All tablets.

CCT 5, 26, BM 115200

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 5, 26, BM 115200. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 5, 26, BM 115207a+b

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 5, 26, BM 115207a+b. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 5, 27, BM 113464

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 5, 27, BM 113464. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 5, 33, BM 115201

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 5, 33, BM 115201. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 5, 37, BM 113519

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 5, 37, BM 113519. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 5, 42, BM 120503

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 5, 42, BM 120503. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 5, 47, BM 113572

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 5, 47, BM 113572. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 03, BM 113379

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 03, BM 113379. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 04, BM 113368

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 04, BM 113368. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 06, BM 113374

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 06, BM 113374. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 06, BM 113442

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 06, BM 113442. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 06, BM 113460

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 06, BM 113460. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 07, BM 113451

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 07, BM 113451. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 07, BM 113467

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 07, BM 113467. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 15, BM 115053 +

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 15, BM 115053 +. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 19, BM 115231

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 19, BM 115231. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 23, BM 115206

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 23, BM 115206. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 24, BM 115224

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 24, BM 115224. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 24, BM 115227

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 24, BM 115227. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 26, BM 115229

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 26, BM 115229. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 27, BM 115202

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 27, BM 115202. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 29, BM 115223

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 29, BM 115223. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 31, BM 115203

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 31, BM 115203. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 31, BM 115205a+

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 31, BM 115205a+. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 31, BM 115220

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 31, BM 115220. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 31, BM 115228

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 31, BM 115228. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 32, BM 115230

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 32, BM 115230. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

CCT 6, 46, BM 115845

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CCT 6, 46, BM 115845. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

~1800 BCE·Old BabylonianEditorial

Plimpton 322

Whatever its purpose, this single tablet shows that Babylonian mathematicians, working in base-60, had an arithmetic understanding of right triangles a millennium before Pythagoras was born.

Astronomy & Mathematics

A balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana A)

The brother speaks gently to his sister, Utu speaks gently to his sister, he speaks tenderly to holy Inana: "Young lady, the flax in the garden beds is full of loveliness, Inana, the flax in the garden beds is full of loveliness, like the barley in the furrows, overflowing with loveliness and delight. Sister (1 ms. has instead: Young lady), you took a fancy to a grand length of linen; Inana, you took a fancy to a grand length of linen. I will dig up the plants for you and give them to you. Young lady (1 ms. has instead: My sister), I will bring you flax from the garden beds. Inana, I will bring you flax from the garden beds."

A balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana B)

"My dearest, my dearest, my dearest, my darling, my darling, my honey of her own mother, my sappy vine, my honey-sweet, my honey-mouthed of her mother! "The gazing of your eyes is pleasant to me; come my beloved sister. The speaking of your mouth is pleasant to me, my honey-mouthed of her mother. The kissing of your lips is pleasant to me; come my beloved sister. "My sister, the beer of your barley is good, my honey-mouthed of her mother. The ale of your beer-bread is good; come my beloved sister. In the house, your luxuriance ......, my honey-mouthed of her mother. My sister, your luxuriance ......, my beloved ....... Your house ...... a storehouse, my honey-mouthed of her mother. You princess, my ......."

A balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana D)

As I was strolling, as I was strolling, as I was strolling ...... the house, as I was strolling, he caught sight of my Inana. "What did the brother say to you and speak to you? He of the loving heart and most sweet charms offered you a gift, my holy Inana. As I looked in that direction, my beloved man met you, and he fell in love with you, and he delighted in you alone! The brother brought you into his house and had you lie down on a bed dripping with honey." When my sweet precious, my heart, had lain down too, each of them in turn kissing with the tongue, each in turn, then my brother of the beautiful eyes did it fifty times to her, exhaustedly waiting for her, as she trembled underneath him, dumbly silent for him. My dear precious passed the time with my brother laying his hands on her hips.

A balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana G)

The burgeoning one, he ...... with his own mother; the one with kindly eyes takes counsel with his father. You are our brother, you are our brother. You are our brother in charge of the palace gate, you are our captain of the barge, you are our commander of the chariot, you are our servant of the hunting chariot; you are our city father and judge, you are the son-in-law of five things, the son-in-law of ten things. Brother, you are the son-in-law of our father, you are our son-in-law supreme; our mother speaks favourably with you. Your coming here is life indeed, your entering the house is abundance; lying at your side is my utmost joy. My sweet, let us delight ourselves on the bed.

A balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana O)

1 line fragmentary Your name ....... As I walk, as I walk, as I pass along the banks of the august river, as I roam along the banks of the Euphrates, as I stand ...... the lord, as I pass along the gaudy streets: May you be ...... a bending reed, may you be barley in the furrows, a beautiful ......, may you be Acnan, who beautifies ......, may you be a nursing mother of the womb, may you be your mother's ......, a vine, my (1 ms. has instead:) your beloved, your personal god's ......, acting grandly (1 ms. has instead:) humanely! May "There is enough, there is enough" be your blessing, and…

A balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inanna C)

"My sister, what have you been doing in the house? Little one, what have you been doing in the house?" "I was bathing, I was rubbing myself with soap. I was washing myself with water from the holy kettle, I was rubbing myself with the soap from the white stone bowl. I was anointing myself with good oil from the stone bowl, and dressing myself in the formal dress proper to Inana. That is how I was busying myself in the house. "I have put lots of kohl on my eyes, I have arranged ...... the nape of my neck. I have washed my dangling hair, I have tested my weapons that make his reign propitious.…

A diatribe against Engar-dug (Diatribe B)

Engar-dug, ......, fool, ......, child raised in ......, disgraced man, madman ...... leather, dropping ...... from a wall! Engar-dug, croaker (?) among singers, a man without good judgment, braggart, ......, a man ......! -- open (?) the house, I have a quarrel with you! In appearance a monkey, a rogue, a witness without shame, not accepting a verdict, a slippery place which respected men avoid, despising (?) the leader of the work-force, a man who does not ...... a festival, a pig spattered with mud, ......! Loving crosstalk and deceit, ......, having got stuck into a quarrel he ...... coming out mouthing insults. A warrior on duty but holding back, .......

A hymn to Ninkasi

Given birth by the flowing water ......, tenderly cared for by Ninhursaja! Ninkasi, given birth by the flowing water ......, tenderly cared for by Ninhursaja! Having founded your town upon wax, she completed its great walls for you. Ninkasi, having founded your town upon wax, she completed its great walls for you. Your father is Enki, the lord Nudimmud, and your mother is Ninti, the queen of the abzu. Ninkasi, your father is Enki, the lord Nudimmud, and your mother is Ninti, the queen of the abzu. It is you who handle the ...... and dough with a big shovel, mixing, in a pit, the beerbread with sweet aromatics. Ninkasi, it is you who handle the ...... and dough with a big shovel, mixing, in a pit, the beerbread with sweet aromatics.

A hymn to Nungal

House, furious storm of heaven and earth, battering its enemies; prison, jail of the gods, august neck-stock of heaven and earth! Its interior is evening light, dusk spreading wide; its awesomeness is frightening. Raging sea which mounts high, no one knows where its rising waves flow. House, a pitfall waiting for the evil one; it makes the wicked tremble! House, a net whose fine meshes are skillfully woven, which gathers up people as its booty! House, which keeps an eye on the just and on evildoers; no one wicked can escape from its grasp. House, river of the ordeal which leaves the just ones…

A love song of Shu-Suen (Shu-Suen A)

It was she who gave birth to the holy one, gave birth to the holy one; the queen gave birth to the holy one, Abi-simti (i.e. Cu-Suen's mother) gave birth to the holy one, the queen gave birth to the holy one -- my cloth beam of the cloth of pleasure, my Abi-simti! My warp beam placed for weaving, my queen Kubatum (i.e. Cu-Suen's concubine)! My one suited to a mane of hair, a wonder to behold, my lord Cu-Suen, my one ...... in words, my son of Culgi -- because I uttered, because I uttered, the lord gave me a gift, because I uttered an exclamation of joy, the lord gave me a gift. The lord gave me as a gift a golden pin, a lapis-lazuli seal. The lord gave me as a gift a golden ring, a silver ring.

