Anzu

Anzu
(Late Babylonian, First Millennium BC)

Rather than a commentary, I am going to re-write this story. In the re-write I hope that some of the most interesting features of this story come out. This is a rich text, epic in nature. It is unfortunate that so much has been lost, because the language of the Akkadian (even in translation) is powerful and evocative.

My re-telling:

This is the story of Ninurta and Anzu, which took place in the early days, before even the creation of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Ninurta (whose name was sometimes pronounced ‘Nimrod’) was the son of Ellil, the king of all populated lands and the head of the younger generation of gods known as the Igigi. Ninurta himself was sometimes called the champion of Ellil and was famous for his victories over Anzu and the bull-man inside the Sea. Mami, the great mother goddess, also cherished her son Ninurta.

Anzu, a lion-headed eagle, was the offspring of earth and water, created to serve Ellil. Ellil made him the guardian of his chamber door. While in his service, Anzu saw with envy the emblems of Ellil’s power, including the great Tablet of Destinies, which contained spells and instructions for religious rites. Anzu’s desire to usurp Ellil’s throne and his power to command the other gods grew until Anzu seized his chance one day while Ellil bathed. Anzu grabbed the Tablet of Destinies and fled into hiding.

When Ellil learned of Anzu’s treachery, he was dumb-founded. No longer could he lead the gods in the religious rituals contained on the tablet. It was the Tablet that had made him Ellil. As the gods debated amongst themselves and sought a solution, Ellil’s father, Anu, issued a decree promising a great reward for whoever should find Anzu and bring back the Tablet of Destinies. But everyone was afraid of Anzu now that he possessed this great knowledge. By the power of his words, he could turn his enemies into clay. First Adad, controller of the canals, declined the task. Then Gerra, the fire god, refused the offer. Next it was Shara, the son of Ishtar and known as the hero of Anu, who refused.

The great god of wisdom, Ea, offered to choose the god who would go up against Anzu. He called upon Mami, who had created the assembly of the gods, had made Anu king of heaven, and assigned to Ellil his power, for help. Ea offered to Mami the title “Mistress of All the Gods” if she would commission Ninurta for this task. She agreed and all the gods reverenced her, for their fears were now abated. Ninurta accepted the task from his mother, as well her instructions. He was commanded to use tricks and disguises to combat Anzu, relying upon fog and light to help him get at his foe.

Ninurta gathered his forces, known as the Seven of Battle, along with the power of the winds to face Anzu. Anzu roared like a lion, raged, and attempted to wield his new authority, challenging Ninurta, “Who are you to come up against me, who controls the Tablet of Destinies?” Ninurta declared himself the avenger of Ellil. The fog of war descended upon the mountain where they faced each other. As their forces engaged, Ninurta drew his bow and fired a shaft at Anzu, but he simply turned the arrow around with a spell from the Tablet of Destinies.

Ninurta entrusted a messenger to relay what he had seen to Ea. Ea sent back instructions: “Don’t let up; press your attack! Strip him of his feathers, and when he attempts his spell, seize him by the throat and slit it! Let the wind carry those stripped feathers to heaven as a sign of your victory.” And so Ninurta wore Anzu down, stripped him of his pinion feathers, and finally pierced his heart. Ninurta recovered the Tablet of Destinies, and the gods rejoiced.

Ninurta was slow to return to the assembly of the gods, tempted by the ruling power contained in the Tablet. Eventually, he did return and Ellil pronounced his praise of Ninurta: “You have made all foes kneel at the feet of your father. For that you shall have dominion over all.” Ellil granted unto Ninurta a host of name-titles by which he would exercise his power over all.

Commentary:

OK, a few notes: This is a story about power, particularly the power of words, especially as encapsulated in writing. It seems that it is the Tablet of Destinies which makes Ellil powerful; he governs by its authority. And the name Ellil seems to be a name-title - the Tablet grants him the Ellil-power. Ellil is rendered, essentially, speechless by the theft of the Tablet. After Anzu steals the Tablet, Ellil does not speak again until the Tablet is recovered by Ninurta. The power of the Tablet is recognized by all the gods, who are too afraid to challenge Anzu. Only an epic battle of strength between Ninurta and Anzu can restore the Tablet to Ellil. It would seem that following the recovery, Ninurta becomes the real ruler of the world, although Ellil remains nominally in charge. Let he who understands, understand.