All tablets.

Esarhaddon 1029

(1) [... E]sarhaddon, king of the world, king of [Assyria, son of Sennache]rib, king of Assyria, descendant of Sargon (II), king of Assyria.

Law·Religion & Myth

Esarhaddon 103

(1) [The gods Aššur, Anu, Enlil], Ea, Sîn, Šamaš, Adad, Marduk, [Ištar, (and) the Sebitti, the great gods], all of them, who decree destiny (and) give might and victory [to the king], their [favorite, Esarhaddon, great king], mighty [king], king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, [king of Sumer and Akkad], king of Karduniaš (Babylonia), (king of) all of them, king of the kings of [(Lower) Egypt, Upper Egypt, and] Kush, king of the four quarters; son of Sennacherib, [great king, migh]ty [king], king of the world, king of Assyria — (7b) With rejoicing and jubilation, I went into the city Memphis,…

Esarhaddon 105

(i 1) [Esarhad]don, [gre]at [king, king of the wor]ld, [king of Assyria, gover]nor of (i 5) [Babylon, king of Sumer and] Akkad, [true shepherd, favor]ite of the lord of lords, pious [prince, b]eloved of [the goddess] Zarpa[nī]tu — (i 10) [the] queen, the goddess [of the entire] universe — reverent [king who f]rom the days of his childhood (i 15) was attentive to their rule and praised their valor, pious slave, humble, submissive, the one who reveres their great divinity — (i 20) At that time, in the reign of a previous king, bad omens occurred in Sumer and Akkad. The people living there were…

Esarhaddon 106

(i 1) Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of (i 5) Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, pious prince who reveres the gods Nabû and Marduk — (i 10) Before my time the great lord, the god Marduk, became angry, trembled (with rage), and was furious with Esagil (i 15) and Babylon; his [he]art was full of rage. Because of the wrath in his heart and his bad temper, Esagil and Babylon became a wasteland and turned into ruins. (i 27) Its (Babylon’s) gods and goddesses became frightened, abandoned their cellas, and went up to the heavens. The people living in it (Babylon) were…

Esarhaddon 107

Cols. i—iv missing (v 1) [from] gold, [each of] who[se weight is fifty minas]. (vi 1) I bui[lt] (and) comple[ted Nēmed-Enlil, its outer wall, (and) had] (it) filled with [spl]endor, (making it) an object of wonder for [al]l of the people. (vi 7) [I] returned [the plun]dered [god]s of the lands [from As]syria [and the land] Elam [to] their [place] and [I set up proper procedures in a]ll of [the cult centers]. (vii 1) I restored [their interrupted privileged status] that had fallen into disuse. (vii 10) I wrote anew the tablet of their exemptions. I opened roads for them in all directions so…

Esarhaddon 108

(i 1') [...] ... [...] ... [...] matter. They were afflicted by [thie]ving (and) murdering. They were stealing from [the po]or (and) giving to the mighty; there was oppression (and) (i 10′) the taking of bribes in the city. Every day, without ceasing, they stole goods from each other, a son (i 15′) cursed his father in the street, a slave [...] to his owner, (ii 1') [...] ... [... His mood] became [furious. The Enlil] of the god[s, the lord of] the lands, plotted evilly to [scat]ter the land and people; (ii 10′) his heart schemed to level the land and to destroy its people. A bitter curse was…

Religion & Myth

Esarhaddon 110

(i' 1') I placed [at their service the former ramku-priests, pašīšu-priests, (and) ecstatics], those initiated [in secret rites. I set] before them [purification priests], āšipu-priests, [lamentation priests], (and) singers, [who] have mastered (their) [entire cr]aft. (i' 7') [I built anew E]t[emenanki], (ii' 1') [May the god Marduk and the goddess Zarpanītu, the gods, my helpers], look with joy upon my good deeds and bless my kingship in their steadfast heart(s). (ii′ 5′) [Let] the seed of my priestly office endure (along) with the foundations of Esagil (and) Babylon; let my [kingship] be…

