Known in two versions - Old Babylonian and New Assyrian. When the supreme god took off his royal regalia while washing himself, Anzu stole them along with the tables of fate in order to become more powerful than all the gods, and flew away to the mountains. Because of this, all divine laws were violated. Anu calls Adad and sends him in pursuit, but Adad refuses, he believes that Anzu is invincible. Ishtar and her son also refuse.
In another version of the myth, Anzu steals the tables of fate from Enlil. The mother goddess Dingirmah sends the god of war Ninurta against Anzu and gives him the seven winds on his journey. God catches up with Anzu and sends an arrow after the bird. But, possessing tables of fate, Anzu is able to heal the wound with spells. God defeats the bird only after the third attempt.
The myth of the Zu bird
(translation by V.K. Shileiko)
And he confirmed the command of all the gods,
He turned, he touched, he sends Zu.
And when he finished, Bel came up to him.
The sparkle of clear water in front of him,
His eyes look at the actions of the ruler:
On the tiara of dominion, on God's robe,
Zu keeps looking at God's Books of Destiny;
And when the fools of the father of the gods,
He felt the thirst for domination in his heart,
Zu, as he saw Duranki, the father of the gods:
"I will seize God's books of fate,
I recognize all the commands of the gods,
I will restore the throne, take possession of the law,
I will rule over everyone, as many as there are Ingigs."
And when indignation entered his heart,
At the noticed door of the palace he waits for the early dawn.
When Bel washed his face with clean water,
Sat on the throne, put on the tiara -
Then he grabbed the Books of Fate into his hands,
He assumed power, stole the laws,
Then Zu flew away and settled in the mountains,
Silence fell and a voice was heard.
From father and adviser, bright Bel,
The whole palace is filled with a clear shine,
And the goddesses come for his command.
Anu opened his mouth and said,
This is what he says to the gods, to his children:
"Which of you wants to destroy Zu,
Who wants to glorify his name throughout the cities?"
They call on the leader, the son of Anu, Anu pronounces his command to him:
They call upon Adad, the chief, the son of Anu,
Anu speaks his command to him:
"Powerful, terrible Adad, attack relentlessly,
Destroy Zu with your weapon,
Your name will be magnified in the host of great gods,
Among the gods, your brothers, there is no equal to you.
Let God's palaces be built,
Build cities for yourself throughout the universe,
Let your cities be counted among the Ekur
Be great among the gods, thunder with your glory."
Adad responds to speech,
He addresses Anu the father:
“Father, who will hurry to the inaccessible mountains?
Who can compare with Zu among the gods, your children?
He grabbed the Books of Fate with his hands,
He assumed power, stole the laws,
Then Zu flew away and settled in the mountains,
He speaks with his lips like the gods of Duranki.
He considers his adversaries as dust,
His powers......the gods are horrified."
Anu Adad ordered not to go.
They call the goddess, daughter of Anu,
Anu speaks his command to her:
"Powerful, terrible Ishtar, advance steadily,
Destroy Zu with your weapon,
Your name will be magnified in the host of great gods,
Among the gods, your brothers, there is no equal to you.
Let God's palaces be built,
Build cities for yourself throughout the universe,
Let your cities be counted among the Ekur
Be great among the gods, thunder with your glory."
Ishtar responds to speech,
He addresses Anu the father:
“Father, who will hurry to the inaccessible mountains?
Who can compare with Zu among the gods, your children?
He grabbed the Books of Fate with his hands,
He assumed power, stole the laws,
Then Zu flew away and settled in the mountains,
He speaks with his lips like the gods of Duranki.
He considers his adversaries as dust,
The gods are horrified by his strength."
Anu Ishtar ordered not to go.
They call Bar, the son of Ishtar,
"Powerful, terrible Bara, advance steadily,
Destroy Zu with your weapon,
Your name will be magnified in the host of great gods,
Among the gods, your brothers, there is no equal to you.
Let God's palaces be built,
Build cities for yourself throughout the universe,
Let your cities be counted among the Ekur
Be great among the gods, thunder with your glory."
Bara responds to speech,
He addresses Anu the father:
“Father, who will hurry to the inaccessible mountains?
Who can compare with Zu among the gods, your children?
He grabbed the Books of Fate with his hands,
He assumed power, stole the laws,
Then Zu flew away and settled in the mountains,
He speaks with his lips like the gods of Duranki.
He considers his adversaries as dust,
The gods are horrified by his strength."
Anu Bara ordered not to go.
……………………………….
End of third column
Compare with Zu…….
Here I go………….
Compare with Zu……..
And the gods heard Ea's broadcast,
They trembled………………..
He opened his mouth and spoke,
He addresses Anu
The end is broken
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru