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351–400 of 443
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Letter from Puzur-Shulgi to Ibbi-Suen about Ishbi-Erra's claim on Isin
Say to Ibbi-Suen, my lord: this is what Puzur-Culgi, the governor of Kazallu, your servant, says: A messenger of Icbi-Erra came to me. He presented himself before me announcing: "Icbi-Erra, my lord, sends you a message: " 'Enlil, my lord, has ...... the shepherdship of the land. Enlil has told me to bring before Ninisina the cities, deities and troops of the region of the Tigris, Euphrates, Ab-gal and Me-Enlila watercourses, from the province of Hamazi to the sea of Magan (1 ms. has instead: and from the ...... of Magan), so as to make Isin the storehouse of Enlil, to make it famous, and to make those regions its spoils of war and to make Isin's citizens occupy their cities (1 ms. has instead: to make Isin's citizens occupy the cities as spoils of war).' "
MythologyLetter from Puzur-Shulgi to Shulgi about the advance of the enemy
Say to my lord: this is what Puzur-Culgi (1 ms. has instead: Puzur-Marduk) (1 other ms. has instead: Puzur-Numucda) , the commander of the fortress Igi-hursaja, your servant, says: All the gold and silver (1 ms. has instead: gold and lapis lazuli) (1 other ms. has instead: silver and gold) that my lord has been fashioning for the (1 ms. adds: great) gods -- is it not for his own life? For the life (1 ms. has instead: the well-being) of the troops and his land, my king has built the great fortress Igi-hursaja for the people of his land, because of the wicked enemy. And now the enemy troops have risen up. One (1 ms. has instead: ...... ) man who had fled from me has been brought back. Having been caught, he has given me evidence of this, and went ahead (1 ms. has instead: "...... go!", and I (?) went).
MythologyLetter from Sîn-iddinam to the god Utu about the distress of Larsa
Say to Utu my lord, the exalted judge of heaven and earth, who cares for the Land, who renders verdicts; just god, who loves to keep man alive, who heeds entreaty, who extends mercy, who knows ...... compassion, who loves justice, who selects honesty, ......: Repeat to the bearded one, the son of Ningal, ...... a lapis-lazuli beard, who opens the bolts of heaven and earth (1 ms. has instead: who opens the bolts), who creates brightness in darkness; foremost lord who alone is resplendent, whose greatness is unequalled; warrior, son given birth by Ningal, who guards and gathers together the divine powers; just god, prince who determines all the fates, my lord, father of the black-headed: this is what Sîn-iddinam, king of Larsa, your servant, says:
MythologyLetter from Sîn-illat to Iddin-Dagan about confronting the Martu
Speak to my lord: this is what Sîn-illat the general, your servant, says: When I moved opposite Kakkulatum, the Martu rose up from their ambush with their weapons (?). When I ......, I captured 70 (?) ...... and brought them into Kakkulatum. If my lord arranges for the troops to encamp, let him have them take their tied-up leather sacks. If my lord arranges for the troops not to encamp, then let them stay put (2 mss. have instead: then let them go). May my lord know (1 ms. has instead: This is urgent)!
MythologyLetter from Sharrum-bani to Shu-Suen about keeping the Martu at bay
Say to Cu-Suen, my lord: this is what Carrum-bani, the 'Sage of the Assembly', your servant, says: You sent me a message ordering me to work on the construction of the great fortification MurÏq-tidnim. You presented yourself before me (1 ms. has instead: A messenger presented himself before me), announcing: "The Martu have invaded the land". You instructed me (1 ms. has instead: You have imposed on me as a task (?)) to build the fortification, so as to cut off their route; also, that no breaches of the Tigris or the Euphrates should cover the fields with water. When I was setting out, their ...... from the bank of the Abgal watercourse to the province of Zimudar.
