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Ashurbanipal 239

Preserves Ashurbanipal's three-generation dynastic lineage — son of Esarhaddon, grandson of Sennacherib — a formulaic claim that anchored Sargonid legitimacy in royal inscriptions of the mid-seventh century BCE.

~655 BCE·

Neo-Assyrian

RINAP 5

Ashurbanipal 240

Names Urtaku and Ummanigaš — the Elamite king and his brother whose rivalry Assyria exploited — placing this inscription among the direct royal accounts of Ashurbanipal's Elamite campaigns.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

Ashurbanipal 023

(1) [For the goddess Mul]lis[s]u, exalted ruler, the pre-eminent one among the Igīgū and Anunnakū gods, the most splendid of goddesses, the que[en of que]ens, the Ištar worthy of praise, who is endo[w]ed with sexual charm (and) filled with awe-inspiring radiance, the supreme lady whose lordly majesty is the most outstanding (and) whose divinity is the greatest among the gods of [a]ll settlements, the very competent one, the lady of all things that (are found) in the whole (lit. “territory”) of heav[e]n and netherworld, [the one who holds] the bond of the bright firmament, who[se] place is…

Ashurbanipal 024

(1) I conquered, plund[ered, ...] the city Birtu-ša-Adad-rēmanni, of/which [...] the Manneans.

Ashurbanipal 025

(1) Teumman, <who>, during a loss of (all) reason, said to his son: “Shoot the bow!”

Ashurbanipal 027

(1) The head of Teum[man, the king of the land Elam], which a common soldier in my army [had cut off] in the midst of bat[tle]. They dispatched (it) quickly to As[syria] to (give me) the good ne[ws].

Ashurbanipal 028

(1) Ur[t]aku, an in-law of Teumman who had been struck by an a[rro]w (but) had not (yet) died, called out to an Assyrian to c[ut of]f his (Urtaku’s) own head, saying “Come here (and) cut off (my) head. Carry (it) before the king, your lord, and obtain fame.”

Ashurbanipal 029

(1) Itunî, a eunuch of Teumman, the king of the land Elam, whom he (Teumman) insolently sent again and again before me, saw my mighty battle array and, with his iron belt-dagger, cut with his own hand (his) bow, the emblem of his strength.

Ashurbanipal 031

(1) [Battle line of Ashurbanipal, king of A]ssyria, the one who established the de[feat of the land Elam].

Ashurbanipal 032

(1) The defeat of the troops of Teumman, the king of [the land Elam], which Ashurbanipal, [great king, strong king], king of the world, king of Assyria, [had brought about] (by inflicting) countless (losses) at (the city) Tīl-Tūba, (and during which) he had cast down the corpses of [his (Teumman’s)] w[arriors].

Ashurbanipal 033

(1) The fugitive [U]mmanigaš (Ḫumban-nikaš II), a servant who had grasped my feet. When I gave the command (lit. “at the working of my mouth”) in (the midst of) celebration, a eunuch of mine whom [I had] sent (with him) ushered (him) in[to] the land Madaktu and the city Susa and placed him on the throne of Teu[mman, whom] I [had def]eated.

Ashurbanipal 035

(1) I, Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria, [who] with the support of (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar, my lords, conquered my [enemies] (and) achieved my heart’s desire. (3b) Rusâ, the king of the land Urarṭu, heard about the mi[gh]t of (the god) Ašš[ur], my [lo]rd, and fear of my royal majesty overwhelmed him and he (then) sent his envoys to me in Arbela, to inquire about my well-being. I made Nabû-damiq (and) Umbadarâ, envoys of the land Elam, stand before them with writing boards (inscribed with) insolent m[es]sages.

Ashurbanipal 036

(1) (PN₁ and PN₂) uttered grievous blasphemies against (the god) Aššur, the god who created me. I tore out their tongue(s and) flayed them.

Ashurbanipal 038

(1) I, Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria, who by the command of the great gods, achieved his heart’s desires: They paraded before [m]e clothing (and) jewelry, royal appurtenances of Šamaš-šu[ma-u]kīn — (my) unfaithful brother — his palace women, his [eun]uchs, his battle troops, a chariot, a processional carriage, [the ve]hicle of his lordly majesty, every necessity of his palace, as much as there was, (and) people — male and female, young (and) old.

Ashurbanipal 040

(1) I surrounded, conquered, (and) plundered the city Ḫamanu, a royal city of the land Elam.

