The final lines of this portion seem to refer to the moon on the 7th and other days of the month, and would in that case indicate the quarters. "Sabbath" is doubtful on account of the mutilation of the first character, but in view of the forms given on pl. II. and p. 527 (_sapattu__m_, _sapatti_) the restoration as _sapattu_ seems possible. It is described on p. 527 as the 15th of the month, but must have indicated also the 14th, according to the length of the month.
An exceedingly imperfect fragment of what is supposed to be part of the fifth tablet exists. It speaks of the bow with which Merodach overcame the Dragon of Chaos, which the god Anu, to all appearance, set in the heavens as one of the constellations. After this comes, apparently, a fragment that may be regarded as recording the creation of the earth, and the cities and renowned shrines upon it, the houses of the great gods, and the cities Nippuru (Niffer) and Asshur being mentioned. Everything, however, is very disconnected and doubtful.
The sixth tablet, judging from the fragment recognized by Mr. L. W. King, must have been one of special interest, as it to all appearance contained a description of the creation of man. Unfortunately, only the beginning of the text is preserved, and is as follows:--
"Merodach, on hearing the word of the gods, His heart urged him, and he made [cunning plans]. He opened his mouth and [said] to the god Aê-- [What] he thought out in his heart he communicates ...: 'Let me gather my blood and let me ... bone, Let me set up a man, and let the man .... Let me make then men dwelling .... May the service of the gods be established, and as for them, let .... Let me alter the ways of the gods, let me chan[ge their paths]-- As one let them be honoured, as two let them be ....' Aê answered him, and the word he spake."
Here come the remains of ten very imperfect lines, which probably related the consent of the other gods to the proposal, and must have been followed by a description of the way in which it was carried out. All this, however, is unfortunately not preserved. That the whole of Merodach's work received the approval of "the gods his fathers" is shown by the remains of lines with which the sixth tablet closes:--