MythologyLetter from Shu-Suen to Sharrum-bani about digging a trench
Say to Carrum-bani: this is what Cu-Suen, your lord, says: The messenger whom you have sent to me ....... ...... you do not exceed ...... my instructions, as I ordered you. 1 line unclear As for myself, whatever you say to me ....... When you went into the province -- who but you (?) has approached the province? Midnight ....... When their dignitaries have ...... their words, if ...... 1 line unclear Their dignitaries should stand by you in (?) their quarters. When their ...... have been cast away, they themselves ...... the province. If ...... officials should pass by (?), 1 line unclear By (?) placing the enemy, their cities, their borders ......, until they come down (1 ms. has instead: they come out from their fortress), they must not overturn it!
MythologyLetter from Shulgi (?) to Aradju about troops
To Aradju ......: ...... Culgi (?) ......: 2 lines fragmentary As regards your concern ....... May ....... For their troops ...... not ....... 1 line fragmentary Their troops .......
MythologyLetter from Shulgi to Aradngu about Aba-indasa
Say to Aradju: This is what your lord Culgi says: Because Aba-indasa, the captain of the pledged troops, had sent a letter concerning ......, he (?) indeed insisted on clamping down heavily, when you have borne (?) the offence. Why do they (?) let him rise up from among their troops and make him enter ...... of my guard? Carry (?) it (?), and have your heart bear (?) the offence, ...... the enemy has departed, and then return him to (?) their troops! From my own ......, ...... the fortress ....... approx. 2 lines fragmentary I had set up ....... ...... the fortress ......, you knew (?) ....... ...... sending my letter by his hand (?), ...... return him (?) to their troops!
MythologyLetter from Shulgi to Aradngu about Apillasha
Say to Aradju: this is what Culgi, your lord, says: The man to whom I have sent you is not your subordinate -- he will not accept (1 ms. has instead: change) orders from your hand! How can you ignore what he himself has done too, and that it is indeed so? As I myself ordered, you were to secure the provinces, and to correctly guide the people and make them obedient (2 mss. have instead: secure the foundations of the provinces). When you approach the cities of the provinces, inform yourself precisely of their intentions, and inform yourself of the words of their dignitaries. Let my roar be…
MythologyLetter from Shulgi to Ishbi-Erra about the purchase of grain
Say to Icbi-Erra: this is what Culgi, your lord, says: You have made me so happy with the news and everything. Who could give me a house-born slave such as you are? Who has such a capable man, so beneficial to his lord? Now, no sign can confirm (?) anything of what I have been sending to you, but I have sent it to you anyway (?). I had Babati ......, the ...... official -- who is to me a grandfather, an advisor of longstanding, who knows how to give advice -- send you 600 talents of silver and 600 talents of gold, which I had delivered (?) to you because (?) of the taking of ...... from my troops.
MythologyLetter from Shulgi to Puzur-Shulgi about waterways
Say to Puzur-Culgi, commander of the fortress Igi-hursaja: this is what Culgi, your lord, says: Where (1 ms. has instead: when) I had built the great fortress Igi-hursaja, the ...... not come out. The ...... cannot drink water, because of a breach (?) in (?) the Tigris and Euphrates (1 ms. has instead: ...... together with the Euphrates). In order that ...... should lie down, in order that ...... should be absolutely clean, in order that ...... should be put (?) ......, 1 line missing I will make ...... change ....... After sending you back ......, I (?) instructed you ....... I (?) have built there (?) ....... They returned (?) .......
MythologyLetter from Shulgi to Puzur-Shulgi about work on the fortress Igi-hursanga
Say to Puzur-Culgi, the commander ......: this is what Culgi, your lord, says: When I had ...... the fortress Igi-hursaja, and An and Enlil had ...... supreme rule over all the foreign lands and the widespread people, the cities and the Land ......, and the people of the widespread Land lay ....... 1 line fragmentary unknown no. of lines missing They should mobilise all these cities. When the master-builder (?) has taken up the work concerned, he is to re-establish securely any place where the fortification has fallen into ruins. Let him reinforce and also rebuild it. The neglected work load is to be completed within one month; I shall be questioning him about this work.
