 |
© Copyright 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 The ETCSL project, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford |
 |
| ETCSLtranslation |
| Enki and Ninḫursaĝa: c.1.1.1 "May the land of Tukriš hand over to you gold from Ḫarali, lapis lazuli and ……. May the land of Meluḫa load precious desirable cornelian, meš wood of Magan and the best abba wood into large ships for you. May the land of Marḫaši yield you precious stones, topazes. May the land of Magan offer you strong, powerful copper, dolerite, u stone and šumin stone. May the Sea-land offer you its own ebony wood, …… of a king. May the 'Tent'-lands offer you fine multicoloured wools. May the land of Elam hand over to you choice wools, its tribute. May the manor of Urim, the royal throne dais, the city ……, load up into large ships for you sesame, august raiment, and fine cloth. May the wide sea yield you its wealth." |
| Enki and the world order: c.1.1.3 "The lords pay heed …… to me. I am Enki! They stand before me, praising me. The abgal priests and abrig officials who …… stand before me …… distant days. The enkum and ninkum officiants organise ……. They purify the river for me, they …… the interior of the shrine for me. In my Abzu, sacred songs and incantations resound for me. My barge 'Crown', the 'Stag of the Abzu', transports me there most delightfully. It glides swiftly for me through the great marshes to wherever I have decided, it is obedient to me. The stroke-callers make the oars pull in perfect unison. They sing for me pleasant songs, creating a cheerful mood on the river. Niĝir-sig, the captain of my barge, holds the golden sceptre for me. I am Enki! He is in command of my boat 'Stag of the Abzu'. I am the lord! I will travel! I am Enki! I will go forth into my Land! I, the lord who determines the fates, ……," (4 lines unclear) |
| Enki and the world order: c.1.1.3 "I will admire its green cedars. Let the lands of Meluḫa, Magan and Dilmun look upon me, upon Enki. Let the Dilmun boats be loaded (?) with timber. Let the Magan boats be loaded sky-high. Let the magilum boats of Meluḫa transport gold and silver and bring them to Nibru for Enlil, king of all the lands." |
| Enki and the world order: c.1.1.3 "Black land, may your trees be great trees, may your forests be forests of highland meš trees! Chairs made from them will grace royal palaces! May your reeds be great reeds, may they ……! Heroes shall …… them on the battlefield as weapons! May your bulls be great bulls, may they be bulls of the mountains! May their bellowing be the bellowing of wild bulls of the mountains! The great powers of the gods shall be made perfect for you! May the francolins of the mountains wear cornelian beards! May your birds all be peacocks! May their cries grace royal palaces! May all your silver be gold! May all your copper be tin-bronze! Land, may all you possess be plentiful! May your people ……! May your men go forth like bulls against their fellow men!" (2 lines unclear) |
| Enki and the world order: c.1.1.3 "My illustrious sister, holy Ninmug, is to get the golden chisel and the silver burin. She is to carry off her big flint antasura blade. She is to be the metal-worker of the Land. The fitting of the good diadem when a king is born and the crowning with the crown when a lord is born are to be in her hands." |
| Enki's journey to Nibru: c.1.1.4 An artfully made bright crenellation rising out from the abzu was erected for Lord Nudimmud. He built the temple from precious metal, decorated it with lapis lazuli, and covered it abundantly with gold. In Eridug, he built the house on the bank. Its brickwork makes utterances and gives advice. Its eaves roar like a bull; the temple of Enki bellows. During the night the temple praises its lord and offers its best for him. |
| Enlil and Sud: c.1.2.2 Ores (?) from Ḫarali, the faraway land, …… storehouses, ……, rock-crystal, gold, silver, ……, the yield of the uplands ……, heavy loads of them, were despatched by Enlil toward Ereš. After the personal presents, the transported goods ……, Ninmaḫ and the minister ……. The dust from their march reached high into the sky like rain clouds. Enormous marriage gifts were being brought for Nanibgal to Ereš; the city was getting full inside and out, …… it was to be replete. The rest …… on the outlying roads ……. …… blue sky ……. (1 line missing) (2 lines fragmentary) |
| Inana's descent to the nether world: c.1.4.1 She placed twin egg-shaped beads on her breast. She covered her body with a pala dress, the garment of ladyship. She placed mascara which is called "Let a man come, let him come" on her eyes. She pulled the pectoral which is called "Come, man, come" over her breast. She placed a golden ring on her hand. She held the lapis-lazuli measuring rod and measuring line in her hand. |
| Inana's descent to the nether world: c.1.4.1 "She has placed twin egg-shaped beads on her breast. She has covered her body with the pala dress of ladyship. She has placed mascara which is called "Let a man come" on her eyes. She has pulled the pectoral which is called "Come, man, come" over her breast. She has placed a golden ring on her hand. She is holding the lapis-lazuli measuring rod and measuring line in her hand." |
| Inana's descent to the nether world: c.1.4.1 When she entered the fifth gate, the golden ring was removed from her hand." What is this?" "Be silent, Inana, a divine power of the underworld has been fulfilled. Inana, you must not open your mouth against the rites of the underworld." |
| Ninurta's return to Nibru: a šir-gida to Ninurta: c.1.6.1 "I bear that whose awesome radiance covers the Land, which is grandly suited for my right hand, finished in gold and lapis lazuli, whose presence is amazing, my Object-of-trust. I bear the perfect weapon, exceedingly magnificent, trustworthy in battle, having no equal, well-suited for my wrist on the battlefield, my fifty-headed mace, I bear the weapon which consumes the rebellious land like fire, my fifty-headed club." |
| Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta: c.1.6.2 "Lady, since you came to the mountains, Ninmaḫ ('Great Lady'), since you entered the rebel lands for my sake, since you did not keep far from me when I was surrounded by the horrors of battle -- let the name of the pile which I, the hero, have piled up be 'Mountain' (ḫursaĝ) and may you be its lady (nin): now that is the destiny decreed by Ninurta. Henceforth people shall speak of Ninḫursaĝa. So be it. Let its meadows produce herbs for you. Let its slopes produce honey and wine for you. Let its hillsides grow cedars, cypress, juniper and box for you. Let it make abundant for you ripe fruits, as a garden. Let the mountain supply you richly with divine perfumes. Let it mine gold and silver for you, make …… for you. Let it smelt copper and tin for you, make its tribute for you. Let the mountains make wild animals teem for you. Let the mountain increase the fecundity of quadrupeds for you. You, O Queen, become equal to An, wearing a terrifying splendour. Great goddess who detests boasting, good lady, maiden Ninḫursaĝa, Nintur, …… approach me. Lady, I have given you great powers: may you be exalted." |
| Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta: c.1.6.2 "Šu stones, since you attacked against my weapons; gasura stones, since you stood fiercely against me like bulls, since you tossed (?) your horns in the dust at me like wild bulls, you shall be …… like butterflies. My terrifying splendour will cover you. Since you cannot escape from { my } { (1 ms. has instead:) his } great strength, the goldsmith shall puff and blow on you with his breath. You shall be shaped by him to form a matrix for his creations. People shall place the first fruits of the gods on you at the time of the new moon." |
| Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta: c.1.6.2 "Young man worthy of respect, whose surface reflects the light, kagena, when the demands of the rebel lands reached you, I did not conquer you ……. I did not notice you among the hostile ones. I shall make room for you in the Land. The divine rites of Utu shall become your powers. Be constituted as a judge in the foreign lands. The craftsman, expert in everything, shall value you as if gold. Young man of whom I have taken possession, because of you I shall not sleep until you come to life. And now, according to the destiny fixed by Ninurta, henceforth kagena shall live! So shall it be." |
