Page:The Babylonian conception of heaven and hell - Jeremias (1902).djvu/46

 the city of Marduk, that the inhabitants with one accord hailed him joyfully and greeted him with beaming countenances as "the lord who in the strength of him who calls the dead to life (i.e., Marduk), had blessed them all with care and protection." The same power of "raising the dead" is attributed to Gula, the wife of Marduk, who moreover is called "the lady, raiser of the dead," and once mention is made of "the ship of the goddess Gula, the raiser of the dead." Curiously enough among the many theophoric proper names embodying divine epithets attributing life-giving power to a deity, there appears the name "Nergaluballith," i.e., Nergal (god of Hades) makes alive." 



The Twelve Tablet epic has also come down to us in fragments only. We know, however, that the hero of the story had, along with his gigantic friend, incurred the wrath and vengeance of the mighty goddess Istar. Eabani had died an ignominious death and gone down to Hades. Gilgamesh was smitten by terrible sickness, but was resolved not to die like his friend. Seized by the fear of death he fell wailing to the ground, but suddenly he conceived the bold resolve to