Position in chronology
Ashurbanipal 158
Translation · reference
High confidence(1') [... whose] h[ead] I had cut off [...] the defeat of Umm[analdašu (Ḫumban-ḫaltaš III) ...]. (4') (As for) Tammarītu, Paʾ[ê, (and) Ummanaldašu, ... with] your gr[eat] support [...]
Source: Novotny, J. & Jeffers, J. 2018–. The Royal Inscriptions of Ashurbanipal (668–631 BC), Aššur-etel-ilāni (630–627 BC) and Sîn-šarra-iškun (626–612 BC), Kings of Assyria. RINAP 5. University Park, PA: Eisenbrauns. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/rinap/rinap5/Q007566/
Why it matters
Names Tammarītu, Paʾê, and Ḫumban-ḫaltaš III together in an Assyrian royal account of the Elamite wars, corroborating the turbulent succession of client and captive kings Ashurbanipal installed after the sack of Susa.
Transliteration
[x] x [...] / ⸢ak⸣-ki-su ⸢SAG⸣.[DU-su ...] / taḫ-te-e mum-⸢man⸣-[al-daš ...] / ⸢m⸣tam-ma-ri-tu mpa-⸢ʾe⸣-[e mum-man-al-daš ...] / [ina] ⸢tu⸣-kul-ti-ki ⸢GAL?⸣-[ti ...]
Scholarly note
Royal inscription of Ashurbanipal or a late Sargonid successor, edited by Jamie Novotny & Joshua Jeffers (RINAP 5, 2018–). ORACC text Q007566.
Attribution
Image: BM — (British Museum, London, UK) — from Nineveh (mod. Kuyunjik) — Photo via Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (cdli.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/artifacts, P401292). source
Translation excerpted from Novotny, J. & Jeffers, J. 2018–. The Royal Inscriptions of Ashurbanipal (668–631 BC), Aššur-etel-ilāni (630–627 BC) and Sîn-šarra-iškun (626–612 BC), Kings of Assyria. RINAP 5. University Park, PA: Eisenbrauns. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/rinap/rinap5/Q007566/.
Related tablets
Related sources
The earliest historical document in human history. Before this, we have lists, accounts, and dedications. Here, for the first time, a ruler tells us what happened — with names, places, and consequences.
The oldest surviving law code in human history. The principle that the state — not the wronged family — defines and enforces justice begins here.
Not the first law code, but the most complete and the most famous. Inscribed on a black diorite stele over two meters tall, displayed in a public place — law made visible, law made monumental.