Author Archives: nibirudb

Prayer to Ea (Enki) for Ashurbanipal

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue … mixed-breed demigods in teal)

          (larger mixed-breed King Ashurbanipal wrestles lion)

        I, Ashurbanipal, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria,

        king of the four quarters (of the world), king of kings, prince who has no rival,

           (giants Ashur) (Utu) (Marduk)

        who by the command of the gods Aššur (Ashur), Šamaš (Utu), and Marduk

        rules from the Upper Sea (10) to the Lower Sea and has subjugated all rulers,

        who provides (butler to the gods) for Esagil, the palace of (Marduk & spouse) the gods —

        whose doorbolt I made glisten like the stars (lit. “writing”) of the firmament —,

        who repaired the damaged parts of all their sanctuaries,

        (who) established (my) protection over all cult centers, whose deeds are pleasing to all the gods

        (and) whose shepherdship is sweet to the black-headed (non-mixed earthlings) people;

          (giant god Ashur & King Esarhaddon;    Esarhaddon)

        son of Esarhaddon, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria,

        viceroy of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad,

        who (re)settled Babylon, (re)built Esagil, renovated the sanctuaries of all the cult centers,

        constantly established appropriate procedures in them, and (re)confirmed their interrupted offerings,

        (who) restored the rites and rituals according (30) to the old pattern;

        grandson of Senna[cherib], great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Ass[yria], I —

            (Marduk, patron god of Babylon)

          During my reign, the [great] lord, the god Marduk,

        who during the reign of a previous king had resided in Baltil (Aššur) (Ashur’s patron city-state)

        in the presence of the father who created [him], entered Babylon amidst rejoicing.

        I (re)confirmed the regular offerings for Esagil and the gods of Babylon.

        I (re–)established the privileged status of Babylon (and) in order that the strong might not harm the weak,

          (Samas-suma-ukin, King of Babylon under Marduk, carrying grain, mud bricks, etc.)

        I appointed Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, my favorite brother, to the kingship of Babylon.

        I completed the work on Esagil which my father had not finished.

        I roofed it with immense beams of cedar and cypress, the produce of Mount Amanus and Mount Lebanon.

        I had doors made of boxwood, musukkannu-wood, juniper, and cedar and I hung (them) [in] its gates.

        I had vessels made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and (precious) stones and I placed (them) inside it.

           (Esagil, Marduk’s residence with separate private hotels for the others)

        At that [time], I had Ekarzagina, the shrine (private hotel) of the god E[a] (Enki) which is inside Esagil, (re)built anew.

        May the god Ea, king of the Watery Abyss (apsû), look upon this work with [pleasure]

        and may a good word for me — [Ashurba]nipal, king of Ass[yria, prince] who reveres him — be set upon his lips!

        May he determine as my fate a long life, fullness of ol[d a]ge, good health, and happiness!

        May he [make] the foundation of my [royal th]ro[ne as secure] as a mountain!

        May he make my reign as firm as heaven and netherworld!

        Moreover, with regard to Šamaš-šuma-[uk]īn, king of Babylon, my favorite brother,

        may his days be long and may he be fully satisfied with (his) good fortune!

 

        If at any time in the future, [during the days] of the reign of some future prince,

        this work falls into disrepair, [may (that prince) re]pair its dilapidated state!

        May he look at my royal statue, [an]oint (it) [with oil], offer a sacrifice, (and) place (my statue) with his (own) statue!

          (Enki / Ea, wisest of the gods, 1st to arrive on Earth with crew of 50)

        The god Ea will (then) listen to his prayers.

         (But) as for the one who e[ras]es my inscribed name, (or) [destroys] my royal statue,

        or [ch]an[ges] its position [and] does not pla[ce] (it) with [his] (own) sta[tue],

        may the god Ea, august lord, glare at him angrily, overthrow his royal rule, and take away his sovereignty.

        May he (Ea) (Enki) make his name (and) his descendant(s) disappear from the lands and have no pity on him!

Prayer to Marduk for Ashurbanipal (5)

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue … mixed-breed demigods in teal)

           (giant semi-divine mixed-breed King Ashurbanipal)

          Ashurbanipal, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria,

        king of the four quarters (of the world), king of kings, prince who has no rival;

        son of Esarhaddon, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria,

        viceroy of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad;

        grandson of Sennacherib, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, I —

          During my reign, the great lord, the god Marduk,

             (Nabu, mixed-breed king, high-priest, Marduk, & Ashur)

        who during the reign of a previous king had resided in Baltil (Aššur) (Ashur’s patron city)

        in the presence of the father who had created him, (10) entered Babylon amidst rejoicing.

