Letter from Shulgi to Puzur-Shulgi about work on the fortress Igi-hursanga: translation

Version A

SEGMENT A

^1-3Say to Puzur-Culgi, the commander ......: this is what Culgi, your lord, says:

^4-8When I had ...... the fortress Igi-hursaja, and An and Enlil had ...... supreme rule over all the foreign lands and the widespread people, the cities and the Land ......, and the people of the widespread Land lay .......
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SEGMENT B

¹They should mobilise all these cities.

^2-6When the master-builder (?) has taken up the work concerned, he is to re-establish securely any place where the fortification has fallen into ruins. Let him reinforce and also rebuild it. The neglected work load is to be completed within one month; I shall be questioning him about this work.

^7-11...... 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 .......
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^13-14May ...... be sent when (?) ...... is completed.

^15-17Should Lu-Nanna, the ruler of the province of Zimudar, together with his troops, abandon you, then you and Aradju should not turn aside (1 ms. has instead: should not feel constrained (?)).

^18-21The orders are rigorous: you should not neglect your work load. They are to proceed with the building work by night and in the heat of noon. You will not be sleeping during the night or in the heat of noon! You should know this! It is urgent!

Version B

^1-2Say to Puzur-Numucda: this is what Culgi, your lord, says:

^3-7When I had built the great fortress Igi-hursaja and An and Enlil had given to me the ...... over all the foreign lands and the widespread people, each of their towns and all their provinces, and the people of the widespread Land lay in green meadows. I made them rest (?) in spacious habitations, in peaceful dwelling places.

^8-13As for their men and women: the man among them goes wherever he pleases, and the woman with (?) spindle and hair clasp goes wherever she pleases. After they had set up stock-pens in the vastness of the desert, and established their tents and camps, the workmen and the labourers spend the days in the fields.

^14-15In order that the ruler and the general manager can build everything for you concerning the fortress, carry out this work on the fortress now. The reputation of this fortress shall not be diminished.

^16-19By consulting omens and according to my heart's desire (?) I have benefitted (?) the life of the troops and the province ....... Now the troops have arrived. As for the work on this fortress, the men are to proceed with the building work on it.

^20-22Now I have sent Aradju to you. Let the ruler and the general manager bring these men. They are to mobilise all the settlements.

^23-27The master builder (?) has taken up his work. Where substantial work has been neglected, let him return to it. He is to reinforce and rebuild it. He is to complete the fortress within one month. Let him not question this assignment.

^28-30May Lu-Nanna, the ruler of the province of Zimudar, go to join his troops. He certainly has flour provisions (?) with him. He should not be deterred by hardship.

³¹When the fortress is completed, a letter from the two of you should reach me (?).

^32-36When you have seen for yourselves, let Lu-Nanna, the ruler of the province of Zimudar, proceed to his troops. You and Aradju should not delay them! Let the building work proceed both by night and by the noonday heat. Your (?) orders are rigorous, and you should not give up this work load. It is urgent!

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Revision history

18.iv.2001-25.iv.2001 : EFH : adapting translation
25.ix.2001 : JAB : proofreading
11.ix.2001 : GC : tagging
26.x.2001 : ER : proofreading SGML
26.x.2001 : ER : converting to HTML 4.0