Sumerian·Book

Theme

Daily Life

A merchant's complaint about poor copper, a scribe's homework, a recipe for stew, a love song. The texture of everyday life four thousand years ago — startlingly familiar.

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The Flood Before Noah: Ziusudra, Utnapishtim and the Tablets Behind Genesis

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Uruk Period40003100 BCE
Early Dynastic29002334 BCE· 43 tablets
~2800 BCE·Early DynasticOur engine

CDLI Lexical 000002, ex. 191

[...] 1(N58).BAD~a lord(?): IB~a (title/category) [...] linen(-garment): vizier great garment-official: overseer garment: overseer [...] great one of the throne(?) great one of the DI-sign(-office) temple-administrator of the X(-office) temple-administrator of the X(-office) ZATU725(?) spouse(?)

Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
~2800 BCE·Early DynasticOur engine

CDLI Lexical 000003, ex. 034

1(N01), NAM2 [...] 1(N01), GAL~a ("great/large") SZAH2~a ("pig") 1(N01), NAM2 APIN~a ("plow") 1(N01), GAL~a [...] 1(N01), GAL~a ("great/large") SZAB~a 1(N01), PA~a NAM2 [...] 1(N01), AB~a [...] 1(N01), GAL~a [...]

Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
~2800 BCE·Early DynasticOur engine

MS 1952/37

(obverse, single column; sign-groups without numerals — an archaic text of uncertain genre, rendered sign by sign) 1. Fish ... TU ("born"?) 2. NAM2 NAM2 (a doubled title/category sign) 3. NAM2(?) — dagger (GIR2) 4. Delivered(?) (DU) — AN — water (A) 5. Yoke(?) (ŠUDUN) — RI 6. Yoke(?) (ŠUDUN) — dagger (GIR2) 7. ... — water (A) — NI 8. Fire(?) (NE) — day (U4) — RA 9. NI — RA 10. ŠE3 — BU 11. Day (U4) — builder/mason (ŠIDIM) — foot(?) (GIR3, damaged) 12. To carry(?) (IL) — left(-hand)(?) (GUB3) — ... 13. ... — (an archaic sign of unidentified value) — dog(?) (UR) — NI — to sit(?) (DUR2) 14. Mixed…

Religion & MythDaily Life
~2550 BCE·Early DynasticOur engine

CDLI Literary 006205, ex. 010

Obverse 1. [...] she-goat, LAK20 [...] 2. [...] has no place 3. [...] ... the place of flax(?) [...] LUM — he/it has not 4. [...] Šubur [...] MAR — he/it has not 5. [... ...] ... 6. no ghee(?) 7. |LAGAB×(AŠ@c×AŠ.AŠ@c×AŠ)| — not 8. fish-roe — not 9. LI TAR [...] 10. ... [...] 11. KU [... ...] (The remainder of the surface is broken away; the reverse carries no legible writing.)

Religion & MythDaily Life
~2550 BCE·Early DynasticOur engine

CUSAS 35, 028

1 (person): Ur-Ninmug; 1 (person): Ur-šerda — Adab: they are resident (there). He-su-be'a, Ašlum, Iritum — they are the ...-men (šu-x-DU-NI-meš).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2400 BCE·Early DynasticOur engine

CDLI Lexical 000003, ex. 011

šuš (written |ŠE.NAM₂|) pa-nam₂-šita shrine-išib (purification priest of the shrine) gal-|BAD×DIŠ| (chief …-official) en-IB gal-šita (chief of the šita-office) abgal (sage) kingal (overseer / leader of the assembly) tiru (court attendant) […] sukkal (vizier) […] … stone … ti … |KA×X| … na […] (The remainder of the column, and the reverse, are broken away or effaced.)

Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
~2550 BCE·Early DynasticEditorial

MRAH O.5015

Catalogue entry from CDLI (ED IIIa (ca. 2600-2500 BC)) — MRAH O.5015. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2550 BCE·Early DynasticEditorial

SF 014

Catalogue entry from CDLI (ED IIIa (ca. 2600-2500 BC)) — SF 014. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
~2400 BCE·Early DynasticEditorial

Nik 1, 309

Catalogue entry from CDLI (ED IIIb (ca. 2500-2340 BC)) — Nik 1, 309. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2400 BCE·Early DynasticEditorial

OSP 1, 037

Catalogue entry from CDLI (ED IIIb (ca. 2500-2340 BC)) — OSP 1, 037. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
~2550 BCE·Early DynasticEditorial

CDLI Literary 000782, ex. 003

Catalogue entry from CDLI (ED IIIa (ca. 2600-2500 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000782, ex. 003. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Religion & MythDaily Life
~2550 BCE·Early DynasticEditorial

CDLI Literary 006205, ex. 001

Catalogue entry from CDLI (ED IIIa (ca. 2600-2500 BC)) — CDLI Literary 006205, ex. 001. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Religion & MythDaily Life

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Akkadian Empire23342154 BCE· 72 tablets
~2270 BCE·Akkadian EmpireEditorial

Adab 0695

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Akkadian (ca. 2340-2200 BC)) — Adab 0695. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2270 BCE·Akkadian EmpireEditorial

Adab 0748

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Akkadian (ca. 2340-2200 BC)) — Adab 0748. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2270 BCE·Akkadian EmpireEditorial

Adab 0830

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Akkadian (ca. 2340-2200 BC)) — Adab 0830. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2270 BCE·Akkadian EmpireEditorial

Adab 0868

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Akkadian (ca. 2340-2200 BC)) — Adab 0868. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2270 BCE·Akkadian EmpireEditorial

Adab 0874

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Akkadian (ca. 2340-2200 BC)) — Adab 0874. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2270 BCE·Akkadian EmpireEditorial

Adab 0885 + 1062

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Akkadian (ca. 2340-2200 BC)) — Adab 0885 + 1062. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2270 BCE·Akkadian EmpireEditorial

Adab 0942

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Akkadian (ca. 2340-2200 BC)) — Adab 0942. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2270 BCE·Akkadian EmpireEditorial

Adab 1001

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Akkadian (ca. 2340-2200 BC)) — Adab 1001. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2270 BCE·Akkadian EmpireEditorial

BuB 1, 203-208

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Akkadian (ca. 2340-2200 BC)) — BuB 1, 203-208. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2270 BCE·Akkadian EmpireEditorial

CUSAS 27, 058

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Akkadian (ca. 2340-2200 BC)) — CUSAS 27, 058. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2270 BCE·Akkadian EmpireEditorial

CUSAS 27, 060

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Akkadian (ca. 2340-2200 BC)) — CUSAS 27, 060. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2270 BCE·Akkadian EmpireEditorial

CUSAS 27, 071

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Akkadian (ca. 2340-2200 BC)) — CUSAS 27, 071. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy

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Ur III · Neo-Sumerian21122004 BCE· 290 tablets
~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianOur engine

CUNES 49-02-029

To Ur-Šulpa'e speak: Silver, 2 shekels, of Ur-silaluh, which is present in (his) possession — from it, 1 shekel, to Lu-duga, let it be given. Its silver, [...] [...] let him not neglect (it)/let him not disregard it. Ur-Suen, son of Ur-Utu.

Daily LifeEconomy
~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianOur engine

CUNES 51-04-018

1. Ibni-Iškur 2. — u3-na-a-du11 ("speak to him!" / letter-formula: "has been told") 3. [......]-dub-ba (broken; possibly "tablet-" related) 4. [...]-[x]-Gilgamesh (broken; contains the divine/heroic name Gilgamesh) 5. [...]-[x]-Erra (broken; contains the name/element Erra) 6. [......]-x (broken, illegible) 7. x x-za (broken, illegible) 8. 1 KA-x-x-um (a personal name, largely broken) 9. 1 Dingir-sudan (personal name) 10. x-ru-x (broken; "ru" tentatively "given/deposited") 11. son of Bak-x-gi4

Daily LifeEconomy
~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianOur engine

CUNES 51-10-056

Turam-ili — speak to him! 2 gur barley, from the sealed storehouse (e2-kišib-ba), to Lu-Turam let it be given. Before Puzur-x, the chief steward, the storehouse was opened. Let their sealed document be impressed (sealed).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianOur engine

CUNES 52-04-082

To Šu-damu — speak! The field, ...... [broken] ...... field ...... [broken] ...... [broken] ...... [broken] There is no remaining ...... that has been set/placed (there). To Zuma, the merchant, (and) Lu-Šalim, let it be given. Let the matter not be reneged upon (let the word not be turned back).

