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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 No eye-diseases said there: "I am the eye disease." No headache said there: "I am the headache." No old woman belonging to it said there: "I am an old woman." No old man belonging to it said there: "I am an old man." No maiden in her unwashed state …… in the city. No man dredging a river said there: "It is getting dark." No herald made the rounds in his border district. |
| Enki and Ninḫursaĝa: c.1.1.1 Enki made his face attractive and took a staff in his hand. Enki came to a halt at Uttu's, knocked at her house (demanding): "Open up, open up." (She asked): "Who are you?" (He answered:) "I am a gardener. Let me give you cucumbers, apples, and grapes for your consent." Joyfully Uttu opened the house. Enki gave Uttu, the exalted (?) woman, cucumbers in ……, gave her apples with their stems sticking out (?), gave her grapes in their clusters. { (1 line not in the ms. from Nibru:) He poured beer for her in the large ban measure. } |
| Enki and Ninḫursaĝa: c.1.1.1 (The fox said to Ninḫursaĝa:) "I have been to Nibru, but Enlil ……. I have been to Urim, but Nanna ……. I have been to Larsam, but Utu ……. I have been to Unug, but Inana ……. I am seeking refuge with one who is ……." (7 lines fragmentary) |
| Enki and Ninmaḫ: c.1.1.2 (Ninmaḫ's answer continues) "You (?) entered ……. Look, you do not dwell in heaven, you do not dwell on earth, you do not come out to look at the Land. Where you do not dwell but where my house is built, your words cannot be heard. Where you do not live but where my city is built, I myself am silenced (?). My city is ruined, my house is destroyed, my child has been taken captive. I am a fugitive who has had to leave the E-kur, even I myself could not escape from your hand." |
| Enki and the world order: c.1.1.3 Enki, the king of the Abzu, rejoicing in great splendour, justly praises himself: "My father, the king of heaven and earth, made me famous in heaven and earth. My elder brother, the king of all the lands, gathered up all the divine powers and placed them in my hand. I brought the arts and crafts from the E-kur, the house of Enlil, to my Abzu in Eridug. I am the good semen, begotten by a wild bull, I am the first born of An. I am a great storm rising over the great earth, I am the great lord of the Land. I am the principal among all rulers, the father of all the foreign lands. I am the big brother of the gods, I bring prosperity to perfection. I am the seal-keeper of heaven and earth. I am the wisdom and understanding of all the foreign lands. With An the king, on An's dais, I oversee justice. With Enlil, looking out over the lands, I decree good destinies. He has placed in my hands the decreeing of fates in the place where the sun rises. I am cherished by Nintur. I am named with a good name by Ninḫursaĝa. I am the leader of the Anuna gods. I was born as the firstborn son of holy An." |
| Enki and the world order: c.1.1.3 In a state of high delight Enki, the king of the Abzu, rejoicing in great splendour, again justly praises himself: "I am the lord, I am one whose word is reliable, I am one who excels in everything." |
| Enki and the world order: c.1.1.3 "The lords pay heed …… to me. I am Enki! They stand before me, praising me. The abgal priests and abrig officials who …… stand before me …… distant days. The enkum and ninkum officiants organise ……. They purify the river for me, they …… the interior of the shrine for me. In my Abzu, sacred songs and incantations resound for me. My barge 'Crown', the 'Stag of the Abzu', transports me there most delightfully. It glides swiftly for me through the great marshes to wherever I have decided, it is obedient to me. The stroke-callers make the oars pull in perfect unison. They sing for me pleasant songs, creating a cheerful mood on the river. Niĝir-sig, the captain of my barge, holds the golden sceptre for me. I am Enki! He is in command of my boat 'Stag of the Abzu'. I am the lord! I will travel! I am Enki! I will go forth into my Land! I, the lord who determines the fates, ……," (4 lines unclear) |
| Enki and the world order: c.1.1.3 "Enlil left it in your hands to confirm the functions of the Anuna, the great gods. Why did you treat me, the woman, in an exceptional manner? I am holy Inana -- where are my functions?" |
| Enki and the world order: c.1.1.3 "But why did you treat me, the woman, in an exceptional manner? I am holy Inana -- where are my functions?" |
| Enlil and Ninlil: c.1.2.1 Enlil spoke to the man at the city gate: "City gatekeeper! Keeper of the barrier! Porter! Keeper of the holy barrier! When your lady Ninlil comes, if she asks after me, don't tell her where I am!" Ninlil addressed the city gatekeeper: "City gatekeeper! Keeper of the barrier! Porter! Keeper of the holy barrier! When did your lord Enlil go by?" She spoke to him; Enlil answered as the city gatekeeper: "My lord has not talked with me at all, O loveliest one. Enlil has not talked with me at all, O loveliest one." "I will make clear my aim and explain my intent. You can fill my womb once it is empty -- Enlil, lord of all the lands, has had sex with me! Just as Enlil is your lord, so am I your lady!" "If you are my lady, let my hand touch your ……!" "The seed of your lord, the bright seed, is in my womb. The seed of Suen, the bright seed, is in my womb." "My master's seed can go up to the heavens! Let my seed go downwards! Let my seed go downwards, instead of my master's seed!" Enlil, as the city gatekeeper, got her to lie down in the chamber. He had intercourse with her there, he kissed her there. At this one intercourse, at this one kissing he poured the seed of Nergal-Mešlamta-ea into her womb. |
| Enlil and Ninlil: c.1.2.1 Enlil went. Ninlil followed. Nunamnir went, the maiden chased him. Enlil approached the man of the Id-kura (river of the underworld), the man-eating river." My man of the Id-kura, the man-eating river! When your lady Ninlil comes, if she asks after me, don't you tell her where I am!" Ninlil approached the man of the Id-kura, the man-eating river." My man of the Id-kura, the man-eating river! When did your lord Enlil go by?", she said to him. Enlil answered as the man of the Id-kura: "My lord has not talked with me at all, O loveliest one. Enlil has not talked with me at all, O loveliest one." "I will make clear my aim and explain my intent. You can fill my womb once it is empty -- Enlil, lord of all the lands, has had sex with me! Just as Enlil is your lord, so am I your lady!" "If you are my lady, let my hand touch your ……!" "The seed of your lord, the bright seed, is in my womb. The seed of Suen, the bright seed, is in my womb." "My master's seed can go up to the heavens! Let my seed go downwards! Let my seed go downwards, instead of my master's seed!" Enlil, as the man of the Id-kura, got her to lie down in the chamber. He had intercourse with her there, he kissed her there. At this one intercourse, at this one kissing he poured into her womb the seed of Ninazu, the king who stretches measuring lines over the fields. |
| Enlil and Ninlil: c.1.2.1 Enlil went. Ninlil followed. Nunamnir went, the maiden chased him. Enlil approached SI.LU.IGI, the man of the ferryboat." SI.LU.IGI, my man of the ferryboat! When your lady Ninlil comes, if she asks after me, don't you tell her where I am!" Ninlil approached the man of the ferryboat." Man of the ferryboat! When did your lord Enlil go by?", she said to him. Enlil answered as the man SI.LU.IGI: "My lord has not talked with me at all, O loveliest one. Enlil has not talked with me at all, O loveliest one." "I will make clear my aim and explain my intent. You can fill my womb once it is empty -- Enlil, king of all the lands, has had sex with me! Just as Enlil is your lord, so am I your lady!" "If you are my lady, let my hand touch your ……!" "The seed of your lord, the bright seed, is in my womb. The seed of Suen, the bright seed, is in my womb." "My master's seed can go up to the heavens! Let my seed go downwards! Let my seed go downwards, instead of my master's seed!" Enlil, as SI.LU.IGI, got her to lie down in the chamber. He had intercourse with her there, he kissed her there. At this one intercourse, at this one kissing he poured into her womb the seed of Enbilulu, the inspector of canals. |
| Enlil and Sud: c.1.2.2 At that time Enlil had not yet been given a wife in the E-kur; Ninlil's name was not yet famous in the Ki-ur. After travelling through Sumer and to the ends of the universe, he ……; in his search throughout the Land, Enlil, the Great Mountain, stopped at Ereš. As he looked around there, he found the woman of his choice. He approached her and, overflowing with joy, engaged her in conversation: "I will make you perfect in a queen's dress; after standing in the street, you will be ……. How impressed I am by your beauty, even if you are a shameless person!" In her youthful inexperience Sud answered Enlil: "If I want to stand proudly at our gate, who dares to give me a bad reputation? What are your intentions? Why have you come here? …… from my sight!" Others (?) had already tried to deceive ……, and made her (?) angry. Enlil …… answered Sud, …… standing closer to her: "Come, I want to speak to you! I will have a talk with you about your becoming my wife. Kiss me, my lady of most beautiful eyes -- the matter rests in your hands." But the words had barely left his mouth when, right in front of him, she went into the house. |
| Enlil and Sud: c.1.2.2 The heart of the wise lord pounded. He called for Nuska." What is your wish?" He gave the following instructions to him: "I want you to go back to Ereš, the city of Nisaba, the city whose foundations are august. Do not delay! Repeat to her what I am going to tell you: "I am a young man, I have sent this message to you because of my wish: I want to take your daughter as wife. Give me your consent. I will send you presents in my name, …… my marriage gifts. I am Enlil, the descendant and offspring of Anšar, the noble, the lord of heaven and earth. The name of your daughter shall become Ninlil, and all the foreign countries shall …… it. I will present her with the Ĝa-ĝiš-šua as her storehouse. I will give her the Ki-ur to be her beloved private quarters. She shall { sit } { (1 ms. has instead:) live } with me in the E-kur, { my } { (1 ms. has instead:) the } august dais. She shall determine fates. She shall apportion the divine powers among the Anuna, the great gods. And as for you, I will place in your hands the lives of the black-headed people." When you get there, let the woman I have chosen for her beauty …… her mother. Do not go to her empty-handed, but take her some jewellery in your left hand. Waste no time. Return with her answer quickly." |
| Inana and Enki: c.1.3.1 Enki spoke to the minister Isimud: "Isimud, my minister, my Sweet Name of Heaven!" "Enki, my master, I am at your service! What is your wish?" "Since she said that she would not yet depart from here for Unug Kulaba, that she would not yet depart from here to the place where Utu ……, can I still reach her?" But holy Inana had gathered up the divine powers and embarked onto the Boat of Heaven. The Boat of Heaven had already left the quay. As the effects of the beer cleared from him who had drunk beer, from him who had drunk beer, as the effects of the beer cleared from Father Enki who had drunk beer, the great lord Enki turned his attention to the …… building. The lord looked up at the abzu. King Enki turned his attention to Eridug. |
| Inana and Enki: c.1.3.1 Enki spoke to Isimud the minister: "Isimud, my minister, my Sweet Name of Heaven!" "Enki, my master, I am at your service! What is your wish?" "Where are the office of en priest, the office of lagar priest, divinity, the great and good crown, the royal throne?" "My master has given them to his daughter." |
| Inana and Enki: c.1.3.1 The prince spoke to his minister Isimud, Enki addressed the Sweet Name of Heaven: "Isimud, my minister, my Sweet Name of Heaven!" "Enki, my master, I am at your service! What is your wish?" "Where has the Boat of Heaven reached now?" "It has just now reached the …… Quay." "Go now! The enkum are to take the Boat of Heaven away from her!" |
| Inana and Enki: c.1.3.1 Holy Inana spoke to the minister Isimud: "How could my father have changed what he said to me? How could he have altered his promise as far as I am concerned? How could he have discredited his important words to me? Was it falsehood that my father said to me, did he speak falsely to me? Has he sworn falsely by the name of his power and by the name of his abzu? Has he duplicitously sent you to me as a messenger?" Now as these words were still in her mouth, he got the enkum to seize hold of the Boat of Heaven. Holy Inana adressed her minister Ninšubur: "Come, my good minister of E-ana! My fair-spoken minister! My envoy of reliable words! Water has never touched your hand, water has never touched your feet!" |
| Inana and Enki: c.1.3.1 So Inana got hold again of the divine powers which had been presented to her, and the Boat of Heaven; and then for the second time the prince spoke to his minister Isimud, Enki addressed the Sweet Name of Heaven: "Isimud, my minister, my Sweet Name of Heaven!" "Enki, my master, I am at your service! What is your wish?" "Where has the Boat of Heaven reached now?" "It has just now reached the holy ……." "Go now! The fifty giants of Eridug are to take the Boat of Heaven away from her!" |
| Inana and Enki: c.1.3.1 Holy Inana spoke to the minister Isimud: "How could my father have changed what he said to me? How could he have altered his promise as far as I am concerned? How could he have discredited his important words to me? Was it falsehood that my father said to me, did he speak falsely to me? Has he sworn falsely by the name of his power and by the name of his abzu? Has he duplicitously sent you to me as a messenger?" Now as these words were still in her mouth, he got the fifty giants of Eridug to seize hold of the Boat of Heaven. Holy Inana adressed her minister Ninšubur: "Come, my good minister of E-ana! My fair-spoken minister! My envoy of reliable words! Water has never touched your hand, water has never touched your feet!" |
| Inana and Enki: c.1.3.1 So Inana got hold again of the divine powers which had been presented to her, and the Boat of Heaven; and then for the third time the prince spoke to his minister Isimud, Enki addressed the Sweet Name of Heaven: "Isimud, my minister, my Sweet Name of Heaven!" "Enki, my master, I am at your service! What is your wish?" "Where has the Boat of Heaven reached now?" "It has just now reached the UL.MA hill." "Go now! The fifty laḫama of the subterranean waters are to take the Boat of Heaven away from her!" |
| Inana and Enki: c.1.3.1 Holy Inana spoke to the minister Isimud: "How could my father have changed what he said to me? How could he have altered his promise as far as I am concerned? How could he have discredited his important words to me? Was it falsehood that my father said to me, did he speak falsely to me? Has he sworn falsely by the name of his power and by the name of his abzu? Has he duplicitously sent you to me as a messenger?" Now as these words were still in her mouth, he got the fifty laḫama of the subterranean waters to seize hold of the Boat of Heaven. Holy Inana adressed her minister Ninšubur: "Come, my good minister of E-ana! My fair-spoken minister! My envoy of reliable words! Water has never touched your hand, water has never touched your feet!" |
| Inana and Enki: c.1.3.1 So Inana got hold again of the divine powers which had been presented to her, and the Boat of Heaven; and then for the fourth time the prince spoke to his minister Isimud, Enki addressed the Sweet Name of Heaven: "Isimud, my minister, my Sweet Name of Heaven!" "Enki, my master, I am at your service! What is your wish?" "Where has the Boat of Heaven reached now?" "It has just now reached the Field Hill." "Go now! All the great fish together …… are to take the Boat of Heaven away from her!" |
| Inana and Enki: c.1.3.1 Holy Inana spoke to the minister Isimud: "How could my father have changed what he said to me? How could he have altered his promise as far as I am concerned? How could he have discredited his important words to me? Was it falsehood that my father said to me, did he speak falsely to me? Has he sworn falsely by the name of his power and by the name of his abzu? Has he duplicitously sent you to me as a messenger?" Now as these words were still in her mouth, he got all the great fish together …… to seize hold of the Boat of Heaven. Holy Inana adressed her minister Ninšubur: "Come, my good minister of E-ana! My fair-spoken minister! My envoy of reliable words! Water has never touched your hand, water has never touched your feet!" |
