Category Archives: Assyria

Prayer to Marduk for Ashur-etel-ilani (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)

           (prayer to Marduk by mixed-breed king)

        For the god Marduk, supreme lord, august hero, lord of lords, exalted,

        wh(ose) figure is splendid (and who) is vastly superior to all of the (other) gods,

        bearer of the awe-inspiring, terrible radiance, clothed in splendor,

        who drove [off] the god Kingu (the moon in “Enuma Elish” Tale on Babylon Page),

        defeated the angry sea, (and) overcame the evil ones,

        who dwells in Eešerke — which is inside Sippar-Aruru — great lord, his lord:

        Aššur-etel-ilāni, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, son of Ashurbanipal,

        king of the world (and) king of Assyria, had a scepter of red gold made

           (prayers before giant god Marduk, lord over Babylon)

        which was (then) presented for his (Marduk’s) pure hands to grasp.

        He (Aššur-etel-ilāni) set (it) up forever inside Eešerke in order to ensure his good health,

        to prolong his days, to confirm his reign, to ensure the well-being of his descendant(s),

        to make his royal throne secure, (and) to ensure that his prayers are heard (and) his supplication(s) granted.

        He established for (all) future days the freedom from taxation of those privileged to enter the temple,

        the collegium, those people, as many as there are, who look after his (Marduk’s) ways.

           (Marduk on throne as supreme god with his golden scepter)

        That which is (written) upon the gold scepter of the god Marduk.

Prayer to Marduk for Ashur-etel-ilani (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)

           (Ninlil on shore, Enlil the Commander, & Nusku)

        [To the god] Marduk, venerable, splendid, the Enlil (Earth Colony Commander) of the gods,

       most exalted of [the] gods, the one who directs all of the gods (and) holds the link between the Igīgū– [and] Anunnakū-gods,

         commander, honored god, king of the totality of heaven and netherworld,

         at whose mention the great gods fearfully attend his command respectful,

        large of stature, one who grew up in the Watery Abyss (apsû),

         (whose) dignity is splendid, (whose) body is superior, (and whose) features are perfect,

         most capable of all (of the gods), one who knows everything, understands the will of the Watery Abyss,

         (and) comprehends the secret(s) of the lalgar, lord of Babylon,

          (Marduk’s Esagil ziggurat residence)

         one who dwells in Esagil, great lord, lord of the universe:

         Aššur-etel-ilāni, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, in order to ensure his good heath,

         so that his prayers be heard, and to overthrow his enemies presented (this) table of musukkannu-wood,

         a durable wood, which is mounted with red ṣāriru-gold … artistically made by the skill of craftsmen,

         (and) suitable for the fitting things of pure food offerings

             (patron god over Babylonia, eldest son to Enki)

        O god Marduk, great lord, when you look upon this table with pleasure,

         (and) when (this) table is set (and) regular, ceaseless offerings are presented,

         may the god Šulpaea, the lord of the table (Ninhursag‘s residence in Kish), speak well of Aššur-etel-ilāni,

         king of Assyria (and) your favorite ruler, before you!

        Two qû (and) the three and one-third akalu (as) offerings;

         one pānu (and) one sūtu of dried figs from the maššartu-deliveries of the month Tašrītu.

         Nādin, son of Bēl-aḫḫē-iqīša.

        Ulūlu (VI), eleventh day, third year.

Prayer to Nergal for Ashurbanipal (22)

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….demigod mixed-breeds in teal)

             (Nergal, spouse to Ereshkigal, Lord of the Lower World)

        For the god Nergal, mightiest of the gods, most overpowering of the gods, the supreme,

         perfect, (and) noble sovereign of his brother(s),

       the one who dwells in (the temple) Ešaḫula, the lord of Sirara, his lord:
       

         (Ashurbanipal) (Esarhaddon)

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

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

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

          (King Sennacherib on his stele)  (Sennacherib)

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

        In order to ensure his good health, he enlarged the courtyard of (the temple) Ešaḫula

         with baked bricks from a (ritually) pure kiln and made its processional way shine like daylight.

Prayer to Ishtar for Ashurbanipal (20)

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….demigod mixed-breeds in teal)

       this [work] falls into dis[repair …], question skilled [craftsmen! …

         Rebuild (…)], the temple of the goddess Ištar (Inanna) according to [its ancient] specifi[cations! …

          (Inanna in Akkadia / Akkad)

         The goddess Ištar-(of-Akkad)] will (then) listen to [your prayers. Look at my] royal inscription,

         [anoint (it) with oil, offer a sacrifice, (and)] s[et] (my royal inscription) with your (own) royal inscription!

