All tablets.

Sargon II 116

(1) The god Aššur, the great lord, king of a[ll the] Igīgū gods [and Anunnakū gods ...] ... [...; the god Mardu]k, lord of all, who provides [all] people with food (and) revives the dying [...; the god Nabû], perfect heir, ... lands [...; (5) the god S]în, lord of heaven and netherworld [...; the god Šamaš], great judge of heaven and netherworld [...]; the goddess [Iš]tar, who makes (men) ready for battle [...]; the Sebetti, who go before the gods, [stand] at the side of the king, [their favorite], in the place of battle, and bring about (his) victory; (9) Great gods, managers of heaven and…

Sargon II 117

(i 1) The god Aššur, great lord, king of all the [Igīgū] god[s and] Anunnakū gods, lord of the lan[ds] ... [...], Aššur ... [...]; (i 5) the god Marduk, lord of all, who provides all [people] with food (and) grants [...]; the god Sîn, lord of heaven and [netherworld], exalted one, divine li[gh]t [of the gods]; the god Šamaš, bright ... [...] (i 10) ... the fo[e ...] ... [...] ... [...] ... [...] ... [...] (i 15) [Great god]s, ma[nagers of heaven and netherworld, who]se [attack means] battle and [strife, who nam]ed Sargon (II), ki[ng ...] ... [in accordance with] your heart’s desire: (i 19b)…

Law·Religion & Myth

Sargon II 118

(1) To the goddess Aya, his lady: Sargon (II), king of Assyria, presented (this object) for the sake of his life.

Sargon II 119

(1) [To the god] Šamaš, his lord: [Sa]rgon (II), [kin]g of the world, presented (this object).

Sargon II 120

(1) To the god Šamaš, his lord: Sa[rg]on (II), [king of the world, presented (this object)].

Sargon II 121

(1) Sargon (II) presented (this object).

Sargon II 122

(1) That which Sarg[on (II) presented].

Sargon II 124

(1) For the god Marduk, the gr[eat] lord, his lord: Sargon (II), king of the land of Assyria, king of the world, governor of Babylon, (10) king of Sumer (and) Akkad, constructed anew the (city) wall Imgur-Enlil (and) the (city) wall Nēmet-Enlil for the sake of his life (and) made (them) shine like daylight.

Sargon II 125

(i 1) [For] the goddess Ištar, mistress of the lands, (most) eminent of the gods, [(most) valiant] of the goddesses, [...] fierce, terrifying deluge, [(...) who] is endowed with [...] (i 5) [...] ... majestic, [...] awe, [...] ... the firmament (of the heavens), [...] ... [...] humble, (i 10) [... who give]s judgment and decision, [...] purification rites, [...] which is inside Uruk, [the great lady], his lady: (i 14) [Sargon (II), king of Assy]ria, king of the world, governor of Babylon, [king of (the land of) Sume]r and Akkad, prince who provides for her, (i 16) [For the sake of ensuring]…

Sargon II 126

(1) Sargon (II), great king, king of the world, king of Babylon, (5) king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, commander of Assyria and of all Amurru, had the outer enclosure wall, the courtyard of Eanna, (10) the narrow gate, and the regular gate built.

Sargon II 127

(1) For the goddess Inanna, lady of Uruk, who dwells in Eanna, the august, supreme lady, (5) his lady: Sargon (II), king of the world, governor of Babylon, king of Sumer (and) Akkad, (10) shepherd of the land of Assyria, had baked bricks made (and) made the processional way of Eanna shine like daylight.

Sargon II 128

(1) For the lady, the goddess Inanna, mistress of the lands, his lady: Sargon (II), (5) s[tron]g king, king of Babylon, king of the world, king [...], king [...], (re)constructed (10) Eanna, her beloved temple.

Sargon II 129

(1) [Sargon (II), appointee of the god Enlil, nešakku-priest (and) desired object of the god Aššur, chosen of] the gods Anu and Dagān, [great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of the four quarters (of the world), favorite of] the great gods; (3) [just shepherd, (one) to whom the gods Aššur (and) Marduk granted a reign without equal and] whose reputation (these gods) exalted to the heights; (4) [who (re)-established the šubarrû-privileges of (the cities) Sippar, Nippur, (and) Babylon, protects the weak among them (lit.: “their weak ones”), (and) made rest]itution for…

Sargon II 130

(1) To the goddess Damkina, his lady: Sargon (II), king of Assyria, presented (this object) for the sake of his life.