| Inana and Enki: c.1.3.1 So Inana got hold again of the divine powers which had been presented to her, and the Boat of Heaven; and then for the fifth time the prince spoke to his minister Isimud, Enki addressed the Sweet Name of Heaven: "Isimud, my minister, my Sweet Name of Heaven!" "Enki, my master, I am at your service! What is your wish?" "Where has the Boat of Heaven reached now?" "It has just now reached ……." "Go now! ……, the guardians of Unug, are to take the Boat of Heaven away from her!" |
| Inana and Enki: c.1.3.1 Holy Inana spoke to the minister Isimud: "How could my father have changed what he said to me? How could he have altered his promise as far as I am concerned? How could he have discredited his important words to me? Was it falsehood that my father said to me, did he speak falsely to me? Has he sworn falsely by the name of his power and by the name of his abzu? Has he duplicitously sent you to me as a messenger?" Now as these words were still in her mouth, he got the ……, the guardians of Unug, to seize hold of the Boat of Heaven. Holy Inana adressed her minister Ninšubur: "Come, my good minister of E-ana! My fair-spoken minister! My envoy of reliable words! Water has never touched your hand, water has never touched your feet!" |
| Inana and Enki: c.1.3.1 So Inana got hold again of the divine powers which had been presented to her, and the Boat of Heaven; and then for the sixth time the prince spoke to his minister Isimud, Enki addressed the Sweet Name of Heaven: "Isimud, my minister, my Sweet Name of Heaven!" "Enki, my master, I am at your service! What is your wish?" "Where has the Boat of Heaven reached now?" "It has just now reached the Surungal canal ……." "Go now! The Surungal canal …… are to take the Boat of Heaven away from her! …… from holy Inana." |
| Inana and Enki: c.1.3.1 Holy Inana spoke to the minister Isimud: "How could my father have changed what he said to me? How could he have altered his promise as far as I am concerned? How could he have discredited his important words to me? Was it falsehood that my father said to me, did he speak falsely to me? Has he sworn falsely by the name of his power and by the name of his abzu? Has he duplicitously sent you to me as a messenger?" Now as these words were still in her mouth, he got the Surungal canal …… to seize hold of the Boat of Heaven. …… from holy Inana. Holy Inana adressed her minister Ninšubur: "Come, my good minister of E-ana! My fair-spoken minister! My envoy of reliable words! Water has never touched your hand, water has never touched your feet!" |
| Inana and Enki: c.1.3.1 The prince addressed his minister Isimud, Enki spoke to the Sweet Name of Heaven: "Isimud, my minister, my Sweet Name of Heaven!" "Enki, my master, I am at your service! What is your wish?" "Where has the Boat of Heaven reached now?" "It has just now reached the White Quay." "Go now, …… admiration. …… admiration …… the Boat of Heaven. Holy Inana ……. …… admiration ……." (approx. 3 lines missing) |
| Inana and An: c.1.3.5 Holy Inana answered the fisherman: "If you are to find …… E-ana …… and I am to gaze in admiration …… at that place, you said …… the narrow passage." |
| Dumuzid and Ĝeštin-ana: c.1.4.1.1 The lad raises his hands heavenward to Utu: "O Utu, I am your friend, I am a youth. Do you recognise me? Your sister, whom I married, descended to the underworld. Because she descended to the underworld, it was me that she was to hand over to the underworld as a substitute. O Utu, you are a just judge, don't disappoint me! Change my hands, alter my appearance, so that I may escape the clutches of my demons! Don't let them seize me! Like a saĝkal snake that slithers across the meadows and mountains, let me escape alive to the dwelling of my sister Ĝeštin-ana." |
| Dumuzid and his sisters: c.1.4.1.3 "Cut …… with my ……; I am his sister. Cut with Dumuzid; I am his sister. I am the lad's younger sister, I am his sister. I am Dumuzid's younger sister, I am his sister. Now, let me too be in a similar state (?) …… to him; I am his sister. Let me too be in a similar state (?) …… to him; I am his sister. If I had a cord …… on my hands, my hands would not hurt. If I had a wine jar on my shoulder, my shoulder would not hurt." |
| Inana's descent to the nether world: c.1.4.1 Holy Inana said to Ninšubur: "Come my faithful minister of E-ana, { my minister who speaks fair words, my escort who speaks trustworthy words } { (1 ms. has instead:) I am going to give you instructions: my instructions must be followed; I am going to say something to you: it must be observed }." |
| Inana's descent to the nether world: c.1.4.1 When Inana arrived at the palace Ganzer, she pushed aggressively on the door of the underworld. She shouted aggressively at the gate of the underworld: "Open up, doorman, open up. Open up, Neti, open up. I am all alone and I want to come in." |
| Inana's descent to the nether world: c.1.4.1 Neti, the chief doorman of the underworld, answered holy Inana: "Who are you?" "I am Inana going to the east." "If you are Inana going to the east, why have you travelled to the land of no return? How did you set your heart on the road whose traveller never returns?" |
| Inana's descent to the nether world: c.1.4.1 Dumuzid let out a wail and wept. The lad raised his hands to heaven, to Utu: "Utu, you are my brother-in-law. I am your relation by marriage. I brought butter to your mother's house. I brought milk to Ningal's house. Turn my hands into snake's hands and turn my feet into snake's feet, so I can escape my demons, let them not keep hold of me." |
| Dumuzid's dream: c.1.4.3 "Grieve, grieve, O countryside, grieve! O countryside, grieve! O marshes, cry out! O …… crabs of the river, grieve! O frogs of the river, cry out! My mother will call to me, my mother, my Durtur, will call to me, my mother will call to me for five things, my mother will call to me for 10 things: if she does not know the day when I am dead, you, O countryside, can inform my mother who bore me. Like my little sister may you weep for me." |
| Dumuzid's dream: c.1.4.3 "Utu, you are my brother-in-law, I am your sister's husband! I am he who carries food to E-ana, I am he who brought the wedding gifts to Unug, I am he who kisses the holy lips, I am he who dances on the holy knees, the knees of Inana. Please change my hands into gazelle hands, change my feet into gazelle feet, so I can evade my demons. Let me escape with my life to Ku-bireš-dildareš." |
| Dumuzid's dream: c.1.4.3 "Utu, you are my brother-in-law, I am your sister's husband! I am he who carries food to E-ana, I am he who brought the wedding gifts to Unug, I am he who kisses the holy lips, I am he who dances on the holy knees, the knees of Inana. Please change my hands into { gazelle } { (1 ms. has instead:) snake } hands, change my feet into { gazelle } { (1 ms. has instead:) snake } feet, so I can escape to the house of Old Woman Belili." |
| Dumuzid's dream: c.1.4.3 "Old woman! I am not just a man, I am the husband of a goddess! Would you pour water -- please -- so I can drink water. Would you sprinkle flour -- please -- so I can eat flour." |
| Dumuzid's dream: c.1.4.3 "Utu, you are my brother-in-law, I am your sister's husband! I am he who carries food to E-ana, I am he who brought the wedding gifts to Unug, I am he who kisses the holy lips, I am he who dances on the holy knees, the knees of Inana. Please change my hands into gazelle hands, change my feet into gazelle feet, so I can escape to the holy sheepfold, my sister's sheepfold." |
| Nanna-Suen's journey to Nibru: c.1.5.1 (He declared:) "I am Nanna-Suen, I ……, I will …… to the house of Enlil. I am Ašimbabbar, and I will …… to the house of Enlil." (6 lines missing) |
| Nanna-Suen's journey to Nibru: c.1.5.1 She laid out flour before the barge and spread bran. At her feet stood a covered bronze gakkul vat. { (1 ms. adds 1 line:) With her fingers she pulled out the boxwood bung (?) for him (declaring): } "I shall rub precious oil on this peg. May ghee, syrup and wine be abundant in your midst, may the suḫur carp and the eštub carp rejoice at the prow of your boat!" But the boat did not give her its cargo: "I am going to Nibru!" |
| Nanna-Suen's journey to Nibru: c.1.5.1 She laid out flour before the barge and spread bran. At her feet stood a covered bronze gakkul vat. { (1 ms. adds 1 line:) With her fingers she pulled out the boxwood bung (?) for him (declaring): } "I shall rub precious oil on this peg. May ghee, syrup and wine be abundant in your midst, may the suḫur carp and the eštub carp rejoice at the prow of your boat!" But the boat did not give her its cargo: "I am going to Nibru!" |
| Nanna-Suen's journey to Nibru: c.1.5.1 She laid out flour before the barge and spread bran. At her feet stood a covered bronze gakkul vat. { (1 ms. adds 1 line:) With her fingers she pulled out the boxwood bung (?) for him (declaring): } "I shall rub precious oil on your peg. May ghee, syrup and wine be abundant in your midst, may the suḫur carp and the eštub carp rejoice at the prow of your boat!" But the boat did not give her its cargo: "I am going to Nibru!" |
| Nanna-Suen's journey to Nibru: c.1.5.1 She laid out flour before the barge and spread bran. At her feet stood a covered bronze gakkul vat. { (1 ms. adds 1 line:) With her fingers she pulled out the boxwood bung (?) for him (declaring): } "I shall rub precious oil on this peg. May ghee, syrup and wine be abundant in your midst, may the suḫur carp and the eštub carp rejoice at the prow of your boat!" But the boat did not give her its cargo: "I am going to Nibru!" |
| Nanna-Suen's journey to Nibru: c.1.5.1 She laid out flour before the barge and spread bran. At her feet stood a covered bronze gakkul vat. { (1 ms. adds 1 line:) With her fingers she pulled out the boxwood bung (?) for him (declaring): } "I shall rub precious oil on this peg. May ghee, syrup and wine be abundant in your midst, may the suḫur carp and the eštub carp rejoice at the prow of your boat!" But the boat did not give her its cargo: "I am going to Nibru!" |
| Nanna-Suen's journey to Nibru: c.1.5.1 Suen replied to his father who begot him: "Father who begot me, I am indeed satisfied with what you have given me to eat. O Great Mountain, father who begot me, I am indeed satisfied with what you have given me to drink. Wherever you lift your eyes, there is kingship. O Enlil, your abundance is ……." |
| 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 am the strong one, unopposed in the mountains, I am Ninurta -- let them prostrate themselves at my name. I am the exceedingly mighty lion-headed one of Enlil, whom he engendered in his strength. The storm of heaven, shackle of the gods, I am the one whom An in his great might has chosen." |
| Ninurta's return to Nibru: a šir-gida to Ninurta: c.1.6.1 "I am the ……, the life-source of Inana. I am the warrior, destined with Enki to be suited for the fearsome divine powers. Let my kingship be manifest unto the ends of heaven and earth. I am most able among the gods -- let me be imbued with great awesomeness." |
| Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta: c.1.6.2 "U stone (emery), since you rose against me in the mountains, since you { barred the way } { (2 mss. have instead:) seized me } so as to detain me, since you swore to put me to death, since you frightened me, Lord Ninurta, on my great throne; you are powerful, a youth of outstanding strength: may your size be diminished. A mighty lion, confident in its strength, will tear you into pieces, the strong man will fling you in his hand { in combat } { (1 ms. has instead:) for strength }. Young u stone, your brothers will heap you up like flour. You will lift your hand against your offspring, sink your teeth into their corpses. You, young man, though you may cry out, will end as ……. Like a great wild bull killed by many people, be divided into portions. U stone, you will be hounded from the battlefield with clubs, like a dog chased by shepherd boys. Because I am the lord: since cornelian is polished by you, you shall be called by its name. And now, according to the destiny fixed by Ninurta, henceforth when u stone touches it, there will be pierced cornelian. Let it be so." |
| 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." |
| Ninĝišzida's journey to the nether world: c.1.7.3 "Arise and get on board, arise, we are about to sail, arise and get on board!" -- Woe, weep for the bright daylight, as the barge is steered away! -- "I am a young man! Let me not be covered against my wishes by a cabin, as if with a blanket, as if with a blanket!" |
| Ninĝišzida's journey to the nether world: c.1.7.3 "The river of the nether world produces no water, no water is drunk from it. { (1 ms. adds:) Why should you sail? } The fields of the nether world produce no grain, no flour is eaten from it. { (1 ms. adds:) Why should you sail? } The sheep of the nether world produce no wool, no cloth is woven from it. { (1 ms. adds:) Why should you sail? } As for me, even if my mother digs as if for a canal, I shall not be able to drink the water meant for me. The waters of springtime will not be poured for me as they are for the tamarisks; I shall not sit in the shade intended for me. The dates I should bear like a date palm will not reveal (?) their beauty for me. I am a field threshed by my demon -- you would scream at it. He has put manacles on my hands -- you would scream at it. He has put a neck-stock on my neck -- you would scream at it." |
| Ninĝišzida's journey to the nether world: c.1.7.3 "You are a beloved ……, there should be a limit to it for you. How they treat you, how they treat you! -- there should be a limit to it for you. My brother, how they treat you, how haughtily they treat you! -- there should be a limit to it for you." I am hungry, but the bread has slipped away from me!" -- there should be a limit to it for you." I am thirsty, but the water has slipped away from me!" -- there should be a limit to it for you." |
| Gilgameš, Enkidu and the nether world: c.1.8.1.4 At the gate of Ganzer, in front of the nether world, he sat down. Gilgameš wept, crying bitterly: "O my ball (?)! O my mallet (?)! O my ball (?), I am still not satiated with its charms, the game with it has not yet palled for me! If only my ball (?) waited still in the carpenter's house for me! I would treat the carpenter's wife like my own mother -- if only it waited still there for me! I would treat the carpenter's child like my little sister -- if only it waited still there for me! { My ball (?) has fallen down to the nether world -- who will retrieve it for me? } { (1 ms. has instead:) Who will retrieve my ball (?) from the nether world? } { My mallet (?) has fallen down to Ganzer -- who will retrieve it for me? } { (1 ms. has instead:) Who will retrieve my mallet (?) from Ganzer? }" |
| Gilgameš and Ḫuwawa (Version A): c.1.8.1.5 "Utu, I am going to set off into the mountains! May you be my helper! I am going to set off into the Mountains of Cedar-felling! May you be my helper!" |
| Lugalbanda and the Anzud bird: c.1.8.2.2 But it seemed to the bird, when he approached the nest, it seemed to Anzud, when he approached the nest, that it had been made like a god's dwelling-place. It was brilliantly festooned. His chick was settled in its nest, its eyes were painted with kohl, sprigs of white cedar were fixed on its head. A twisted piece of salt meat was hung up high. The bird is exultant, Anzud is exultant: "I am the prince who decides the destiny of rolling rivers. I keep on the straight and narrow path the righteous who follow Enlil's counsel. My father Enlil brought me here. He let me bar the entrance to the mountains as if with a great door. If I fix a fate, who shall alter it? If I but say the word, who shall change it? Whoever has done this to my nest, if you are a god, I will speak with you, indeed I will befriend you. If you are a man, I will fix your fate. I shall not let you have any opponents in the mountains. You shall be 'Hero-fortified-by-Anzud'." |
| 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 your king, the lord of Kulaba, and say to him: "This great mountain range is a meš tree grown high to the sky; its roots form a net, and its branches are a snare. It may be a sparrow but it has the talons of an Anzud bird or of an eagle. The barrier of Inana is perfectly made and is impenetrable (?). Those eagle talons make the blood of the enemy run from the bright mountain. Although in Aratta there is weeping ……, water libations are offered and flour is sprinkled; on the mountain, sacrifices and prayers are offered in obeisance. With fewer than five or 10 men, how can mobilised Unug proceed against the Zubi mountains? Your king is heading in all haste against my military might, but I am equally eager for a contest. (As the proverb goes,) he who ignores a rival, does not get to eat everything up, like the bull which ignores the bull at its side. But he who acknowledges a contest can be the outright winner, like the bull which acknowledges the bull at its side -- or does he reject me in this contest? Like ……, …… can match no one -- or does he still reject me in this contest? Again, I have words to say to you, messenger: I have an artful proposal to make to you ……, may it get across to you ……. Repeat this to your master, to the lord of Kulaba, a lion lying on its paws in E-ana, a bull bellowing within it, within his ĝipar, fruitful as a flourishing meš tree. The mountain range is a warrior, …… high, like Utu going to his abode at twilight, like one from whose face blood drips; or like Nanna, who is majestic in the high heavens, like him whose countenance shines with radiance, who …… is like the woods in the mountains."" |