        [(But) as for the one who erases my inscribed name by some crafty device],

         (or) does not write [my name] with his name, (or) [destroys my royal inscription],

         (or) does not set [my royal inscription with his (own) royal inscription] …

         […] the goddess Ištar-of-Akkad [will …]

Prayer to Enlil for Ashurbanipal (16)

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….demigod mixed-breeds in teal)

 

        For the god Enlil, king of the gods, lord of the heaven and netherworld, (giant royal alien) prince […],

        one who renders decisions, who[se order] cannot be changed,

        foremost of the Igīgū (Igigi) gods, hero of the Anunnakū (Anunnaki alien) gods, who ru[les …],

        one who holds the lead-rope of every(one), one who makes [opposing forces] agr[ee],

          

                   (Enlil, Earth Colony Commander in his E-kur residence – Command Central in Nippur)

        lord of the lands, wisest of the gods, one who dwells in Ekur which is inside [Nippur, (the great lord), his lord]:

 

        Ash[ur]b[ani]p[al, great king], mighty [kin]g, king of the wor[ld, king of Assyria,

        … king who has no] equal [in all] the lands;

        [son of Esarhaddon, great king], mighty [king], king of the world, king [of Assyria;

        grandson of Sennacherib], (who was) also great king, mighty king,

        king of the world, king of Assyria; king of the land of Sumer and Akkad,

            (pilot gods Ashur, Enlil, & Ninurta)

        vice-regent for the gods Aššur (Ashur), Enlil and Ninurta,

        one who provides for the cult centers, … sanctuaries — (temple / residences of giant alien gods)

 

        In order to ensure his good health, to prolong his days, to make his appearance (lit. “body”) radiant,

        to ensure the well-being of his offspring, so that he stand (victoriously) over his enemies,

        that his reign endure, that he lead (his people) aright with his staff, that his rule please his [land],

        (and) that he guide his people in abundant prosperity,

 

        (With regard to) Egigunû, the ziqqurat of Nippur,

        whose foundation is made secure on the breast of the Watery Abyss (apsû),

        whose enclosure wall had become old and eroded,

        I repaired its dilapidated section(s) with baked bricks from a (ritually) pure kiln, and completed its structure.

            (Ningishzidda placed the foundation pegs to Earth’s great monument wonders)

        I had it built anew with the work of the god Kulla (Ningishzidda) and made it shine like daylight.

        I raised its top (as high) as a mountain and made [its] appearance resplendent.

 

        On account of this, when the god Enlil, king of the gods (after father Anu), chief (royal prince) god of the gods,

        [great] lord, [(his lord)], loo[ks] upon Egigunû, the sign of the lands, with pleasure,

            (Enlil & his giant mixed-breed king Ashurbanipal)

        may he (Enlil) constantly bless the kingship of Ashurbanipal — king of Assyria,

        true shepherd who reveres his [great] divinity — (and) keep his reign safe until [far-off] days!

        May he cause [him to] gr[asp] a staff of shepherdship which makes opposing forces agree!

        May he make his shepherdship pleasant to his land!

        [May he make (him) stand (victoriously)] over [his] enemy!

Prayer to Ishtar for Ashurbanipal (15)

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)

           (Inanna & her house above Uruk)

       For the goddess Ištar-of-Uruk, sovereign of heaven and netherworld,

         most powerful of the gods, august one, who executes the command she gives in the east and in the west,

         the fierce goddess of battle who whirls around in the melee like a dust storm,

           (Inanna & Ninurta riding their winged, fire-spitting flying storm beasts; Inanna high above in her storm beast / well armed sky-disc)

         who goes at the side of the king, her favorite, (and) slays his foes, mistress of the lands,

         who has gathered to herself (all) divine offices (and) administers correctly all purification rites,

         

                  (Inanna’s E-anna complex, her ziggurat temple residence in Uruk)

         who dwells in Enirgalanim — which is inside Eanna — great lady, his lady:

           (giant semi-divine Assyrian 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,

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

         who imposed the yoke of his rulership upon the city Tyre — which is in the midst of the Upper Sea —