MythologyLetter from Ur-dun to Shulgi about the purchase of cedar resin
Say to my lord: this is what the merchant Ur-dun, your servant, says: My lord gave me silver and sent me to a distant land in order to purchase cedar resin. After I had entered the land and had purchased cedar resin, Apillaca, the 'Sage of the Assembly', sent men to me and they took away my goods. When I arrived at his palace gate, no one enquired about my business. Aradju, your servant, and Babati, the ...... official, had gone from Zimudar to Simurrum and had learnt ...... and their messengers ....... ...... of my lord ....... Being in a weak (?) position, I was not able to ...... their illegal seizure.
MythologyLetter from Ur-saga to a king fearing the loss of his father's household: composite text
Speak to my lord, the bull (1 ms. has instead: wild bull) (1 other ms. has instead: bison (?)) with sparkling eyes, who wears a lapis-lazuli beard: Repeat to my golden statue born on a favourable day, to my water buffalo reared in a holy fold, chosen in the heart of holy Inana (1 ms. has instead: of holy Inana, ...... of Suen), to my lord, the trusted one of Inana: You are fashioned like the son of An. As with the words of a god, what you say is irrevocable (1 ms. has instead: all the foreign lands cannot answer (?) your words). Your words, like rain pouring from the skies, are uncountable (1 ms. has instead: are uncheckable) (1 other ms. has instead: are uncontrollable (?)): this is what Ur-saga, your servant, says:
MythologyLetter from X to the god Nanna
Say to Nanna, the firstborn son of Enlil, who loves prayers; repeat to the lord whose light spreads widely, the crown of heaven and earth, the great lord who loves to revive man; the father of the black-headed; the merciful king, who can untie and release; the merciful, compassionate god who listens to appeals: You, who are perfect in lordship and wear the legitimate headdress, the one with gleaming appearance and noble countenance, holy form endowed lavishly with beauty: your greatness covers all countries. Your fearsome radiance overwhelms the holy sky. Your great awesomeness is imbued with…
MythologyLetter to Shulgi about bandits and brigands
The men (?) started irrigation work (?) on the watercourses, ...... the watercourses ...... (1 ms. has instead: and dug and cleaned them out thoroughly). These bandits and brigands applied their hoes to levelling the desert completely. As for their men and their women (1 ms. adds: ...... the road (?) ......): the man among them goes wherever he pleases, the woman among them (1 ms. has instead: the woman), holding a spindle and hair clasp in her hand, goes (?) (1 ms. has instead: ......) (1 other ms. has instead: going) the way of her choice. In the vastness of the desert they set up (1 ms. has instead: they knock up) animal pens, and after setting up their tents and camps (1 ms. has instead: they lie in (?) green meadows in their (?) tents and camps), their workers and agricultural labourers spend the day together on the fields.
MythologyLugalbanda
Lugalbanda lies idle in the mountains, in the faraway places; he has ventured into the Zabu mountains. No mother is with him to offer advice, no father is with him to talk to him. No one is with him whom he knows, whom he values, no confidant is there to talk to him. In his heart he speaks to himself: "I shall treat the bird as befits him, I shall treat Anzud as befits him. I shall greet his wife affectionately. I shall seat Anzud's wife and Anzud's child at a banquet. An will fetch Ninguenaka for me from her mountain home -- the expert woman, who redounds to her mother's credit, Ninkasi the…
MythologyLugalbanda in the mountain cave
When in ancient days heaven was separated from earth, when in ancient days that which was fitting ......, when after the ancient harvests ...... barley was eaten (?), when boundaries were laid out and borders were fixed, when boundary-stones were placed and inscribed with names, when dykes and canals were purified, when ...... wells were dug straight down; when the bed of the Euphrates, the plenteous river of Unug, was opened up, when ......, when ......, when holy An removed ......, when the offices of en and king were famously exercised at Unug, when the sceptre and staff of Kulaba were…
MythologyLullaby for a son of Shulgi (Shulgi N)
Ah, ah, may he grow sturdy through my crooning, may he flourish through my crooning! May he put down strong foundations as roots, may he spread branches wide like a cakir plant! Lord, from this you know our whereabouts; among those resplendent apple trees overhanging the river, may someone who passes by (?) reach out his hand, may someone lying there raise his hand. My son, sleep will overtake you, sleep will settle on you. Sleep come, sleep come, sleep come to my son, sleep hasten (?) to my son! Put to sleep his open eyes, settle your hand upon his sparkling eyes -- as for his murmuring tongue, let the murmuring not spoil his sleep.