| Enmerkar and En-suḫgir-ana: c.1.8.2.4 Wise Woman Saĝburu answered to him: "You have caused distress in the animal pen and the byre; you have made the butter and milk scarce there. You have removed the lunch-table, the morning- and evening-table. You have cut off butter and milk from the evening meal of the great dining hall, ……… distress ……. Your sin that butter and milk …… cannot be forgiven. Nanna the king …… the byre …… milk; …… established that it was a capital offence and I am not pardoning your life." Wise Woman Saĝburu …… her decision about the sorcerer in the assembly (?). She threw her prisoner from the bank of the Euphrates. She seized from him his life-force and then returned to her city, Ereš. |
| Enmerkar and En-suḫgir-ana: c.1.8.2.4 Having heard this matter, En-suḫgir-ana sent a man to Enmerkar: "You are the beloved lord of Inana, you alone are exalted. Inana has truly chosen you for her holy lap, you are her beloved. From the south to the highlands, you are the great lord, and I am only second to you; from the moment of conception I was not your equal, you are the older brother. I cannot match you ever." |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 "Tonight I shall lie down here (?). You are my great dagger (?), being attached to my side; you are a …… planted in great waters, providing me with life; you are a broad sunshade; let me cool off in your shade. May the favourable, right-hand palm of your lofty hands, my lady Ĝatumdug, lend me protection! I am going to the city, may my sign be favourable! May your friendly guardian go before me, and may your friendly protecting genius walk with me on the way towards Niĝin, the mountain rising from the water." |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 He rose to his master in public and prayed to him; he went to him in the Ubšu-unkena and saluted him: "My master Ninĝirsu, lord who has turned back the fierce waters, true lord, semen ejaculated by the Great Mountain, noble young hero who has no opponent! Ninĝirsu, I am going to build up your house for you, but I lack an ominous sign. Warrior, you asked for perfection, but, son of Enlil, Lord Ninĝirsu, you did not let me know your will as to how to achieve it." |
| The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B): c.2.1.7 "I am Ninĝirsu who has turned back the fierce waters, the great warrior of Enlil's realm, a lord without opponent. My house the E-ninnu, a crown, is bigger than the mountains; my weapon the Šar-ur subdues all the lands. No country can bear my fierce stare, nobody escapes my outstretched arms." |
| The lament for Urim: c.2.2.2 The woman, after she had composed her song (?) for the tearful balaĝ instrument, herself utters softly a lamentation for the silent house: "The storm that came to be -- its lamentation hangs heavy on me. Raging about because of the storm, I am the woman for whom the storm came to be. The storm that came to be -- its lamentation hangs heavy on me. The bitter storm having come to be for me during the day, I trembled on account of that day but I did not flee before the day's violence. Because of this debilitating storm I could not see a good day for my rule, not one good day for my rule." |
| The lament for Urim: c.2.2.2 "Woe is me, my city which no longer exists -- I am not its queen. Nanna, Urim which no longer exists -- I am not its owner. I am the good woman whose house has been made into ruins, whose city has been destroyed, in place of whose city a strange city has been built. I am Ningal whose city has been made into ruins, whose house has been destroyed, in place of whose house a strange house has been built." |
| The lament for Urim: c.2.2.2 "Woe is me, the city has been destroyed, my house too has been destroyed. Nanna, the shrine Urim has been destroyed, its people killed. Woe is me, where can I sit, where can I stand? Woe is me, in place of my city a strange house is being erected. I am the good woman in place of whose house a strange city is being built. Upon its removal from its place, from the plain, I shall say "Alas, my people". Upon my city's removal from Urim, I shall say "Alas, my house"." |
| The lament for Urim: c.2.2.2 The woman tears at her hair as if it were rushes. She beats the holy ub drum at her chest, she cries "Alas, my city". Her eyes well with tears, she weeps bitterly: "Woe is me, my city which no longer exists -- I am not its queen. Nanna, the shrine Urim which no longer exists -- I am not its owner. Woe is me, I am one whose cow-pen has been torn down, I am one whose cows have been scattered. I am Ningal on whose ewes the weapon has fallen, as in the case of an unworthy herdsman. Woe is me, I have been exiled from the city, I can find no rest. I am Ningal, I have been exiled from the house, I can find no dwelling place. I am sitting as if a stranger with head high in a strange city. Debt-slaves …… bitterness ……." |
| The lament for Urim: c.2.2.2 "I am one who, sitting in a debtors prison among its inmates, can make no extravagant claims. In that place I approached him for the sake of his city -- I weep bitterly. I approached the lord for the sake of his house -- I weep bitterly. I approached him for the sake of his destroyed house -- I weep bitterly. I approached him for the sake of his destroyed city -- I weep bitterly. Woe is me, I shall say "Fate of my city, bitter is the fate of my city". I the queen shall say "O my destroyed house, bitter is the fate of my house". O my brick-built Urim which has been flooded, which has been washed away, O my good house, my city which has been reduced to ruin mounds, in the debris of your destroyed righteous house, I shall lie down alongside you. Like a fallen bull, I will never rise up from your wall (?)." |
| The lament for Urim: c.2.2.2 "Woe is me, untrustworthy was your building, and bitter your destruction. I am the woman at whose shrine Urim the food offerings have been terminated. O my Agrun-kug, the all-new house whose charms never sated me, O my city no longer regarded as having been built -- devastated for what reason? O my house both destroyed and devastated -- devastated for what reason? Nobody at all escaped the force of the storm ordered in hate. O my house of Suen in Urim, bitter was its destruction." |
| 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 Nibru: c.2.2.4 I am going down to my dirge singer of bitter fates and I shall weep tearfully to him. Even now the lamenters who are expert in song make ululating wails over me! Now my people who are overcome by hardship voice laments for me one by one! Even now the places of refuge of my people whose hearts are burning in dark distress have been made known to me! My people whose hearts have been broken on the bitter way perform the lullabies of my young ones for me in tears! |
| The lament for Nibru: c.2.2.4 My heart is dark, I am destroyed, I am in chaos, I have been devastated! |
| The lament for Nibru: c.2.2.4 Perhaps by this means I can make him have compassion and mercy for you. Depression has weakened your heart, but I am the one who has established good cheer for you. He will fix it forever as your lot that you shall lift your head high, he will make good again the hostilities he is directing against you. |
| The lament for Unug: c.2.2.5 My heart is filled with sorrow, I am tear-stricken. |
| The lament for Eridug: c.2.2.6 She tore out her hair like rushes, uttering a bitter lament: "You, my city whose woman does not dwell there, whose charms do not satisfy her -- where is a lament uttered bitterly for you? Eridug! You, my city whose woman does not dwell there, whose charms do not satisfy her -- where are tears wept for you? I fall like a bull in your lofty …… falls ……. I am ……. My heart …… queen ……." (unknown no. of lines missing)(incorporating end of 5th kirugu) |
| A tigi to Enlil for Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma B): c.2.4.1.2 "I am Nunamnir, whose firm commands and decisions are immutable! You have made my lofty E-kur shine gloriously, you have raised it high with a brilliant crenellation. Trustworthy hero, you have made it shine gloriously in the Land. Ur-Namma, mighty lord, may your (?) kingship be unparalleled, may your fame spread to heaven's borders, as far as the foot of the mountains!" |
| A tigi to Enlil for Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma B): c.2.4.1.2 "I am the Great Mountain, Father Enlil, whose firm commands and decisions are immutable! You have made my lofty E-kur shine gloriously, you have raised it high with a brilliant crenellation. Trustworthy hero, you have made it shine gloriously in the Land. Ur-Namma, mighty lord, may your (?) kingship be unparalleled, may your fame spread to heaven's borders, as far as the foot of the mountains!" |
| A praise poem of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma C): c.2.4.1.3 ……, the authoritative, praised himself exultantly: Under Ur-Namma, king of Urim, for whom a favorable destiny was determined, the roads have been made passable. An opens his holy mouth, and because of me rain is produced. He directs it downward into the earth, and abundance is brought for me. Enlil treats me kindly, ……. Enki treats me kindly, bestowing early floods, grain and dappled barley. Nintur formed me; I am peerless. …… brought me up well; I am the king of the Land. I am ……; under my rule the cattle-pens and sheepfolds are extended wide. Utu endowed me with eloquence (?); my judgments create concord in Sumer and Akkad. Ningublaga has given me strength. In the whole extent of heaven and earth, no one can escape from a battle with me. |
| A praise poem of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma C): c.2.4.1.3 I am Ur-Namma, king of Urim, the protecting genius of my city. I strike against those guilty of capital offences, and make them tremble. The fear I cause ……. My judgments make Sumer and Akkad follow a single path. I place my foot on the necks of thieves and criminals. I clamp down on evildoers, who will be caught like snakes. I …… fugitives, and their intentions will be set right. I make justice apparent; I defeat wickedness. As if I were fire, even my frowning is enough to create concord. My word ……. …… the lands, the foreign countries …… Urim ……. Their food offerings make Nanna rejoice in E-kiš-nu-ĝal. |
| A praise poem of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma C): c.2.4.1.3 In me, Ur-Namma, the lands of Sumer and Akkad have their protecting genius. I am a source of joy for the Land; my life indeed creates! ……, the fields are resplendent (?) under my rule. In the fields growing with ……, …… did not multiply under my rule. In the desert, the roads are made up as for a festival, and are passable because of me. The owner of the fields ……; it rises (?) up to his chest. I have freed the sons of the poor from their duty of going to fetch firewood. |
| A praise poem of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma C): c.2.4.1.3 After the storm ……, and the month had been completed (?) for me, Enlil chose me by extispicy on a day very auspicious for him. He spoke fairly to Sumer, and caused me to arise (?) from my family (?). Because of my broad understanding and wisdom, An the king entrusted …… into my hands. I am the cosmic bond of Sumer. I am …… good ……. I am ……. I am …… of the Land. (3 lines fragmentary)I, the lord, ……. |
| A praise poem of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma C): c.2.4.1.3 I, Ur-Namma, born on high, …… shining. The people line up in front of me. Enlil has given me the task of keeping the Land secure, with unscathed (?) troops. I am clad in linen in the ĝipar. I lie down on the splendid bed in its delightful bedchamber. I cause the people to eat splendid food; I am their Enkimdu (i.e. the god of irrigation and cultivation). I am the good shepherd whose sheep multiply greatly. I open the …… of the cattle-pens and sheepfolds. I am peerless. …… the pastures and watering-places of shepherds (?). |
| A praise poem of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma C): c.2.4.1.3 I returned …… to Urim. I made …… return (?) to his country …… like ……. I loaded its grain on barges, I delivered it to its storehouses. I returned its …… citizens to their (?) homes. I …… their earth-baskets. I …… the savage hands of the Gutians, the ……. After I had made the evil-doers return (?) to their ……, I restored (?) the walls that had been torn down; my outstanding mind ……. …… the shrine of Urim ……. I am the foremost workman (?) of Enlil; I am the one who …… food offerings. (7 lines fragmentary or missing) |
| A praise poem of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma C): c.2.4.1.3 I am the creature of Nanna! I am the older brother of Gilgameš! I am the son borne by Ninsumun, a princely seed! For me, kingship came down from heaven! Sweet is the praise of me, the shepherd Ur-Namma! |
| 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 A): c.2.4.2.01 I am a child born of Ninsumun. I am the choice of holy An's heart. I am the man whose fate was decided by Enlil. I am Šulgi, the beloved of Ninlil. I am he who is cherished by Nintur. I am he who was endowed with wisdom by Enki. I am the powerful king of Nanna. I am the growling lion of Utu. I am Šulgi, who has been chosen by Inana for his attractiveness. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi A): c.2.4.2.01 I am a mule, most suitable for the road. I am a horse, whose tail waves on the highway. { I am a stallion of Šakkan, eager to run. } { (1 ms.:) I am a donkey of Šakkan, who loves running. } |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi A): c.2.4.2.01 I am a knowledgeable scribe of Nisaba; I have perfected my wisdom just as my heroism and { my strength } { (1 ms. has instead:) my distinction }. Reliable words can reach (?) me. I cherish righteousness but do not tolerate wickedness. I hate anyone who speaks wickedly. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi A): c.2.4.2.01 Because I am a powerful man who enjoys using his thighs, I, Šulgi, the mighty king, superior to all, strengthened (?) the roads, put in order the highways of the Land. I marked out the double-hour distances, built there lodging houses. { I planted gardens by their side and established resting-places } { (1 ms. has instead:) I established gardens (?) and resting-places by their side }, and installed in those places experienced men. Whichever direction one comes from, one can refresh oneself when the time is cool; and travellers and wayfarers who arrive at night can seek haven there as in a well-built city. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi A): c.2.4.2.01 Truly I am not boasting! Wherever I look to, there I go; wherever my heart desires, I reach. { (1 ms. adds at least 10 lines:) By the life of my father holy Lugalbanda, and Nanna the king of heaven and earth, I swear that the words written on my tablet are ……. (at least 4 lines missing or unclear) …… since the days of yore, since ………, no king of Sumer as great as I has existed for the people. } An placed a { legitimate and lofty } { (some mss. have:) golden } { (1 ms. has:) good silver } { (1 ms. has:) silver } crown firmly on my head. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02 I am a king, offspring begotten by a king and borne by a queen. I, Šulgi the noble, have been blessed with a favourable destiny right from the womb. When I was small, I was at the academy, where I learned the scribal art from the tablets of Sumer and Akkad. None of the nobles could write on clay as I could. There where people regularly went for tutelage in the scribal art, I qualified fully in subtraction, addition, reckoning and accounting. The fair Nanibgal, Nisaba, provided me amply with knowledge and comprehension. I am an experienced scribe who does not neglect a thing. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02 I sow fear and confusion in the foreign land. I look to my brother and friend, youthful Utu, as a source of divine encouragement. I, Šulgi, converse with him whenever he rises over there; he is the god who keeps a good eye on my battles. The youth Utu, beloved in the mountains, is the protective deity of my weapons; by his words I am strengthened and made pugnacious (?). In those battles, where weapon clashes on weapon, Utu shines on me. Thus I broke the weapons of the highlands over my knees, and in the south placed a yoke on the neck of Elam. I make the populations of the rebel lands -- how could they still resist my weapons? -- scatter like seed-grain over Sumer and Akkad. |
