All tablets.

Sennacherib 198

(1) Sennach[erib], king of the world, king of Assyria, the one who fashioned image(s) of (the god) Aššur and the great gods, [I: ... the ... of] Ešarra, [...] ... [...] ... [...] Lacuna?

Sennacherib 199

(1) Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, the one who fashioned image(s) of (the god) Aš[šur] and the great gods, I: With baked bricks from a (ritually) pure kiln, I had the Step Gate of the Palace in Baltil (Aššur) built anew.

Sennacherib 200

(1) [Sennach]erib, king of the world, king of Assyria, the one who fashioned image(s) of [(the god) Aššur and the great god]s: [With baked bricks] from a (ritually) pure kiln, I [built] the Step Gate of the Palace [in Baltil (Aššur)] anew [and I] raised (it) as high as a mountain.

Sennacherib 2001

(1) Image of Raʾīmâ, the mother of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria.

Sennacherib 2002

(1) Property of Tašmētu-šarrat, palace woman of Sennacherib, king of Assyria.

Sennacherib 201

(1) Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, the one who fashi[oned image(s) of (the god) Aššur] and the great gods: With baked bricks from a (ritually) pure kiln, I [had] the Step Gate [of the Palace in Baltil (Aššur) built] anew [and I] rai[sed (it) as high as a mountain].

Sennacherib 202

(1) Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, the one who fashioned image(s) of (the god) Aššur and the great gods, I: With baked bricks from a (ritually) pure [kiln], I raised the Step Gate of the Palace in Baltil (Aššur) as high as a mountain.

Sennacherib 203

(1) Palace of Rest, an eternal dwelling, the firmly-founded family house of Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria.

Sennacherib 204

(1) Palace of Sleep, a restful tomb, the eternal dwelling of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria.

Sennacherib 205

(1) Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, the one who fashioned image(s) of (the god) Aššur and the great gods, I: I built a house for Aššur-nādin-šumi, my eldest son, and laid its foundation(s) with limestone, stone from the mountains. I had (it) made with the craft of the god Kulla and I raised (it) as high as a mountain.

Sennacherib 209

(1') [...] of gold, two bull-shaped [son-of-Šamaš figures of ...] I opened [a n]ew [gate ... towards the east], and [named it “The Royal] Gate.” (3') [...] I built (anew) [the ga]te (of) ... and [widened ...] that [gate of the ce]lla had become dilap[idated and ...] of gold, a bull-shaped son-of-Šamaš figure of gold, a scorpion-m[an figure of ..., ...] I widened [the gate of the c]ella and [I named it] “The Gate of the Path of the En[lil-Stars.”] Four bull-shaped son-of-Šamaš figures of reddish bronze ra[ise] up in their hands a sun disk (and) [hold up the roof] above, (while) below, their…

Sennacherib 210

(1) Palace of Sennach[erib, king of Assyria]: papparmīnu-stone from the land/mountain [...]. Whoever [places (it)] in the service [of a god (or another) person (or) erases] my inscribed name, [may] the deities Aššur, Mullissu, [...] make his name (and) his seed dis[appear].

Sennacherib 211

(1) Palace of Sennacherib, king of Assyria: One-half mina. (4) One-half (mina).

Sennacherib 213

(1) Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of Assyria, unrivalled king, true shepherd, favorite of the great gods, guardian of truth who loves justice, renders assistance, goes to the aid of the weak, (and) strives after good deeds, perfect man, virile warrior, foremost of all rulers, the bridle that controls the insubmissive, (and) the one who strikes enemies with lightning: (4) The god Aššur, the great mountain, granted to me unrivalled sovereignty and made my weapons greater than (those of) all who sit on (royal) daises. (5) At the beginning of my kingship, after I sat on the lordly…

Sennacherib 214

(1) For the god Nergal, his lord: I, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, built Egallammes, which is in the city Tarbiṣu, from its foundations to its crenellations for my life, the well-being of my offspring, the overthrow of my enemies, the success of the harvest of Assyria, (and) the well-being of Assyria. [I deposited] (my) clay cones (therein).

Sennacherib 215

(1) Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, had Egallammes, the temple of the god Nergal, which is in the city Tarbiṣu, built and I made (it) as bright as day.

Sennacherib 218

(1) Sennacherib, great king, king of the world, king of Assyria, had the (inner) wall (and) the outer wall of the city Kilīzu built anew and raised as high as mountains.