| The marriage of Martu: c.1.7.1 He gratified the elders of Inab with golden torcs. He gratified the old women of Inab with golden shawl ……. He gratified the men and women of Inab with golden ……. He gratified the slaves of Inab with …… and gratified them also with coloured …… cloths. He gratified the slave-girls of Inab with silver jugs. |
| The death of Gilgameš: c.1.8.1.3 Kulaba ……. As Unug rose ……, as Kulaba rose ……. Within the first month ……, it was not five or 10 days before they …… the Euphrates. …… its shells. Then, as in the bed of the Euphrates, the earth cracked dry. …… was built from stone. …… was built from stone. …… were hard diorite. …… its latches were hard stone. …… were cast in gold. …… heavy blocks of stone. …… heavy blocks of stone. …… brought in ……. …… for future days. (1 line fragmentary)…… should not find ……. …… Gilgameš …… has established in ……. |
| The death of Gilgameš: c.1.8.1.3 The lord imposed a levy on his city. The herald made the horn signal sound in all the lands: "Unug, arise! Open up the Euphrates! Kulaba, arise! Divert the waters of the Euphrates!" Unug's levy was a flood, Kulaba's levy was a clouded sky. Meanwhile not even the first month { had passed } { (1 ms. has instead:) …… }, it was not five or 10 days before they had opened up the Euphrates and diverted its high water. Utu looked at its shells with admiration. Then as soon as the water in the bed of the Euphrates had receded, his tomb was built there from stone. Its walls were built from stone. Its door leaves were installed in the sockets (?) of the entrance. Its bolt and thresholds were hard stone. Its door-pivots were hard stone. They installed its gold beams. Heavy blocks of stone were moved to ……. …… { was completely covered with a thick layer of } { (1 ms. has instead:) was completely covered (?) with } dark soil. …… for future days. (1 line fragmentary)…… who are searching for it should not find its precinct (?). He set up a solid house in the middle of Unug. |
| Gilgameš, Enkidu and the nether world: c.1.8.1.4 "Did you see ……?" "His food is set apart, his water is set apart, he eats the food offered (?) to him, he drinks the water offered (?) to him." { (1 ms. adds:) "Did you see him who was eaten by a lion?" "He cries bitterly "O my hands! O my legs!"" "Did you see him who fell down from the roof?" "They cannot …… his bones." } "Did you see the leprous man?" "He twitches like an ox as the worms eat at him." "Did you see him who fell in battle?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "His father and mother are not there to hold his head, and his wife weeps." "Did you see the spirit of him who has no funerary offerings?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "He eats the scraps and the crumbs …… tossed out in the street." "Did you see him hit by a ship's board { (1 ms. adds:) when diving (?) }? How does he fare?" ""Alas, my mother!" the man cries to her, as he pulls out the ship's board ……, he …… cross beam …… crumbs." "Did you see my little stillborn children who never knew existence?" "I saw them." "How do they fare?" "They play at a table of gold and silver, laden with honey and ghee." "Did you see him who died ……?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "He lies on a bed of the gods." "Did you see him who was set on fire?" "I did not see him. His spirit is not about. His smoke went up to the sky." |
| Gilgameš, Enkidu and the nether world: c.1.8.1.4 "Did you see him who had no respect for the word of his mother and father?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" ""O my body! O my limbs!" he never ceases to cry." "Did you see him who was reached by the curse of his mother and father?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "He is deprived of an heir. His spirit roams about." "Did you see him who …… the name of his god?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "His spirit ……." "Did you see the spirit of him who has no funerary offerings?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "He eats the scraps and the crumbs …… tossed out in the street." "Did you see my little stillborn children who never knew existence?""I saw them." "How do they fare?" "They play at a table of gold and silver, laden with honey and ghee." "Did you see him who was set on fire?" "I did not see him. His smoke went up to the sky. His spirit does not live in the underworld." |
| Gilgameš, Enkidu and the nether world: c.1.8.1.4 "His food is set apart, his water is set apart, he eats the food offered (?) to him, he drinks the water offered (?) to him." "Did you see him who fell in battle? How does he fare?" "His father and mother are not there to hold his head, and his wife weeps." "Did you see him who ……? How does he fare?" "…… from his (?) hand ……." "Did you see the spirit of him who has no funerary offerings? How does he fare?" "He eats the scraps and the crumbs tossed out in the street." "Did you see my little stillborn children who never knew existence? How do they fare?" "They play with a bucket of gold and silver, full of honey and ghee." "Did you see him who was set on fire?" "I did not see him. His spirit is not there. His smoke went up to the sky." |
| Gilgameš, Enkidu and the nether world: c.1.8.1.4 "Did you see him who …… extolled himself? How does he fare?" "He bows down (?) like an ox as the worms eat at him." "Did you see him who fell down from the roof? How does he fare?" "His bones …… and his spirit ……." "Did you see ……? How does he fare?" "He ……." "Did you see the leprous man? How does he fare?" "His water is set apart, his food is set apart. He …… the spirits. He lives outside the city." "Did you see my stillborn children who never received a name? How do they fare?" "They play at a table of gold and silver ……." "Didn't you see him who was set on fire?" "Why, my friend, did not you spare this question?" "I asked it, my friend!" "His spirit is …… from the nether world, it went up to the sky with the smoke (?)." |
| Lugalbanda and the Anzud bird: c.1.8.2.2 Lugalbanda lies idle in the mountains, in the faraway places; he has ventured into the Zabu mountains. No mother is with him to offer advice, no father is with him to talk to him. No one is with him whom he knows, whom he values, no confidant is there to talk to him. In his heart he speaks to himself: "I shall treat the bird as befits him, I shall treat Anzud as befits him. I shall greet his wife affectionately. I shall seat Anzud's wife and Anzud's child at a banquet. An will fetch Ninguena for me from her mountain home -- the expert woman who redounds to her mother's credit, Ninkasi the expert who redounds to her mother's credit. Her fermenting-vat is of green lapis lazuli, her beer cask is of refined silver and of gold. If she stands by the beer, there is joy, if she sits by the beer, there is gladness; as cupbearer she mixes the beer, never wearying as she walks back and forth, Ninkasi, the keg at her side, on her hips; may she make my beer-serving perfect. When the bird has drunk the beer and is happy, when Anzud has drunk the beer and is happy, he can help me find the place to which the troops of Unug are going, Anzud can put me on the track of my brothers." |
| Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta: c.1.8.2.3 City, majestic bull bearing vigour and great awesome splendour, Kulaba, ……, breast of the storm, where destiny is determined; Unug, great mountain, in the midst of ……. There the evening meal of the great abode of An was set. In those days of yore, when the destinies were determined, the great princes allowed Unug Kulaba's E-ana to lift its head high. Plenty, and carp floods, and the rain which brings forth dappled barley were then increased in Unug Kulaba. Before the land of Dilmun yet existed, the E-ana of Unug Kulaba was well founded, and the holy ĝipar of Inana in brick-built Kulaba shone forth like the silver in the lode. Before …… carried ……, before ……, before …… carried ……, before the commerce was practised; before gold, silver, copper, tin, blocks of lapis lazuli, and mountain stones were brought down together from their mountains, before …… bathed for the festival, ……, …… time passed. (2 lines missing) |
| Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta: c.1.8.2.3 …… was colourfully adorned, and ……, the holy place, was …… with flawless lapis lazuli, its interior beautifully formed like a white meš tree bearing fruit. The lord of Aratta placed on his head the golden crown for Inana. But he did not please her like the lord of Kulaba. Aratta did not build for holy Inana -- unlike the Shrine E-ana, the ĝipar, the holy place, unlike brick-built Kulaba. |
| Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta: c.1.8.2.3 "My sister, let Aratta fashion gold and silver skilfully on my behalf for Unug. Let them cut the flawless lapis lazuli from the blocks, let them …… the translucence of the flawless lapis lazuli ……. …… build a holy mountain in Unug. Let Aratta build a temple brought down from heaven -- your place of worship, the Shrine E-ana; let Aratta skilfully fashion the interior of the holy ĝipar, your abode; may I, the radiant youth, may I be embraced there by you. Let Aratta submit beneath the yoke for Unug on my behalf. Let the people of Aratta bring down for me the mountain stones from their mountain, build the great shrine for me, erect the great abode for me, make the great abode, the abode of the gods, famous for me, make my me prosper in Kulaba, make the abzu grow for me like a holy mountain, make Eridug gleam for me like the mountain range, cause the abzu shrine to shine forth for me like the silver in the lode. When in the abzu I utter praise, when I bring the me from Eridug, when, in lordship, I am adorned with the crown like a purified shrine, when I place on my head the holy crown in Unug Kulaba, then may the …… of the great shrine bring me into the ĝipar, and may the …… of the ĝipar bring me into the great shrine. May the people marvel admiringly, and may Utu witness it in joy." |
| Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta: c.1.8.2.3 "You shall bring it up into the Zubi mountains, you shall descend with it from the Zubi mountains. Let Susa and the land of Anšan humbly salute Inana like tiny mice. In the great mountain ranges, let the teeming multitudes grovel in the dust for her. Messenger, speak to the lord of Aratta and say to him: "Lest I make the people fly off from that city like a wild dove from its tree, lest I make them fly around like a bird over its well-founded nest, lest I requite (?) them as if at a current market rate, lest I make it gather dust like an utterly destroyed city, lest like a settlement cursed by Enki and utterly destroyed, I too utterly destroy Aratta; lest like the devastation which swept destructively, and in whose wake Inana arose, shrieked and yelled aloud, I too wreak a sweeping devastation there -- let Aratta pack nuggets of gold in leather sacks, placing alongside it the kugmea ore; package up precious metals, and load the packs on the donkeys of the mountains; and then may the Junior Enlil of Sumer have them build for me, the lord whom Nudimmud has chosen in his sacred heart, a mountain of a shining me; have them make it luxuriant for me like a boxwood tree, have them make its shining horns colourful for me as when Utu comes forth from his chamber, have them make its doorposts gleam brightly for me."" |
| Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta: c.1.8.2.3 "This is what my master has spoken, this is what he has said. My king who from his birth has been fitted { for lordship } { (1 ms. has instead:) for the crown }, the lord of Unug, the saĝkal snake living in Sumer, who pulverises { mountains } { (2 mss. have instead:) heads } like flour, the stag of the tall mountains, endowed with princely antlers, wild cow, kid pawing the holy soapwort with its hoof, whom the good cow had given birth to in the heart of the mountains, Enmerkar, the son of Utu, has sent me to you." { (2 mss. add here:) (the lord of Aratta speaks): "What is it to me what your master has spoken? what is it to me what he has said?" } "This is what my master said: "Lest I make the people fly off from that city like a wild dove from its tree, lest I make them fly around like a bird over its well-founded nest, lest I requite (?) them as if at a current market rate, lest I make it gather dust like an utterly destroyed city, lest like a settlement cursed by Enki and utterly destroyed, I too utterly destroy Aratta; lest like the devastation which swept destructively, and in whose wake Inana arose, shrieked and yelled aloud, I too wreak a sweeping devastation there -- let Aratta pack nuggets of gold in leather sacks, placing alongside it the kugmea ore; package up precious metals, and load the packs on the donkeys of the mountains; and then may the Junior Enlil of Sumer have them build for me, the lord whom Nudimmud has chosen in his sacred heart, a mountain of a shining me; have them make it luxuriant for me like a boxwood tree, have them make its shining horns colourful for me as when Utu comes forth from his chamber, have them make its doorposts gleam brightly for me. Chant to him for me the holy song, the incantation sung in its chambers -- the Incantation of Nudimmud."" |
| Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta: c.1.8.2.3 After day had broken and Utu had risen, the sun god of the Land lifted his head high. The king combined the Tigris with the Euphrates. He combined the Euphrates with the Tigris. Large vessels were placed in the open air, and he stood small vessels beside them, like lambs lying on the grass. …… vessels were placed in the open air adjacent to them. Then the king, Enmerkar, the son of Utu, placed wide apart the ešda vessels, which were of gold. Thereupon, the …… clay tablet, the pointed stylus of the assembly, the golden statue fashioned on a propitious day, beautiful Nanibgal, grown with a fair luxuriance, Nisaba, the lady of broad wisdom, opened for him her holy house of wisdom. He entered the palace of heaven, and became attentive. Then the lord opened his mighty storehouse, and firmly set his great lidga measure on the ground. The king removed his old barley from the other barley; he soaked the greenmalt all through with water; its lip …… the ḫirin plant. He narrowed the meshes of the carrying nets. He measured out in full (?) the barley for the granary, adding for the teeth of locusts. He had it loaded on the packasses at whose sides reserve donkeys were placed. The king, the lord of broad wisdom, the lord of Unug, the lord of Kulaba, despatched them directly to Aratta. He made the people go on to Aratta on their own, like ants out of crevices. Again the lord added instructions for the messenger going to the mountains, to Aratta: |
| Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta: c.1.8.2.3 "Messenger, speak to your king, the lord of Kulaba, and say to him: "Let him put in his hand and contemplate a sceptre that is not of wood, nor designated as wood { -- not ildag wood, nor šim-gig wood, not cedar wood, nor cypress wood, not ḫašur cypress, nor palm wood, not hardwood, nor zabalum wood } { (1 ms. has instead:) -- not ildag wood, nor šim-gig wood, not ḫašur cypress, nor palm wood, not cedar wood, nor zabalum wood, not cypress wood, nor hardwood }, not poplar as in a chariot, not reedwork as in whip handles; not gold, nor copper, not genuine kugmea metal nor silver, not cornelian, nor lapis lazuli -- let him snap off a splinter from that and hold it in his hand; let him hold it in his hand like a string of cornelian beads, a string of lapis lazuli beads. Let the lord of Kulaba bring that before me." So say to him." |
| Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta: c.1.8.2.3 "Messenger! Speak to the lord of Aratta and say to him: "A garment that is not black-coloured, a garment that is not white-coloured, a garment that is not brown-coloured, a garment that is not red-coloured, a garment that is not yellow-coloured, a garment that is not multicoloured -- I shall give him such a garment. My champion is embraced by Enlil. I shall send him such a champion. My champion will compete against his champion, and let the more able one prevail!" Say this to him. Second, speak to him and say: "Let him immediately pass from subterfuge ……. In his city, let them go before him like sheep. Let him, like their shepherd, follow behind them. As he goes, let the mountain of bright lapis lazuli humble itself before him like a crushed reed. And let them heap up its shining gold and silver in the courtyard of Aratta for Inana the lady of E-ana." Third, speak to him and say: "Lest I make the people fly off from that city like a wild dove from its tree, lest I smash them like ……, lest I requite (?) them as if at a current market rate, lest I make …… them walk in ……, when he goes, let them take the mountain stones, and rebuild for me the great shrine Eridug, the abzu, the E-nun; let them adorn its architrave for me ……. Let them make its protection spread over the Land for me." His speaking ……. Recite his omen to him. At that time, the lord ……, …… on the throne daises and on the chairs, the noble seed, ……." |
| Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta: c.1.8.2.3 (An unidentified person speaks:) "…… befitting ……, …… the ilu song of the heart, …… your abundance in his ……. Enlil has granted you ……, and may …… be made known. …… his father was not luxuriantly fertile, and poured forth no semen. Enlil, king of all the lands ……. In accordance with the tasks which he has now established, the people of Aratta …… their task of plying gold, silver and lapis lazuli; the men who …… golden fruit, fruit trees, with their figs and grapes, shall heap the fruit up in great mounds ……; and shall dig out the flawless lapis lazuli from the roots of the trees, and shall remove the succulent part of the reeds from the crowns of the trees, and then shall heap them up in a pile in the courtyard of E-ana for Inana, the lady of E-ana." |
| Enmerkar and En-suḫgir-ana: c.1.8.2.4 This made the lord extremely happy, so he gave five minas of gold to him, he gave five minas of silver to him. He promised him that he would be allotted fine food to eat, he promised him that he would be allotted fine drink to drink." When their men are taken captive, your life …… happiness (?) in your hand (?) prosperity (?)," he promised to him. |
| 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 cursing of Agade: c.2.1.5 She then filled Agade's stores for emmer wheat with gold, she filled its stores for white emmer wheat with silver; she delivered copper, tin, and blocks of lapis lazuli to its granaries and sealed its silos from outside. She endowed its old women with the gift of giving counsel, she endowed its old men with the gift of eloquence. She endowed its young women with the gift of entertaining, she endowed its young men with martial might, she endowed its little ones with joy. The nursemaids { who cared for } { (some mss. have instead:) of } the general's children played the drumsticks. Inside the city tigi drums sounded; outside it, flutes and zamzam instruments. Its harbour where ships moored was full of joy. All foreign lands rested contentedly, and their people experienced happiness. |
| The cursing of Agade: c.2.1.5 He ripped out its drain pipes, and all the rain went back to the heavens. He tore off its upper lintel and { the Land was deprived of its ornament } { (1 ms. has instead:) the ornament of the Land disappeared }. From its Gate from which Grain is never Diverted, he diverted grain, and the Land was deprived of grain. He struck the Gate of Well-Being with the pickaxe, and well-being was subverted in all the foreign lands. As if they were for great tracts of land with wide carp-filled waters, he cast large { spades } { (1 ms. has instead:) axes } to be used against the E-kur. The people could see the bedchamber, its room which knows no daylight. The Akkadians could look into the holy treasure chest of the gods. Though they had committed no sacrilege, its laḫama deities of the great pilasters standing at the temple were thrown into the fire by Naram-Suen. The cedar, cypress, juniper and boxwood, the woods of its giguna, were …… by him. He put its gold in containers and put its silver in leather bags. He filled the docks with its copper, as if it were a huge transport of grain. The silversmiths were re-shaping its silver, jewellers were re-shaping its precious stones, smiths were beating its copper. Large ships were moored at the temple, large ships were moored at Enlil's temple and its possessions were taken away from the city, though they were not the goods of a plundered city. With the possessions being taken away from the city, good sense left Agade. As the ships { moved away from } { (some mss. have instead:) juddered } the docks, Agade's { intelligence } { (1 ms. has instead:) sanctuary } was removed. |
| The cursing of Agade: c.2.1.5 Again, Suen, Enki, Inana, Ninurta, Iškur, Utu, Nuska and Nisaba, all the gods whosoever, turned their attention to the city, and cursed Agade severely: "City, you pounced on E-kur: it is as if you had pounced on Enlil! Agade, you pounced on E-kur: it is as if you had pounced on Enlil! May your holy walls, to their highest point, resound with mourning! May your giguna be reduced to a pile of dust! May your pilasters with the standing lahama deities fall to the ground like tall young men drunk on wine! May your clay be returned to its abzu, may it be clay cursed by Enki! May your grain be returned to its furrow, may it be grain cursed by Ezina! May your timber be returned to its forest, may it be timber cursed by Ninilduma! May { the } { (1 ms. has instead:) your } cattle slaughterer slaughter his wife, may { your } { (some mss. have instead:) the } sheep butcher butcher his child! May water wash away your pauper as he is looking for ……! May your prostitute hang herself at the entrance to her brothel! May your pregnant (?) priestesses and cult prostitutes abort (?) their children! May your gold be bought for the price of silver, may your silver be bought for the price of pyrite (?), and may your copper be bought for the price of lead!" |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 Great things came to the succour of the ruler building the E-ninnu: a copper mountain in Kimaš revealed itself to him. He mined its copper onto rafts. To the man in charge of building his master's house, the ruler, gold was brought in dust form from its mountains. For Gudea refined silver was brought down from its mountains. Translucent cornelian from Meluḫa was spread before him. From the alabaster mountains alabaster was brought down to him. |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 They installed the great dining hall for the evening meals: it was as if An himself were setting out golden bowls filled with honey and wine. They built the bedchamber: it is the abzu's fruit-bearing holy meš tree among innumerable mountains. He finished with the building, which made the hearts of the gods overflow with joy. |
| The lament for Sumer and Urim: c.2.2.3 The house's great door ornament fell down, its parapet was destroyed. The wild animals that were intertwined on its left and right lay before it like heroes smitten by heroes. Its gaping-mouthed dragons and its awe-inspiring lions were pulled down with ropes like captured wild bulls and carried off to enemy territory. The fragrance of the sacred seat of Nanna, formerly like a fragrant cedar grove, was destroyed. { (1 ms. adds 1 line:) Its architrave …… gold and lapis lazuli. } The glory of the house, whose glory was once so lovely, was extinguished. Like a storm that fills all the lands, it was built there like twilight in the heavens; its doors adorned with the heavenly stars, its ……. Great bronze latches …… were torn out. Its hinges ……. Together with its door fittings it (?) wept bitterly like a fugitive. The bolt, the holy lock and the great door were not fastened for it. The noise of the door being fastened had ceased; there was no one to fasten it. The …… and was put out in the square. |
