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© Copyright 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 The ETCSL project, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford |
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| ETCSLtranslation |
| Enki and the world order: c.1.1.3 Grandiloquent lord of heaven and earth, self-reliant, Father Enki, engendered by a bull, begotten by a wild bull, cherished by Enlil, the Great Mountain, beloved by holy An, king, meš tree planted in the Abzu, rising over all lands; great dragon who stands in Eridug, whose shadow covers heaven and earth, a grove of vines extending over the Land, Enki, lord of plenty of the Anuna gods, Nudimmud, mighty one of the E-kur, strong one of heaven and earth! Your great house is founded in the Abzu, the great mooring-post of heaven and earth. Enki, from whom a single glance is enough to unsettle the heart of the mountains; wherever bison are born, where stags are born, where ibex are born, where wild goats are born, in meadows ……, in hollows in the heart of the hills, in green …… unvisited by man, you have fixed your gaze on the heart of the Land as on split reeds. |
| Ninurta's return to Nibru: a šir-gida to Ninurta: c.1.6.1 The sovereign, with his heroic arms, Ninurta, the son of Enlil, in his great might, brought forth the Six-headed wild ram from the shining, lofty house. He brought forth the Warrior dragon from the great fortress of the mountains. He brought forth the Magilum boat from …… his abzu. He brought forth the Bison from his battle dust. He brought forth the Mermaid from the limits of heaven and earth. He brought forth the Gypsum from the soil of the mountain range. He brought forth the Strong copper from the shattered mountain range. He brought forth the Anzud bird from the ḫalub-ḫaran tree. He brought forth the Seven-headed serpent from the …… of the mountains. |
| Ninurta's return to Nibru: a šir-gida to Ninurta: c.1.6.1 He hung the Six-headed wild ram on the dust-guard. He hung the Warrior dragon on the seat. He hung the Magilum boat on the ……. He hung the Bison on the beam. He hung the Mermaid on the foot-board. He hung the Gypsum on the forward part of the yoke. He hung the Strong copper on the inside pole pin (?). He hung the Anzud bird on the front guard. He hung the Seven-headed serpent on the shining cross-beam. |
| Ninurta's return to Nibru: a šir-gida to Ninurta: c.1.6.1 "Now I have reestablished my heroic strength in the mountains. On my right, I bear my Mows-down-a-myriad. On my left, I bear my Crushes-a-myriad. I bear my Fifty-toothed-storm, my heavenly mace. I bear the hero who comes down from the great mountains, my No-resisting-this-storm. I bear the weapon which devours corpses like a dragon, my agasilig axe. I bear my ……." |
| Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta: c.1.6.2 { (1 ms. adds before line 1:) An, king of the gods, majestic one: } O king, storm of majestic splendour, peerless Ninurta, possessing superior strength; who pillages the mountains all alone; deluge, indefatigable serpent hurling yourself at the rebel land, hero striding formidably into battle; lord whose powerful arm is fit to bear the mace, reaping like barley the necks of the insubordinate; Ninurta, king, son in whose strength his father rejoices; hero whose awesomeness covers the mountains like a south storm; Ninurta, who makes the good tiara, the rainbow (?), flash like lightning; grandly begotten by him who wears the princely beard; dragon who turns on himself, strength of a lion snarling at a snake, roaring hurricane; Ninurta, king, whom Enlil has exalted above himself; hero, great battle-net flung over the foe; Ninurta, with the awesomeness of your shadow extending over the Land; releasing fury on the rebel lands, overwhelming their assemblies! Ninurta, king, son who has forced homage to his father far and wide! |
| Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta: c.1.6.2 "Hero, pitfall (?), net of battle, Ninurta, king, celestial mace …… irresistible against the enemy, vigorous one, tempest which rages against the rebel lands, wave which submerges the harvest, king, you have looked on battles, you have …… in the thick of them. Ninurta, after gathering the enemy in a battle-net, after erecting a great reed-altar, lord, heavenly serpent, purify your pickaxe and your mace! Ninurta, I will enumerate the names of the warriors you have already slain: the Kuli-ana, the Dragon, the Gypsum, the Strong Copper, the hero Six-headed Wild Ram, the Magilum Boat, Lord Saman-ana, the Bison Bull, the Palm-tree King, the Anzud bird, the Seven-headed Snake -- Ninurta, you slew them in the mountains." |
| Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta: c.1.6.2 Since the hero had killed the Asag, since the lord had made that pile of stones, since he had given the order "Let it be called Stone", since he had …… the roaring dragon, since the hero had traced the way of the waters …… down from above, since he had brought them to the fertile fields, since he had made famous the plough of abundance, since the lord had established it in regular furrows, since Ninurta son of Enlil had heaped up grain-piles and granaries -- Ninurta son of Enlil entrusted their keeping to the care of the lady who possesses the divine powers which exist of themselves, who is eminently worthy of praise, to Nisaba, good lady, greatly wise, pre-eminent in the lands, her who possesses the principal tablet with the obligations of en and lugal, endowed by Enki on the Holy Mound with a great intelligence. |
