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© Copyright 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 The ETCSL project, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford |
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| Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta: c.1.6.2 Inspiring great numinous power, he had taken his place on the throne, the august dais, and was sitting gladly at his ease at the festival celebrated in his honour, rivalling An and Enlil in drinking his fill, while Bau was pleading petitions in a prayer for the king, and he, Ninurta, Enlil's son, was handing down decisions. At that moment the lord's battle-mace looked towards the mountains, the Šar-ur cried out aloud to its master: |
| Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta: c.1.6.2 "May An's heart be appeased for the lord, may the maiden, Mother Bau, shine like the daylight for Ninurta, Enlil's strength." |
| The Sumerian king list: c.2.1.1 In Kiš, Kug-Bau, the woman tavern-keeper, who made firm the foundations of Kiš, became king; she ruled for 100 years. 1 king; she ruled for 100 years. Then Kiš was { defeated } { (ms. TL has instead:) destroyed } and the kingship was taken to Akšak. |
| The Sumerian king list: c.2.1.1 In Kiš, Puzur-Suen, the son of Kug-Bau, became king; he ruled for 25 years. Ur-Zababa, the son of Puzur-Suen, ruled for { 400 } { (mss. P3+BT14, S have instead:) 6 } { (ms. IB has instead:) 4 + X } years. { (ms. P3+BT14 adds:) 131 are the years of the dynasty of Kug-Bau. } { Zimudar } { (ms. TL has instead:) Ziĝu-iake } ruled for { 30 } { (ms. IB has instead:) 30 + X } years. Usi-watar, the son of { Zimudar } { (ms. TL has instead:) Ziĝu-iake }, ruled for { 7 } { (ms. S has instead:) 6 } years. Eštar-muti ruled for { 11 } { (ms. Su1 has instead:) 17 (?) } years. Išme-Šamaš ruled for 11 years. { (ms. Su1 adds:) Šu-ilīšu ruled for 15 years. } { Nanniya, the jeweller, } { (ms. Su1 has instead:) Zimudar } { (ms. IB has instead:) …… } ruled for { 7 } { (ms. S has instead:) 3 } years. { 7 kings; they ruled for { 491 } { (ms. Su1 has instead:) 485 } years } { (ms. S has instead:) 8 kings; they ruled for (ms. S has:) { 586 } years }. { Then Kiš was defeated } { (ms. S has instead:) Then the reign of Kiš was abolished } and the kingship { was taken } { (ms. P3+BT14 has instead:) was returned a third time } to Unug. |
| The rulers of Lagaš: c.2.1.2 En-akigalaguba: his personal god was ……, he dug the canal Niĝin-ĝiš-tukuam, he acted for 1200 years. In those days there was no writing, ……, canals were not dug, earth baskets were not carried. In those days, ……, the people …… offerings of refined gold (2 lines uncertain)a good shepherd rose over the Land; he gave them (?) …… as a gift. En-Ninĝirsu-ki-aĝ, the son of En-akigalaguba: he acted for 1320 years. En-Enlile-ki-aĝ, the son of En-Ninĝirsu-ki-aĝ: he acted for 1800 years. Ur-Bau the son of En-Enlile-ki-aĝ: he acted for 900 years. |
| The rulers of Lagaš: c.2.1.2 Ur-Ninmarki, the scribe and scholar: ……, his personal gods were Ḫaya and Nisaba, he acted for X + 20 years. Ur-Ninĝirsu, the son of Ur-Ninmarki: he acted for X × 60 years. Ur-Bau, the scribe of Ur-Ninĝirsu, who …… in the assembly: he acted for X + 30 years. Gudea, the younger brother of Ur-Bau, ……, who was not the son of his mother nor the son of his father: he acted for …… years. |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 He stretched out lines in the most perfect way; he set up (?) a sanctuary in the holy uzga. In the house, Enki drove in the foundation pegs, while Nanše, the daughter of Eridug, took care of the oracular messages. The mother of Lagaš, holy Ĝatumdug, gave birth to its bricks amid cries (?), and Bau, the lady, first-born daughter of An, sprinkled them with oil and cedar essence. En and lagar priests were detailed to the house to provide maintenance for it. The Anuna gods stood there full of admiration. |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 The stela which he set up by the inner room (?) of Bau he named as "The eyes of An know the E-ninnu, and Bau is the life source of Gudea". |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 The true shepherd Gudea is wise, and able too to realise things. In the inner room (?) where the weapons hang, at the Gate of Battle he had the warriors Six-headed wild ram and …… head take their stand. Facing the city, its place laden with awe, he had the Seven-headed serpent take its stand. In Šu-galam, its awesome gate, he had the Dragon and the Date palm take their stand. Facing the sunrise, where the fates are decided, he erected the standard of Utu, the Bison head, beside