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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 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 "Aruru, Enlil's sister, Nintur, the lady of giving birth, is to get the holy birth-bricks as her prerogative. She is to carry off the lancet for umbilical cords, the special sand and leeks. She is to get the sila-ĝara bowl of translucent lapis lazuli (in which to place the afterbirth). She is to carry off the holy consecrated ala vessel. She is to be the midwife of the land! The birthing of kings and lords is to be in her hands." |
| Enki's journey to Nibru: c.1.1.4 In those remote days, when the fates were determined; in a year when An brought about abundance, and people broke through the earth like green plants -- then the lord of the abzu, King Enki, Enki, the lord who determines the fates, built up his temple entirely from silver and lapis lazuli. Its silver and lapis lazuli were the shining daylight. Into the shrine of the abzu he brought joy. |
| 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. |
| Enki's journey to Nibru: c.1.1.4 Before Lord Enki, Isimud the minister praises the temple; he goes to the temple and speaks to it. He goes to the brick building and addresses it: "Temple, built from precious metal and lapis lazuli; whose foundation pegs are driven into the abzu; which has been cared for by the prince in the abzu! Like the Tigris and the Euphrates, it is mighty and awe-inspiring (?). Joy has been brought into Enki's abzu." |
| Enki's journey to Nibru: c.1.1.4 "Your lock has no rival. Your bolt is a fearsome lion. Your roof beams are the bull of heaven, an artfully made bright headgear. Your reed-mats are like lapis lazuli, decorating the roof-beams. Your vault is a { bull } { (some mss. have instead:) wild bull } raising its horns. Your door is a lion who { seizes a man } { (1 ms. has instead:) is awe-inspiring }. Your stairway is a lion coming down on a man." |
| Enki's journey to Nibru: c.1.1.4 "Abzu, pure place which fulfils its purpose! E-engura! Your lord has directed his steps towards you. Enki, lord of the abzu, has embellished your foundation pegs with cornelian. He has adorned you with …… and (?) lapis lazuli. The temple of Enki is provisioned with holy wax (?); it is a bull obedient to its master, roaring by itself and giving advice at the same time. E-engura, which Enki has surrounded with a holy reed fence! In your midst a lofty throne is erected, your door-jamb is the holy locking bar of heaven." |
| Enki's journey to Nibru: c.1.1.4 Enlil addressed the Anuna gods: "Great gods who are standing here! Anuna, who have lined up in the Ubšu-unkena! My son, King Enki has built up the temple! He has made Eridug { rise up (?) } { (1 ms. has instead:) come out } from the ground like a mountain! He has built it in a pleasant place, in Eridug, the pure place, where no one is to enter -- a temple built with silver and decorated with lapis lazuli, a house which tunes the seven tigi drums properly, and provides incantations; where holy songs make all of the house a lovely place -- the shrine of the abzu, the good destiny of Enki, befitting the elaborate divine powers; the temple of Eridug, built with silver: for all this, Father Enki be praised!" |
| Inana and Ebiḫ: c.1.3.2 Inana, the child of Suen, put on the garment of royalty and girded herself in joy. She bedecked her forehead with terror and fearsome radiance. She arranged cornelian rosettes around her holy throat. She brandished the seven-headed šita weapon vigorously to her right and placed straps of lapis lazuli on her feet. |
| Inana and Ebiḫ: c.1.3.2 The mistress, in her rage and anger, opened the arsenal and pushed on the lapis lazuli gate. She brought out magnificent battle and called up a great storm. Holy Inana reached for the quiver. She raised a towering flood with evil silt. She stirred up an evil raging wind with potsherds. |
| Inana's descent to the nether world: c.1.4.1 "When you have entered the E-kur, the house of Enlil, lament before Enlil: "Father Enlil, don't let anyone kill your daughter in the underworld. Don't let your precious metal be alloyed there with the dirt of the underworld. Don't let your precious lapis lazuli be split there with the mason's stone. Don't let your boxwood be chopped up there with the carpenter's wood. Don't let young lady Inana be killed in the underworld."" |
| Inana's descent to the nether world: c.1.4.1 "If Enlil does not help you in this matter, go to Urim. In the E-mud-kura at Urim, when you have entered the E-kiš-nu-ĝal, the house of Nanna, lament before Nanna: "Father Nanna, don't let anyone kill your daughter in the underworld. Don't let your precious metal be alloyed there with the dirt of the underworld. Don't let your precious lapis lazuli be split there with the mason's stone. Don't let your boxwood be chopped up there with the carpenter's wood. Don't let young lady Inana be killed in the underworld."" |