| Gilgameš and Ḫuwawa (Version A): c.1.8.1.5 Utu accepted his tears as a fitting gift. As befits a compassionate person, he turned to him full of compassion: "Now there are seven warriors, sons of a single mother. The first, their eldest brother, has lion's paws and eagle's talons. The second is a …… snake, ……. The third is a dragon snake, ……. The fourth blazes with fire ……. The fifth is a …… snake, ……. The sixth { (1 ms. adds:), a shackle that …… the rebel lands in the hills, } beats at the flanks of the mountains { like a battering flood } { (1 ms. has instead:), floodwater that destroys all }. The seventh …… flashes like lightning, and no one can deflect { it } { (1 ms. has instead:) its power }. { (1 ms. adds 4 lines:) (4 lines fragmentary) } { (another ms. adds instead 6 lines:) (2 lines fragmentary) …… kingship ……. Nisaba has bestowed …… on you in addition. They ……, and know the routes on earth. They will help you find the …… of the way. } They should guide you to the place in the mountains where the boats have to be pulled from the water! { The warrior, youthful Utu, gave these seven to Gilgameš. } { (3 mss. have instead the line, placed after line 43:) These seven the warrior, youthful Utu, gave to Lord Gilgameš. } The feller of cedars was filled with joy; Lord Gilgameš was filled with joy." |
| Gilgameš and Ḫuwawa (Version A): c.1.8.1.5 "My master, you have not yet really seen that person, he should not vex you. -- But he vexes me -- me, who have seen him before. His pugnacious mouth is a dragon's maw; his face is a lion's grimace. His chest is like a raging flood; no one { dare approach } { (1 ms. has instead:) can escape from } his brow, which devours the reedbeds. { (2 mss. adds 1 line:) A man-eating lion, he never wipes away the blood from his slaver. } { (1 ms. adds instead 5 lines:) (1 line fragmentary) …… a lion eating a corpse, he never wipes away the blood (3 lines fragmentary) } Travel on, my master, up into the mountains! -- but I shall travel back to the city. If I say to your mother about you "He is alive!", she will laugh. But afterwards I shall say to her about you "He is dead!", and she will certainly weep { over you } { (1 ms. has instead:) bitterly }." { (1 ms. adds:) …… replied to ……: } |
| Lugalbanda and the Anzud bird: c.1.8.2.2 Then the men of Unug followed them as one man; they wound their way through the hills like a snake over a grain-pile. When the city was only a double-hour distant, the armies of Unug and Kulaba encamped by the posts and ditches that surrounded Aratta. From the city it rained down javelins as if from the clouds, slingstones numerous as the raindrops falling in a whole year whizzed down loudly from Aratta's walls. The days passed, the months became long, the year turned full circle. A yellow harvest grew beneath the sky. They looked askance at the fields. Unease came over them. Slingstones numerous as the raindrops falling in a whole year landed on the road. They were hemmed in by the barrier of mountain thornbushes thronged with dragons. No one knew how to go back to the city, no was rushing to go back to Kulaba. In their midst Enmerkar son of Utu was afraid, was troubled, was disturbed by this upset. He sought someone whom he could send back to the city, he sought someone whom he could send back to Kulaba. No one said to him "I will go to the city." No one said to him "I will go to Kulaba." He went out to the foreign host. No one said to him "I will go to the city." No one said to him "I will go to Kulaba." He stood before the élite troops. No one said to him "I will go to the city." No one said to him "I will go to Kulaba." A second time he went out to the foreign host. No one said to him "I will go to the city." No one said to him "I will go to Kulaba." He stepped out before the élite troops. |
| Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta: c.1.8.2.3 After he had thus spoken to him, the messenger went on his way to Aratta; his feet raised the dust of the road, and made the little pebbles of the hills thud; like a dragon prowling the desert, he was unopposed. After the messenger reached Aratta, the people of Aratta stepped forward to admire the packasses. In the courtyard of Aratta, the messenger measured out in full (?) the barley for the granary, adding for the teeth of locusts. As if from the rains of heaven and the sunshine, Aratta was filled with abundance. As when the gods return to their seats (?), Aratta's hunger was sated. The people of Aratta covered their fields with the water-soaked greenmalt. Afterwards, couriers and šatam officials ……. (2 lines unclear) |
