All tablets.

Ashurbanipal 2017

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

Ashurbanipal 2018

(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 Eašanamar, the abode of the god Enlil.

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 241

(1) For the god Marduk, king of all the Igīgū gods and Anunnakū gods, creator of heaven and netherworld, who establishes archetypes (and) dwells in Esagil, lord of Babylon, great lord, my lord: (3) I, Ashurbanipal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of the four quarters (of the world); son of Esarhaddon, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, who (re)settled Babylon, (re)built Esagil, renovated the sanctuaries of all the cult centers, constantly established appropriate procedures in…

Ashurbanipal 242

(1) Ashurbanipal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of the four quarters (of the world), king of kings, ruler who has no rival; son of Esarhaddon, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, (5) governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad; grandson of Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, I — (7b) During my reign, the great lord, the god Marduk, who during the reign of a previous king had resided in Baltil (Aššur) in the presence of the father who had created him, (10) entered Babylon amidst…

Ashurbanipal 243

(1) Ashurbanipal, [great] king, [mighty king, king of the world], king of Assyria, king of the [four] quarters (of the world), [king of kings], ruler who has no rival, who rules from [the Upper Sea to the] Lower [Sea] and [who made] all [rulers bow down at his feet]; (5) son of Esarhaddon, [great] king, [(mighty king), (king of the world), (king of Assyria), (governor of Babylon)], king of the land of Sumer and Akkad; [grand]son of [Sennacherib, (great king), mighty king], king of the world, king of Assyria, I — (7b) [I completed the work on Esagil] which (my) father who had engendered me had…

Ashurbanipal 244

(1) Ashurbanipal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of the four quarters (of the world), king of kings, ruler who has no rival, who rules from the Upper Sea to the Lower Sea and who made all rulers bow down at his feet; (5) son of Esarhaddon, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad; grandson of Sennacherib, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, I — (8) I completed the work on Esagil which (my) father who had engendered me had not finished. I (re)confirmed the regular…

Ashurbanipal 245

Ashurbanipal 246

(1) I, Ashurbanipal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of the four quarters (of the world), king of kings, ruler who has no rival, who by the command of the gods Aššur, Šamaš, and Marduk rules from the Upper Sea (10) to the Lower Sea and who made all rulers bow down at his feet, who provides for Esagil, the palace of the gods — whose doorbolt I made glisten like the stars (lit. “writing”) of the firmament —, who repaired the damaged parts of all their sanctuaries, (who) established (my) protection over all cult centers, whose deeds are pleasing to all the gods…

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 250

(1) [For] the god Marduk, his lord: Ashur[banipal], son of Esarhaddon, king of the world (and) [king of Assyria had] baked bricks [made] anew for Etemena[nki].

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 253

(1) To the god Nabû, the powerful heir [... h]ero of the gods, eminent, exalted, splendid, scribe of Esagil, f[oremost] son, [...], who bears the tablet of the fates of the gods, who controls the omens, prince of the g[reat] gods, [(...) the one who directs the Igīgū and] Anunnakū gods, who gives advice to the gods of heaven (and) netherworld, powerful ... [...] whose weapons cannot be equaled, (5) firstborn son of the god Asari (Marduk), offspring of the goddess [Erua (Zarpanītu), ...] whose lordship is supreme, who dwells in Ezida — the proper temple — lord of Borsi[ppa — the] awesome [cult…

Ashurbanipal 254

(1) I, Ashurbanipal, great [kin]g, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of the four quarters (of the world), king of kings, ruler who has no rival, who by the command of the gods Aššur, Šamaš, (5) and Marduk rules from the Upper Sea to the Lower Sea and who made all rulers bow down at his feet, [who provi]des for Esagil, the palace of the gods — [who]se [doorbo]lt I made glisten like the stars (lit. “writing”) of the firmament — who repaired the damaged parts (10) of all their sanctuaries, (who) established (my) protection over all cult centers, the one who[se] deeds are…

Ashurbanipal 255

(1) ... [...] in Esagi[l ...]. When that light [...] the good of Ashurbanipal, king of the land[s ...]. Let him daily ... [(...)].

Ashurbanipal 256

(1) For the god Enlil, [(...) his lord] Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of [Assyria, (...)] king of the four quarters (of the world), had (this) [(...)] built for the sake of his life.

