All tablets.

SAA 17 176. Report on the King of Elam (CT 54 171)

(1) [Your servant NN]: I would gladly di[e for the king, my lord! Say to the king, my lord]: (2) [......] "The king of Ela[m] (3) [has writt]en [to ...], saying: 'The crimes [...] (4) [... has t]old you; on the road [...] (5) [......] has exceeded Der [...] (6) [......] Do we know the Aramean(s)? [...] (7) [......] my [...] wrote you [...] (8) [......] the Gambu[lu ...] (9) [......] I will give for you [...] (10) [......] there is no [...] (11) [...... s]ent [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 177. Contacting the Vizier (CT 54 186)

(Beginning destroyed) (3) [...] ... [to/with/against] us (4) [... agai]nst the Assyrian(s) (5) [...] he hears. Concerning [...] (6) [... the ...]s of Marduk-šarru-uṣur [...] (7) [...] he sent (word) and took away [...] (8) [...] ... the land Irreja (9) [... who] were brought to me, whose names I wrote down and (whom) I sent to [the vizier], my lord, (r 1) [...] they are [...], and he is held before him. (r 2) [(I swear) by the gods] of the vizier, my lord, that before [...] brought peace to me, for three years [...] I was mute and [did not write] to the king, my lord. [Now] I have [written]…

SAA 17 178. (no title) (CT 54 194)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [... the Elam]ite(s) [...] (3) [...], saying: "[...] (4) [...] to Marduk-[...] (5) [...] to his presence [...] (6) [... Na]bû-šuma-išku[n ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 179. (no title) (CT 54 199)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [... ] well-being [...] (3) [... the k]ing, our lord [...] (4) [...] our [br]other [...] (5) [... the k]ing, our lord [...] (6) [...] house [...] (7) [...] ... [...] (8) [...] which/of [...] (9) [...] ... [...] (10) [... fro]m the day [...] (11) [...] the watch [...] (Break) (r 2) [...] wha[t ...] (r 3) [...] ... [...] (r 4) [... he s]aid: "[...] (r 5) [...] Do not [...] a messenger [...]! (r 6) He (is) [in G]N; to seize [..] (r 7) [...] When we did [...] (r 8) [...] we fetched [...] (r 9) [... w]ith him [...] (r 10) [...] I waited [...] (r 11) [...] to [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 180. (no title) (CT 54 203)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) He kneels [...]. I am devoted to [the king]. (3) I am [indeb]ted [because of his...] (and) his favour. (4) And since (5) [... w]ith the soldiers (6) [... he] bent and (7) [...] to the king (8) I spoke [with him ...], and it turned out well. (9) [...] After we had waited [for ...], a report (10) [...] when our words (r 1) [...] left (r 2) [...] the soldiers (r 3) [...] were captured (r 4) [...] the agreements (r 5) [...] completed (r 6) [...] of the king entered (r 7) [...] were relieved. (r 8) May we hear [of the well-being of the k]ing, so we can give [... t]o the king. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 181. Free Passage for the son of Yakin (CT 54 211)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) "Why do you let the [son of] Ya[kin] go to [GN] and sl[eep] (there)?" (4) [I swear] to the king, my lord: "[...] (6) much [...] (7) heard [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 182. (no title) (CT 54 216)

(Beginning destroyed) (3) "When [... went] before Lanšê [...] (4) [...] "he will do my [...] and to [...] (5) [...] before [...] the middle night watch [...] (6) [...] repeate[d ...] (7) [...] to [...] spoke [...], (8) [...] before [... i]n the king's palace [...] (9) [...] my foundation [...] (10) [...] "for [N]N [...] (11) [...] "I am a servant of the king [...] (12) [...] accordingly [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 183. Fragment Mentioning Tilmun and Urarṭu (to the Crown Prince) (CT 54 217)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) Za[badu ...] (3) knowingly [...] (4) "Kurr[ala'u ...] (5) what canvas [...] (6) the plundered of the land [...] (7) that you have [...] to (all) the lands (8) the lands of ... [...] (9) Tilmun, the land [...], (10) the Ura[rṭean ...] (11) said [...] (Break) (r 2) he seizes ... [...] (r 3) the governor of [...] (r 4) he let consume, [...] (r 5) a bad piece of advice [...] (r 6) and the gov[ernor ...] (r 7) I have seen [...] (r 8) After they had tak[en ...] (r 9) the crown prince, [my] lord, [...] (r 10) and fumigants [...] (r 11) all for [...] (r 12) before [...] (r 13) as [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 184. Fragment Mentioning Tyrians (CT 54 225)