| The cursing of Agade: c.2.1.5 The life of Agade's sanctuary was brought to an end as if it had been only the life of a tiny carp in the deep waters, and all the cities were watching it. Like a mighty elephant, it bent its neck to the ground while they all raised their horns like mighty bulls. Like a dying dragon, it dragged its head on the earth and they jointly deprived it of honour as in a battle. |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 As they placed wooden beams on the house, they looked like dragons of the abzu coming out all together, they were like …… of heaven ……, they were like huge serpents of the foothills ……. The reeds cut for the house were like mountain snakes sleeping together. Its upper parts were covered with luxuriant cedar and cypress, and they put white cedars in its inner room of cedar, marvellous to behold. They treated them with good perfume and precious oil. The mud-wall of the house was covered with the abundance (?) of the abzu and they tied its …… to it. The shrine of E-ninnu was thus placed in the …… hand of An. |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 He made its door-sockets stand like wild bulls and he flanked them with dragons crouching on their paws like lions. He had its terraced tower (?) grow on a place as pure as the abzu. He made the metal tops of its standards twinkle as the horns of the holy stags of the abzu. Gudea made the house of Ninĝirsu stand to be marvelled at like the new moon in the skies. |
| 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 The shining roof-beam nails hammered into the house are dragons gripping a victim. The shining ropes attached to the doors are holy Niraḫ parting the abzu. Its …… is pure like Keš and Aratta, its …… is a fierce lion keeping an eye on the Land; nobody going alone can pass in front of it. |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 They sheared the black ewes and milked the udder of the cow of heaven. They cleaned the E-ninnu, they polished it with brooms of tamarisk and ……. The ruler made the whole city kneel down, made the whole land prostrate itself. He levelled what was high, rejected chance utterances (?); the sorcerers' spittle (?) was removed from the roads. In the city only the mother of a sick person administered a potion. The wild animals, creatures of the steppe, all had crouched together. The lions and the dragons of the steppe were lying asleep. |
| 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. |
| A šir-namšub (?) to Nanna for Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma E): c.2.4.1.5 In your interior, the evildoer dare not lay hold of the holy statutes. E-kiš-nu-ĝal, the evil-doer cannot even come to know your interior, which is a dragon. House, your terrace …… Enlil …… your offerings. At your Dubla-maḫ, the place where the fates are determined, the great gods determine the fates. Worthy of the E-temen-ni-guru, born ……, your name be praised indeed! |
| A praise poem of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma H): c.2.4.1.8 (1 line fragmentary) …… with silver and lapis lazuli ……. …… like silver …… in the Land. …… in (?) the desert. Lion (?) and dragon ……. Ur-Namma, king of the Land, far and distant (?) (unknown no. of lines missing) |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi A): c.2.4.2.01 I, the king, was a hero already in the womb; I, Šulgi, was born to be a mighty man. I am a fierce-looking lion, begotten by a dragon. I am the king of the four regions; I am the herdsman and shepherd of the black-headed people. I am a respected one, the god of all the lands.1 |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02 I stride forward in majesty, trampling endlessly through the esparto grass and thickets, capturing elephant after elephant, creatures of the plain; and I put an end to the heroic roaring in the plains of the different liona, the dragons of the plains, wherever it approaches from and wherever it is going. I do not go after them with a net, nor do I lie in wait for them in a hide; it comes to a confrontation of strength and weapons. I do not hurl a weapon; when I plunge a bitter-pointed lance in their throats, I do not flinch at their roar. I am not one to retreat to my hiding-place but, as when one warrior kills another warrior, I do everything swiftly on the open plain. In the desert where the paths peter out, I reduce the roar at the lair to silence. In the sheepfold and the cattle-pen, where heads are laid to rest (?), I put the shepherd tribesmen at ease. Let no one ever at any time say about me," Could he really subdue them all on his own?" The number of lions that I have despatched with my weapons is limitless; their total is unknown. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi C): c.2.4.2.03 I am the king, a wild bull of acknowledged strength, a lion with wide-open jaws! I am Šulgi, a wild bull of acknowledged strength, a lion with wide-open jaws! I am a great storm let loose from heaven, sending its splendour far and wide! I am good stock, with brindled body, engendered by a breed-bull! I am a king born from a cow, resting amid butter and milk! I am the calf of a thick-necked white cow, reared in the cow-pen! Dressed in a …… royal robe and holding out a sceptre, I am perfect for ……. I am also the good shepherd who takes joy in justice, the scourge and stick of all evil! Strength of lions, hero of battle -- I have no rivals! Handsome of limb, ferocious lion, I am perfection in warfare! Grasping a lapis-lazuli mace and a battle-axe, with long fingers I sharpen a tin knife to untie knots. In the turbulent affray of battle, in the conflict, I shoot out my tongue, a mušḫuš darting out its tongue at the foreign lands, a dragon raging (?) at men. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi D): c.2.4.2.04 O my king, great bull with splendid limbs, dragon with a lion's eyes! Shepherd Šulgi, great bull with splendid limbs, dragon with a lion's eyes! Bull-calf born in the cattle-pen of abundance, thriving there! Mighty one fit for heroism, the ornament of his Land! Righteous man, invested with justice by Utu! Fierce leopard who feeds on rich milk, rampant bull who was born to be a great beast! A lapis-lazuli beard, a holy breast -- marvellous to behold! O king, joy of the royal tiara! Šulgi, ornament of the legitimate crown, wearing the diadem of godhead, named by An with a good name! Good shepherd, endowed with strength by Enlil, Šulgi, the beloved of Ninlil's heart! |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi D): c.2.4.2.04 You destroy the offspring of ……. You are mighty, ……. You are brave, ……. When in the E-kur ……, in the hostile foreign lands you plunder cities; like a panting lion, you ……; like a cheetah, you ……; a dragon, you ……; (2 lines missing)You hurl angry words against the people of the foreign lands that are hostile to Nanna. You are adorned with splendid horns, like a virile wild bull born to be a great wild bull. You are a chariot, a waggon set on the road. Like a noble ass, by your vigorous running you bring joy to Enlil. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi E): c.2.4.2.05 No one can get near my inspired troops. Running quite alone into the foreign lands unknown to him, like a lion that has seized a wild cow in its claws, I tear its flesh apart. Like a solitary dragon I spread fear, as I proceed unflaggingly against the civilised towns and make them quiver like flames (?) at my frightful roaring. Spine-chilling yells and raging flames are cast at the hills. |
| An adab (?) to Utu for Šulgi (Šulgi Q): c.2.4.2.17 Youthful Utu ……, …… from Uraš; brilliant light, great lion, ……, hero emerging from the holy interior of heaven, storm whose splendour covers the Land and is laden with great awesomeness; Utu, king of justice that befits the true offspring, made Šulgi, the trustworthy shepherd, glorious in the battle. The great wild bull, youthful Utu, who like a torch illuminates the Land from the holy heavens; the wise one of all the countries, the fearsome radiance of (?) Uraš, the just god among the Anuna gods, the long (?), holy dragon, the first-born son cherished by Suen, the lord born to command -- Utu bestowed the kingship of the Land on Šulgi. |
| Šulgi and Ninlil's barge: a tigi (?) to Ninlil (Šulgi R): c.2.4.2.18 Your woven …… is ……. Your covering reed-mats are the daylight spreading wide over the holy settlements. Your timbers are sniffing (?) …… reptiles crouching on their paws. Your punting poles are dragons sleeping a sweet sleep in their lair. Your strakes (?) are …… snakes, ……. Your floor-planks are flood-currents, sparkling altogether in the pure Euphrates. Your side-planks, which are fastened into their fixed places (?) with wooden rings (?), are a stairway leading to a mountain spring (?), a …… filled with ……. Your holy …… are persisting and firmly founded abundance. Your bench is a lofty dais erected in the midst of the abzu. Your …… is Aratta, full-laden with treasures. Your door, facing the sunrise, is a …… bird, carrying a …… in its talons while spreading wide its wings. |
| A tigi to Ninurta for Šulgi (Šulgi T): c.2.4.2.20 Lord, perfect warrior, beloved by ……. Ninurta, meš tree with a broad shining canopy, ……. Weapon striding into battle, …… foreign countries. A dragon with a terrifying face, venomous snake who …… its venom against the rebel lands. …… overpowering ……, foremost lion ……. Ninurta, who …… with the great prince Enki. My king, in your city, shrine Nibru, ……. E-šu-me-ša, where …… for you. Lord, the kingship is perfect with you ……. Adviser, the dragon of the Land, ……. Ninurta, the great wall of Nibru, ……. My king, whose divine powers cannot be scattered, warrior ……. Forceful lion, ……. King with the broad wisdom of heaven and earth, ……. Exalted sceptre rising above the Land, ……. Ninurta, who …… the enemy, ……. |
| A tigi to Ninurta for Šulgi (Šulgi T): c.2.4.2.20 Warrior, powerful lord, overpowering ……. Ninurta, terrible storm, powerful fire, ……. Frightening storm, raging against the rebellious lands, …… lion. Dragon spreading terror, lord without rival ……. King with broad wisdom, neck-stock of gods. …… given strength ……. …… trustworthy ……, Šulgi …… (1 line fragmentary)You have chosen …… among your own …… in your heart. ……, Ninurta, be praised. |
