All tablets.

Ashurbanipal 050

(1) [... who] love his good [d]e[e]ds (lit. “[the] good [d]ee[ds of] his hands”), all of the rulers of the entiret[y of the lands ... — (As for) Tammarītu, Paʾê, (and) Ummanalda]šu (Ḫumban-ḫaltaš III), kings of the land Elam whom [I] had defeat[ed] with the support of (the god) Aššur and the goddess Mullissu, [...] they [sto]od [...] and (then) they prepared their royal meal with their own hands and had (it) brought [before me].

Ashurbanipal 051

(1) [I, Ashurbani]pal, king of the world, king of Assyria, [who with the support of (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar], conquered his enemies [..., surrounded (and) conquered the ci]ty Bīt-Luppi. [I brought out the pe]ople living in it, [chariots, wagons], horses, (and) [mules and] counted (them) as [boo]ty.

Ashurbanipal 052

(1) [...] had incited [(...)] to rebel [against (the god) Aššur and the goddess] Ištar and [he] prepared for battle. At the beginning of his fight, in the city [..., w]ho had encouraged me, a small body of troops [brought about] the defeat of [his] troops. [... t]heir [...], the rest of them who had fled when (they were) defeated ... [...]. They were speaking [as] follows, saying: “Do not be frightened! (The god) Aššur [...].”

Ashurbanipal 054

(1) I, Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria, for who[m] (the god) Aššur — the king of the gods — (and) the goddess Ištar — the lady of battle — determined a destiny of heroism, [...]: The god Palil, the one who goes before me, let me go triumphantly hunting in the steppe. For pleasure ... [...] I went out. (3b) In the steppe, a widespread place, rag[ing] lions, a ferocious mountain breed, attacked [me and] surrounded the chariot, the vehicle of my royal majesty. By the command of (the god) Aššur (and) the goddess [Ištar], the great gods, my lords, with a single team [harnes]sed to…

Ashurbanipal 055

(1) I, Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria — while (carrying out) [my princely] spor[t], they had [a fi]erce [lion] that was born in the steppe (lit. “of its plain”) brought out of a cage and, while on foot, I pierced (it) three times with arrow(s) [(but)] its life did not come to an end. Through the command of the god Palil, the king of the steppe who had generously gr<anted> me power (and) vir[ilit]y, I subsequently stabbed it with my iron belt-dagger [(and)] it laid down (its) life.

Ashurbanipal 056

(1) I, Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria, while enjoying myself on foot, seized a fierce lion that was born in the steppe (lit. “of its plain”) by its ear and, with the support of (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar — the lady of battle — pierced its body with the lance that was in my hand.

Ashurbanipal 057

(1) I, Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria, while (carrying out) my princely sport, seized a lion that was born in the steppe (lit. “of its plain”) by its tail and, through the command of the gods Ninurta (and) Nergal, the gods who support me, shattered its skull with the mace that was in my hand.

Ashurbanipal 058

(1) I, Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria, to whom (the god) Aššur (and) the goddess Mullissu have granted outstanding strength, set up the fierce bow of the goddess Ištar — the lady of battle — over the lions that I had killed. I made an offering over them (and) poured (a libation of) wine over them.

Ashurbanipal 060

(1) For the goddess Mullissu, the lady of the lands who dwells in Emašmaš: (2) Ashurbanipal, king of Assyria, the ruler who reveres her, the governor (who is) the creation of her hands, who, at her great command, cut off the head of Teumman, the king of the land Elam, in the thick of battle. (6) Moreover, with her great support, I defeated Ummanigaš (Ḫumban-nikaš II), Tammarītu, Paʾê, (and) Ummanaldašu (Ḫumban-ḫaltaš III), who had exercised kingship over the land Elam after Teumman, and (then) harnessed them to a processional carriage, the vehicle of my royal majesty. (11) Furthermore, at her…