Esarhaddon 111

(i 1') [The people living there] were [answering each other] ye[s (for) no]. They neglected [their goddesses, abandoned] their rites, (and) (i 5′) [embraced] quite different (rites). [They put their] hands on the possessions of [Esagil], the palace of the god[s, an] inaccessible [place, and] they sold the gold, silver, (and) pr[ecious stones at] ma[rket value] to the land E[lam]. (i 12') The [Enlil of] the gods, [the god Marduk], became angry and [plotted evilly] to le[vel the land (and) to de]st[roy its people]. Cols. ii–iv (missing) (v 1') [I built (and) co]mpleted [Esagil ... a replica of…

Esarhaddon 112

(i 1') ... E[sarhaddon], great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of [Assyria], king of the kings of [(Lower) Egypt], Upper Egypt, and [Kush], (i 5´) king of the [four] quarters, the king who [has] no rival in all of [the lands]; son of Sennach[erib, king of Assyria, descendant of Sargon (II), grea]t [king], mighty king, king of the world, king of [Assyria, governor of Babylon], king of the land of Sumer [and Akkad, ...] Col. ii (missing) (iii 1') [...] ... [...] ... [...] placed before them [...] the temples, all of them, (iii 5´) [...] ... that were ruined [...] brought [...] ...…

Esarhaddon 113

(1) Esarhaddon, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, chosen by the god Marduk (and) the goddess Zarpanītu, true shepherd, favorite of the god Aššur and the goddess Mullissu, the king who from his childhood trusted in the gods Nabû, Tašmētu, and Nanāya and (5) knew their power; son of Sennacherib, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria; descendant of Sargon (II), great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad; descendant of the eternal line of…

Esarhaddon 114

(i 1) Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, pious prince, who reveres the gods Nabû and Marduk — (i 7) Before my time, in the reign of a previous king, bad omens occurred in Sumer and Akkad. (i 10) The people living there were answering each other yes (for) no (and) were telling lies. They put the[ir] hands on the possessions of Esagil, (i 15) the palace of the gods, and they sold the gold, sil[ver], (and) precious stones at market value to the land Elam. (i 19) The Enlil of the gods, the god Marduk, became angry and plotted evilly to…

Esarhaddon 119

(1) For the god Marduk, his lord: Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, (and) king of Babylon, made the processional way of Esagil and Babylon shine with baked bricks from a (ritually) pure kiln.

Esarhaddon 120

(1) For the god Marduk, his lord: Esarhaddon, king of Assyria (and) king of Babylon, had baked bricks made anew for Esagil and Babylon.

Esarhaddon 121

(1) For the god Marduk, his lord: Esarhaddon, king of Assyria (and) king of Babylon, had baked bricks made anew for Esagil and Etemenanki.

Esarhaddon 122

(1) For the god Marduk, his lord: Esarhaddon, king of Assyria (and) king of Babylon, had baked bricks made anew for Esagil (and) Etemenanki.

Esarhaddon 123

(1) For the god Marduk, his lord: Esarhaddon, king of Assyria (5) (and) king of Babylon, had baked bricks made anew for Esagil and Etemenanki.

Esarhaddon 124

(1) For the god Marduk, his lord: Esarhaddon, king of Assyria (and) king of Babylon, had Etemenanki built anew.

Esarhaddon 125

(1) For the god Marduk, his lord: Esarhaddon, king of Assyria (and) king of Babylon, had baked bricks made anew for Eteme[nanki].

