Perhaps in one religious center and at a time when Ea was the chief god, still another version existed which assigned the triumph to Ea, for as will be pointed out, traditions waver between assigning to Ea or to Bel-Marduk so fundamental a function as the creation of mankind. In short, the present form of the creation epic is 'eclectic' and embodies what the Germans call a tendenz. To each of the great gods, Anshar, Anu, Bel, and Ea, some part in the contest is assigned, but the greatest rôle belongs to Marduk.
The second tablet closes with Anshar's decision to send his son Marduk against Tiâmat:
Marduk heard the word of his father.
His heart rejoiced and to his father he spoke.
With joyous heart he is ready to proceed to the contest, but he at once makes good his claim to supreme control in case he is victorious. He addresses the assembled gods:
When I shall have become your avenger,
Binding Tiâmat and saving your life,
Then come in a body,
In Ubshu-kenna,[716] let yourselves down joyfully,
My authority instead of yours will assume control,