| A dedication of a statue (Šulgi V): c.2.4.2.22 Enlil, the beaming light, ……, whose utterance is immutable, the most powerful of the Anuna gods, ……, looked (?) favourably (?) at Šulgi, the fearsome dragon ……, the king, the creation of his hands. He granted (?) him great strength. His roar fills (?) the whole extent (?) of heaven and earth. |
| A tigi (?) to Ninurta for Šu-Suen (Šu-Suen D): c.2.4.4.4 My king, you alone perform the ancient rites, a truly immense task. Ninurta, yellow evening light that casts fear over the Land, like holy Uraš, a fearsome dragon brandishing a terrible torch! Ninurta, you alone perform the ancient rites, a truly immense task. Ninurta, yellow evening light that casts fear over the Land, like holy Uraš, a fearsome dragon raising a terrible torch! My king, grandiloquent great warrior, confident in his strength! And may you, Šu-Suen, put your trust in him, in Lord Ninurta. May Šu-Suen, the king whom Enlil has appointed for you, be your constable. Ninurta, grandiloquent great warrior, confident in his strength! And may you, Šu-Suen, put your trust in him, in Lord Ninurta. May Šu-Suen, the king whom Enlil has appointed for you, be your constable. …… of nir stone, …… holy and fearsome ……, a truly immense task. Like …… your august strength, he has written your name on it. …… will be the guardian of his life forever. Šu-Suen! Holy and fearsome, a truly immense task. Like …… your august strength, he has written your name on it. …… will be the guardian of his life forever. (1 line missing) |
| An adab (?) to Suen for Šu-Suen (Šu-Suen F): c.2.4.4.6 …… imbued with awesomeness, a dragon for the heavens, …… imbued with awesomeness, …… in the heavens, ……, the prince who trusts in you, my Šu-Suen, …… has embraced ……. …… all the lands in their vastness, …… the sceptre of distant days. The people of the rebel lands, …… all of them ……, have entrusted …… to Šu-Suen for the beneficent princely son of Enlil. My king ……, Šu-Suen …… in celebration! |
| An ululumama to Suen for Ibbi-Suen (Ibbi-Suen D): c.2.4.5.4 Great lord, light holding his head high in the vault of the sky, …… brilliance, Suen, powerful dragon from the high mountains shedding light on the people, light of the remote heavens, crown ……, joy of the father who begot him! Impressive son born of Ninlil, respected in the E-kur, visible even at noontime, youthful Suen, …… light of heaven, whose majestic radiance is visible even at noontime, light who illuminates the black-headed people, Father Nanna, emerging from the remote (?) ……, understanding well how to make the night pleasant! Respected prince who, when he appears, is the glorious radiance of the heavens! |
| An adab to Nergal for Šu-ilīšu (Šu-ilīšu A): c.2.5.2.1 Warrior with head held high, respected lord, son who rises up to protect his father, Nergal, angry sea, inspiring fearsome terror, whom no one knows how to confront, youth whose advance is a hurricane and a flood battering the lands, Nergal, dragon covered with gore, drinking the blood of living creatures! |
| A šir-namerima (?) for Iddin-Dagan (Iddin-Dagan D): c.2.5.3.4 Lady whose tempest, like a raging storm, …… the interior of heaven and the trembling earth, whose upraised fierce face, like a fire, rips the bodies of the enemy; who, like a dragon, does not bring up venom in her place where ……, paws of a lion, sharpened knives, claws constantly dripping blood, …… which prick the body with fear! When you draw through the flesh the scalpel and the lancet, knives like lion's claws -- the bodies of the black-headed people tremble because of you! |
| An adab (?) to Enki for Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan D): c.2.5.4.04 Great lord, prominent (?) among the gods, your judgments are clever and powerful! Father Enki, respected one, supreme dragon, who determines the fates firmly, who has taken his seat upon the numerous divine powers in colourful brilliance (?), great prince, the guardian of the gods, …… of holy An! |
| A tigi (?) to Ninurta for Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan O): c.2.5.4.15 Great hero, strongest in heaven and earth! Ninurta, who controls perfectly the fifty divine powers in the E-kur! …… governor for his father, rising raging storm, who extends terror …… towards the foreign countries. …… roaring ……, who casts fear upon the people, who has no rival! Ninurta, surpassing in vigour! …… great and majestic strength ……, …… of Enlil, …… of Enlil, ornament of the august shrine! …… whose radiance ……! (1 line fragmentary) …… the neck-stock of the gods. (1 line fragmentary) …… among the Anuna gods. …… exceptionally mighty ……. …… lord, the son of Enlil, who has come forth from the hills, and rides (?) upon the numerous divine powers. …… great hero, surpassing dragon, perfect lord, …… without rival (?)! Great hero confident in his strength! (1 line fragmentary) ……, whose decisions cannot be countermanded, …… what he says is firm. …… august son of Enlil! …… overpowers (?) the mountains, …… the Great Mountain Enlil …… in the E-kur, throughout the entire extent of heaven and earth. …… his great …… covers ……. …… raging ……. (1 line fragmentary) (up to 8 lines missing) |
