Epic of Creation Summary and Analysis

The author begins in noting the phrase epic applied to this story only due to the narration of the activities of the earliest generation of the gods. The myth was recited or enacted during the fourth day of the Festival of the New Year as a propaganda piece for the reigning king. The myth begins with the primeval goddess Tiamat and her husband Apsu. It is interesting to note that in this myth alone, the name Apsu is seen as a god, not as the underground domain of Ea as in other myths. These primeval gods create offspring, those of Lahmu and Lahamu. To them, Anshar and Kishar are born, and to them, Anu, and to him, Nudimmud, or Ea is born. The gods are loud in their merriment, and begin to annoy Tiamat and Apsu. Apsu...