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.
401–440 of 440
Page 9 / 9
The herds of Nanna (Nanna F)
The lord has burnished (?) the heavens; he has embellished the night (1 ms. has instead: the earth). Nanna has burnished the heavens; he has embellished the night (1 ms. has instead: the earth). When he comes forth from the turbulent mountains, he stands as Utu stands at noon. When Acimbabbar comes forth from the turbulent mountains, he stands as Utu stands at noon. His father, whose word is true, speaks with him day and night. Enlil, whose word is true, speaks with him day and night, and in decision determines the fates with him. His lofty jipar number four. There are four platforms (1 ms. has instead: cattle pens) which he has established for him. His great temple cattle pens, one ece in size, number four. They play for him on the aljarsura instrument (1 ms. has instead: on the churn).
MythologyThe heron and the turtle
What do they say in the reed-beds whose growth is good? In the wide reed-beds of Tutub, whose growth is good? In the marshes of Kiritaba, whose growth is good? In the adara thickets of Akcak, whose growth is good? In Enki's interconnecting (?) lagoons, whose growth is good? In the smaller lagoon, Enki's lagoon, whose growth is good? In Enki's barbar reeds, whose growth is good? In the little zi reeds of Urim, whose growth is good? In Urim, where cows and calves abound, whose growth is good? At that time, the water was drained away from the reeds ......, and they were visible at the sheepfold.…
MythologyThe history of the Tummal
En-me-barage-si, the king, built the Iri-nanam in Enlil's temple. Aga, son of En-me-barage-si, made the Tummal flourish and brought Ninlil into the Tummal. Then the Tummal fell into ruins for the first time. Mes-ane-pada built the Burcucua in Enlil's temple. Mes-ki-aj-nuna, son of Mes-ane-pada, made the Tummal flourish and brought Ninlil into the Tummal. Then the Tummal fell into ruins for a second time. Gilgamec built the Numunbura in Enlil's temple. Ur-lugal, son of Gilgamec, made the Tummal flourish and brought Ninlil into the Tummal. Then the Tummal fell into ruins for a third time. Nanni built the Lofty Garden in Enlil's temple. Mes-ki-aj-Nanna, son of Nanni, made the Tummal flourish and brought Ninlil into the Tummal. Then the Tummal fell into ruins for a fourth time.
MythologyThe home of the fish
My fish, I have built you a home! My fish, I have built you a house, I have built you a store! I have built you a house bigger than a house, in fact a large sheepfold. Inside there is incense, and I have covered it with cloths for you; in this happy place, I ...... water of joy for you; a house not bothered by cords dividing the plots, ...... in the gutters. In the house, there is food, food of the best quality. In the house, there is food, food in good condition. No flies buzz around in your house where beer is poured out. Your reputation ...... cannot be alienated (?). The threshold and the…
MythologyThe instructions of Shuruppag
In those days, in those far remote days, in those nights, in those faraway nights, in those years, in those far remote years, at that time the wise one who knew how to speak in elaborate words lived in the Land; Curuppag, the wise one, who knew how to speak with elaborate words lived in the Land. Curuppag gave instructions to his son; Curuppag, the son of Ubara-Tutu gave instructions to his son Zi-ud-sura: My son, let me give you instructions: you should pay attention! Zi-ud-sura, let me speak a word to you: you should pay attention! Do not neglect my instructions! Do not transgress the words I speak! The instructions of an old man are precious; you should comply with them!
