Editing Nergal (section)

===''Epic of Erra''===
The oldest surviving copies of the ''Epic of Erra'' come from the Assyrian city of [[Nineveh]] and have been dated to the seventh century BCE, but it has been argued that the composition is between 100 and 400 years older than that based on possible allusions to historical events which occurred during a period of calamity which Babylonia experienced roughly between eleventh and eighth centuries BCE.{{sfn|George|2013|p=47}} A [[Colophon (publishing)|colophon]] indicates that it was compiled by a certain Kabti-ilani-Marduk, which constitutes an uncommon of example of a direct statement of authorship of an ancient Mesopotamian text.{{sfn|George|2013|p=61}}

Nergal (the names Nergal and Erra are both used to refer to the protagonist of the narrative{{sfn|George|2013|p=61}}) desires to wage war to counter a state of inertia he found himself in.{{sfn|George|2013|p=65}} His weapons (the [[Sebitti]]{{sfn|Wiggermann|1998|p=220}}) urge him to take action, while his sukkal [[Ishum]], who according to [[Andrew R. George]] appears to play the role of Nergal's conscience in this myth,{{sfn|George|2013|p=62}} attempts to stop him.{{sfn|George|2013|pp=51–53}} Nergal dismisses the latter, noting that it is necessary to regain respect in the eyes of humans, and embarks on a campaign.{{sfn|George|2013|p=53}}
 
His first goal is Babylon. Through trickery he manages to convince [[Marduk]] (portrayed as a ruler past his prime, rather than as a dynamic hero, in contrast with other compositions{{sfn|George|2013|p=54}}) to leave his temple. However, Marduk returns too soon for Nergal to successfully start his campaign, and as a result in a long speech he promises to give other gods a reason to remember him. As a result of his declaration (or perhaps because of Marduk's temporary absence), the world seemingly finds itself in a state of cosmic chaos.{{sfn|George|2013|pp=54–56}}

Ishum once again attempts to convince  Nergal to stop, but his pleading does not accomplish its goal. Nergal's acts keep escalating and soon Marduk is forced to leave his dwelling again, fully leaving the world at Nergal's mercy. A number of graphic descriptions of the horrors of war focused on nameless humans suffering because of Nergal's reign of terror follow. This is still not enough, and he declares his next goal is to destroy the remaining voices of moderation, and the cosmic order as a whole.{{sfn|George|2013|p=57}}

However, Ishum eventually manages to bring an end to the bloodshed. He does so by waging a war himself, targeting the inhabitants of Mount Sharshar, seemingly a site associated with the origin of the aforementioned  period of chaos in the history of late second and early first millennium BCE Babylonia. Ishum's war is described in very different terms to Nergal's, and with its end the period of instability comes to a close.{{sfn|George|2013|pp=57-58}} Nergal is seemingly content with the actions of his sukkal and with hearing the other gods acknowledge the power of his rage. The narrative ends with Nergal instructing Ishum to spread the tale of his rampage, but also to make it clear that only thanks to his calming presence the world was spared.{{sfn|George|2013|pp=59–61}}