Reading Response 1 - Rene Uriarte Jr

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Rene Uriarte Jr. 11/3/2023 HRS-151, World Mythology Mathias Warnes Reading Response #1 In the ancient Mesopotamian mythological text called the Enuma Elish, the relationship between Tiamat and Marduk is a central theme. The Enuma Elish, also known as the Babylonian Creation Myth, is one of the oldest recorded creation stories and provides insights into the beliefs and cosmology of ancient Mesopotamia. Tiamat is depicted as a primordial goddess of chaos and the saltwater sea, while Marduk is a young god associated with order and civilization. The myth describes Tiamat as a monstrous dragon-like creature who becomes enraged by the actions of the younger gods and decides to wage war against them. In response, the gods choose Marduk as their champion to confront Tiamat and restore order to the universe. The Enuma Elish portrays Marduk as a powerful warrior who defeated Tiamat in a fierce battle. He uses various weapons and strategies to overcome her, ultimately slaying her and dividing her body to create the heavens and the earth. Marduk then establishes his supremacy among the gods and becomes the chief deity of Babylon. Agha-Jaffar’s interpretation of the Tiamat/Marduk relationship focuses on the symbolic significance of their conflict. According to Agha-Jaffar, Tiamat represents chaos, while Marduk represents order. The battle between them can be seen as a metaphorical struggle between these opposing forces within the universe. Agha-Jaffar suggests that Tiamat’s rebellion against the younger gods represents a natural cycle of chaos challenging order. By defeating Tiamat, Marduk restores balance and establishes a new order in which civilization can flourish. This interpretation highlights the importance of maintaining a delicate equilibrium
between chaos and order for societal stability. The textbook’s interpretation of the Tiamat/Marduk relationship may vary depending on which textbook is being referred to. However, most textbooks tend to present a similar understanding of the myth. They often emphasize Marduk’s role as a hero and the establishment of his supremacy among the gods. What I find most interesting about the Tiamat/Marduk relationship in the Enuma Elish is the underlying philosophical and cosmological concepts it represents. The conflict between chaos and order, as embodied by Tiamat and Marduk, is a recurring theme in many mythologies and religions throughout history. It reflects humanity’s ongoing struggle to understand and navigate the complexities of existence. From my viewpoint, the Tiamat/Marduk relationship in the Enuma Elish can be understood from multiple perspectives. On one level, it can be seen as a mythological narrative that explains the origins of the world and the establishment of order. It also reflects the political and social dynamics of ancient Babylon, with Marduk representing the ruling elite and Tiamat symbolizing those who resisted their authority. Additionally, the myth carries cosmic significance, illustrating the eternal struggle between chaos and order. In conclusion, the relationship between Tiamat and Marduk in the Enuma Elish is one of conflict and ultimate victory. Tiamat represents chaos and destruction, while Marduk embodies order and civilization. Marduk’s triumph over Tiamat establishes him as the supreme god of Babylon and symbolizes the triumph of reason over chaos. This mythos came off as a battle between order and chaos, or more blatantly good v.s. Evil, it's no more no less than what it really is. In today’s society we can probably make a well rounded connection or interpretation of this similar story with the governmental superpowers around the world. For example, United States v.s. Russia, we will always be within a fight of order and chaos with that sovereign country and the underlying
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