Ashurbanipal 257

(1) For the god Nergal, mightiest of the gods, most overpowering of the gods, the supreme, perfect, (and) noble sovereign of his brother(s), the one who dwells in (the temple) Ešaḫula, the lord of Sirara, his lord: (3b) Ashurbanipal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria; son of Esarhaddon, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, (5) king of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad; grandson of Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of the world, (who was) also king of Assyria — (7b) In order to ensure his good health, he enlarged the courtyar…

Ashurbanipal 258

(1) For the god Enlil, king of the gods, lord of heaven and netherworld, prince [...], one who renders decisions, who[se order] cannot be changed, foremost of the Igīgū gods, hero of the Anunnakū gods, who ru[les ...], one who holds the lead-rope of every(one), one who makes [opposing forces] agr[ee], lord of the lands, wisest of the gods, one who dwells in Ekur which is inside [Nippur, (the great lord), his lord]: (6) Ash[ur]b[ani]p[al, great king], strong [kin]g, king of the wor[ld, king of Assyria, ... king who has no] equal [in all] the lands; [son of Esarhaddon, great king], strong…

Ashurbanipal 259

(1) For the god Enlil, lord of the lands, his lord: Ashurbanipal, (5) his obedient shepherd, mighty king, king of the four quarters (of the world), (re)built Ekur, his beloved temple, with baked bricks.

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.

Ashurbanipal 261

Ashurbanipal 262

(1) Ashurbanipal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of the four quarters (of the world), king of kings, ruler who has no rival, who by the command of the gods, his helpers, rules from the Upper Sea to the Lower Sea and who made all rulers bow down at his feet; son of Esarhaddon, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, (5) king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, who (re)settled Babylon, (re)built Esagil, renovated the sanctuaries of all the cult centers, constantly established appropriate procedures in them, and…

Ashurbanipal 263

(1) For the goddess Ištar of Uruk, sovereign of heaven and netherworld, most powerful of the gods, exalted one, who executes the command she gives in the east and in the west, the fierce goddess of battle who whirls around in the melee like a dust storm, who marches at the side of the king, her favorite, (and) slays his foes, (5) mistress of the lands, who has gathered to herself (all) divine offices (and) administers correctly all purification rites, who dwells in Enirgalanim — which is inside Eanna — great lady, his lady: (7) Ashurbanipal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of…

Ashurbanipal 264

(1') [...] ... [...] pure [food offer]ings, anything ... set out before you. (2') [... m]e, Ashurbanipal, king of Assyria, the servant (who is) the favorite of your heart, [...] ... (and) the just shepherdship that you bestow at your command, [...] the preservation of (my) life ... [...] a [b]right spirit ... Grant ... as a gift, ... come to my aid and always stand in for me, kill m[y] enemy, (and) make the foundation of my royal throne as secure as a mountain for eternity. (r 5b) When this ceremonial wagon becomes dilapidated and old, may one of the kings, [my] descendants, restore its…

Ashurbanipal 265

(1') [At that time], I sought the (original) emplacement [of Edimgalkalama, (which is inside (the city) Dēr), the temple of Great Anu], the gr[eat] lord, [my lord, which had become old, ...] ... [I had (it) built anew] with the craf[t of the god Kulla, …, (and) ma]de (it) as high as a mountain. (3'b) On account of this, [may] Great Anu, the exalted lord, [look upon this] wor[k with pleasure]. Determine [for me — Ash]urbanipal, king of Assyria, the ruler who reveres you — as my fate a long life, fulln[ess of old age, good health, ha]ppiness, and a bright spirit. Make me stand [ov]er my…

Ashurbanipal 266

(1) [For the goddess] Sutītu, his [la]dy: Ashurbanipal, king of Assyria, presented (this object) for the sake of his [lif]e.

Ashurbanipal 267

(1) For the goddess Su[tītu], his lady: As[hurbanipal], king of Assyria, prese[nted] (this object) for the sake of his life.

Ashurbanipal 268

(1) [Palace of Ashurbani]pal, kin[g of Assyria].

Ashurbanipal 269

(1) Palace of Ashurbanipal, grea[t] king, [strong king, kin]g of the world, king of Assyria.

Ashurbanipal 270

(1) Palace of Ashurbanipal, [great king, stro]ng [king], king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, son of Sennacherib, king of Assyria.

