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The Myth of Zu

Zu, or Anzu, was the Akkadian name of a monstrous bird that was

probably known as Imdugud in Sumerian. Zu was conceived as

birdlike but having the head of a lion, and of gigantic size so that the

flapping of its wings could cause whirlwinds and sandstorms. Other

descriptions of Zu indicate that it had a beak like a saw, and so

presumably a birds head.

It came to be that Enlil entrusted to Zu the entrance to his shrine toguard the Tablet of Destinies of the gods. Now whoever possessed

this tablet was set to rule the whole world and all the gods. Zu had to

watch over this tablet day after day and eventually thought to

himself I will take the divine Tablet of Destinies, I, and the decreed

of all the gods I will rule! I will make firm my throne and be the

master of the norms, I will direct the totality of all the Igigi. The Igigi

being the counsel of the gods. Having plotted his aggression Zu

waited till early morning, the start of the new day, and when Enlil

went to bathe, he seized the Tablet of Destinies in his hands and flew

away to his mountain.

After this, when Enlil discovered that the Tablet of Destinies was

stolen by Zu, he was speechless and all the gods of the lands rallied

when they heard the news. Anu came forward and said to the gods,

his sons Who will slay Zu and make his name the greatest? They

called the Adad the storm god, the son of Anu and said You potent

one, bring lightning on Zu with your weapons! Your name will be the

greatest in the assembly of the great gods and you will have no

equal!Adad came forward and replied Who will hasten to the

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mountain of Zu? Who is like Zu among the gods? The Tablet of

Destinies he has seized in his hands, his utterance has become like

that of a god. The one who opposes him will become like clay. Anu

went on to call on other gods to slay Zu and retrieve the Tablets of

Destinies, but none were willing, all were frightened by Zu.

Eventually Eninnu, the son of Ekur, a hero experienced in battle came

forward willing to slay Zu and retrieve the Tablets of Destiny. The

hero Eninnu was given the following orders Launch your full attack,

let your harmful winds go against him. Vanquish the fugitive Zu, and

bring peace to the earth while bringing chaos to his abode. Heap up

things that frighten him, let your terrifying offensive rage against

him, cause the entire whirlwind to attack him, draw the bow and let

the arrows carry poison. Let your face become like a monsters and

send out a fog so he cannot recognize your face. My the sun not

shine over him, may the bright day turn to gloom over him. Slit histhroat, vanquish Zu. Let the winds carry away his wings to a secret

place.

After the hero Eninnu hear his orders he raged and departed for the

mountain of Zu. Eninnu hitched the seven ill winds and met with Zu

on the mountainside. When Zu saw Eninnu he raged at him, heground his teeth like a monster and his brilliance covered the

mountain. He roared with anger and called to Eninnu I have carried

off everyone of the norms, and therefore the decrees of all the gods I

direct, who are you to fight with me? Explain yourself! The hero

Eninnu answered Zu I have received orders from Enlil, the king of

the destinies and I have come to fight with you.

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When Zu heard this he let loose a piercing shriek. Eninnu advanced

and let loose a fourteen storm floods and loaded his bow with an

arrow and he loosed the arrow at Zu. The arrow could however not

approach Zu, it turned back because Zu called to it O arrow that has

come, return to your bow. While Zu had the Tablet of Destinies of

the gods in his hand the arrows could not approach his body. The

battle was stilled and the conflict ceased.

The hero Eninnu returned to Enlil reporting what happened. Enlil

encouraged Eninnu In battle do not tire, prove your strength.

Eninnu was told to subdue him by the onslaught of the south wind,

which would cause Zus wings to be pinned to his back exposing his

chest Drae your bow and let your arrows fly like lightning Enlil said

Slit his throat, vanquish Zu, let the winds carry his wings to a secret

place, and let the Tablets of Destinies return to me.

On hearing this words Eninnu raged and departed for Zus mountain

and vanquished Zu and returned the Tablet of Destinies.