Tag Archives: Texts

The Antakya stela

(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)

 

The Antakya Stela. Archaeological Museum of Antakya (Turkey)

In the Archaeological Museum of Antakya (Turkey), one can see a stone stela that was discovered in what is now a suburb of the city. It was erected by the Assyrian king Adad-Nirari III (810-783) as a boundary marker between two of his vassal kings, Ataršumki of Arpad and Zakkur of Hamath. It seems that the latter had to give up a piece of land surrounding a village named Nahlasi and a stretch of land in the fertile valley of the Orontes. It is remarkable that the Assyrian king and his general dictate the terms of the treaty and invoke Assyrian gods in what was a local dispute.

The stela consists of two parts. The upper half shows king Adad-Nirari, his general Šamši-ilu, and a column. This may be an asherah, a pole that signified the presence of a deity. The lower half contains a beautifully carved inscription, which consists of four sections:

  1. The king’s titles: the normal beginning of an inscription in the ancient Near East;

  2. The terms of the treaty: the village Nahlasi will be part of kingdom of Ataršumki of Arpad;

  3. A statement of fact: the king has released the village from its obligation;

  4. A statement that anyone who alters the terms, is cursed. This is, again, a common part in a Near Eastern text from Antiquity.

The date is not known. Adad-Nirari visited the region in 796, but the fact that his commander-in-chief Šamši-ilu is mentioned prominently, suggests that he was in fact responsible for dictating the terms. This makes any date between 810 and 783 possible.

The text was translated by K. Lawson Younger, Jr.

Adad-Nirari [III], great king, might king,

king of the universe, king of Assyria,

son of Šamši-Adad [V], might king, king of the universe,

king of Assyria, son of Shalmaneser [III], king of the four quarters.

The boundary which which Adad-Nirari, king of Assyria,

and Šamši-ilu, the commander-in-chief,

established between Zakkur, the Hamathite, and Ataršumki, son of Adrame:

the city of Nahlasi together with all its fields,

its orchards and its settlements is Ataršumki’s property.

They divided the Orontes river between them.

This is the border.

Adad-Nirari, king of Assyria, and Šamši-ilu, the commander-in-chief,

have released it from obligations free and clear to Ataršumki, son of Adrame,

to his sons, and his subsequent grandsons.

He established his city and its territories […] to the border of his land.

By the name of Aššur, Adad, and Ber, the Assyrian Enlil, the Assyrian Ninlil,

and the name Sin, who dwells in Harran, the great gods of Assyria:

whoever afterwords speaks ill of the terms of this stela,

and takes away by force this border from the possession of Ataršumki,

his sons, or his grandsons,

and destroys the written name and writes another name:

may Aššur, Adad, and Ber Sin who dwells in Harran,

the great gods of Assyria whose names are recorded on this stela,

not listen to his prayers.

 

Royal Inscription of Assurnasirpal II:

(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…)

‘CALAH I RESTORED.

A TEMPLE OF MY LADY I ESTABLISHED THERE.

THIS TEMPLE DEDICATED TO THE GODS AND SUBLIME,

WHICH WILL ENDURE FOREVER,

I WILL DECORATE SPLENDIDLY.’

ms711

PART OF THE ‘STANDARD INSCRIPTION’ FROM THE ROYAL PALACE IN CALAH, MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE

MS in Assyrian on basalt stone, Nimrod (Calah), Assyria, 883-859 BC, 1 plaque, 43×26 cm, single column, (43×23 cm), 10 lines in display cuneiform script. Complete standard inscription: ca. 50×225 cm (ca. 45×215), 21 long lines with friezes over and below (both ca. 70×225 cm).

Context: Most of the reliefs and inscriptions are in British Museum and Louvre. Further holdings in New York Historical Society, Metropolitan Museum of Art and Yale University.

Commentary: From the East Wing of the Palace, room I. The site of the temple is mentioned in Genesis 10:11-12:

‘Out of that land went forth Assur,

and builded Nineveh, and the city of Rehoboth,

and Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah,

the same is a great city’.

Genesis 10:1-12 mentions that the builder of Calah was Nimrod, son of Cush, son of Ham, son of Noah. The ‘standard inscription’ is a 22-line text that records Assurnasirpal’s victories, his greatness and describes the building of his palace at Calah. The inscription exists in many variants, all of which come from the slabs lining the walls of the palace.

