All tablets.

Sargon II 102

(1') ... [...] (2') [He plotted] evil. He made (them) [act in unison and he prepared for battle]. (4') [He spo]ke [deceitfully], words complaining about me, [Sargon ... and] I became enr[aged]. (8') I threw him, together with [his family], his wife, his sons, (and) [his] d[aughters], in iron fetters, [and] I brought t[hem] to Assyria. I se[t] a eunuch [of mine] as provincial governor over the citizens of that city (and) [made (the city)] (part of) the territory of Assyria. (15') In my fifth regnal year, Ullu[sunu (…)]

Sargon II 103

(i 1) The god Aššur, the great lord, [king of all] the Igīgū gods and Anunnakū gods, begetter of everything, [father of the god]s, lord of the lands; the god Sîn, lig[ht ...] lord of heaven and netherworld, who [espies] the treachery of the enemy, (i 5) who renders [...] decisions for the ea[rth] (and) destroys [the en]emy; the god Šamaš, [the] gr[eat judge ...], who [...] the treachery of the evil and ... of the foe, (and) exp[oses the vil]lain; the god Adad, the great prince, her[o, canal inspect]or, (i 10) who devastates regions ... (and) makes the seas h[ea]ve; the god Mar[duk], the lord…

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]dience gift [...] Right side (Frgm._C_right 1') Not sufficiently preserved to allow translation.

Sargon II 105

(i' 1') [... who ... opened up innumerable distant mountainous areas whose pass(es)] are difficult [and visited their remotest region(s); who traversed inaccessible, diffic]ult [paths in terrifying location(s) (and) cross]ed [every swamp]; (i' 5'b) [(who) ruled from the land Rāši on the border of the land El]am, [the Puqudu (and) Damūnu (tribes), the cities Dūr-Kurigalzu (and) Rāp]iqu, [the entire desert as far as the Brook of Egypt, the wid]e [land Amurru, (and) the land Ḫatti (Syria) in its entirety; who]se [grea]t hand [conquered (the area) from the land Ḫaš]mar [to the land Ṣibar — which…

Sargon II 106

Not preserved (ii 1') [...] ... [...] (ii 2') [...] for water [...] (ii 3') [...] they made his/its [...] scarce (ii 4') [...] the neighborhood of his city (ii 5') [... fo]r horses to show their mettle (ii 6') [...] ... (ii 7') [... a] major [defeat on th]em (ii 8') [(...) they blo]cked up the river [with their corpses]. (ii 9') They burned [...], (turning them) into [ash]es, established [devastation in the land] Hamath, a[nd ...]. They brought him (Ilu/Iaū-biʾdī), together with [his] family, [int]o my city Aššur. (ii 13') [Because the god Aššur who goes] at my side cont[inually an]swered…

Sargon II 107

(1') [... granted me a reign without eq]ua[l and] exalted [my] good [reputation] t[o the heights]. (2'b) [I continually acted] as provider [for (the cities) Sippar, Nippu]r, 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 [then] restor[ed the exemption (from obligations) of (the city) Baltil (Aššur) and] the city Ḫarrān, which had f[allen into oblivion] in the distant past, [and their privileged position that had laps]ed. (6'b) [...] temple of the god Adad that [...] inside the city [...] Ashurnasirpal, a prince who preced[ed me ...] ... [...]

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 109

(1') [the victorious one who is perfect in strength and power (and) who subjugated the insubmissive Medes; who slaughtered the people of the land Ḫarḫar (and) enlarged] the territory of Assyria; [who gathered (back together) the scattered land Mannea (and) brought order to the disturbed land Ellipi; who established (his) kingship over both (these) lands and made] his name [glo]rious; (3') [... Since the (first) day of my reign], there has been [no ruler who could equal me] and [I have met no one who could overpower (me) in war or battle. Pisīri(s) of the city Carchemish sinned against the…

Sargon II 110

Stamps royal ownership in the formulaic idiom of Sargonid self-presentation — 'king of the world, king of Assyria' — one of the titulary witnesses that collectively map how Sargon II projected authority across his empire.

