The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature

ETCSLtranslation

Result: 33 paragraph(s)

Enki and the world order: c.1.1.3
He presented animals to those who have no city, to those who have no houses, to the Martu nomads.

Enki and the world order: c.1.1.3
Enki presented animals to those who have no city, who have no houses, to the Martu nomads.

The marriage of Martu: c.1.7.1
The people living around the city hung up nets, the people living around Inab hung up nets, hung up nets, chased gazelles and killed the gazelles as one kills humans. One day, as the evening came, and they had reached the place of rations, they established the rations before the god ……(The correct form of this name is not known). The ration of a married man was established as double, the ration of a man with a child was established as triple; the ration of a single man was established as single; but the ration of Martu, though being single, was also established as double.

The marriage of Martu: c.1.7.1
Martu went home to his own mother, and spoke to her: "In my city I am among my friends and they all have already married wives; I am there among my mates, and they all have already married wives. Unlike my friends in my city I am single, I am single and I have no children. Yet the imposed share exceeds that of my friends; over and above that of my mates, I received half of theirs."

The marriage of Martu: c.1.7.1
One day, as the evening came, and they had reached again the place of rations, they established the rations before the god ……(The correct form of this name is not known). The ration of a married man was established as double, the ration of a man with a child was established as triple; the ration of a single man was established as single; but the ration of Martu, though he was single, was also established as double.

The marriage of Martu: c.1.7.1
Martu went home to his own mother, and spoke to her: "My mother, find me a wife to marry and I will bring you my ration." His own mother replied to Martu: "Su-ḫenuna, my son, I will give you advice; may my advice be heeded. I shall say a word to you; you should pay attention to it. Marry a wife of your choice, marry a wife of your heart's desire, give me thus a companion, …… me a slave-girl. Having built the houses of (?) your people living around the city, and …… gardens, you will dig the wells of (?) your mates. Martu, …… mates ……"

The marriage of Martu: c.1.7.1
At that time a festival was announced in the city; a festival was announced in the city of Inab. (Martu said:) "Come, friends, let us go, let us go there, let us visit the ale-houses of Inab, let us go there." The god Numušda participated in the festival; his beloved daughter Adĝar-kidug participated in the festival, his wife Namrat, the lovely woman participated in the festival. In the city, bronze šem drums were rumbling, and the seven ala drums resounded as strong men, girdled champions, entered the wrestling house to compete with each other for Numušda in the temple of Inab. There were many coming to Inab, the city where the festival was taking place, to marvel at this. There were many coming to Inab, the city where the festival was taking place, to marvel at this.

The marriage of Martu: c.1.7.1
For Numušda, because he was holy (?), Martu too strode around the great courtyard to compete in wrestling at the gate of Inab. They kept looking for strong fighters for him, they kept offering him strong fighters. Martu strode around in the great courtyard. He hit them with a destructive …… one by one. In the great courtyard, in the battle he caused them to be bandaged; in the great courtyard of Inab he lifted the bodies of the dead.

The marriage of Martu: c.1.7.1
Rejoicing over Martu, Numušda offered him silver, but he would not accept it. He offered jewels, but he would not accept them. Having done so a second time, having done so a third time (Martu says): "Where does your silver lead? Where do your jewels lead? I, Martu, would rather marry your daughter, I would rather marry your daughter Adĝar-kidug." (8 lines missing)

The marriage of Martu: c.1.7.1
The days have multiplied, no decision has yet been made. (Adĝar-kidug's girlfriend speaks to her:) "Now listen, their hands are destructive and their features are those of monkeys; he is one who eats what Nanna forbids and does not show reverence. They never stop roaming about ……, they are an abomination to the gods' dwellings. Their ideas are confused; they cause only disturbance. He is clothed in sack-leather ……, lives in a tent, exposed to wind and rain, and cannot properly recite prayers. He lives in the mountains and ignores the places of gods, digs up truffles in the foothills, does not know how to bend the knee, and eats raw flesh. He has no house during his life, and when he dies he will not be carried to a burial-place. My girlfriend, why would you marry Martu?"Adĝar-kidug replies to her girlfriend: "I will marry Martu!"

Gilgameš, Enkidu and the nether world: c.1.8.1.4
"Did you see him who lied to the gods while swearing an oath?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "He drinks …… which has been drunk …… the libation place at the entrance (?) to the nether world." "Did you see the citizen of Ĝirsu who refused (?) water to his father and his mother?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "In front of each of them are a thousand Martu, and his spirit can neither …… nor ……. The Martu at the libation place at the entrance (?) to the nether world ……." "Did you see the citizens of Sumer and Akkad?" "I saw them." "How do they fare?" "They drink the water of the …… place, muddy water." "Did you see where my father and my mother live?" "I saw them." "How do they fare?" "Both of them drink the water of the …… place, muddy water."