| Inana's descent to the nether world: c.1.4.1 "And if Nanna does not help you in this matter, go to Eridug. In Eridug, when you have entered the house of Enki, lament before Enki: "Father Enki, don't let anyone kill your daughter in the underworld. Don't let your precious metal be alloyed there with the dirt of the underworld. Don't let your precious lapis lazuli be split there with the mason's stone. Don't let your boxwood be chopped up there with the carpenter's wood. Don't let young lady Inana be killed in the underworld."" |
| Inana's descent to the nether world: c.1.4.1 When she had entered the E-kur, the house of Enlil, she lamented before Enlil: "Father Enlil, don't let anyone kill your daughter in the underworld. Don't let your precious metal be alloyed there with the dirt of the underworld. Don't let your precious lapis lazuli be split there with the mason's stone. Don't let your boxwood be chopped up there with the carpenter's wood. Don't let young lady Inana be killed in the underworld." |
| Inana's descent to the nether world: c.1.4.1 Thus Father Enlil did not help in this matter, so she went to Urim. In the E-mud-kura at Urim, when she had entered the E-kiš-nu-ĝal, the house of Nanna, she lamented before Nanna: "Father Nanna, don't let your daughter be killed in the underworld. Don't let your precious metal be alloyed there with the dirt of the underworld. Don't let your precious lapis lazuli be split there with the mason's stone. Don't let your boxwood be chopped up there with the carpenter's wood. Don't let young lady Inana be killed in the underworld." |
| Inana's descent to the nether world: c.1.4.1 Thus Father Nanna did not help her in this matter, so she went to Eridug. In Eridug, when she had entered the house of Enki, she lamented before Enki: "Father Enki, don't let anyone kill your daughter in the underworld. Don't let your precious metal be alloyed there with the dirt of the underworld. Don't let your precious lapis lazuli be split there with the mason's stone. Don't let your boxwood be chopped up there with the carpenter's wood. Don't let young lady Inana be killed in the underworld." |
| Ninurta's return to Nibru: a šir-gida to Ninurta: c.1.6.1 "Because I am the lord of the terraced mountain ranges, in every direction ……. Because I have subjugated these mountain ranges of alabaster and lapis lazuli, the Anuna hide like mice." |
| 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 My king turned to the dušia stone. He addressed the nir, the gug (cornelian) and the zagin (lapis lazuli); the amaš-pa-e, the šaba, the ḫurizum, the gug-gazi and the marḫali; the egi-zaga, the girin-ḫiliba { , the anzugulme and the nir-mušĝir stones } { (1 ms.:), the …… and the gazi-musud stones }. Lord Ninurta, son of Enlil, fixed their destinies for …… the waterskin: |
| Ninĝišzida's journey to the nether world: c.1.7.3 Ama-šilama (Ninĝišzida's sister) said to Ninĝišzida: "The ill-intentioned demon may accept something -- there should be a limit to it for you. My brother, your demon may accept something, there should be a limit to it for you. For him let me …… from my hand the ……, there should be a limit to it for you. For him let me …… from my hand the ……, there should be a limit to it for you. For him let me …… from my hips the dainty lapis lazuli beads, there should be a limit to it for you. For him let me …… from my hips the …… my lapis lazuli beads, there should be a limit to it for you." |
| Gilgameš and Aga: c.1.8.1.1 "That man is not my king! Were that man my king, were that his angry brow, were those his bison eyes, were that his lapis lazuli beard, were those his elegant fingers, would he not cast down multitudes, would he not raise up multitudes, would multitudes not be smeared with dust, would not all the nations be overwhelmed, would not the land's canal-mouths be filled with silt, would not the barges' prows be broken, and would he not take Aga, the king of Kiš, captive in the midst of his army?" |
| Gilgameš and Ḫuwawa (Version A): c.1.8.1.5 { And a sixth time he addressed him: "By the life of my mother Ninsumun and of my father, holy Lugalbanda! No one really knows where in the mountains you live; they would like to know where in the mountains you live. Here, I have brought you rock-crystal, nir stone and lapis lazuli -- from the mountains. Couldn't I get close to you and your family? Just hand over your terrors to me! I want to become your kinsman!" Then Ḫuwawa handed over to him his sixth terror. Gilgameš's fellow-citizens who had come with him began to lop off the branches and bundle them together, so as to lay them down at the foot of the hills. } |
| Lugalbanda in the mountain cave: c.1.8.2.1 The bull that eats up the black soup, the astral holy bull-calf (i.e. the moon), came to watch over him. He shines (?) in the heavens like the morning star, he spreads bright light in the night -- Suen is greeted as the new moon; Father Nanna gives the direction for the rising Utu. The glorious lord whom the crown befits, Suen, the beloved son of Enlil, { the god } { (1 ms. has instead:) the lord } reached the zenith splendidly. His brilliance like { holy Šara } { (1 ms. has instead:) holy Utu } { (1 ms. has instead:) lapis lazuli }, his starry radiance illuminated for him the mountain cave. When Lugalbanda raised his eyes to heaven to Suen, he wept to him as if to his own father. In the mountain cave he raised to him his fair hands: |