Daily LifeEconomy
~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianOur engine

CUNES 52-04-084

To Suen-našir — speak! 2 gur 1 barig of bitumen, removed from the boat, 2 barig(?) ... to the house, [...] ... ... ... [...]-...-... [...] ... ... [...] n mirza-vessels(?) [...] ... fir-wood(?) ... ... hand (it) over! / give (it)!

Daily LifeEconomy
~2043 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianOur engine

TCL 02, 5557

Ur-nigar (concerning) Abba-saga: because he held a claim of silver against him, he invokes(?) the oath by the name of the king twice(?). On the day of the new moon of the month Ki-siki-Ninazu he declared: "I will repay it." Year: En-unugal was installed (as en-priest) of Inanna. [The man(?)] who swore by the name of the king: [..., Ur]-nigar, the livestock administrator (šuš₃). [...] who held [...] to [...]-saga to [...] — to be repaid. (Seal inscription:) Ur-nigar, scribe, son of Zu-[...].

Daily LifeEconomy
~2050 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianEditorial

Drehem Cattle-Distribution Tablet

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

EconomyDaily Life
~2072 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianEditorial

CUSAS 03, 1039

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Ur III (ca. 2100-2000 BC)) — CUSAS 03, 1039. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format). [year-name] Dated to Šulgi y23 — Simurrum destroyed based on canonical year-name formula in the transliteration.

Daily LifeEconomy
~2072 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianEditorial

CUSAS 03, 1040

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Ur III (ca. 2100-2000 BC)) — CUSAS 03, 1040. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format). [year-name] Dated to Šulgi y23 — Simurrum destroyed based on canonical year-name formula in the transliteration.

Daily LifeEconomy
~2072 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianEditorial

TMH NF 1-2, 350

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Ur III (ca. 2100-2000 BC)) — TMH NF 1-2, 350. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format). [year-name] Dated to Šulgi y23 — Simurrum destroyed based on canonical year-name formula in the transliteration.

Daily LifeEconomy
~2069 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianEditorial

CDLI School Texts 004870, ex. 003

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Ur III (ca. 2100-2000 BC)) — CDLI School Texts 004870, ex. 003. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format). [year-name] Dated to Šulgi y26 — Harši destroyed based on canonical year-name formula in the trans…

Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
~2069 BCE·Ur III · Neo-SumerianEditorial

NYPL 142

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Ur III (ca. 2100-2000 BC)) — NYPL 142. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format). [year-name] Dated to Šulgi y26 — Harši destroyed based on canonical year-name formula in the transliteration.

Daily LifeEconomy

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Old Babylonian20001600 BCE· 5,962 tablets
~1800 BCE·Old BabylonianOur engine

CDLI Literary 000365, ex. 048

Young man, free-born son, ... [in] the mountain, what [...]? Utu, let me speak a word to you — give [your] ear to my word! Let me greet you — may you pay heed to it! In my city a man dies, and the heart is stricken; a man perishes, and [my] heart [is heavy]. I craned my neck over the city wall: corpses floating on the water ... [made the river] overflow [...]. And I too ... [...] — shall it be so for me? [Thus] it shall be. The tallest man ... [cannot stretch to heaven ...] (remainder broken)