Lugalbanda and the Anzud bird: c.1.8.2.2
After he had stood before the summoned assembly, within the palace that rests on earth like a great mountain Enmerkar son of Utu berated Inana: "Once upon a time my princely sister holy Inana summoned me in her holy heart from the bright mountains, had me enter brick-built Kulaba. Where there was a marsh then in Unug, it was full of water. Where there was any dry land, Euphrates poplars grew there. Where there were reed thickets, old reeds and young reeds grew there. Divine Enki who is king in Eridu tore up for me the old reeds, drained off the water completely. For fifty years I built, for fifty years I was successful. Then the Martu peoples, who know no agriculture, arose in all Sumer and Akkad. But the wall of Unug extended out across the desert like a bird net. Yet now, here in this place, my attractiveness to her has dwindled. My troops are bound to me as a cow is bound to its calf; but like a son who, hating his mother, leaves his city, my princely sister holy Inana has run away from me back to brick-built Kulaba. If she loves her city and hates me, why does she bind the city to me? If she hates the city and yet loves me, why does she bind me to the city? If the mistress removes herself from me to her holy chamber, and abandons me like an Anzud chick, then may she at least bring me home to brick-built Kulaba: on that day my spear shall be laid aside. On that day she may shatter my shield. Speak thus to my princely sister, holy Inana."

Lugalbanda and the Anzud bird: c.1.8.2.2
Holy Lugalbanda answered her: "What Enmerkar son of Utu quoth and what he says, what your brother quoth and what he says, is: "Once upon a time my princely sister holy Inana summoned me in her holy heart from the mountains, had me enter brick-built Kulaba. Where there was a marsh then in Unug, it was full of water. Where there was any dry land, Euphrates poplars grew there. Where there were reed thickets, old reeds and young reeds grew there. Divine Enki who is king in Eridu tore up for me the old reeds, drained off the water completely. For fifty years I built, for fifty years I was successful. Then the Martu peoples, who know no agriculture, arose in all Sumer and Akkad. But the wall of Unug extended out across the desert like a bird net. Yet now, here in this place, my attractiveness to her has dwindled. My troops are bound to me as a cow is bound to its calf; but like a son who, hating his mother, leaves his city, my princely sister holy Inana has run away from me back to brick-built Kulaba. If she loves her city and hates me, why does she bind the city to me? If she hates the city and yet loves me, why does she bind me to the city? If the mistress removes herself from me to her holy chamber and abandons me like an Anzud chick, then may she at least bring me home to brick-built Kulaba: on that day my spear shall be laid aside. On that day she may shatter my shield. Speak thus to my princely sister, holy Inana.""

Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta: c.1.8.2.3
"Chant to him the holy song, the incantation sung in its chambers -- the incantation of Nudimmud: "On that day when there is no snake, when there is no scorpion, when there is no hyena, when there is no lion, when there is neither dog nor wolf, when there is thus neither fear nor trembling, man has no rival! At such a time, may the lands of Šubur and Ḫamazi, the many-tongued, and Sumer, the great mountain of the me of magnificence, and Akkad, the land possessing all that is befitting, and the Martu land, resting in security -- the whole universe, the well-guarded people -- may they all address Enlil together in a single language! For at that time, for the ambitious lords, for the ambitious princes, for the ambitious kings, Enki, for the ambitious lords, for the ambitious princes, for the ambitious kings, for the ambitious lords, for the ambitious princes, for the ambitious kings -- Enki, the lord of abundance and of steadfast decisions, the wise and knowing lord of the Land, the expert of the gods, chosen for wisdom, the lord of Eridug, shall change the speech in their mouths, as many as he had placed there, and so the speech of mankind is truly one.""

The cursing of Agade: c.2.1.5
Its king, the shepherd Naram-Suen, rose as the daylight on the holy throne of Agade. Its city wall { , like a mountain, } { (1 ms. has instead:), a great mountain, } reached the heavens. It was like the Tigris { going to } { (some mss. have instead:) flowing into } the sea as holy Inana opened the portals of its city-gates and made Sumer bring its own possessions upstream by boats. The highland Martu, people ignorant of agriculture, brought spirited cattle and kids for her. The Meluḫans, the people of the black land, brought { exotic wares } { (some mss. have instead:) wares of foreign countries } up to her. Elam and Subir loaded themselves with goods for her as if they were packasses. All the governors, the { temple administrators } { (1 ms. has instead:) generals }, and the accountants of the Gu-edina regularly supplied the monthly and New Year offerings. What a weariness all these caused at Agade's city gates! Holy Inana could hardly receive all these offerings. As if she were a citizen there, she could not restrain (?) the desire (?) to prepare the ground for a temple.