| A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar A): c.2.5.5.1 I am a gaping dragon, a source of great awe for the soldiers. I am like the Anzud bird, peering about in the heart of the mountains. I am a wild bull whom nobody dare oppose in its anger. I am a bison, sparkling with beautiful eyes, having a lapis-lazuli beard; I am ……. With my kind eyes and friendly mouth, I lift people's spirits. I have a most impressive figure, lavishly endowed with beauty. I have lips appropriate for all words. As I lift my arms, I have beautiful fingers. I am a very handsome young man, fine to admire. |
| An adab to Ninurta for Ur-Ninurta (Ur-Ninurta C): c.2.5.6.3 Hero, terror-inspiring dragon of exceptional fearsome terror, powerful Ninurta! Rising hurricane, ……, mighty possessor of august strength, who lets no foreign land escape! Fitted for heroism from the womb, unrivalled! |
| An adab to Ninurta for Būr-Suen (Būr-Suen A): c.2.5.7.1 Warrior, surpassing dragon ……; Ninurta, surpassing dragon ……, …… Būr-Suen, whom you have truthfully chosen. |
| A hymn to Nanna for Gungunum (Gungunum B): c.2.6.2.a (unknown no. of lines missing) (1 line fragmentary)In the whole heaven and on the whole earth Ašimbabbar has made …… great (?). The respected one, the singular dragon, the god made manifest, ……, the flourishing one, the lord who …… the moonlight -- supporting you, youthful Gungunum ……. The lord, the good wild bull, the first-born son of Enlil ……, the youthful Suen who listens to prayers ……, has made prince Gungunum's reign long ……. When my king stands in the sky …… beauty. When youthful Suen stands in the sky …… beauty. The splendid son of Nunamnir ……. |
| A hymn to Numušda for Sîn-iqīšam (Sîn-iqīšam A): c.2.6.7.1 Snarling lion fiercely poised for the fight, …… snake spitting roaring at the enemy, great dragon …… holy incantations, whose knees never cease from running! Fearsome flood which no one can withstand, overflowing high water engulfing the banks! (1 line unclear)God, creative (?) personage who has no rival, foremost in heroism, who can rival you? Numušda, your face is that of a lion, and you have a muzzle like that of a fearsome mušḫuš. |
| Letter from Aba-indasa to Šulgi about his neglect: c.3.1.21 Dogs devour corpses, lifting their chests. When dragons kill, what is left from their mouths is put aside. Fire consumes reedbeds even though they have waterways. Utu, who eats butter, who eats cream, nevertheless touches the table of the poor. { (1 ms. adds:) Grant me my life and hold my hands! I am a son of a widow, and I have no one to take care of me. } |
| Enlil in the E-kur (Enlil A): c.4.05.1 He alone is the prince of heaven, the dragon of the earth. The lofty god of the Anuna himself determines the fates. No god can look upon him. His great minister and { commander } { (1 ms. has instead:) chief barber } Nuska learns his commands and his intentions from him, consults with him and then executes his far-reaching instructions on his behalf. He prays to him with holy prayers (?) and divine powers (?). |
| A hymn to Ḫendursaĝa (Ḫendursaĝa A): c.4.06.1 So as to integrate securely into the cattle-pen the bull that has been bought, so as to make the sheep that have been bought multiply in the sheepfold, so as to make the slave that has been bought behave submissively in the house of his master, so as to test the liquid capacity of a one-litre pot; so that, when the Herald signals with his horn to the troops before the mêlée of battle and the warriors go forth to the high plain, the Herald will force the dragons back from the roads, so that the Herald Ḫendursaĝa will make them very frightened -- praise be to the youthful Utu, who has kindly supported the excellent power of the Herald, and praise be to Father Enki, who has kindly supported the excellent power of Ḫendursaĝa! |
| The exaltation of Inana (Inana B): c.4.07.2 Lady of all the divine powers, resplendent light, righteous woman clothed in radiance, beloved of An and Uraš! Mistress of heaven, with the great diadem, who loves the good headdress befitting the office of en priestess, who has seized all seven of its divine powers! My lady, you are the guardian of the great divine powers! You have taken up the divine powers, you have hung the divine powers from your hand. You have gathered up the divine powers, you have clasped the divine powers to your breast. Like a dragon you have deposited venom on the foreign lands. When like Iškur you roar at the earth, no vegetation can stand up to you. As a flood descending upon (?) those foreign lands, powerful one of heaven and earth, you are their Inana. |
| A hymn to Inana as Ninegala (Inana D): c.4.07.4 (7 lines unclear) …… you are the great goddess. (2 lines unclear)The levy of troops is brought into the broad square like a crouching dragon. The young woman abandons the E-maḫ, destroying the temple like my ……. The young man who has come to know your eminence makes a gesture of obeisance. |
| A tigi to Inana (Inana E): c.4.07.5 Lady whom Ningal has joyously made attractive with beauty, speed has been given to you as to a dragon. Inana whom Ningal has joyously made attractive with beauty, speed has been given to you as to a dragon. |