others already there. At the Kan-sura gate, at its lookout post, he had the Lion, the terror of the gods, take its stand. In the Tar-sirsir, where the orders are issued, he had the Fish-man and the Copper take their stand. In Bau's inner room (?), where the heart can be soothed, he had the Magilum boat and the Bison take their stand. Because these were warriors slain by Ninĝirsu, he set their mouths towards libation places. Gudea, the ruler of Lagaš, made their names appear among those of the gods. |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 "My master Ninĝirsu, lord who has turned back the fierce waters, lord whose commands take precedence, male child of Enlil, warrior, I have carried out faithfully what you have ordered me to do. Ninĝirsu, I have built up your house for you; now I shall let you enter it in joy! My goddess Bau, I have set up your E-mi quarters for you: take up pleasant residence in them." His call was heard, his hero Lord Ninĝirsu accepted from Gudea his prayer and supplication. |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 Warrior Ninĝirsu entered the house, the owner of the house had arrived. He was an eagle raising its eyes toward a wild bull. The warrior's entering his house was a storm roaring into battle. Ninĝirsu entered his house and it became the shrine of the abzu when there is a festival. The owner came out of his house and he was Utu rising over the land of Lagaš. Bau's going to her E-mi quarters was a true woman's taking her house in hand. Her entering her bedroom was the Tigris at high water. When she sat down beside her ……, she was the lady, the daughter of holy An, a green garden bearing fruit. |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 The daylight came out, the fate had been decided. Bau entered her E-mi quarters, and there was abundance for the land of Lagaš. The day dawned. Utu of Lagaš lifted his head over the Land. |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 Zazaru, Iškur-pa-e, Ur-agrunta-ea, Ḫe-Ĝir-nuna, Ḫe-šaga, Zurĝu and Zarĝu, who are Bau's septuplets, the offspring of Lord Ninĝirsu, his beloved lukur maidens, who create plenty for the myriads, stepped forward to Lord Ninĝirsu with friendly entreaties on behalf of Gudea. |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 The temple towered upwards in full grandeur, unparallelled in fearsomeness and radiance. Like a boat it …… and ……. Its owner, the warrior Ninĝirsu, came out as the daylight on the dais of Ĝir-nun. Its …… resting on supports was like the blue sky in all its splendour. Its standards and their caps (?) were Ninĝirsu himself emanating fearsomeness; their leather straps stretched out in front of them were green snake-eater birds bathing. Its owner, the warrior Ninĝirsu, stood like Utu in his most fascinating blue chariot. Its throne, standing in the guena hall, was An's holy seat which is sat upon joyfully. Its bed, standing in the bedroom, was a young cow kneeling down in its sleeping place. On its holy quilt (?), strewn with fresh herbs, Mother Bau was resting comfortably with Lord Ninĝirsu. |
| The lament for Urim: c.2.2.2 { (1 ms. adds 1 line:) …… (partially preserved name of a goddess) has abandoned that house Larag and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. } Šara has abandoned E-maḫ and has let the breezes haunt his sheepfold. Ud-saḫara has abandoned that house Umma and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. Bau has abandoned Iri-kug and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. She has abandoned her flooded chamber and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. Her son Ab-Bau has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt his sheepfold. Ab-Bau has abandoned Ma-gu-ena and has let the breezes haunt his sheepfold. The protective goddess of the holy house has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. |
| The lament for Sumer and Urim: c.2.2.3 The house of Kiš, Ḫursaĝ-kalama, was destroyed. Zababa took an unfamiliar path away from his beloved dwelling. Mother Bau was lamenting bitterly in her E-Iri-kug." Alas, the destroyed city, my destroyed house," she cried bitterly. (1 line fragmentary) (2 lines missing)"Alas, the destroyed city, my destroyed house," she cried bitterly. |
| The lament for Sumer and Urim: c.2.2.3 A violent storm blew over Umma and the Šeg-kuršaga. Šara took an unfamiliar path away from the E-maḫ, his beloved dwelling. Ninmul cried bitter tears over her destroyed city." Oh my city, whose charms can no longer satisfy me," she cried bitterly. Ĝirsu, the city of heroes, was afflicted with a lightning storm. Ninĝirsu took an unfamiliar path away from the E-ninnu. Mother Bau wept bitter tears in her E-Iri-kug." Alas, the destroyed city, my destroyed house," she cried bitterly. |