| Lugalbanda in the mountain cave: c.1.8.2.1 As the sun was rising ……, Lugalbanda, invoking the name of Enlil, made An, Enlil, Enki and Ninḫursaĝa sit down to a banquet at the pit, at the place in the mountains which he had prepared. The banquet was set, the libations were poured -- dark beer, alcoholic drink, light emmer beer, wine for drinking which is pleasant to the taste. Over the plain he poured cool water as a libation. He put the knife to the flesh of the brown goats, and he roasted the dark livers there. He let their smoke rise there, like incense put on the fire. As if Dumuzid had brought in the good savours of the cattle pen, so An, Enlil, Enki and Ninḫursaĝa consumed the best part of the food prepared by Lugalbanda. Like the shining place of pure strength, the holy altar of Suen, ……. On top of the altar of Utu and the altar of Suen ……, he decorated the two altars with the lapis lazuli …… of Inana. Suen ……. He bathed the a-an-kar. When he had bathed the ……, he set out all the cakes properly. |
| 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." |
| Lugalbanda and the Anzud bird: c.1.8.2.2 Now Aratta's battlements are of green lapis lazuli, its walls and its towering brickwork are bright red, their brick clay is made of tinstone dug out in the mountains where the cypress grows. |
| 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 "Messenger, speak to the lord of Aratta and say to him: "The base of my sceptre is the divine power of magnificence. Its crown provides a protective shade over Kulaba; under its spreading branches holy Inana refreshes herself in the shrine E-ana. Let him snap off a splinter from it and hold that 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 Aratta bring that before me." So say to him." |
| Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta: c.1.8.2.3 "What is it to me what your master has spoken? What is it to me what he has said?" "This is what my master has spoken, this is what he has said: "The base of my sceptre is the divine power of magnificence. Its crown provides a protective shade over Kulaba; under its spreading branches holy Inana refreshes herself in the shrine E-ana.Let him snap off a splinter from it and hold that 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 Aratta bring that before me. So say to him."" |
| 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." |
| 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 Because his subjects were dispersed, he now began a mobilization of his troops. Like a wrestler who is about to enter the great courtyard, he …… his hands towards (?) the E-kur. Like an athlete bent to start a contest, he treated the giguna as if it were worth only thirty shekels. Like a robber plundering the city, he set tall ladders against the temple. To demolish E-kur as if it were a huge ship, to break up its soil like the soil of mountains where precious metals are mined, to splinter it like the lapis lazuli mountain, to prostrate it like a city inundated by Iškur -- alhough the temple was not the Mountains of Cedar-felling, he had large axes cast, he had double-edged agasilig axes sharpened to be used against it. He set spades against its roots and it sank as low as the foundation of the Land. He put axes against its top, and the temple, like a dead soldier, bowed its neck before him, and all the foreign lands bowed their necks before him. |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 "There was, furthermore, a warrior. His arm was bent, holding a lapis lazuli tablet in his hand, and he was setting down the plan of the house. The holy basket stood in front of me, the holy brick mould was ready and the fated brick was placed in the mould for me. In a fine ildag tree standing before me tigidlu birds were spending the day twittering. My master's right-side donkey stallion was pawing the ground for me." |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 "The second one, who was a warrior and whose arm was bent, holding a lapis lazuli tablet in his hand, was Nindub, putting the plan of the house on the tablet." |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 "Let me advise you and may my advice be taken. Direct your steps to Ĝirsu, the foremost house of the land of Lagaš, open your storehouse up and take out wood from it; build (?) a chariot for your master and harness a donkey stallion to it; decorate this chariot with refined silver and lapis lazuli and equip it with arrows that will fly out from the quiver like sunbeams, and with the an-kar weapon, the strength of heroism; fashion for him his beloved standard and write your name