(Beginning destroyed) (r 2) my messenger to Tyre [...] (r 3) [...] should I have changed my mind? (r 4) The king, my lord, [...] (r 5) my two sons hither [...] (r 6) [of whom] I spoke to the king, my lord, [...] (r 7) [...]...[...] (r 8) [...] the kin[g ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 185. Fragment Mentioning Marduk-šarrani (CT 54 240)

(Beginning destroyed) (r 2) [...] brought up [...] (r 3) [...] took [...] (r 4) [...] Marduk-šarra[ni ...] (r 5) [...] gave, in [...] (r 6) [Ma]rduk-šarrani by the command [...] (r 7) [...] brought out, with [...] (r 8) [...], "Instead of [...] (r 9) [... yo]u did, he/it will appe[ar ...] (r 10) [...] and what [...] (r 11) [...] you did [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 186. Fragment Mentioning Merodach-Baladan (CT 54 247)

(Beginning destroyed) (3) [...] Merodach-Bal[adan ...] (4) [......] who opposite [...] (5) [...] "You are meek [...]" (6) [...] I am meek. The lord of king[s ...] (7) [...] all lands (8) [... that ...] he had written, ... [...] (9) [... the ro]be of a [...] (10) [...] the towns [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 187. (no title) (CT 54 248)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [...] all ... [...] (3) [...] the towns of the fortress of [Yakin] (4) [...] concerning all not [...] (5) [Perhaps the king], my lord, will say: "[...] 1,000 of yo[ur] men [...]" (7) [...] man[y ...] (8) [...] of the king, my lord, [...]

SAA 17 188. (no title) (CT 54 256)

(Beginning destroyed) (3) [...]anni, the so[n of NN] (4) [... sa]id to him [...] (5) [...] I said [...] (6) [... be]fore me: "[...]" (7) [...] Lanšê [...] (8) [...] and after [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 189. Fragment Referring to a Carrier Pigeon (CT 54 270)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [May ... my lord not] forsake us, [may he ...] us! (3) The house which my lord [...], may he hold (it) back! (4) The bird [which] they sent [t]o the king, [may my lord not] eat it! (7) I have fastened [...] (Break) (r 2) [......] comes out (r 3) [...] I have no prebend, (r 4) I have [no (...)] boat. (r 5) I am but [...], (r 6) [may ... my lord not] forsake me! (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 190. Seed-Grain and Barley for the Fortress (CT 54 272)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [......] the king (2) [......] Nabû the journey (3) [......] they remained. (4) [......] as the king (5) [......] ease of doing (6) [...... o]f seed (7) [......] to the fortress (8) [......] barley (9) [......] of [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 191. Fragment Mentioning Zabaya (CT 54 274)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [...] placed ...[...] (3) [...] Zabay[a ...] (4) [...] his messenger [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 192. Fragment Mentioning Kalbi-Uku and Lanše (CT 54 279)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [As for Kalbi]-Ukû, his watch [is strong]. (2) [...] the watch which I ke[ep] for the king [...] (3) [...] he attacked, not [...] (4) [... him]self [...] (5) [...] do! ... [...] (6) [...] just as Lan[šê ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 193. Battle at Bit-Bunakki (CT 54 338)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [... a]ssemble (3) [...] and a defea[t] (4) [... Bit]-Bunakki (5) [...] and the towns (6) [...] have plundered (7) [...] the[ir ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 194. Fragment Mentioning Bit-Yakin (CT 54 342)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) Now then they are in [...] (3) The ne[ws ...] (4) of Bit-Ya[kin ...] (5) I have as[ked ...] (6) They have fini[shed ...] (7) saying, "[...] (Break) (r 1) have [...] (r 2) after u[s ...] (r 3) in the shadow [...] (r 4) of the king, (my) lo[rd, ...] (r 5) and [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 195. Taking Captives (CT 54 349)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] legal case [...] (2) [...] I arrested and gave [...] to the [...] official (3) [...] 2 dependents [...] (4) [...] his [know]ledge early in the morning ... [...] (5) [... to] the bodyguard and to [...] (6) [...] I gave to Redi-ilu [...] (7) [... the ca]ptives of the Lit[amu] (8) [...] I am [in] N[u]nak (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 196. Fragment Mentioning Merodach-Baladan (CT 54 375)