Ashurbanipal 041

(1) I surrounded, conquered, plundered, destroyed, demolished, (and) burned with fire the city Ḫamanu, a royal city of the land Elam.

Ashurbanipal 042

(1) [...] the city [Bīt]-Bunakku, a [(royal)] city [of the land Elam].

Ashurbanipal 043

(1) I, Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria, who b[y the command of (the god) Aššur and] the goddess Mullissu, achieved his heart’s desires, surro[und]ed (and) conquered the city Din[šarri, a ci]ty of the land Elam. [I brought] out [chariot]s, wagons, horses, (and) mules and I cou[nted] (them) as booty.

Ashurbanipal 044

(1) I surrounded, conquered, (and) plundered the cit[y] ..., a royal city of the land Elam.

Ashurbanipal 045

(1) [I surrounded, conquered, destroyed, dem]olished, (and) [burned] with fire [the city ...]tu, a city of the land [Elam].

Ashurbanipal 046

(1) I, [Ashurbanipal ...] (the god) Ašš[ur ...] (the land) Elam [...].

Ashurbanipal 047

(1) I, [Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria], who with [the support of (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar, (...), conquered his] enem[ies, ...] plu[ndered ...] of [...].

Ashurbanipal 049

(1) [Ummanaldaš (Ḫumban-ḫaltaš III), (the king of the land Elam) who had seen the rage of] the weapon of (the god) Aššur, my lord, [(...) and had returned] from the mountain(s), his place of refuge. [PN, the city rul]er of the city Murubissi (Marubišti), [thought about ... the migh]t of (the god) Aššur, my lord, [and ...]. He seized Ummanaldaš, and [...] brought him before me.

Ashurbanipal 050

(1) [... who] love his good [d]e[e]ds (lit. “[the] good [d]ee[ds of] his hands”), all of the rulers of the entiret[y of the lands ... — (As for) Tammarītu, Paʾê, (and) Ummanalda]šu (Ḫumban-ḫaltaš III), kings of the land Elam whom [I] had defeat[ed] with the support of (the god) Aššur and the goddess Mullissu, [...] they [sto]od [...] and (then) they prepared their royal meal with their own hands and had (it) brought [before me].

Ashurbanipal 051

(1) [I, Ashurbani]pal, king of the world, king of Assyria, [who with the support of (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar], conquered his enemies [..., surrounded (and) conquered the ci]ty Bīt-Luppi. [I brought out the pe]ople living in it, [chariots, wagons], horses, (and) [mules and] counted (them) as [boo]ty.

Ashurbanipal 052

(1) [...] had incited [(...)] to rebel [against (the god) Aššur and the goddess] Ištar and [he] prepared for battle. At the beginning of his fight, in the city [..., w]ho had encouraged me, a small body of troops [brought about] the defeat of [his] troops. [... t]heir [...], the rest of them who had fled when (they were) defeated ... [...]. They were speaking [as] follows, saying: “Do not be frightened! (The god) Aššur [...].”

Ashurbanipal 054

(1) I, Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria, for who[m] (the god) Aššur — the king of the gods — (and) the goddess Ištar — the lady of battle — determined a destiny of heroism, [...]: The god Palil, the one who goes before me, let me go triumphantly hunting in the steppe. For pleasure ... [...] I went out. (3b) In the steppe, a widespread place, rag[ing] lions, a ferocious mountain breed, attacked [me and] surrounded the chariot, the vehicle of my royal majesty. By the command of (the god) Aššur (and) the goddess [Ištar], the great gods, my lords, with a single team [harnes]sed to…

Ashurbanipal 055

(1) I, Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria — while (carrying out) [my princely] spor[t], they had [a fi]erce [lion] that was born in the steppe (lit. “of its plain”) brought out of a cage and, while on foot, I pierced (it) three times with arrow(s) [(but)] its life did not come to an end. Through the command of the god Palil, the king of the steppe who had generously gr<anted> me power (and) vir[ilit]y, I subsequently stabbed it with my iron belt-dagger [(and)] it laid down (its) life.

Ashurbanipal 056

(1) I, Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria, while enjoying myself on foot, seized a fierce lion that was born in the steppe (lit. “of its plain”) by its ear and, with the support of (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar — the lady of battle — pierced its body with the lance that was in my hand.