| The death of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma A): c.2.4.1.1 To Dumuzid, the beloved husband of Inana, in his palace, the shepherd Ur-Namma offered a …… sheep, ……, mountain ……, a lordly golden sceptre, …… a shining hand. { (1 ms. adds:) He …… a gold and silver ……, a lapis-lazuli ……, and a …… pin to Dimpikug ……. } |
| The death of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma A): c.2.4.1.1 To Namtar, who decrees all the fates, in his palace, the shepherd Ur-Namma offered perfectly wrought jewellery, a golden ring cast (?) as a …… barge, pure cornelian stone fit to be worn on the breasts of the gods. |
| The death of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma A): c.2.4.1.1 To the valiant warrior Ninĝišzida, in his palace, the shepherd Ur-Namma offered a chariot with …… wheels sparkling with gold, …… donkeys, thoroughbreds, …… donkeys with dappled thighs, ……, followed …… by a shepherd and a herdsman. To { Dimpimekug } { (1 ms. has instead:) Dimpikug }, who stands by his side, he gave a lapis-lazuli seal hanging from a pin, and a gold and silver toggle-pin with a bison's head. |
| The death of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma A): c.2.4.1.1 To Namtar, who decrees all (?) the fates, in his palace, the shepherd Ur-Namma offered perfectly wrought jewellery, a golden ring cast (?) as a …… barge, pure cornelian stone …… of the gods. |
| The death of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma A): c.2.4.1.1 To Dimpimekug, who stands at the right and the left (?), the shepherd Ur-Namma …… and offered in her (?) palace a golden and silver toggle-pin with a bison's head, and a lapis-lazuli seal with a golden edge and a pin of refined silver. |
| A praise poem of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma C): c.2.4.1.3 …… at a banquet with me in the city. …… joyful dance ……. I have brought abundance to Enlil's temple on the king's canal: I have directed ships both to Kar-ĝeština of Enlil and to the lapis-lazuli quay of Nanna. Alcohol and syrup have been poured out before Enlil. To me, the shepherd Ur-Namma, let life be given as a reward! For Nanna, my master, I have built his temple; as if it were a verdant hillside, I have set up the E-kiš-nu-ĝal in a great place. I have surrounded (?) its terrace with a gold and lapis-lazuli fence. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi A): c.2.4.2.01 Truly I am not boasting! Wherever I look to, there I go; wherever my heart desires, I reach. { (1 ms. adds at least 10 lines:) By the life of my father holy Lugalbanda, and Nanna the king of heaven and earth, I swear that the words written on my tablet are ……. (at least 4 lines missing or unclear) …… since the days of yore, since ………, no king of Sumer as great as I has existed for the people. } An placed a { legitimate and lofty } { (some mss. have:) golden } { (1 ms. has:) good silver } { (1 ms. has:) silver } crown firmly on my head. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi D): c.2.4.2.04 "I, the king, …… upon the foreign lands a mighty yoke …… of heroism ……, I subject their people to destruction. After setting my foot on the neck of the foreign lands, I make …… on the rebel lands. After knocking down …… like ……, and placing my foot on his head, I make him die amid dripping blood ……. Against their ……, my battle-axe gnashes and gnashes its teeth like a sharp-toothed beast. Against their ……, which are well fitted with …… axes of meteoric iron and …… gold ore, like a …… snake my mouth brings forth venom. I cut off from his strength the strong one who resorts to his strength. My …… against their warriors as if they were fish. …… the small net over their runners, I catch them like gazelles in the woods. Having …… like fire (?) against their tireless runners, I make them fall violently into a trap set with a net like wild asses. I place …… on their boastful ones in the battle. My fierce weapons pour forth venom into them like a serpent ready to bite. After tearing out the entrails of its …… who are still alive, I make the man coiling like an attacking …… snake sink his head in the dust, like an ailing, neglected (?) bull. I make their little ones who survive eat bitter dust as long as they live, like the locust which consumes everything." |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi D): c.2.4.2.04 After carrying out a noble revenge in the foreign lands, the hero had his brilliant royal barge caulked. Imbued with terrible splendour on the Exalted River, it was adorned with holy horns, and its golden ram symbol (?) gleamed in the open air. Its bitumen was the …… bitumen of Enki provided generously by the abzu; its cabin was a palace. It was decorated with stars like the sky. Its holy ……, (1 line fragmentary) |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi E): c.2.4.2.05 …… riches, or bronze and silver vessels. May the creatures of his Land reach out for what is left over and not distributed. Famine ……. May he have to pay two shekels in his city for one sila of barley. May the people wield the hoe ……. Let that man be unable to touch the drinks and foods of his palace. May …… the great sin ……. Nanna, the king of Urim, shall clamp those who look upon the balaĝ and the sim, and who touch or look at …… bread. Their lives …… death ……. (5 lines unclear or missing)…… gold ……. May a scoundrel be judge over the population of the city, and be his superior. |
| Šulgi and Ninlil's barge: a tigi (?) to Ninlil (Šulgi R): c.2.4.2.18 Your glittering golden sun-disc, fastened with leather straps, is the brilliant moonlight, shining brightly upon all the lands. Your banner, adorned with the divine powers of kingship, is a woodland of cypress trees irrigated with clean water, giving a pleasant shade. Your small reed mats are the evening sky, illuminated with stars, imbued with terrible awesomeness. In the midst of your carefully tended small gizi reeds with numerous twigs (?), flocks of little birds twitter as in a holy swamp. Their chirping, as pleasing to the heart as the sound of the churn's shaking, makes Enlil and Ninlil extremely happy (?). |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi Y): c.2.4.2.25 I lined up my gold statues and lapis-lazuli statues in the main courtyard of her E-niĝara. I filled it with treasures like those of holy Aratta. I despatched oxen and sheep to her great kitchens. I brought the abundant harvest into her imposing bakery. I …… beer in her brewery, most suited to the bronze vessels. I despatched dark beer, kurun beer, and brown beer, all brewed in its house of the pure strength (a description referring to the brewery), to her great dining hall for the evening meals. (1 line fragmentary) (unknown no. of lines missing) |
| Amar-Suena and Enki's temple (Amar-Suena A): c.2.4.3.1 …… protective deity ……. Amar-Suena …… his heart. He who …… the temple with an axe ……. Amar-Suena …… the abzu shrine. …… built with gold, and decorated with lapis lazuli. He applied himself to building the temple; King Amar-Suena applied himself to building the temple. The people turned against the king, and the foreign countries ……. |
| A balbale to Bau for Šu-Suen (Šu-Suen A): c.2.4.4.1 My one suited to a mane of hair, a wonder to behold, my lord Šu-Suen, my one …… in words, my son of Šulgi -- because I uttered, because I uttered, the lord gave me a gift, because I uttered an exclamation of joy, the lord gave me a gift. The lord gave me as a gift a golden pin, a lapis-lazuli seal. The lord gave me as a gift a golden ring, a silver ring. |
| An ululumama to Suen for Ibbi-Suen (Ibbi-Suen D): c.2.4.5.4 "Canal inspector, prince on the dais, prince with life-giving divine powers! There shall be no end to the butter and the milk of the cow in the cattle-pen -- the shrine Urim, which you have chosen in your heart, the august royal dwelling-place, the encouragement of the Land! It shall have an abundance of butter, fish, birds, births, copper and gold!" |
