Defeat of Anzu, The

   An ancient Sumerian myth and epic poem, which is also sometimes called The Defeat of Zu. it explores the evils of treason and tyranny in both human and divine dealings. Hoping to become ruler of the universe, Anzu, a divine bird, steals the Tablet of Destiny, a magical object on which, supposedly, the futures and fates of all beings were recorded. "I shall take the gods' Tablet of Destiny for myself," Anzu says, "and control the orders for all the gods, and shall possess the throne and be master of the [divine religious] rites!" The chief god, Enlil, who originally controlled the tablet, is outraged at the theft. Enlil sends the war god, Ninurta, after Anzu. But Ninurta's first attack on the great bird is unsuccessful because Anzu uses the innate powers of the tablet to render the war god's weapons useless. Ninurta then changes his tactics. He sends a powerful wind against Anzu, and the bird's wings are torn off. Ninurta then attacks Anzu again, and this time he successfully kills the creature, in the process spreading destruction far and wide:

   He slew the mountains, inundated their proud pastures, inundated the broad Earth in his fury, inundated the midst of the mountains, [and] slew wicked Anzu, and [the] warrior [god] Ninurta regained the Tablets of Destiny for his own hand.

   See also: Enlil; literature; Ninurta