(1) [Your servant NN: I would gladly die for the king, m]y [lord! S]ay to the ki[ng, my lord]: (5) [x] men with 3 ho[rses] have [...]ed [...]. (7) [Th]ey are [...] m[en of] Merodach-Bal[adan ...]. (9) On the 24[th] day [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 198. Fragment Mentioning Merodach-Baladan (CT 54 405)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [... Aššur]-belu-taqqin (3) [...] kept guard (4) [...] the swordsman (5) [...] to the šandabakku (6) [...] entered and (7) [...] with him (8) [...] to Merodach-Baladan (9) [...] with the ey[es ...] (Break) (r 2) [... d]o and go! (r 3) [...] tell him (r 4) [...] that (r 5) [...] saved me (r 6) [...] lead up (r 7) [... i]n Der (r 8) [...] purse (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 199. Fragment Mentioning Esaggil and Merodach-Baladan (CT 54 447)

(Beginning destroyed) (3) [...] ... in [...] (4) [...] as he he[ld back ...] (5) [...] Bel-le'ann[i ...] (6) [...] Qibi-Be[l ...] (7) [...] their [...] (8) [... the pe]ople are con[fident ...] (9) [...] their [...] (10) [...] their [...] (11) [... w]ent out [...] (12) [... f]ro[m ...] (Break) (r 1) [...] wen[t ...] (r 2) [...] merchant [...] (r 3) [...] jeweller [...] (r 4) [...] Esaggil [...] (r 5) [...] he will take o[f ...] (r 6) [... will g]o up and [...] the gate o[f ...] (r 7) [...] against me not [...] (r 8) [...] Now then the arche[rs ...] (r 9) [...] Merodach-Balada[n...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 200. Fragment Mentioning Merodach-Baladan (CT 54 449)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] ... Na[bû-...] (2) [...] which for Hudi-[...] (3) [...] Nabû-ahhe-erib[a...] (4) [...] Nabû-eṭir son of Nab[û-...] (5) [... Mar]duk-iddina and the [...] (6) [... Da]bibi and [...] (7) [... Meroda]ch-Baladan [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 201. Fragment Mentioning Merodach-Baladan and Dur-Ladini (CT 54 451)

