"The Mother-Abyss, | that formed everything, | has prepared Irresistible Weapons: | brought into the world [...] ferocious Leviathans, | to which it gave a frightening appearance | and surrounded with supernatural splendor, | thus equating them to the gods: | "Whoever sees them (he said) | lose consciousness! | And let them once launched, | never retreat!" (Enûma Eliš)"