        I (re)confirmed the regular offerings for Esagil and the gods of Babylon.

        I (re–)established the privileged status of Babylon (and) appointed Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, my favorite brother,

        to the kingship of Babylon in order that the strong might not harm the weak.

        I completed the work on Esagil which my father had not finished.

          At that time, I (re-)erected the platforms and daises of all of Esagil

        in their (original) positions according to their ancient specifications.

             (Babylonian king with spouse receive instructions for Babylon from Marduk)

          On account of this, may the god Marduk, the great lord, look upon my good deeds with pleasure

        and determine as my fate a long life, fullness of old age, good health, and happiness!

        Moreover, with regard to Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, king of Babylon, my favorite brother,

        may his days be long and may he be fully satisfied with (his) good fortune!

          If at any time in the future, during the days of the reign of some future prince,

        this work falls into disrepair, may (that prince) repair its dilapidated state!

        May he write my name with his (own) name!

        May he look at my royal inscription, anoint (it) with oil, offer a sacrifice,

        (and) set (my royal inscription back) in its place!

             (Marduk instructs Babylonian king, etc.)

        The god Marduk will (then) hearken to his prayers.

          [(But) as for the one who] erases my inscribed name,

        (or) destroys my royal inscription, or changes its position,

        may the great lord, the god Marduk, glare at him angrily

        and make his name (and) his descendant(s) disappear from the lands!

Prayer to Ninmah for Ashurbanipal (4)

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue … mixed-breed demigods in teal)

           (Ashurbanipal, bigger & stronger than a full grown lion)

        Ashurbanipal, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria,

        king of the four quarters (of the world), king of kings, prince who has no rival,

        who rules from the Upper Sea to the Lower Sea and has subjugated all rulers;

        son of Esarhaddon, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria,

        viceroy of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad;

             (Esarhaddon)  (Sennacherib)

        grandson of Sennacherib, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, I —
         

        I completed the work on Esagil which (my) father who had engendered me had not finished.

        I (re)confirmed the regular offerings for Esagil and the gods of Babylon.

        I (re-)established the privileged status of Babylon (and) appointed Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, my favorite brother,

        to the kingship of Babylon in order that the strong might not harm the weak.

            (private motel-residences for visiting gods in Babylon)

        At that time, I had Emaḫ, the temple of the goddess Ninmaḫ which is inside Babylon, (re)built anew.

          On account of this, may the goddess Ninmaḫ, the august lady, look upon my good deeds with pleasure

          (Marduk, rocket, & spouse Sarpanit in Babylon)

        and say good things about me daily before the god Bēl (Marduk) and the goddess Bēltīia (Zarpanītu) (Sarpanit)!

        May she determine as my fate a long life (and) make my reign as firm as heaven and netherworld!

           (Samas-suma-ukin, subservient King of Babylon)

        Moreover, with regard to Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, king of Babylon, my favorite brother,

        may his days be long and may he experience the fullness of old age!

          (But) as for the one who erases my inscribed name or the name of my favorite (brother)

        by some crafty device, (or) destroys my royal inscription, or changes its position,

          (Ninmah / Ninhursag, Enki’s twin sister-lover)

        may the goddess Ninmaḫ speak evil of him before the god Bēl (and) the goddess Bēltīia (Marduk‘s spouse)

        and make his name (and) his descendant(s) disappear from the lands!

Prayer to Ishtar for Ashurbanipal & Brother Samas-suma-unkin (3)

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue….mixed-breed demigods in teal)

          Ashurbanipal, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria,

        king of the four quarters (of the world), king of kings, prince who has no rival,

        who rules from the Upper Sea to the Lower Sea and has subjugated all rulers;

        son of Esarhaddon, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria,

          

            (giant mixed-breed kings of Assyria: Ashurbanipal, Esarhaddon before giant god Ashur; Sennacherib)

        viceroy of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad;

        grandson of Sennacherib, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria —

          I completed the work on Esagil which (my) father who had engendered me had not finished.

        I (re)confirmed the regular offerings for Esagil and the gods of Babylon.

           

                  (Marduk’s ziggurat residence in Babylon;              Babylon separate & way down below Marduk’s lair)

        I (re-)established the privileged status of Babylon (and) appointed Šamaš-<šuma>-ukīn, my favorite brother,

        to the kingship of Babylon in order that the strong might not harm the weak.