| Išbi-Erra and Kindattu (Išbi-Erra B): c.2.5.1.2 (1 line fragmentary) …… to return ……. He put its gold and precious belongings into sacks. As for Zinnum, who escaped from them, Enki is their maškim. He was fed at the banks of the Euphrates and Tigris and the Kir-sig and Kiš watercourses. He died of thirst, persecuted by ghosts in the dry desert. The news was brought to Kindattu, the man of Elam. Anšan cried out to Šimaški, and he approached the mountains. He addressed the assembly of his army. |
| A praise poem of Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan A + V): c.2.5.4.01 I bring great gladness to the city whose interior and exterior are as blue-green as the sky, Nibru, the mooring pole of heaven and earth. I have exempted its labourers from carrying earth in baskets, and I have freed its troops from fighting. I have released its gold, silver, cattle and sheep, the tribute of the citizens of Nibru. As for the temple of Enlil my master, for Ninlil, and for Ninurta, the mighty hero of Enlil, I have exempted their labourers from service. Filtered beer (?), barley, oil and sheep's wool have been made a tithe. I …… Sumer and Akkad. I …… wickedness and violence, and established justice in Sumer and Akkad. I am the shepherd who loves justice. I am born of Sumer, a son of Nibru. |
| A praise poem of Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan A + V): c.2.5.4.01 I am gold dust, I am lapis lazuli in its lode, I light the Land like a lamp. I am the good semen of kingship, the seed of rulership. I am the scion of a cedar, a forest of cypresses. I am boxwood decorated with …… attractiveness. I delight (?) the gods ……. |
| Išme-Dagan and Enlil's chariot: a tigi to Enlil (Išme-Dagan I): c.2.5.4.09 At that time Išme-Dagan …… decorated the chariot with silver, gold, and lapis lazuli for his king, Enlil. |
| An adab to Nanna for Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan M): c.2.5.4.13 Except you, no god …… in the entirety of heaven and earth. Bright countenance in the holy sky, you …… like daylight. The Land rejoices over the harvest, the great festival that is full of delight, and the black-headed people look to you as to their father. Great lord, you hearken to anyone who approaches you for succour; you are the beloved of the Land. Urim, the great cosmic bond of Sumer, the city that has grown as high as the heavens, joyfully becomes of one accord for you in the sanctuary built with extispicy, in your delightful cattle-pen. …… Išme-Dagan ……, may the breed-bull and the good ox mount holy cows ……, may they multiply vigorously for you. May premium …… and premium milk, the milk of your holy dining room …… become abundant there. (2 lines fragmentary)May he care properly for …… divine plans for you. May he …… for you. …… your …… filled with gold, the lady …… Ningal, on its …… appear as brightly as daylight ……. May he …… Išme-Dagan ……. |
| A praise poem of Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan AA): c.2.5.4.27 From …… he brought …… for you. …… the fates are decided ……. He set up grandly (?) for you …… that befits the majestic dais and throne of gold. They lined up before it for you …… favourable words for Sumer and Akkad. …… in the E-kur ……. food offerings. …… in the E-kur ……. …… with your right arm ……. …… Iškur …… in the E-kur. …… on its august throne. He …… a huge copper …… inspiring great awe, on your holy dais. It is to be marvelled at by the people. He …… the main task for you in your great dining hall as a regular offering forever after. |
| A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar B): c.2.5.5.2 You who speak as sweet as honey, whose name suits the mouth, longed-for husband of Inana, to whom Enki gave broad wisdom as a gift! Nisaba, the woman radiant with joy, the true woman, the scribe, the lady who knows everything, guides your fingers on the clay: she makes them put beautiful wedges on the tablets and adorns them with a golden stylus. Nisaba generously bestowed upon you the measuring rod, the surveyor's gleaming line, the yardstick, and the tablets which confer wisdom. |
| A praise poem of Enlil-bāni (Enlil-bāni A): c.2.5.8.1 Enlil-bāni, having counsel and exceptional wisdom, soothing hearts and proclaiming your judgments, wise in everything, (1 line missing)…… counsellor. When you keep in order the judgment of the black-headed and render verdicts, articulate in appropriate expressions, you know how to cleanse malice. You make justice shine like gold. You obliterate injustice. |
| A praise poem of Enlil-bāni (Enlil-bāni A): c.2.5.8.1 Your governors suffer no injuries. Your troops triumph over hostile troops. Your weapons have no rival weapons. When you take your seat, you cause all the foreign lands to bow down. All sovereigns become allies with you and you soothe their quarrels. With numerous oxen and numerous sheep, with gold, cornelian and lapis lazuli they enter your palace; with their lips they kiss the ground before you. |
| An adab to Nanna for Gungunum (Gungunum A): c.2.6.2.1 (unknown no. of lines missing) (1 line fragmentary)Gungunum …… share. May …… restore your city for you. The ……, the prince (?), the king …… has no rival. May he bring back for you the scattered people of Sumer and Akkad. Making manifest …… and perfection, may he lift his head high. May he prolong life and bounty for him (i.e. for the king), may he create life for him. His golden emblem is truly outstanding and its form is praiseworthy. He has …… you to continue the offerings to Father Enlil -- may his days be prolonged for you. |
| A praise poem of Sîn-iddinam (Sîn-iddinam A): c.2.6.6.1 …… who respects ……. Sîn-iddinam …… his departing boat. He provided flour, gold and grain, befitting the great lady. …… this choice (?) grain, …… the lapis lazuli E-kur. |
| A prayer to Nanna for Rīm-Sîn (Rīm-Sîn F): c.2.6.9.6 In this place, you see numerous tall birch trees. The door frame, the architrave, the lock, the fence (?) around the threshold, the door-leaves, the bolt, the bar of the temple, the supporting wall of the temple terrace, foundation of the innermost holy pure buildings -- all these are of very holy reeds, golden yellow or silver white. Beside the marsh of the abzu of the E-kiš-nu-ĝal, in the holy enclosure where cattle mill about, for the many lustrous …… calves to receive their presents, the …… with their calves stand before you in the sacred ……. You see the old reeds, the old reeds in the water meadows ……, the old lying reeds, the upright reeds …… well-established in these fields. Within the marsh of the abzu of the E-kiš-nu-ĝal, the holy lagoon, the reedbeds in the holy water, you see the …… reeds growing. |
| Samsu-iluna and Inana (Samsu-iluna A): c.2.8.3.1 They played (?) with golden jugs of milk; they made sweet the songs of incantation (?). They tormented those on the opposing side, the other side. |
| A hymn to Enlil for Samsu-iluna (Samsu-iluna F): c.2.8.3.6 O king, foremost one of An, chosen in his holy heart, Samsu-iluna, king, foremost one of An, chosen in his holy heart, …… rites …… august, ……, joyful, supreme, assiduous, with head high on the gold-decorated throne of …… kingship, who sits majestically …… in its midst in heroic strength, Samsu-iluna: An, the mighty king of heaven, the august judge, has assigned you a great destiny, and has made you to pass your life with a secure crown. |
| A prayer for Samsu-iluna (Samsu-iluna G): c.2.8.3.7 He greeted { Enki, Asalim and the son of Eridug } { (an Akkadian gloss has:) Ea, Marduk and Asalluḫa }, the great gods, { while sitting majestically on the golden throne of kingship with head high in heroic strength in its midst } { (an Akkadian gloss has:) on your golden throne of kingship, whose head is raised high in the strength of your heroism, may you sit majestically, Samsu-ilūna, double king }, the king of Urim and king of Larsam, the king of Sumer and Akkad. |
| Letter from Aradĝu to Šulgi about Apillaša: c.3.1.01 { When I came nearer } { (1 ms. has instead:) …… carries …… } -- well, your wayside hostel where carding-combs (?) and lances inlaid with gold, silver, cornelian and lapis lazuli have been set up, covers an area of one hectare! Apillaša himself is decked out in { gold and lapis lazuli } { (1 ms. has instead:) lapis lazuli, gold, silver and cornelian }, and he sits on a raised throne furnished with a rich raiment. His feet rest upon a golden footstool. He would not remove his feet in my presence! |