Esarhaddon 127

(1') [...] ... [...] ... [...] (2') [... w]ho to his ... not ... [...] (3') [...] ... paid attention to the mention of his name, his command [...] (4') [...] brings quickly before [...] (5') [... unsub]missive to the comma[nd] (6') [...] destroyed [that] one, making the inhabited world shake (7') [...] the god, his helper, (8') [... wi]th his help, they knelt, beseeching his lordship (9') [...] did not bear my yoke (lit. “pull my yoke-rope”) (10') [who took] away [the fields of the citizens of Babylon and Borsippa], appropriating (them) for himself (11') [...] did not fear his command or the…

Esarhaddon 130

(1) [For the god Enlil], king of the gods, valiant, who drives out the enemies in battle, [...] the sublime, who walks at the side of the king — his favorite — the one who conquers the enem[ies ..., ... Elugalg]usisa — which is in Nippur (Duranki) — great lord, [his lord]: (4) [Esarhadd]on, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of the four quarters (of the world), [governor of] Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, selected by the steadfast heart of the god En[lil]; (6) [who from] his childhood [trus]ted in the gods Aššur, Enlil, Sîn, Šamaš, Adad, Marduk,…

Esarhaddon 131

(1) For the god Enlil, lord of the lands, his lord: Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, (5) king of Babylon, (and) king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, son of Sennacherib, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, (10) descendant of Sargon (II), king of the world (and) king of Assyria, renovated Ekur, the temple of the god Enlil, my lord, and made its processional way shine like daylight.

Esarhaddon 132

(1) For the god Enlil, divine lord of the lands: Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, king of Babylon, (and) king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, for the sake of his life enlarged Pukudadaga (5) in the courtyard of the god Enlil with baked bricks from a (ritually) pure kiln.

Esarhaddon 134

(1) For the goddess Ištar-of-Uruk, sovereign of heaven and netherworld, most valiant of the gods, august, supreme lady, who has gathered to herself (all) divine offices of highest rank, the one into whose hand all purification rites are appointed, empress of the goddesses, whose words are pre-eminent in heaven and netherworld, goddess of war and battle, who goes at the side of the king, her favorite, (and) slays his foes, who dwells in Enirgalana (“House, Prince of Heaven) — which is inside Eanna — lady of Uruk, great lady, his lady: (6) Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria,…

Esarhaddon 135

(1) For the goddess Nanāya, veiled one of the goddesses, who is adorned with attractiveness and joy and full of glamour, splendid daughter of the god Anu, whose lordship is supreme among all ladies, eminent spouse of the god Muzibsâ, praised sekretu, beloved of his majesty, compassionate goddess, who goes to the help of the king who reveres her, who prolongs his reign, who dwells in Eḫiliana (“House, Luxuriance of Heaven”) — which is inside Eanna — queen of Uruk, great lady, his lady: (6) Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad;…

Esarhaddon 136

(1) For the goddess Nanāya, queen of Uruk, great lady, his lady: (2) Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad; who is assiduous toward the sanctuaries of the great gods; the one who (re)constructed the temple of the god Aššur, (re)built Esagil and Babylon, (5) renovated Eanna, completed the sanctuaries of all of the cult centers, (and) constantly established appropriate procedures in them; the one who conquered from the Upper Sea to the Lower Sea (and) the one who made all rulers submissive to him; son of Sennacherib, king of Assyria; descendant of…

Esarhaddon 137

(1) For the goddess Ištar of Uruk, lady of the lands: Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, (5) governor of Babylon, (and) king of the four quarters, son of Sennacherib, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, descendant of Sargon (II), king of the world (and) (10) king of Ass[yria], renovated Eanna (“House of Heaven”), the temple of highest rank, for the sake of his life, and made (it) shine like daylight.

Esarhaddon 138

(1) For the goddess [Ištar (of Uruk)], lady of the lands: Esarha[ddon], king of Assyria (and) king of Babylon, renovated E[ann]a (“House of Heaven”), the temple of highest rank, for the sake of [his] life, and made (it) shine like daylight.

Esarhaddon 139

(1) For the goddess [Ištar] of Uruk, lady of Eanna, lady of the lands, [his] lady: Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyr[ia], governor of Babylon, (5) king of the land of Sumer and Ak[kad], son of Sennacher[ib, king of the world, king of] Assyr[ia, descendant of Sargon (II)], king of the world, king of Assyria, [renovated Ean]na, (10) [the temple of high]est rank, [and] made (it) [shine] like [daylig]ht.

