Read Chronology Themes Tablets Engine About

Menu

Read
Chronology
Themes
Tablets
Engine
About

Sumerian · Book

Reading the tablets…

A curated narrative reconstruction of humanity's first great civilization, sourced from the tablets themselves. Open scholarship, beautifully accessible.

The site

About the project The engine FAQ Methodology Sources & licensing Provenance & ethics Contact & support

Legal

Privacy policy Terms of use llms.txt Sitemap

Independent scholarship · No academic affiliation · No institutional funding · Tablet imagery attributed per item via CDLI, ETCSL, ORACC, Wikimedia, and public museum collections.

Home
All tablets

The corpus

All tablets.

Every tablet in the corpus — sortable by date, title or period; filterable by theme and period. Use the controls below or change the URL parameters directly.

Search

Sort

Oldest first Newest first Title (A–Z)By period

Theme

Religion & Myth Law Economy Astronomy & Mathematics Daily Life Writing & Literature

Period

Ubaid Uruk Period Early Dynastic Akkadian Empire Ur III · Neo-Sumerian Old Babylonian Old Assyrian Middle Babylonian Middle Assyrian Neo-Assyrian Neo-Babylonian Achaemenid Persian

Source

Editorial Sumerian literature Sumerian royal Assyrian royal Assyrian archives

1,576 of 102,257 tablets · 4 filters activeClear filters

201–250 of 1576

Page 5 / 32

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Unattributed Ur III 1047add (FAOS 09/2, Ur 02)

Survives only in a dedicatory fragment naming a vessel by its cultic epithet, attesting the Ur III practice of inscribing temple bowls with formal designations that tied physical offerings to sacred space.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

Ur III · Neo-Sumerian

ETCSRI

Ur-Namma 02

Attests Ur-Namma's role as builder of Nanna's temple at Ur — the cultic construction project that legitimised his dynasty's rule under the moon-god's patronage, c. 2050 BCE.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 04

Royal inscription of Ur-Namma attesting his construction of Nanna's temple and Ur's city wall — physical proof that the founder of the Ur III dynasty framed monumental building as an act of divine service to the moon god.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 05

Dedicatory inscription of Ur-Namma recording the establishment of a sacred garden and sanctuary for An at Ur: evidence that royal piety toward the sky-god took monumental, horticultural form a century before Hammurabi.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 07

Dedicatory inscription attesting Ur-Namma's construction of a temple for Ninšagepada — evidence that this otherwise obscure goddess held an active cult under the Third Dynasty of Ur.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 11

Dedicatory inscription for Ur-Namma's great ziggurat at Ur, the E-temen-ni-guru: direct royal testimony linking the monument's construction to the moon-god Nanna, anchoring the city's theological identity c. 2050 BCE.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 12

Dedicatory inscription for Ur-Namma's rebuilding of the E-temen-ni-guru ziggurat at Ur — direct epigraphic testimony linking the founder of the Ur III dynasty to Nanna's great temple complex.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 15

Dedicatory inscription recording Ur-Namma's construction of a temple to Inana at Kugnun, expanding the cultic geography of Ur III royal patronage beyond the dynasty's core shrine at Ur.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 17

Records Ur-Namma restoring Magan boat traffic and sea-merchant access to quay walls — direct evidence that Ur III kings actively managed long-distance Gulf trade as an act of royal piety toward the moon-god Nanna.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 33

Attests Ur-Namma's construction of a temple for Inana, linking royal piety to political legitimacy at the height of the Ur III empire's centralised religious building programme.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 35

Dedicatory inscription in which Ur-Namma claims construction of a temple for the sun-god Utu, attesting the king's programme of sacred building as a pillar of Ur III royal legitimacy.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 36

Attests Ur-Namma's construction of Ninhursaĝa's temple at Keš, linking the founder of the Ur III dynasty to one of Sumer's oldest cult centres through royal building patronage.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 39