on it, and then enter before the warrior who loves gifts, before your master Lord Ninĝirsu in E-ninnu-the-white-Anzud-bird, together with his beloved balaĝ drum Ušumgal-kalama, his famous instrument to which he keeps listening. Your requests will then be taken as if they were commands; and the drum will make the inclination of the lord -- which is as inconceivable as the heavens -- will make the inclination of Ninĝirsu, the son of Enlil, favourable for you so that he will reveal the design of his house to you in every detail. With his powers, which are the greatest, the warrior will make the house thrive (?) for you." |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 He built his master's house exactly as he had been told to. The true shepherd Gudea made it grow so high as to fill the space between heaven and earth, had it wear a tiara shaped like the new moon, and had its fame spread as far as the heart of the highlands. Gudea made Ninĝirsu's house come out like the sun from the clouds, had it grow to be like hills of lapis lazuli and had it stand to be marvelled at like hills of white alabaster. |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 The built-in door-sockets of the house are laḫama deities standing by the abzu. Its timber store (?) looks like waves (?) of an enormous lagoon where snakes have dived (?) into the water. Its …… is …… full of fearsomeness. Its …… is a light floating in the midst of heaven. On the Gate where the King Enters an eagle is raising its eyes toward a wild bull. Its curved wooden posts joining above the gate are a rainbow stretching over the sky. Its upper lintel of the gate like (?) the E-ninnu stands among rumbling, roaring storms. Its awe-inspiring eyebrow-shaped arch (?) meets the admiring eyes of the gods. His white dais …… of the house is a firmly founded lapis lazuli mountain connecting heaven and earth. |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 Gudea made a paste with cornelian and lapis lazuli and applied it to the corners. He sprinkled the floor with precious oil. He made the ……, who worked there (?), leave the house. Syrup, ghee, wine, sour milk, ĝipar fruit, fig-cakes topped with cheese, dates, …… and small grapes, things untouched by fire, were the foods for the gods which he prepared with syrup and ghee. |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 Along with copper, tin, slabs of lapis lazuli, refined silver and pure Meluḫa cornelian, he set up (?) huge copper cauldrons, huge …… of copper, shining copper goblets and shining copper jars worthy of An, for laying (?) a holy table in the open air …… at the place of regular offerings (?). Ninĝirsu gave his city, Lagaš ……. He set up his bed within the bedchamber, the house's resting place; and everyone (?) rested like birds in the streets with the son of Enlil. |
| The lament for Urim: c.2.2.2 "My possessions, like a flock of rooks rising up, have risen in flight -- I shall cry "O my possessions". He who came from the south has carried my possessions off to the south -- I shall cry "O my possessions". He who came from the highlands has carried my possessions off to the highlands -- I shall cry "O my possessions". My silver, gems and lapis lazuli have been scattered about -- I shall cry "O my possessions". The swamp has swallowed my treasures -- I shall cry "O my possessions". Men ignorant of silver have filled their hands with my silver. Men ignorant of gems have fastened my gems around their necks. My small birds and fowl have flown away -- I shall say "Alas, my city". My slave-girls and children have been carried off by boat -- I shall say "Alas, my city". Woe is me, my slave-girls bear strange emblems in a strange city. My young men mourn in a desert they do not know." |
| The lament for Sumer and Urim: c.2.2.3 On that day the word of Enlil was an attacking storm. Who could fathom it? The word of Enlil was destruction on the right, was …… on the left. This is what Enlil, the one who determines destinies, did: Enlil brought down the Elamites, the enemy, from the highlands. Nanše, the noble daughter, was settled outside the city. Fire approached Ninmarki in the shrine Gu-aba. Large boats were carrying off its silver and lapis lazuli. The lady, sacred Ninmarki, was despondent because of her perished goods. On that day he decreed a storm blazing like the mouth of a fire. The province of Lagaš was handed over to Elam. And then the queen also reached the end of her time. |
| The lament for Sumer and Urim: c.2.2.3 She rode away from her possessions, she went to the mountains. She loudly sang out a lament over those untravelled mountains: "I am queen, but I shall have to ride away from my possessions, and now I shall be a slave in those parts. I shall have to ride away from my silver and lapis lazuli, and now I shall be a slave in those parts. There, slavery, …… people, who can …… it? There, slavery, Elam ……, who can …… it? Alas, the destroyed city, my destroyed house," she cried bitterly. My queen, though not the enemy, went to enemy land. Ama-ušumgal-ana …… Kisiga. Like a city ……. |
