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Document Details : Title: 'Bēlum' and 'Marduk' in Enūma eliš's Narrative, with Comparison to Standard Babylonian Anzû Author(s): HEATH-WHYTE, George Journal: Orientalia Volume: 92 Issue: 2 Date: 2023 Pages: 286-315 DOI: 10.2143/ORI.92.2.3292619 Abstract : This article shows that there are clear patterns to the use of ‘bēlum’ for the protagonist of Enūma eliš that are distinct from the patterns of use of the name ‘Marduk’. One significant finding is that there is a strong association in Enūma eliš between the use of ‘bēlum’ and the characteristics that the poem’s protagonist shares with the warrior god Ninurta. Motivated by this finding, the article discusses the use of ‘bēlum’ in Enūma eliš in light of its use in Standard Babylonian Anzû, as well as the poem’s relationship to the broader ancient Near Eastern myth of the Storm-god and the Sea. It suggests that the use of ‘bēlum’ in Enūma eliš may be understood as part of its campaign to portray Marduk not as the king of the gods, but as the supreme warrior god. |
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