          At that time, I had Eturkalama, the temple of the goddess Ištar (Inanna)-of-Babylon, (re)built anew.

             (Inanna’s private entrance to her residence in Babylon)

          May the goddess Ištar-of-Babylon, the august lady, look upon my good deeds with pleasure

         (Marduk, his spouse Sarpanit, unidentified god, & father Enki)

        and may she say good things about me daily before the god Bēl (Marduk) and the goddess Bēltīia (Zarpanītu) (Sarpanit)!

        May she determine as my fate a long life (and) make my reign [as] firm as heaven and netherworld!

        [Moreover, with regard to] Šamaš-<šuma>-ukīn, king of Babylon, [my favorite brother],

        may [his days] be long and may he experience the fullness of old age!         

        [(But) as for the one who] erases [my inscribed name or the name of] my [fav]orite (brother)

        by some crafty device, (or) destroys my royal inscription, or changes its position,

        may the goddess Ištar-of-Babylon speak evil of him before the god Bēl (and) the goddess Bēltīia (Marduk‘s spouse)

           (Marduk, spouse Sarpanit, & son Nabu)

        (and) make his name (and) his descendant(s) disappear from the lands!

Praise of Ashurbanipal (2)

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue….mixed-breed demigods in teal)

 (Ashurbanipal & female)

         Ashurbanipal, [great] king, [mighty king, king of the world], king of Assyria,

        king of the [four] quarters (of the world), [king of kings], prince who has no rival,

        who rules from [the Upper Sea to the] Lower [Sea] and [has subjugated] all [rulers];

        son of Esarhaddon, [great] king, [(mighty king), (king of the world),

        (king of Assyria), (viceroy of Babylon)], king of the land of Sumer and Akkad;

        [grand]son of [Sennacherib, (great king), mighty king], king of the world, king of Assyria, I —

          [I completed the work on Esagil] which (my) father who had engendered me had not [finished.

        I (re)confirmed] the regular offerings for Esagil [and the gods of Babylon.

        I (re-)established] the privileged status of B[abylon (and) appointed Šamas-šuma-ukīn, my favorite brother,

        to the kingship of Babylon in order that the strong might not harm] the weak.
         

        [(But) as for the one who … destroys my] royal ins[cription, or changes its position],

        may the god Ea (Enki), king of the Wat[ery Abyss (apsû), speak evil of him

 (Sarpanit & Marduk)

        before the god Bēl (Marduk) (and) the goddess Bēltīia (Zarpanītu) (Sarpanit)

        and make] his name (and) his descendant(s) [disappear] from [the lands!]

Prayer to Marduk for Ashurbanipal (1)

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue …mixed-breed demigods in teal…)

         For the god Marduk, king of all the Igīgū gods and Anunnakū gods, creator of heaven and netherworld,

           (Marduk’s Esagil residence in Babylon)

         who establishes archetypes (and) dwells in Esagil, lord of Babylon, great lord, my lord:

           (giant semi-divine mixed-breed King Ashurbanipal, named after Ashur)

          I, Ashurbanipal, great king, mighty king, king of the world,

          king of Assyria, king of the four quarters (of the world);

          son of Esarhaddon, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria,

          viceroy of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad,

          who (re)settled Babylon, (re)built Esagil, renovated the sanctuaries of all the cult centers,

          constantly established appropriate procedures in them, and (re)confirmed their interrupted regular offerings,

          (who) restored the rites (and) rituals according to the old pattern;

              (Sennacherib administers torture to his captives)

          grandson of Sennacherib, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, I —

          During my reign, the great lord, the god Marduk,

          

             (son Nabu, semi-divine king with dinner, high-priest, Marduk enters Babylon, & son Ashur)

          entered Babylon amidst rejoicing and took up his residence in the eternal Esagil.

          I (re)confirmed the regular offerings for Esagil and the gods of Babylon.

           (King Samas-suma-ukin carrying mud bricks, grains, etc.)

          I (re-)established the privileged status of Babylon (and) appointed Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, my favorite brother,

          to the kingship of Babylon in order that the strong might not harm the weak.

          I decorated Esagil (“House whose Top is High”) with silver, gold, (and) precious stones

          and made Eumuša (“House of Counsel”) glisten like the stars (lit. “writing”) of the firmament.