| 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 lament for Eridug: c.2.2.6 At its lion-faced gate, the place where fates are determined, it mutilated the copse (?) forming the ornament of the house ……. Ka-ḫeĝala and Igi-ḫeĝala, the doorkeepers of the house, ……. Prematurely they destroyed it utterly. They completely altered ……. At the gate of the uzga precinct, the animal-fattener …… the great offerings. Its birds and fish were neglected there. Destruction ……. Throughout his house, radiant (?) in silver and lapis lazuli, tears ……. |
| A šir-namšub (?) to Nanna for Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma E): c.2.4.1.5 The beautiful lord …… the true shepherd Ur-Namma, …… Urim ……. The silent house …… like Utu. Your name be praised indeed! Ur-Namma ……, adorned with a lapis lazuli beard ……. |
| A šir-namšub to Nanna for Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma F): c.2.4.1.6 The shepherd Ur-Namma is elevated; in the house of Suen, he is the one adorned with a lapis lazuli beard. May he pass ……! …… is good, is sweet in its luxuriance. Like Ninlil who gives birth in a storm, child of Ninsumun, she has given birth to you. May holy An sit with the shepherd! …… with the shepherd Ur-Namma. |
| 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 C): c.2.4.2.03 In the house of wise knowledge of the Land, I, Šulgi, king of Sumer, set a good example. My hand guides the holy reed stylus correctly. (4 lines unclear)…… the fields in the holy …… and the holy agricultural land with a lapis-lazuli measuring line, bringing in plentiful harvests, …… top-quality flax, top-quality barley. I am greatly expert in assigning work with the pickaxe and the brick-mould, in drawing plans, in laying foundations, and in writing cuneiform inscriptions on pedestals; I can make things absolutely clear on tablets of lapis lazuli. I also have a solidly based knowledge of the intelligent implementation of the counting, accounting and planning of the Land. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi D): c.2.4.2.04 "After I, the king, have destroyed the cities and ruined the city walls, have terrified the …… foreign lands like a flood, have scattered the seed of Gutium like seed-grain, have established Enlil's triumph, have crushed the populations as if with a pestle, have …… my heart ……, then I shall load the pure lapis lazuli of the foreign lands into leather pouches and leather bags." (approx. 5 lines missing) |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi D): c.2.4.2.04 After the king had destroyed the cities and ruined the city walls, had terrified the …… foreign lands like a flood, had scattered the seed of Gutium like seed-grain, had …… his heart ……, then he loaded the pure lapis lazuli of the foreign lands into leather pouches and leather bags. He heaped up all their treasures and amassed (?) all the wealth of the foreign lands. He invoked the name of Enlil and invoked the name of Ninlil on their fattened cattle and fattened sheep. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi D): c.2.4.2.04 "My king, ……, you have destroyed the foreign lands and plundered their cities ……; like a wild bull …… the hills ……", sang the singers for him in a song. His boatmen, in tireless effort, (1 line unclear)These, citizens of Enegir and citizens of Urim, thrust forth their …… oars at the command of the lord. He moored the boat at the temple area of Nibru, the temple area Dur-an-ki, at Enlil's Kar-ĝeština. He entered before Enlil with the silver and lapis lazuli of the foreign lands loaded into leather pouches and leather bags, all their heaped-up treasures, and with the amassed (?) wealth of the foreign lands. |
| 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 Inana for Šu-Suen (Šu-Suen C): c.2.4.4.3 You are our lord, you are our lord, of silver and lapis lazuli, you are our lord. You are our farmer who brings superb grain. |
| 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 ……. |
| A praise poem of Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan A + V): c.2.5.4.01 Since the time when Sumer and Akkad had been dispersed, no king had introduced a statue into the shining E-kur of Enlil or into the E-ĝa-ĝiš-šua beside Ninlil. Enlil opened the E-namtila to me from his loving heart. In the E-kur I arranged the great treasures, and allocated durable treasuries. For Enlil my master, I erected a throne whose form was beyond form itself. I stood the throne of Ninlil in the E-ĝa-ĝiš-šua in the Ki-ur, the great place. The throne of Enlil is not to be removed from there. I, Išme-Dagan, son of Dagan, stood the throne for Enlil my master on a dais …… of seven storms, decorated in a masterly and highly skilled manner with nir-igi and šuba stones and translucent lapis lazuli, and I seated Enlil there with my lady Ninlil. I put them into a favourable mood, with happy hearts; I delighted Enlil greatly with those thrones. I measured (?) my gift (?) for him, and my heartfelt act (?) delighted Enlil. |