| A tigi to Inana (Inana E): c.4.07.5 Lady, throughout heaven and earth who knows from you the intentions of your heart, those great matters? All heaven trembles (?) at your word, a double-twined thread which cannot be separated. Your father Enlil has given this to you. Ama-ušumgal-ana competes majestically for you in battle, cutting a swathe like a dragon. |
| A tigi to Inana (Inana E): c.4.07.5 Inana, lady, throughout heaven and earth who knows from you the intentions of your heart, those great matters? All heaven trembles (?) at your word, a double-twined thread which cannot be separated. Your father Enlil has given this to you. Ama-ušumgal-ana competes majestically for you in battle, cutting a swathe like a dragon. |
| A hymn to Martu (Martu B): c.4.12.2 …… watching over ……, gathering together …… the divine powers, …… peerless dragon, …… named in heaven and earth with an august name, ……, engendered by great An and brought up on his holy knees, ……, born by Uraš, (1 line unclear) cherished and granted a favourable destiny by the Great Mountain Enlil, ……, not wearying of …… its beauty. Proud one among the great gods, …… hearts, …… pure ……, shining purification rites, his conduct ……. His words …… cannot be unravelled, his intelligence and counsel ……, …… distant ……, …… leader …… (at least 26 lines missing) |
| A šir-namgala to Nanna (Nanna L): c.4.13.12 Nanna, dragon of heaven and earth, standing ……, fixing the months and the new moon, sets the year in its place. Suen, lord, in heaven you alone are majestic. Lord, light of heaven, you are positioned forever. To prolong years of abundance, causing the early flood and unceasing abundance, to make firm the quays, to regulate the nipples of heaven, to establish celebration, …… to bring speckled grain, to ……, ……, to make firm the lofty dais of E-kiš-nu-ĝal, Nanna, to make firm the seat of kingship of the Land, (3 lines fragmentary) |
| A hymn to Nanna (Nanna M): c.4.13.13 Born in the mountains and coming forth in joy, he is a powerful force, a lion, a dragon, a mighty lord -- Suen, mouth like a dragon's, ruler of Urim! Nanna, born in the mountains and coming forth in joy, he is a powerful force, a lion, a dragon, a mighty lord -- Suen, mouth like a dragon's, ruler of Urim! |
| A hymn to Nisaba (Nisaba A): c.4.16.1 Dragon emerging in glory at the festival, Aruru (mother goddess) of the Land, …… from the clay, calming { …… } { (1 ms. has instead:) the region with cool water }, lavishing { fine oil } { (3 mss. have instead:) plenty } on the foreign lands, engendered in wisdom by the Great Mountain (Enlil)! Good woman, chief scribe of An, record-keeper of Enlil, wise sage of the gods! |
| A balbale to Ninĝišzida (Ninĝišzida A): c.4.19.1 Hero, lord of field and meadow, lion of the distant mountains! Ninĝišzida, who brings together giant snakes and dragons! Great wild bull who, in the murderous battle, is a flood that ……! Beloved by his mother, he to whom Ningirida gave birth from her luxurious body, who drank the good milk at her holy breast, who sucked in lion's spittle, who grew up in the abzu! August išib priest who holds the holy ešda vessels, checker of tablets, who secures justice ……! King, wild bull with tall limbs (?), who directs speech aright, and who hates wickedness! Mighty power, whom no one dare stop when he spreads confusion! Mighty Ninĝišzida, whom no one dare stop when he spreads confusion! |
| A balbale to Ninĝišzida (Ninĝišzida B): c.4.19.2 Lord with holy dignity, imbued with great savage awesomeness! My king, Lord Ninĝišzida, imbued with great savage awesomeness! Hero, falcon preying on the gods, my king -- dignified, with sparkling eyes, fully equipped with arrows and quiver, impetuous leopard, murderous, howling mušḫuš, { …… } { (1 ms. has instead:) …… }, dragon snarling (?) in the lagoon, raging storm { reaching } { (1 ms. has instead:) covering } all people! Lofty-headed prince, resting in the midst of the mountains, …… smashing heads! |
| Ninisina and the gods (Ninisina F): c.4.22.6 In ……, a dragon lying in wait for men, a …… sticking out its tongue at everybody, my lady is indeed Nungal. |
| Ninurta's journey to Eridug: a šir-gida to Ninurta (Ninurta B): c.4.27.02 Ninurta, who together with An determines the destiny in the abzu, in Eridug, what you say takes the breath away; the fate you determine is immutable. Just as (?) for your statements, so also for your determining of fates, the heroic gods of the abzu salute you. O king, just as (?) you raise your head in the abzu, so, Ninurta, may you raise your head in Eridug! The Anuna gods speak in praise of your heroism. King, …… the E-kur; Ninurta, …… the E-kur; …… great …… its house. Dragon, lion, its abundance ……. |
| A šir-namšub to Ninurta (Ninurta G): c.4.27.07 The enemy …… on the wall, and pays homage. My king, if only he knew your outstanding strength! Hero Ninurta, if only he knew your mighty awesomeness! If only he knew your devouring of men like a lion! If only he knew your …… like a dragon! If only he knew your …… kid and lamb like a lion! |