MythologyNanna-Suen's journey to Nibru
The heroic Nanna-Suen fixed his mind on the city of his mother. Suen Acimbabbar fixed his mind on the city of his mother. Nanna-Suen fixed his mind on the city of his mother and his father. Acimbabbar fixed his mind on the city of Enlil and Ninlil: "I, the hero, will set off for my city. I will set off for my city, I will set off to my father. I, Suen, will set off for my city. I will set off for my city, I will set off to my father. I will set off to my father Enlil. I will set off for my city, I will set off to my mother. I will set off to my mother Ninlil. I will set off to my father. "The shining city, the pure place ....... 6 lines missing ...... very great, ...... very great, ...... very great, ...... very great.
MythologyNanshe and the birds (Nanshe C)
The pelican (?) came forth from the holy reed-beds. It came forth from the holy reed-beds. The wise pelican (?) spent the day high in the skies. The pelican (?) cried out in the sky: its singing was sweet and its voice was pleasing. My lady ...... her pelican (?) with beauty. The mistress mother Nance ...... her pelican (?) with beauty. "I am the mistress! How can my pelican (?) ......? How can I ......? I am Nance! How can my pelican (?) ...... holy? How can ......?" She herself ...... upon the water like a large pelican (?). Stepping onto earth from heaven, she ...... in the water like a…
MythologyNingishzida's journey to the nether world
"Arise and get on board, arise, we are about to sail, arise and get on board!" -- Woe, weep for the bright daylight, as the barge is steered away! -- "I am a young man! Let me not be covered against my wishes by a cabin, as if with a blanket, as if with a blanket!" Stretching out a hand to the barge, to the young man being steered away on the barge, stretching out a hand to my young man Damu (1 ms. has instead: lord Ninjiczida) being taken away on the barge, stretching out a hand to Ictaran of the bright visage being taken away on the barge, stretching out a hand to Alla, master of the…
MythologyNininsina and the gods (Nininsina F)
They ...... stood around her. The holy and pure divine powers befit Nininsina, lady of the great divine powers. Her divine powers are divine powers bestowed on her by An. The Great Mountain, Enlil, determined a fate for her. Having left the temple of Enlil, she entered Eridug, the pleasant place, and took her seat in the abzu shrine. Her father, Enki, seated her upon his knees. He truly cherished Nininsina -- as soon as ...... took a fancy to jewels of cuba stone, they were hung around the neck of Nininsina; as soon as she took a fancy to a white linen garment, he dressed the daughter of holy An in it. Lord Nudimmud determined a fate for her. unknown no. of lines missing
MythologyNininsina's journey to Nibru: a shir-namshub to Nininsina (Nininsina C)
14 lines missing 1 line fragmentary ...... escorts her to ....... She sails on the Euphrates, amid the holy reed-shoots; ....... She moors the boat at the Wine Quay; Enki ....... Humbly she ...... Enlil's house. She ...... food offerings ...... of Enlil. She slaughters cattle and sheep ...... Enlil. ...... greets her from his eternal royal offering-place; ...... his shining ...... upon her. Joyfully ....... 1 line fragmentary 35 lines missing
MythologyNintinuga's dog
Lugal-murub the son of Zuzu, the master-scribe of Nibru, has fashioned for Nintinuga his messenger (?) dog Tuni-lu-sag. That is why the dog will wag his tail or bare (?) his teeth for his mistress the queen of heaven and earth, the provider of food, the stewardess of Enlil, the sweet breast satisfying all lands, the bringer of abundance, who can diagnose the intentions of the virulent asag demon and who checks people's bones; who examines the sinews of life and the sinews of death, comforting those joints; who knows every sick spot where there is affliction, torment or distress -- the kindly physician, the exorcist to the sick, who looks after the hearts of humans.
