In the Babylonian creation myth, which god defeats Tiamat to form the cosmos?

• A. Ea
• B. Marduk
• C. Anu
• D. Ishtar

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is identifying which god defeats the primal chaos of Tiamat to shape the cosmos, showing how a specific deity’s victory establishes cosmic order. In the Babylonian epic Enuma Elish, Tiamat embodies chaotic primeval waters. Marduk rises to power and defeats her in a great battle, using wind and weapons to overpower her. He then splits Tiamat’s body to create the heavens and the earth, and his victory both orders the cosmos and solidifies his position as king of the gods. This act of defeating Tiamat is what explains the world’s structure and why Babylon’s gods derive authority from him. The other deities—Ea, Anu, and Ishtar—play important roles in Mesopotamian myth, but they do not defeat Tiamat in this creation story.