Sennacherib 222

(1) The deities Aššur, Sîn, Šamaš, Adad, Ninurta, and Ištar, the great gods who stand at the side of the king, their favorite, and make his weapons prevail over all enemies: (6) Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, the attentive prince (who is) your protégé, who by your [firm] ‘yes’ marched about and who made the insubmissive lands (and) disobedient people of the mountains bow down at his feet: (12) At that time, the cities Tumurrum, Šarum, Ḫalbuda, Kipšu, Ezāma, Qūa, (and) Qana, which were on the border of the land Katmuḫi, which were situated like the…

Sennacherib 223

(1) Deities Aššur, Anu, Enlil, Ea, Sîn, Šamaš, Adad, Marduk, Nabû, [Nerg]al, Ištar, (and) the Sebetti, the great gods, who install the lord (and) name the ruler to lead the black-headed (people) all over the inhabited world: (3) Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of the four quarters (of the world), the prince who provides for them, by your firm ‘yes’ I marched about safely from the Upper Sea to the Lower Sea, and (then) I made rulers of the (four) quarters (of the world) bow down at my feet and they (now) pull my yoke: (5b) At that time, I greatly…

Sennacherib 224

(1) The palace of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria.

Sennacherib 225

(1) The palace of Sennacherib, king of Assyria.

Sennacherib 226

(1) Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria: Over a long distance, I had the water of the two Ḫazur Rivers, the water of the Pulpullia River, the water of the city Ḫanusa, the water of the city Gammagara, (5) (and) water from mountain springs on the right and left sides of it added to it (and thereby) I had a canal dug to the plain of Nineveh. I had an aqueduct constructed (by packing down) white limestone over deep wadis (and thereby) enabled those waters to flow over it.

Sennacherib 227

(1) [Sennacherib ...]: I had a [can]al d[ug] over a long distance, from the Ḫusu[r] River [...] I had an aqueduct constructed (by packing down) limestone [over dee]p [wadis (and thereby) ...] water[s ...].

Sennacherib 228

(Frgm._A 1) At tha[t t]ime [... I marched] quick[ly] to Babylon [and ...], the king of Karduniaš (Babylonia), who [...] (Frgm._B 1) [...] captured [...] ... [... h]e, Mar[duk-apla]-iddin[a (II) (Merodach-baladan) ... hea]rd about [the advance of my expeditionary force] and fear and [t]err[or fell upon him ...] (Frgm._C 1) [...] his city gates [...] Marduk-apla-iddina (II) (Merodach-baladan) [...] I brought out [... from] that [...] and I counted (them) as booty. (Frgm._D 1) I brought out [...] precious [stones], utensils of ... [...] attendants, male singers, [...] and [I counted (them) as]…

Sennacherib 229

(1) Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria: (As for) the three watercourses which (flow) from Mount Ḫāni, a mountain above the city Arbela, I dug out the springs which are on the right and left banks of those watercourses and (thus) added (the springs’ water) to them. I dug a (subterranean) watercourse and directed (all of) their course(s) inside the city Arbela, the dwelling of the goddess Ištar, the exalted lady.

Sennacherib 230

(1) The deities Aššur — great lord, the father of the gods — Anu, Enlil, and Ea, Sîn, Šamaš, Adad, Marduk, Nabû, Nergal, Ištar, (and) the Sebetti, the great gods who stand at the side of the king who reveres them and make his weapons prevail over all enemies: (3) Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of the four quarters (of the world), the king who was chosen by you, guardian of truth who loves justice, renders assistance, goes to the aid of the weak, (and) strives after good deeds, perfect man, virile warrior, foremost of all rulers, the bridle that…

Sennacherib 231

(1) [Palace of Sennacherib, great king], strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, [king of the four quarters (of the world), favorite of the] great [god]s, wise prince, [circumspect] rul[er, shepherd of the peop]le, (and) leader of a widespre[ad] population, [I]: (4) [The god Aššur, father of the gods], looked steadfastly upon me [among all of the ru]lers and [made] my [we]apons [greater] than (those of) a[ll who sit on (royal) daises]. He gave me a ju[st] scepter [that widens borders (and) he put in my hand] a merciless [ro]d to fell ene[mies]. (7b) [I]n a pitched battle, I…

Sennacherib 232

(1) Sennacherib, king of Assyria.

Sennacherib 233

(1) [Senn]acherib, king of the world, [king of Assyria], gave (this object) [to] Esarhaddon, his senior-ranking son.