MythologyNinurta's journey to Eridug: a shirgida to Ninurta (Ninurta B)
The hero ...... coming forth from the E-kur; Ninurta ...... coming forth from the E-kur, 1 line fragmentary ...... Ninurta, the son of Enlil, 1 line fragmentary in order to instruct ......, Ninurta went from the place of Enlil to Eridug. To determine a destiny of abundance, to improve ...... all the ......, to see that vegetation should grow lushly in the spacious land, to see that the cow-pens and sheepfolds should be heavy with butter and cream to make the shepherds rejoice, the warrior Ninurta went to Eridug. To see that the Tigris and the Euphrates should roar, to see that ......, to see…
MythologyPabilsang's journey to Nibru
The wild bull with brindled thighs, whose house is noble! My king, the wild bull with brindled thighs, whose house is noble! Pabilsaj, the wild bull with brindled thighs, whose house is noble! His house, the house of Larag, is noble, his house is noble! His city, a mighty city, is abundant, and his house is noble! The warrior's house is the house of Larag; Lord Pabilsaj's city is a mighty city ....... His birthplace was the shrine Nibru ....... The place where he drank good milk was the house ....... From the place, the pure place, ....... Isin, the unique house ....... The place which the bull embraces ....... Like a scorpion rising up from among the thorns, he is a fearsome scorpion; like a wolf rising up from his lair, he is likely to growl; like a lion rising up in the pathway, he is likely to beat .......
MythologyPoem of Utu-hejal
Enlil, the king of all the lands, entrusted Utu-hejal, the mighty man, the king of Unug, the king of the four quarters, the king whose orders cannot be countermanded, with wiping out the name of Gutium, the fanged (?) snake of the mountains, who acted with violence against the gods, who carried off the kingship of Sumer to foreign lands, who filled Sumer with wickedness, who took away spouses from the married and took away children from parents, who made wickedness and violence normal in the Land. He went to his lady, Inana, and prayed to her: "My lady, lioness in the battle, who butts the foreign lands, Enlil has entrusted me with bringing back the kingship to Sumer. May you be my help!"
MythologyPraise of Lipit-Eshtar (Lipit-Eshtar B)
Lipit-Ectar, proud king, enthroned prince, most seemly offshoot of kingship, who walks like Utu, brilliant light of the Land, lofty in nobility, riding on the great divine powers; who settles the people in the four quarters; favoured by Enlil, beloved by Ninlil, trustworthy youth with shining eyes, worthy of the throne-dais, whose seemly head is adorned with the tiara, the good headdress, who holds in his hand (1 ms. has instead: is perfect with) the sceptre over the black-headed, prince Lipit-Ectar, son of Enlil, wise shepherd, who leads the people to let them relax ...... in pleasant shade, lord, great bison, beloved by An! Your trust is put in mother Ninlil; Lipit-Ectar, you exert great power.
MythologyRulers of Lagash
After the flood had swept over and brought about the destruction of the countries; when mankind was made to endure, and the seed of mankind was preserved and the black-headed people all rose; when An and Enlil called the name of mankind and established rulership, but kingship and the crown of the city had not yet come out from heaven, and Nin-jirsu had not yet established for the multitude of well-guarded (?) people the pickaxe, the spade, the earth basket and the plough, which mean life for the Land -- in those days, the carefree youth of man lasted for 100 years and, following his upbringing, he lasted for another 100 years.
MythologySîn-iddinam and Ishkur (Sîn-iddinam E)
When Ickur -- the lord, the storm, the ...... lion, the great storm of heaven and earth, confident in his majesty, the foremost, the advocate, the son of An, whose head is clothed in power, the fearsome chief lord, the great storm that has no rival ......, who masses the clouds -- rushes within the storm, the earth trembles before him. A majestic wind bellowing in the broad heavens, whose thunder signifies abundance -- when he utters his cries, the Land and the great mountains are fearful. Great hero, holding the shepherd's crook in his hand and clasping authority at his side -- when he roars over the sea and covers the Land with radiance, huge hailstones ...... and slanting (?) rain, ...... they set up ...... for him.