| 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 B): c.2.4.2.02 I am Šulgi, god of manliness, the foremost of the troops. When I stretch the bowstring on the bow, when I fit a perfect arrow to it, I shoot the bow's arrow with the full strength of my arms. The great wild bull, the bull of heaven, the wild cow and the bison bellow. As they pass across the foothills of the mountains, I shoot barbed arrows at them with my powerful strength. (1 line unclear)As they collapse (?) on the plain, I topple them like old towers. I make their heads plunge to the ground like crushing pestles. For the wild asses I set no snares, dig no pits, shoot no arrows against them. But I race after them as against my own rivals; I do not try to surround them to kill their young, as people kill slim ass foals. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02 When a burly wild boar (?) is running across the plain, I pierce its lungs with an arrow. With only one shot of mine I bring it to the ground; no single clansman from my regiments can surpass me in archery. I am a man with sharp eyes. When I lead the …… of the crack troops, I know best of all how to cast the throw-stick, running as quick as light radiating from heaven. What I hit no longer rises from its place. (1 line unclear)I can throw a ball (?) as high in the air as if it were a rag. I can bring down quadrupeds lightning-quick with the sling. I, Šulgi, can catch a goat with a quick pace; nothing checks my power. …… has been given to me. Wherever I direct my steps, I always achieve something; when I return from the desert, I always bring something more for her -- for Ninsumun, my own mother, I am her son of five things, of 10 things (= of everything). |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02 I, the king, am the Land's most excellent fighter against the enemy. I, Šulgi, am respected for my immense bodily strength. I am mighty; nothing resists me; I know no setbacks. My barges on the river do not sink (?) under me (alludes to a proverb (?)); my teams of asses do not collapse under me. Striding forward like my brother and friend, the youth Utu, as if with the legs of a lion, I am the good groom of my dust-making asses that bray like lions roaring. Like that of a stallion, my strength is unwavering during the running-race; I come first in the race, and my knees do not get tired. I am fearless; I dance with joy. My words shall never be forgotten. Praise for me because of my reliable judgments is on everyone's lips. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02 I am a ritually pure interpreter of omens. I am the very Nintur (creator deity) of the collections of omens. These words of the gods are of pre-eminent value for the exact performance of hand-washing and purification rites, for eulogy of the en priestess or for her enthronement in the ĝipar, for the choosing of the lumaḫ and nindiĝir priests by sacred extispicy, for attacking the south or for defeating the uplands, for the opening of the emblem house, for the washing of lances in the "water of battle" (blood), for the taking of subtle decisions about the rebel lands. After I have determined a sound omen through extispicy from a white lamb and a sheep, water and flour are libated at the place of invocation. Then, as I prepare the sheep with words of prayer, my diviner watches in amazement like an idiot. The prepared sheep is placed at my disposal, and I never confuse a favourable sign with an unfavourable one. I myself have a clear intuition, and I judge by my own eyes. In the insides of just one sheep I, the king, can find the indications for everything and everywhere. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02 I, Šulgi, king of Urim, have also devoted myself to the art of music. Nothing is too complicated for me; I know the full extent of the tigi and the adab, the perfection of the art of music. When I fix the frets on the lute, which enraptures my heart, I never damage its neck; I have devised rules for raising and lowering its intervals. On the gu-uš lyre I know the melodious tuning. I am familiar with the sa-eš and with drumming on its musical soundbox. I can take in my hands the miritum, which ……. I know the finger technique of the alĝar and sabitum, royal creations. In the same way I can produce sounds from the urzababitum, the ḫarḫar, the zanaru, the ur-gula and the dim-lu-magura. Even if they bring to me, as one might to a skilled musician, a musical instrument that I have not heard before, when I strike it up I make its true sound known; I am able to handle it just like something that has been in my hands before. Tuning, stringing, unstringing and fastening are not beyond my skills. I do not make the reed pipe sound like a rustic pipe, and on my own initiative I can wail a šumunša or make a lament as well as anyone who does it regularly. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02 I bestow joy and gladness, and I pass my days in pomp and splendour. But people should consider for themselves -- it is a matter to keep in one's sights -- that at the inescapable end of life, no one will be spared the bitter gall of the land of oppression. But I am one who is powerful enough to trust in his own power. He who trusts in his own exalted name may carry out great things. Why should he do less? Since it was for my true mother Ninsumun that my mother together with her actually bore me to bestow joy and gladness, lovingly she cherished my unborn fruit. She did not endure scandal from anyone's mouth. Before she released her little one, this lady passed her time in my palace in the greatest joy. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02 Before Utu son of Ningal, I, Šulgi, declare that in my long life in which I have achieved great things since the day that my kingly destiny was determined, in my life in which everything was richly provided in contentment, I have never lacked anything. Until the distant future may this song bless the name of me, the king, with a life of long days. As I am musical, as I am eloquent, I am a heavenly star of steadfastness. It is an awe-inspiring brow that establishes palaces, just as a peg and a measuring cord are the builders of cities. With the awesomeness that radiates from my forehead, which I make the foreign lands wear like a nose-rope, and the fear-inspiring lustre, my personal weapon, which I impose on the Land like a neck-stock, I am able to root out and undo crime. I have the ability to reconcile great matters with one word. |
| 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 B): c.2.4.2.02 When I pronounce a completed verdict, it is heartily welcomed, since I am wise and exalted in kingship. So that my consultative assemblies, sitting together to care for the people, inspire respect in their hearts when the chief herald sounds the horn, they should deliberate and debate; and so that the council should decide policy properly, I have taught my governors to deliberate and to debate. While the words at their dining tables flow like a river, I tackle crime, so that the foundations are securely established for my wide dominions. I vanquish a city with words as weapons, and my wisdom keeps it subjected just as violence with burning torches would. I have taught them the meaning of the words "I have no mother". My words can be words smooth as the finest quality oil; I know how to cool hearts which are hot as fire, and I know how to extinguish a mouth set on fire like a reedbed. I weigh my words against those of the braggart. I am a man of the very highest standards of value. The importance of the humble is of particular value to me, and they cannot be counter-productive to any of my activities. By command of An and by command of Enlil, prayers are said for the life of the Land and for the life of the foreign lands, and I neither neglect them nor allow them to be interrupted. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02 I also know how to serve the gods, and I can cool the hearts of the Anuna gods. I am Šulgi, whose thick neck becomes fat (?) in majesty. Grand achievements that I have accomplished which bring joy to my heart I do not cast negligently aside; therefore I give pride of place to progress. I give no orders concerning the development of waste ground, but devote my energies to extensive building plots. I have planted trees in fields and in agricultural land; I devote my powers to dams, ……, ditches and canals. I try to ensure a surplus of oil and wool. Thanks to my efforts flax and barley are of the highest quality. The thirst and hunger of the gods are a cause of the greatest anxiety to me; I, Šulgi, am the life of Sumer. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02 I am no fool as regards the knowledge acquired since the time that mankind was, from heaven above, set on its path: when I have discovered tigi and zamzam hymns from past days, old ones from ancient times, I have never declared them to be false, and have never contradicted their contents. I have conserved these antiquities, never abandoning them to oblivion. Wherever the tigi and the zamzam sounded, I have recovered all that knowledge, and I have had those šir-gida songs brilliantly performed in my own good house. So that they should never fall into disuse, I have added them to the singers' repertoire, and thereby I have set the heart of the Land on fire and aflame. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02 Furthermore no one will assert under oath that to this day there is any mention in my inscriptions of a single city that I have not devastated, or wall that I have not demolished, or land that I have not made tremble like a reed hut, or praise that I have not completely verified. Why should a singer put them in hymns? An eminent example deserves eternal fame. What is the use of writing lies without truth? For me, the king, the singer has recorded my exploits in songs about the strength of the protective deity of my power; my songs are unforgettable, and my words shall not fall into oblivion. I am the best king of the Land. From the very first origins until the full flourishing of mankind, there will never be any king who can measure himself against my achievements whom An will let wear his crown or wield his sceptre from a royal throne. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02 I am gifted with power, insight and wisdom. The high point of my great deeds is the culling of lions before the lance as if they were garden weeds, the snapping of fierce felines like reeds as if under the carding-comb, and the crushing (?) of their throats under the axe as if they were dogs. Great powerful wild cows, indomitable bulls, cattle on their way to their mountain pastures, which were killed in the plain, were …… the mountains. That the hills were impenetrable and inaccessible …… -- those are pure lies. Where, in important words on tablets, my wisdom and my power (1 line unclear)He who knows, and does not …… the truth about me as lies, will applaud and praise me. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02 I am a warrior whose might is enormous might. I am Šulgi, whose shadow lies over the mountain lands. I am the king, the weapon and the downfall of rebel lands. Thus I have spread far and wide my everlasting renown. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi B): c.2.4.2.02 For that house, I am the right man to step over the threshold. I am the man whose name has been chosen by Nanna. I am the steward of Enlil's temple, the domestic slave of An. I am Šulgi, and my house E-ḫursaĝ is the palace of palaces. My royal residence is above all praise; I made it tower up like a lapis-lazuli mountain. Inana, the queen of the gods, the protective deity of my power, has perfected the songs of my might -- the foremost among kings -- in respect of everything in the whole world. It is good to praise me. Praise be to Nisaba. |
| 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 C): c.2.4.2.03 I am a hero! Let them appropriately acknowledge my fame! I am a shepherd! Let them repeatedly bless me in prayer according to the heavenly stars! Let them tell in song a perfect recital of all my praiseworthy deeds! |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi C): c.2.4.2.03 I am a hero! Let them appropriately acknowledge my fame! I am a shepherd! Let them repeatedly bless me in prayer according to the heavenly stars! Let them tell in song a perfect recital of all my praiseworthy deeds! |
| 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 C): c.2.4.2.03 I am a hero! Let them appropriately acknowledge my fame! I am a shepherd! Let them repeatedly bless me in prayer according to the heavenly stars! Let them tell in song a perfect recital of all my praiseworthy deeds! |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi C): c.2.4.2.03 I am fair of mouth with well-formed lips. My heart ……. (1 line fragmentary) I also have a solidly based knowledge of ……. In my assembly where grand deliberation takes place, where the black-headed are gathered together, a minister pays attention to messages from foreign lands. Eloquent in the assembly and refined, he (2 lines fragmentary) He roared like a bull. (12 lines missing or fragmentary) |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi C): c.2.4.2.03 I am a shepherd who, apart from being one who always makes the right decisions on what he has sworn, is also fully able to re-establish …… in the Land and to …… forcefully the house of the rebel lands; who grasps hold of the righteous as if they were great bulls, and who darts (?) out his tongue at the wicked like a snake in a terrifying place. I never frighten the just, and I never …… the evil. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi C): c.2.4.2.03 I am a hero! Let them appropriately acknowledge my fame! I am a shepherd! Let them repeatedly bless me in prayer according to the heavenly stars! Let them tell in song a perfect recital of all my praiseworthy deeds! |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi C): c.2.4.2.03 I am the leader living in Sumer! I am engaged in carrying out the planning! When I stand against the cities and territories of the hostile rebel lands, my battle is a hurricane that cannot be overwhelmed. When I surround their contingents from the south and cut the people off, (1 line fragmentary)In the great palace, where I take decisions, when I …… a pure lamb, on the right …… favourable ……, as I …… on my great throne. In my well-established dwelling, I can tell whether to strike with weapons or not to strike with weapons. Since from birth I am also a Nintur (creator deity), wise in all matters, I can recognise the omens of that extispicy in a pure place. I keep a look-out that ……. I am a lord ……, as I range about in my anger. I also have a solidly based knowledge of omens from heaped high censers. My vision enables me to be the dream-interpreter of the Land; my heart enables me to be the Ištaran (god of justice) of the foreign lands. I am Šulgi, good shepherd of Sumer. Like my brother and friend Gilgameš, I can recognise the virtuous and I can recognise the wicked. The virtuous gets justice in my presence, and the wicked and evil person will be carried off by ……. Who like me is able to interpret what is spoken in the heart or is articulated on the tongue? |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi C): c.2.4.2.03 I am a hero! Let them appropriately acknowledge my fame! I am a shepherd! Let them repeatedly bless me in prayer according to the heavenly stars! Let them tell in song a perfect recital of all my praiseworthy deeds! |
