All tablets.

Ur-Ninurta 1

Royal titulary of Ur-Ninurta of Isin (~1923–1896 BCE) accumulates priestly and pastoral epithets across Nippur, Ur, Eridu, and Uruk, mapping the ideological geography of a dynasty competing to reunify Sumer after Ur III's collapse.

~1925 BCE·Old BabylonianETCSRI

Bur-Sin 1

(1) Bur-Suen, the shepherd who makes Nibru utterly content, the powerful farmer of Urim, the restorer of Eridug’s divine design, the en priest suitable for the divine powers of Unug, king of Isin, king of Sumer and Akkad, the spouse who befits Inana's holy lap.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

Damiq-ilišu 2001

(1) To Nergal of Apiak, the respected lord, the powerful lion, his master, Warad-Nanna, the royal scribe, child of Piqqum, his servant, dedicated this (lion statue) for the well being Damiq-ilišu, king of Sumer and Akkad.

Enlil-bani 01

(1) Enlil-bani, the shepherd, who makes everything abundant for Nibru, the farmer of Urim’s plentiful barley, who purifies all divine powers of Eridug, the favourite en-priest of Unug, king of Isin, king of Sumer and Akkad, the spouse chosen in the heart by Inana.

Enlil-bani 05

(1) For Ninibgal, the compassionate lady, who loves votive offerings, who listens to prayers and supplications, her shining mother, Enlil-bani, the shepherd, who makes everything abundant for Nibru, the farmer of Urim’s plentiful barley, who purifies all divine powers of Eridug, the beloved en-priest of Unug, the powerful king, king of Isin, king of Sumer and Akkad, the spouse choosen in the heart by Inana, built her beloved temple.

Enlil-bani 06

(1) For Nintinuga, lady of the living and the dead, his lady, Enlil-bani, the powerful king, king of Isin, king of Sumer and Akkad, the beloved of Enlil and Ninisina, built the E-nidubu, his beloved temple.

Enlil-bani 08

(1) For Enlil, king of all lands, his master, Enlil-bani, the powerful king, king of Isin, king of Sumer and Akkad, the beloved of Enlil and Ninisina, ....

Iddin-Dagan 1

(1) To Ninisina, his lady, Iddin-Dagan, the powerful king, king of Isin, king of Sumer and Akkad, dedicated this (statue) for his well-being. (9) Whoever ... order to perform a misdeed ..., may Ninisina, my lady, and Damu, may master, curse him!

Iddin-Dagan 3

(1) For Ninlil, the lady of the gods, Iddin-Dagan, the powerful king, fashioned a composite copper statue, set it up before her, and dedicated it to her for his well-being. (6) Whoever gives order to perform a misdeed against this (statue), ... my handiwork, erases this inscription and writes his own name there, or makes another man raise his hand against it on account of this curse, may Nanna, my master, Ninlil, my lady, and Dagan, my personal god, curse him!

Išbi-Erra 1

(1) For Enlil, king of all land, his master, Išbi-Erra, the powerful king, the king of his land, fashioned a lofty balaĝ-drum, which ... the heart, and dedicated it to him for his well-being. (12) The name of this balaĝ-drum is “Išbi-Erra puts (his) trust in Enlil.”

Išme-Dagan 11

(1) Išme-Dagan, provider of Nibru, steadfast supporter of Urim, tireless servant of Eridug, en priest of Unug, king of Isin, king of Sumer and Akkad, the beloved spouse of Inana, built the great wall of Dūrum, his city of military governorship as crown prince.

Išme-Dagan 12

(1) To Nanna, the firstborn child of Enlil, his master, Išme-Dagan, provider of Nibru, steadfast supporter of Urim, tireless servant of Eridug, en priest of Unug, king of Isin, king of Sumer and Akkad, the beloved spouse of Inana, dedicated this (vase) for his well-being.

Išme-Dagan 2002add

(1) To Nergal of Aldak, his master, Warad-Erra, gudug priest of Nergal, son of Adalal, the gudug priest, his servant, dedicated this (mace) for the well-being of Išme-Dagan, the powerful king, king of Isin, king of Sumer and Akkad.

Lipit-Eštar 05

(1) When I, Lipit-Eštar, the humble shepherd of Nibru, the true farmer of Urim, ceaseless provider of Eridug, the en priest suitable for Unug, king of Isin, king of Sumer and Akkad, the favourite of Inana, established justice in Sumer and Akkad, then by the command of Enlil and Nanna I restored Urim and dug its moat.

Lipit-Eštar 07

(1) For Inana of Mur, her Inana, Lamassatum, (Lipit-Estar's) mother built the E-maruru, her beloved storehouse in Isin for the well-being of Lipit-Eštar, the shepherd who heeds the gods, king of Sumer and Akkad, spouse of Inana, and also for her (own) well-being.

Lipit-Eštar 08

(1) When I, Lipit-Eštar, the king of Sumer and Akkad, established justice in Sumer and Akkad, then I dedicated this (eye-stone) for Ninlil, lady of the gods, the Inana who created me, my mother who bore me, for my well-being.

