, has lifted high his head.

21     His [word has become] like that of divine Dur-an-ki.

22     [If he has spoken, the one he curs]es will turn to clay.”

23     [When they heard] his [wo]rd, the gods became more and more despondent.

24     [He turned around] on the way, refused to go.

25     They called [Girr]u, first born of Annunītum.

26     A report [was deliver]ed, he said to him:

27     They called Šara, first born of Iš[tar].

28     A report was delivered, he spoke to him.

29     The gods fell silent and [abando]ned the plan.

30     The Igigū-gods were assembled, [became evermore deject]ed, were in a turmoil.

31     The lord of wisdom, who dwells in the Apsûm, [Enki], the wise one,

32     said [to Anum] his father the words in his mind:

33    “Let me give a comm[and and] I will appoint Anzûm’s [capturer] in the assembly.”

34    The god[s of the land] heard [this] speech of his.

35     [They ran tog]eth[er and kissed] his feet.

36    [He summoned] Dingir-maḫ mistre[ss of divine] plans. He proclaimed her supremacy in the assembly:

37    “[Give the] mighty one, your superb beloved,

38     broad of chest, who lead the seven battles,

39     N[ing]irsu, the mighty one, your su[per]b beloved,

40     broad of chest, who lead the seven battles.”

rev.

41    The most exalted one [he]ard this speech of his, Dingir-maḫ assented.

42     [A]t her utterance the gods of the land rejoiced. They ran together and kissed his (Ningirsu’s) feet.

43     In the assembly of the gods she summoned and

44     commissioned her son, her heart’s beloved, she said to him:

45    “Before Anum and Dagan, the able ones,

46     they discussed in the assembly the [st]ate of their divine authority.

47     The [Igi]gu-gods, I gave birth to all of them.

48     It was [I], Mammi, who [bore a]ll of the gods.

49     I had assigned [the Enlil-ship t]o my brother and to Anum the kingship of heaven.

50     [Anzûm has thrown in disarray the king]ship which I had assigned.

51     [He took] away [the Enlil-ship] from your father (and) became exalted.

52     Flash lightning on the path, set the date(!),

53     make light come out for [the gods I] created!

54     Launch your [fullest] attack,

55     [Make] your [ill wind]s [flash]! May the mountains become silent!
56     Conquer [soaring] Anzûm,

57     [Devastate the earth, where he was cr]eated, make tremble his abode!

58     May [the armor] sway above h[im].

59     [May your ... battle r]ag[e against him].

60     [...]
61     [...]
62     [...]

63     [Equip the] bo[w, let the arrows] bear [po]ison.

64     May the curse of your roar cast fear upon him.

65     May he grope through the darkness, become confu[sed], his [si]ght grow dim.

66     May he not escape you, in confrontation may his wing fall.

67     Like (that of) a gallûm-demon may your face change! Release a mist, that he not recognize your appearance.

68     May the ever-blazing one not blaze on high, that for him the brilliant day turn to gloom.

69     Make short shrift of his life! Bind Anzu fast!

70     Let the winds bear the wings as good tidings hither.

71     Before the Ekur, towards your father,

72     Let the winds bear the wings as good tidings hither.”

73    The hero heard his mother's word.

74     He, warlike in battle, swelled up, [drew near] to his mountain.

75     She who harnesses the seven storms,

76     (the winds) which make [the du]st [dance], the seven sand sto[rms,]

77     [Dingir-maḫ, ...] who harnesses the seven storms,

78     [...] his battle.

79     [He made the ill wind]s [flash]. The gods, the mountains became silent.

80     [On the] flank of Anzu's mountain the god appeared.

81     A[nzu] saw [him], as he advanced towards him.

82     He gnashed his teeth like a demon of storms, enshrouded the mountains with his aura.

Streck 2009 presents a commentary on the following lines: 3, 4, 6, 11, 12, 23, 24, 35, 38, 40, 45, 49−53, 55, 57−59, 68, 75−79, 81, 82.