| Išme-Dagan and Enlil's chariot: a tigi to Enlil (Išme-Dagan I): c.2.5.4.09 August chariot! Enlil, the lord of wisdom, the father of the gods, ordered your construction in the E-kur, his exalted shrine. He instructed Išme-Dagan, the wise shepherd called by an auspicious name, born from a beautiful mother's womb, the adviser of the Land, to make your holy and pure divine powers manifest. He set to work on you and worked without stopping. He decorated you with …… and lapis lazuli. He placed you ……. |
| 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 Ninurta for Ur-Ninurta (Ur-Ninurta C): c.2.5.6.3 Who like you is a god rising in glory, whose name reaches as far as the limits of heaven? You have given …… to the just youth, who was called from among the widespread people, engendered by the Great Mountain -- Ur-Ninurta, …… joy, to whom you have spoken favourably. On the dais …… you have bestowed on him a lapis lazuli ……. You have added years of joy to Ur-Ninurta's reign. You have built his city amid plenty, a habitation where the people are settled. May the black-headed direct their gaze at you as at the rising Utu. When you have given him the weapon that …… the hostile foreign lands, that makes the earth tremble, ……, you will completely devastate the populations that are disobedient to him. Uta-ulu, let Ur-Ninurta grasp (?) it in his hand. |
| 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. |
| 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 praise poem of Sîn-iddinam (Sîn-iddinam A): c.2.6.6.1 "As I bring this choice grain to the lapis lazuli E-kur for you, may he hasten (?) …… thick bread …… like this threshed (?) grain. Let us give him years of favour, days of life and months of success. In his palace you (?) will bring to him (?) in perfection what pleases the spirit and gladdens the heart. May you be the gift of life for Sîn-iddinam, who discourses (?) pleasingly! May the royal throne rise high and endure eternally! Forever make foreign lands submit to his great name!" |
| 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 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. |
| A hymn to Bau's beneficent protective goddess (Bau A): c.4.02.1 …… with a lovely head, full of beauty, …… of lapis lazuli, lovely ……, giving advice, radiant in prayer (?), (1 line fragmentary) …… may she favour the king. (1 line fragmentary) (unknown no. of lines missing) |
| 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 hymn to Inana (Inana C): c.4.07.3 The great gods kissed the earth and prostrated themselves. The high mountain land, the land of cornelian and lapis lazuli, bowed down before you, but Ebiḫ did not bow down before you and did not greet you. Shattering it in your anger, as desired, you smashed it like a storm. Lady, pre-eminent through the power of An and Enlil, ……. Without you no destiny at all is determined, no clever counsel is granted favour. |
| A hymn to Inana (Inana C): c.4.07.3 My lady, let me proclaim your magnificence in all lands, and your glory! Let me praise your ways and greatness! Who rivals you in divinity? Who can compare with your divine rites? May great An, whom you love, say for you "It is enough!". May the great gods calm your mood. May the lapis lazuli dais, fit for ladyship, ……. May your magnificent dwelling place say to you: "Be seated". May your pure bed say to you: "Relax". Your ……, where Utu rises, ……. |
| 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 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 balbale (?) to Inana (Dumuzid-Inana P): c.4.08.16 The queen ……. Outside (?) the city, the house (?) …… lapis lazuli ……. In my sanctuary, …… in prayer, in holy prayer, ……. I am Inana …… powerful garment. The gala singer …… in song, the musician performs a hymn. My bridegroom rejoices beside me, the { wild bull } { (1 ms. has instead:) lord } Dumuzid rejoices beside me. |
| A kunĝar to Inana (Dumuzid-Inana T): c.4.08.20 …… he who cools, who cools ……. He who uproots the grass for holy Inana, who uproots ……. He who gathers the dates, …… the date palm. He who gathers the dates for holy Inana, …… the date palm. Let him bring her water, let him bring her water, and black emmer seeds. With the water let him bring Inana a heap, and white emmer seeds. The man brings, the man brings, he brings a heap of stones to choose from. The man brings to the maiden Inana, he brings a heap of stones to choose from. He gathers the lapis lazuli from the top of the heap. He gathers the lapis lazuli for Inana from the top of the heap. |
| 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 kunĝar to Inana (Dumuzid-Inana T): c.4.08.20 The lord meets her for whom lapis lazuli was gathered from the heap. Dumuzid meets Inana for whom lapis lazuli was gathered from the heap. The shepherd of An, the servant of Enlil, the lord meets her. The servant of An, the herdsman of Enlil, Dumuzid meets her. The lord meets her at the lapis lazuli door which stands in the ĝipar shrine. Dumuzid meets her at the narrow door which stands in the storehouse of E-ana. |
