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Part of the earliest known body of international diplomatic correspondence. Akkadian, written in cuneiform on clay, was the lingua franca of Late Bronze Age statecraft — used between Egypt, the Hittites, Mitanni, Babylon, Assyria, and the Levantine vassals.
Daily LifeLaw
Documents Šamšī-Adad IV's restoration of the Assyrian Ištar temple at Aššur, anchoring the reign's chronology to a specific eponymy date and establishing the dynastic continuity he claimed from Tiglath-pileser I.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth
[Mighty] king, king of the four quarters (regions) of heaven (and earth), the Ekišnugal — the ancient temple which, from distant days, had been built (and) had fallen into ruin — he built (it anew) for him (the god). To its (former) place he restored it. Its foundation(s) …
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth
[The king of] the four world quarters — the Ekišnugal, the old temple, which since distant days had been built (and) had fallen into ruin — he built (it) for him (the god), to its (original) place he restored it, its foundation(s) he re-established.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth
Dedicates a restored shrine to Ištar and threatens divine destruction of any future king who neglects it — an early Assyrian formula binding successors to temple maintenance under penalty of dynastic annihilation.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) Arik-dīn-ili, strong king, king of Assyria, the one who built the temple of the god Šamaš — the exalted shrine — for posterity, son of Enlil-nārārī, king of Assyria, son of Aššur-uballiṭ (I), (who was) also king of Assyria. (14) When I planned to build that temple so that the harvest of my land might prosper, at the sanctuary of the god Šamaš, the high place where the decisions of the land had been previously made, but now it was becoming a mound of dirt and around it the “shrines” of the people, which they had taken and settled in, I destroyed (that sanctuary). I laid its foundation(s)…
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) Arik-dīn-ili, legitimate ruler, strong king, king of Assyria, builder of the temple of the god Šamaš — the exalted shrine. (5) (As for) whoever erases my inscribed name or removes my inscription, may the god Šamaš, my lord, overthrow his kingship and afflict his land with famine.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) [Arik-dīn-ili, vice-regent of the god Aššur], son of [En]lil-[nārārī, vice-regent of] the god Aššur, [son of] Aššur-[uballiṭ (I)], (who was) also vice-regent of the god Aššur. (7) [For his life and the well]-being of his city: [...] ... [... from] its [foundations to] its [crenellations]. (12b) When [... becomes dilapidated and] old
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) [Ar]ik-dīn-[ili, vice-regent of the god Aššur], son of Enlil-nārārī, vice-regent [of the god Aššur], son of Aššur-uballiṭ (I), [(who was) also vice-regent of the god Aššur]. (4) [...] ... [... b]uilt fr]om [its] foundation[s to its crenellations]. (6b) [...] my [...]
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) [Ar]ik-dīn-i[li, vice-regent of the god Aššur, son of E]nlil-nārārī, [vice-regent of the god Aššur, son of Ašš]ur-uball[iṭ (I), (who was) also vice-regent of the god Aššur]. (4) [...], it had become dila[pidated and ...]
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) [Ar]ik-dīn-[ili, vice-regent of the god A]ššur, [son of Enlil-nārārī, vice-regent of] the god Aššur, [son of Aššur-uballiṭ (I), (who was) also vice-regent of the god Aššur].
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) Palace of Arik-dīn-ili, king of Assyria, son of Enlil-nārārī, king of Assyria, son of Aššur-uballiṭ (I), king of Assyria.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1') [...] ... he brought [...], 100 of their sheep, 100 of their oxen [...] to (his) city, Aššur. (4'b) At that time, [...] ... 7,000 storage-containers, in their mouths/by their command, in front of [...] ... a large battering-ram, he made. Arik-dīn-ili [...] … he gave his gift to the goddess Ištar [... for] his life [...]. (9') [...] powerful, Arik-dīn-ili carried off the harvest of Esini [...]. He killed Esini, 33 chariots of ... [...] with the .... Arik-dīn-ili led in [...] ... of his chariots. The chariots [... the city Ar]nuna of the land Nigimḫi, the fortress of the land ... [...] he…
Writing & LiteratureReligion & MythṬāb-ašāb-Marduk, son of Ina-Esagil-zēri, the [vizier]; Arad-Nanâ, son of Damiq-Adad, the governor (šakin ṭēmi); [...]-zēri, son of Arad-Ea, the district [governor] (bēl pīḫati); [...], son of Nam[ri]; [...] the utensils.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & MythTo Meštu speak: thus (says) Arrumti: All the honey that you made today, and the 1 dallu-jar of oil that is placed in the outer room — give (them), and let them bring (them) to me.