MythologySamsu-iluna and Inana (Samsu-iluna A)
The ornament of fearsome divine powers, the great knife of masculinity, looked at him with joyful eye and shining brow. She conferred attractiveness on his beauty. She made charm approach the colourful statue. She erected the statue for him against (?) the opposing side. She took its precious form to her heart (?). With overflowing heart, she ....... Inana blessed the king in words: "Lord, your destiny is a good one, and will delight the beloved. Samsu-iluna, to choose the colourful ......, I will establish, benevolently according to my sight, and lasting for ever, and will fix (?) for you a joyous celebration of incantation rituals (?). I will fight off (?) the people of the other side for you. Samsu-iluna, it is your power to possess strength, lord of all people! You are ...... your handsome hero, you keep watch."
MythologySelf-praise of Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan A)
Enlil, by far ...... 2 lines missing He to whom the great gods pay attention; foundation deposit of the Anuna, living ...... of the Enki deities; he whose great divine powers know no opponents, whose ...... excel all others, whose ...... is achieved by no one; whose ...... return of their own accord, whose ...... is very sweet in heaven and on earth, whose ...... founds cities, whose ...... establishes the Land; ...... wisdom is perfect as time passes; ...... wise in command, re-establishing justice ......, adviser who never tires of discussion; ......, giving verdicts, ......, judge of heaven and earth 1 line damaged guiding the living ......, father Enlil, shepherd of the black-headed, by his ...... making the foreign countries bow low.
MythologySelf-praise of Shulgi (Shulgi D)
O my king, great bull with splendid limbs, dragon with a lion's eyes! Shepherd Culgi, great bull with splendid limbs, dragon with a lion's eyes! Bull-calf born in the cattle-pen of abundance, thriving there! Mighty one fit for heroism, the ornament of his Land! Righteous man, invested with justice by Utu! Fierce leopard who feeds on rich milk, rampant bull who was born to be a great beast! A lapis-lazuli beard, a holy breast -- marvellous to behold! O king, joy of the royal tiara! Culgi, ornament of the legitimate crown, wearing the pectoral of godhead, named by An with a good name! Good shepherd, endowed with strength by Enlil, Culgi, the beloved of Ninlil's heart!
MythologyShulgi and Ninlil's Barge (Shulgi R)
Oh barge, Enki assigned the quay of abundance to you as your fate. Father Enlil looked at you with approval. Your lady, Ninlil, commanded your construction. She entrusted it to the faithful provider, king Culgi; and the shepherd, who is of broad intelligence and who will not rest day and night in thinking deeply about you. He, the wise one, who is proficient in planning, he, the omniscient one, will fell large cedars in the huge forests for you. He will make you perfect and you will be breathtaking to look upon. Your woven ...... is ....... Your covering reed-mats are the daylight spreading…
MythologyThe advice of a supervisor to a younger scribe (E-duba C)
(The supervisor speaks:) "One-time member of the school, come here to me, and let me explain to you what my teacher revealed. "Like you, I was once a youth and had a mentor. The teacher assigned a task to me -- it was man's work. Like a springing reed, I leapt up and put myself to work. I did not depart from my teacher's instructions, and I did not start doing things on my own initiative. My mentor was delighted with my work on the assignment. He rejoiced that I was humble before him and he spoke in my favour. "I just did whatever he outlined for me -- everything was always in its place. Only…
MythologyThe building of Ningirsu´s temple
On the day when in heaven and earth the fates had been decided, Lagac raised its head high in full grandeur, and Enlil looked at lord Nin-jirsu with approval. In our city there was perfection. The heart overflowed with joy, Enlil's heart, a river in flood, overflowed with joy. The heart overflowed with joy, and just as the Tigris brings sweet water, so Enlil, whose will is an enormous flood, sparkling and awe-inspiring, came to a sweet decision: ´The lord called for his house and I intend to make the grandeur of E-ninnu known everywhere. Using his wisdom, the ruler will achieve great things. He will direct faultless cattle and kids for offering. It is for him the fated brick is waiting. It is by him that the building of the house is to be done.´