| A kunĝar to Inana (Dumuzid-Inana T): c.4.08.20 "Let them …… for me into my house, my house. Let them …… into my house, my house for me, the queen. Let them …… for me into my ĝipar shrine. Let them erect for me my flowered bed. Let them spread it for me with herbs like translucent lapis lazuli. For me let them bring in the man of my heart. Let them bring in to me my Ama-ušumgal-ana. Let them put his hand in my hand, let them put his heart by my heart. As hand is put to head, the sleep is so pleasant. As heart is pressed to heart, the pleasure is so sweet." |
| 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 song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana C1): c.4.08.29 At her mother's bidding, Inana bathed in water and anointed herself with sweet oil. She covered her body with a grand robe; she also took her pin. She straightened the lapis lazuli stones on her neck, and grasped her cylinder seal in her hand. The young lady stepped forward as Dumuzid pushed open the door, and like a moonbeam she came forth to him from the house. He looked at her and rejoiced in her; he embraced her and kissed her. (1 line fragmentary) (approx. 9 lines missing) |
| A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana D1): c.4.08.30 He who excels at the ceremonies of queenship has lined with his straw the flowered couch, inlaid with lapis lazuli, which Gibil has purified for you in the Iri-gal shrine and, in the house which he has sanctified for you with his sweet reeds, he is performing the purification rites for you. |
| A balbale to Inana (Dumuzid-Inana E1): c.4.08.31 (1 line fragmentary) …… gathers ……, …… on her ears. She blends (?), she blends (?) ……. She blends (?) kohl. She lets down her hair which was combed up. She bathes and rubs herself with soap. She rubs herself with soap from the white bowl, she bathes with water from the holy ewer. She anoints herself with sweet oil from the stone bowl. She dresses in her laundered clothes. She combs up her hair which was let down. She paints her eyes with kohl. She puts the lapis lazuli beads on her neck, arranging their button on her neck sinews. She …… a cylinder seal on the nape of her neck. She covers her body with a queenly robe. |
| A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana F1): c.4.08.32 …… my side. …… on a bed dripping with honey. …… his hand in my hand. …… his foot by my foot. …… my lips on his mouth. (2 lines fragmentary)…… like a bracelet on my hand. …… lapis lazuli on my neck. …… like silver …… of my bridegroom. |
| A balbale to Suen (Nanna A): c.4.13.01 How many there are! How many cows there are! How many cattle of Suen there are! The dark ones are translucent lapis lazuli; the pale cows are the light of the risen moon. The little ones trickle down like barleycorns for you; the large ones throng together like wild bulls for you. The Glory of Heaven (Suen) has undone the halters of the numerous cows in his teeming herd. He has poured out milk from the beautiful cows at the offering table; his bright hands ever pour the milk. After my king has completed the work, Suen …… the shining halter …… the cows, he …… the cows, he …… the cows. He acts as the herder of the cows. |
| A balbale to Nanna (Nanna D): c.4.13.04 They are as numerous, as numerous as the grasses which break through the earth. Nanna, in the …… they are as numerous as the grasses which break through the earth. Their …… are translucent lapis lazuli. Their …… are the colour of the rising moon. The cows with their calves are numerous and are precious šuba stone. …… built and …… together. In their …… he chooses ……. |
| Nanše and the birds (Nanše C): c.4.14.3 She herself …… upon the water like a large pelican (?). Stepping onto earth from heaven, she …… in the water like a holy cow. A holy pelican (?), a white cow, she drank by the water's side. With the towering flood ……. Nanše, shining …… of the Anuna, the great gods! Mistress, Mother Nanše, good woman, ……! Nanše, sister praised by the Anuna! Mother, beautiful matriarch of Enlil! { Nanše } { (1 ms. has instead:) My lady }, delighting in her pelican (?), erected a lapis lazuli shrine, and set the holy pelican (?) by her feet. |
| 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. |
| An adab to Ninisina (Ninisina E): c.4.22.5 The lord wise in all matters, the Great Mountain, Father Enlil, the foremost among the Anuna gods, looked favourably on her who offered him salutations in all humility. The respected god …… the office of accountant …… lapis lazuli …… who provides the great gods with food, …… Ninisina, …… the rank of lady …… her greatness. |
| An adab to Ninisina (Ninisina E): c.4.22.5 The lord wise in all matters, the Great Mountain, Father Enlil, the foremost among the Anuna gods, looked favourably on Ninisina offering him salutations in humility. The respected god …… the office of accountant …… lapis lazuli …… who provides the great gods with food, …… Ninisina, …… the office of ladyship …… her greatness. (unknown no. of lines missing) |