MythologyThe Kesh temple hymn
The princely one, the princely one came forth from the house. Enlil, the princely one, came forth from the house. The princely one came forth royally from the house. Enlil lifted his glance over all the lands, and the lands raised themselves to Enlil. The four corners of heaven became green for Enlil like a garden. Kec was positioned there for him with head uplifted, and as Kec lifted its head among all the lands, Enlil spoke the praises of Kec. Nisaba was its decision-maker (?); with its words she wove it intricately like a net. Written on tablets it was held in her hands: House, platform of…
MythologyThe lament for Eridug
(beginning of 1st kirugu) 4 lines missing The roaring storm covered it like a cloak, was spread over it like a sheet. It covered Eridug like a cloak, was spread over it like a sheet. In the city, the furious storm resounded ....... In Eridug, the furious storm resounded ....... Its voice was smothered with silence as by a sandstorm. Its people ....... Eridug was smothered with silence as by a sandstorm. Its people ....... Its king stayed outside his city as if it were an alien city. He wept bitter tears. Father Enki stayed outside his city as if it were an alien city. He wept bitter tears.…
MythologyThe lament for Nibru
After the cattle pen had been built for the foremost divine powers -- how did it become a haunted place? When will it be restored? Where once the brick of fate had been laid -- who scattered its divine powers? The lamentation is reprised: how did the storeroom of Nibru, the shrine Dur-an-ki, become a haunted place? When will it be restored? After Ki-ur, the sanctuary, had been built, after the brickwork of E-kur had been built, after Ubcu-unkena had been built, after the shrine Egal-mah had been built -- how did they become haunted? When will they be restored? How did the true city become…
MythologyThe lament for Sumer and Urim
To overturn the appointed times, to obliterate the divine plans, the storms gather to strike like a flood. An, Enlil, Enki and Ninhursaja (2 mss. have instead: Ninmah) have decided its fate -- to overturn the divine powers of Sumer, to lock up the favourable reign in its home, to destroy the city, to destroy the house, to destroy the cattle-pen, to level the sheepfold; that the cattle should not stand in the pen, that the sheep should not multiply in the fold, that watercourses should carry brackish water, that weeds should grow in the fertile fields, that mourning plants should grow in the open country,
MythologyThe lament for Unug
(beginning of 1st kirugu) The ...... which had developed -- its wiping clean (?) was to be accomplished (?). The ...... of heaven and earth put their divine powers ...... to sleep (?). 1 line fragmentary ...... mortal man multiplied to become as numerous as the gods. When together ...... had achieved a momentous decision, the ...... of the gods ....... Enki and Ninki determined the consensus -- deemed worthless. Enul and Ninul assigned the fate, ....... When together An and Enlil had created it, that one resembled ....... When Ninlil had given it features, that one was fit for ....... When…
MythologyThe lament for Urim
He has abandoned his cow-pen and has let the breezes haunt his sheepfold. The wild bull has abandoned his cow-pen and has let the breezes haunt his sheepfold. The lord of all the lands has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt his sheepfold. Enlil has abandoned the shrine Nibru and has let the breezes haunt his sheepfold. His wife Ninlil has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. Ninlil has abandoned that house, the Ki-ur, and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. The queen of Kic has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. Ninmah has abandoned that house Kic and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold.
MythologyThe marriage of Martu
When the city of Inab already existed, but the city of Kiritab did not yet exist, when the holy crown already existed, but the holy tiara did not yet exist, when the holy herb already existed, but the holy cedar did not yet exist, when holy salt already existed, but holy alkali did not yet exist, when intercourse and kissing already existed, when giving birth in the fields already existed -- I was the grandfather of the holy cedar, I was the ancestor of the mes tree, I was the mother and father of the white cedar, I was the relative of the hacur cedar. At that time there was a princely land among the cities; Inab was this princely land among the cities. The ruler of Inab was Tigi-cem-ala. Now, he had a wife whose name was Cage-gur (Desired-by-the-heart), and a child, who ......, and her name was .......
