Tablet V.
The fifth tablet is more certain than the last; it appears to refer to the conquest of Khumbaba. Only fragments of this tablet, which opens with a description of the retreat of Khumbaba, have as yet been discovered.
Column I.
- 1. He stood and surveyed the forest
- 2. of pine trees, he perceived its height,
- 3. of the forest he perceived its approach,
- 4. in the place where Khumbaba went his step was placed,
- 5. on a straight road and a good path.
- 6. He saw the land of the pine trees, the seat of the gods, the sanctuary of the angels,
- 7. in front? of the seed the pine tree carried its fruit,
- 8. good was its shadow, full of pleasure,
- 9. an excellent tree, the choice of the forest,
- 10. .... the pine heaped ....
- 11. .... for one kaspu (7 miles) ...
- 12. .... cedar two-thirds of it ...
- 13. .... grown ....
- 14. .... like it ...
- (About 10 lines lost here.)
- 25. .... he looked ....
- 26. .... he made and he ....
- 27. .... drove to ....
- 28. .... he opened and ....
—–———–———–———– - 29. Izdubar opened his mouth and spake, [and said to Hea-bani]:
- 30. My friend ....
- 31. .... with their slaughter ....
- 32. .... he did not speak before her, he made with him ....
- 33. .... knowledge of war who made fighting,
- 34. in entering to the house thou shalt not fear ...
- 35. .... and like I take her also they ....
- 36. to an end may they seat ....
- 37. .... thy hand ....
- 38. .... took my friend first ....
- 39. .... his heart prepared for war, that year and day also
- 40. .... on his falling appoint the people
- 41. .... slay him, his corpse may the birds of prey surround
- 42. ...... of them he shall make
- 43. .... going he took the weight
- 44. they performed it, their will they established
—–———–———–———– - 45. .... they entered into the forest
Column II.
(Five lines mutilated.)
- 6. they passed through the forest ....
—–———–———–———– - 7. Khumbaba ....
- 8. he did not come ....
- 9. he did not ....
- (Seven lines lost.)
- 17. heavy ....
- 18. Hea-bani opened his mouth ....
- 19. .... Khumbaba in ....
- 20. .... one by one and ....
(Many other broken lines.)
There are a few fragments of Columns III., IV., and V., and a small portion of Column VI., which reads:
- 1. .... cedar to ....
- 2. .... he placed and ....
- 3. .... 120 .... Hea-bani ....
- 4. .... the head of Khumbaba ....
—–———–———–———– - 5. .... his weapon he sharpened ....
- 6. .... tablet of the story of fate of ....
It appears from the various mutilated fragments of this tablet that Izdubar and Hea-bani conquer and slay Khumbaba and take his goods, but much is wanted to connect the fragments.
The conclusion of this stage of the story and triumph of Izdubar are given at the commencement of the sixth tablet. The conquest of Khumbaba gave Izdubar the crown and attributes of his fallen rival, who seems to have been a sun-god, and this caused Istar, who already appears as the bride of the sun in the myth of Tammuz, to woo the triumphant hero.
Chapter XIV.
THE ADVENTURES OF ISTAR.
Triumph of Izdubar.—Istar’s love.—Her offer of marriage.—Her promises.—Izdubar’s answer.—Tammuz.—Amours of Istar.—His refusal.—Istar’s anger.—Ascends to Heaven.—The bull.—Slain by Izdubar.—Istar’s curse.—Izdubar’s triumph.—The feast.—Istar’s despair.—Her descent to Hades.—Description.—The seven gates.—The curses.—Atsu-sunamir the Sphinx.—Release of Istar.—The dog of the dawn.—Lament for Tammuz.
In this chapter are included the sixth and seventh tablets, which both primarily refer to the doings of Istar.