This edition of The Babylonian Legends of Creation possesses the author's original and crucial charts, artefact and tablet photographs, illustrations and cuneiform.
Vital for understanding the roots of Babylonian society, this text summarizes each of the tablets detailing Babylonian beliefs regarding the world's creation. E. A. Wallis Budge undertook an immense investigation of the creation myths first uncovered by archaeological excavations during the 19th century. These myths were etched upon seven tablets of stone, all of which were covered in cuneiform script; one of the earliest forms of writing.
As one of the oldest religious writings in existence, the Babylonian creation myths - also known as Enûma Eliš - reveal a society steeped in religious belief and ritualistic culture. The two Gods, Marduk and Tiamat, battle with one another for supremacy - amid the fighting, the world is created. Marduk, as the ultimate victor, becomes King of the Gods.
Within Budge's outstanding treatise are sequential explanations of the individual tablets. These are followed with a line-by-line translation to English of each. This narrative is supplemented by photographs of Babylonian artefacts plus the tablets themselves. Also appended at the conclusion of this edition are notes which further explain the characters and deities referred to in the Babylonian cuneiform script.
A landmark text in archaeology by one of the British Museum's best regarded scholars of the ancient world, The Babylonian Legends of Creation remains a valuable and worthy addition to any enthusiast's library.