Sargon II 2001

(1) (Property) of Atalia, queen of Sargon (II), king of Assyria.

Sargon II 2002

(1) Sîn-aḫu-uṣur, grand vizier (and) favorite (brother) of Sargon (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, favorite of the great gods, completely constructed this house from its foundations to its crenellations. (5) He invited the great gods who dwell in Assyria and in this city (to come) inside it, and he offered before them pure sacrifices. In their steadfast, pure hearts they continually blessed Sargon and spoke that which is good concerning Sîn-aḫu-uṣur, his favorite brother.

Sargon II 2004

(1) (Property) of Pān-Aššur-[lā]mur, eunuch o[f] Sargon (II).

Sargon II 2005

(1) To the god Adad, the canal inspec[tor of heaven (and)] netherworld, prince [...]: Ṭāb-šār-Aššur, the trea[surer], pre[sented (this)] for the sake of ensuring his good health.

Sargon II 2006

(1) Seal of Aššur-bāni, governor of the city Kalḫu.

Sargon II 2007

(1) Seal of Nabû-uṣalla, governor of the city Tamnūnu (and) eunuch of Sargon (II), king of Assyria.

Sargon II 2008

(1) [For the god Nergal], foremost of the gods, who does not fear (any) battle weapon, [... most pow]erful of the gods, who does not pardon those who are evil, [who dwells in Ešaḫ]ul (“House of the Happy Heart”) that is inside the city Mēturna (Mê-Turnat), the great lord, his lord: (4) [PN, governor of the l]and Na’iri (and) eunuch of Sargon (II), king of Assyria, made (this object) by the craft [of the gods Ninzadim and Ninku]ra [out of a block of lapis-l]azuli hewn from its mountain (quarry) and he set (it) up for the sake of ensuring his good health, [prolonging his days], his happiness, ca…

Sargon II 2009

(1') Wh[en ...] the one who fashions li[ving creatures ...], the judicious god who[se command] cannot [be altered], the emminent god Marduk, whose command [...], (5´) who hears petition(s), renders decisions, (and) takes [...], who gives share(s) of the (food) offerings to the gods of [heaven and netherworld], the ruler of the black-headed people, who assigns the scepter of men, [...] (who has) a cunning mind, circumspect, high(est) [among the gods], (who)se supreme lordship induces awe in heaven and netherworld, [...] (10´) the wise, intelligent one, counselor of the Igīgū gods, the merciful…

Sargon II 2010

(1) To the goddess Ištar who dwells in the city Arbela, his lady: Aššur-dūr-pānīya, the governor of the city Kār-Shalmaneser, presented (this stele) for the sake of ensuring his good health.

Sargon II 2011

(1) To the god Adad, the canal inspector of heaven and netherworld, the great lord, his lord: Bēl-iddin set up and presented this stele for the sake of ensuring his good health.

Sargon II 001

(1) [Sargon (II), appointee of the god Enlil, nešakku-priest (and) desired object of the god Aššur, chosen of the gods Anu and Dagān, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of the four quarters (of the world), favorite of the great gods]; (2b) [just shepherd, (one) to whom the gods Aššur (and) Marduk granted a reign without eq]ual [and whose reputation (these gods) exalt/exalted to the heights]; (3) [who (re)-established the šubarrû-privileges of (the cities) Sippar, Nippur, (and) Babylon, protects the weak among them (lit.: “their weak ones”), (and) made…

Sargon II 002

Lines 1–68 are not preserved (69) [The people of the cities Pāpa (and) Lalluknu, dogs who had been bro]ught up in my palace (and) who [had conspired wi]th the land Kakmê [for the purpose of separating (from Assyria), I had deported them from their (own) places and] (re)settled them [in the city Damas]cus of the land [A]murru. (70b) I[n my] si[xth regnal year, Ursâ (Rusâ), the Urarṭian, sent his mounted messenger with a mendacious message to Bag-dāti of the land Uišdiš (and) KAR...] of the land Zikirtu, governors of the land Mannea. He ma[de them hostile to (me), Sar]gon, (and) to A[zâ, the…