A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02
When I …… like a torrent with the roar of a great storm, in the capture of a citadel in Elam ……, I can understand what their spokesman answers. By origin I am a son of Sumer; I am a warrior, a warrior of Sumer. Thirdly, I can conduct a conversation with a man from the black mountains. Fourthly, I can do service as a translator with a man of Martu, a man of the mountains ……. I myself can correct his confused words in his own language. Fifthly, when a man of Subir yells ……, I can even distinguish the words in his language, although I am not a fellow-citizen of his. When I provide justice in the legal cases of Sumer, I give answers in all five languages. In my palace no one in conversation switches to another language as quickly as I do.

A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi C): c.2.4.2.03
Since I am also wise and highly intelligent, (5 lines fragmentary) Also I know the Martu language as well as I do Sumerian. …… mountain people walking in the hills ……, they greet me and I reply to them in the Martu language. Also I know the Elamite language as well as I do Sumerian. …… in Elam ……, they greet me and I reply in Elamite. (4 lines missing or fragmentary) In wrestling and athletics I am ……. I am the shepherd who with nimbly gripping fingers ……. Who can resist me, on the exercise ground as well as in battle? The greatest heroes of the Land, the notable strong men and athletes from the foreign lands, the swift (?) of Sumer, the totality of combatants, …… at my wrists. (1 line unclear)I am powerful in athletics, and I am strong …… in wrestling. I am Šulgi, the good shepherd of Sumer, and no one can equal me!

A praise poem of Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan A + V): c.2.5.4.01
In accordance with the great destiny decided by Father Enlil, my battle-cry overspreads the remotest parts of the mountains. In the rebel cities no one approaches me or fixes their weapons against me. They bring (?) their tribute spontaneously at Enlil's command. …… to the mountains. …… nir-igi stone, cornelian, …… stone, { …… their stones } { (some mss. have instead the line:) …… time-consuming labour, ……, labour for the king }. For me the black-headed bring great timbers …… to the Land, while Dilmun bestows lavishly on me its linen, dates and date spadices. The Martu, who know no houses, who know no cities -- primitives who live in the hills -- bring me row upon row of woolly alum sheep. From the upland mountains, from the …… places, cedar, zabalum, cypress and boxwood were together brought to me. Enlil, my master, who batters the foreign lands into submission, kept the people on a single track, and made them unanimous for me, who am all for Enlil, who am the beloved of E-kur.

Letter from Aradĝu to Šulgi about irrigation work: c.3.1.03
My lord, you have given me instructions about every matter, from the sea and the land of Dilmun, { from the salt waters and the borders of the land of the Martu } { (some mss. have instead:) to the salt waters and the borders of the land of the Martu }, { to } { (1 ms. has instead:) from } the { side (?) } { (1 ms. has instead:) borders (?) } of Simurrum and { the territory of …… } { (1 ms. has instead:) the territory of Subir }:

Letter from Aradĝu to Šulgi about the fortress Igi-ḫursaĝa: c.3.1.06
As to the fortification which my lord sent me back to, the work on it has been put into effect. The approach of the enemy is kept at a distance from the Land. My lord continues to maintain his sublime reputation in the south and the uplands, from the rising to the setting sun, as far as the borders of the entire Land. { The rebellious (?) Martu have turned back …… } { (an Akkadian gloss has instead:) The totality …… }.

Letter from Šulgi to Išbi-Erra about the purchase of grain: c.3.1.13.2
From today (?), you are my son who makes me happy. The cities of (?) the province (?), the land of the Martu, Elam -- all of them I have placed before you: you are just as important as I am.

Letter from Šarrum-bāni to Šu-Suen about keeping the Martu at bay: c.3.1.15
You sent me a message ordering me to work on the construction of the great fortification Murīq-Tidnim. { You presented yourself before me } { (1 ms. has instead:) A messenger presented himself before me }, announcing: "The Martu have invaded the land." { You instructed me } { (1 ms. has instead:) You have imposed on me as a task (?) } to build the fortification, so as to cut off their route; also, that no breaches of the Tigris or the Euphrates should cover the fields with water.

Letter from Šarrum-bāni to Šu-Suen about keeping the Martu at bay: c.3.1.15
When I was constructing this fortification to the length of 26 danna, and had reached the area between the two mountain ranges, I was informed of the Martu camping within the mountain ranges because (?) of my building work. Simurrum had come to their assistance. So I set off to the area between the mountain ranges of Ebiḫ in order to engage in military action.