Religion & MythDaily Life
~1800 BCE·Old BabylonianOur engine

CDLI Literary 000365, ex. 053

(Beginning broken) 1. "[... if today you are going to] enter [the mountains ...], 2. [...] youthful Utu should [know about it from us]. 3. [...] the decisions concerning [the mountains are Utu's business]; 4. the decisions concerning [the mountains] of felled cedar are youthful Utu's — Utu should know about it from us." 5. [Then] Gilgamesh took hold of a white kid; 6. he clasped [a brown] kid, a sacrificial offering, [to his breast]; 7. [in his hand] he held the holy staff before his nose, 8. as he spoke to [Utu of heaven]: 9. "[Utu, I am going to] enter [the mountains] — [be my] helper! 10. […

Religion & MythDaily Life
~1800 BCE·Old BabylonianOur engine

CDLI Literary 000365, ex. 058

1. [...] he set [...] toward [...] 2. [By the life of] my own mother, divine [Nin]sun(?), and my [father], holy Lugal[banda]! 3. May I [become again(?)] as if slumbering in wonder(?) on the lap of my own mother Ninsun. 4. For a [second] time he indeed said it to him: 5. By the life of my own mother Ninsun and my [father(?)], holy Lugalbanda! 6. Whether he be a [hu]man, whether he be known(?), whether he be a god [...], 7. my steps that I have set toward the mountains I shall not set back toward the city! 8. The faithful slave, who would soothe(?), who makes life seem sweet, 9. answered his mas…

Religion & MythDaily Life
~1800 BCE·Old BabylonianOur engine

CDLI Literary 000561, ex. 004

obverse (fragment, three lines preserved): [A cl]od that has been bathed in water — dust has come into my eyes. A dog, when it gnaws a corpse, its chest heaves up. The great dragon (ušumgal), having smitten heads (i.e. having slain) [...] (remainder broken)

Religion & MythDaily Life
~1800 BCE·Old BabylonianOur engine

CDLI Literary 000578, ex. 002

Say to my [brothers]: this is what Ilaba-tah-lugalĝa says: The journey we are going on is long, and the true king, our king, [has pressed on(?)] ... journey [has been added] to journey. We will not be able to ask after our mother. May the day not set upon our neighborhood ... deceitfully(?). 1 sila of salt, 1 [sila of gazi-spice], 1 šagadu-garment — have a courier bring (them) back to me! Our journey is long. It is urgent!

Daily LifeWriting & Literature
~1800 BCE·Old BabylonianOur engine

CDLI Literary 000584, ex. 003

Say to Lugal-ibila: this is what Inim-Inanna says: Do not neglect the Sumerian language! (lit. "do not let your neck fall away from Sumerian") For the second time I am sending someone to you concerning the correct (use of the) language. The youngster who sits before you — do not let him go out of the tablet-house (school)! And furthermore, let no one deceive you with lies. Should he say to you, "Let me go to his (i.e. my) father," until I and you have exchanged word about the agreed sign, [I will keep] sending a man to you. [...] (remainder broken)

Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
~1800 BCE·Old BabylonianOur engine

DWJ 2, 019-021

(obverse) To Sîn-magir speak: thus (says) Lugal-gubbani: May Enlil keep you in good health! May the scattered be gathered! The one who(?) had ceased(?) (work) for 2½ ... [broken] ... [illegible] ... (seal legend / closing lines) Lāqīpum(?), gudu-priest of Enlil, the king's contract-agent(?), son of Ninurta-nīšu, servant of Abī-ēšuḫ.

Daily LifeEconomy
~1800 BCE·Old BabylonianETCSL

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 brin…

Religion & MythDaily Life
~1800 BCE·Old BabylonianETCSL

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…

Religion & MythDaily Life
~1800 BCE·Old BabylonianETCSL

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…

Religion & MythDaily Life
~1800 BCE·Old BabylonianETCSL

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 abu…

Religion & MythDaily Life
~1800 BCE·Old BabylonianETCSL

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…

Religion & MythDaily Life

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Old Assyrian20001700 BCE· 589 tablets
~1900 BCE·Old AssyrianEditorial

CDLJ 2010/1 §6.01

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CDLJ 2010/1 §6.01. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~1900 BCE·Old AssyrianEditorial