Ashurbanipal 061

(1) Ashurbanipal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of As[syria], the pious servant, the one who reveres the great gods, beloved of the god Aššur and the goddess Mullissu, the one required by the gods Nabû and Marduk, the one who protects the secret knowledge of the great gods, (5) the one who is assiduous towards san[ctuari]es, the holy priest whose gi[ving of food off]erings the gods of heaven (and) netherworld enj[oy], the one who ... Ešarra, the one who am[a]sses te[mple] appurtenance(s), (8) (No translation possible) (13) [I] made (him) t[ake] his seat in [his] (own)…

Ashurbanipal 062

(1) T[o the gre]at [lord, ...], powerful, sple[n]di[d, ...], foremost among the Igīgū and Anunnakū gods, lord of [...], unrivalled king, my lord, ... [...]: (5) I, Ashurbanipal, king of [Assyria, ...] ... [... the one who] is assiduous towards [your] place[s (of worship), ...] who day and night ... [...], the one who reveres your gre[at] divinity [...] ... [...] the one who directs gods and hum[anity ...], the one who prolongs (my) days, [...], I, Ashurba[nipal, ...], (rev. 1) son of the king of the gods [...] in his good physical health [...], shepherdship ... [...] (r 4) You (Marduk), be…

Ashurbanipal 063

(1) The palace of Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of [Assyria], the one who conquered the wi[de] land Elam (and) who devastated [its] settl[ements], son of Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of A[ssyria], son of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of [Assyria], descendant of Sargon (II), king of the world, king of [Assyria] — after [I had brought about] the defeat of <Te>umman i[n battle], by the command of the gods Aššur and Marduk, in[side Nineveh, ...] an i[mage of] my [royal majest]y [...]

Ashurbanipal 064

(1) The palace of Ashurbanipal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, son of Sennacherib, (who was) also king of Assyria.

Ashurbanipal 070

(1) [The palace of Ashurbanipal, (great king, strong king,) king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Esa]rhaddon, king of the world, king of [Assyria, son of Sennacher]ib, king of Assyria, son of Sargon (II), (who was) also king of Assyria.

Ashurbanipal 071

(1) [The one who bro]ught about the defeat of [the land] Elam.

Ashurbanipal 091

(i 1') [I constricted (and)] cut sho[rt their lives. I made] them (the people of Tyre) [b]ow down [to my yoke]. (i 3') He (Baʾalu) brought before me [(his) daughter], his [own offspring], and the daughters of his brothers [to serve as housekeepers. (i 5´) He sent at the same time his son, who] had n[ever] crossed the sea, to do obeisance to me. [I received from him his daughter and the daughters of his brothers, tog]ether with a large marriage gift. [I had mercy on him and (then)] I gave (his) son, his offspring, back to him. (i 9') [(As for) Yakīn-Lû, the king of the city Arw]ad, who resides…

Ashurbanipal 093

(1') ... [...] two tall obelisks [cast with shiny zaḫalû-metal, whose weight was 2,500 talents (and which) stood at a temple gate, I ripped (them)] from where th[ey] were erected [and took (them) to Assyria]. (4') On my second campaign, [I marched] ag[ainst Baʾalu, the king of the land Tyre who resides in the middle of the sea]. Because he did not honor my royal command(s and) did not obe[y the pronouncement(s) from my lips], I set up outposts against him. By sea (and) dry land, [I took control of (all of) his] r[outes]. I constricted (and) cut short their lives. I made [them (the people of…

Ashurbanipal 034

(1) The city (lit. “land”) Madaktu.

Ashurbanipal 039

(1) [... I installed h]im as king [...] ... [...].