SAA 02 001. Treaty of Šamši-Adad V with Marduk-zakir-šumi, King of Babylon (AfO 08 28)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [......] horses [......]. (3) If the governor [......] sends troops [to ......], the king [shall ... no]thing [......]. (5) [......] he shall trust [in] their [stead]fast heart ...[...]. (6) [......] he shall not deport [......] Babylonia and Assyria nor seize [......]. (7) He shall [......] to the forts and gar[risons ......]. (8) Šamši-Adad shall not say (any) evil words about Marduk-rimanni [... to] the king, (viz.): "Kill, blind, or se[ize him", nor] shall king Marduk-zakir-šumi listen to him (should he say such things). (11) [He shall not ......] him, [nor ...]…

SAA 02 002. Treaty of Aššur-nerari V with Mati’-ilu, King of Arpad (AfO 08 17+)

(Beginning destroyed) (i 1) [... may Mati'-ilu], his sons and daughters, his mag[nates and the people of his land become] altogether like [...], may his land [be reduced] to wasteland, may only an area of the size of a brick (be left) for [him to stand upon], may nothing be left for his sons, [his daughters, his magnates and the peo]ple of his land to stand upon. May Mati'-ilu [together with his sons], daughters, magnates and the people of his land [...] like limestone, and may he, together with the people of his land, be cru[shed] like gypsum. (i 10) This spring lamb has not been brought out…

SAA 02 004. Accession Treaty of Esarhaddon (JCS 39 187)

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) [...... t]ower[s ...] I shall tell [...] to [... and] trav[ellers, I shall send messengers] to the south and [the north ...]. (r 4) Should I he[ar an ug]ly word about him [from the mou]th of his progeny, [should I hear it] from the mouth of one of the magnates or [governors], [from the mouth of one o]f the bearded or from the mouth of [the eunuchs], I will tell it to Esarhaddon, my lord; (r 8) I [will] be [his servant] and speak good of him, I [will be] loyal to him and [... the fa]ce of Esarhaddon my lord, [...]; (r 10) I will [keep] the oath [of this treaty…

SAA 02 007. Oath of Loyalty to Esarhaddon (JCS 39 174)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) ..[......] (2) to the ci[ty ......] (3) to Esarh[addon ......] (4) you shall [......] (5) standing [......] (6) his seed and his fa[mily ......] (7) you shall ...[......] (8) has sacrificed yo[u ......] (9) fumigant[s ......] (10) you shall ...[......] (11) king of Assyria [......] (Break) (r 2) not [......] (r 3) you s[hall ......] (r 4) what you [......] (r 5) whol[eheartedly ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 02 008. Zakutu Treaty (ABL 1239+)

(1) The treaty of Zakutu, the queen of Senna[cherib, ki]ng of Assyria, mother of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, (3) with Šamaš-šumu-ukin, his equal brother, with Šamaš-metu-uballiṭ and the rest of his brothers, with the royal seed, with the magnates and the governors, the bearded and the eunuchs, the royal entourage, with the exempts and all who enter the Palace, with Assyrians high and low: (9) Anyone who (is included) in this treaty which Queen Zakutu has concluded with the whole nation concerning her favourite grandson [Assurba]nipal, (12) anyone (of you) who should [...] fabricate and carry…

SAA 02 009. Assurbanipal’s Treaty with Babylonian Allies (ABL 1105)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [We swear by Aššur, Šerua,] Bel[et-ili, ......, a]ll [the gods of Assyria and Babylonia], and [all] the great gods [of heaven and earth, ......], (3) [that] from this day on [for as long as we live we will be subjects of Assurbanipal, king of Assyria], (that) Assurbanipal, king of Assyria [shall be our king and lord, and (that) we will be totally devoted] to Assurbanipal, king of Assyria, [our] lord. (6) We will not conceal nor hide [any message] or messenger whom Šamaš-šumu-ukin, ki[ng of Babylonia] has [sent or] made [... or who has come to us] from the sons of…

SAA 02 013. A Vassal Treaty (JCS 39 175)

(Beginning destroyed) (ii 2) [...] him. (ii 3) You will not make peace [with] him (ii 4) nor make [common cause] with him, (ii 5) but will fe[ar] me (ii 6) and do what is [good] to me. (ii 7) [If] you do what is good to me, (ii 8) all [Ar]abia [... (ii 9) (Break) (ii 11) [Should] I march (ii 12) [...] against you (ii 13) [...] his mouth (ii 14) [...] keeping at a distance from you (ii 15) [...] you will bring forth (ii 16) [...] is set to him (ii 17) [... let them] make difficult (ii 18) [...] one of your servants (ii 19) [...] another country (ii 20) [...] ... (iii 1) You will send no…

SAA 02 003. Sennacherib’s Succession Treaty (PKTA 31)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...... which Sennach]erib, king of Assyr[ia, your lord], has set to you: (2) [If you should hear] improper things, you shall speak out [going] to Sennacherib, king of Assyria, [your lord], and totally devoting yourselves to the king, your lord, (5) if you should not protect [Esarhaddon, the crown prince designate, and] the other princes [whom Sennacherib, king of Assyria, has presen]ted to you; (otherwise): (7) [May Aššur, Mullissu, Šerua], Sin, Nikkal, Šamaš, Nu[r, Anu, Antu, Illil, Adad, Š]ala, Kippat-mati, [Ištar of Heaven, Ištar of Nineveh], Ištar of [Arbela,…

