Trinity Journal of Literary Translation
The Myth of Illuyanka
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17
trans. Naomi Harris
Thus speaks Killa, priest of the Storm-God of Nerik, the words of the purulliyaš festival […] of the Storm-God of Heaven; when they speak thus:
“Let the land grow and thrive, and let it be protected. And when it grows and thrives, they will celebrate the purulliyaš festival.”
When the Storm-God and the serpent Illuyanka scuffled in the city of Kiškilušša, Illuyanka defeated the Storm-God.
Then, the Storm-God beckoned to all of the gods: “Support me. Inara has made a feast.”
She arranged much of everything: vessels of wine, vessels of beer, vessels of walḫi. She made abundance inside the vessels.
Inara went to the city of Ziggaratta and found Ḫupašiya, a mortal. Thus Inara said to Ḫupašiya: “I will do this and that, and you must help me.” Ḫupašiya responded to Inara, saying: “If you will let me sleep with you, I will come with you and do the desires of your heart.” And he slept with her.
Inara led Hupasiya away and she hid him. She dressed herself and ornamented herself, and she called the serpent Illuyanka up from his lair: “Behold! I am making a feast. Come to eat and drink!”
Illuyanka, together with his sons, came up, and they ate and drank. They drank up all of the vessels and they became drunk.
Then, theyy were so drunk that they were unable to go back down into their hole. Ḫupašiya came and constrained Illuyanka with rope.
Then, the Storm-God came, and he killed Illuyanka. Whereupon, the gods sided with him.