          (pristine Dilmun, lands & sweet waters given by father Enki to Ninsikila)

         and Dilmun — which is in the midst of the Lower Sea — so that they bore his yoke (lit. “pulled his yoke-rope”);

         whose deeds are pleasing to all the gods (and) whose shepherdship is sweet to the black-headed people;

          (Adad; Enki brings sweet water to the lands)

         during whose reign the god Adad made his rain (and) the god Ea (Enki) his springs last a long time for his land,

         (who) continually seeks after his people with prosperity and wealth,

         whose people are all in a state of prosperity, and whose settlements rejoice;

          (giant Esarhaddon) (giant Ashurbanipal)

         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,

          (Marduk’s Babylon; Marduk’s ziggurat residence in Babylon)

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

         and constantly established appropriate procedures in them;

         grandson of Sennacherib, (who was) also great king, mighty king, king of the world, (and) king of Assyria —

        During my reign, the great lord, the god Marduk, [entered] Babylon amidst rejoicing.

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

           (giant brothers, mixed-breed semi-divine kings Ashurbanipal & Samas-suma-ukin)

         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 had not been finished.

         I decorated Esagil with silver, gold, and precious stones

          (Babylon, re-creation image)

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

         I repaired the damaged parts of all their sanctuaries (and) extended (my) protection over all cult centers.

        At that time, (with regard to) the enclosure wall of Ea[nn]a, the perimeter […]

         which had become old, buckled, (and) a heap of ruin,

         I sought their (original) emplacement [and had (them) (re)built anew.

         I] completed (them), raising their tops (as high) as a mountain.

           (Ninsun & Inanna,, goddesses residing in Uruk)

        On account of this, may the goddess Ištar-of-Uruk, the great lady,

         look upon this work with pleasure and may a go[od] word for me —

         Ashurbanipal, king of Assyria (and) prince who reveres her— be set upon her lips!

         [May she determine as my fate] a long life, fullness of old age, good health, (and) happ[iness]!

         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]!

        May any future prince, during the days of whose reign this work falls into disrepair, [renovate its] dilapidated sections!

         May he write my name with his (own) name, look at my royal inscription,

         anoint (it) with oil, offer a sacrifice, (and) place (my royal inscription) with his (own) royal inscription!

        The goddess Ištar-of-Uruk will (then) listen to his prayers.

       (But) as for the one who does not write my name with his name, (or) destroys my royal inscription,

         or changes its position and does not place (it) with his (own) royal inscription,

          (Inanna as both Goddess of Love, & Goddess of War on the front lines)

         may the goddess Ištar-of-Uruk, great lady, glare at him angrily,

         make his name (and) his descendant(s) disappear from the lands, and have no pity on him!

Prayer to Shamash for Ashurbanipal (14)

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 by the command of the gods, his helpers, rules from the Upper Sea to the Lower Sea and has subjugated all rulers;

           (King Esarhaddon stands before his god’s temple-residence)

        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,

           (Esagil, Marduk‘s residence)

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

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

           (Sennacherib scribes take Hebrew head count)

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

           (patron god Marduk enters Babylon)

              (son Nabu, semi-divine king, earthling worker, Marduk upon Mushhushu, & son Ashur)

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

           (giant semi-divine Ashurbanipal & giant brother Samas-suma-ukin)

        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 unfinished work on Esagil.

        I decorated Esagil with silver, gold, (and) precious stones

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

        I restored the damage done to all the sanctuaries.

        I extended (my) protection over all the cult centers.

        At that time, I sought the (original) emplacement of Ebabbar, which is inside Sippar,

        the temple of the god Šamaš, the great lord, my lord, which had become old, buckled, and collapsed.

            (Ningishzidda sets the foundation pegs to the world’s greatest monuments)

        I had (it) (re)built anew with the work of the god Kulla (Ningishzidda) and raised its top (as high) as a mountain.

        On account of this, may the god Šamaš, great judge of the gods, great lord, my lord, look upon my good deeds with pleasure!