Daily LifeEconomy(1) [... A]ššur [...] (2) [...] of his god [...] (3) [... which/when ...] became dilapidated, and (4) [for his life and] the well-being of [his] city (5) [...] his forefathers (6) [... I] deposited [my clay co]nes. (7) [... w]hen (8) [... th]ose [walls (?)] become dilapidated, (9) [(and he rebuilds them), the gods Aššur and] Adad (10) [will listen to his prayers]. (11) [May he re]tu[rn the clay cones to their place].
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) Aššur-rabi (I), vice-regent of the god Aš[šur, son of] Enlil-nāṣir (I), [(who was) also] vice-regent of the god [Aššur]. (3) [For] his life and the well-being of [his] city: [(As for) the temple of the god Enl]il, which former rulers [...] had built [and] deposited [their clay cones in] (its) foundation(s), [it had become dilapidated and I built (it) from its foundation(s) [to its crest. I deposited my clay cone (therein)].
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) Monument of [Aššur-r]ēša-iši (II), king of Assyria, [son of Aš]šur-[r]abi (II), king of Assyria.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) I, Bēl-ēriš, vice-regent of [...], lover of the god Sa[mnuḫa ...], at the time of Aššur-rabi (II), [king of Assyria, son of Ashurnasirpal (I) (I)], [N]+3 years [... (5) Aš]šur for delineation [...], at that time, the god Sa[mnuḫa ...] the bank(s) of the Ḫābūr River, from [... to ...] he took possession. [...] the bank(s) of the Ḫābūr River, the vice-[regent ...]. (10) At that time, the god Samnu[ḫa ...] with his exalted strength, 3,000 [...]. The abandoned canal, which [goes] from the land [... to ...] (and) in which [water] no longer flowed, [...] I constructed a facing for (the quay…
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) Enlil-nārārī (I), vice-regent [of the god Aššur, son of Aššur-uballiṭ (I), vice-regent of the god Aššur], son of Erība-Adad (I), [(who was) also] vice-regent of the god [Aššur]. (2) [For my life] and the well-being of my city: (As for) the outer wall, [from the Craftsman’s Gate] to the Sheep Gate, which a ruler [who came befor]e me had built, it had become dilapidated and I bui[lt (it)] f[rom it]s [foundations] to its crenellations. I renovated [(its) gate]s. Moreover, I deposited my clay cone (therein). (7) [(When) a futu]re ru[ler] renovates that outer wall when it [becomes…
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1') [he] rebelled ... [by the command] of the deities Šamaš, Adad, and [Ištar ... he att]acked and the city Al...[... Kur]igalzu, king of [Karduniaš (Babylonia) ...]. I brought about his [defeat ... for a] second time.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) [Erība-Ada]d (I), [vice-regent of the god Aššu]r, [son of Ašš]ur-bēl-nišēšu, (who was) also [vice-regent of the god Ašš]ur. [Ašš]ur-bēl-nišēšu (was) [the son of Ašš]ur-nārārī (II), [vice-regent of the god A]ššur; Aššur-nārārī (II) (was) [the son of Ašš]ur-rabi (I), [vice-regent of the god Aššu]r, (r 1') [Moreover, I deposited] my clay cone (there). (r 2') [(When) a future ru]ler [builds that …] when it becomes dilapidated, the gods Aššur [and Adad will (then) listen to] his [prayers. Moreover, may he retur]n my [clay co]ne [to its place].
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) Erība-Adad (I), appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of the god Aššur, son of Aššur-bēl-nišēšu, [vice-regent of] the god Aššur.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) Puzur-Aššur (III), vice-regent of the god Aššur, son of Aššur-nārā[rī] (I), vice-regent of the god Ašš[ur]. (5) For his life and the well-being of his city, (when) the wall of the Step Gate became dilapidated, he renovated (it). Moreover, I deposited my clay cone. (11) (When) a future ruler builds that wall when it becomes dilapidated, the gods Aššur and Adad will (then) listen to his prayers. [May he retur]n my clay cone to its place.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) Puzur-Aššur (III), vice-regent of the god Aššur, son of Aššur-nārārī (I), (who was) also vice-regent of the god Aššur. (5) (As for) the šuḫūru-room of the temple of the Assyrian Ištar, which Ilu-šūma, (a) ruler (who came before me), had built and (which) Sargon (I), my ancestor, the son of Ikūnum, had restored, it had become dilapidated and I (re)built (it).