~715 BCE·Neo-AssyrianRIAo

Sargon II 003

Continued from several unpreserved slabs (1') [In my eleventh regnal year, (...) Tarḫu-lara of the land Gurgum ...] whose [he]ir [Mu]tallu had cut (him) down with the sword and tak[en away ...] my [...] in ... in order to avenge him (Tarḫu-lara) [... Tarḫu-l]ara, his heir Mut[al]lu, in/with ... of the body before the god Šam[aš ... Because of] his [... that] he had done, I/he burned his hands (and) showed [(...)]. I cou[nted] as boo[ty] his heir Mutallu, together with the (royal) family of the land [Bīt-Paʾalla, as many as] the[re were (of them), (along) with gold, silver, (and)] countless…

Sargon II 006

Continued from several unpreserved slabs (1') [At the command of the gods Aššur, Šamaš, and Marduk], I had [my] choice [fighting men] fly over [its] water [channel]s like [ea]gles [and they brought about his defeat. I surrounded him together with his royal (military) contingent and] slaughtered [his warriors like sheep a]t his feet. [I pierced] the horses trained to [his] yoke [with arrows. Then, (as for) him, I pierced (lit.: “loosened”) his hand with the point of an arrow and] he (then) entered the gate of his city <ste>althfully, like a mongoose. [I cut down] the Puqudians, [his]…

Sargon II 008

(1) Palace of Sargon, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four quarters (of the world), favorite of the [great] god[s]. (2) The gods Aššur, Nabû, (and) Marduk, the gods, my helpers, granted me a reign without equal and exalted my [go]od reputation to the h[eights]. (3) I continually acted as provider for (the cities) Sippar, Nippur, Babylon, and Borsippa (and) [I made restitution for] the wrongful damage suffered by the people of privileged status, as many as there were (of them); I (re)-established…

Sargon II 065

(1) May (all) be extremely well with the god Aššur, father of the gods, the great lord who dwells in Eḫursaggalkurkurra (“House, the Great Mountain of the Lands”), his great temple. (2) May (all) be extremely well with the gods (that issue) divine decrees (and) with the goddesses, (the deities) who dwell in Eḫursaggalkurkurra, their great temple. (3) May (all) be extremely well with the gods (that issue) divine decrees (and) with the goddesses, (the deities) who dwell in the city Aššur, their great temple. (4) May (all) be well with the city and its people! May (all) be well with the palace…

Sargon II 071

(Epigraph_1 1) I/He traversed [...]. (Epigraph_2 1) I/He entered (the region) between Mount Ni[k]ippa (and) Mount Upâ. (Epigraph_3 1) Mount [S]imir[ria (...)] mountain [...].

Sargon II 072

(A 1') Not sufficiently preserved to allow translation. (A 3') [...] I measured (A 4') [...] them (A 5') [... i]n the temple of Marduk, their temple, for all time (A 6') [I erected ... from (...) K]ibaba of the city Ḫarḫa[r ...] I receiv[ed ... hors]es (and) mules. (A 8') [... the city Ḫarḫ]ar their understanding [...] they elevated [Da]ltâ over the[m]. (A 10') [...] their heart (A 11') [... they obta]ined reinforcements (A 12') [...] ... (A 13') [...] gift[s] (A 14') [...] fil[led] (A 15') [...] my [...] I ret[urned and ...] seized it [... the city Kār-Šarr]ukīn [...] I built a[nd ...] (B 1')…

Sargon II 104

Left side (Frgm._A_left 1') [... they made ... ho]stile [to me. The extens]ive [troops of Assyria] Right side (Frgm._A_right 1') Not sufficiently preserved to allow translation. (Frgm._B 1) [I dispersed the forces of] Ḫumbani[gaš (Ḫumban-nikaš I), the Elamite. I destroyed the land of Kar]alla, the land Šurda, [the city Kišesim, the city Ḫarḫar, the land] Media, (and) the la[nd Ellipi, (and) I imposed the yoke of the god] Aššur [(upon them)]. I [subjugated the land Mannea, ...] Left sides (Frgm._C_left 1') [... who (always) speaks tre]achery [...] he repeatedly sent [... he withheld] his [au]di…

Sargon II 108

Too poorly preserved to allow translation. (Frgm._B_i 1') [... DNs, who g]o [...; the goddess Ištar], ... [...; DN], who encircles [...; the Sebetti], who go [before the gods, stand] at the side [of the king, their favorite, in the place of battle, and] bring about (his) vic[tory]; (Frgm._B_i 7'b) [Great gods, managers] of heaven (and) netherworld, who[se attack means battle and strife], who appoint (rulers) (lit.: “raise the eyes”) [(and) name king(s)], (and) by who[se holy command] they place [(one) land over (another) land] an[d make (its ruler) greater than (other) rulers]. (Frgm._C 1')…

Sargon II 2003

(Inscription_A 1) Palace of Sargon, king of the world, king of Assyria. (Inscription_B 1) (Property) of Sîn-aḫu-uṣur, the grand vizier.