        May he determine (20) for me — Ashurbanipal, king of Assyria, the prince who reveres him —

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

        Moreover, with regard to Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, the 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) renovate its dilapidated sections

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

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

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

            (giant semi-divine descendant-king, & bigger giant, the god Utu hearing his prayers)

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

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

        (or) does not write my name with his (own) name, (or) destroys my royal inscription,

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

        may the god Šamaš, lord of the upper world and the netherworld, glare at him angrily

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

Prayer to Nabu for Ashurbanipal (13)

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 mixed-breed Assyrian King Ashurbanipal)

        I, Ashurbanipal, great [kin]g, 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,

             (Ashur; Utu; Marduk)

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

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

         [who provi]des for Esagil, the palace of the gods —

         [who]se [doorbo]lt I made glisten like the stars (lit. “writing”) of the firmament —

         who repaired the damaged parts (10) of all their sanctuaries,

        (who) established (my) protection over all cult centers, the one who[se] deeds are pleasing to all the gods

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

          (top panel: Esagil temple residence of Marduk, & King Esarhaddon)

         son of Esarhaddon, (15) king of the world, king of Assyria,

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

          (Esagil ruins; Babylon)

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

         constantly established appropriate procedures in them,

       (and) (re)confirmed [thei]r [inter]rupted regular offerings,

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

          (Assyrian King Sennacherib, ruled 704-681 B.C.)

         grandson of Sennache[rib], king of the world, king of Assyria, I —

         During my reign, the great lord, the god Mard[uk],

           (Marduk;  Ashur / Ahura-Mazda)

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

           (Ashur’s Assur; Marduk’s Babylon)

         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

         (King Ashurbanipal & brother King Samas-suma-ukin)

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

            (Nabu’s residence Ezida; Borsippa)

       At that time, (with regard to) the enclosure wall of Ezida (“True House”) (of Nabu in Borsippa)

         which had become old and whose foundation had become weak,

         during my reign I renovated its dilapidated sections and made (it) high as a mountain.

          (giant alien god Nabu, in man’s image & likeness)

       On account of this, may the god Nabû, the august lord,

         look upon my good deeds with pleasure and may a good word for me —

         Ashurbanipal, prince who reveres him — be set upon his lips!

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

         May he make the foundation of my royal throne as secure as a mountain!

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

         Moreover, with regard to Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, [king] of Babylon, my favorite brother (mixed-breed semi-divine bloodline),

         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 look at my royal statue, anoint (it) with oil, offer a sacrifice, (and) place (my statue) with his (own) statue!

         (Utu, Marduk, giant mixed-breed king, Enki, & Nabu the scribe)

         The god Nabû will (then) listen to his prayers

        (But) as for the one who erases my inscribed name, (or) destroys my royal statue,

         or changes its position and does not place (it) with his (own) statue,

         may the god Nabû, supreme lord, glare at him angrily, overthrow his royal rule, and take away his sovereignty!

         (Marduk, Ashur, Nabu & Babylonian semi-divine king with Nabu’s animal symbol)

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

Ashurbanipal Inscriptions

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 a Brick:

         For the god Marduk, his lord: Ashurbanipal, king of the world (and) king of Assyria,

         in order to ensure his good health had baked bricks made anew for Esagil and Etemenanki.

 

on a Brick:

         For the god Marduk, his lord: Ashurbanipal, king of the world (and) king of Assyria,

         son of Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, (and) king of Babylon,

         had baked bricks made anew for Etemenanki.

 

on a Brick:

         For the god Asari, great lord, his lord:

        Ashurbanipal, king of the world (and) king of Assyria,

          son of Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, (and) king of Babylon,

          for the sake of his life had Etemenanki constructed anew.

 

on a Brick:

         [For] the god Marduk, his lord:

       Ashur[banipal], son of Esarhaddon, king of the world (and) [king of Assyria had]

         baked bricks [made] anew for Etemena[nki].

 

on a Brick:

          For the god Marduk, his lord: Ashurbanipal, king of the world (and) king of Assyria,

        for the sake of his life had baked bricks made anew for Etemenanki.

 

on a Brick:

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

          Ashurbanipal, his obedient shepherd, mighty king, king of the four quarters (of the world),

          (re)built Ekur, his beloved temple, with baked bricks.

 

on a Brick:

          For the god Enlil, king of the gods, sovereign of heaven (and) netherworld,

          prince (who decides) the fates, (5) his lord:

          Ashurbanipal, his obedient shepherd, mighty king, king of the world,

          (re)built Egigunû with baked bricks.

 

on a Brick:

          For the god Enlil, king of the gods, sovereign of heaven (and) netherworld,

          prince (who decides) the fates, (5) his lord:

          Ashurbanipal, his obedient shepherd, mighty king, king of the world,

          skillfully (re)built with baked bricks … within Eḫursaggalama, his ancient royal cella.

 

on a Brick:

          For the god Enlil, [(…) his lord]: Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of [Assyria, (…)]

          king of the four quarters (of the world), had (this) [(…)] built for the sake of his life.

