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Page 185 / 213

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 195. At the Crown Prince’s Service (ABL 0654) [from exorcists]

(1) [To] the great crown prince, the son of the king of the whole world, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the son of the king of all lands! [May] Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, Nabû [and] Marduk, [and the great god]s of heaven [and] earth very greatly bless the [son of the k]ing of all lands, my [lord]. (r 3) [Because] I was sent for, [I have come n]ow. [The son] of the king of all lands, my lord, [can] be happy.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 196. A King may not Stay in the Dark! (ABL 0005) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk, and the great gods of heaven and earth bless the king, my lord, and give happiness and physical well-being to the king, my lord! (10) The charge of the 'Lady of Cults' is doing very well; the king, my lord, can be happy. (14) Why, today already for the second day, is the table not brought to the king, my lord? Who (now) stays in the dark much longer than Šamaš, the king of the gods; stays in the dark a whole day and night, and again two days? The king, the lord of the world, is the…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 197. Blessing the King (ABL 0007) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! (4) The charge of the 'Lady of Cults' is doing very well; the king, my lord, can be very happy indeed. (7) May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, Adad, Nu[sku], Jupiter, Venus, Marduk, [Zarpanitu], Nabû, Tašmetu, Sa[turn], Mercury, Lady [of Nineveh], Lady of Kidmuri, [Lady] of Arbela, Ninurta, [Gula], Nergal and Laṣ, the great gods of heaven and earth, the gods dwelling in Assyria, [the gods] dwelling in Akkad, and all the gods of the world [very greatly bless the ki]ng, [my lord], and may they give [the king], my [lord,…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 198. Continuing the Previous Letter (ABL 0435) [from exorcists]

(1) This is a continuation of the words of the previous letter. (4) May the rule of the king, my lord, be as pleasant as water and oil upon the peoples of all the countries! May the king, my lord, be their shepherd for ever! (10) I, (nothing but) a dog, blessing the king, his lord, have blessed the king, my lord (with) these blessings. May the gods whose names I have invoked, accept and hear them, and grant these blessings to the king, my lord, a thousandfold! (r 1) And may I, blessing the king, my lord, stand before the king, my lord, and revere (him) wholeheartedly with my arms (lifted in…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 199. Revealing a Plot (ABL 0656) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant [Ad]ad-šumu-uṣur. Good [health to the king], my lord! May [Nabû and Marduk] bless [the king], m[y lord]! (5) [......] (6) [...... Sin-per'u]-ukin (Break) (9) [......] "Say [in the presence of the ki]ng (Break) (r 2) [...] will reco[ver]; all the [...] are weep[ing], [...] will recover. (r 5) He said [as] follows: "The god told me, 'If you do not tell, you will die; and if you tell it to somebody belonging to the entourage of the king, and he does not make it known in the palace, he will die.' (r 11) "My mother was charged to go, (but) she did not tell…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 200. Anti-Witchcraft Rituals for the Queen Mother (ABL 0660) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! May the great gods assign the very best of health to the mother of the king, my lord! (10) [When] Bel took away the illness of the king [...] (Break) (r 3) [Concerning t]hat [... who] got ill, [...] rituals [against the loss of f]lesh are being performed. We are performing numerous effective counterspells. The king, my lord, can be at ease.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 201. Curing the Queen Mother (ABL 0549) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, [my lord]: your servant Adad-[šumu-uṣur]. Good health to the ki[ng, my lord]! May Nabû and Marduk, and the [great] gods of heaven and earth very greatly [bless the king, my lord]! (7) The mother of the king is doing ve[ry] we[ll] indeed; the king, [my lord, can be] glad [indeed]. (Break) (r 3) [The ritual] "Sick [...]"; [the incantation "E]a, Šamaš, [Asalluhi]" of (the ritual) "Nullifying the Curse"; the incantation "You, River, [Creator of Everything]" — she has performed (these) 10 tablets together wit[h their rituals], and is very [well]. The ki[ng, my lord], can be glad in…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 202. Excuses for a Late Reply; Earthquake Ritual (ABL 0357) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) Concerning what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Why have you not sent an answer to (my) letter?" — (8) I had to drive to the palace those rams which the chief cook had brought forth for me, and the writing-board was in my house. Now then, I can look at the board and extract the relevant interpretation. (13) Concerning the ritual against the earthquake [...] (Break) (r 1) I will read [...]. (r 2) [To ...] the ritual installations for [Ea] and Asalluhi,…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 203. Never Mind the Earthquake, Let him Come! (CT 53 153) [from exorcists]