~710 BCE·Neo-AssyrianOur engine

SAA 17 083. Pardoning the Offences of Borsippa (ABL 1076)

With [............] the king, my lord, ... 1 [............ as many as] there are — [their] of[fences] let me investigate [............]. As for those whose offence is pa[rdonable, let him show mercy], and let him count them among [his own servants], and [let him assign (them)] to the guard of the king. The Borsippeans [............] are kidinnu-people (holders of privileged status). Because [he] showed mercy to [him] for [his] offence, as long as he lives [they will bless him], and [they will] not [commit] another offence. The king, your father, said to Rimu[tu] as follows: "The city-governo…

~710 BCE·Neo-AssyrianOur engine

SAA 17 090. Watch of Ekur and Nippur (CT 54 011)

[Tablet of the governor of Nippur (šandabakku)] [to] the king, his lord. [May there] be good health to the king, my lord! May the great gods of Ekur and Nippur let your hands attain whatever you devise! Concerning the matter about which the king wrote to me, saying: "[...] hither the son of ...ayu [...], place (him) at [my] fe[et]" — saying: "Let me [stren]gthen the watch" — and may the watch of Ekur and Nippur be [strong]! [N]inurta-naṣir, [...]-sâ, the chief brother (aḫu rabû), [...] he [...] the matters [...] the king [...] ...... (Remainder broken.)

SAA 17 002. You May not Write your Messages in Aramaic (CT 54 010)

(1) Say to Sin-iddina: thus says the king. I am well, [you] can be glad. (3) May the bread as well as the first quality beer of the temple be good! May the guard of Ur and my temples be very strong! (6) [Everything th]at you wrote in your letter [is ...]. (7) [As to what] you wrote: "If/since [the ...s] are finished, we will come up (for an audience) before Merodach-Baladan [...]" — now then [...] I will keep listening and [...]. (I swear) by [Aš]šur, Bel and Nabû, my gods, [that ...] ... is not gathered in. (13) [As to what you wrote]: "There are informers [... to the king] and coming to his…

SAA 17 003. Open the Gates of Uruk to my Army! (ABL 0914)

(1) Say to Bulluṭu: thus says the king. I am well, you can be glad. (4) Bel-iqiša, the prelate, speaks positively about you in my presence. Any time he stands in my presence, and [...]. (9) No[w then I am writing to you]: (10) Now [...... very] (11) much [......] (12) and Bel-iqi[ša, the prelate] (13) If Aššur, [Bel and Nabû], my gods [...] (15) to mend [......] (16) to[wards ......] (17) send [your messenger] here [and ...] let him [quickly] c[ome] to [...]! And let them bring your tablet to [...]. Open the gate to [my army] and be totally devoted [...] in this manner! (r 4) Perhaps you say:…

SAA 17 005. I Swear That You Will Keep your Dynastic House (CT 54 045)

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) May I not d[ie ...! Until] I se[e] another [...], do not 'seize' your heart but come and [see] the face of Bel! (r 5) I swear by Bel and Nabû that nobod[y] has taken aw[ay] your dynastic house, that you indeed will see your dynastic house grow old in extreme old age. And we know for sure, that your son and your son's son will rule your [..., and th]at th[ey] indeed will [...] (Break) (e. 1) [...] they should go [...].

SAA 17 006. Elamite Affairs (CT 54 151)

(1) [Say] to [NN]: thus says [the king]: (3) The ne[ws ...] (4) that you [......] (5) ... [...] (6) No[w ......] (7) to [......] (Break) (r 1) [NN ......] (r 2) and [......] (r 3) he is hold[ing back ....] (r 4) Abi-[...] (r 5) change his mind [...] (r 6) let him come [here ...] (r 7) what you [...] (r 8) let him speak [...] (r 9) Humban-[...] (r 10) he held back [...] (r 11) to the presence [...] (r 12) Now to [...] (r 13) to the presence [...] (r 14) anything [...]