| 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 Šulgi (Šulgi C): c.2.4.2.03 I am a hero! Let them appropriately acknowledge my fame! I am a shepherd! Let them repeatedly bless me in prayer according to the heavenly stars! Let them tell in song a perfect recital of all my praiseworthy deeds! |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi C): c.2.4.2.03 I am a runner who is successful in his aspirations. (unknown no. of lines missing) |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi C): c.2.4.2.03 Lion, feline …… (5 lines fragmentary or unclear) May its glory cover the cities, and its battle-cry smother the foreign lands! May the people be terrified at its roaring, as at a storm in the heavens! I am Šulgi, the good shepherd of Sumer! May he bring me the muscles of a lion, the sinews of a lion! May he receive (?) my spear! (3 lines unclear)The black-headed will look on in amazement, and …… in my city. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi C): c.2.4.2.03 I am a hero! Let them appropriately acknowledge my fame! I am a shepherd! Let them repeatedly bless me in prayer according to the heavenly stars! Let them tell in song a perfect recital of all my praiseworthy deeds! |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi C): c.2.4.2.03 Where I stand, I destroy foreign lands; where I sit, I plunder cities. At my command, ……. Where my weapons strike, ……. (7 lines fragmentary or unclear) Their bricks are dug up from the footings ……. The city which I smash shall not be restored; the houses which I destroy shall be counted as ruin mounds; the walls proudly rising to heaven shall not open ……. (1 line unclear) …… I have been given great strength. (1 line fragmentary) …… arrows of my quiver …… a flying bird. As if ……; …… like a wild bull in a meadow. My spear goes straight. My great emblems are raised at the edge of the mountains. When day breaks and Utu comes forth and looks upon the hills, I shall marvel at them. (2 lines unclear) …… may they be terrified, and may his troops be frightened. (1 line fragmentary) Since I am a king who puts the Land on track, (4 lines fragmentary) Night falls, (2 lines unclear) The rebel lands ……. They are scattered by force, like sheep that have no shepherd. (7 lines fragmentary or unclear) May concord be promoted in the Land. May my attack cause them to collapse, like a wild bull going to its resting place. (1 line unclear)May the numerous people in their well-established dwelling be avenged. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi C): c.2.4.2.03 I am a hero! Let them appropriately acknowledge my fame! I am a shepherd! Let them repeatedly bless me in prayer according to the heavenly stars! Let them tell in song a perfect recital of all my praiseworthy deeds! |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi C): c.2.4.2.03 Since I am also pleasure-loving and a devotee of singing, I can perform tigi, adab and great malgatum compositions. When fixing the frets of the great lutes, I know how to raise and lower them. I am adept enough to play perfectly all the seven instruments. …… balbale on the flute; …… their divergent strings; …… the sa-eš instrument …… (4 lines fragmentary or unclear) a performing musician …… (1 line unclear) I also have a solidly based knowledge of ……. …… praying in a melodious voice, capering joyfully to the sound of the holy balaĝ drum (1 line unclear) …… in song, for my sister Ĝeštin-ana, my own mother Ninsumun …… in wisdom …… (6 lines missing) |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi E): c.2.4.2.05 I, Šulgi, the king whose name is very suitable for songs, intend to be praised in my prayers and hymns. At the command of my sister Ĝeštin-ana, my scholars and composers of …… have composed adab, tigi and malgatum hymns about my being the Nintur of all that is, about how wise I am in attending upon the gods, about how the god of intercession has given me favourable signs that years of abundance will elapse for me in due course. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi E): c.2.4.2.05 How I glisten like fine silver, how I am musical and eloquent in wisdom; how I, the shepherd, do everything to absolute perfection: may all this be commended in my kingship. Of all the lines that there are in my songs, none of them is false -- they are indeed true! |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi E): c.2.4.2.05 I am Šulgi, the great musician, superintendent of the art of music. If …… favourable ……. My songs, lapsing from people's mouths and passing out of memory, neglected (?) in all the cult-places ……. …… his king ……, in the music-rooms of the gods …… (10 lines unclear) King of the singer's art, Suen ……, protective goddess of the singer's art, Ĝeštinana …… (3 lines unclear or missing) |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi E): c.2.4.2.05 For the rebel lands, the illiterate (?) ones that carry no emblems, my warfare is a horizon on which there are clouds, enveloping the twilight in fear. The mountains, where the forests do not grow as thick as thornbushes, where in the cult places of the rites of Inana (i.e. in battle) throw-stick and shield do not tumble to the earth in a great storm, where the combatants take no rest in the insistent bitterness of the fierce battle, where life-fluid and blood from both scoundrel and honest person ……, where no black ewes trek over the mountains like floating clouds, and corpses in reedbeds and crannies …… (1 line unclear)The desert scorpion shall no longer behave thus ……. Neither shortly nor in the future shall he rise again. A villain and rebel …… to the weapons of strength. A path that is confused, a way that is cut off like a ……. I bent low the land of the Gutians like a mubum tree, and the land turned its heart in its fear before me, as I put my foot on its neck. I am he who all alone plunders cities with his own strength. I am the strong one who is praised for his weapons. I am he whose lasting name and prayerful words are as tremendous as ……. I am the just and the benefactor in the Land. |
| A lullaby for a son of Šulgi (Šulgi N): c.2.4.2.14 You are restless -- I am troubled, I am quite silent (?), gazing at the stars, as the crescent moon shines on my face. Your bones might be arrayed on the wall! The man of the wall might shed tears for you! The mongoose might beat the balaĝ drums for you! The gecko might gouge its cheeks for you! The fly might gash its lips for you! The lizard might tear out (?) its tongue for you! |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi P): c.2.4.2.16 "Shepherd Šulgi, I am your great sword (?). My holy heart, a rising flood, rejoices over you. My father, An ……, who is your master, praises you who are surpassing in kingship (?) for (?) the …… of your kingship." |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi P): c.2.4.2.16 "I, the lady, holy Ninsumun, the royal mother, the good woman with beautiful hair befitting a lady, Šulgi, I am your faithful guardian (?). May you be dressed in my …… ba garment! Dance …… on my holy knees! May you, the shepherd, born for justice, trust in my holy words!" |
| A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi W): c.2.4.2.23 …… Šulgi, king of Urim. I am ……. My ……. …… for my father. …… Lugalbanda ……. I will rejoice ……. (6 lines fragmentary) (unknown no. of lines missing) |
| A praise poem of Šulgi: c.2.4.2.b When I am radiant in the holy crown like a brilliance that is renewed daily (?), and the majestic sceptre that amasses abundance has been entrusted into my hands, on my firmly founded throne …… granted as a gift …… I lift my head high. |
| A praise poem of Šulgi: c.2.4.2.b I am Šulgi, the good shepherd of Sumer, and I have always established justice. Like a flood, like onrushing water, I have torn out wickedness as being unclean (?). As much great praise as I have had sung about me -- by the name of Enlil, none is false, and all is true. |
| A praise poem of Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan A + V): c.2.5.4.01 An brought Ninkasi along with him …… to its ……, and I libated delicious …… beer, mixed with aromatic cedar essence, over the brickwork of E-kur. Daily I made the E-kur like a harvest-place, and each month on its seventh and fifteenth days I made the temple festive. Both inside and outside the house, like ……, I spread the scent of ……. (1 line unclear)laying …… oil, …… cream, ……, first-fruits of the gardens, dates, ……, on the table of Enlil, my master, ……. The main part of my food, …… drink, his favourite things ……. Enlil ……. I am the …… son of Enlil, I am the …… of Ninlil, I am the strong young man of the E-kur. I am the foremost, with respectful strength, making excellent food offerings. I am untiring, indefatigable. Daily I shall issue instructions for what my master will have to eat, and what I will give to drink, fulfilling the great commands of E-kur: thereby I carry out correctly the instructions of my master Enlil. |
| A praise poem of Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan A + V): c.2.5.4.01 I bring great gladness to the city whose interior and exterior are as blue-green as the sky, Nibru, the mooring pole of heaven and earth. I have exempted its labourers from carrying earth in baskets, and I have freed its troops from fighting. I have released its gold, silver, cattle and sheep, the tribute of the citizens of Nibru. As for the temple of Enlil my master, for Ninlil, and for Ninurta, the mighty hero of Enlil, I have exempted their labourers from service. Filtered beer (?), barley, oil and sheep's wool have been made a tithe. I …… Sumer and Akkad. I …… wickedness and violence, and established justice in Sumer and Akkad. I am the shepherd who loves justice. I am born of Sumer, a son of Nibru. |
| A praise poem of Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan A + V): c.2.5.4.01 I am one who is always for ……. I am wise-eyed, of refined intelligence. I am full of advice, energetic in ……. I am all-knowing, singled out from the people. |
| A praise poem of Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan A + V): c.2.5.4.01 I am a judge who gives no explanations; I am a decision-maker who goes straight to the point. The strong does not behave extravagantly towards others, the mighty does not abuse the weak any more. People are not made subject to the lordly. If he does not wish to enter my presence (?) in holy ……, the feeble person may speak contrary words ……. …… slave of my city. …… of Enlil. Sumer and Akkad …… (1 line unclear) Until the distant future (?) ……. I have …… the destructive men. I have destroyed (?) …… the dispossessed (?) who speak with enmity. I have exerted myself ……. I have …… rebellion and destructive criminals ……. I have supported the appeals of the bondsmen, waifs and widows who cry "Alas, Utu!" or "Alas, Nanna!". I have destroyed ……. I have brought about the extermination of the cut-throats who roam (?) the desert. I have kept the just on the proper track, following the wife and the little child.I have sent (?) people nobly into the fields, and established holy shrines (?) in the desert. I have built the city itself for a long future in the whole world. |
| A praise poem of Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan A + V): c.2.5.4.01 Išme-Dagan, born for heaven, chosen by the heart -- I am kind like a father, attentive (?) like a mother. I am a lofty wall, the encouragement of the Land. I am a tall meš tree with thick roots, and broad shining branches. I am the canopy of Sumer, a pleasant shade; I am a place which even a tall person cannot reach. I am the helper of the troops, the focal point of the Land. I am a warrior on the way to battle, I am a powerful runner who goes like the north wind. I am wise …… superior in every respect. I am a belligerent wild bull, kicking up the dust everywhere; I am a battering ram, ……. I stand in the forefront of the shields. I am the hero of heroes, with the strength of a battle-mace, as I smite the rebel lands right and left. |
| 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 I also brought into the temple of Enlil and my lady Ninlil a copper statue of my own father. …… copper statue of my grandfather. I brought out …… statue, and brought it into the temple of Enlil. I …… it in the E-kur, the …… shrine. (6 lines fragmentary or unclear) I am the king …… Enlil, the patient lord. (1 line fragmentary) |
| A praise poem of Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan A + V): c.2.5.4.01 I made sure that my praise was spoken, by creating numerous songs to Ĝeštin-ana, the honey-mouthed lady. I installed …… my scholars and chief singers. The skilful singers composed for me adab, tigi, šumunša, malgatum, šir-gida, royal praise poems perfect in content, araḫi, balbale, zamzam and kunĝar compositions. They magnify my name in the places where odes are performed. That I am omniscient and broad in wisdom, that I am knowedgeable (?) about the …… of the troops, that I direct the people as a wise shepherd who is brilliant (?) in the face of weapons, that I am skilful in everything, that An has looked favourably on me, that by the word of Enlil ……, that Ninlil is my protection, that Enki has given me wisdom, that Ninurta is all for me (?), that Nanna loves me greatly, that I am the son-in-law of Ningal, that Inana has made me attractive, (2 lines broken or unclear) |
| A praise poem of Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan A + V): c.2.5.4.01 That the scribal art, in the place of skilled craftsmanship, …… power; that I have understood the contents of tablets, counting and reckoning in all their depth and breadth, checking, coefficients, establishing the surface of a field, and laying out the reed measuring-pole; that I have …… on the podium, my chosen place; that I have learnt with my talented hands, my pure hands, to write the tablets of Sumer and Akkad; that I have lent lustre to the academy by completely mastering the reed stylus and the scribal art; that I have devoted myself to the art of singing, and know the occasions when praise songs are to be sung; that I am eminent in the performance style for …… songs; that I know how to intersperse appropriate words with the accompaniment of the fingers and instruments; that I have mastered the drumsticks, the sa-eš, the sabitum, the ḫarḫar and the zanaru instruments; that I have { occupied myself with } { (1 ms. has instead:) completely mastered } the developed aspects of the art of singing and the recondite points of …… songs -- all these things the scholars and the composers of my …… songs have put in my great songs and have declared in my hymns. |
| A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar A): c.2.5.5.1 I am a king treated with respect, good offspring from the womb. I am Lipit-Eštar, the son of Enlil. From the moment I lifted my head like a cedar sapling, I have been a man who possesses strength in athletic pursuits. As a young man I grew very muscular (?). I am a lion { in all respects } { (3 mss. have instead:) to the extremes (?) }, having no equal. |
| 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. |
| A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar A): c.2.5.5.1 I am Lipit-Eštar, king of the Land. I am the good shepherd of the black-headed. I am the foremost in the foreign countries, and exalted in the Land. I am a human god, the lord of the numerous people. I am the strong heir of kingship. Holding my head high, I am established in my position. |
| A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar A): c.2.5.5.1 I am An's purification priest with purified hands. An placed the great and good crown firmly on my head. Enlil gave the sceptre to me, his beloved son, in the Ki-ur. I am what makes Ninlil happy: she determined a good fate in the Ĝa-ĝiš-šua. I have been made excellently beautiful by Nintur, the joyful woman, in brick-built Keš. I am one looked on favourably by Nanna: he spoke to me affirmatively in Urim. |
| A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar A): c.2.5.5.1 Uta-ulu imbued me, the man of his heart, with great awesomeness in E-šu-me-ša. I am he on whom Enki has bestowed wisdom: he gave me kingship in Eridug. As the beloved husband of Inana, I lift my head high in the place Unug. I am a proficient scribe of Nisaba. I am a young man whose word Utu confirms. I am the perfection of kingship. I am Lipit-Eštar, Enlil's son. |
| A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar A): c.2.5.5.1 I am he who makes an abundant crop grow, the life of the Land. I am a farmer, piling up his grain piles. I am a shepherd making butter and milk abundant in the cow-pen. I am he who makes the fish and birds grow bigger in the marshes. I am a river of plenty, bringing flowing water. I am he who increases the splendour of the great mountains. I have been given enormous strength by Enlil. I am Lipit-Eštar, his young man who respects him. |
| A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar A): c.2.5.5.1 I am the provider of the gods. I am he who cares unceasingly for the E-kur. I am the king clutching a kid to the breast as a gift. I pray in all humility. I am a king standing in prayer. I am he who speaks friendly words to appease Enlil. I am he whose prayers make Ninlil happy. I am he who serves Nuska indefatigably. I am he who is ever praying (?) at the Ki-ur. Bestowing many things, I am perfect for the { foundation } { (1 ms. has:) city (?) }. I am one who always hurries, but whose knees never tire. |