(1) To [the king, my lord]: your servant Ad[ad-šumu-uṣur]. [May] Nabû and Marduk bless [the king], my lord! (5) Concerning the crown prince's visiting the king, my lord, is it because of the earthquake that he has said: "The crown prince should not go outdoors"? (12) It is (already) a fortnight today since the earth quaked, the pertinent ritual has been performed twice, and the king, my lord, knows the relevant interpretation. As they say, what has it to do with this? The visit of [the crown] prince would be [perfectly] all right now. (Rest destroyed or uninscribed)

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 204. (no title) (ABL 0013) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) Concerning what my lord wrote to me, I listen and obey. Tomorrow I shall go in my se[dan chair ...] (Remainder lost)

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 205. Offerings for Šatru (ABL 0650) [from exorcists]

(1) [To the k]ing, our lord: your [servants] Adad-šumu-uṣur, Nabû-mušeṣi and Issar-šumu-ereš. (4) Concerning the offerings [for] the goddess Šatru [about which the ki]ng, our lord, [wrote to] us [...] (Remainder lost)

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 207. The Perfect Likeness of the God (ABL 0652) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your [servant] Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! [May] Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Is it good for Aššur-mukin-paleya to come up into my presence, and Sin-per'u-ukin to come up with him? Can the latter join him? They are (now) separated" — (12) let them come up together: Iyyar (II) is a good month, it has numerous good days. The foot of the god has gone to rest; it is (really) very auspicious to go (now) to the king, my lord. (18) The king, my lord, is the chosen one of the great gods; the…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 208. Frightened by the ‘Watch of Asalluhi’ (CT 53 184) [from exorcists]

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bl]ess the k[ing, my lord]! (6) As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Concerning the time of the 'watch of Asalluhi,' about which you wrote to me, I have become afraid [of it]" (Break) (r 2) [... Aššur-mukin-p]aleya (r 3) [... Sin-per'u-u]kin (r 4) [... k]ept (r 5) [......]

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 209. The ‘Farmer’ Meets a Girl (ABL 0015) [from exorcists]

(1) [To] the 'farmer,' our lord: your [servants] Adad-šumu-uṣur and Marduk-šakin-šumi. Good health to our lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless our lord! (6) Concerning the girl about whom my lord said: "What time should she come in?" — (10) since he is an 'early bird,' let the day (= the sun) rise for an hour and a half, thereupon she may enter. Soon after that my lord should have himself shaved. (r 8) The ritual is on the evening of the 11th day.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 210. Putting the ‘Farmer’s’ Nails in a Bottle (ABL 0004) [from exorcists]

(1) To the 'farmer,' my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the 'farmer,' my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the 'farmer,' my [lord]! (6) On the 13th of [Tam]muz (IV), tomorrow, [the 'far]mer' goes to the qirsu, [ent]ers the reed hut, sits down, (then) [ret]urns [from] the qirsu and goes [...]. A barber enters. The nails [which] he cuts are put into a bottle (which) is sealed and brought [to] the border of the enemy country. (9) Alternatively, they go and do it in the same way on the 15th day.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 211. Shaving the ‘Farmer’s’ Sons (ABL 0183) [from exorcists]

(1) To the 'farmer,' [my lord]: your servant Adad-[šumu-uṣur]. May Nabû and Marduk bless the 'farmer,' my lord. (6) After they have gone to the qirsu and entered the reed hut, they return from there, and the barber enters.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 212. Expiatory Rites for the ‘Farmer’ (ABL 0361) [from exorcists]