MythologyThe cursing of Agade
After Enlil's frown had slain Kic as if it were the Bull of Heaven, had slaughtered the house of the land of Unug in the dust as if it were a mighty bull, and then Enlil had given the rulership and kingship from the south as far as the highlands to Sargon, king of Agade -- at that time, holy Inana established the sanctuary of Agade as her celebrated woman's domain; she set up her throne in Ulmac. Like a young man building a house for the first time, like a girl establishing a woman's domain, holy Inana did not sleep as she ensured that the warehouses would be provisioned; that dwellings would…
MythologyThe death of Gilgamesh
...... hero ...... has lain down and is never to rise again. ...... has lain down and is never to rise again. He of well-proportioned limbs ...... has lain down and is never to rise again. ...... has lain down and is never to rise again. He who ...... wickedness has lain down and is never to rise again. The young man ...... has lain down and is never to rise again. He who was perfect in ...... and feats of strength has lain down and is never to rise again. ...... has lain down and is never to rise again. The lord of Kulaba has lain down and is never to rise again. He who spoke most wisely has…
MythologyThe death of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma A)
...... entire land ......, ....... struck, the palace was devastated. ...... panic spread rapidly among the dwellings of the black-headed people. ...... abandoned places ...... in Sumer. ...... the cities were destroyed in their entirety; the people were seized with panic. Evil came upon Urim and made the trustworthy shepherd pass away. It made Ur-Namma, the trustworthy shepherd, pass away; it made the trustworthy shepherd pass away. Because An had altered his holy words completely, ...... became empty, and because, deceitfully, Enlil had completely changed the fate he decreed, Ninmah began a…
MythologyThe debate between Bird and Fish
In those ancient days, when the good destinies had been decreed, and after An and Enlil had set up the divine rules of heaven and earth, then the third of them, ......, the lord of broad wisdom, Enki, the master of destinies, gathered together ...... and founded dwelling places; he took in his hand waters to encourage and create good seed; he laid out side by side the Tigris and the Euphrates, and caused them to bring water from the mountains; he scoured out the smaller streams, and positioned the other watercourses. ...... Enki made spacious sheepfolds and cattle-pens, and provided shepherds…
MythologyThe debate between Sheep and Grain
When, upon the hill of heaven and earth, An spawned the Anuna gods, since he neither spawned nor created Grain with them, and since in the Land he neither fashioned the yarn of Uttu (the goddess of weaving) nor pegged out the loom for Uttu -- with no Sheep appearing, there were no numerous lambs, and with no goats, there were no numerous kids, the sheep did not give birth to her twin lambs, and the goat did not give birth to her triplet kids; the Anuna, the great gods, did not even know the names Ezina-Kusu (Grain) or Sheep. There was no muc grain of thirty days; there was no muc grain of…
MythologyThe debate between Silver and Copper
5 lines fragmentary (Silver (?) speaks:) "Powerful with huge arms, does he have any rival? He walks carrying the precious hammer stone and anvil stone. He can create ...... and thus make it larger -- ......, a brother, is your right arm; ......, a mother (?), is your left (?). He has created ......; let him show it off. Constantly digging ......, let him accumulate goods. After exalted ...... conceived (?) him, after ...... like a breast, after ...... towards the abzu, ...... to the edge of the horizon, may ...... bring ...... for you. After ...... made ......." 2 lines fragmentary 31 lines missing
MythologyThe debate between the Date Palm and the Tamarisk
The Tamarisk opened his mouth and spoke. He addressed the Date Palm: "My body ...... the bodies of the gods. (The reference is to statues of tamarisk wood.) You grow your fruits but someone places them before me like a maid approaching her mistress. You do not provide the measuring vessels. You are ...... minor crops, but I ....... Your attendants ...... before me for you." In his anger the Date Palm answered him. He addressed his brother the Tamarisk: "You say: "If people build daises for me and beautify them too, they certainly do not swear by the gods before clay (?)." -- You may be the body of the gods in their shrines and people may name with a good name the daises of the gods, but it is silver that can pride itself as the overlay of the gods. ......, describe your beauty!" unknown no. of lines missing