Ashurbanipal 057

(1) I, Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria, while (carrying out) my princely sport, seized a lion that was born in the steppe (lit. “of its plain”) by its tail and, through the command of the gods Ninurta (and) Nergal, the gods who support me, shattered its skull with the mace that was in my hand.

Ashurbanipal 058

(1) I, Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria, to whom (the god) Aššur (and) the goddess Mullissu have granted outstanding strength, set up the fierce bow of the goddess Ištar — the lady of battle — over the lions that I had killed. I made an offering over them (and) poured (a libation of) wine over them.

Ashurbanipal 060

(1) For the goddess Mullissu, the lady of the lands who dwells in Emašmaš: (2) Ashurbanipal, king of Assyria, the ruler who reveres her, the governor (who is) the creation of her hands, who, at her great command, cut off the head of Teumman, the king of the land Elam, in the thick of battle. (6) Moreover, with her great support, I defeated Ummanigaš (Ḫumban-nikaš II), Tammarītu, Paʾê, (and) Ummanaldašu (Ḫumban-ḫaltaš III), who had exercised kingship over the land Elam after Teumman, and (then) harnessed them to a processional carriage, the vehicle of my royal majesty. (11) Furthermore, at her…

Ashurbanipal 061

(1) Ashurbanipal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of As[syria], the pious servant, the one who reveres the great gods, beloved of the god Aššur and the goddess Mullissu, the one required by the gods Nabû and Marduk, the one who protects the secret knowledge of the great gods, (5) the one who is assiduous towards san[ctuari]es, the holy priest whose gi[ving of food off]erings the gods of heaven (and) netherworld enj[oy], the one who ... Ešarra, the one who am[a]sses te[mple] appurtenance(s), (8) (No translation possible) (13) [I] made (him) t[ake] his seat in [his] (own)…

Ashurbanipal 062

(1) T[o the gre]at [lord, ...], powerful, sple[n]di[d, ...], foremost among the Igīgū and Anunnakū gods, lord of [...], unrivalled king, my lord, ... [...]: (5) I, Ashurbanipal, king of [Assyria, ...] ... [... the one who] is assiduous towards [your] place[s (of worship), ...] who day and night ... [...], the one who reveres your gre[at] divinity [...] ... [...] the one who directs gods and hum[anity ...], the one who prolongs (my) days, [...], I, Ashurba[nipal, ...], (rev. 1) son of the king of the gods [...] in his good physical health [...], shepherdship ... [...] (r 4) You (Marduk), be…

Ashurbanipal 063

(1) The palace of Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of [Assyria], the one who conquered the wi[de] land Elam (and) who devastated [its] settl[ements], son of Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of A[ssyria], son of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of [Assyria], descendant of Sargon (II), king of the world, king of [Assyria] — after [I had brought about] the defeat of <Te>umman i[n battle], by the command of the gods Aššur and Marduk, in[side Nineveh, ...] an i[mage of] my [royal majest]y [...]

Ashurbanipal 064

(1) The palace of Ashurbanipal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, son of Sennacherib, (who was) also king of Assyria.

Ashurbanipal 070

(1) [The palace of Ashurbanipal, (great king, strong king,) king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Esa]rhaddon, king of the world, king of [Assyria, son of Sennacher]ib, king of Assyria, son of Sargon (II), (who was) also king of Assyria.

Ashurbanipal 071

(1) [The one who bro]ught about the defeat of [the land] Elam.

Ashurbanipal 091

(i 1') [I constricted (and)] cut sho[rt their lives. I made] them (the people of Tyre) [b]ow down [to my yoke]. (i 3') He (Baʾalu) brought before me [(his) daughter], his [own offspring], and the daughters of his brothers [to serve as housekeepers. (i 5´) He sent at the same time his son, who] had n[ever] crossed the sea, to do obeisance to me. [I received from him his daughter and the daughters of his brothers, tog]ether with a large marriage gift. [I had mercy on him and (then)] I gave (his) son, his offspring, back to him. (i 9') [(As for) Yakīn-Lû, the king of the city Arw]ad, who resides…

Ashurbanipal 093

(1') ... [...] two tall obelisks [cast with shiny zaḫalû-metal, whose weight was 2,500 talents (and which) stood at a temple gate, I ripped (them)] from where th[ey] were erected [and took (them) to Assyria]. (4') On my second campaign, [I marched] ag[ainst Baʾalu, the king of the land Tyre who resides in the middle of the sea]. Because he did not honor my royal command(s and) did not obe[y the pronouncement(s) from my lips], I set up outposts against him. By sea (and) dry land, [I took control of (all of) his] r[outes]. I constricted (and) cut short their lives. I made [them (the people of…

Ashurbanipal 1001

(o 1) Ashur/Esar/Aššur-[..., ...], son of [..., ...] (o 3) (No translation possible) (r 1') [f]rom the watering place fo[r his stronghold ...] 1/2 bread (and) 1/2 beer from the watering plac[e ...] ... the city [...]. (r 4') [(...)] second extract [...].