(1) To the 'farmer,' our lord: your servant(s) Adad-šumu-uṣur and Urad-Ea. Good health to the 'farmer,' our lord! May Nabû and Marduk b[le]ss the 'farmer,' our lord! (9) We have rites to perform ton[ight]: I shall perform one against "Loss of Flesh," and Urad-Ea another one before Enlil. We shall go to the qirsu. (r 5) Yesterday I performed the ritual of Bīt [r]i[mki]. I made a burnt-offering and we executed a purification ritual. (r 9) I have appointed an exorcist for the chanter who is here, and gave him the following orders: "For six days do likewise, performing the purification ritual afte…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 213. Attending to the Crown Prince’s Baby (ABL 0658) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) Aššur-etel-šame-erṣeti-muballissu is doing well, his fever has gone down; there is nothing to worry about. (9) Concerning the charge [of] the crown prince's rear palace, we are doing [(our) wor]k, [we are not ne]gligent. (Break) (r 1) [The king], my [lo]rd, can be happy.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 214. The Crown Prince’s Baby is Well (CT 53 028) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and [Marduk] bless the king, my lord! (7) The c[har]ge of the rear palace is well. We are doing (our) work and stay awake (with him) unremittingly, and we pray to the gods.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 215. Medical Exertions (ABL 0360) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (6) Concerning what the king, my lord, wrote to me, we are working sleeplessly and unremittingly. If we did not work sleeplessly (now), what other work would there be for us to do? As far as this is concerned, the king, my lord, can be happy.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 216. Preparing for an Eclipse of the Sun (ABL 1435+) [from exorcists]

(1) An order of the 'farmer' [to] Adad-šumu-uṣur and Marduk-šakin-šumi: I am [we]ll. (5) Speak again with the comman[der-in]-chief (as follows): "Will you assume the responsibility fot the eclipse of the sun? Perhaps ..." (10) Surely there will be an eclipse of the sun? Send me definite word!

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 217. Ejecting Bile (ABL 0363) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (6) The charge of the rear palace is well. (8) Concerning the bile which the king, my lord, wrote that he has vomited, it is ... (12) He vomited a lump, (with) the bile settling downward; this sort of it does not portend good. (However), having purged upward and downward, he has (now) been sweating for two days, and is well. The king, my lord, can be glad.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 218. The King Blesses his Servant (ABL 0009) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (6) The charge of the rear palace is doing well; he has lifted his head. May the great gods whom the king, my lord, invoked let the king, my lord, see him prosper! (11) From these words and these blessings which the king, my lord, sent and with which he blessed his dog, his servant, and the old man of his house — (r 1) (blessings) that will bring mighty countries to the king, my lord, and (make them) pray day and night, morning and evening, to the great gods of…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 219. Rituals during the Reign of the Substitute King (CT 53 049) [from exorcists]

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless] the king, [my] lord! (5) The charge [of the] re[ar palace is well]. (7) [Concerning the s]ubstitute [king] about whom the king, [my lord, wrote] to me: "I was told [that he should sit (on the throne) until the] 8th of Elul (VI); is it ... that we shall perform (the ritual) Bīt salā' mê in the month Tishri (VII)?" — when a substitute king was sitting in the month Marchesvan (VIII), in Sivan (III) [...] (Break) (r 2) We are [n]ow [waiting for] a [solar] eclipse; [if] it passes by,…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 220. The Substitute King Should Go to his Fate (ABL 0359) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, [my lord]: your servant Adad-[šumu-uṣur]. Good health to the k[ing, my lord]! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (7) Concerning the substitute king about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me: "How many days should he sit (on the throne)?" — (10) we waited for a solar eclipse, (but) the eclipse did not take place. Now, if the gods are seen together on the 15th day, he may go to his fate on the 16th. (r 4) Alternatively, (if) it is agreeable to the king, my lord, let him complete the 100 days.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 221. The Substitute King Should Go to his Fate (ABL 0362) [from exorcists]