| Letter from Aradĝu to Šulgi about Apillaša: c.3.1.01 After a close interrogation at the gate, nobody even bade me enter. When I finally entered, someone brought me a throne with studs plated with red gold and told me: "Sit down!" I replied: "I am here to present the instructions of my king. Therefore I will not sit down!"" |
| Letter from Šulgi to Aradĝu about Apillaša: c.3.1.02 If I do not make my 'Sage of the Assembly' feel just as important as I am, if he does not sit on a throne on a dais, furnished with a high-quality cloth cover (?), if his feet do not rest on a golden footstool, if he is not allowed by his own highest authority both to appoint and then to remove a governor from his function as governor, an official { from his charge } { (some mss. have instead:) from his function as official } { (1 ms. has instead:) from an official }, if he does not kill or blind anyone, if he does not elevate his favourite over others -- how else can he secure the provinces? |
| Letter from Puzur-Šulgi to Šulgi about the advance of the enemy: c.3.1.07 All the { gold and silver } { (1 ms. has instead:) gold and lapis lazuli } { (1 other ms. has instead:) silver and gold } that my lord has been fashioning for the { (1 ms. adds:) great } gods -- is it not for his own life? For { the life } { (1 ms. has instead:) the well-being } of the troops and his land, my king has built the great fortress Igi-ḫursaĝa for the people of his land, because of the wicked enemy. |
| Letter from Šulgi to Išbi-Erra about the purchase of grain: c.3.1.13.2 I had Babati, the archivist -- who is to me a grandfather, an advisor of longstanding, who knows how to give advice -- send you 600 talents of silver and 600 talents of gold, which I had delivered (?) to you because (?) of the taking of …… from my troops. |
| Letter from Šulgi to Išbi-Erra about the purchase of grain: c.3.1.13.2 You are to receive the gold and silver from him, and purchase grain everywhere according to (?) whatever exchange rate they will take from you. May your …… nothing at all. |
| Letter from Šulgi to Išbi-Erra about the purchase of grain: c.3.1.13.2 So sit before them on a throne on a golden dais ……! Let their messengers prostrate themselves in front of you! May your …… at its rear; do not …… at all! |
| Letter from Ur-saga to a king fearing the loss of his father's household: c.3.3.01 Repeat to my golden statue born on a favourable day, to my water buffalo reared in a holy fold, chosen in the heart { of holy Inana } { (1 ms. has instead:) of holy Inana, …… of Suen }, to my lord, the trusted one of Inana: |
| A hymn to Asarluḫi (Asarluḫi A): c.4.01.1 (5 lines missing) …… new ……. …… august words. Enki has named you with the name Id-lu-rugu (i.e. River of the ordeal, an epithet of Asarluḫi), the sublime course ……. You cleanse the just man like gold, and you hand over the wicked to extinction. |
| Enlil in the E-kur (Enlil A): c.4.05.1 Enlil, when you marked out the holy settlements, you also built Nibru, your own city. You (?) …… the Ki-ur, the mountain, your pure place. You founded it in the Dur-an-ki, in the middle of the four quarters of the earth. Its soil is the life of the Land, and the life of all the foreign countries. Its brickwork is red gold, its foundation is lapis lazuli. You { made it glisten on high } { (1 ms. has instead:) raised its glistening top } in Sumer as if it were the horns of a wild bull. It makes all the foreign countries tremble with fear. At its great festivals, the people pass their time in abundance. |
| A balbale to Inana as Nanaya (Inana H): c.4.07.8 "Worthy of An, ……, …… unsurpassed in ladyship, a throne …… a man in the house, a throne …… a woman in the shrine, a gold ornament …… on the dress, a …… pin …… the niĝlam garment." |
| A hymn to Inana: c.4.07.a You are she who raises …… in their prayers. You are she who displays shining cornelian from the mountains to be admired. Bringing shining lapis lazuli from the bright mountain on special rafts, you are she who, like fire, melts (?) gold from Ḫarali. You are she who creates apples in their clusters (?). You are she who demands ……. You are she who creates the date spadices in their beauty. |
| A balbale to Inana (Dumuzid-Inana C): c.4.08.03 "I have put lots of kohl on my eyes, I have arranged …… the nape of my neck. I have washed my dangling hair, I have tested my weapons that make his reign propitious. I have straightened my tousled head of hair, I have tightened my loosened hairgrips, and let my hair fall down the back of my neck. I have put a golden bracelet on my wrist. I have put little lapis-lazuli beads round my neck, and arranged their buttons over my neck muscles." |
| A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana J): c.4.08.10 The little sister dwelling among them spoke to them (1 line unclear)"While we raise the song, you will lower the song." …… she did not dwell among them ……. She dwelt in the …… of the eršema (?). She dwelt …… the eršema (?), of precious metal and lapis lazuli, of the goldsmith. |
| A kunĝar to Inana (Dumuzid-Inana T): c.4.08.20 She chooses the buttocks beads and puts them on her buttocks. Inana chooses the head stones and puts them on her head. She chooses the lumps of translucent lapis lazuli and puts them on the nape of her neck. She chooses the golden genitals and puts them on the hair of her head. She chooses the ribbons (?) of gold for the ears and puts them on her ears. She chooses the burnished bronze and puts it in her ear lobes (?). She chooses that which drips with honey and puts it on her face. She chooses that of the outer shrine and puts it on her nose. She chooses the …… and puts it on her mouth. She chooses the beautiful …… ring and puts it in her navel. She chooses a well of honey and fresh water and puts it on her hips. She chooses bright alabaster and puts it on her thighs. She chooses black { …… willow (?) } { (1 ms. has instead:) fleece (?) } and puts it on her genitals. She chooses ornate sandals and puts them on her toes. |
| A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana Y): c.4.08.25 "My one distinguished by a shock of hair, my one distinguished by a shock of hair! My sweet, my one distinguished by a shock of hair! My one distinguished by a shock of hair like a palm tree! My shaggy-necked one like a tamarisk, my one distinguished by a shock of hair! My man distinguished in the assembly by your shock of hair! Rub it against our breast, my sweet! Noble one (?), honoured in the assembly with your shock of hair! Rub it against our breast, my brother with kindly eyes! My lapis lazuli beard, my fermenting-vat shock of hair! My beard mottled like lapis lazuli! My shock of hair sturdy as a fermenting vat! My ivory figurine, my golden figure! My object fashioned by a skilled carpenter! My one worked on by a skilled metal worker!" |
| A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A): c.4.14.1 At new year, on the day of rites, the lady libates water on the holy ……. On the day when the bowls of rations are inspected, Nanše also inspects the servants during the appointments. Her chief scribe Nisaba places the precious tablets on her knees and takes a golden stylus in her hand. She arranges the servants in single file for Nanše and then it will be decided whether or not a leather-clad servant can enter before her in his leather, whether or not a linen-clad servant can pass before her in his linen. Any registered and …… hired (?) person about whom observers (?) and witnesses claim to witness his fleeing from the house will be terminated in his position ……. The king who always cares for the faithful servants, Haia, the man in charge of registration, registers on a tablet him who is said to be a faithful servant of his lady but deletes from the tablet her who is said not to be the maidservant of her lady. |
| A balbale to Nanše (Nanše B): c.4.14.2 "I, the lady, will ride on my boat, I will ride home. I will ride on the prow of the boat, I will ride home." Its canopy of gold and fragrant cedarwood sparkles for her on the sea. Its cabin shines for her like rejoicing moonlight on the sea." My husband is the tax collector of the sea, Nindara is the tax collector of the sea." (2 lines unclear) |