| Ninurta's journey to Eridug: a šir-gida to Ninurta (Ninurta B): c.4.27.02 At the word of Enlil, you rise up (?), warrior Ninurta. Your kingship's fearsomeness and awesome radiance covers the rebellious lands. Warrior, you harrow and you fortify the Land. From the heart of the mountains you bring down silver and lapis lazuli, the treasures of the mountains ……, to your father Enlil. On the horizon ……. At evening ……, …… companion ……. Lord who destroys the foreign lands, who always claims (?) victory, Ninurta you are the warrior of Enlil; you are authoritative in heaven, warrior ……. (unknown no. of lines missing) |
| 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 šir-namšub to Utu (Utu F): c.4.32.f (Inana speaks:) "My brother, awe-inspiring lord, let me ride with you to the mountains! Lord of heaven, awe-inspiring lord, lord, let me ride with you to the mountains; to the mountains of herbs, to the mountains of cedars, to the mountains; to the mountains of cedars, the mountains of cypresses, to the mountains; to the mountains of silver, the mountains of lapis lazuli, to the mountains; to the mountains where the gakkul plants grow, to the mountains; to the distant source of the rolling rivers, to the mountains." |
| The temple hymns: c.4.80.1 O house which comes forth from heaven, resplendent in Kulaba, shrine E-babbar (Shining house), shining bull, lift your neck to Utu who …… in the sky! Your shining horns are aggressive, holy and lustrous. Bearing a beard of shining lapis lazuli, ……, your prince, the mighty sunlight, the lord who …… the true word, who lightens the horizon, who lightens the sky's …… vault, Utu, the sovereign of E-babbar, has erected a house in your precinct, O house Larsam, and taken his seat upon your dais. |
| The temple hymns: c.4.80.1 O Iri-kug (Holy city), shrine of holy An, which caused the human seed to come forth, called by a good name, within you is the river of ordeal which vindicates the just man. E-ĝalga-sud (House which spreads counsel far and wide), storehouse which eternally possesses silver and lapis lazuli, E-tar-sirsir, from which decisions and the divine powers come forth, where the hero performs obeisance, your princess, the merciful princess of the Land, is the mother of all lands. The lady, the great healer of the black-headed who determines the destiny of her city, the first-born daughter of holy An, the maiden, Mother Bau, has erected a house in your precinct, O house Iri-kug, and taken her seat upon your dais. |
| The temple hymns: c.4.80.1 O mighty Urum where Suen pronounces judgment, E-ab-lua (House with teeming cattle), wide cattle-yard, Ašimbabbar acts as your shepherd. House, my sovereign, your sceptre reaches to heaven, …… to the earth, moonlight ……, celebration, your …… may …… the light. Your prince, the prince of holy celebration, ……, who appears in the lapis lazuli coloured sky, a celebration, to whom the hero pays homage ……, who brightens the Land, …… Suen, has erected a house in your precinct, O house Urum, and taken his seat upon your dais. |
| 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 temple hymns: c.4.80.1 O house of stars, bright E-zagin (Lapis lazuli house), reaching into all lands, establishing …… in the shrine, Ereš! The primeval lords raise their heads to you every month. …… the potash plant, great Nanibgal, Nisaba, has brought divine powers from heaven and added to your divine powers. |
| The temple hymns: c.4.80.1 Sanctuary established for ……! To the true woman who possesses exceeding wisdom, soothing …… and opening the mouth, always consulting a tablet of lapis lazuli, giving advice to all lands, the true woman, the holy potash plant, born of the stylus reed, applies the measure to heaven and places the measuring-rope on the earth -- to Nisaba be praise! |
| 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 }. |
| 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 ……. |
| The instructions of Šuruppag: c.5.6.1 You should not choose a wife during a festival. Her inside is illusory (?); her outside is illusory (?). { The silver on her is borrowed; the lapis lazuli on her is borrowed } { (1 ms. has instead the line:) ……; the jewellery on her is borrowed, the jewellery on her is borrowed }. The dress on her is borrowed; the linen garment on her is borrowed. With …… nothing (?) is comparable. |
| Proverbs: collection 2 + 6: c.6.1.02 That which is pierced through its side is indeed lapis lazuli! |
| Proverbs: collection 3: c.6.1.03 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 4: c.6.1.04 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 12: c.6.1.12 (= Alster 1997 12 Sec. A 4) { …… seeking …… sent back (?) } { (1 ms. has instead:) …… revealed …… lapis lazuli …… }. |
| Proverbs: collection 22: c.6.1.22 (cf. |
| Proverbs: from Urim: c.6.2.3 (cf. |
| Proverbs: from Urim: c.6.2.3 (cf. |
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