(1) To [the 'farmer,' our lord]: your servants [Adad-šumu-uṣur] and Marduk-šakin-šumi. [Good] health to our lord! [May Nabû and] Marduk [bles]s our lord! (6) Concerning the 15th day [about which our lord] said: "Let the substitute [kin]g [g]o to his fate and let me perform my ritual on the 16th day as before" — the 16th is a good day to perform (the ritual). (13) As our fathers did for their lords, and (as) the 'farmer' has already done once and twice, (while) Bel and Nabû provided well-being, just so let us also do now. Why should we wait as if it were not auspicious? (r 5) And as even the ap…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 222. Attending to Royal Patients (ABL 0001) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (6) Concerning the two (patients) in the new palace and concerning Sin-per'u-ukin about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Go and see them" — (10) now, the king knows that a eunuch took me to the house of Danî, and I performed a ritual for the benefit of his son. His affliction is severe, he is very ill. (r 1) Because I have been taking care of him, it is not good to go today. I shall go tomorrow, see them and report their health to the king. I will appoint e…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 224. No Eclipse of the Sun; Petition for Urad-Gula (ABL 0657) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, [my lo]rd: your servant Adad-[šumu-uṣur]. Good health to [the king, my] lord! May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, [Bel], Nabû and Nergal very gr[eatly] bless the [king], my lord! (8) The sun did not make an eclipse, it passed by; Venus will reach Spica; the observation of Mercury is impending; there will be heavy rain and thunder. The king, my lord, should know (this). (16) Nobody has reminded (the king) about Urad-Gula, the servant of the king, my lord. He is dying of a broken heart, and is shattered (from) falling out of the hands of the king, my lord. The king, my lord, has revived many…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 225. High Moon (ABL 0894) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, [my lo]rd: your servant Adad-[šumu-uṣur]. Good health to the king, [my lord]! May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, [Nabû, Marduk] and the great gods of heaven [and earth] very greatly bless the king, my lord! (8) I observed the (crescent of the) moon on the 30th day, but it was high, too high to be (the crescent) of the 30th. Its position was like that of the 2nd day. If it is acceptable to the king, my lord, let the king wait for the report of the Inner City before fixing the date. (r 6) Perhaps the king, my lord, will say: "Why did you not decide (about the matter)?" — (r 9) am I [...]...…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 226. The King’s Reign is Good; Petition for Urad-Gula (ABL 0002) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, [my lord]: your servant Adad-šumu-[uṣur]. Good health to the kin[g, my lord]! May Nabû and Marduk very greatly bless the king, my lord! (5) Aššur, [the king of the gods], called the name of [the king], my lord, to the kingship of Assyria, and Šamaš and Adad, through their reliable extispicy, confirmed the king, my lord, for the kingship of the world. (9) A good reign — righteous days, years of justice; copious rains, huge floods, a fine rate of exchange! The gods are appeased, there is much fear of god, the temples abound; the great gods of heaven and earth have become…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 227. Thanking the King (ABL 0358) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur, Mullissu, Sin, Šamaš, Adad, Marduk, Zarpanitu, Nabû, Tašmetu, Ištar of Nineveh, Ištar of Arbela, Ninurta, Gula(!), Nergal and Laṣ, the great gods of heaven and earth and the great gods dwelling in Assyria and Akkad very greatly bless the king, my lord! (10) May they give happiness and health, extended days, fullness of life and a reign of prosperity to the king, my lord! May they grant the king, my lord, name and seed, offspring and progeny. May your countenance flourish and make my shelter…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 228. Thanking the King for his Kindness (ABL 0006) [from exorcists]

(1) [To the king], my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. [Good h]ealth to the king, my lord! [May Aššur], Sin, Šamaš, Adad, Marduk, Zarpanitu, Nabû, Tašmetu, Ištar of Nineveh, Ištar of Arbela, Ninurta, Gula, Nergal and Laṣ, the great gods of heaven and earth, very greatly [bless] the king, my lord, the truthful one, the benefactor and the lover of (his) people! (9) Concerning what the king, my lord, wrote [to me]: "May Aššur, Šamaš and my gods hear all these words you wrote [to me]" — they have surely heard them, and all the great gods of heaven and earth that are c[alled by name] have heard…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 229. Medical Tablets and Incantations (ABL 0008) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my [lord]! [May] Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (7) [Bronc]hitis; (8) the enuru-incantation "Day of the Watc[h]" (9) physiognomic omens; (10) [...] "Day of the Wa[tch]"; (11) (medical work) "Cough with Phlegm"; the Holy Cow; (12) [š]utamṭû ... (13) The ... of the god [...]. (14) is meant by it.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 231. Night Orders (ABL 0014) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, our lord: your servants Adad-šumu-uṣur and Marduk-šakin-šumi. Good health to the king, our lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, our lord! (6) Concerning the child ab[out whom the kin]g, [our lo]rd (Break) (r 2) [...] upon them. (r 3) I[f it is accept]able to the king, orders should be given for the night. They should not hesitate.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 232. (no title) (ABL 0016) [from exorcists]

