Marduk - God of Babylon - Page 2

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Jun 25, 1999

This is the story of creation according to Babylonian myth. It recalls the violence we saw in the Norse Creation Myth where Odin and his brothers killed Ymir and then used his body to create the world. Though, of course, the Babylonian myth is much earlier than the Norse myth.

What does this myth tell us about the ancient Babylonians? It tells us that they revered their powerful god Marduk as the Great Creator, but it also give us insight into what they thought of themselves. Since they were created by their god solely to work the land and serve the gods they did not expect much in the way of eternal salvation. They were at the mercy of their gods for their lives and then went to a dreadful afterlife. They were the servants, the slaves of the gods. But they rejoiced in life, in simply being alive, and they enjoyed what wonders life had to offer them.

Let's continue our look at Babylonian mythology by exploring another great hero: Gilgamesh. Next time...

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