Etana OB I-II

Morgan tablet col. i

1       The great Anunna, who determine destiny,

2       sat pondering about its (the destiny’s) decision concerning the land.

3       The creators of the (world’s) boundaries, who set fast the ordinance,

4       the Igigu gods, exalted for the people,

5       ordained a feast for the people.

6       They had not instituted a king among the teeming people,

7       here had been bound neither turban nor tiara,

8       The scepter had not yet been set with lapis.

9       Not yet had the daises been built completely,

10     the seven gates were still barred against the mighty.

11     Scepter, turban, tiara and shepherd's crook

12     were placed before Anum in the heavens.

13     No common counsel existed for its (the land’s) people.

14     Kingship(?) descended from the heavens.

15     [...] Ištar(?) sought a king(?).

16     [...] x [...]

Morgan tablet col. ii

1      "Take [...]

2      [His] wife [...]

3      Lest [his goods ...] be lo[st]."

4       "The goods [...],

5       And fo[r ...]

6       I will tak[e a wife ...]!"

7      [Off[ he we[nt ...],

8      [She] was liv[ing in ...],

9      In [...],

10    In [...],

11    ... [...],

12    He to[ok ...],

13    And [...].

Susa tablet obv.

1'       “May the path be lost to him, may he not find the way,

2'       may the mountains deny his entrance,

3'       may the errant weapon make straight for him.”

4'       They mutually swore (this) oath.

5'       Together they were pregnant, together they gave birth,

6'       in the shade of the poplar did the serpent give birth,

7'       while the eagle gave birth above him.

8'       The serpent would hunt down a wild bull (or) ram,

9'       (and) the eagle would eat, his young would eat.

10'     The serpent would hunt down a panther, a cheetah,

11'     (and) the eagle would eat, his young would eat.                    

12'     After his young had grown up [and flourished?],

13'     wings ... [...].

14'     But the eagle [plotted wickedness] in his heart:

15'     “My young”, he said, “... [...]

16'     have gone out to seek [...],”

17'     to seek the/a plant [...].

18'     However, I myself would eat the serpent’s young,

19'     I will climb up and [in heaven ...].

20'     I will sit [...]

21'     Who ... [...]”

22'     A fledgling [...]

23'     To the e[agle, his father ...]

24'     “My father, [do not ...]

Susa tablet rev.

1'       At dawn the serp[ent went out to hunt],

2'       At nightfall [he returned]

3'       the serpent approached [his nest].

4'       The meat [he was carrying ...].

5'       The serpent cast (it) down before [his nest],

6'       He looked, [his children] were gone!

7'       [The eagle had gouged] the ground [below] with his talons,

8'       ... [its cloud of dust darkened] the heavens.

9'       [The serpent] set to weeping. [for] his children [were gone],

10'     [before Šamaš] his te[ars] were flowing down:

11'     “I trusted you, o hero Šamaš!

12'     I was the one who gave of myself the eagle:

13'     I respected and honored you!

14'     I harbored no wickedness for my friend!

15'     As for him, his nest is sound, but [my] nest is scattered.

16'     The serpent’s nest has turned to wailing.

17'     His fledglings are healthy, my children are gone!

18'     He descended and ate my brood.

19'     You, Šamaš, well know that he has acted wickedly.

20'     Your net is the wi[de] meadow,

21'     your snare is the di[stant heaven].

22'     From your net may the eagle not escape,

23'     who has committed ev[il and ab]omination,

24'     who harbored e[vi]l against his friend!”

Morgan tablet col. v

1'       ... [...]

2'       I will ... [...]

3'       ... [...]        

4'       The serpent [opened his mou]th [and spoke to the eagle:]

5'       “What! Were I to set [you] fr[ee ...],

6'       your punishment [will come upon me ...],

7'       I will find ... [...]!"

8'       He plucked him, [cast him down into a pit ...].

9'       A place of dea[th by starvation and thirst].

10'     Being thus crushed the eag[le ...]

11'     He was humbled ... [...].

12'     Daily [the eagle entreated Šamaš, saying]:

13'     “O Šamaš, gra[sp] my hand! [...],

14'     [Let] me, [the eagle, live ...].”

15'     Šamaš op[ened] his mouth [and spoke:]

16'     “[...] wicked deeds,

17'     [You have committed] an abomination of the g[ods ...].”

Morgan tablet col. vi

1'       He grasped his hand in (his) se[venth month (in the pit)].    

2'       In the eighth month he brought him over (the edge of) his pit.

3'       As the eagle took food like a ravenous lion,

4'       he gained strength.

5'       The eagle opened his mouth and spoke to Etana:

6'       “My friend! Let us become friends, you and I,

7'       say what you want from me and I’ll give it to you.”

8'       Etana opened his mouth and spoke to the eagle:

9'       “Open my eyes to what is hidden from me!”

Streck 2009 presents a commentary to the following lines: Morgan tablet col. i 1−2, 7, 10, 13, 14, ii, Susa tablet obv. 4', 6', 12'ff., 24', rev. 8', 9', 16', 17', Morgan tablet col. v, v 7', vi 9' (M. P. Streck).

Morgan tablet col. ii The only word which can be translated with some certainty is marḫīs[su] “his wife” (C. W. Hess).

Susa tablet obv. 12'ff. Restorations after the SB version (M. P. Streck).

Susa tablet rev. 11'–13'. Reading after Wagensonner 2019.

Morgan tablet col. v Kinnier Wilson 1985 and Haul 2000 both reconstruct the text here according to the second tablet of the SB version: the eagle is plucked, beaten and cast into a pit, where he finally turns to Šamaš to save him. The sun god refuses, but then sends Etana, who appears in col. vi, to pull the eagle out (C. W. Hess).