Letter from Išbi-Erra to Ibbi-Suen about the purchase of grain: c.3.1.17
I heard news that the hostile Martu have entered inside your territories. { I entered with 72,000 gur of grain } { (1 ms. has instead:) 72,000 gur of grain was brought } -- the entire amount of grain -- inside Isin. Now I have let the Martu, all of them, penetrate inside the Land, and one by one I have seized all the fortifications therein. Because of the Martu, { I am unable to hand over } { (2 mss. have instead:) I am unable to make …… } this grain for threshing. They are stronger than me, while I am condemned to sitting around.

Letter from Ibbi-Suen to Išbi-Erra about his bad conduct: c.3.1.18
How could you allow Puzur-Numušda, the commander of the fortress Igi-ḫursaĝa, to let the hostile Martu penetrate into my Land? Until now (?) he has not (?) sent to you word (?) about engaging in battle. There are puny men in the Land! Why has he not (?) faced the Martu?

Letter from Ibbi-Suen to Puzur-Šulgi hoping for Išbi-Erra's downfall: c.3.1.20
{ Now Enlil, my helper, has made the Martu rise from their mountain lands } { (1 ms. has instead:) Now Enlil has …… the Tidnum as …… from their mountain lands }. They will repel Elam and seize Išbi-Erra. To regain the Land will indeed make our might known in all the foreign lands. It is urgent! { Do not be neglectful } { (1 ms. has instead:) Do not all give up }!

Letter from Sîn-illat to Iddin-Dagan about confronting the Martu: c.3.2.01
When I moved opposite Kakkulātum, the Martu rose up from their ambush with their weapons (?). When I ……, I captured 70 (?) …… and brought them into Kakkulātum.

A šir-gida to Martu (Martu A): c.4.12.1
Hero, august youth, who completely controls the distant mountains as far as their borders! Martu, august youth, who completely controls the distant mountains as far as their borders, who possesses the strength of a savage lion, who occupies a holy dais in the mountains, the pure place! Martu, who possesses the strength of a savage lion, who occupies a holy dais in the mountains, the pure place, who is imbued with great fearsomeness, whom holy An engendered, who appears gloriously with numerous divine powers! His own mother Ninḫursaĝa made his form excel Medim-ša's so that no one should threaten him. The Anuna, the great gods, enhanced his strength with warrior qualities, and spoke favourably to him. They invested (?) him with authority that accompanies him in battle like a coat of armour, …… to him mace, divine weapon, a great bow, arrows and quiver in his august hands, made his divinity magnificently perfect, and let him …… no adversaries.

A šir-gida to Martu (Martu A): c.4.12.1
For the king, he annihilates all enemy lands that are not compliant to him. Martu, the son of An, extends a hand to the good shepherd whom he has chosen in his holy heart. His name is an august and ineffable name. No one ……. The god with hands pure from purification rites, whose divine powers are resplendent divine powers, annihilates evil and violence, and sets justice in their place. His father who inspired him, his own father, the lord of the gods, the prince who decides destinies, handed the distant sky and the broad earth to this savage god who gives just verdicts, who is knowledgeable in decision-making, an adviser; and he let him have no rivals. He presented to him the pure hills, the lapis-lazuli mountains; he presented to him the Martu lands, the lapis-lazuli mountains.

A šir-gida to Martu (Martu A): c.4.12.1
He does not alter …… for the king, and prolongs his …… days. He hands him the staff for his right hand, and to his side he ties the mace that guides the thousands. (1 line unclear)He sets the king's feet in a well-ordered position (?), and causes him to have no opponents (?). Mankind also address him …… in the view of his god. …… him whom in his kindly heart he has called to kingship. All day long the protective goddess of justice stands unceasingly by his right side. In holy songs musicians sing of him -- the dearly cherished one, the god, the man of the hills, renowned everywhere -- and promote his name gloriously. Martu, son of An, it is sweet to praise you!

A šir-gida to Martu (Martu A): c.4.12.1
A šir-gida of Martu.

A hymn to Martu (Martu B): c.4.12.2
A …… of Martu.

The home of the fish: c.5.9.1
The one whose fins (?) churn the troubled waters, a fish who seizes …… at a glance (?), my kiĝ fish: may he also enter with you, my fish! With a head like a small millstone, …… a dog's head, (1 line unclear)the fish who does not eat the …… plants, ……, my ĝir-gid fish: may he also enter with you, my fish! With the noise of his entrails ……, my gir fish: may he also enter with you, my fish! The fish who ……, the fish who knows how to escape through a reed barrier, the fish who despite being tasty is an abomination, my ab-suḫur fish: may he also enter with you, my fish! The fish that causes breaches in dykes, with venom in its jaws, my agargar fish: may he also enter with you, my fish! The one whom the merchants ……, my kamar fish: may he also enter with you, my fish! The one whom the Martu fetch away, my nunbar-gid (?) fish: may he also enter with you, my fish!