MythologyThe message of Lu-dingira to his mother
Royal courier, start the journey! I want to send you to Nibru -- deliver this message! You are going on a long journey. My mother is worried, she cannot sleep (1 ms. has instead: is too (?) ...... to sleep). Although the way to her (1 ms. has instead: the closed) woman's domain is blocked, deliver my letter of greeting into her hands, as she keeps asking (1 ms. has instead: and then she will not keep asking) the travellers (1 ms. has instead: wayfarers) about my well-being. Then my mother will be delighted, and will treat you most kindly (?) for it. In case you should not recognise my mother,…
MythologyThe poem of early rulers
up to 5 lines missing ...... is not made ....... ...... those men were overthrown. ...... the king? He reigned 36,000 years! ...... the king, the one who ascended to heaven? ...... he who, like Zi-ud-sura, tried to find life? ...... he who was honoured and then seized? ...... was not rivalled in the Land? ...... the kings, the leaders of former days? ......, have they not been born? ...... can my hand reach them? ...... no one knows it. ...... is like the twinkling of an eye. Who would consider ...... without cheerfulness to be superior to death? 36,000 years of silence ...... just one day of happiness. Having been given ...... the gods, life was sought for ....... ...... the share of mankind, ...... live in the house of the young men.
MythologyThe return of Ninurta to Nibru
Page created like An, O son of Enlil, Ninurta, created like Enlil, born by Nintud, mightiest of the Anuna gods, who came forth from the mountain range, imbued with terrible awesomeness, son of Enlil, confident in his strength, my sovereign, you are magnificent -- let your magnificence therefore be praised. Ninurta, you are magnificent -- let your magnificence therefore be praised. Sovereign of all the lands, in your massive might, warrior of Enlil, in your great might, fierce warrior, you have taken up the divine powers which are like heaven, son of Enlil, you have taken up the divine powers which are like the earth, you have taken up the divine powers of the mountains, which are heavy as heaven, you have taken up the divine powers of Eridug, which are huge as the earth.
MythologyThe Sargon legend
To ...... the sanctuary like a cargo-ship; to...... its great furnaces; to see that its canals ...... waters of joy, to see that the hoes till the arable tracts and that ...... the fields; to turn the house of Kic, which was like a haunted town, into a living settlement again -- its king, shepherd Ur-Zababa, rose like Utu over the house of Kic. An and Enlil, however, authoritatively (?) decided (?) by their holy command to alter his term of reigning and to remove the prosperity of the palace. Then Sargon -- his city was the city of ......, his father was La'ibum, his mother ......., Sargon ...... with happy heart. Since he was born ....... unknown number of lines missing
MythologyThe shumunda grass
The abba instructed, the abba instructed: When the rain rained, when walls were demolished, when it rained potsherds and fireballs, when one person confronted another defiantly, when there was copulation -- he also copulated, when there was kissing -- he also kissed. When the rain said: "I will rain," when the wall said: "I will rain (scribal error for 'demolish' ?)", when the flood said: "I will sweep everything away" -- Heaven impregnated (?), Earth gave birth, she gave birth also to the cumunda grass. Earth gave birth, Heaven impregnated (?), she gave birth also to the cumunda grass. His…
MythologyThe song of the hoe
Not only did the lord make the world appear in its correct form -- the lord who never changes the destinies which he determines: Enlil, who will make the human seed of the Land come forth (3 mss. have instead: up) from the earth (2 other mss. have instead: chamber) -- and not only did he hasten to separate heaven from earth, and hasten to separate earth from heaven, but, in order to make it possible for humans to grow in 'Where Flesh Came Forth' (2 mss. have instead: 'Where Flesh Grew') [the name of a cosmic location], he first suspended (2 mss. have instead: raised) the axis of the world at Dur-an-ki.
MythologyThe song of the lettuce: a balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana E): composite text
He has sprouted, he has burgeoned, he is well-watered lettuce, my shaded garden of the desert, richly flourishing, his mother's favourite (1 ms. has instead:) he is well-watered lettuce; my grain lovely in beauty in its furrows, he is well-watered lettuce; my first-class fruitful apple tree, he is well-watered lettuce. The honey man, the honey man will make me sweet; my lord, the honey man of a goddess, his mother's favourite, whose hands are honey, whose feet are honey, will make me sweet, whose limbs are honey-sweet, will make me sweet. Navel! My altogether immediately sweet, my favourite of his mother! Beautiful thighs, raised arms! My ......, he is well-watered lettuce.