(1) [To the king], our lord: your [servant]s [Adad]-šumu-uṣur, [Urad]-Ea, [Issar-šumu]-ereš and [Akkul]lanu. [Good hea]lth to the king, our [lord]! (9) [As to what the king, our lord, w]rote to us: "[...] (Break) (r 3) [Did he s]ay [...]? (r 4) [...] would have been cured. [The king our lord should not] be continuously eclipsed.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 233. Funerary Rituals (ABL 0378) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Marduk-šakin-šumi. The best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! May Ištar of Arbela give happiness and health to the king, my lord! May she sate the king, my lord, with old age and fullness of life! May she present the king, my lord, with long-lasting days! (11) At present I am continuously performing the ritual; and I have the (items for the) king's funeral burning collected in a storehouse [in the Inner] City. (16) Concerning those women about whom the king, my lord, sp[oke], the house where they are lodged is…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 234. Mourning Rites (ABL 0026) [from exorcists]

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant Marduk]-šakin-šumi. The best of h[ealth] to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! [May they s]ate the king, my lord, with old age and fullness of life! (10) [...] and the night [of the 2]0th day [...... before Si]rius (b.e. 13) (Break) (r 3) If it is convenient, let the king, my lord, put on white clothes on the 20th, and ask for food at a polished table. (r 10) (As) the king, my lord, knows, it is a house of mourning.[From Mard]uk-šakin-šumi.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 235. White Robes for the King (ABL 0379) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Marduk-šakin-šumi. The best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (6) Concerning the white clothes about which my lord wrote to me: "How many days should I wear them?" — the king should wear them on the 20th and the 21st; two days are enough. On the 22nd he can gird himself (again). (r 1) The king, my lord should (then) resume his normal activities. (r 4) Concerning the writing of the king, my lord, Kenî will die of envy when he sees it; Bel and Nabû have given a fine hand to the king, my lord. Yesterday I made an ex…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 236. The King Should not Worry about the Cold (ABL 0663) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Marduk-šakin-šumi. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) Concerning the chills about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, there is nothing to be worried about. The gods of the k[ing] will quickly cure it, and we shall do whatever is relevant to the matter. [It is] a seasonal illness; the king, my lord, should not [wor]ry (about it). (Remainder too broken for translation)

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 237. There is no Danger (CT 53 897) [from exorcists]

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant Marduk-šakin-šumi. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk ble]ss [the king, my lord]! (5) As to [...] about which the king my lord w[rote to me, wh]at else [should we do]? There is no [danger ...] (Break) (r 2) [......] commandments (r 3) [......] let them not keep (r 4) [...... let them s]weep (r 5) [......] let him wash his arms (r 6) [......] double-hour(s) [...] (r 7) we sh[all perform before E]nlil [......]

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 238. Expelling an Evil Demon (ABL 0024) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Marduk-šakin-šumi. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) The crown prince is well; Šamaš-šumu-ukin is well. (7) Concerning the rites accompanying the incantation "Verily You are Evil" about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, they are performed to drive out the evil demon and epilepsy. (10) As soon as something has afflicted him (= the patient), the exorcist rises and hangs a mouse and a shoot of a thornbush on the vault of the (patient's) door. The exorcist dresses in a red garment and puts on a red cloak.…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 239. (no title) (CT 53 357) [from exorcists]

(Beginning lost) (1) I [......] took (2) [...... the fe]ver seized him (3) [n]ow they have performed [...] (4) [...] Šamaš-šumu-ukin (5) [...] let the king, my lord, write (6) [......] they should not pull out (Break) (r 3) The gods, [will ...] on account of t[his]. (r 4) [The king], my [lor]d, knows that [...] are [...]; for fear [of...] they [do not] wait (but) do what is [not good] for them. (r 8) [The king, my lord], should give an order [...] (r 9) [...]... (r 10) [..] their flesh (r 11) [...] I, who [am] (but) a dog (r 12) [...] not good (Rest destroyed)

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 240. Report on Eclipse Rituals, and a Suggestion (ABL 0023) [from exorcists]

