1. Anzu: 2 versions:
Old Babylonian Version (OBV), from
early 2nd millennium BC, about
Ningirsu
Standard Babylonian Version (SBV), from
7th c. BC, about Ninurta

2. Anzu: Summary
Ellil asks about Anzu. Ea explains was born of
flood waters and suggests Ellil take him as
servant, which he does
Anzu steals Tablet of Destinies. Gods are left
in disarray, convene to choose champion.
Adad, Gerra and Shara refuse
Ea has gods acclaim Belet-ili as Mistress of the
Gods, persuades her to get son Ninurta/
Ningirsu to be champion. She complies

3. Anzu: Summary
Ninurta attacks Anzu, but Anzu thwarts attacks.
Ninurta sends to Ea for help, and Ea
instructs him to cut off Anzu’s wing
feathers. When Anzu calls wings back,
feathered arrow will also go to him

4. Anzu: Summary
Ea’s plan works! Ninurta kills Anzu and
recovers Tablet of Destinies…unclear
exchange with aggressive messenger…
…Ninurta has returned and gods praise him as
most important among them, celebrating
him with many names (incl., in SBV,
Ningirsu)

5. Me (“may”)
Divine properties, powers or norms preserving
order and harmony of created world,
civilisation and human society
Me allowed perfect designs of every activity,
office, institution, piece of equipment,
belief or attitude to be realised in world
Usually held by Anu or Ellil, sometimes others

6. Kingship is one of me. Disruptive impact of
Anzu’s theft (p. 211)
Expected result of Ninurta’s success (p. 212)
Ea’s motives?
Ninurta’s behaviour as ideal of progress of
kingship/model of succession
The power of names (pp )

7. Familial overlay of tale:
Ninurta as loyal son (p. 219)
Importance of family. Ea as temporary
father figure (p. 226, see also p. 217)
Conveying drama:
Repeated speeches (pp )
Cataclysmic battle (pp )