MythologyThe debate between the Hoe and the Plough
O the Hoe, the Hoe, the Hoe, tied together with thongs; the Hoe, made from poplar, with a tooth of ash; the Hoe, made from tamarisk, with a tooth of sea-thorn; the Hoe, double-toothed, four-toothed; the Hoe, child of the poor, ...... bereft even of a loin-cloth (?) -- the Hoe started a quarrel ...... with the Plough. The Hoe having engaged in a dispute with the Plough, the Hoe addressed the Plough: "Plough, you draw furrows -- what does your furrowing matter to me? You break clods -- what does your clod-breaking matter to me? When water overflows you cannot dam it up. You cannot fill baskets…
MythologyThe debate between Winter and Summer
An lifted his head in pride and brought forth a good day. He laid plans for ...... and spread the population wide. Enlil set his foot upon the earth like a great bull. Enlil, the king of all lands, set his mind to increasing the good day of abundance, to making the ...... night resplendent in celebration, to making flax grow, to making barley proliferate, to guaranteeing the spring floods at the quay, to making ...... lengthen (?) their days in abundance, to making Summer close the sluices of heaven, and to making Winter guarantee plentiful water at the quay. He copulated with the great…
MythologyThe dedication of an axe to Nergal
Nibruta-lu, the son of the merchant Lugal-cuba, has had this tin axe made for Nergal. Its wooden part is of arganum tree of the mountains, a wood which is superior even to the alal stone; its stone part is of antasura, a stone which has no equal. The arm of the man who strikes with it will never get tired. Should it break, I will repair it for Nergal. Should it disappear, I will replace it for him. May Nergal look after me during my life, and may he provide me with clean water in the underworld after my death.
MythologyThe exaltation of Inana (Inana B)
Lady of all the divine powers, resplendent light, righteous woman clothed in radiance, beloved of An and Urac! Mistress of heaven, with the great pectoral jewels, who loves the good headdress befitting the office of en priestess, who has seized all seven of its divine powers! My lady, you are the guardian of the great divine powers! You have taken up the divine powers, you have hung the divine powers from your hand. You have gathered up the divine powers, you have clasped the divine powers to your breast. Like a dragon you have deposited venom on the foreign lands. When like Ickur you roar at the earth, no vegetation can stand up to you. As a flood descending upon (?) those foreign lands, powerful one of heaven and earth, you are their Inana.
MythologyThe exploits of Ninurta
(1 ms. adds before line 1: An, king of the gods, majestic one:) O King, storm of majestic splendour, peerless Ninurta, possessing superior strength; who pillages the Mountains all alone; deluge, indefatigable serpent hurling yourself at the rebel land, Hero striding formidably into battle; Lord whose powerful arm is fit to bear the mace, reaping like barley the necks of the insubordinate; Ninurta, King, son in whose strength his father rejoices; Hero whose awesomeness covers the Mountains like a south storm; Ninurta, who makes the good tiara, the rainbow (?), flash like lightning; grandly…
MythologyThe farmer's instructions
Ud-ul-uru (Old man cultivator) gave advice to his son: When you have to prepare a field, inspect the levees, canals and mounds that have to be opened. When you let the flood water into the field, this water should not rise too high in it. At the time that the field emerges from the water, watch its area with standing water; it should be fenced. Do not let cattle herds trample there. After you cut the weeds and establish the limits of the field, level it repeatedly with a thin hoe weighing two-thirds of a mina (approx. 650 g). Let a flat hoe erase the oxen tracks, let the flied be swept clean. A maul should flatten the furrow bottoms of the area. A hoe should go round the four edges of the field. Until the field is dry it should be smoothed out.
Mythology