~650 BCE·Neo-AssyrianEditorial

Epic of Gilgamesh, Tablet XI (the Flood)

The single most important literary discovery of the 19th century. It rewired the understanding of the Bible's literary context and proved that the Mesopotamian flood tradition is older. It is the oldest surviving epic poetry in human history.

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.

Aššur-etel-ilāni 02

Addresses Marduk as 'Enlil of the gods' and supreme arbiter of both Igīgū and Anunnakū — attesting the late Assyrian theological strategy of absorbing Babylonian divine supremacy into royal piety.

Aššur-etel-ilāni 03

(1) For the god Marduk, supreme lord, exalted hero, lord of lords, exalted, wh(ose) figure is splendid (and who) is vastly superior to all of the (other) gods, bearer of the awe-inspiring, terrible radiance, clothed in splendor, (5) who drove [off] the god Kingu, defeated the angry sea, (and) overcame the evil ones, who dwells in Eešerke — which is inside Sippar-Aruru — great lord, his lord: (8) Aššur-etel-ilāni, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, son of Ashurbanipal, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, (10) had a scepter of red gold made which was (then) presented for his…

Aššur-etel-ilāni 04

(1a) For the god Uraš, exalted lord, foremost of the great gods of E-ibbi-Anum — the shrine (which is) worthy of honor — great lord, his lord: (2b) Aššur-etel-ilāni, king of Assyria, who renovated the shrine(s) of the great gods, son of Ashurbanipal, king of Assyria, shepherd of the black-headed, renovated E-ibbi-Anum, the holy place which is inside Dilbat, the abode of the god Uraš and the goddess Ninegal. He built (it) anew with baked bricks, the craft of the god Baḫar and, with regard to the foundation of the well, he (re-)established its position just as (it had been) in ancient times.…

Aššur-etel-ilāni 05

(1) For [the god Enlil, lord of the la]nds, his [lord: Aššu]r-etel-ilāni, (5) his obedient [shephe]rd, who provides for Nippur, supporter of Ekur, mighty king, king of the four quarters (of the world), (re)built (10) Ekur, his beloved temple with baked bricks.

Aššur-etel-ilāni 06

(1) The tomb of Šamaš-ibni, the Dakkurian, upon whom Aššur-etel-ilāni, king of Assyria, had pity, brought from Assyria to Bīt-Dakkūri, his (own) country, and laid to rest in a tomb inside his home of Dūru-ša-Ladīni (“Fortress of Ladīnu”). (4) Whoever you are, whether governor or commander or judge or prince, who is appointed in the land, do not harm this tomb or (its) bone(s)! (But rather) look after its position (and) extend (your) good protection over it! For (doing) this, may the god Marduk, the great lord, lengthen your reign, establish his good protection over you, (and) bless your name,…

Sîn-šarru-iškun 01

Royal titulary of Sîn-šarru-iškun invokes ten deities across the Assyrian and Babylonian pantheons, documenting the deliberate theological diplomacy of the last generation of Sargonid kings before Nineveh fell in 612 BCE.

Sîn-šarru-iškun 02

Preserves the legitimating titulary of a late Sargonid king — likely Sîn-šarru-iškun — showing Sîn, Marduk, and Ea each conferring distinct attributes of rule within decades of Assyria's fall.

Sîn-šarru-iškun 03

Attests Sîn-šarru-iškun's full Sargonid titulary — king of Assyria, Sumer, and Akkad — anchoring his legitimacy claim within a dynastic chain stretching back to Sargon II, just years before Assyria's collapse in 612 BCE.

Sîn-šarru-iškun 04

Attests Sîn-šarru-iškun's building activity along the Tigris in the final decade of the Assyrian Empire, adding fragmentary but direct epigraphic evidence to a reign otherwise poorly documented in royal inscriptions.

Sîn-šarru-iškun 05

Attests late Sargonid royal building rhetoric — the formulaic 'foundation to crenellation' restoration topos — applied to an Assyrian cultic or palatial structure in the empire's final decades before Nineveh's fall in 612 BCE.

Sîn-šarru-iškun 07

Royal titulary of Sîn-šarru-iškun, one of Assyria's last kings before Nineveh fell in 612 BCE, attesting the Sargonid court's continued investment in divine-legitimation rhetoric even as the empire was collapsing.

Sîn-šarru-iškun 13

Names four generations of Sargonid kings in a single titulary chain, offering a fixed synchronic anchor for the dynasty's self-legitimating genealogy in the final decade before Assyria's collapse.