MythologyThe song of the ploughing oxen
ellu mallu! Go, oxen, go, put your necks under the yoke! Go, ...... oxen, go, put your necks under the yoke! I am ...... of the country. I am ...... of Enlil. I am ...... of the Land. ellu mallu! 6 lines fragmentary or missing And now, may the mother ...... with me; and now, may Nance ...... with me. May she put bread in my leather bag, may she pour water into my waterskin. May she stand by for me ....... May she say to me, "Farmer, eat the bread!", may she say to me, "Farmer, drink the water!" ellu mallu! In the temple he lay down to dream with Nance. He said good night (?) to Nance. He had…
MythologyThe Sumerian king list
After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Then Eridug fell and the kingship was taken to Bad-tibira. In Bad-tibira, En-men-lu-ana ruled for 43200 years. En-men-gal-ana ruled for 28800 years. Dumuzid, the shepherd, ruled for 36000 years. 3 kings; they ruled for 108000 years. Then Bad-tibira fell (?) and the kingship was taken to Larag. In Larag, En-sipad-zid-ana ruled for 28800 years. 1 king; he ruled for 28800 years. Then Larag fell (?) and…
MythologyThe tale of Gudam
Gudam ...... the city. unknown no. of lines missing Gudam ....... Gudam ....... Inana ....... Gudam ...... within Unug ....... He ...... the storehouse ....... Gudam ...... the beer, ...... the wine, ...... the bronze vessels, ...... the bronze vessels ....... unknown no. of lines missing They filled the bronze vessels to the brim. He made the tilimda vessels shine like the holy barge, ...... fine chickpea flour, bearded carp ....... ......, he ...... fish like dates. Many followed Gudam on the streets of Unug. They sat armed before him. Her = Inana's (?) singer ...... came out to ...... the forceful king, and looked at the troops. The singer met him with a song, ...... string with his hand:
MythologyThe temple hymns
O E-unir (House which is a ziqqurat), grown together with heaven and earth, foundation of heaven and earth, great banqueting hall of Eridug! Abzu, shrine erected for its prince, E-dul-kug (House which is the holy mound) where pure food is eaten, watered by the prince's pure canal, mountain, pure place cleansed with the potash plant, abzu, your tigi drums belong to the divine powers. Your great ...... wall is in good repair. Light does not enter your meeting-place where the god dwells, the great assembly-room, the assembly-room, the beautiful place. Your tightly constructed house is sacred and…
MythologyThree ox-drivers from Adab
There were three friends, citizens of Adab, who fell into a dispute with each other, and sought justice. They deliberated the matter with many words, and went before the king. "Our king! We are ox-drivers. The ox belongs to one man, the cow belongs to one man, and the waggon belongs to one man. We became thirsty and had no water. We said to the owner of the ox, "If you were to fetch some water, then we could drink!". And he said, "What if my ox is devoured by a lion? I will not leave my ox!". We said to the owner of the cow, "If you were to fetch some water, then we could drink!". And he…
MythologyUr-Namma the canal-digger (Ur-Namma D)
Who will dig it? Who will dig it? Who will dig the Asilal-kug canal? Who will dig the Pabi-luh canal? ...... Ur-Namma will dig it. ...... will dig it. ......, ...... Acimbabbar you are on your ...... because of Enlil. The watercourse of ...... is full of fish, and the air above is full of birds. The fresh water of ...... is full of fish, the air above is full of birds. ...... honey-plants are planted, and the carp grow fat. ...... honey-plants are planted, and the carp grow fat. The gizi reed of ...... is so sweet that the fish eat them. The gizi reed of ...... is so sweet that the fish eat them. Since my ...... was founded, it is teeming with fish and birds. Since ...... was founded, it is teeming with fish and birds.