A love song of Shu-Suen (Shu-Suen B)

Man of my heart, my beloved man, your allure is a sweet thing, as sweet as honey. Lad of my heart, my beloved man, your allure is a sweet thing, as sweet as honey. You have captivated me (?), of my own free will I will come to you. Man, let me flee with you -- into the bedroom. You have captivated me (?); of my own free will I shall come to you. Lad, let me flee with you -- into the bedroom. Man, let me do the sweetest things to you. My precious sweet, let me bring you honey. In the bedchamber dripping with honey let us enjoy over and over your allure, the sweet thing. Lad, let me do the sweetest things to you. My precious sweet, let me bring you honey.

A love song of Shu-Suen (Shu-Suen C)

My hair is lettuce, well watered. It is the sprout of a lettuce, well watered. Its tangled coils (?) have been tightened. My nursemaid has ...... them high and made my hair stag-like. She has tightened its small combs and brought order to my charms; my charms, my hair, the lettuce, is the fairest of plants. The brother has brought me into his life-giving gaze, Cu-Suen, the ...... handsome man, has chosen me. ...... my allure is without end, 1 line fragmentary 5 lines missing You are our lord, you are our lord, of silver and lapis lazuli, you are our lord. You are our farmer who brings superb grain.

A love song of Shulgi (Shulgi Z)

"The ...... because of you does not ....... My brother, the ...... because of you does not ....... Lad (?), the ...... because of you does not ....... My beloved, the ...... because of you does not ....... My fairest of countenance, the ...... because of you does not ....... Its date clusters because of you are not placed in my hand. Its sheaves are ...... for me. Its ...... are not sweet for me. Grain ...... the silos (?)." "My sister, I would go with you to my fields. My fair sister, I would go with you to my fields. I would go with you to my large fields. I would go with you to my small fields. For my early grain irrigated with its early water, for my late grain irrigated with its late water, ...... its grain ...... sheaves .......

A man and his god

A person should steadfastly proclaim the exaltedness of his god. A young man should devoutly praise the words of his god; the people living in the righteous Land should unravel them like a thread. May the balaj singer assuage the spirit of his neighbour and friend. May it soothe their (?) hearts, bring forth ......, utter ......, and measure out ....... Let his mouth shaping a lament soothe the heart of his god, for a man without a god does not obtain food. There is a young man who does not wickedly put his efforts into evil murder, yet he spends the time in grief, asag illness and bitter…

A praise poem of Anam

Anam, lord, ......, ......, perfect in your broad wisdom, ......, who preserves Nibru, who prevents the city from having ......! Sweet breeze (?) of his city, father of the region of Unug, judge who ...... in his verdicts, reverent ......, who fears An and Inana! Who cherishes E-ana, who is happy there ...... in friendly words! Mighty ......, heart's desire of Inana, who reveres the ...... of the Land, ...... with head high, en priest of Inana, ......, all-knowing! ......, who batters the wrathful, ......, endowed with good looks, ...... who is fearsome; watching ......, richly endowed with…

A praise poem of Enlil-bani (Enlil-bani A)

Enlil-bani, wondrous king among the princes! Created by An, elevated by Enlil, like Utu the light of all lands, born to princedom, girded with all the divine powers, watched over by Enlil and listened to by Ninlil on account of the widespread people living at the boundary of heaven and earth! Fair of ......, lordly of limb! With the shepherd's crook you have settled innumerable people. Enlil-bani, great son of Enki, shepherd (1 ms. has instead: sage) and counsellor who guides living things, who spreads broad shade over all lands, grandiloquent prince whom great An has summoned, great mother Ninlil trusts in you.