| The lament for Sumer and Urim: c.2.2.3 Bau, as if she were human, also reached the end of her time: "Woe is me! Enlil has handed over the city to the storm. He has handed it over to the storm that destroys cities. He has handed it over to the storm that destroys houses." Dumuzid-abzu was full of fear in the house of Kinirša. Kinirša, the city to which she belongs, was ordered to be plundered. The city of Nanše, Niĝin, was delivered to the foreigners. Sirara, her beloved dwelling, was handed over to the evil ones." Alas, the destroyed city, my destroyed house," she cried bitterly. Its sacred Ĝipar of en priesthood was defiled. Its en priest was snatched from the Ĝipar and carried off to enemy territory. |
| An adab to Bau for Luma (Luma A): c.2.3.1 Child of An, he has chosen you in his holy heart in the great sky and on the great earth and made you worthy of the ladyship of the Land. Bau, child of An, he has chosen you in his holy heart in the great sky and on the great earth and made you worthy of the ladyship of the Land. Enlil has looked at you with favour, young woman, Mother Bau, from the shining E-kur, and made you eminently fit for Lord Ninĝirsu. The Great Mountain Enlil has looked at you with favour, young woman, Mother Bau, from the shining E-kur and made you eminently fit for Lord Ninĝirsu. |
| An adab to Bau for Luma (Luma A): c.2.3.1 In the E-tar-sirsir, founded for you by An, you decide the fate of all the countries; you, my lady, render verdicts and decree judgments. Bau, in the E-tar-sirsir, founded for you by An, you decide the fate of all the countries; you, Bau, render verdicts and decree judgments. The …… protective genius directs your black-headed people before you in your courtyard in Iri-kug. Bau, the …… protective genius directs your black-headed people before you in your courtyard in Iri-kug. |
| An adab to Bau for Luma (Luma A): c.2.3.1 My lady, what you say is firmly grounded; Bau, what you say is firmly grounded. It makes the king ruling in the land of Lagaš, in your holy dwelling place of the pure divine powers, extremely happy; my lady, it makes the king extremely happy. Bau, it makes the king ruling in the land of Lagaš, in your holy dwelling place of the pure divine powers, extremely happy; Bau, it makes Luma extremely happy, he salutes your holy words. |
| An adab to Bau for Luma (Luma A): c.2.3.1 Lady whose horns are perfect (?), Bau, nobody can learn what you are; child of An, with …… An, grandiloquent one. |
| An adab to Bau for Luma (Luma A): c.2.3.1 My lady, what you say is trustworthy, your lofty words are enduring. Bau, what you say is trustworthy, your lofty words are enduring. Your holy words are devoted to the god, they are as clear as daylight for the king. Bau, your holy words are devoted to the god, they are as clear as daylight for the king, Luma. Your joyous countenance is as clear as daylight for the king; Bau, your joyous countenance is as clear as daylight for the king, Luma. Your words, which …… the pleasant place, are as clear as daylight for the king; Bau, your words, which …… the pleasant place, are as clear as daylight for the king, Luma. |
| An adab to Bau for Luma (Luma A): c.2.3.1 You have given a lofty name to Luma, the king …… by An, you have spoken to him with friendly words. Bau, you have given a lofty name to Luma, the king …… by An, you have spoken to him with friendly words. Lady who loves his city, you have made him pre-eminent; Bau, lady who loves his city, you have made him pre-eminent. In the holy place you have treated the king graciously. |
| An adab to Bau for Luma (Luma A): c.2.3.1 An adab of Bau. |
| A tigi to Bau for Gudea (Gudea A): c.2.3.2 My lady, gracious woman, child of holy An, adorned with attractiveness, Enlil's beloved one, who is imbued with great fearsomeness and issues from the interior of heaven, the cherished lady of the gods. Bau, gracious woman, child of holy An, adorned with attractiveness, Enlil's beloved one, who is imbued with great fearsomeness and issues from the midst of heaven, the cherished lady of the gods. |
| A tigi to Bau for Gudea (Gudea A): c.2.3.2 My lady, you have brought the divine powers from the interior of heaven. Your own father, An, the king, has presented you with perfect divine powers, so you inspire respect among the Anuna gods. Bau, you have brought the divine powers from the midst of heaven. Your own father, An the king, has presented you with perfect divine powers, so you inspire respect among the Anuna gods. |