(obverse completely destroyed) (1) [...] and at Der greatly [...]. (r 1) [...] And when they removed our writing-boards, they brought (them) to Merodach-Baladan. (r 3) And they themselves have verily destroy[ed] (them) on the shore. (r 4) They lie [encamped] at Dur-Ladini. (r 5) [...] in their battle equipment (r 6) [...] they do not eat bread (r 7) [...] they have contracted [...], have not rested. (r 8) [The warriors of the ki]ng, my lord, have pains in their legs. (r 9) [...] they are building [...] (r 10) [...] their eyes have become dark (r 11) [...] and the decision (r 12) [...... May ...] come and (r 13) [......] you said to me (r 14) [......] and (r 15) [...... the ki]ng (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 202. Fragment Mentioning Merodach-Baladan (CT 54 452)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) from Bit-[...] (3) as far as Bab-[Marrat ...] (4) and the king has not [...] (5) Bit-Zabi[di ...] (6) Merodach-Bal[adan ...] (7) the king had [......] (8) of Bit-Ša[k...] (Break) SPACER (r 2) to [...] (r 3) of silver [...] (r 4) of the tra[cks ...] (r 5) and [...] (r 6) they confirm [...] (r 7) of the king [...] (r 8) before [...] (r 9) a[s ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 203. Reporting to the King (CT 54 485)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...], but he did not speak with [us]. May the king do as he sees best. (4) We are now on our way (there); we shall without delay (lit. 'without staying overnight') find out what news there is [and quickly] write [t]o the king, [our] lo[rd]. (r 5) (As to) the order [which the king] g[ave us, under the pro]tection of the go[d(s) ...]. (r 7) [...] the Ba[bylonian(s) ...] (r 8) [t]o the city Ši[...] (r 9) [a]s w[e ...] (r 10) [t]o [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 204. News of Elam (CT 54 551)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) We have se[nt ... to the king], our [lo]rd. [The king, our lord] may do [as he sees be]st. [......] (4) [......] 2 eunuchs [......] (5) [......] with these men [......] (6) [......] messengers, lords [......] (7) [......] News of Elam: [...] (8) [......]s from Ela[m ...] (9) [......] the Ru['ueans ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 205. Fragment Mentioning Humbe (CT 54 565)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [...] and [...] with him [...] (3) [...] brings up [...] and [...] (4) [...] from the beginni[ng ...] (5) [...] to darkness [...] (6) [... H]umbê of [Bit-Zualza] (7) [...] you did not cheat [...] (8) [...] treaty wi[th ...] (9) [...] tribute (payment)s [...] (10) [...] land [...] (11) [......] (12) [......] in the presen[ce ... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 206. Greetings (CT 54 592)

(1) Tablet of [NN] to Nabû-šu[ma-iškun]. I am herewith sending my tablet as a gre[eting to my lord]. (4) [I heard] the news of [my] lord and became very glad. (6) [...] in your place (7) and for his servant [...] (8) Has not Enlil in an effus[ive way ...] (9) whom the king, your lord, not [...] (10) [...] daily [...] (11) [...] and [...] (Break) (r 1) of his lord, until [...].

SAA 17 207. (no title)

(1) Your [servant NN: I would gladly die] for [the king, my lord! Say to the king, my lord]: (3) ...[......] (4) to [......] (Break) (r 1) soldiers [......] (r 2) to [......]

~700 BCE·Neo-AssyrianEditorial

Gilgamesh Tablet XI.svg

Tablet image sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0). No scholarly translation referenced in source metadata. Source description: Between 1845 and 1851 CE, Sir Austen Henry Layard uncovered the cuneiform library of King Assurbanipal in Nineveh. These texts, most of which dated to the 7th century BCE, were brought back to the Bri

EconomyDaily Life

SAA 03 001. Assurbanipal’s Hymn to Aššur (ABRT 1 32-33)

(1) The exceedingly great one, king of the gods, the omniscient; venerable, surpassing, the Illil of the gods, he who decrees the fates! (3) Aššur, exceedingly great lord, omniscient; venerable, surpassing, the Illil of the gods, he who decrees the fates! (5) [Let me magn]ify Aššur, the superlatively strong, the king of the gods, the lord of the lands! [Let me procla]im his greatness, magnify his praise! (7) Let me proclaim the fame [of Aš]šur, let me extol his name; let me glorify the praise of [the god] who dwells in Ehursaggalkurkurra! (9) Let me mention the [superlatively strong one], let…

SAA 03 002. Assurbanipal’s Acrostic Hymn to Marduk and Zarpanitu (ABRT 1 29-30)