Lipit-Eštar 10add

(i 1) When I, Lipit-Eštar, the humble shepherd of Nibru, the true farmer of Urim, ceaseless provider of Eridug, the en priest suitable for Unug, king of Isin, king of Sumer and Akkad, the favourite of Inana, established justice in Sumer and Akkad, then for Nanaya, the beloved child of Inana, my lady, I built the E-me-urur, her beloved storehouse in Isin.

Šu-ilišu 1

(1) When Šu-ilišu, the powerful man, king of Urim, brought home (the statue of) Nanna from Anšan to Urim, then for Nanna, the most outstanding among the Anuna gods, his master, he built the Dublamah, his place of rendering judgement. He installed for him a decorated two-wing door, and dedicated it to him for his well-being. (19) Whoever gives order to perform a misdeed against this (door), transfers it to a storehouse, or makes another man raise his hand against it on account of this curse, may Nanna, my master, and Ningal, my lady, curse him!

Šu-ilišu 3

(1) Because of his great love for Ninisina, Šu-ilišu, the powerful king, king of Sumer and Akkad, built a great city wall whose fearsome radiance silences everyone in order to make the scattered people of the south and highlands secure in their dwellings around Isin. The name of this city wall is “Šu-ilišu is the beloved of Eštar.”

Zambiya 2add

(1) For Ninisina, his lady, Zambiya, the powerful king, king of Isin, king of Sumer and Akkad, built the pure E-niĝar for her joyful festival.

~1900 BCE·Old BabylonianOur engine

Šamši-Adad I 02

Claims the Emašmaš temple in Nineveh as a restoration of a structure built by Maništušu of Agade, asserting Assyrian dynastic continuity across seven generations of post-Akkadian history.

Šamši-Adad I 11

Attests Šamši-Adad I's self-presentation as temple-builder of Aššur, anchoring his reign within the city-god's cult at the moment Assyria first emerged as a territorial kingdom.

Puzur-Sin 1001

(1) When Puzur-Sîn, vice-regent of the god Aššur, son of Aššur-bēl-šamê, destroyed the evil of Asīnum, offspring of Šamšī-[Adad (I)], who was ... of the city Aššur, and instituted proper rule for the city Aššur, (at that time), [I (Puzur-Sîn) removed] ... a foreign plague, (who was) not of the flesh of [the city] Aššur. (15) The god Aššur justly ... [with] his pure hands and I, by the command of (the god) Aššur himself, my lord, destroyed that improper thing that he had worked on, (specially) the wall and palace of Šamšī-Adad (I), his grandfather, (who was) a foreign plague (and) not of the…

Šamši-Adad I 01

(1) Šamšī-Adad (I), king of the world, builder of the temple of the god Aššur, pacifier of the land between the Tigris River and the Euphrates River, by the command of the god Aššur, who loves him, (and the one) whom the gods Anu and Enlil called by name for greatness among the kings who came before (him). (18) (As for) the temple of the god Enlil, which Erišum (I), the son of Ilu-šūma, had built, it had become dilapidated and I abandoned it. Then, I built the temple of the god Enlil, my lord, the fearful dais, the large chapel, the seat of the god Enlil, my lord, (all of) which were…

Šamši-Adad I 04

(1) Šamšī-Adad (I), appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of the god Aššur. (4) When the god Itūr-Mēr, my lord, fully entrusted to [me] the ru[le] and control [over] the land Mari and the bank(s) of the Eu[phrates] River, I prayed to hi[m a]nd (then) [I offered up (to him), [(for the splendor of his divinity,)] a throne of light-colored medlar-wood ... [...] that had been perfected with everything pertaining to the goldsmith’s art (lit. “by gold and skilled craftsmen”).

Šamši-Adad I 05

(1) [Šamšī-Adad (I), appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of the god Aššur]. (4) Wh[en] the god Itūr-Mē[r] heard my pray[e]rs and petitions and fully entrusted to me the land Mari, the bank(s) of the Euphr[ates] River, and its domains, I prayed to him and (then) I offered up (to him), for the splendor of his divinity, a great ebony throne that had been methodically made with everything pertaining to the goldsmith’s art (lit. “by gold and skilled craftsmen”).

Šamši-Adad I 06

(1) For the goddess Ištar-šarrum, the controller of all of heaven and netherworld, the one who favorably receives his prayers (and) goes at his right hand: (6) Šamšī-Adad (I), strong king, king of Agade, conqueror of all of his enemies, dedicated a bronze kettledrum with good sound (and) befitting his being a warrior.