Ashurbanipal 053

Lacuna? (1') (No translation possible)

Ashurbanipal 130

(1') (No translation possible) (3') [...] to kill [...]. (4') [...] ... gold which ... [...]. (5') [...] ... [...] ... [...] ... [...] powe[r], virility, (and) king[ship ...]. (r 1) Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, (my) hostile brother, who had plan[ned murder] against Assyria [...], saying: “I will come and destr[oy] those cities [...]. I will carry off Assyrians from (their) midst and [...].” (As for) Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, who had spoken (these) insolent word(s), [(the god) Aššur determined for him a cruel death; he consigned him] to a conflagration ... [(and) destroyed his life]. (r 6) (As for) the people,…

Ashurbanipal 159

(1) [For the goddess Bēlet-parṣē who resides in the House of Succession that is insi]de Nineveh, the great lady, my lady — (2) [I, Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of] Assyria, king of the four quarters (of the world), [... Šarra]t-Kidmuri, Ištar of Arbela, [... t]o be king of the four quarters (of the world): (5b) [...] an excellent throne [... the se]at of the goddess Bēlet-parṣē, his lady, [...] ... of Bēlet-parṣē [... th]at excellent [throne ...] I decorated it and (10) [... cast with] shiny [zaḫa]lû-metal [...]. I established [the ... of] her great [divinit]y [... may] her heart…

Ashurbanipal 162

(1') [I ripped out the tongue(s ...)] of Na[bû-uṣalli, a city overseer of the land Gambulu, (and)] fla[yed him/(them)]. (3') With [the decapitated head of Teumman, the king of the land Elam, I took] the road to the city [Arbela in (the midst of) celebration]. (5') I sent Tammarītu [...] with him [...] the people of the city Ḫidal[u ...]. (8') Simburu, the heral[d of the land Elam, heard about the advance of my troops and] became frightened at the mention of my name. [He] then [came] b[efore my messenger and kissed my feet]. (10') [Fear of my royal majesty] covered Umbakidinu, the [herald of…

~655 BCE·Neo-AssyrianRIAo

Ashurbanipal 171

(o? 1') ... [...] his hea[vy def]eat [... his] offspr[ing ...] provinces of [...] the people [...]. (o? 6') I, Ashurbanipa[l, ...], which I constantly marc[hed through ...] the land Mannea [...] you made bow d[own ...] (obv.? 10´) Er[isinni ...] ... [...] (r? 1') [...] lordly [...], which [...] Teumman, the king of the land Elam, [...] I cut off his head in the assembly of [his troops ...]. Blank space for 2 lines (r? 4') I, Ashurbanipal, king of Assyria: (The god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar, [...], before “May [the Vice]-Regent of (the God) Aššur En[dure],” the ga[te of (the god) Aššur, (...…

Ashurbanipal 181

(o? 1') [I, Ashurbanipal, king of Assyria, who by the command of (the god) Aššur] (and) the goddess Mu[llissu a]chi[eved his heart’s desire: Um]manigaš (Ḫumban-nikaš II) [dispatched them (his forces) to Undasu, a s]on of Teum[man — a (former) king of the land Elam — Zazaz, the city ruler of the c]ity Pillatu, (and) [Parr]û, the [city ruler of the land Ḫilmu, to help] Šamaš-šuma-ukīn — [(my) unfaithful] b[rother — (and) to fight with the troops of Assyria] (r? 1') (No translation possible) (r? 2') [I], Ashurbani[pal, king of Assyria, who b]y the command of (the god) Aššur (and) the goddess…

Ashurbanipal 182

(o? 1') [...] ... [...] mi[ghty] victories [... the la]nd Elam [... the land Ela]m, all of it, [... (obv.? 5´) with the suppor]t of (the god) Aššur (and) the goddess Mulli[ssu, ... he became di]stressed. [He sent] his envoys [to me ... and with] his substantial audience gift(s) ... [...]. (o? 8') [I], Ashurbanipal, ki[ng of Assyria, who by the comman]d of (the god) Aššur (and) the goddess Mull[issu achieved his heart’s desire]: (r? 1') [...] (r? 2') [I], Ashurbanipal, [king of Assyria, who by the command of] (the god) Aššur (and) the goddess Mul[lissu achieved his heart’s desire: ...] the land…

Ashurbanipal 195

(1) O Aššur, the great mountain, [...], the sublime one [who resides] i[n] Eḫur[saggalkurkurra, ...], the lord of the crown, ... [...] by whose exalt[ed] command [...], (5) the fierce deluge [...], who, by the weapons of [his mighty] battle array, [...] and together with mankin[d ...] you swept over them like [...] you imposed [...] on the lands [...]. (10) Dunānu, son of Bē[l-iqīša, ...] who spoke w[ords of ...] and you, kin[g of the gods ...]. Him, together with [his] famil[y ...] who to Sargon (II) [...] (15) kings who preced[ed me ...]. Moreover, he, Aplāya [... who] constantly harassed…

Ashurbanipal 2001

(1) [I]mage of Libbāli-šar[rat], que[en] of Ashurbani[pal], king of the world, ki[ng] of As[syria].