          At that time, (with regard to) Imgur-Enlil (“The God Enlil Showed Favor”), the (city) wall of Babylon,

          (and) Nēmet-Enlil (“Bulwark of the God Enlil”), its outer wall,

          which had become old and buckled (and) collapsed,

          in order to increase the security of Esagil and the (other) sanctuaries of Babylon,

          with the strength of my labor forces I had Nēmet-Enlil, its outer wall, built quickly anew

            (Ningishzidda, architect of world’s monuments)

          with the work of the god Kulla (Ningishzidda) and I refitted its gates.

          I had (new) doors made and hung (them) in its gateways.

          O (you) future prince, during whose reign this work falls into disrepair, question skilled craftsmen!

          (Re)build Imgur-Enlil, the (city) wall, (and) Nēmet-Enlil, the outer wall, according to their ancient specifications!

          Look at my royal inscription, anoint (it) with oil, offer a sacrifice,

          (and) place (my royal inscription) with your (own) royal inscription!

            (giant gods & ancient mixed-breed kings prayers)

          The god Marduk will (then) listen to your prayers.

          (But) as for the one who destroys my inscribed name or the name of my favorite (brother) by some crafty device,

          (or) does not place my royal inscription with his (own) royal inscription,

           (Marduk, son Nabu, & spouse Sarpanit, Ningishzidda as horned snake)

          may the god Marduk, king of everything, glare at him angrily

          and make his name (and) his descendant(s) disappear from the lands!

Prayers to Sin for Ashurbanipal

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue …mixed-breed demigods in teal…)

(2001):

        For the god Sîn (Nannar) of heaven, lion of the gods

             (Nannar & father Enlil, Earth Colony Commander)

        (and) king of the Enlil (Nannar’s father) (circle of) gods, his lord:

        Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, viceroy of Ur, son of Ningal-iddin, (who was also) viceroy of Ur,

          who provides for Ekišnugal (Nannar & Ningal’s ziggurat residence in Ur) —

             

          (E-kish-nugal, Nannar’s ziggurat temple residence way above city of Ur; original “Stairway to Heaven” to god)

          (With regard to) Etemennigurru, whose (enclosure) wall had collapsed in the distant past,

          whose foundation terrace had lain waste, (and) whose foundations were covered over,

        I sought the location of its forgotten gate(s).

        I put its foundation inscription inside a box and raised its (the temple’s) top.

        I inlaid with silver a door of boxwood, wood of finest quality from a distant mountain,

        fixed with a copper peg, whose band(s) were strong, (whose) bottom was of gold,

        (whose) door bolt was of shining silver, (and whose) bar and pivot were of strong copper,

        in order that it might stand forever fixed in the doorway of the “secret house,” the house of divination (holy of holies).

           (goddess Ningal & spouse Nannar, patron gods of Ur)

          May the god Sîn (and) the goddess Ningal (Nannar’s spouse), the god(s), my helpers,

        destroy the name of anyone who erases my inscription or changes its position!

(2002 on a Cone):

          For the god Sîn of heaven, lion of the gods (and) king of the Enlil (circle of) gods, his lord:

          Sin-balāssu-iqbi, viceroy of Ur, son of Ningal-iddin, (10) (who was also) viceroy of Ur,

          (re)built anew Etemennigurru, his beloved temple.

Adad-apla-iddina Babylonian Inscriptrions

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue…mixed-breed demigods in teal)

On A Cylinder From Babylon:        

       [Adad-apla-iddin]a

         (Too poorly preserved to allow translation.)

         I am the one who takes in his (lit. “my”) hand the lead rope of all the people.

          (Ashur in his winged sky-disc leads his kings’ battles from the front)

         At that time, with regard to the god Asari, the one who goes at the fore, I respectfully followed his desires.

         In order to re-erect the wall Imgur-Enlil (“The God Enlil Showed Favour”),

          (Marduk’s Esagil ziggurat residence in Babylon)

         the (city) wall of Babylon, which had collapsed at the beginning of the year due to old age,

         to reach its ancient foundation, to lay its foundation on the breast of the netherworld,

         and to restore it (ii 15) as it had been in the past, … the king … … may he not change.

         … my statue I put with it.

On A Brick From Ur:

         Adad-apla-iddina, son of the goddess Ninisina (Bau), king of Babylon,

        

              (Inanna brings her semi-divine bride-king before her father Nannar, the Moon God & patron of Ur)

         son-in-law (semi-divine spouse-king to Inanna) of the god Nanna, the one who provides for Ur

         (and) re[nov]ated Egiš[nu]gal for the god A[Šimbabbar (Nanna / Nannar), his] lord.