Records Ur-Namma's excavation of a dedicated offering canal at Ur, linking royal hydraulic engineering directly to the provisioning of temple cult under Enlil's authority.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 40

Ur-Namma's canal dedication to the moon-god Nanna at Ur attests the Ur III state's hydraulic investment as an act of royal piety, linking irrigation infrastructure directly to divine patronage.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 42

A royal inscription of Ur-Namma, founder of the Ur III dynasty and promulgator of the oldest known law code, dedicated to the moon-god Nanna — one of dozens of such dedications anchoring royal legitimacy in divine patronage.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 47

Dedicatory vow on a vase from Nanna's temple at Ur links Ur-Namma's building piety to Gilgameš as divine protector — and preserves one of the earliest epigraphic curse formulae against inscription erasure.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 49

A fragmentary Ur-Namma royal inscription that adds one more manuscript witness to the corpus defining how Ur III kings projected legal and divine authority in their own words.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Ur-Namma 54

Attests a daughter of Ur-Namma serving as en-priestess of the moon-god Nanna at Ur, documenting the dynastic strategy of placing royal women in Mesopotamia's highest cultic offices.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 01

Royal titulary of Amar-Suena, third king of Ur III: attests the formula 'king of the four quarters' that legitimised Sumerian rulers as universal sovereigns under Enlil's divine mandate.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianEditorial

Drehem Cattle-Distribution Tablet

A window into the world's first total state. The Ur III administration tracked every animal, every worker, every shekel — for a population in the millions. The level of paperwork was not exceeded until the modern era.

Economy·Daily Life

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 02

(1) Amar-Suena, whose name was proclaimed by Enlil in Nibru, the steadfast supporter of Enlil's temple, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 03

(1) For Enlil, the king of all lands, his master, Amar-Suena, whose name was proclaimed by Enlil in Nibru, the steadfast supporter of Enlil's temple, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters, built the Kura-igi-ĝ̃al, the ziggurat temple, his beloved temple.

Religion & Myth·Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 04

(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful king.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 05

(i 1) For Enlil, the king of all lands, his master, Amar-Suena, whose name was proclaimed by Enlil in Nibru, the steadfast supporter of Enlil's temple, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters, installed this (door socket) at Enlil's pure foundation pit, at the place that fills Amar-Suena's heart with joy.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 06

(1) For Enlil, the king of all lands, his beloved master, Amar-Suena, nominated by Enlil in Nibru, the steadfast supporter of Enlil's temple, the powerful king, king of Urim, king of the four quarters, built the temple in which syrup, ghee, and wine never cease in (Enlil's) place of offering.

Religion & Myth·Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 07

(o 1') ... whose name was prošlaimed by ..., the steadfast supporter of Enlilś temple, the powerful ..., king of Urim, king of the four quarterṣ built the E-temen-ni-guru, his beloved temple, in Urim.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 08

(1) For Ningal, his lady, Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters, built the Ĝipar-kug, her beloved temple. He dedicated it to her for his well-being.

Religion & Myth·Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 09

(1) Since the dawn of time no temple has been built for the Dubla-maḫ except for an offering-place, where a reed hut was erected, (but now) for Nanna, his beloved master, Amar-Suena, the beloved of Nanna, whose name was proclaimed by Enlil in Nibru, the steadfast supporter of Enlil's temple, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters, built a temple for the Dubla-maḫ, the building marvelled at by the Land, his place of rendering judgements, his net, the one from which no enemy of Amar-Suena may escape. He made it shining, decorated it with gold, silver, and lapis lazuli. In…

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 11

(1) Amar-Suena, whose name was proclaimed by Enlil in Nibru, the steadfast supporter of Enlil's temple, the powerful king, king of Urim, king of the four quarters, erected the statue (with the name) "It is him whose name was proclaimed by Suen who is the beloved of Urim". (1) Copy of a baked brick from the excavated debris of Urim, the work of Amar-Suena, king of Urim, that Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, military governor of Urim, found while looking for the ground-plan of the E-kiš-nu-ĝal. Nabû-šuma-iddin, son of Iddin-Papsukkal, the lamentation-priest of Sîn, read and copied it for viewing. (14) Whoever…

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 13

(1) For Inana, the lady of battle, his beloved spouse, Amar-Suena, whose name was proclaimed by Enlil in Nibru, the steadfast supporter of Enlil's temple, the powerful king, king of Urim, king of the four quarters, fashioned her bronze ... of the E-ĝipar. He dedicated it to her for his well-being.