| A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar A): c.2.5.5.1 Bringing first fruits, I do not pass by the E-babbar. I am he who records abundance for Nibru. I serve Keš as its purification priest. I am first-rate butter and first-rate milk for Urim. I am indefatigable with respect to Eridug. I am he who increases the food offerings for the place Unug. I am he to whom life was given in the E-kur. I am he who desires liveliness for his city. I am Lipit-Eštar, the shepherd of all foreign lands. |
| A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar A): c.2.5.5.1 I, the king, am like pounding waves in battle. Girded in manliness, I never loosen my harness. I am he who sharpens his dagger. In battle I flash like lightning. A firm foundation, I repulse the troops. I am a saĝkal stone, a pešpeš stone. I am a siege shield, a screen for the army. A clear-eyed warrior, I make the troops firm. I am Lipit-Eštar, Enlil's son. Like a waterskin with cool water, I am life for the young men. Keeping my eyes on the road, I am { the protection } { (1 ms. has:) the aid (?) } of the soldiers. |
| A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar A): c.2.5.5.1 I am a king who, as he sits, is fitted for the throne. I am possessed of a weighty persona for speaking. I am one with a far-reaching mind and intellect, examining requests. I do not hurry over anything, but research its background. I have a far-reaching heart and broad wisdom. I am a stone that brings …… out of the Land. I am one that has truth in his mouth. I am one who never destroys a just person. I am a judge who, in making a decision, weighs his words fairly. I am one who is well-acquainted with giving orders to the foreign lands. I have established justice in Sumer and Akkad, and made the Land feel content. |
| A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar A): c.2.5.5.1 What of my truthful things can be thrown away? I, prince Lipit-Eštar, keep the people on a straight path. As regards my integrity: in what respect have I ever been idle? I am a strong person who has brought distinction to everything. I am Lipit-Eštar, Enlil's son. |
| A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar A): c.2.5.5.1 In my royal palace, my holy and good residence, my spouse holy Inana made firm the foundation of my throne. She will embrace me forever and eternally. I will spend all day for the Mistress in the { good } { (1 ms.:) lapis-lazuli } bedchamber that fills the heart with joy! I am Lipit-Eštar, the powerful heir; I am the king that makes justice prominent. May my name be called on in all the foreign lands! I am Lipit-Eštar, Enlil's son. It is sweet to praise me. |
| A šir-namgala (?) to Inana for Ur-Ninurta (Ur-Ninurta A): c.2.5.6.1 "May you establish the divine powers of E-ana! Ur-Ninurta, I am your great wall permanently and forever!" |
| An adab to An for Ur-Ninurta (Ur-Ninurta E): c.2.5.6.5 "I am the only one among the gods with great divine powers. I am An the king, the only one among the gods with great divine powers. Ur-Ninurta, my utterances shall never be altered for you." |
| A prayer to Enlil for Rīm-Sîn (Rīm-Sîn A): c.2.6.9.1 May Enlil, king of heaven and earth, whose utterances are trusty and whose words are ……, …… the shepherd Rīm-Sîn, …… my king ……. May he who gives him life-giving (?) food-offerings in Nibru stand in prayer before him. May Enlil bestow upon him grain, the benefit of mankind. May he pass his time in joy in the …… of his country. They will …… Rīm-Sîn my king. May he strengthen for him his royal throne and extend his reign. May he decree his sceptre for the south and the uplands. May he make the king's inferiors bow down before him. The offerings of Rīm-Sîn my king, small or great, at Nibru in the E-kur ……. Syrup shall drip like ghee from its fingers. I am as the son of one man, honey and ghee. My king, let offerings …… in my joy. They give me silver ……. |
| A prayer to Enlil for Rīm-Sîn (Rīm-Sîn A): c.2.6.9.1 (1 line fragmentary) I am like …… a man's son. (1 line unclear) ……, may he …… you. Alone (?) Rīm-Sîn, my king, …… like syrup and ghee. (1 line unclear) …… Enlil, his Great Mountain, in accordance with your name may Rīm-Sîn be your Great Mountain. May Ninurta declare …… life for you, and may Ninnibru, the lady who founds cities, ……, enclose you mercifully and kindly …… to protect your life. May Ninšubur, …… whom Nanna declared (?), …… good fortune on your head, and declare life for you. (1 line unclear) |
| Letter from Aradĝu to Šulgi about Apillaša: c.3.1.01 After a close interrogation at the gate, nobody even bade me enter. When I finally entered, someone brought me a throne with studs plated with red gold and told me: "Sit down!" I replied: "I am here to present the instructions of my king. Therefore I will not sit down!"" |
| Letter from Šulgi to Aradĝu about Apillaša: c.3.1.02 If I do not make my 'Sage of the Assembly' feel just as important as I am, if he does not sit on a throne on a dais, furnished with a high-quality cloth cover (?), if his feet do not rest on a golden footstool, if he is not allowed by his own highest authority both to appoint and then to remove a governor from his function as governor, an official { from his charge } { (some mss. have instead:) from his function as official } { (1 ms. has instead:) from an official }, if he does not kill or blind anyone, if he does not elevate his favourite over others -- how else can he secure the provinces? |
| Letter from Aradĝu to Šulgi about the country: c.3.1.04 (1 line fragmentary) …… which he obtained (?), I am ……. (1 line fragmentary)…… the citizens of the territory of Gutium, ……, Mari and Rāpiqum, who will listen at all times, are before me. Whatever you say, my lord, I will do. |
| Letter from Puzur-Šulgi to Šulgi about the advance of the enemy: c.3.1.07 I am also well-informed about the oracular signs concerning the enemy: the enemy has replenished his strength for battle. However, my strength is limited. I cannot strengthen the fortress further or { guard it } { (1 ms. has instead:) guard the cities (?) } against him. |
| Letter from Puzur-Šulgi to Šulgi about the advance of the enemy: c.3.1.07 I am the loyal servant of my lord Šulgi. { (1 ms. adds:) …… which is not negligent. } Let this not be the death of me! May my lord know! { (1 ms. adds:) It is urgent! } |
| Letter from Šulgi to Puzur-Šulgi about the fortress Igi-ḫursaĝa: c.3.1.08 …… the Tidnum have returned (?) from their mountain land. I am therefore setting over you Lu-Nanna, the ruler of the province of Zimudar, together with his troops (?). There is for you …… together with his ……. There is not for him ……. (1 line fragmentary) |
| Letter from Aradĝu (?) to Šulgi about bandits and Apillaša: c.3.1.11 { The report is returned (?) ……; } { (1 ms. has instead:) Whatever statements have been made ……, } your matter is an important matter, and your affairs are great affairs. His pleasant words are in your heart, ……. They (?) are the people. Your eyes ……. How could I bear a grudge? I am securing the foundations of the province, and making it obedient. My lord, no king can rival you; let your heart be glad! |
| 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 I sent a messenger to the province of Murub: the attitude (?) of the province has altered. I will not neglect to build the fortification -- in fact I am building and engaging in military action at the same time. After all, as 'Sage of the Assembly' I descend (?) from a great lineage! I have been advised that the attitude (?) of the province has not altered. |
| 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 Išbi-Erra to Ibbi-Suen about the purchase of grain: c.3.1.17 My lord, I am without fear! I will not delay (?); I will not …… in their midst. Each one of Isin's and Nibru's gods may search there for faces (?); I have indeed looked for them. Their widespread people, their population ……, huge ……, are indeed healthy; the true seed is { indeed great there } { (1 ms. has instead:) precious }. |
| Letter from Aba-indasa to Šulgi about his neglect: c.3.1.21 I am a scribe and I write on stelae. { (2 ms. add:) …… business concerning the troops. } I will …… business which has been neglected in the assembly, when it ……. { (1 ms. adds:) …… business which makes good …… equal. } |
| Letter from Aba-indasa to Šulgi about his neglect: c.3.1.21 But like a tree planted in riverine thickets, I am bowed down in dirt. They have bound a rope around my hands, on my chair where they have tied me. In my city, where I would wear clean clothes, I am clothed instead in mourning dress. When I wash away clods of soil, dust still gets into my eyes. |
| 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. } |
| Letter from Sîn-iddinam to the god Utu: c.3.2.05 { For seven years, in my city there has been no battle and combat, and death (?) has not been imminent (?) } { (1 ms. has instead:) For five years, in my city we have not been extinguished (?) by battle, not oppressed by death }. In the open country the lion { does not diminish } { (1 ms. has instead:) …… } devouring men. I am { treated } { (1 ms. has instead:) I have been bound (?) } like one who does not know how to entreat a god fervently. I serve the great gods daily with prayers, and my fervent entreaties are sublime. |
| Letter from Ur-saga to a king fearing the loss of his father's household: c.3.3.01 My lord { has taken care of me } { (2 mss. have instead:) has not taken care of me }; I am a citizen of Urim. { If my lord agrees } { (1 ms. has instead:) If it pleases my lord }, let no one waste my father's household, let no one take away { the home of my father's estate } { (1 ms. has instead:) my old man's home }! May my lord know this! |
| Letter from Lugal-nesaĝe to a king radiant as the moon: c.3.3.02 Like a sheep I use my mouth for eating grass and I am unfamiliar with washing with soap. Like an ox bearing a yoke which it cannot support, I have been driven out into the high plains. Like a cow whose calf is not close by, I utter pitiful cries. As happens to a ewe whose lamb is restrained in the milking pen, hands seize me. As happens to a bird, men take my nest away. As happens to a boat which is not anchored to a firm quay, I drift in the wind. (1 ms. omits lines 10-12) |
| Letter from Lugal-nesaĝe to a king radiant as the moon: c.3.3.02 As happens to a sickly tree that has borne no fruit, no one rejoices over me. I am fresh fruit but I have no buds and I do not ……. |
| Letter from Lugal-nesaĝe to a king radiant as the moon: c.3.3.02 Like a sheep I set my mouth to eating grass and I am unfamiliar with washing with soap. Like an ox under a yoke which it cannot support, I have been driven out into the high plains. Like a cow whose calf is not close by, I utter pitiful cries. As happens to a ……, hands seize me. As happens to a boat which is not anchored to a firm quay, I drift in the wind. |
| Letter from Lugal-nesaĝe to a king radiant as the sun: c.3.3.03 A punishment which I do not understand has ravaged me and I have wailed my lamenting. In a strange city I moan like a dove and receive no mercy. I am constantly restless like a dog which does not know where to settle down. I am watchful like a bird which has flown from the claws of a falcon. My exuberance has perished in blight like a garden that has not been { watered } { (1 ms. has instead:) tended }. Envy within my king's palace overwhelms me and a bad reputation besets me. |
| Letter from Lugal-nesaĝe to a king radiant as the sun: c.3.3.03 Grief ……. Woe ……. Like an ox I am overwhelmed, …… my fodder. My descendants and offspring are on good terms …… their nest, …… the mouth for eating food. { As happens on } { (1 ms. has instead:) Like a distant …… from } the …… high plains where the winds blow, …… the mill. I will not be buried on dying but …… ground like grain. My brother, although not an enemy, …… contemptuously. |
| Letter from Lugal-nesaĝe to a king radiant as the sun: c.3.3.03 …… a bird …… the claws of a falcon. …… like a garden which has been watered. Envy within my king's palace overwhelms me and ……. Grief ……. Woe ……. Like an ox I am overwhelmed, like …… my fodder. My descendants and offspring are worried in their nests. Like a distant …… from the …… high plains where the winds blow, …… the mill. I will not experience being buried as befits the dead but …… ground like grain. |
| Letter from Lugal-nesaĝe to Enlil-massu: c.3.3.09 { After my becoming sorely afraid, my heart is full of blood and gore. As a result of deep concern, I am in distress. } { (1 Urim ms. has instead:) On my becoming sorely afraid, my heart …… blood and much gore. As a result of deep concern, I am in distress. } { (the other Urim ms. has instead:) As a result of deep concern, I am in distress. As a result of becoming sorely afraid, my heart is full of blood and gore. } So long as I have not gone to the place where destiny is decided, may your countenance favour me in accordance with the instructions of Enlil. |
| Letter from Inanaka to the goddess Nintinuga: c.3.3.10 I have fallen ill { for a second time }{ (1 ms. has instead:) twice (?) }, but I do not yet know the divine oracle concerning { my being in agonies }{ (1 ms. has instead:) these agonies }. { (1 ms. adds:) ……. } My lady, a house has been built for me, but I have to sit there with longing eyes. My valued acquaintances { keep }{ (1 ms. has instead:) stay } away from me. I have no one who would take care of me. Since this is full, too full for me, I am distressed. |
| Letter from Inim-Inana to Enlil-massu: c.3.3.11 They told me everything and I am pleased beyond exaggeration. May the precious protective power of a lifetime; Lugal-šu, Nabi-Enlil and Enlil-alsag, the scholars who precede you; and Ninimma, your own goddess, and Nisaba, the lady of broad wisdom, give wisdom to you. You did not know what was written on the tablet or that the city would be unforthcoming. Lu-gena is sending you two shekels of silver, one garment and two sashes. Accept them. But your mother should not touch the remaining assets. It is urgent. |
| Letter from Inim-Inana to Lugal-ibila: c.3.3.12 Don't neglect the Sumerian language. For the second time, I am sending you a message in correct language. { (1 ms. adds:) …… is ……. } Don't let the children who sit before you go out from the school. However much anyone misleads you and says "I want to go" on account of his father, until you and I agree on a sign and a messenger comes to you, don't let the children out. { …… } { (the ms. which adds l. 4A has instead:) A father entrusts his child's well-being to your …… }. It is urgent. |
| Letter from Gudea to his personal deity: c.3.3.20 I am like a sheep who has no reliable shepherd; there is no reliable herdsman to lead me on. |
| Letter from Gudea to his personal deity: c.3.3.20 I am noble (?) but do not utter a word, being vigilantly (?) ……. Seven times …… has not …… my accomplishments. Seven times my god (?) has not been able to find out about their extent. |
| Letter from Gudea to his personal deity: c.3.3.20 My god, I am not one to be hostile. May you show sympathy towards me once again. |
| Letter from Inim-Enlila to a king: c.3.3.27 I do not know my punishment: my punishment has not been considered yet. I am devoured by sorrow at the fate of the captive (?) families. Let my bones not be carried off by water to a foreign city. (unknown no. of lines missing) |
| Letter from Kug-Nanna to the god Ninšubur: c.3.3.39 I am ……, I am an ailing old man, I am …… handcuffs. (1 line fragmentary) (unknown no. of lines missing) |
| A hymn to Inana (Inana C): c.4.07.3 I am En-ḫedu-ana, the high priestess of the moon god. ……; I am the …… of Nanna. (1 line fragmentary) (20 lines missing) (1 line fragmentary) |
| A hymn to Inana (Inana C): c.4.07.3 Advice ……, grief, bitterness ……, 'alas' ……. My lady, …… mercy …… compassion …… I am yours! This will always be so! May your heart be soothed towards me! May your understanding …… compassion. May …… in front of you, may it be my offering. Your divinity is resplendent in the Land! My body has experienced your great punishment. Bitter lament keeps me awake with …… anxiety. Mercy, compassion, care, lenience and homage are yours, and to cause flood storms, to open hard ground and to turn darkness into light. |
| A balbale (?) to Inana (Inana F): c.4.07.6 My father gave me the heavens and he gave me the earth. I am Inana! Which god compares with me? |
| A balbale (?) to Inana (Inana F): c.4.07.6 Enlil gave me the heavens and he gave me the earth. I am Inana! He gave me lordship, and he gave me queenship. He gave me battles and he gave me fighting. He gave me the stormwind and he gave me the dust cloud. He placed the heavens on my head as a crown. He put the earth at my feet as sandals. He wrapped the holy ba garment around my body. He put the holy sceptre in my hand. |
| A balbale (?) to Inana (Inana F): c.4.07.6 The gods are small birds, but I am the falcon. The Anuna mill about, but I am the good wild cow, I am the good wild cow of Father Enlil, his good wild cow which walks in front. |