Esarhaddon 140

(1) For the god Adad, who resides in the city Guzāna, his lord: Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, son of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, made (this bucket) for his (long) life.

Esarhaddon 141

(1) The palace of Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria: (this is) booty from Egypt (and) Kush.

Esarhaddon 142

(1) To the god Marduk, his lord: Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, gave (this eyestone) for his (long) life.

Esarhaddon 143

(1) [For the goddess Tašmē]tu, [his lady]: (2b) [Esar]haddon, [king of Assyria, made an]d dedicated (this object) [for] his (long) life [and for the (long) life of] his [children].

Esarhaddon 2001

(1) (Property) of Ešarra-ḫammat, wife of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria.

Esarhaddon 2002

(1') [...] ... [...] that house [...] ..., the tomb of Ešar<ra>-ḫammat, his wife, ... [...].

Esarhaddon 2004

Lacuna? (1') [...] king [... Zakūtu/Naqīʾa ... wi]fe ... [... Sennach]erib, king of the world, [king of Assyria, daughter-in-law of Sargon (II), king of the world, k]ing of [Assyria, mother of Esar]haddon, king of the world (and) king of [Assyria]; (6') [the gods Aššur, Sîn], Šamaš, Nabû, and Marduk, Ištar of Nineveh, (and) [Ištar of Arbela] glad[ly placed Esarha]ddon, my offspring, upon the throne of his father, [... whose] good ... [...] they made pre-[eminent ...] who marched [... from the] Upper [Sea] to the Low[er] Sea (and) who does not [have] an equal (therein); (and) who flattened his…

Esarhaddon 2005

(1) To the goddess Bēlet-Ninūa, who resides in Emašm[aš], great queen, her lady: (2b) Naqīʾa, wife of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, daughter-in-law of Sargon (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, commissioned a pectoral of red gold, which was inlaid with precious stone(s) weighing 3 3/4 minas. (6) She presented and dedicated (this object) for the preservation of the life of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, her son, and for her own life, for the stability of her reign, (and for) the well-being of her offspring.

Esarhaddon 2006

(r 1) To the queen, the goddess Mullissu, who resides in Ešarra, great queen, her lady: (r 2) Zakūtu, wife of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, daughter-in-law of Sargon (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, mother of Esarhaddon, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, commissioned a gold ... that was inlaid with obsidian, [...]-stone, carnelian, pappardilû-stone, papparminu-stone, [...]-stone, (and) lapis lazuli weighing 1 1/2 minas. (r 7b) She presented [and dedicated] (this object) for the preservation of (the life of) Esar[haddon, her son], and for her own life, for the…

Esarhaddon 2007

(1) To the god(dess) D[N]: (2) Zakūtu, wife of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, dedicated (this object) for the (long) )life of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, her son, and for her (long) life.

Esarhaddon 2008

(1) [To the goddess Bē]let-Bābili, her lady: (2) [N]aqīʾa, wife of Sennach[er]ib, king of Assyria, daughter-in-law of Sargon (II), king of Assyria, mother of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, presented (this object) for the preservation of the life of her son and for her (long) life.

Esarhaddon 2009

(1) Naqīʾa, wife of Senna[cherib (...)].

Esarhaddon 2010

(1') [They (the gods) entered the orch]ards, groves, ... [...] ... [... through the] craft of the sage [“the washing of] the mouth,” “the open[ing of the] mouth,” [“bathing,” (and) “pu]rifica[tion”] (were recited) before [the stars of] the night: the gods [Ea, Šamaš], Asallu[ḫi, Bēlet-ilī], Ku[su], and [Ni]ngirima. (11') I washed its mouth ... [...] exalted [...] ... [...] ... [...] Label on the gown of figure on the left: (1) Image of Naqīʾ[a ...]