Ashurbanipal 1002

(o 1') (No translation possible) (o 3') The god Ninurta, ... [...], allowed [me] to achieve [my heart’s] desire [...] (and) he returned [...]. (o 7') The goddess Queen of Nineveh, the mercifu[l mot]her, came to my side and gladly made me sit on the throne of the father who had engendered me. (o 11') The goddess Lady of Arbela, the great lady, regularly sent me favorable message(s) concerning my exercising kingship. (r 3) The goddess Gula pacified those who were insolent to me and she made ... bow dow[n (to me)]. (r 5) The Sebetti, valiant gods, [...] the left [...] ... [...] (r 8) (No translat…

Ashurbanipal 1003

(1') [...] ... [...] the gods [... with] power, [...] ..., awe-inspiring radiance, (and) bril[liance ...] ... heir designate [...]. (5') [...], great [kin]g, strong king, kin[g of ..., ...] ... [...]

Ashurbanipal 1004

(1') [...], my [lo]rd, (the god) Aššur, who ... [... for rul]ing over the lands and people [...] set out, Taharqa [...], governors, [...] (r 1') (No translation possible) (r 4') That which is (written) upon the inner sanctum of the temple of [...].

Ashurbanipal 1005

(1') [...] ... [...] my [..., my] strength [...] (his) heart was prou[d ...] he forgot [...] and [did not remember my] favo[r(s) ... (5´) ...] his own judgment and without [divine approval ... He] trusted [in his own strength] and [answered] with disrespect. [...]. He did [not] honor [...] and he [... He did] not [...] ... the gods [...] ... [...]

Ashurbanipal 1006

(1) (No translation possible) (r 1') ... [...] of the citad[el of ...]. Through supplications [...] with power, viril[ity, ...] (rev. 5´) by the command of the god Aššur [...] with gold, silver, [...], large horses, [...], in (the midst of) joyous celebration [...]. (r 9') The Elamites who trusted in the mass(ed might) of ... and [...].

Ashurbanipal 1007

(1') [...] ... [...] in ... [..., who] had sent his troops [to fight with (the troops of) ..., the k]ing of Assyria, [... Egy]pt and Kush [...] to me, the land of Sumer and Akkad, (5´) [saying: “... of Karduni]aš (Babylonia), all of it, we will deliver into your hand.” [...] (who) did not remember my kindness, [...], abandoned [the ...]s of the gods, and [...]. He forgot my ... and (10´) [...] ... [...]

Ashurbanipal 1009

(1') (No translation possible) (3') [...] before ... [...] for [my] troops [...] were constantly searching for [...]. They [cam]e to me and k[issed my feet. ...], the magnani[mous (and) forbearing one, ...]. (8') (No translation possible)

Ashurbanipal 1010

(o 1') [...] (the god) Aššur [...] ... [... the goddess Išta]r, the lady who loves me, ... [...] ... to/for [... from] my childhood until I became an adult, I took hold of the he[m of] her [divinit]y (and) I constantly followed [... (5´) ...] she guarded (me) with her benevole[nt] protection [...] I made [..., h]er hand, which [sustains] my life, guided me [...] she constantly kept sending [me message(s) from] my ecstatics [...] I killed my enemies (and) flattened ... [...] ... [...] ... [...] (r 1') [...] I went ... [...] ... [... i]nside the mountains, his watering place, [..., I captured]…

Ashurbanipal 1012

(1') [...] ... [...] I sent to him and [...]. (3') [RN, (...,) his brothers], his [fa]mily, (and) the seed of hi[s] father’s house [... the eun]uch of mine whom [I had sent] to inquire abo[ut his well-being ... (5´) ..., whom ...] ... had confined [in prison, ... they] cra[wled naked upon] their [belli]es [and ...].