(1) a__ I praise your name, Marduk, the most powerful of the gods, the canal inspector of heaven and earth [......], who was well engendered, and alone is most high [......]! (3) na__ You bear Anuship, Illilship, Ninšikuship, lordship, kingship [......]! You gather all wisdom, total strength [......]! (5) ku__ Honoured ruler, exalted monarch, overpowering, magnificent [......]! They glorified his lordship, prepared battle, [......] A[nu]! (7) aš__ You are exalted in the heavens, king on earth, the skillful counsellor of the [great] gods [......], establisher of all habitations, grasper of the…

SAA 03 003. Assurbanipal’s Hymn to the Ištars of Nineveh and Arbela (OECT 6 11)

(1) Exalt and glorify the Lady of Nineveh, magnify and praise the Lady of Arbela, who have no equal among the great gods! (4) Their names are most precious among the goddesses! Their cult centres have no equal among all the shrines! (6) A word from their lips is blazing fire! Their utterances are valid for ever! (8) I am Assurbanipal, their favourite, most valued seed of Assur, offspring of Nineveh, product of Emašmaš and Egašankalamma, whose kingship they made great even in the House of Succession. In their pure mouths is [voic]ed the endurance of my throne. (13) I knew no father or mother,…

SAA 03 004. Nanaya Hymn of Sargon II (ABRT 1 54-55)

(Beginning destroyed) (i 1) [...... she holds in her hand] the naked sword, [emblem of Nergal], the pointed axe, appropriate to the [Pleiades]. (i 4) On (her) right and left battle is arrayed. (i 5) The foremost of the gods, (she) whose play is battle, who goes ahead of the brotherhood of the Seven (demons) — (i 7) Skilled musicians are seated before her, players of the lyre, the small harp, the clapper, the flute, the oboe, the long (pipes). (i 10) The kurgarrûs ease her heart with spindles, whiplashes, and with sweet [...]s. (i 12) [...]... of loveliness of ...... (i 13) they are clad in…

SAA 03 005. Nanaya Hymn of Assurbanipal (ABRT 1 09)

(1) Assurbanipal praises [the goddess ......] (2) who is revered and feared by the [great] gods [......] (3) Nanaya, the lady of the great gods [......] (4) Assurbanipal is your high priest [......] (5) Aššur, bless his kingship! [......] (6) As for his arms, bless them Nabû! [......] (7) Sin, keep safe his throne [......] (8) All the lands are praising Urkittu [......] (9) In the time of Assurbanipal [......] (10) In the days of the shepherd [......] (11) Nanaya, with her whole heart [......] (12) The kingship of Assurbanipal, [......] (13) In her sacred city, which [......] (14) she…

SAA 03 006. Assurbanipal’s Hymn to Tašmetu and Nabû (KAR 122)

(1) [Let me praise the wi]se [...], Tašmetu [...], (2) [...] lady, queen [......], (3) [Good-l]ooking, attractive [...], (4) [Goddess] of goddesses, queen of queens [...], (5) Princess of Ešarra, temple of the universe [...], (6) She who beseeches, wife of Nabû, the beloved of [...], (7) She who raises and lowers, sage of Ezida. (8) On the fifth day, monthly, is the procession of Tašmetu; (9) When she emerges from the holy workshop to [our] Nabû, the son of Bel raises his head from the tablet house to the nuptial bedroom, reci[tes ...]: (12) Say something, my Tašmetu, why [......]? (13) Bless…

SAA 03 007. Assurbanipal’s Hymn to Ištar of Nineveh (ABRT 1 07-08)

(1) O palm tree, daughter of Nineveh, stag of the lands! (2) She is glorious, most glorious, the finest of the goddesses! Nineveh is set with bunbullu decorations, within which there is no [...]. (4) O praised Emašmaš, ...[...], in which dwells Ištar, the que[en of Nineveh]! (6) Like Aššur, she wears a beard and is clothed with brilliance [...]. The crown on her head g[leams] like the stars; the luminescent discs on her breasts shine like the sun! (9) O ziggurat, pride of Nineveh, which bears [awe-inspiring splendour]! (10) On the 16th of Tebet is her ..., she brightens Emašmaš: The lady of…