(1) [To] the king, [my] lord: [your servant] Marduk-šakin-šumi. [Good he]alth to the king, my lord! May [Nabû and] Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) 3 'hand-lifting' prayers (to be recited) before [Nusku], (6) 3 before the moon, 3 before the [Pleiades], (7) 2 before Sirius, (8) 2 b[efo]re Ma[rs], (9) 2 b[efore] V[ega], (10) 2 be[fore the st]ar [....], (11) 1 be[fore the star....], (12) 1 bef[ore the star....], (13) the incantation "Ea, [Šamaš and Asalluhi]" belonging to the apotropaic ritual against all kinds of evil, as well as the apotropaic ritual (called) "If the Moon and the Sun have…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 241. Gripped by Agues (ABL 0019) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Marduk-šakin-šumi. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) Concerning the application of the ṣillibānu-treatment about which the king, my lord, said: "It is very hot" — (8) it must be hot; why (else) are we doing this? Did he not (intend) heat, (when) he said "It should make him sweat?" But why is he seized by ague, through it is early summer? This does not make any sense. It is work of the gods. (r 3) And concerning the string of (amulet) stones — what the king, my lord, said is quite correct. Did I not tell…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 242. A Sick King (ABL 0348) [from exorcists]

(1) To the kin[g, my lor]d: your servant Marduk-šakin-šumi. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) As to what the king, my lord, said: "My arms and legs are without strength!" and "I cannot open my eyes; I am scratched and lie prostrate"— (10) (all) that is because this fever has lingered inside the very bones. It is not serious — Aššur, Šamaš, Bel and Nabû will provide health. (r 3) (Break) (r 6) His illness will depart — he will be just fine. True, they should wait and eat (only) what is appropriate.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 243. Inflammation of the Eyes (ABL 0664) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Marduk-šakin-šumi. Good health to the king, my lord! [May Nabû and] Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) Concerning the [inf]lammation of the eyes about which the king, my lord, [said: "If only it could] be cured!" — I will come [tomorrow to the k]ing, my lord (9) [......] this (Break) (r 2) We shall perform the (periodic) rites of the month Iyyar (II), against inflammation of [the eyes]. Bel and Na[bû] will lay their life-giving hands up[on] the king, my lord.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 244. Recovery of the Queen Mother (ABL 1388) [from exorcists]

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant Marduk-šakin-šumi. Good health to the king, my lord!] May Nabû and Marduk bless [the king], my [lord]! May they give [happi]ness and physical well-being [to the king], my [lord]! (9) [The sons], my lords, are doing ve[ry w]ell; the mother of the king, [my lord, is well], she has recovered. The king, my lord, [can be] happy. (r 1) [Con]cerning the order about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, I am collaborating with my colleagues; we shall take counsel together (and then) speak out — the mother of the king is as able as (the sage) Adapa!

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 245. Prophylactic Rituals for the Royal Family (ABL 0453) [from exorcists]

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant Marduk-šakin]-šumi. [Good he]alth to the king, my lord! May Aššur, Šamaš, Bel, Zarpanitu, Nabû, Tašmetu, Ištar of Nineveh and Ištar of Arbela bless the king, my lord, a hundred years! May they appoint a guardian of health and life for the king, my lord! May they sate the king, my lord, with old age and fullness of life! May they keep firm the foundations of the royal throne of the king, my lord, until far-off days! May they let the king, my lord, see Assurbanipal and his brothers prosper! May the king lift their grandchildren into his lap! May the king…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 246. Rituals for the Royal Family (ABL 1126) [from exorcists]

(Beginning lost) (2) May [the king] lift [their] grandchildren [into his lap]! (3) [As to what the king, my lord, said:] "Will you not enter? Will she not perform (the ritual) [in your presence]?" — I shall enter and stay as long as the ki[ng, my lord], said, and she may perform it in my presence. (7) Concerning what the king, my lord, said about [the clothes]: "W[here] will the clothes be placed?" or about the people: "Why will the people be present?" — the clothes should be placed before Šamaš, and she should 'cast the solvents' upon them. A sacred woman will be there to perform a certain…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 247. Renewing Images of Gods (ABL 0970) [from exorcists]

(Beginning lost) (1) [May they appoint a guardian of health and life] for the k[ing, my lord]! May they sate the king, [my lord], with old age and fullness of life! May they keep firm the foundations of the royal th[rone] of the king, my lord, until far-off days! May the great gods of heaven and earth in their righteous hearts bless the king, my lord! (8) All the charges are doing very well; the king, my lord, can be happy. (r 1) I have done as the king, my lord, wrote to me: I went through an effective purification ritual in the eunuchs' wing, and it is (now) closed off. I consecrated the…

Daily Life·Economy

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