Religion & Myth

Religion & Myth·Astronomy & Mathematics

SAA 08 001. Thunder in Ab, King Ill (RMA 257) [weather]

(1) If in Ab (month V) Adad thunders, the day becomes cloudy, it rains, (and) lightning flashes: the waters will decrease at the source. (4) If Adad shouts on a cloudless day: there will be darkness — variant: famine — in the land. (6) Concerning this ill health, the king, my lord, should not worry (lit. 'should not speak from his heart'). (8) It is a disease of the season; all the people who are sick will get well. (11) Moreover, the king, my lord, who is one who reveres the gods — day and night he prays to the gods … (The text continues but the remainder is not preserved in the given transli…

SAA 10 044. Timing a Journey of the King (ABL 1141+) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king, our lord: your servants Balasî] [(and) Nabû-aḫḫe-eriba]. [Good health t]o the king, [our lord]! May [Nabû and] Mar[duk] bless the king, our lord! (7) Concerning the journey to the city of [...] about which the king, our lord, wrote to us: if the king (is) in this house(?), in Tašritu (VII) it is good to travel. Or else the king will say: "Not [......]," [they sa]id. (reverse) This month is a 'loose' month; it should be left alone. Let the king go in the month of (its) entering. Let him kiss the ground, and let them perform the sacrifices.

SAA 10 206. Prayers and Rituals against Retrograding Mars (ABL 1401) [from exorcists]

[Nabû and] Marduk [to the king], my lord, may [they] bless! [Concerning the planet] Mars, [about which the king, my lord] wrote to me: [the king, my lord] does not know [that ......] ... it is. [......]-mera it moves [within the constellation] Virgo. [An attack] of locusts [......] ... ... it bears [radi]ance; [......] evil for Subartu. [......] these we shall remove. [Namburbi rituals and] šu'illa-prayers [before Ma]rs [......] ... continually [we shall perform]. Fault [there is none]. May the heart [of the king], my lord, [be glad ......] ... nu

SAA 10 259. Who to Come out Next? (ABL 0364) [from exorcists]

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! (8) Concerning the men of the king, our lord, about whom he wrote to us: "Will you not indicate which ones are to come out?" — (13) the others, who have not performed (the rites), should come out tomorrow and perform (them). (17) The king, our lord, knows which ones have performed and which ones have not performed. We — how should we know? (24) Under the protection of the king, may Bel and Nabû point (them) out; let them come out and…

~665 BCE·Neo-AssyrianOur engine

SAA 13 073. Complaint of Sickness (ABL 0203)

To the king, my lord: your servant Nergal-šarrani. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord, most greatly! It is a month to this day since I fell ill. It is a stinging pain. Ever since it began stinging me, the ⸢...⸣ have been stinging (me) from ...... (They say:) "It is the Hand of Dilbat (Venus); you are ill." (And they say:) "It is on account of the circuit(?) of the towers." I am afraid. Without (the authorization of) the king I will not act. Now then I have written to the king, my lord. Let it fall from the king's mouth (i.e., let the king give th…

~655 BCE·Neo-AssyrianOur engine

Ashurbanipal 001

Documents Ashurbanipal's forced resettlement of conquered populations into Egypt and the Levantine town of Qirbit — a concrete case of Assyrian demographic engineering as an instrument of imperial control.

~655 BCE·Neo-AssyrianRINAP 5

Ashurbanipal 002

Lists nine deities who legitimise Ashurbanipal's rule, each sponsoring a different royal quality — a snapshot of the theological machinery the Neo-Assyrian court used to underwrite imperial authority.

~655 BCE·Neo-AssyrianRINAP 5

Ashurbanipal 003

Claims divine sanction for Ashurbanipal's literacy — the gods granted him 'a broad mind' to master the scribal arts — embedding scholarly kingship ideology at the heart of Assyrian royal self-presentation.