A praise poem of Hammu-rabi (Hammu-rabi C)

Enki has esteemed him truly in the shrine, the august place -- the king who loves purification rites and is well-suited to the pure divine powers, the king who is skilled in the precious plans, who is reverent, eloquent and deft (?), the shepherd, favourite of lord Nunamnir and beloved of mother Ninlil, who ...... great food offerings in E-kur, who delights (?) the great prince Enki, ......, who is cherished by holy Damgalnuna: the good shepherd Hammu-rabi. The king has ...... everything in the shrine E-kic-nujal. Hammu-rabi, whose ....... Daily he ...... Nanna and Ningal. The king whose joy is ...... has restored the purification rites, plans and divine powers ....... He will stand there before you ......, o youth Suen, fulfilling ...... all your requirements.

A praise poem of Iddin-Dagan (Iddin-Dagan B)

Iddin-Dagan, in his majestic location An has decided a great fate for you, has made the just crown shine for you, has raised you to shepherdship over the Land, has placed the foreign lands at your feet. Enlil has looked at you truly, Iddin-Dagan, he has spoken truly to you. Enlil has commanded you to keep firm the cosmic bond in Sumer, to keep the people on the track, to let Sumer and Akkad relax under your broad protection, to let the people eat noble food and drink fresh water. Iddin-Dagan, you are the shepherd in his heart, the one whom Enlil has spoken to truly. Enki has brought to you, Iddin-Dagan, broad understanding, knowledge of everything, wise command, a life (?) that comes from the mouth of a lion. May all the foreign lands praise you.

A praise poem of Lipit-Eshtar (Lipit-Eshtar A)

I am a king treated with respect, good offspring from the womb. I am Lipit-Ectar, the son of Enlil. From the moment I lifted my head like a cedar sapling, I have been a man who possesses strength in athletic pursuits. As a young man I grew very muscular (?). I am a lion in all respects (3 mss. have instead: to the extremes (?)), having no equal. I am a gaping dragon, a source of great awe for the soldiers. I am like the Anzud bird, peering about in the heart of the mountains. I am a wild bull whom nobody dares oppose in its anger. I am a bison, sparkling with beautiful eyes, having a…

A praise poem of Sîn-iddinam (Sîn-iddinam A)

...... who worships ....... Sîn-iddinam ...... his departing boat. He provided flour, gold and grain, befitting the great lady. ...... all this choice (?) grain ...... the lapis lazuli E-kur. He transported this cargo to the Quay of Life, the quay of Urim. Joyously he brought it into the majestic house, the house of Suen. Nanna was delighted with the king, and Ningal ...... to him. Nanna was delighted with Sîn-iddinam, and Ningal ...... to him. The Anuna, the great gods, blessed him. He had brought to complete perfection the plenitude, the pure first-fruit offerings, the first-fruit offerings of the new year. (1 ms. adds 1 line: He had transported this cargo to the Quay of Life, the quay of Urim.)

A praise poem of Shulgi (Shulgi A)

I am a child born of Ninsun. I am the choice of holy An's heart. I am the man whose fate was decided by Enlil. I am Culgi, the beloved of Ninlil. I am he who is cherished by Nintud. I am he who was endowed with wisdom by Enki. I am the powerful king of Nanna. I am the growling lion of Utu. I am Culgi, who has been chosen by Inana for his attractiveness. I am a mule, most suitable for the road. I am a horse, whose tail waves on the highway. I am a stallion of Cakkan, eager to run. (1 ms.: I am a donkey of Cakkan, who loves running.) I am a knowledgeable scribe of Nisaba; I have perfected my wisdom just as my heroism and my strength(1 ms. has instead: my distinction). Reliable words can reach (?) me. I cherish righteousness but do not tolerate wickedness. I hate anyone who speaks wickedly.