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) [Pu]zur-[Aššur (III), vice]-regent of the god Aššur, son of Aššur-nārā[rī (I), (who was) also vice]-regent of the god Aššur, (5) [built ...] the gate [... for his life] and the well-being [of his city].
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) [Puz]ur-Aššur (III), [..., vice-regent of] the god Aššur, [...] ... [...]
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) Palace of Puzur-Aššur (III).
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) Puzur-Aššur (III), vice-regent of the god Aššur, son of Aššur-nārārī (I), (who was) also vice-regent of the god Aššur, (5) for his life and the well-being of his city, built the great wall and t[he g]ates of the New City, from the great [wall] of the Inner City up t[o the river in its entirety], from its foundations t[o its cres]t. Moreover, I deposited my clay cone. (10b) [(When) a] future [ruler] builds [that] wall when it becomes dilapidated, the gods Aššur [and] Adad will (then) listen to his prayers. May he return my clay cone to its place.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1') for [his] life [and the well-being of] his city, he (Puzur-Aššur III) built the [great] wal[l and the gates] of the New City, fro[m the great wall] of the Inner City [up to the river in its entirety], from its foun[dations to its crest]. Moreover, I deposited [my clay cone]. (7'b) [(When) a future ruler builds that] wall when it becomes dilapidated, the gods Aššur and [Adad will (then) listen to] hi[s pr]ayers. [...]
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) Puzur-Aššur (III), vice-regent of the god Aššur, son of Aššur-nārārī (I), (who was) also vice-regent of the god Aššur, (5) for his life and the well-being of his city, built the city Ḫabuba, (which) is on the banks of the Lower Zab, from its foundations to its crest. I deposited my foundation documents and my monumental inscriptions (therein). (9) (When) a future ruler builds that city when it becomes dilapidated, the gods Aššur and Adad will (then) listen to his prayers. May he return foundation documents and my monumental inscriptions to their places.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) [Palace of Šamšī]-Adad (III), son of I[šme-Dagān (II) ...].
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(i' 1) (No translation possible) (ii' 2) … the ziggurats, which Šamšī-Adad (I), the vice-regent of the god Aššur, the son of Ilā-[kab]kabī, had previously built, become dilapidated and I renovated their summits. Moreover, I deposited ...
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1') [temple of the gods Anu] and Adad
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) [Šamšī-Adad (III)/Aššur-nārārī (I)], vice-regent of the god [Aššur, son of] Išme-D[agān (II), (who was) also] vice-regent of the god [Aššur]. (5) ... [...] ... [...] wall of the land [...]
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) Šamšī-Adad (III), vice-regent of the god Aššur, son of Išme-Dagān (II), built the ... [of] the New City for his life and the well-being of his city.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) [Šamšī]-Adad (IV), strong king, [king of the world, king of Assyria ...], chosen of the gods Aššur and [Šamaš, ...] beloved of the gods, [...], his [lords]; son of Tiglath-pileser (I) [...]. (5) [The ... of the goddess Išta]r of Nineveh, my lady, which [... had previously restored] had again become dilapidated and [... rebuilt it and again] it had become dilapidated. Now its terrace [...] I built anew (and) finished (it) [...] ... [...]
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) To (the god) Aššur, [his] lord, [...]: (2) Šamšī-Adad (IV), appointee of [the god Enlil, vice-regent of (the god) Aššur], son of Tiglath-pile[ser (I), appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of (the god) Aššur], son of Aššur-rēša-i[ši (I), (who was) also appointee of the god Enlil and vice-regent of (the god) Aššur], dedicated (this) long pestle [...] for his life, the well-being of [his] seed, [...]. Whither purification [...]. (8) [If someone] takes (it) either to (another) temple, or [to ...], or to a storehouse, [or to ... and does not return it] to its place [...]
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) Monument of Šamšī-Adad (IV), king of Assyria, son of Tiglath-pileser (I), (who was) also king of Assyria.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth(1) Monument of Shalmaneser (II), great king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Ashurnasirpal (I), king of Assyria, son of Šamšī-Adad (IV), (who was) also king of Assyria.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — BE 01/1, 034. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — BE 01/1, 035. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — BE 01/1, 039. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — BE 01/1, 055. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — BM 137414. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — CBS 11778. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Economy
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000365, ex. 086. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythDaily Life
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000371, ex. 025. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythDaily Life
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000482, ex. 019. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythDaily Life
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000646, ex. 001. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythDaily Life