SAA 17 007. Providing Food for Starving Tribes (CT 54 042)

(1) [To the kin]g, my lord: [your servant Nabû-a]hhe-lumur. [Good health to] the king, my lord! The city and the guard [of the king], my lord, are well. [The tro]ops of the king, my lord, are well. (7) [Perhaps] the king, my lord, [will] say: "What [news] is there?" (10) When the [Hamaran]eans, [the] Lihuateans, [the] Rabileans (and) their people were starving for (lack of) bread, they entered [...], saying: "[May] the king [sen]d [bread] to us and [...] them with [the Hat]alleans (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 008. ‘Golden Heaven’ Removed from Esaggil; Famine (ABL 0468)

(1) [To the king, our lord: your servants Nabû-ahhe-lumur] and [NN. Good health] to the king, our lord. The city and the guard of the king, our lord, are well. (6) Perhaps the king will say: "Why have you not sent me any news?" (9) When Hulala, the 'temple-enterer' of Šamaš, went away, he took with him the golden heaven from Babylon. The priests of Bel have [...] with him ... [...] (r 1) [Having] raised [an attack] against us, they seized the golden heaven on top of it, and brought the heaven here from Esaggil. (r 6) The princes who lead us have made the lands starve, (so that) the Lihuateans…

SAA 17 009. Providing Oil and Leek for King’s Servants (ABL 0560)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) The ci[ty] and the guard of the king, my lord, are well. (4) When I wrote to Il-iada', "Send oil and cress here so that I can give to the king's servants," he refused to give them. Furthermore: (r 1) Nabû-na'id, a 'temple-enterer' of the temple, planned a crush against the city, saying "I will have the city destroyed!" (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 010. Merodach-Baladan Leaves Babylon for Dur-Yakin (ABL 0833)

(1) Yo[ur servant] Nabû-bel-šumate: I would gladly die for the king, my lord! Say to the king, my lord: I have sent my messenger to (ask for) the well-being of the king, the horses and the soldiers. (7) Certain Babylonians, the Gu[zummaneans], have come from Babylon, saying: "The son of Yakin has gone from Babylon to Dur-Y[akin] on the 11th day of Marchesvan (VIII)." I heard these news on the 15th day. Therefore [I sent them] to the presence of the king, my lord, without a night's rest. (17) Perhaps the king will [say]: "Wh[y did] you [not ...] in Bit-[Yakin ...]?" By the king's gods, even…

SAA 17 011. Sending Nergi to the King (ABL 0832)

(1) [Your servant Na]bû-bel-šumate: I would gladly die for the king, my lord! Say to the king, my lord: I have sent my messenger to (ask for) the well-being of the king, the horses and the soldiers. (8) [Concerning N]irgî [about whom the king] wrote, [I am now sending Nir]gî (11) [...] (12) [...] (13) [...] (14) [... of] the king, m[y] lord, (15) [...] anybody [...] (16) [...] Nergal-[...], son of An[a-Nabû-taklak] (r 1) [... they will we]ave them competently. (r 3) If the king, my lord, wishes, let him write to me, so they will weave the gowns and bring them to the king, my lord.

SAA 17 012. Visiting the King (ABL 0835)

(1) Your [ser]vant Nabû-bel-šumate: I would gladly die for the king, my lord! Say to the king, my lord: I have s[en]t my messenger to greet [the king], the hor[se]s and [the soldi]ers. (8) After [I went] to the palace to the presence of the king, my lord, (10) [...] ... [...] (11) [...] ... [...] (12) [...] 7 men (13) [...] Now (14) [...] ... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 013. (no title) (ABL 0836)

(1) [Your servant] Nabû-bel-šumate: [I] would gladly die for the king, my lord! Say [to the king], my [l]ord: I have sent my [messenger] to greet [the king, the hor]ses and [the soldiers]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 17 014. (no title) (ABL 0837)

(1) [Your servant] Nabû-bel-šumate: [I would] gla[dly di]e fo[r the k]ing, my lord! Say to the king, my lord: I have sent my messenger to greet the king, the horses [and] the soldiers. (8) My [...], whom [...] to [...] (9) [...] Bit-[PN] (Rest destroyed)