| A balbale (?) to Inana (Inana F): c.4.07.6 The heavens are mine and the earth is mine: I am heroic! In Unug the E-ana is mine, in Zabalam the Giguna is mine, in Nibru the Dur-an-ki is mine, in Urim the E-Dilmuna is mine, in Ĝirsu the Ešdam-kug is mine, in Adab the E-šara is mine, in Kiš the Ḫursaĝ-kalama is mine, in Kisiga the Amaš-kuga is mine, in Akšak the Anzagar is mine, in Umma the Ibgal is mine, in Agade the Ulmaš is mine. Which god compares with me? |
| A šir-namšub to Inana (Inana I): c.4.07.9 When I …… as I travel by boat, when I …… as I travel by boat, when I, the queen, journey to the abzu, when I enter the house of Enlil, I am indeed the queen who is pre-eminent in the mountains. When I stand before the face of Enlil, I am indeed the emanating light. When I stand in the mouth of the battle, I am indeed also the foremost one of all lands. When I stand in the thick of the battle, I am indeed also the very guts of battle, the heroic strength. When I walk about at the rear of the battle, I am indeed also the flood bearing ……. When I take my stand behind the battle, I am the woman who comes (?). |
| A šir-namšub to Inana (Inana I): c.4.07.9 When I sit in the alehouse, I am a woman, and I am an exuberant young man. When I am present at a place of quarrelling, I am a woman, a figurine brought to life. When I sit by the gate of the tavern, I am a prostitute familiar with the penis; the friend of a man, the girlfriend of a woman. |
| A šir-namšub to Inana (Inana I): c.4.07.9 I am milk of the god. I am pre-eminent in the mountains. I am the milk of the god, of Dumuzid. I am pre-eminent in the mountains. The mountains in my hands, the mountains at my feet, Elam in my hands; I have a pointed dagger in my belt. The gods are small birds, and I am the falcon. The Anuna gods butt each other, but I am the wild cow. I am the grandiloquent daughter of Enlil. I am the formidable one of my father Suen. I am the queen created by Nudimmud. My eye ……. My eye ……. (1 line fragmentary) (unknown no. of lines missing) |
| A balbale to Inana (Dumuzid-Inana F): c.4.08.06 I am perfect for the lord in E-kur. We are a fitting ornament in the joyful palace. In the house of Enlil ……. In the house of Enlil ……. …… in E-kur ……. (approx. 3 lines missing)I shall decree a good destiny …… from the abzu for my king, a meš tree properly ……, …… verdant, full of beauty, of his mother and father, my …… who was born ……: |
| A tigi to Inana (Dumuzid-Inana H): c.4.08.08 (1 line fragmentary) (1 line unclear)There he is, standing at our mother's gate, while I am rushing around in excitement. There he is standing at Ningal's gate, while I am rushing around in excitement. Oh that someone would tell my mother! May our neighbour come to sprinkle water on the floor! Oh that someone would tell my mother Ningal! May our neighbour come to sprinkle water on the floor: the fragrance of her dwelling is pleasant, and her words are delightful. |
| A kunĝar to Inana (Dumuzid-Inana I): c.4.08.09 "Young woman, don't provoke a quarrel! Inana, let us talk it over! Inana, don't provoke a quarrel! Ninegala, let us discuss it together! My father is just as good as your father; Inana, let us talk it over! My mother is just as good as your mother; Ninegala, let us discuss it together! Ĝeštin-ana is just as good as ……; Inana, let us talk it over! I am just as good as Utu; Ninegala, let us discuss it together! Enki is just as good as Suen; Inana, let us talk it over! Durtur is just as good as Ningal; Ninegala, let us discuss it together!" |
| A kunĝar to Inana (Dumuzid-Inana I): c.4.08.09 Ama-ušumgal-ana answers the mistress: "It is for the mistress, it is for my spouse the mistress -- I am ploughing with them for her! For holy Inana, the priestess -- I am ploughing with them for her!" He of the šuba jewels, he of the šuba jewels will indeed plough with the šuba jewels! Ama-ušumgal-ana, he of the šuba jewels, will indeed plough with the šuba jewels! |
| A balbale (?) to Inana (Dumuzid-Inana P): c.4.08.16 …… of my …… is holy. I am she who directs ……. …… genitals ……. …… is perfect for august status. Subduing ……, fixing my gaze ……, I am she who directs ……. (3 lines fragmentary) |
| 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 song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana R): c.4.08.18 I am the queen, I am the queen, I am …… full of loveliness! I am the maiden, I am the queen, I am …… full of loveliness! I am the queen, seed engendered by An, I am …… full of loveliness! I am good oil, good oil, …… sweet perfume! …… may he moor the boat ……. …… may he moor the boat ……. |
| A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana R): c.4.08.18 I am the queen, I shall go with him to his ……. I am Inana, I shall go with him to his ……. I shall go with him to his ……. I shall go with him to his …… shrine. I shall go with him to the house with its measuring jars. |
| A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana B1): c.4.08.28 "Wife, I am going to bring flowing water to the arid (?) place. I am going to look after my spacious cattle-pen. I am going to find out the condition of the holy sheepfold. I am going to feed my sheep. I am going to seek out the …… of fresh water for drinking." |
| Dumuzid and Enkimdu: c.4.08.33 "I am a woman and I won't do that, I won't! I am a star ……, and I won't! I won't be the wife of a shepherd!" Her brother, the warrior youth Utu, said to holy Inana: |
| Dumuzid and Enkimdu: c.4.08.33 "As for me, I am a shepherd: when I am married, farmer, you are going to be counted as my friend. Farmer Enkimdu, you are going to be counted as my friend, farmer, as my friend." |
| A hymn to Nanna: c.4.13.a (Suen speaks:) " (2 lines fragmentary) I am the …… of Enlil, ……. In fear (?) of my lordship and greatness ……. O my mother, speak to my father ……, speak to the Great Mountain Enlil ……. Like the god, my brother, ……." |
| Nanše and the birds (Nanše C): c.4.14.3 "I am the mistress! How can my pelican (?) ……? How can I ……? I am Nanše! How can my pelican (?) …… holy? How can ……?" |
| Nanše and the birds (Nanše C): c.4.14.3 "I am the mistress, so let my birds assemble for me where the sheaves are gathered! I am Nanše, so let my birds assemble for me where the sheaves are gathered! Let the birds of heaven and earth stand at my service! Let every bird without a name bring offerings! Let every bird not caught in nets ……!" |
| Nanše and the birds (Nanše C): c.4.14.3 The sharp-toothed bird in (?) the water sends forth …… wisdom: "My mistress, ……. I am the bird, the sharp-toothed bird! All by myself ……. My Nanše, ……! I am the bird, the sharp-toothed bird! All by myself ……." (3 lines fragmentary)The lammergeier ……. …… the lammergeier ……. It kills wild bulls in the foothills, and it kills the stags in the high mountains. |
| A šir-namšub to Nisaba (Nisaba B): c.4.16.2 "In the moonlight, in the pure place of moonlight I lie down alone. In the moonlight which fills the hills, the pure place, I lie down alone. By the cedar mountains where Enlil lies, I lie down alone. …… I weep a bitter lament. …… lying in the moonlight, I weep a bitter lament. …… which sets aglow …… shines forth. I am distraught. The moonlight which sets aglow the glorious sky shines forth. I am distraught. The moonlight which sets aglow the glorious night shines forth. I am distraught -- which sets aglow the glorious sky, the glorious night, shines forth. I am distraught." |
| A šir-gida to Ninisina (Ninisina A): c.4.22.1 "I am the lady, the youthful woman, the great strength of Enlil! I am the beautiful woman Ninisina, daughter of holy An! My father An the king, shepherd of the gods, sat me in the Land on a holy dais. My mother Uraš, the lady of the gods, had momentous sexual intercourse with An, relaxing in the holy bedchamber; my place of engendering by holy An was a holy place." |
| A šir-gida to Ninisina (Ninisina A): c.4.22.1 "I am the lady who sits upon terrifying divine powers! I am she who is endowed from holy heaven with the office of incantation priestess! I am she who withdraws the first fruits from the palace, I am she who has received the divine powers from the most elevated dais. I am mighty, I am the forceful one of An and Uraš, I am the great lady of the gods! My terror is fearsome as it weighs on the Land; my terrifying splendour burdens all the foreign lands. No man anticipates my commands. I am the lady, I am heroic, I am youthful, I am the powerful one of the Land! The heavens fold themselves in my presence like a mourning garment; the earth is more and more submerged as if by the water of a flood when I am present. I am the neck-stock of the Land which grips mankind. I am she who hastens like a north wind storm into the midst of the people! I am she who hears prayer and pleading!"Praise be to holy Ninisina. |
| A hymn to Ninurta (Ninurta C): c.4.27.03 Ninurta, lord of the gods, glory of E-šu-me-ša, speaks most generously in praise: "My father Enlil!" Ninurta …… himself like a lion: "I am the hero belonging to Enlil, I am he who controls the affairs of Nibru. ……, and do not let the birds escape. I am a man after the heart of my father Enlil, and I am the hero beloved by my mother Ninlil. I was born in the mountains; I am strong in the mountains." |
| A balbale to Ninurta (Ninurta F): c.4.27.06 Good semen, good seed, king chosen by Enlil! Very good semen, very good seed, Ninurta, chosen by Enlil! My king, I shall call upon your name. Ninurta, I am your man, your man; I shall call upon your name. My king, ewes give birth to lambs, ewes give birth to lambs, ewes and rams are born; I shall call upon your name. My king, goats give birth to kids, goats give birth to kids, buck-goats are born; I shall call upon your name. My king, cows give birth to calves, cows give birth to calves, cows and breed-bulls are born; I shall call upon your name. My king, she-asses give birth to foals, she-asses give birth to foals, donkeys …… are born; I shall call upon your name. My king, humans give birth to children, humans give birth to children. Ninurta, king ……. |
| A hymn to Nungal (Nungal A): c.4.28.1 Then the lady is exultant; the powerful goddess, holy Nungal, praises herself: "An has determined a fate for me, the lady; I am the daughter of An. Enlil too has provided me with an eminent fate, for I am his daughter-in-law. The gods have given the divine powers of heaven and earth into my hands. My own mother, Ereškigala, has allotted to me her divine powers. I have set up my august dais in the nether world, the mountain where Utu rises. I am the goddess of the great house, the holy royal residence. I speak with grandeur to Inana, I am her heart's joy. I assist Nintur at the place of child-delivery (?); I know how to cut the umbilical cord and know the favourable words when determining fates. I am the lady, the true stewardess of Enlil; he has heaped up possessions for me. The storehouse which never becomes empty is mine; ……." |
| A hymn to Nungal (Nungal A): c.4.28.1 "Mercy and compassion are mine. I frighten no one. I keep an eye upon the black-headed people: they are under my surveillance. I hold the tablet of life in my hand and I register the just ones on it. The evildoers cannot escape my arm; I learn their deeds. All countries look to me as to their divine mother. I temper severe punishments; I am a compassionate mother. I cool down even the angriest heart, sprinkling it with cool water. I calm down the wounded heart; I snatch men from the jaws of destruction." |
| A hymn to Nungal (Nungal A): c.4.28.1 "My house is built on compassion; I am a life-giving (?) lady. Its shadow is like that of a cypress tree growing in a pure place. Birtum the very strong, my spouse, resides there with me. Taking a seat on its great and lofty dais, he gives mighty orders. The guardians of my house and the fair-looking protective goddesses ……. My chief superintendent, Ig-alim, is the neck-stock of my hands. He has been promoted to take care of my house; ……. My messenger does not forget anything: he is the pride of the palace. In the city named after (?) Enlil, I recognise true and false. Ninḫarana brings the news and puts it before me. My chief barber sets up the bed for me in the house imbued with awesomeness. Nezila arranges joyous { (1 ms. adds:) and valued (?) } occasions (?)." |
| A šir-namšub to Utu (Utu F): c.4.32.f "I am unfamiliar with womanly matters, with ……. I am unfamiliar with womanly matters, with sexual intercourse! I am unfamiliar with womanly matters, with kissing! I am unfamiliar with sexual intercourse, I am unfamiliar with kissing!" |
| A man and his god: c.5.2.4 "Grief ……, despair ……, and …… has been put in place. I am a young man, I am knowledgeable, but what I know does not come out right with me. The truth which I speak has been turned (?) into a lie. A man of deceit has overwhelmed me like the south wind and prostrated me before him. My unwitting arm has shamed me before you. You have doled out to me suffering ever anew. When I go into the house I despair. When I, a young man, go out into the street, I am depressed." |
| A man and his god: c.5.2.4 "My righteous shepherd has become angry with me, a youth, and looked upon me with hostility. My herdsman has plotted malice against me although I am not his enemy. My companion does not say a true word to me. My friend falsifies my truthfully spoken words. A man of deceit has spoken insulting words to me while you, my god, do not respond to him and you carry off my understanding. An ill-wisher has spoken insulting words to me -- he angered me, was like a storm and created anguish. I am wise -- why am I tied up with ignorant youths? I am discerning -- why am I entangled among ignorant men?" |
| A man and his god: c.5.2.4 "My god, …… before you. I would speak to you: my tears are excess and my words are supplication. I would tell you about it, would unravel to you like a thread the evil of my path. …… the confusion of what I have done (?). Let the wise …… in my plans; tears will not cease. I am less qualified than my friend; I am inferior to my companion." |
| A man and his god: c.5.2.4 "In the overwhelming bitterness of my path I never see a good dream -- but unfavourable (?) visions daily never stop for me. Anguish embraced me though I am not its wife and ……. Grief spread its lap for me though I am not its small child. Lamentation sweeps over me as if it were a southerly wind-storm and ……. My brother cried "Alas"." (10 lines fragmentary) (5 lines missing) |
| The debate between Hoe and Plough: c.5.3.1 The Plough addressed the Hoe: "I am the Plough, fashioned by great strength, assembled by great hands, the mighty registrar of Father Enlil. I am mankind's faithful farmer. To perform my festival in the fields in the harvest month, the king slaughters cattle and sacrifices sheep, and he pours beer into a bowl. The king offers the gathered (?) libation. The ub and ala drums resound. { (1 ms. adds 1 line:) (1 line fragmentary) } The king takes hold of my handles, and harnesses my oxen to the yoke. All the great high-ranking persons walk at my side. All the lands gaze at me in great admiration. The people watch me in joy." |
| The debate between Hoe and Plough: c.5.3.1 "My threshing-floors punctuating the plain are yellow hillocks radiating beauty. I pile up stacks and mounds for Enlil. I amass emmer and wheat for him. I fill the storehouses of mankind with barley. The orphans, the widows and the destitute take their reed baskets and glean my scattered ears. People come to drag away my straw, piled up in the fields. The teeming herds of Šakkan thrive." |
| The debate between Hoe and Plough: c.5.3.1 "I am the Hoe and I live in the city. No one is more honoured than I am. I am a servant following his master. I am one who builds a house for his master. I am one who broadens the cattle-stalls, who expands the sheepfolds." |
| The debate between Hoe and Plough: c.5.3.1 "I press (?) clay and make bricks. I lay foundations and build a house. I strengthen an old wall's base. I put a roof on a good man's house. I am the Hoe, I straighten the town-squares." |
| The debate between Hoe and Plough: c.5.3.1 "I plant a garden for the householder. When the garden has been encircled, surrounded by mud walls and the agreements reached, people again take up a hoe. When a well has been dug, a water lift constructed and a water-hoist hung, I straighten the plots. I am the one who puts water in the plots. After I have made the apple-tree grow, it is I who bring forth its fruits. These fruits adorn the temples of the great gods: thus I enable the gardener to support his wife and children." |