Sargon II 111

(1) [Sargon (II), 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 gods, [...] — (2) [The gods Aššur, Nabû, (and) Marduk, (the gods, my helpers), granted me a reign without equal and exa]lted [my good reputation] to the h[eights]. (3) [I continually acted as provider for (the cities) Sippar, Nippur, Babylon), (and Borsippa). I made restitution for] the wrongful damage [suffered by the people of privileged status as many as there were (of them); I] resto[red…

Sargon II 112

(1') No translation possible. (3') [...] ... people of the house of his father [...] (4') [...] ... in Assyria [...] (5') [...] ... with the land Ḫilakku ... [...] (6') [... that (man) (Ambaris) ... wrote to ...] Mitâ, king of the land Musku, about taking away terr[itory of mine ...] (7') [... I brought in bondage] to [Assyria Ambaris ...], with one hundred of his chariot(s) [...] (8') [...] I set [a eunuch of mine as provincial govern]or over them and [considered them] as people [of Assyria ...] (9') [... I (then) restored to their former status the cities Ḫa]rrua (and) Ušnanis, fortresses…

Sargon II 113

(1') [...] ... [... Iāmānī, i]ts [king], took fright at my weapons; the main force [of my army ...] property (and) possessions, the treasure of his palace, booty of his, [...]. Fear of the brilliance of the gods Aššur, Nabû, (and) Marduk, [my] lords, [overwhelmed Šapataku]ʾ (Shebitko), king of the land Meluḫḫa [and ...] their [...] I reorganized. People of the lands which are (located) in the mountain region to the east, the land Tišu[...] (6') [Mar]duk-apla-iddina (II) (Merodach-Baladan), king of Chaldea, who against the will of the gods [had come down to the territory of the land of Sumer…

Sargon II 114

(1') [Together with his allies (and) his battle troops], he pitc[hed] his [roy]al [tent in a bend of the river (lit.: “between rivers”) like a cran]e [and assembled his military camp]. (2') [At the command of the gods Aššur, Nabû, (and) Marduk, I had a causeway constructed (lit.: “trodden down”) across his canals and I caught him, toge]ther with [his] fig[hting men, like a flying eagle in a net. I spr]ead out l[ike m]alt (spread for drying) [the corpses of his vanguard and of the Aḫlamû, the people of the steppe who go at] his [side], an[d I filled the surroundings of his city (with them).…

Sargon II 115

(1') No translation possible. (4') [... a] submissive [subje]ct who pul[led my yoke ... king of the land Ellip]i, the land Ḫarḫ[ar ...] land [...]

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)…

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 123

Records Sargon II's restoration of Imgur-Enlil, Babylon's great circuit wall, casting an Assyrian conqueror as pious benefactor of Marduk's city — a calculated legitimation strategy after his seizure of Babylonia in 710 BCE.

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 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.

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, capturing his enemies, [the absence] of relentless illness, [and m]aking his heart joyful.

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.

SAA 17 001. Sending the Son of Balassu to Borsippa (CT 54 241)

(Beginning destroyed) (4) [His son] did not as[cend] his father's throne [...] (5) [...] his words: "He was not captured. [NN] (and) his father's house [...]." (6) [...] His son is now held as my hostage in my presence, [and] Balassu has died here. Would you [not] keep the guard of the house of [your] lo[rd], until I sen[d you] the son of your lord? (9) [... as] they sent Hullî back and as they saw [...] (10) [...] in his land, the servants and the [...] (11) were [...], until I [sent] the son of their lord [back to them]. (12) [...] ... a word as follows: "Sh[e ...] (13) [...] his wife is…

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 17 004. Withholding(?) Camels (CT 54 581)

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) (As to) what you wrote: "[......], our wish [......]" — (r 3) When I sent to you, w[hy] did he bring [...] but [you withhel]d from him the 2 cam[els] (and) all the [...] that the Saba'u [had brought] as [tribute]? (r 6) Th[is] matter [......] (r 7) [...] wine that [......] (r 8) [...] listened to me, sa[ying, "....."] (r 9) [...] you throw [......] (Rest destroyed)

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 and the Hamaraneans, (and) the entire land now say: "We shall not make peace until they make the town of Ganata ours! [...] us [...]" (Rest destroyed)

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…