The Myth of Illuyanka
A lot of early creation stories, and early stories about dragons, described them as very large serpents, often sea dwelling. Oftentimes they are battling a storm god.
Another example of this type of story involves a storm god in the Hittite mythology. The Hittite Empire was established in the Bronze Age from 1600-1178 BC . In this story, the storm-god slays the serpent dragon Illuyanka, in a similar hero story also written on cuneiform tablets. The word "Illuyanka" was the common noun for snake/serpent to the Hittite peoples. There are two versions of this story, but both factor in a partnership of god and human in order to overtake the dragon.
Version One:
It is the time of the Hittite spring festival called Purulli, when the land has grown and thrived. During this time, a serpent and the storm-god came to grips in the town of Kiskilussa, and the serpent decided to smote the storm-god.
Thereafter, the storm-god summoned all of the other gods and told them to gather, as the goddess Inara had prepared a feast. In great quantity were vessels of wine. Inara then went to the town of Ziggaratta and there she met a mortal named Hupasiya. Inara invited the mortal to join her in her days conquests. The mortal replied that he would perform her heart's desire, if he could sleep with her. Indeed, he slept with her.
Inara then transported Hupasiya and concealed him, dressed herself up, and then invited the serpent to come up from where he dwell and join them in their feast. The serpent came up with his children, and together they drank the copious vessels of wine, and were sated. With full bellies, they were no longer able to retreat to their dwelling. The mortal Hupasiya appeared and confined the serpent with a rope. The storm-god then appeared and slew the serpent, with the other gods at his side.
Version Two:
In a fight between the storm-god and the serpent, the serpent wins, and he takes the god's eyes and heart.
The storm-god took for a wife a poor mans daughter, and they bore a son. Their son grew up and took for a wife the daughter of the serpent. The storm-god told his son, when you go to the house of your wife, demand from them my eyes and my heart!" His son did retrieve his father's eyes and his heart, and gave them back to the storm-god.
When he was again sound of body as in old, he went once more to the sea for battle. He began to smite the serpent, when he saw his son with the serpent. His son told him, "include me - do not show me any mercy!" The storm-god killed the serpent and his own son.
Image: "A scene from Hittite mythology, perhaps depicting the slaying of the serpent Illuyanka. The limestone relief is from about 850-800 BCE. Currently in the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara."
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