Ashurbanipal 2004

(1) For the god Sîn of heaven, lion of the gods (and) king of the Enlil (circle of) gods, his lord: (5) Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, governor of Ur, son of Ningal-iddin, (10) (who was also) governor of Ur, built anew Etemennigurru, his beloved temple.

Ashurbanipal 2005

(1) For the goddess Ningal, queen of Ekišnugal, divine Ninmenna (“Lady-of-the-Crown”), beloved of Ur, his lady: (5) Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, governor of Ur, built anew the Gipāru, the house of the supreme goddess, beloved wife of the god Sîn. After he constructed a statue, a (re-)creation of the goddess Ningal, (and) brought it into the house of the wise god, she took up residence in Enun, (which was) built (to be) her lordly abode.

Ashurbanipal 2006

(1) For the goddess Ningal, exalted lady, queen of the goddesses, (most) valiant of the great gods: (4) In order to ensure the good health of Ashurbanipal, king of Assyria, strong king, (and) king of the world, his lord, Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, son of Ningal-iddin, governor of Ur, Eridu and the Gurasimmu (tribe), (10) opened up (its) emplacement, built (the well named) Puḫilituma, and established (it) for all time. He made inexhaustible spring water appear in it. (14) With regard to any (future) ruler who (re)opens this well, may his days be long (and) his offspring extensive!

Ashurbanipal 2007

(Lines 1-28 [= col. i–iii], which contain an inscription of Amar-Suen, are not edited here.) Col. iv (29) Copy from a baked brick from the debris of Ur, the work of Amar-Suen, the king of Ur, (which) Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, the governor of Ur, had discovered while looking for the ground plan of Ekišnugal. Nabû-šuma-iddin, son of Iddin-Papsukkal, the lamentation-priest of the god Sîn, saw (it) and wrote (it) down for display. Top (39) (No translation possible)

Ashurbanipal 2008

(1) (For) the god Nanna, king of heaven (and) netherworld: in order to ensure the good health of Ashurbanipal, king of kings, his lord, (5) Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, governor of Ur (and) Eridu, who provides for Ekišnugal, the shining shrine of the Watery Abyss (apsû), built anew (10) Elugalgalgasisa, his beloved temple.

Ashurbanipal 2009

(1) [(For) the god Nanna], his [lo]rd, [... of As]hurbanipal, [king] of the world, [Sî]n-balāssu-iqbi, (5) governor of Ur (and) Eridu, for the sake of his life (re)built Elugalgalgasisa [an]ew.

Ashurbanipal 2013

(1) (For) the god Nanna, king of the Enlil (circle of) gods, his lord: Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, governor of Ur, (5) who provides for Eridu, built Eadgigi, the abode of the god Nusku.

Ashurbanipal 2014

(1) (For) the god Nanna, king of the Enlil (circle of) gods, his lord: Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, governor of Ur, (5) who provides for Eridu, built Ekišibgalekura, the abode of the god Ninimma.

Ashurbanipal 2016

(1) (For) the god Nanna, king of the Enlil (circle of) gods, his lord: Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, governor of Ur, (5) who provides for Eridu, built Eanšar, his royal abode.