| A tigi to Bau for Gudea (Gudea A): c.2.3.2 After you had chosen the shepherd in the assembly for his attractiveness, you recognised him in ……, his lofty place, gave him ……, and ……. Bau, after you had chosen Gudea for his attractiveness in the divine assembly, you recognised him in ……, his lofty place, gave him ……, and ……. |
| A tigi to Bau for Gudea (Gudea A): c.2.3.2 My lady, imbued with great fearsomeness, ……, Lord Ninĝirsu has looked at you approvingly. He …… you with allure and has made your …… table in the E-tar-sirsir lavishly famous. Bau, imbued with great fearsomeness, ……, Lord Ninĝirsu has looked at you approvingly. He …… you with allure and has made your …… table in the E-tar-sirsir lavishly famous. |
| A tigi to Bau for Gudea (Gudea A): c.2.3.2 You are the lady who renders verdicts, who decrees judgments and ……. You are the righteous one among the gods, the wife of the warrior. Bau, you are cherished in the heaven and on the earth. Bau, you are the lady who renders verdicts, who decrees judgments and ……. You are the righteous one among the gods, the wife of the warrior. Bau, you are cherished in heaven and on earth. |
| A tigi to Bau for Gudea (Gudea A): c.2.3.2 My lady, you have looked up in the divine assembly and …… him (?) with charms. You have chosen with your heart a worthy man, the true shepherd Gudea. Mother Bau, he will duly praise you in your city, Lagaš! Bau, you have looked up in the divine assembly and …… him (?) with charms. You have chosen with your heart a worthy man, the true shepherd, Gudea. Mother Bau, he will duly praise you in your city, Lagaš! |
| A tigi to Bau for Gudea (Gudea A): c.2.3.2 A tigi of Bau. |
| A balbale to Bau for Šu-Suen (Šu-Suen A): c.2.4.4.1 It is a balbale of Bau. |
| An adab to Bau for Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan B): c.2.5.4.02 Lady, imbued with fearsomeness, whose greatness is recognised in heaven and on earth, perfect in nobility! Mother Bau, foremost among ladies, warrior ……! Powerful goddess, who perfectly controls the august divine powers, proud one, …… great intelligence! ……, true woman, wise lady who has been made knowledgeable from birth! Daughter of An, expert, eloquent, who holds everything in her hand! Lady, great doctor of the black-headed people, who keeps people alive, and brings them to birth. Šu-ḫalbi, incantation priestess of the numerous people, ……! Merciful, compassionate one of the Land, lady of justice! |
| An adab to Bau for Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan B): c.2.5.4.02 Supreme lady, whose divine powers are untouchable, daughter of An, omniscient great lady, young woman, Mother Bau, you have looked favourably on the young man of handsome form, prince Išme-Dagan, the son of Enlil; you have determined for him a good fate once and for all. |
| An adab to Bau for Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan B): c.2.5.4.02 It is Mother Bau who is to give prince Išme-Dagan, the son of Enlil, a life of numerous days. |
| An adab to Bau for Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan B): c.2.5.4.02 Good woman, daughter of An, Enlil has called for you! …… the holy shining throne-dais …… told you; young woman, Mother Bau, the daughter of An, Enlil has called for you! …… the holy shining throne-dais …… told you: "Bestow on Išme-Dagan, the son of Enlil, a life of numerous days!" |
| An adab to Bau for Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan B): c.2.5.4.02 An adab of Bau. (lines 65 and 66 are written as one line in source) |
| A hymn to Bau's beneficent protective goddess (Bau A): c.4.02.1 (3 lines fragmentary) Let us …… praise (?) you, the beneficent protective goddess of Bau. |
| A hymn to Bau's beneficent protective goddess (Bau A): c.4.02.1 (3 lines fragmentary) She does not ……. She does not go to the rich …… nor ……. She does not ……. The barge of Suen as it proceeds -- lady, is not yours as beautiful? The joyous symbol of Inana -- protective goddess, is not yours as attractive? Let us …… praise (?) you, the beneficent protective goddess of Bau. |
| A hymn to Bau's beneficent protective goddess (Bau A): c.4.02.1 (8 lines missing or fragmentary) ……, daily …… at her feet. My lady, at his right side you …… your good …… towards him. …… full of glory -- lady, is not yours as beautiful? …… magnificently in the Land -- protective goddess, is not yours as attractive? Let us …… praise (?) you, the beneficent protective goddess of Bau. |
