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In Indo-Germanic and some Semitic mythologies we find a specific situation: the gods, presumably the most powerful of beings, are helpless. One, or several monsters, threatens and terrifies them; they have, however, a champion who intervenes with a mighty weapon and subdues or kills the antagonist.
In Babylonian mythology Tiamat, the primeval ocean or Chaos, is about to destroy all the gods. Tiamat, who is the mother, and Apsu, the father, want to destroy their progeny, the gods.
The gods wept as they hastened,Silence reigned as they sat whispering.The exceedingly wise one, the clever in skill,Ea, who knoweth all things, perceived their plan.
Ea, by an incantation, puts Apsu, the male dragon, to sleep in a cave and then kills him. Tiamat, now ready to avenge her husband's death, creates a host of monsters to destroy her children, the gods.
They cursed the daylight and went forth at the side of Tiamat.
They raged, they plotted, without resting night and day.
They raised the standard of battle, they fumed, they raged.
They assembled forces, making hostility.
Mother Hubur, the designer of all things,
Added thereto weapons which are not withstood; she gave
birth to mighty serpents,
Sharp of tooth, sparing not the fang.
With poisonous blood she filled their bodies.
Gruesome monsters she caused to be clothed with terror.
She caused them to bear dreadfulness, she made them like gods.
Whosoever beholds them they ban with terror.
Their bodies rear up and none restrain their breasts.1