CDLJ 2010/1 §6.05

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CDLJ 2010/1 §6.05. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~1900 BCE·Old AssyrianEditorial

CDLJ 2010/1 §6.06

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CDLJ 2010/1 §6.06. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~1900 BCE·Old AssyrianEditorial

CDLJ 2010/1 §6.07

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — CDLJ 2010/1 §6.07. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~1900 BCE·Old AssyrianEditorial

Fs T. Özgüç 518

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — Fs T. Özgüç 518. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~1900 BCE·Old AssyrianEditorial

POAT 39

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — POAT 39. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~1900 BCE·Old AssyrianEditorial

POAT 70

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — POAT 70. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~1900 BCE·Old AssyrianEditorial

Prag 497

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — Prag 497. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~1900 BCE·Old AssyrianEditorial

Prag 503

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — Prag 503. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~1900 BCE·Old AssyrianEditorial

Prag 565

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — Prag 565. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~1900 BCE·Old AssyrianEditorial

Prag 585

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — Prag 585. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~1900 BCE·Old AssyrianEditorial

Prag 613

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Assyrian (ca. 1950-1850 BC)) — Prag 613. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy

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Middle Babylonian16001155 BCE· 393 tablets
~1340 BCE·Middle BabylonianEditorial

Amarna Letter EA 153 — Abi-milku of Tyre

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
~1300 BCE·Middle BabylonianOur engine

HSS 14, 028

To 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
~1300 BCE·Middle BabylonianEditorial

CDLI Literary 000365, ex. 086

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
~1300 BCE·Middle BabylonianEditorial

CDLI Literary 000371, ex. 025

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
~1300 BCE·Middle BabylonianEditorial

CDLI Literary 000482, ex. 019

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
~1300 BCE·Middle BabylonianEditorial

CDLI Literary 000646, ex. 001

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
~1300 BCE·Middle BabylonianEditorial

CUSAS 43, 34

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — CUSAS 43, 34. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
~1300 BCE·Middle BabylonianEditorial

EA 340

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — EA 340. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Religion & MythDaily Life
~1300 BCE·Middle BabylonianEditorial

EA 341

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — EA 341. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Religion & MythDaily Life
~1300 BCE·Middle BabylonianEditorial

EA 342

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — EA 342. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
~1300 BCE·Middle BabylonianEditorial

EA 343

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — EA 343. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
~1300 BCE·Middle BabylonianEditorial

EA 344

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — EA 344. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Writing & LiteratureDaily Life

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Middle Assyrian14001077 BCE· 87 tablets
~1300 BCE·Middle AssyrianEditorial

BAM 1, 005

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Assyrian (ca. 1400-1000 BC)) — BAM 1, 005. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily Life
~1300 BCE·Middle AssyrianEditorial

BAM 1, 036

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Assyrian (ca. 1400-1000 BC)) — BAM 1, 036. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily Life
~1300 BCE·Middle AssyrianEditorial

BAM 1, 037

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Assyrian (ca. 1400-1000 BC)) — BAM 1, 037. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily Life
~1300 BCE·Middle AssyrianEditorial

BAM 2, 119

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Assyrian (ca. 1400-1000 BC)) — BAM 2, 119. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily Life
~1300 BCE·Middle AssyrianEditorial

BAM 3, 263

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Assyrian (ca. 1400-1000 BC)) — BAM 3, 263. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily Life
~1300 BCE·Middle AssyrianEditorial

BAM 4, 336

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Assyrian (ca. 1400-1000 BC)) — BAM 4, 336. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily Life
~1300 BCE·Middle AssyrianEditorial

OIP 079, 02

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Assyrian (ca. 1400-1000 BC)) — OIP 079, 02. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~1300 BCE·Middle AssyrianEditorial

BAM 1, 012

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Assyrian (ca. 1400-1000 BC)) — BAM 1, 012. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily Life
~1300 BCE·Middle AssyrianEditorial

BAM 1, 016

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Assyrian (ca. 1400-1000 BC)) — BAM 1, 016. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily Life
~1300 BCE·Middle AssyrianEditorial