The version presented here is recorded by Y. Le Gac: Les incriptions d’Ashur-nasir-pal II, roi d’Assyrie. Paris 1908, p. 187. What makes the present inscription of interest, is that it includes a detailed description of the very palace that it adorned, and that Calah is directly referred to in Genesis 10:11-12.

Chronicle of Tiglath-Pileser I

http://www.livius.org/cg-cm/chronicles/cm/enlil-nirari.html

 

(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…)

 

The Chronicle of Tiglath-Pileser I is a tablet from Aššur that contained an Assyrian chronicle; the Chronicle of Enlil-nirari may have been part of the same tablet. It describes the unfriendly relations between Assyria, the Aramaeans, and Babylonia during the last years of the reign of Tiglath-pileser I (1115-1076).

Translation

(….)
1′ […]-Nergal
——————————————
2′-9′ In the limmu-ship of […],

the people ate one another’s flesh to save their lives.

Like a flood’s ravaging water the Aramaean “houses” increased,

plundered the crops of Assyria, conquered and took many fortified cities of Assyria.

People fled toward the mountains of Habruri to save their lives.

The Aramaeans took their gold, their silver, and their possessions.

Marduk-nadin-ahhe, king of Karduniaš, died (1082).

Marduk-šapik-zeri entered upon his father’s throne.

Eighteen years of reign of Marduk-nadin-ahhe.
——————————————
10′-13′ In the limmu-ship of […], all the harvest of Assyria was ruined.

The Aramaean tribes increased and seized the bank of the Tigris.

They plundered […] Idu, the district of Nineveh, Kilizi.

In that year, Tiglath-pileser I, king of Assyria, marched to Katmuhu.
(…)

Chronicle of Tukulti-Ninurta I

http://www.livius.org/cg-cm/chronicles/cm/enlil-nirari.html

 

(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!)

(mixed-breed demigods in teal…)

 

The Chronicle of Tukulti-Ninurta I is a very small fragment of an Assyrian chronicle; the tablet was found in Aššur. It describes the war between the Assyrian king Tukulti-Ninurta I (1234-1197) and the Babylonian ruler Kaštiliašu IV (1233-1225), which culminated in the capture of Babylon.

Translation

(…)

1′ […]

2′ Tukulti-Ninurta, king of all, powerful king, king of Assyria,

3′ prince, lord of all […]
4′ […] took Karduniaš. […]

5′ brought into Libbi-ali […]

6′-7′ Kaštiliašu, king of Karduniaš, marched on […]

8′ for evil. Kaštiliašu […]

——————————————
9′ In the month of Ululu, the sixteenth day […]

Chronicle of Arik-den-ili

http://www.livius.org/cg-cm/chronicles/cm/enlil-nirari.html

 

(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)

 

The Chronicle of Arik-denili is a fragment of an Assyrian chronicle; the tablet was found in Aššur. It describes the wars of king Arik-den-ili (1308-1296) against an enemy that cannot be identified.

Translation

(…)
1-8 […] from the city of […] to […], a hundred head of sheep and goats and a hundred heads of their cattle […] he brought to Aššur. At this time […] seven thousand baskets, by their order, before […]. He made a large battering ram. Arik-den-ili, […] his gift to Ištar (Inanna) […] he offered […].

——————————————

9-17 […] proud, Arik-den-ili […] the crop of Esini […] he carried away and Esini […] thirty-three chariots of […] he killed with […]. Arik-den-ili […] in […] he loaded on his chariots. The chariots […] he […] Arnuna of Nigimhi, the fortress of the country of […] He surrounded Esini in Arnuna, destroyed its gateway […]. Arik-den-ili scattered […] and all took an oath before Arik-den-ili.

——————————————

18 […] the price of grain was fixed at one mina. Arik-den-ili

19-26 […]turiha, Habaruha, which […] for […] Kutila, he turned away their troops […] he […] of Tarbisu, Kudina […] he gave them up. Kutila […]. At this time, with ninety of his chariots, he crossed the lower […]. He killed six hundred men of Hi[…] with […]. Remaku […] he killed as punishment against Nagabbilhi.

——————————————

27 […] famine; the price of grain was fixed at two minas […]

28-34 of Halahhu, forever […] he plundered. He killed 254,000 men. He inflicted a defeat on them. He led away their shackled prisoners and brought them to Aššur. At this time, one hundred […] he rose up. Asini […] to […]
(…)

Chronicle of Enlil-nirari

http://www.livius.org/cg-cm/chronicles/cm/enlil-nirari.html

 

(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!)