Mythology
British Museum Flood Tablet 1
Tablet image sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). No scholarly translation referenced in source metadata. Source description: "The Flood Tablet. This is perhaps the most famous of all cuneiform tablets. It is the eleventh tablet of the Gilgamesh Epic, and describes how the gods sent a flood to destroy the world. Like Noah, U
Mythology
Cuneiform legal tablet in case from Aleppo
Tablet image sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0). No scholarly translation referenced in source metadata. Source description: Clay tablet from Alalakh still in clay envelope. Dated 1720 BC.
Law
Cuneiform tablet- Emesal prayer MET ME86 11 285
Tablet image sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC0). No scholarly translation referenced in source metadata. Source description: Seleucid or Parthian; Cuneiform tablet; Clay-Tablets-Inscribed
Mythology
Cuneiform tablet- fragment of a ritual text MET ME86 11 376
Tablet image sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC0). No scholarly translation referenced in source metadata. Source description: Cuneiform tablet; Clay-Tablets-Inscribed
Mythology
Cuneiform tablet- fragment of a text containing incantations MET vsz86.11.448
Tablet image sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC0). No scholarly translation referenced in source metadata. Source description: Cuneiform tablet; Clay-Tablets-Inscribed
Mythology
Cuneiform tablet- fragment of an Emesal prayer MET vsz86.11.476a
Tablet image sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC0). No scholarly translation referenced in source metadata. Source description: Seleucid or Parthian; Cuneiform tablet; Clay-Tablets-Inscribed
Mythology
Cuneiform tablet- hymn to Marduk MET DP360674
Tablet image sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC0). No scholarly translation referenced in source metadata. Source description: Babylonian (?); Cuneiform tablet; Clay-Tablets-Inscribed;
Mythology
Cuneiform tablet- legal decision by appointed judges MET ME66 245 19a
Tablet image sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC0). No scholarly translation referenced in source metadata. Source description: Old Assyrian Trading Colony; Cuneiform tablet; Clay-Tablets-Inscribed
Law
Cuneiform tablet, legal document concerning a trial, Sumer, modern Iraq, c. 2037-2029 BC - Spurlock Museum, UIUC - DSC05943
Tablet image sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC0). No scholarly translation referenced in source metadata. Source description: Exhibit in the Spurlock Museum, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA. This work is old enough so that it is in the public domain. CDLI: https://cdli.earth/artif
Law
Cuneiform tablet- petition, prayer for a king MET ME86 11 399
Tablet image sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC0). No scholarly translation referenced in source metadata. Source description: Cuneiform tablet; Clay-Tablets-Inscribed
Mythology
Hattusa Bronze Tablet Cuneiform
Tablet image sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0). No scholarly translation referenced in source metadata. Source description: Bronze tablet from Çorum-Boğazköy dating from 1235 BC. Photographed at Museum of Anatolian Civilisations. This cuneiform document excavated at Hattusa in 1986 is the only bronze tablet found in Anatol
Law
Hittite Cuneiform Tablet- Legal Deposition(?)
Tablet image sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC0). No scholarly translation referenced in source metadata. Source description: Tablet on display at the Oriental Institute , with the caption: Hittite Cuneiform Tablet: Legal Deposition(?) Baked clay Hattusha Late Bronze Age (13th century BC) A6004 A6004 - VBot 30 - CTH 832
Law
Tablet BM131452
Tablet image sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0). No scholarly translation referenced in source metadata. Source description: Clay cuneiform tablet of a legal case before Saustatar, King of Mitanni, involving Niqmepa, King of Alalakh. Dated 1550BC-1400BC.
Law
The Newly Discovered Tablet V of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Meeting Humbaba, with Enkidu, at the Cedar Forest. The Sulaymaniyah Museum, Iraqi Kurdistan
Tablet image sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). No scholarly translation referenced in source metadata. Source description: The tablet dates back to the Old-Babylonian Period, 2003-1595 BCE.
Mythology
Code of Hammurabi (stele)
Not the first law code, but the most complete and the most famous. Inscribed on a black diorite stele over two meters tall, displayed in a public place — law made visible, law made monumental.
Law