| A hymn to Bau's beneficent protective goddess (Bau A): c.4.02.1 I shall praise the good woman, the Utu of the Land, my goddess. Mother Bau's august minister, who creates life for the king! Holy messenger who brings the tablet of life down from the interior of heaven, who sets rain on its way (?) from heaven, and brings forth abundance! Expeditious, an honour to Bau and an ornament of the holy shrine, protective goddess of those who pray to Bau, …… -- because you love mankind and rejoice at its gifts, let us forever praise (?) you, the beneficent protective goddess of Bau. |
| A hymn to Bau's beneficent protective goddess (Bau A): c.4.02.1 (2 lines fragmentary) ……, good woman, my protective goddess, let us forever praise (?) you, the beneficent protective goddess of Bau. |
| A hymn to Bau's beneficent protective goddess (Bau A): c.4.02.1 (1 line fragmentary) respected one, beloved of Bau, lady …… true cream, (1 line unclear)As is fitting, she lets Lord Ig-alim have the sceptre. Just woman, my protective goddess, lady -- because you ……, let us forever praise (?) you, the beneficent protective goddess of Bau, the lady who …… food and drink and …… in abundance, who from the dwelling place of the abzu's abundance speaks in a noble voice in its ……. |
| A hymn to Bau's beneficent protective goddess (Bau A): c.4.02.1 My protective goddess, lady ……, good woman encouraging celebration and listening to words of prayer, guiding fine speech and tongues, lady who loves the truth, august minister of Mother Bau, with silver lips, directing …… and …… ears and cheeks! Good woman, my protective goddess, your appearance unmatchable, my ……, let us forever praise (?) you. |
| A balbale to Inana (Dumuzid-Inana C): c.4.08.03 "See now, { our } { (1 ms. has instead:) my } breasts stand out; see now, hair has grown on { our } { (1 ms. has instead:) my } genitals, signifying (?) my progress to the embrace of a man. Let us be very glad! Dance, dance! O Bau, let us be very glad about my genitals! Dance, dance! Later on it will delight him, it will delight him!" |
| A balbale to Inana (Dumuzid-Inana D): c.4.08.04 "To my paternal eye you are still a small child. May Bau know you as a man. I'll let you go!" |
| A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana L): c.4.08.12 My valiant Nanna, who ……, my dear one, you love me; joy ……. …… Bau loves you. (3 lines fragmentary) (unknown no. of lines missing) |
| Nanše and the birds (Nanše C): c.4.14.3 (2 lines fragmentary) …… green ……. …… birds, like ants in crevices ……. …… Bau takes a bath ……. The tigilu bird …… the split roots ……. The dove …… gently in the broad fields. The pigeon …… bitterly in the vacant lot of the king. The ubi bird and the udar bird …… ants ……. The bird ……. …… in the gutter like beasts. (1 line unclear) …… humbly like an orphaned child ……. The ḫamun bird …… in harmony …… is dressed in linen. …… wine, like wine …… (unknown no. of lines missing) |
| A tigi to Nergal (Nergal C): c.4.15.3 Lord of the just word, lord of abundance, hero! At your name, people obey. Frightening sea like a rising ……, with your kingship you inspire terrifying fear. Hero, with your magnificent strength …… you pile up the rebel lands in heaps. Nergal, your name is praised in song. May the lady, An's daughter, the lady who loves her city, Bau who concerns herself with you, in Iri-kug, her city of ladyship, make your appointed …… famous for a reign of distant days. |
| Ninisina and the gods (Ninisina F): c.4.22.6 …… she is indeed ……. In ……, the …… of An, …… she is indeed Ĝatumdug. In ……, her …… that reaches the heavens, she is indeed ……, the firstborn child. In …… Ĝirsu, the shrine which first brought forth the seed of mankind, my lady is indeed Mother Bau. In …… Umma, in the Šeg-kuršaga, …… she is indeed ……. In …… (unknown no. of lines missing) |
| The temple hymns: c.4.80.1 O Iri-kug (Holy city), shrine of holy An, which caused the human seed to come forth, called by a good name, within you is the river of ordeal which vindicates the just man. E-ĝalga-sud (House which spreads counsel far and wide), storehouse which eternally possesses silver and lapis lazuli, E-tar-sirsir, from which decisions and the divine powers come forth, where the hero performs obeisance, your princess, the merciful princess of the Land, is the mother of all lands. The lady, the great healer of the black-headed who determines the destiny of her city, the first-born daughter of holy An, the maiden, Mother Bau, has erected a house in your precinct, O house Iri-kug, and taken her seat upon your dais. |
| The temple hymns: c.4.80.1 8 lines: the house of Bau in Iri-kug. |
| Proverbs: collection 3: c.6.1.03 Where someone is lame, …… the emissary of Bau comes to their aid. |
| Proverbs: from Urim: c.6.2.3 A girl from Ĝirsu ……. Her lap …… a man. Her anus was ……. Bau …… a gate …… head ……. |
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