On A Brick From Ur:

         Adad-apla-iddina, son of the goddess Ninisina (Bau), king of Babylon,

        

              (Inanna brings her semi-divine bride-king before her father Nannar, the Moon God & patron of Ur)

         son-in-law (spouse to Inanna) of the divine (moon) crescent (Nannar, his symbol), the one who provides for Ur,

            (E-gishnugal, ziggurat temple residence of Nannar in Ur)       

         renovated Egišnugal (“House of the Seed of the throne”, Nannar’s residence) for the god Ašimbabbar (Nannar), his lord.

On A Brick From Larsa:

         Adad-apla-iddina, king of Babylon, … of the god Šamaš (Utu),

          (Larsa ruins 1912)

         built the (enclosure) wall of the temple Ebabbar (“Shining House”), the abode of prayer (in Larsa).

On A Brick From Isin:

         For the goddess Ninisina (Bau), wisest of the gods, his lady: Adad-apla-iddina, king of Babylon, son of (Bau)…,

           (Nippur ziggurat ruins, Enlil’s residence, alien Command Central)

         renovated Egalmaḫ (“Exalted Palace”) (Bau’s residence in Nippur), her beloved shrine.

On A Cone / Shem Model From Khorsabad:

         Adad-apla-iddina, [king] of Babylon, builder of Nēmet-Marduk (“Bulwark of the God Marduk”),

           (giants Enlil, Ninlil, & Enki)

         the outer wall of the (city) wall of Nippur, for the god Enlil, his lord.

On A Brick From Kish:

         Adad-apla-iddina, king of Babylon, made Emeteursaga (“House Worthy of the Hero”) shine.

         The god Zababa (Enlil’s son) …

On A Bead:

         To Marduk, lord of Babylon, [lord] of Esagila, his august helper, his lord:

        Adad-apla-iddina, king of Babylon, [presented] (this object) for the sake of his life.

Praise to Nabu for Adad-apla-iddina (5)

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue …mixed-breed demigods in teal…)

              (Nabu, Marduk’s son, patron god over Borsippa)

         For the supreme vizier, dragon without equal, … sublime …

         Offspring of the god Dumu-duku (Marduk), perfect heir, honoured son,

         (Marduk, spouse Sarpanit, & son Nabu)

       offspring of the goddess Erua (Sarpanit),

         The one who has gathered to himself (all) rites and ordinances,

       who makes secure the throne, the sceptre of the people,

        

                        (areal view of Nabu’s patron city Borsippa;   Ezida, ziggurat residence of Nabu in Borsippa, a mini Babylon)

         Who esta[blishes] a reign, who decrees kingship, the lord of Borsippa who dwells in Ezida,

         His helper, his august protector, who makes him triumph, his lord:

           (Marduk’s ziggurat residence separated from his city of Babylon)

         Adad-apla-iddina, king of Babylon, prince who reveres him,

         To (obtain) what he strives for, … his desire, to experience the fullness of old age,

          … his aid … to intercede …

         A belt of red gold which is duly adorned with valuable stone(s)

         And (decorated with depictions of) rampant bulls standing upon it facing the four directions

         He had made and presented (to the god) to be an ornament for his braided belt.

         Eleven are its lines.

       That which is (written) upon the belt of the lord of Borsippa.

         Written (and) collated according to its original.

         Written according to the wording of damaged tablets.

        Anyone who sees (this) should not damage (it)!

        (Instead), let him restore the break(s)!

          Tablet of Urad-Gula, the exorcist, [so]n of Adad-šuma-uṣur,

           (Marduk’s temple residence, & King Esarhaddon giving praise) 

        chief exorcist of Es[ar]haddon, king of Assyria.

Nebuchadnezzar I Inscriptions on 3 Items

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

 

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue…mixed-breed demigods in teal)

 

Inscription on Brick:

          For the god Enlil, lord of lands, his lord:

        Nebuchadnezzar, (5) prayerful prince, made baked bricks and built the base of the Unu-maḫ (with them).

 

Inscription on Dagger:

          (Property) of Nebuchadnezzar, king of the world,

          king of Babylon, king of Sumer (and) Akkad.

 

Inscription on Hatchet:

          O god Marduk, you are able to rescue the prayerful man

        (and) to make the one who is assiduous toward your sanctuaries stand (in victory) over (his) enemies.

          Your breeze wafted to me; I am able to throw down my enemies.

          Strengthen my weapons so that I may overthrow my foes!

          (Property) of Nebuchadnezzar, king of the world.