Šamši-Adad I 07

(1) [Šam]šī-[Adad (I)], strong king, appointee of the god [Enlil], vice-regent of the god Aššur, beloved of the god Dagān, pacifier of the land between the Tigris River and the Euphrates River, ruler of [Mar]i, king of Ekallātum, (and) governor of Šubat-Enlil. (12) [I ...] twin (vases) for the god Dagān and the banquet of [...] the god Aššur fo[r [...]. (r 1) (No translation possible)

Šamši-Adad I 08

(1) Šamšī-Adad (I), king of the world, appointee of the god Enlil, worshipper of the god Dagān, vice-regent of the god Aššur, builder of Ekisiga — “His Silent Temple,” the temple of the god Dagān in Terqa.

Šamši-Adad I 09

(1) Šamšī-Adad (I), vice-regent of the god Aššur, son of Ilā-kabkabī, builder of the temple of the god Aššur.

Šamši-Adad I 10

(1) Šamšī-Ad[ad (I)], beloved of the god Aššur, vice-regent of the god Aššur, [son of] Ilā-kabkabī.

Šamši-Adad I 1001

(i' 1) ... [By] command of [the god] Enlil and [...] my attack [in Arra]pḫa [...] seventh day [...] and [I] sacrificed, ...] and (ii' 1) I entered his fortress. I kissed the feet of the god Adad, my lord, and reorganized that land. I installed my governors everywhere and, (at) the Festival of Heat, I sacrificed to the gods Šamaš and Adad, in Arrapḫa itself. (ii' 12) (In) Addaru (XII), on the twentieth day, I crossed the (Lower) Zab (Zaiba) and made a razzia in the land Qabra. I struck down the harvest of that land and, in the month Magrānum, I captured the fortified cities of the land Arbela…

Šamši-Adad I 12

(1) Šamšī-[Adad (I)], king of [the world].

Šamši-Adad I 2001

(1) The name of this lion is “The Sealer of the Enemy of Šamšī-Adad (I) by the Command of the Goddess Ištar.”

Šamši-Adad I 2002

(1) The name of [this] lion is “The Drinker of the Blood of the Enemies of Ša[mšī-Adad (I)] by [the Command of] the Goddess [Ištar].” (8) (Belonging to) Eme[urur], (which means) “the temple of gathering together divine powers.”

Gungunum 1

Attests an en priestess of Nanna — a royal cultic office held by a king's daughter — dedicating a storehouse to Dagan in her own name, linking Gungunum's Ur III dynasty to both lunar and grain-god patronage.

Sumu-El 1

Attests Sumu-El's construction of a sacred storehouse for Inana at Ur, anchoring his reign within the tradition of royal temple-building that legitimised kingship across the Ur III and Isin-Larsa periods.

Sumu-El 2

Attests Sumu-El's construction of Nanaya's temple E-ituda at Ur, anchoring the goddess's early cultic presence in that city within the dynastic building program of an Old Babylonian king.

Sumu-El 2002

Dedicatory inscription naming Sumu-El as king of Ur to the moon-god's consort Ningal: one of the surviving votive texts anchoring the reign of this understudied Isin-Larsa ruler.

Warad-Sin 11

Warad-Sin dedicates a temple to Inana at Zabalam and names Kudur-mabuk as his father, anchoring the Elamite-origin dynasty of Larsa within the traditional Sumerian gesture of piety-for-longevity.

Religion & Myth·Writing & Literature

Abi-sare 3add

(1) For Nanna, his master, Abi-sare, the powerful man, king of Urim, built and restored the city wall of Iškun-Suen.

Gungunum 2

(1) For Utu, the offspring of Nanna, the heir of the E-kišnuĝal, who was born by Ningal, his master, En-ana-tuma, the zirru priestess, the en priestess of Nanna in Urim, child of Išme-Dagan, king of Sumer and Akkad, built his E-hili, built his holy storehouse, and dedicated it to him for the well-being of Gungunum, the powerful man, king of Urim, and for her (own) well-being.

Gungunum 3

(1) Gungunum, king of Larsa, king of Sumer and Akkad, the powerful heir of Samium, fashioned both the bricks and the walls of the great wall of Larsa, its name is “Utu is the vanquisher of the rebellious lands”, in a single year.

Gungunum 4

(1) Gungunum, king of Larsam, king of Sumer and Akkad.

Gungunum 5add

(i 1) When An and Enlil granted the rule over Sumer and Akkad and the leadership of the Amorite lands fully to Utu in Larsam, then Gungunum, powerful man, king of Larsam, farmer of Urim, avenger of the E-babbar, king of Sumer and Akkad, powerful heir of Samium, built the great city wall of Larsa, its name is “Utu is the vanquisher of the rebellious lands”. (ii 2) By my surpassing expertise I did drain the swamps of my city. I did make its bricks and complete the great city wall in a single year. I did make the Euphrates flow right through the middle of my city. (ii 10) In those days, during…

Rim-Sin I 2001

(1) Iltani, daughter of Ilum-bani, presented (this) dish for the well-being of Rim-Sin, king of Larsam (and) for her own well-being to Inana of Zabalam.

Warad-Sin 30

(1) To Nanna, his lord, Warad-Sin, governor of Utu, child of Kudur-mabuk, father of the Amorite lands, dedicated this (eye-stone).