| A hymn to Nungal (Nungal A): c.4.28.1 House whose foundations are laden with great awesomeness! Its gate is the yellow evening light, exuding radiance. Its stairs are a great open-mouthed dragon, lying in wait for men. Its door jamb is a great dagger whose two edges …… the evil man. Its architrave is a scorpion which quickly dashes from the dust; it overpowers everything. Its projecting pilasters are lions; no one dare rush into their grasp. Its vault is the rainbow, imbued with terrible awe. Its hinges are an eagle whose claws grasp everything. Its door is a great mountain which does not open for the wicked, but does open for the righteous man who was not brought in through its power. Its bars are fierce lions locked in stalwart embrace. Its latch is a python, sticking out its tongue and hissing. Its bolt is a horned viper, slithering in a wild place. House, surveying heaven and earth, a net spread out! No evildoer can escape its grasp, as it drags the enemy around. |
| The temple hymns: c.4.80.1 Your lady Inana who ……, who adorns the woman and covers the man's head with a cloth, the one with a lustrous …… suḫ crown, the dragon of Niĝin-ĝar, the queen of heaven and earth, Inana, has erected a house in your precinct, O E-ana, and taken her seat upon your dais. |
| The temple hymns: c.4.80.1 Your lady Inana, the ……, the singular woman, the dragon who speaks hostile words to ……, who shines in brightness, who goes against the rebel land, through whom the firmament is made beautiful in the evening, the great daughter of Suen, holy Inana, has erected a house in your precinct, O house Zabalam, and taken her seat upon your dais. |
| The temple hymns: c.4.80.1 O E-sikil (Pure house) whose pure divine powers are supreme in all lands, whose name is high and mighty, magnificent dwelling of the warrior, holy house of Ninazu, house of the holy divine powers! House, your divine powers are pure divine powers, your lustration is a cleansing lustration. The warrior refreshes himself in your dwelling. Ninazu dines on your platform. Your sovereign, the great lord, the son of Enlil, is a towering lion spitting venom over hostile lands, rising like the south wind against enemy lands, snarling like a dragon against the walls of rebel lands, a storm enveloping the disobedient and trampling on the enemy. |
| The Keš temple hymn: c.4.80.2 House given birth by a lion, whose interior the hero has embellished (?)! House Keš, given birth by a lion, whose interior the hero has embellished (?)! The heroes make their way straight into its interior. Ninḫursaĝa sits within like a great dragon. Nintur the great mother assists at births there. Šul-pa-e the ruler acts as lord. Ašgi the hero consumes the contents of the vessels (?). Urumaš, the great herald of the plains, dwells there too. Stags are gathered at the house in herds. Will anyone else bring forth something as great as Keš? Will any other mother ever give birth to someone as great as its hero Ašgi? Who has ever seen anyone as great as its lady Nintur? |
| The debate between Copper and Silver: c.5.3.6 (Copper speaks:) "Hills and depths ……. My harrow ……. Levelling all the mounds ……, Strong Copper directs (?) the way. A dragon ……. Strong Copper …… the fields. Turbulent waters …… ewes. Strong Copper …… the mighty waters." Enlil ……. (1 line fragmentary) Silver …… Strong Copper …… (10 lines fragmentary) (8 lines missing) |
| The song of the hoe: c.5.5.4 The king who measured up the hoe (al) and who passes (zal) his time in its tracks, the hero Ninurta, has introduced working with the hoe (altar) into the rebel (bal) lands. He subdues (alĝaĝa) any city that does not obey its lord. Towards heaven he roars (algigi) like a storm, earthwards he strikes (alĝaĝa) like a dragon (ušumgal). Šara { sat down on } { (1 ms. has instead:) got onto } Enlil's knees, and Enlil gave him what he had desired (al-dug): { he had mentioned the mace, the club, arrows and quiver, and the hoe (al) } { (3 mss. have instead:) he desired (al-dug) the mace, the club, arrows and quiver }. Dumuzid is the one who makes the upper land fertile (allumlum). Gibil made his hoe (al) raise its head towards the heavens -- he caused the hoe (al), sacred indeed, to be refined with fire. The Anuna were rejoicing (alḫulḫuledeš). |
| The song of the hoe: c.5.5.4 In the sky there is the altirigu bird, the bird of the god. On the earth there is the hoe (al): a dog in the reedbeds, a dragon (ušumgal) in the forest. On the battlefield, there is the dur-allub battle-axe. By the city wall there is the battle-net (alluḫab). On the dining-table there is the bowl (maltum). In the waggon shed, there is the sledge (mayaltum). In the donkey stable there is the cupboard (argibil). The hoe (al)! -- the sound of the word is sweet: it also occurs (munĝal) on the hillsides: the tree of the hillsides is the allanum oak. The fragrance of the hillsides is the arganum balm. The precious stone of the hillsides is the algameš steatite. |
| Proverbs: from Nibru: c.6.2.1 …… more than a house …… field ……. The dragon doesn't …… its rival. In building a house …… (1 line fragmentary)…… of the strong man. …… its roar, the lion won't cease ……. |
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