BAM 1, 066

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Assyrian (ca. 1400-1000 BC)) — BAM 1, 066. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily Life
~1300 BCE·Middle AssyrianEditorial

BAM 2, 138

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Assyrian (ca. 1400-1000 BC)) — BAM 2, 138. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily Life
~1300 BCE·Middle AssyrianEditorial

BAM 2, 157

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Assyrian (ca. 1400-1000 BC)) — BAM 2, 157. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily Life

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Neo-Assyrian911609 BCE· 3,717 tablets
~715 BCE·Neo-AssyrianOur engine

SAA 15 042. Feeding Hittite Deportees (ABL 1082)

(Obverse) [To the king, my lo]rd: your servant [PN]. [Good] health to the king, [my] lord! [Concerning] the Hittites about whom the king, my lord, [wrote to me], saying: "You wrote [that] the previous [consignments] of stored barley [...] they have moved twice(?)" — [...] which were at their disposal [...] I asked him: "Why [...] did they eat the previous (rations)? [...]" What their statement to the king, [my] lord, was [...] I have (now) written [...] [...] the seah-measure [...] [...] ... [...] (Remainder broken)

Daily LifeEconomy
~715 BCE·Neo-AssyrianOur engine

SAA 15 072. Adda-rami and Horses (CT 53 606)

[To the king], my [lord]: [your servant, Bel]-eriba(?). [Good health to] the king, my [lord]! […] Adda-rami […] brother(s)/allies […]… [… the king], my lord […] […]… […] they shut, they went out/took… […] which I took. […] they brought (it) by the road/on campaign. [… tr]uly, now […] horses […] 3 horses […] concerning 3 horses […] they became frightened / bolted. […]… […] (broken off)

Daily LifeEconomy
~715 BCE·Neo-AssyrianOur engine

SAA 15 105. Horses and Recruitment Officers of Calah (ABL 0127)

To the king, my lord: your servant Mannu-ki-Ninua ('Who-is-like-Nineveh'). Good health to the king, my lord! Let the royal bodyguard officer place (the recruits) at the disposal of the scribe (and) at the disposal of the recruitment officers; let them take their men and hand them over. The king, my lord, knows that the horses under my charge are dying. Let the king send me quickly one [of] their mules, for my use. As for the trainee grooms who came with me, I have placed them at the disposal of the recruitment officers. If the king, my lord, wishes to take charge of (conscript) them — the r…

Daily LifeEconomy
~710 BCE·Neo-AssyrianOur engine

SAA 17 083. Pardoning the Offences of Borsippa (ABL 1076)

With [......] the king, my lord [......], one [......], as many as there are, let me investigate [their] gui[lt]. Those whose guilt is mi[nor, let him grant them] mercy, and let him be counted among [his loyal servants], and let him be entrusted to the king's guard. The men of Borsippa [......] enjoy kidinnu-privilege (protected status). Because of [his] guilt they forgave him; as long as he lives [he shall bless them], and he shall not commit another offence. The king, your father, said to Rimūtu as follows: 'The šatammu (temple-overseer) [......], his ... is dead [......] [......] [......].'

Daily LifeEconomy
~710 BCE·Neo-AssyrianOur engine

SAA 17 090. Watch of Ekur and Nippur (CT 54 011)

[Tablet of the treasurer (GÚ.EN.NA)] [to] the king, his lord. [Go]od health to the king, my lord! May the great gods of Ekur and Nippur cause your hand to achieve whatever you have planned! Concerning the matter about which the king wrote, saying: '[To] Akanna, son of NN, [...] appoint (him) at [my] service' — (and) saying: 'Let the guard be made strong, and let the guard of Ekur and Nippur be st[rong]' — Ninurta-nasir [...]-sa'a, the elder brother, [...] he [...] the matter(s) [...] the king [...] (rest broken).

