The 'glorious city' is Eridu, though the compiler would have us apply it to Babylon.
With the founding of Eridu, a limit was fixed for the 'deep.' The rest of the dry land is formed according to the theory of the writer by the extension of this place.
Marduk constructed an enclosure around the waters,
He made dust and heaped it up within the enclosure.[793]
The naïveté of the conception justifies us in regarding it as of popular origin, incorporated by the theologians into their system.
But this land is created primarily for the benefit of the gods.
That the gods might dwell in the place dear to their heart.
Naturally not all of the gods are meant,—perhaps only the Anunnaki,—for the great gods dwell in heaven. The creation of mankind is next described, and is boldly ascribed to Marduk.
Mankind he created.[794]
In the following line, however, we come across a trace again of an older tradition, which has been embodied in the narrative in a rather awkward manner. Associated with Marduk in the creation of mankind is a goddess Aruru.