SAA 03 008. Hymn to the city of Arbela (LKA 032)

(1) Arbela, O Arbela, (2) Heaven without equal, Arbela! (3) City of merry-making, Arbela, (4) City of festivals, Arbela! (5) City of the temple of jubilation, Arbela! (6) Shrine of Arbela, lofty hostel, (7) broad temple, sanctuary of delights! (8) Gate of Arbela, the pinnacle (of) holy to[wns]! (9) City of likenesses, Arbela! (10) Abode of jubilation, Arbela! (11) Arbela, temple of reason and counsel! (12) Bond of the lands, Arbela! (13) Establisher of profound rites, Arbela! (14) Arbela is as lofty as heaven. (15) Its foundations are as firm as the heavens. (16) The pinnacles of Arbela are…

SAA 03 009. Psalm in Praise of Uruk (SAAB 01 40)

(1) Uruk; I love ditto, I love Eanna, my nuptial chamber! (2) Ditto; I love (its) ziggurat, house of my pleasure! (3) Ditto; I love Babylon, my father's house! (4) Ditto; I love Esaggil, house of my veiling! (5) Ditto; I love Ehiligar, house of my joy! (6) Ditto; I love Borsippa, house of my kingship! (7) Ditto; I love Ezida, along with our Nabû! (8) Ditto; I love Šapazzu, along with Bel-ṣarbi! (9) Ditto; I love Cutha, along with Nergal! (10) Ditto; I love Der, along with Ištaran! (11) Ditto; I love Kiš and Ehursagkalamma! (12) Ditto; I love Sippar, along with Šamaš! (13) Ditto; I love the…

SAA 03 010. Blessing for the City of Assur (STT 087)

(1) [...]... [......] (2) [...]... [......] (3) [...] all [......] (4) [...] they rejoice, they [......] (5) [...] they rejoice ...[......] (6) [...] until [......] (7) [...] destiny...[......] (8) [...]... of prosperity [...] (9) [...]......[...] (10) [...] which [...] play! (11) Fill, fill their pails [with ...]! (12) [Aššur], Illil, bless the Inner City! (13) Fill [...] up to their necks! (14) [...]... abundance, may Esarhaddon restore life! (15) May joy of the heart be established; let constant joy come in, come in! (17) Pour oil into skull-(sized) containers, pluck countless (amounts of)…

SAA 03 011. Assurbanipal’s Coronation Hymn (LKA 031)

(1) May Šamaš, king of heaven and earth, elevate you to shepherdship over the four [region]s! (2) May Aššur, who ga[ve y]ou [the sceptre], lengthen your days and years! (3) Spread your land wide at your feet! (4) May Šerua extol [your name] to your god! (5) Just as grain and silver, oil, [the catt]le of Šakkan and the salt of Bariku are good, so may Assurbanipal, king of Assyria, be agreeable to the gods [of his] land! (8) May eloquence, understanding, truth and justice be given to him as a gift! (9) May [the people] of Assur buy 30 kor of grain for one shekel of silver! May [the peopl]e of…

SAA 03 012. Righteous Sufferer’s Prayer to Nabû (STT 065)

(1) [......] years (2) [......] ......[...] (3) [...] with [...] feet I grasped [the ...] of ... (4) O Nabû, to avoid sin, O son of Bel, to avoid guilt, [in view of] the culpable behaviour of my fathers and brothers, who neglected and disregarded [...], (6) I have yearned for Ezida, the lofty ground, the temple of our trust; I have longed for Ezida, to behold the threshold of delight. (8) In my [c]hildhood, I longed for the Assembly, to sit in the tablet house. (9) I ... the offerings of the precious temple of Nabû; I constantly think of its fine things; the fire of Ezida burns my heart. (11)…

SAA 03 013. Dialogue Between Assurbanipal and Nabû (ABRT 1 05-06)