| The debate between Grain and Sheep: c.5.3.2 Grain called out to Sheep: "Sister, I am your better; I take precedence over you. I am the glory of the lights of the Land. I grant my power to the saĝursaĝ (a member of the cultic personnel of Inana) -- he fills the palace with awe and people spread his fame to the borders of the Land. I am the gift of the Anuna gods. I am central to all princes. After I have conferred my power on the warrior, when he goes to war he knows no fear, he knows no faltering (?) -- I make him leave …… as if to the playing field." |
| The debate between Grain and Sheep: c.5.3.2 "I foster neighbourliness and friendliness. I sort out quarrels started between neighbours. When I come upon a captive youth and give him his destiny, he forgets his despondent heart and I release his fetters and shackles. I am Ezina-Kusu (Grain); I am Enlil's daughter. In sheep shacks and milking pens scattered on the high plain, what can you put against me? Answer me what you can reply!" |
| The debate between Grain and Sheep: c.5.3.2 "Your shepherd on the high plain eyes my produce enviously; when I am standing in stalks in the field, my farmer chases away your herdsman with his cudgel. Even when they look out for you, from the open country to the hidden places, your fears are not removed from you: fanged (?) snakes and bandits, the creatures of the desert, want your life on the high plain." |
| The debate between Grain and Sheep: c.5.3.2 "Every night your count is made and your tally-stick put into the ground, so your herdsman can tell people how many ewes there are and how many young lambs, and how many goats and how many young kids. When gentle winds blow through the city and strong winds scatter, they build a milking pen for you; but when gentle winds blow through the city and strong winds scatter, I stand up as an equal to Iškur (the god of storms). I am Grain, I am born for the warrior -- I do not give up. The churn, the vat on legs (?), the adornments of shepherding, make up your properties. What can you put against me? Answer me what you can reply!" |
| The debate between Grain and Sheep: c.5.3.2 "When you fill the trough the baker's assistant mixes you and throws you on the floor, and the baker's girl flattens you out broadly. You are put into the oven and you are taken out of the oven. When you are put on the table I am before you -- you are behind me. Grain, heed yourself! You too, just like me, are meant to be eaten. At the inspection of your essence, why should it be I who come second? Is the miller not evil? What can you put against me? Answer me what you can reply!" |
| The debate between Winter and Summer: c.5.3.3 "After they …… my seed, Winter, do not …… noise, when water is cut off from the arable tracts, when the bowls lie placed, when the fishing place has been prepared, when the fish have been piled up, I am Father Enlil's great comptroller. I harrow the fields into fruitful acres. When the oxen have stopped working the fields, when you have concentrated your efforts on the damp areas and given the sign for the field work, I do not work for you in the large arable tracts and fruitful acres early in the season. If the spring grain bends its neck in the hollow of the furrows, no one provides a fence. Whatever your farmer brings to the oxen, he will not make the oxen angry with me. Winter …… in the uplands ……. The man of the bedroom ……." |
| The debate between Winter and Summer: c.5.3.3 "Summer, my brother, as long as you go with my term of duty, great and small order you about and your string is not cut. Although you have gathered all things in the Land and filled the storehouses, in all my strength I am their owner when your limbs become tired. When the clouds have brought down the abundance of heaven, and the water of the first greening has descended from the hills, and the new grain has been put in the granary to be added to the old grain, the good farmer, having seen to his fields, shouts for joy, the carrier donkeys stand ready and he sets out confidently for the city." |
| The debate between Winter and Summer: c.5.3.3 "When the šem and ala drums, …… and other instruments play together for him, he passes the time with your heart-gladdening tigi and zamzam instruments. But it is I who have made the wine plentiful and made much to eat and drink. I perfect the garments with fine oil. I bring up the ……, the šutur and aktum garments. As for safeguarding, the best in Sumer, in the oppressive heat (?) of Summer, where they had been put away in the bedrooms amongst the black-headed people, moths destroy the blankets and make the aktum cloth perish because of you. …… exhausts itself for you ……. The wooden chest ……. I am Ninkasi's help, for her I sweeten the beer, with as much cold water, the tribute of the hills, as you brought." |
| The debate between Winter and Summer: c.5.3.3 "After …… pots, after …… pots, after the plump grapes have been laid out in the cool breeze, I make my king's great palace …… pleasant. I am the one who cools down my king. I fill the fish-hook. My comrade, grasp your leather bag, go out ……. The farmer …… hardship. The farmer …… the rain. The gardener does not know how to plant purslane, your …… basket ……. How can you compare yourself to me while seeking a roof under which to rest?" |
| The debate between Bird and Fish: c.5.3.5 "How has your heart become so arrogant, while you yourself are so lowly? Your mouth is flabby (?), but although your mouth goes all the way round, you cannot see behind you. You are bereft of hips, as also of arms, hands and feet -- try bending your neck to your feet! Your smell is awful; you make people throw up, they sneer at you! No trough would hold the kind of prepared food you eat. He who has carried you dare not let his hand touch his skin! In the great marshes and the wide lagoons, I am your persecuting demon. You cannot eat the sweet plants there, as my voice harasses you. You cannot travel with confidence in the river, as my storm-cloud covers you. As you slip through the reedbeds you are always beneath my eyes. Some of your little ones are destined to be my daily offering; you give them to me to allay my hunger. Some of your big ones are just as certainly destined for my banqueting hall …… in the mud. (1 line unclear)" |
| The debate between Bird and Fish: c.5.3.5 "But I am the beautiful and clever Bird! Fine artistry went into my adornment. But no skill has been expended on your holy shaping! Strutting about in the royal palace is my glory; my warbling is considered a decoration in the courtyard. The sound I produce, in all its sweetness, is a delight for the person of Šulgi, son of Enlil. Fruits and produce of gardens and orchards are the enormous daily offerings due to me. Groats, flour, malt, hulled barley and emmer (?) are sweet things to my mouth. How do you not recognise my superiority from this? Bow your neck to the ground!" |
| The debate between Bird and Fish: c.5.3.5 "I am Fish. I am responsibly charged with providing abundance for the pure shrines. { To the great offerings at the lustrous E-kur } { (1 ms. has instead:) To the august platform of the great offerings of the gods }, I go proudly with head raised high! Just like Ezina I am here to satisfy the hunger of the Land. I am her helper. Therefore people pay attention to me, and they keep their eyes upon me. As at the harvest festival, they rejoice over me and take care of me. Bird, whatever great deeds you may have achieved, I will teach you their pretentiousness. I shall hand back to you in your turn your haughtiness and mendacious speech." |
| The debate between Bird and Fish: c.5.3.5 "You are like a watchman living on the walls (?), ……! Fish, you kindled fire against me, you planted henbane. In your stupidity you caused devastation; you have spattered your hands with blood! Your arrogant heart will destroy itself by its own deeds! But I am Bird, flying in the heavens and walking on the earth. Wherever I travel to, I am there for the joy of its …… named. ……, O Fish, …… bestowed by the Great Princes (a name for the Igigi). I am of first-class seed, and my young are first-born young! …… went with uplifted head …… to the lustrous E-kur. …… until distant days. …… the numerous people say. How can you not recognise my pre-eminence? Bow your neck to the ground." |
| The debate between Bird and Fish: c.5.3.5 (Fish speaks:)"……, let it be favourable to me!" (Šulgi speaks:)"I shall instruct you in the divine rules and just ordinances of our dwelling-place. Like (?) Enki, king of the abzu, I am successful in finding solutions, and am wise in words." He answered Bird and Fish: |
| An elegy on the death of Nawirtum: c.5.5.3 An evil day …… upon the maiden in her ……. Upon the fair woman, the well-favoured maiden, the evil eye ……. Upon the fledgling overstepping its nest, a net has ……. The fecund mother, the mother of children, is …… by a snare. The yellow cow, the loud-voiced wild cow, …… like a gakkul vessel. Nawirtum, the loud-voiced wild cow, …… like a gakkul vessel. She who never said "I am sick" was not cared for. She who did not …… did not …… the divine place. Like their resting-place, their hurled …… was not ……. |
| The song of the ploughing oxen: an ululumama to Ninurta: c.5.5.5 ellu mallu! Go, oxen, go, put your necks under the yoke! Go, …… oxen, go, put your necks under the yoke! I am …… of the country. I am …… of Enlil. I am …… of the Land. |
| The song of the ploughing oxen: an ululumama to Ninurta: c.5.5.5 ellu mallu! What ……? What ……? Who ……? Who ……? Who …… the clods? Who …… the birds? On the right ……, on the left ……. (1 line fragmentary)"My big hooves ……." The stars in the sky ……. …… will make straight its ……. The ox …… let his thick tongue hang down, …… he replied," I am an ox, but just a young ox, in whose muzzle hair has not yet grown. No dust has fallen yet on my shoulders. My master, why am I so valuable?" "My stalwart calf, I shall speak to you only once, so pay attention. What a plough (?)! Your fathers are four. What a plough (?)! Your mothers are eight. May Utu guide straight your fine plough!" |
| The instructions of Šuruppag: c.5.6.1 The imprudent decrees fates; the shameless one piles up (?) things in another's lap: "I am such that I deserve admiration." |
| Enlil and Nam-zid-tara: c.5.7.1 Nam-zid-tara walked by Enlil, who said to him: "Where have you come from, Nam-zid-tara?" "From Enlil's temple. My turn of duty is finished. I serve at the place of the gudug priests, with their sheep. I am on my way home. Don't stop me; I am in a hurry. Who are you who asks me questions?" |
| Enlil and Nam-zid-tara: c.5.7.1 "I am Enlil." But Enlil had changed his appearance: he had turned into a raven and was croaking." But you are not a raven, you really are Enlil!" "How did you recognise that I am Enlil, who decrees the destinies?" |
| Enlil and Nam-zid-tara: c.5.7.1 "You may acquire precious metals, you may acquire precious stones, you may acquire cattle or you may acquire sheep; but the day of a human being is always getting closer, so where does your wealth lead? Now, I am indeed Enlil, who decrees the fates. What is your name?" |
| The heron and the turtle: c.5.9.2 Then the quarrelsome turtle, he of the troublesome way, said: "I am going to pick a quarrel with the heron, the heron! I, the turtle, am going to pick a quarrel with the heron! I, whose eyes are snake's eyes, am going to pick a quarrel! I, whose mouth is a snake's mouth, am going to pick a quarrel! I, whose tongue is a snake's tongue, am going to pick a quarrel! I, whose bite is a puppy's bite, am going to pick a quarrel! With my slender hands and slender feet, I am going to pick a quarrel! I, the turtle -- an oven brick -- am going to pick a quarrel! I, who live in the vegetable gardens, am going to pick a quarrel! I, who like a digging tool spend my time in the mud, am going to pick a quarrel! I, an unwashed refuse-basket, am going to pick a quarrel!" |
| The heron and the turtle: c.5.9.2 The turtle called to the prince: "You are a prince! She ……. …… from fire. I am not a god; …… (1 line fragmentary) King Enki ……. You are a prince! She ……. My heart ……. You are a prince! She …… your word. My little one destroyed a wall ……; she ……. You are a prince! You are ……. …… brickwork. (16 lines missing) Your flax (?) is single (1 line unclear) Your …… is single; ……. …… the hero ……. Your seed is single ……. …… a tall tree. My strong copper ……. …… good semen ……" |
| Proverbs: collection 1: c.6.1.01 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 1: c.6.1.01 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 1: c.6.1.01 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 2 + 6: c.6.1.02 I am one whose fate has not been determined, confronted by a waif." I will be the one who knows how to settle the account; let me take my position in front of you," she said to me. |
| Proverbs: collection 2 + 6: c.6.1.02 I am one whose fate has not been determined, confronted by a sickness demon." I am one who knows wealth and possessions; let me take my position in front of you," he said to me. |
| Proverbs: collection 3: c.6.1.03 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 3: c.6.1.03 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 3: c.6.1.03 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 3: c.6.1.03 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 3: c.6.1.03 I am confronting Fate: "Speak in the way of a just man, or speak in the way of a wicked man, it makes no difference." |
| Proverbs: collection 4: c.6.1.04 To appreciate the earth is for the gods; I am merely covered in dust. |
| Proverbs: collection 5: c.6.1.05 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 5: c.6.1.05 (= Alster 1997 5 Vers. A 72)The wolf …… the drain-pipe of a house's roof: "Last year we were nauseated (?) by your stench. Now this year we are still nauseated (?)! How much longer will we be cursed with your stench? -- Now, as for me, I am hungry! What can I eat?" |
| Proverbs: collection 5: c.6.1.05 (= Alster 1997 5 Vers. B 72)While the wolf sat stuck in a trap, he said to Utu: "When I come out, let me henceforth eat no more sheep. When I am hungry, the sheep I've taken, whatever you mention -- what will they mean to me? I shall be bound by a righteous oath. -- Now, what can I eat?" |
| Proverbs: collection 5: c.6.1.05 (= Alster 1997 5 Vers. A 73 = 5 Vers. B 73)The wolf wept before Utu: "The animals frisk around together, but I am all alone." |
| Proverbs: collection 5: c.6.1.05 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 7: c.6.1.07 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 7: c.6.1.07 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 7: c.6.1.07 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 7: c.6.1.07 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 8: c.6.1.08 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 9: c.6.1.09 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 9: c.6.1.09 …… like ……; …… I am standing ……. |
| Proverbs: collection 11: c.6.1.11 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 11: c.6.1.11 I am a capable scribe. There will be a prominent place for me. I will bring my …… protection …… to the stewardship. (2 lines fragmentary) (approx. 18 lines missing) |
| Proverbs: collection 13: c.6.1.13 "…… I am ……. With whom am I eating? I am ……; who makes it pleasant (?) for me?" |
| Proverbs: collection 13: c.6.1.13 You are an ecstatic, so I am questioning your ……. |
| Proverbs: collection 14: c.6.1.14 (cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 21: c.6.1.21 (= Alster 1997 21 Sec. B 4; cf. |
| Proverbs: collection 26: c.6.1.26 I am not dear to the man I hold dear. He has profited at my expense while I was flapping my arms like a bird. |
| Proverbs: collection 26: c.6.1.26 I am not dear to the man I hold dear. He took …… into his own hands. Because of him, my hands were filled with dust. |
| Proverbs: from Nibru: c.6.2.1 (cf. |
| Proverbs: from Nibru: c.6.2.1 (cf. |
| Proverbs: from Susa: c.6.2.2 The married man, having divorced his wife, examined her: "At least I am taking away my dignity!" |
| Proverbs: from Urim: c.6.2.3 (cf. |
| Proverbs: from Urim: c.6.2.3 (cf. |
| Proverbs: from Urim: c.6.2.3 (cf. |
| Proverbs: from Urim: c.6.2.3 (cf. |
| Proverbs: from Urim: c.6.2.3 (cf. |
| Proverbs: from Urim: c.6.2.3 (cf. |
| Proverbs: from Urim: c.6.2.3 A wealthy man had accumulated a fortune." I am spending it for him." That said, it was dispersed. Afterwards he could not work out what went wrong. Things change. No one knows what will happen. |
| Proverbs: from Urim: c.6.2.3 A mouse fell down from the roof beams. A mongoose approached it: "Is any part of you hurt?" The mouse replied: "You needn't come near me. I am equal to any part of you." |
| Proverbs: from Urim: c.6.2.3 If I insult, I am insulted. Even if I don't treat someone with contempt, I am still treated with contempt. |
| Proverbs: of unknown provenance: c.6.2.5 (cf. |
| Proverbs: of unknown provenance: c.6.2.5 (cf. |
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