| Nanše and the birds (Nanše C): c.4.14.3 The peacock spends the day keeping watch. The holy bird, the peacock, spends the day calling 'ḫaya'. A bird red from cornelian, blue from lapis lazuli, white (?) from chalcedony (?), with all kinds of gold, and leather inlaid with gold -- may the coppersmith fashion the peacock for you thus. |
| A balbale to Ninazu (Ninazu A): c.4.17.1 He has fixed the golden headdress on your head, making you truly perfect with it. He has …… the lordly son of his own father, the beloved of his heart. He has looked with best favour on ……. An has determined a good destiny for you. Son of Enlil king of the lands, may your splendour shine forth! My lord Ninazu, may your splendour shine forth, may your splendour shine forth! May your wife, the maiden, the good woman, Lady Ningirida, say to you: "Your house, your city!" as she steps before you in prayer, god of the Land, my lord Ninazu! |
| A tigi to Nintur (Nintur A): c.4.26.1 When Mother Nintur sat upon the throne-dais on the holy seat of joy, the seat from which she has made everything numerous, it was then that the highest divine powers, which are golden, the glory of the numerous people -- the en priesthood and the kingship -- were created for Enlil. When Nintur, Mother Nintur, sat upon the throne-dais on the seat of joy, the seat from which she has made everything numerous, it was then that the highest divine powers, which are golden, the glory of the numerous people -- the en priesthood and the kingship -- were created for Enlil. |
| A šir-namšub to Ninurta (Ninurta G): c.4.27.07 My king, you covered the edge of the sea with rays of light. On that day from the gold (?) of Ḫarali you are Ena-tum. From the cornelian and lapis lazuli of the land of Meluḫa you are Ena-tum. From the dušia stone of the land of Marḫaši you are Enakam. From the silver of fifteen cities you are Enakam. From the copper and tin of Magan you are Enakam. From the bronze of …… you are Enakam (?). From the silver of Dilmun you are Ena-tum. From the im-kalaga clay of the mouth of the hills you are Enakam. From the gypsum of the shining hills you are Enakam. (10 lines missing or fragmentary) |
| A hymn to Šul-pa-e (Šul-pa-e A): c.4.31.1 You make him shine like gold, and polish him like bronze, then you restore him to the benign hands of his god. …… shining, and lifts his head proudly. …… appears gloriously in the Land. (5 lines fragmentary) ……, you release …… for your beloved. ……, you place …… for your little ones. ……, you release …… for your little ones. ……, you release …… for your great ones. (2 lines fragmentary) …… on the fifteenth day. (4 lines fragmentary) You are the merciful king of the foreign lands ……, looking mercifully ……. (1 line fragmentary) |
| The temple hymns: c.4.80.1 O Ulmaš, upper land, …… of the Land, terrifying lion battering a wild bull, net spreading over an enemy, making silence fall upon a rebel land on which, as long as it remains insubmissive, spittle is poured! House of Inana of silver and lapis lazuli, a storehouse built of gold, your princess is an arabu bird, the Mistress of the Niĝin-ĝar. |
| The debate between Winter and Summer: c.5.3.3 Winter, lordly son of Enlil, ……, released the water of life and …… opened. He gathered the …… oxen and …… the oxen. The disputed sheep was provided, barley-fed but with a scorpion at its side. Quartz, gold and silver found in leather pouches, cedar, cypress, ……, boxwood, ……, …… tribute of the Land, figs from Mari, ……, strings of dried fruit, cool water, the tribute of the hills, …… thick honey, dida beer, ……, village ……, bibra birds, esig birds, …… birds, clipped geeese, fattened ducks, carp, …… which Winter made grow up, large pomegranates gathered from the orchards, big bunches of grapes on high, winter cucumbers, …… empty ……, brought forth …… in the early rain, large turnips, large …… cut down with the knife (?), long leeks -- Winter himself brought the tribute he had collected. |
| The debate between Winter and Summer: c.5.3.3 Summer bowed to Winter and offered him a prayer. In his house he prepared emmer-beer and wine. At its side they spend the day at a succulent banquet. Summer presents Winter with gold, silver and lapis lazuli. They pour out brotherhood and friendship like best oil. By bringing sweet words to the quarrel (?) they have achieved harmony with each other. |
| The message of Lu-diĝira to his mother: c.5.5.1 Let me give you another description of my mother: My mother is like the bright light { in the sky } { (1 ms. has instead:) on the horizon }, a doe on the hillsides. She is the morning star, { shining even at noon-time } { (1 ms. has instead:) providing plenty of light }. She is precious cornelian, a topaz from Marḫaši. She is the jewellery of a king's brother, full of beauty. She is { a cylinder seal of nir stone, an ornament like the sun } { (1 ms. has instead:) a cornelian jewel, an ornamental drinking cup } { (1 ms. has instead:) a cornelian ……, an ornament of nir stone } { (1 ms. has instead:) a …… jewel, a beautiful drinking cup }. She is a bracelet of tin, a ring of antasura metal. She is a nugget of shining gold and silver, { but which is living and draws breath …… } { (1 ms. has instead:) …… and breathing } { (1 ms. has instead:) …… place …… }. She is an alabaster statuette of a protective goddess standing on a pedestal of lapis lazuli. She is { a polished rod of ivory } { (2 mss. have instead:) a living figurine (?) }, { with limbs full of beauty } { (1 ms. has instead:) …… } { (1 ms. has instead:) full of pleasure }. |
| An elegy on the death of Nawirtum: c.5.5.3 Nibru is covered in fog (?); in the city ……. Over the multitudes a cry of woe (?) has fallen, ……. Lamenting …… like a war-cry in battle ……. (1 line unclear)They are overcome by pity for her whose life has ended. They are anguished (?) at her being laid out like a golden statue. Whoever looks upon her, will they not weep? The weeping women ……. The best songs …… of the bards of sweet words are altered everywhere into laments and moans. |
| An elegy on the death of Nawirtum: c.5.5.3 He wears their ……, he weeps for her: "O where is ……? I would call upon you! Where are Meme and the alluring protective spirits? I would call upon you! Where is the ……, the ……, the gracious words? I would call upon you! Where are my …… weapon and gloriously fashioned quiver? I would call upon you! Where is that which brightens the …… face, my noble counsel? I would call upon you! Where is my ……, my precious brilliance? I would call upon you! Where are my sweet songs which make the heart rejoice? I would call upon you! Where are my …… weapon and golden quiver which brightens the spirit? I would call upon you! Where are my dancing, hand-waving, and frolicking (?)? I would call upon you!" |
| The song of the hoe: c.5.5.4 He did this with the help of the hoe (al) -- and so daylight broke forth (aled). By distributing (altare) the shares of duty he established daily tasks, and for the hoe (al) and the carrying-basket wages were even established. Then Enlil praised his hoe (al), his hoe (al) wrought in gold, its top inlaid with lapis lazuli, his hoe (al) whose blade was tied on with a cord, which was adorned with silver and gold, his hoe (al), the edge of whose point (?) was a plough of lapis lazuli, whose blade was like a battering ram { standing up to a great (gal) wall } { (1 ms. has instead:) born for a great (gal) person (?) }. The lord evaluated the hoe (al), determined its future destiny and placed a holy crown on its head ……. |
| Proverbs: collection 2 + 6: c.6.1.02 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 9: c.6.1.09 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 19: c.6.1.19 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 24: c.6.1.24 (cf. |
| Proverbs: from Nibru: c.6.2.1 (cf. |
| Proverbs: from Urim: c.6.2.3 (cf. |
|
© Copyright 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 The ETCSL project, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford |
|