Daily LifeEconomy
~675 BCE·Neo-AssyrianOur engine

SAA 16 081. Jewellery for the King (ABL 0847)

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-sagib, son of Paruṭu, the goldsmith of the Queen's Household. Good health to the king [my lord]! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! [...] year(s), with/at the house [...] they questioned me [...] of the month [...] [...] silver, one pappardilû-stone, three fingers wide, (and) a bead(?) of ḫulālu-stone ("eye-stone") I gave to Matan-ilu, the doorkeeper. A letter (came) together (with this), saying: 'To the king, my lord, (let there be) a judgment: whether he gave it or whether he did not give it, let the king, my lord, inquire.'

Daily LifeEconomy
~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianOur engine

SAA 10 044. Timing a Journey of the King (ABL 1141+) [from astrologers]

[To the king, our lord:] [your servants Balasî] [and Nabû-ahhe-eriba.] [Good health] to the king, [our lord]! [May Nabû and] Marduk bless the king, our lord! Concerning the going to the city of [...] about which the king, our lord, wrote to us: if it is good for the king, in Bit-anni(?), in the month Tašritu (VII), to go [there] — or else let the king say: 'No, [... ...]' — as he has said: this month is a long-lasting road (journey) — let it be given up! Let the king go in the month of 'Entering' (Arahsamna, VIII): let him kiss the ground, let them perform the sacrifices.

Daily LifeEconomy
~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianOur engine

SAA 10 206. Prayers and Rituals against Retrograding Mars (ABL 1401) [from exorcists]

[Nabû and] Marduk [to the king], my lord, may [they] bless! [Concerning the planet] Mars, [about which the king, my lord] wrote to me: [the king, my lord] does not know [that ......] ... it is. [......]-mera it moves [within the constellation] Virgo. [An attack] of locusts [......] ... ... it bears [radi]ance; [......] evil for Subartu. [......] these we shall remove. [Namburbi rituals and] šu'illa-prayers [before Ma]rs [......] ... continually [we shall perform]. Fault [there is none]. May the heart [of the king], my lord, [be glad ......] ... nu

Daily LifeEconomy
~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianOur engine

SAA 10 259. Who to Come out Next? (ABL 0364) [from exorcists]

To the king, our lord: your servants Adad-šumu-uṣur (and) Marduk-šakin-šumi. Good health to the king, our lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, our lord! (8) Concerning the men of the king, our lord, about whom he wrote to us: "Will you not indicate which ones are to come out?" — (13) the others, who have not performed (the rites), should come out tomorrow and perform (them). (17) The king, our lord, knows which ones have performed and which ones have not performed. We — how should we know? (24) Under the protection of the king, may Bel and Nabû point (them) out; let them come out and…

Daily LifeEconomy
~665 BCE·Neo-AssyrianOur engine

SAA 13 073. Complaint of Sickness (ABL 0203)

To the king, my lord: your servant Nergal-šarrani. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord, exceedingly! This month, on this very day, since I have been ill, it is a rash (siḫlu). Since it has been itching me all over, [my whole body] has been scratched/itched. (I said): 'I am afflicted by the hand of Dilbat (Venus/Ištar)!' (I said): 'I am afraid concerning the ... of the fire(-omens),' which without the king I cannot do. Now, therefore, I have written to the king, my lord. By the command of the king let it be chosen (and) let it be done, so that he may…

Daily LifeEconomy
~730 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 19

SAA 19 001. Soothing Babylon (CTN 5 p. 13)

(1) The king's word to the clergymen, the congrega[ti]on, the leaders of [Babylon] (and) to the citizens of Babylon: I am well, Assyria is well – you can be glad. (9) Don't be afraid because of the news you heard; watch the city, seize the streets (and) take care of yourself! (14) Now I am approaching you again (since) the bodyguard Na'di-ilu told me: "They are trembling in fea[r]." Bel and Na[bû] know and the great god himself knows that, verily, when I previously heard that your brothers were killed, for three days nobody entered into my presence, my heart broke. (r 8) Now you are afraid…

Daily LifeEconomy
~730 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 19

SAA 19 002. “You Are my Deputy” (CTN 5 p. 240)