Religion & Myth·Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 14

(1) For Inana, lady of the evening, her lady, Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters, built her temple.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 19

(1) En-maḫ-gal-ana, the en priestess of Nanna.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 2008

(o 1) To Nungal, lady of the prisons, the life-giving lady, his lady, Puzur-ilī, the chief administrator of the E-ugti, dedicated this (stone tablet) for the well-being of Amar-Suena, whose name was proclaimed by Enlil in Nibru, the steadfast supporter of Enlil's temple, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters.

Religion & Myth·Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 2024add / CDLI Seals 005543 (CDLI Seals 005543 (composite))

(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Dan-ili, the scribe, child of ..., is your servant.

Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 2033add / CDLI Seals 000215 (CDLI Seals 000215 (composite))

(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful king, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Lugal-kugzu, the scribe, is your servant.

Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 2034add / CDLI Seals 000245 (CDLI Seals 000245 (composite))

(i 1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Lu-Nanna, the scribe, child of Inim-Šara, land recorder of the king, is your servant.

Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 2035add / CDLI Seals 000256 (CDLI Seals 000256 (composite))

(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful king, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: ..., the scribe, child of Iddin-Suen, is your servant.

Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 2039add / CDLI Seals 005909 (CDLI Seals 005909 (composite))

(i 1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Nanna-maba, the scribe, child of Unapšen, is your servant.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 2042add / CDLI Seals 000303 (CDLI Seals 000303 (composite))

(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters, presented (this seal) to Nawir-ilum, the shepherd, his servant.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 2043add / CDLI Seals 005895 (CDLI Seals 005895 (composite))

(i 1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Šarakam, the scribe, child of Inim-Šara, land recorder of the king, is your servant.

Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 2044add / CDLI Seals 005434 (CDLI Seals 005434 (composite))

(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful king: Šulgida-nirĝal is your servant.

Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 2048add / CDLI Seals 005045 (CDLI Seals 005045 (composite))

(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Umani, the scribe, child of ..., is your servant.

Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 2049add / CDLI Seals 000423 (CDLI Seals 000423 (composite))

(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful king, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Ur-Bau, the scribe, is your servant.

Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 2054add / CDLI Seals 000491 (CDLI Seals 000491 (composite))

(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful king, king of Urim: Ur-Nintur, the scribe, child of Duga, is your servant.

Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 2058add / CDLI Seals 001560 (CDLI Seals 001560 (composite))

(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful king, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Ur-Šulpae, the scribe, child of Ur-Haya, is your servant.

Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 2059add / CDLI Seals 000516 (CDLI Seals 000516 (composite))

(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Ur-Šulpae, the scribe, child of Ur-Haya, is your servant.

Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 2064add

(i 1) Amar-Suena, the powerful king, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Lu-Nanna, the royal scribe, child of Ur-Suen, is your servant.

Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Amar-Suena 22 / CDLI Seals 005914 (CDLI Seals 005914 (composite))

(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Ur-Bau is his child.

Writing & Literature

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Šu-Suen 11

Records Habaluke, governor of Adab, dedicating a temple to Šu-Suen: evidence that provincial governors constructed cult buildings in the ruling king's name, binding local religious patronage to Ur III royal ideology.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianETCSRI

Šulgi 12

Dedicatory inscription naming Šulgi as 'king of Sumer and Akkad': one of the textual anchors for dating his building programme at the Ninĝirsu temple and tracking the titulature of Ur III kingship.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

1…4 5 6…32