SAA 02 005. Esarhaddon’s Treaty with Baal, King of Tyre (Ash pl. 3+)

(i 1) [The treat]y of Esarhad[don, king] of Assyria, son of [Sennacherib likewise king of Assyria, with Baa]l, king of Tyre, with [..., his son, and his other sons and grandsons, with a]ll [Tyrians], young and old [... (Break) (i 5) or ...[......] (i 6) or [......] (i 7) or with [......] (i 8) not[......] (i 9) if [......] not ...[......] (i 10) If Assyr[ia ......] (i 11) ... you [......]...[......] (Break) (ii 10) [......] according to [...] (ii 11) [......] let [...] (ii 12) [......] ...[...] (ii 13) [...... t]o the ex[empt] (Break) (iii 1) [......] from ... until [......] (iii 2) [......]…

SAA 02 006. Esarhaddon’s Succession Treaty (VTE)

(i) Seal of the god Aššur, king of the gods, lord of the lands — not to be altered; seal of the great ruler, father of the gods — not to be disputed. (1) The treaty of Esarhaddon, (king of the world), king of Assyria, son of Sennacherib, (likewise king of the world), king of Assyria, with Humbareš, city-ruler of Nahšimarti (etc.), his sons, his grandsons, with all the Nahšimarteans (etc.), the men in his hands young and old, as many as there are from sunrise to sunset, all those over whom Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, exercises kingship and lordship, (with) you, your sons and your grandsons…

SAA 02 010. Assurbanipal’s Treaty with the Qedar Tribe (JCS 39 159)

(Break) (1) [The treaty of Assurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Esarhaddon, likewise king of the world, king of Assyria, with Abi-yate' son of Te'ri, his sons, grandsons, brothers and nephews, with all Qedarites, young and old, and with ...] son of Yau[ta', in the presence of all the gods of] Assyria and Qedar: (3) [Swear by Aššur], Mullissu and [Šerua]: (4) [Considering th]at Yauta' (your) malef[actor] handed all [Arab]s over to destruction [through] the iron sword, and put you to the sword, (8) [and that Assur]banipal, king of Assyria, your lord, put oil on you and…

SAA 02 011. Sin-šarru-iškun’s Treaty with Babylonian Allies (BRM 4 50)

(1) The treaty of Sin-šarru-išk[un, king of Assyria], son of Assurbanipal, [king of the world, king of Assyria], with Nabû-apla-iddina [......], with Kanunayu [......], (and) with Aqri [......] in the presence of Ju[piter, Venus ... (Break) (r 1) [By Aššur], augu[st] lord, [defeater of] enemies, lover of [the just], [who] loves the [kin]g and [destroys] his enemy: (r 5) [Whoever] a[lters] the wording of this tablet, or sins against the [trea]ty of the great gods, (r 7) May [......] of heaven and earth cover (sic) them with an evil, irremovable curse. Above, may [he uproot] them from the…

SAA 02 012. Extract from a Treaty of Sin-šarru-iškun (AfO 13 T14)

(1) If you should sin against this treaty of Sin-šarru-iškun, king of Assyria, your lord, and his sons and grandsons, (6) may Nergal, the perfect lord, (pour out) your blood into ditches and ravines.

SAA 02 014. Esarhaddon’s Treaty Inscription (JCS 39 158)

(i 1) [...] I asked ... Belet-ili, "Why?" ... [...] (i 2) [...]...... exceedingly before [......] (i 3) [... goo]dness with all my strength [......] (i 4) [...] the seven planets of the sky which [...] the oath of the king, (i 5) will curse [...] and not return [to his side]. (i 6) [I obeyed] the divinity of Belet-ili, [trusting] in her holy command. (i 7) At that time, when that treaty was imp[osed] and it was said: "The king my lord has imposed an oath on all [the lands]", Prince Marduk heard it, and turned [his attention to] Assyria to help (it) establish world dominion. (i 11) [He took…

SAA 02 015. Tell Tayinat Version of Esarhaddon’s Succession Treaty (JCS 64 091)

(i_T_1) Seal of the god Aššur, king of the gods, lord of the lands — [not to be altered]; seal of the great ruler, father of the gods — not to be disputed. (1_T_i_1) The treaty of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, son of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, with the governor of Kunalia, with the deputy, the major-domo, the scribes, the chariot drivers, the third men, the village managers, the information officers, the prefects, the cohort commanders, the charioteers, the cavalrymen, the exempt, the outriders, the specialists, the shi[eld bearers (?)], the craftsmen, (and) with [all] the men [of his…

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…

Religion & Myth

Religion & Myth·Daily Life

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 03 005. 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…

Religion & Myth

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…

Religion & Myth