(1) [The king's word to the] commander-in-[chief]: (2) My forts, my [...] (and) my horses [are well]. (4) [Day and] night during my reign, you shall be my magnate (and) my deputy. You shall stand in my place; guarding you is for guarding me. (7) [Don't be neg]ligent but keep watch for me. (8) [...] ... The day [you se]e [this letter ......] (Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

Daily LifeEconomy

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Neo-Babylonian626539 BCE· 487 tablets
~580 BCE·Neo-BabylonianEditorial

BAM 4, 392

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — BAM 4, 392. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily Life
~580 BCE·Neo-BabylonianEditorial

CDLI Literary 002701.01, ex. 023 & 002701.05, ex. 010

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — CDLI Literary 002701.01, ex. 023 & 002701.05, ex. 010. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Religion & MythDaily Life
~580 BCE·Neo-BabylonianEditorial

CDLI Literary 002701.05, ex. 011

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — CDLI Literary 002701.05, ex. 011. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Religion & MythDaily Life
~580 BCE·Neo-BabylonianEditorial

LKU 012

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC) ?) — LKU 012. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Religion & MythDaily Life
~580 BCE·Neo-BabylonianEditorial

MSL SS 1, 033

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — MSL SS 1, 033. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
~580 BCE·Neo-BabylonianEditorial

OECT 11, 077

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — OECT 11, 077. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Religion & MythDaily Life
~580 BCE·Neo-BabylonianEditorial

UET 6, 0389

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — UET 6, 0389. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Religion & MythDaily Life
~580 BCE·Neo-BabylonianEditorial

AOAT 275, 666, U. 02815

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — AOAT 275, 666, U. 02815. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
~580 BCE·Neo-BabylonianEditorial

AOAT 275, 667, U. 02816

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — AOAT 275, 667, U. 02816. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
~580 BCE·Neo-BabylonianEditorial

Ashm 1924-1262

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — Ashm 1924-1262. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~580 BCE·Neo-BabylonianEditorial

Ashm 1924-1289

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — Ashm 1924-1289. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~580 BCE·Neo-BabylonianEditorial

Ashm 1924-1356

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — Ashm 1924-1356. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

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Achaemenid Persian539330 BCE· 40 tablets
~430 BCE·Achaemenid PersianEditorial

Achaemenid History XIII, p. 272ff.

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Achaemenid (547-331 BC)) — Achaemenid History XIII, p. 272ff.. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~430 BCE·Achaemenid PersianEditorial

BM 113961

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Achaemenid (547-331 BC)) — BM 113961. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~430 BCE·Achaemenid PersianEditorial

CBS 03839

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Achaemenid (547-331 BC)) — CBS 03839. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~430 BCE·Achaemenid PersianEditorial

CULC 591

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Achaemenid (547-331 BC)) — CULC 591. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Religion & MythDaily Life
~430 BCE·Achaemenid PersianEditorial

CUSAS 32, 074

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Achaemenid (547-331 BC)) — CUSAS 32, 074. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily Life
~430 BCE·Achaemenid PersianEditorial

FLP 1275

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Achaemenid (547-331 BC)) — FLP 1275. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~430 BCE·Achaemenid PersianEditorial

FLP 1438

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Achaemenid (547-331 BC)) — FLP 1438. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~430 BCE·Achaemenid PersianEditorial

FLP 1440

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Achaemenid (547-331 BC)) — FLP 1440. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~430 BCE·Achaemenid PersianEditorial

FLP 1463

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Achaemenid (547-331 BC)) — FLP 1463. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~430 BCE·Achaemenid PersianEditorial

FLP 1480

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Achaemenid (547-331 BC)) — FLP 1480. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Daily LifeEconomy
~430 BCE·Achaemenid PersianEditorial

Fs Albright 335-353

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Achaemenid (547-331 BC)) — Fs Albright 335-353. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Religion & MythDaily Life
~430 BCE·Achaemenid PersianEditorial

Kaskal 02, 098 10

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Achaemenid (547-331 BC)) — Kaskal 02, 098 10. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Religion & MythDaily Life

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