Ashurbanipal 209

(1) [For the goddess Ni]ngal, who makes life pleasant, goddess worthy of pra[ise], mother of the gods, the hero[ic one, the] gracious [wil]d cow, who(se) face is ra[diant, who(se)] featu[res] always shine brightly [l]ike daylight, (5) wi[f]e of the divine light (Sîn) — foremost lord, resplendent one, light of the distan[t] heavens — who bore the god Šamaš — the one who lights up the four quarters (of the world), who(se) judgement and decision are final ... — who intercedes for the light of the gods, her beloved, the god S[în], who gives counsel (and) says favorable thing(s) to the god Šamaš,…

Ashurbanipal 220

Lacuna of about 5 or 6 lines (i 1') [governor of B]abylon, king of [the land of Sumer and Akkad; grands]on of Sennacherib, [great] kin[g, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria; de]scen[da]nt of Sargon (II), gre[at] king, [strong king, king of the world, king of Assyri]a, [governo]r of Babylon, king of the land of S[umer and Akkad] — (i 5') [(The god) Aššur], the father of the gods, [determined] a roya[l] destiny [as my lot] (while I was) in my mother’s womb; [the goddess Mul]lissu, the great mother, nominate[d me] for ruling over the land and people; [the god] Ea (and) (the goddess)…

Ashurbanipal 223

Columns i and ii are not edited here iii 1´–35´ The inscription of Sennacherib and measurements and descriptions of Zarpanītu’s bed and Marduk’s throne are not edited here (iii 36') Wording (of the inscription) that was erased from the bed (and) the throne of the god Bēl (Marduk), which were deposited in the temple of (the god) Aššur, (and that of the inscription) written upon (them) in the name of Ashurbanipal. Simānu (III), the twenty-seventh day, eponymy of Awiānu (655) , th[ey were returned t]o Ba[byl]on [(...)]. (iv 1') [...] ... [...] ... [..., O l]ord, being furious (and) relenting,…

Ashurbanipal 247

(1) For the god Marduk, his lord: Ashurbanipal, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, in order to ensure his good health (5) had baked bricks made anew for Esagil and Etemenanki.

Ashurbanipal 248

(1) For the god Marduk, his lord: Ashurbanipal, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, son of Esarhaddon, (5) king of the world, king of Assyria, (and) king of Babylon, had baked bricks made anew for Etemenanki.

Ashurbanipal 249

(1) For the god Marduk, his lord: Ashurbanipal, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, for the sake of his life had baked bricks made anew for Etemenanki.

Ashurbanipal 251

(1) For the god Asari, great lord, his lord: Ashurbanipal, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, son of Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, (and) king of Babylon, for the sake of his life had constructed Etemenanki anew.

Ashurbanipal 252

(1') this [work] falls into dis[repair ...], question skilled [craftsmen! ... Rebuild (...)], the temple of the goddess Ištar according to [its ancient] specifi[cations! (...) The goddess Ištar (of Agade)] will (then) listen to [your prayers. Look at my] inscribed object, [anoint (it) with oil, offer a sacrifice, (and)] s[et] (my inscribed object) with your (own) inscribed object! (5'b) [(But) as for the one who erases my inscribed name by some crafty device], (or) does not write [my name] with his name, (or) [destroys my inscribed object], (or) does not set [my inscribed object with his (own)…

Ashurbanipal 260

(1) For the god Enlil, king of the gods, sovereign of heaven (and) netherworld, prince (who decides) the fates, (5) his lord: Ashurbanipal, his obedient shepherd, mighty king, king of the world, (re)built Egigunû with baked bricks.

~650 BCE·Neo-AssyrianEditorial

Epic of Gilgamesh, Tablet XI (the Flood)

A major witness to the Mesopotamian Flood tradition and its relationship to later biblical literature. The date of this particular copy must be distinguished from the older history of the story.

~648 BCE·Neo-AssyrianRINAP 5

Ashurbanipal 176

Records Ashurbanipal's confiscation of his rebel brother Šamaš-šuma-ukīn's household after the Babylonian civil war (652–648 BCE): palace women, eunuchs, chariotry, and named officials catalogued as war spoils of fratricide.

~627 BCE·Neo-AssyrianRINAP 5

Aššur-etel-ilāni 01

Aššur-etel-ilāni's dedication of baked bricks for Ezida at Kalḫu — framed as a life-preservation rite — attests royal temple-building ideology persisting into the final turbulent years of the Assyrian Empire.