(1) [I constantly spe]ak in praise of you, Nabû, in the assembly of the great gods; may [the host of] those who [wish] me ill not take possession of my life! (3) [In the temple of the Queen of Ni]neveh I approach you, hero among the gods, his brothers; [you are the t]rust of Assurbanipal for ever and ever! (5) [Ever since] I was [a small child] I have lain at the feet of Nabû; [do not abandon me] to the assembly of my ill-wishers, O Nabû!" (7) Pay a[ttent]ion, Assurbanipal! I am Nabû. Until the end of time your feet shall not grow slack, your hands not tremble; your lips shall not become…

SAA 03 014. Love Lyrics of Nabû and Tašmetu (TIM 09 54)

(1) May anyone trust in whomever he trusts; as for us, we trust in Nabû, we are devoted to Tašmetu! (4) What is ours is ours; Nabû is our lord, Tašmetu is the mountain of our trust! Ditto. (6) Say to her, to her of the wall, to her of the wall, to Tašmetu: "Save (us), sit down in the cella!" (8) Let (the scent of) holy juniper fill the sanctuary! Ditto. (9) The shade of the cedar, the shade of the cedar, the shade of the cedar, the king's shelter! The shade of the cypress (is for) his magnates! The shade of a sprig of juniper is shelter for my Nabû and my games! Ditto. (12) Tašmetu, fondles…

SAA 03 015. Elegy in Memory of a Woman (BA 2 634)

(1) Why are you cast adrift like a boat in midstream, your crossbars broken, your tows cut; your face veiled, you cross the river of the Inner City? (4) How could I not be cast adrift, how could my tows not be cut! (5) On the day I bore fruit, how happy I was! Happy was I, happy my husband. (7) On the day of my labor pains, my face was overcast; on the day I gave birth, my eyes were clouded; (9) My hands were opened (in supplication), as I prayed to Belet-ili: You are the mother of those who give birth, save my life! (11) When Belet-ili heard this, she veiled her face: You [......], why do…

SAA 03 016. Elegies Mourning the Death of Tammuz (STT 360)

(1) [The age]nt, the Babylonian merchant, [who] gave his word, has left behind his donkeys! The dog has been killed at the side of our sheep! (4) The agent, the Babylonian me[rchant], who gave his word, has left behind his donkeys! The dog has been killed at the [sid]e of our sheep! (7) Watch the brother of [my] heart ...[...], watch the [......] our daughter! [...]... [...... does not] pass. (10) [We let out] a scream [...... at] the onset of evening, as [......]... us, as [...... the ...] our daughter. (13) He has made the house of my father [into a ...]...! I ... his ... like the [temple]…

SAA 03 017. Shalmaneser III’s Campaign to Urarṭu (STT 043)

(1) [O valiant ..., ... of] the lands, shepherd of all rulers, (2) [......] elevated one of the Lady of Nineveh, (3) [......]... justice (4) [...... gave] you the universe (5) [... you s]pare [...] ......! (6) Bel and Anu have entrusted to you [the di]stant [...]s. (7) [He ...ed] the arrogant slave, citizen of Bit Adini, (and) his companions. (8) Having [put] to fire the great city of Til Barsip and having laid waste the dwellings of the kings of the Hittite lands, he spoke (to) Aššur-belu-ka''in, the commander-in-chief, sharply thus: (11) Let the fortresses be entrusted to you; let your…

SAA 03 018. Epic of Sargon II

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [......] ... and the scorpion man [......] (3) [...] Šerua and Ninegal [......] (4) [To] the right and left of the gates burned [......] (5) The king makes a speech, the magn[ates ......] (6) The guard of the river [...] in front of [......] (7) One cavalryman, ...[......] (8) The equipment of another is of [......] (9) His horse is wind [......] (10) He does not [... befo]re the magnates [......] (Break) (r 1) [......]... like ...[......] (r 2) [...] the chassis of the wagon [......] (r 3) [The ...]s of the king occupied the mountain [......] (r 4) He courageously…