 

on a Brick:

          For the god Nanna, king of heaven (and) netherworld:

          in order to ensure the good health of Ashurbanipal,

          king of kings, his lord, Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, viceroy of Ur (and) Eridu,

          who provides for Ekišnugal, the shining shrine of the Watery Abyss (apsû),

          (re)built anew (10) Elugalgalgasisa, his beloved temple.

 

on a Brick:

          {For the god Nanna], his [lo]rd, [… of As]hurbanipal, [king] of the world,

          [Sî]n-balāssu-iqbi, (5) viceroy of Ur (and) Eridu,

          for the sake of his life (re)built Elugalgalgasisa [an]ew.

 

on a Brick:

          For the god Nanna, king of the Enlil (circle of) gods, his lord:

          Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, viceroy of Ur, who provides for Eridu,

          built Eušumgalana, the station of the goddess Ninkasi.

 

on a Brick:

          (For) the god Nanna, king of the Enlil (circle) of gods, his lord:

          Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, the viceroy of Ur, (5) who provides for Eridu,

          built Eešbanda, the abode of the goddess Šuzianna (Enlil’s junior wife).

 

on a Brick

          For the god Nanna, king of the Enlil (circle of) gods, his lord:

          Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, viceroy of Ur, (5) who provides for Eridu,

          built Eankikuga, the station of the god Kusu (Enlil’s daughter, Gibil’s spouse).

 

on a Brick:

          For the god Nanna (Nannar), king of the Enlil (circle of) gods, his lord:

          Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, viceroy of Ur, (5) who provides for Eridu,

          built Eadgigi, the abode of the god Nusku (spouse to Sadarnuna, Anu’s daughter).

 

on a Brick:

          For the god Nanna, king of the Enlil (circle of) gods, his lord:

          Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, viceroy of Ur, (5) who provides for Eridu,

          built Ekišibgalekura, the abode of the god Ninimma (Enki’s daughter with Ninkurra).

 

on a Brick:

          [For (the god Nanna, king of the Enlil (circle of) gods], his [lord:

          Sîn-balāssu-iq]bi, [viceroy of Ur, (5) who provides for Eri]du,

          built [E..].kuga, [the abode/station] of the god Ennugi (Enlil’s son, the sheriff).

 

on a Brick:

          For the god Nanna, king of the Enlil (circle of) gods, his lord:

          Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, viceroy of Ur, (5) who provides for Eridu, built Eanšar, his royal abode.

 

on a Brick:

          For (the god Nanna, king of the Enlil (circle of) gods, his lord:

          Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, viceroy of Ur, (5) who provides for Eridu,

          built Ešaduga, the abode of his Enlilship.

 

on a Brick:

          For the god Nanna, king of the Enlil (circle of) gods, his lord:

          Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, viceroy of Ur, (5) who provides for Eridu,

          built Eašanamar, the abode of the god Enlil (Earth Colony Commander).

 

on a Cone:

          For the goddess Ningal, queen of Ekišnugal, divine Ninmenna (“Lady-of-the-Crown”), beloved of Ur, his lady:

          Sin-balassu-iqbi, viceroy of Ur, built anew the Gipāru,

          the house of the supreme goddess, beloved wife of the god Sîn (Nannar).

          After he constructed a statue, a (re-)creation of the goddess Ningal,

          (and) brought it into the house of the wise god,

          she took up residence in Enun, (which was) built (to be) her lordly abode.

 

on a Disc:

          For the goddess Ningal, august lady, queen of the goddesses, (most) valiant of the great gods:

          In order to ensure the good health of Ashurbanipal, king of Assyria, mighty king, (and) king of the world,

          his lord, Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, son of Ningal-iddin, viceroy of Ur, Eridu and the Gurasimmu (tribe),

          opened up (its) emplacement, (re)built (the well named) Puḫilituma, and established (it) for all time.

          He made inexhaustible spring water appear in it.

          With regard to any (future) prince who (re)opens this well,

          may his days be long (and) his offspring extensive!

 

Copy from a baked brick from the debris of Ur:

          the work of Amar-Suen, king of Ur, (which) Sîn-balāssu-iqbi, viceroy of Ur,

          had discovered while looking for the ground-plan of Ekišnugal.

          Nabû-šuma-iddin, son of Iddin-Papsukkal, the lamentation-priest of the god Sîn (Nannar),

          saw (it) and wrote (it) down for display.

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!