(mixed-breed demigods in teal…)

 

The Chronicle of Enlil-nirari is the obverse of a tablet from Aššur that contained an Assyrian chronicle; the Chronicle of Tiglath-pileser I may have been part of the same tablet. It describes the relations between Assyria and Babylonia during the reign of Enlil-nirari (1318-1308).

Translation

(…)

1 […] Enlil-nirari […]

2 the […] of the land of Kilizi […]

——————————————
3 During the limmu-shipof Silli-Adad, Enlil-nirari, king of Assyria,

4 conquered and plundered […]
5 Kurigalzu II (1333-1308), king of Karduniaš,

6 He set out to Kilizi […]

7 he heard and […] on Kilizi, in order to

8 Kurigalzu, king of Karduniaš,

9 he heard and when […]

(…)

Assyrian Eponym List (1)

http://www.livius.org/li-ln/limmu/limmu_1.html

 

(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!)

(mixed-breed demigods in teal…)

 

Assyrian Eponym List: list of Assyrian officials (the limmu‘s, or eponymous magistrates) whose names were given to the years. This list was the foundation of the chronology of ancient Assyria, and still is an important tool to reconstruct the chronology. Two parts remain, one dealing with the reigns of king Naram-Sim to king Šamši-Adad I (first quarter of the second millennium) and one dealing with years 858-699.

On this page, you will find the eldest of these fragments, which was publised as text #8 in Jean-Jacques Glassner’s Chroniques Mésopotamiennes (1993; translated as Mesopotamian Chronicles, 2004). There are five copies of this text. The youngest surviving list can be found

(c.1876/1875) “From the beginning of the reign of Naram-Sin […] from the eponomy of […]

Šu-Sin.

Aššur-malik.

Aššur-imitti.

Ennam-Sin.

(c.1871/1870) In the eponymy of Akutum, […] took […] Masiam-ili.

Idi-ahum.

(c.1869/1868) In the eponymy of Samanum, Aminum took Šaduppum.

(c.1868/1867) In the eponymy of Illi-ennam, Sin-abum took the land of Sit.

(c.1867/1866) In the eponymy of Ennam-Anum, […].

(c.1866/1865) In the eponymy of Ennam-Aššur, Ipiq-Adad entered the house of his father.

(c.1865/1864) In the eponymy of Ennam-Sin, […].

(c.1864/1863) In the eponymy of Hannanarum, Aminum defeated Ipiq-Adad,

(c.1863/1862) In the eponymy of Dadiya, […].

(c.1862/1861) In the eponymy of Kapatiya, Ipiq-Adad defeated Aminum.

(c.1861/1860) In the eponymy of Išme-Aššur, Ipiq-Adad took Ziqquratum.

(c.1860/1859) In the eponymy of Aššur-muttabbil, Ipiq-Adad […].

(c.1859/1858) In the eponymy of Šu-Nirah, […].

(c.1858/1857) In the eponymy of Idi-abum, Sin-abum […].

(c.1857/1856) In the eponymy of Ili-dan, […].

Aššur-imitti.

Buzaya.

(c.1854/1853) In the eponymy of Inaia, king Šamši–Adad was born.

(c.1853/1852) In the eponymy of […], a solar eclipse happened; death of Aminum.

[…]-Addu, […].

Lacuna of about ten years.

(1841/1840) Aššur-malik.

(1840/1839) In the eponymy of Danya, taking of Hupšum.

(1839/1838) In the eponymy of Ennam-Sin, flood in a remote land

Aššur-balati.

Ennam-Aššur.

Itur-Aššur.

(1835/1834) In the eponymy of Šu-bêli, Ila-kabkabu took Suprum.

(1834/1833) In the eponymy of Šarrum-Adad, the man of Elam defeated Ipiq-Adad, and king Šamši–Adad entered the house of his father.

Šu-Laban.

(1832/1831) In the eponymy of Aššur-imitti, the Lullu defeated the king in Lazapatum.

(1831/1830) In the eponymy of Dadaya, Mut-abbih […].

(1830/1829) In the eponymy of Dadaya, ditto, Ipiq-Adad took Arrapha.

(1829/1828) In the eponymy of Ahi-šalim, the taking of Gasur.

Usur-ša-Ištar,

(1827/1826) In the eponymy of Kataya, […].

(1826/1825) In the eponymy of Šu-Sin, […].

(1825/1824) In the eponymy of Abu-šalim, the taking of Sin-abušu of Nerebtum.

(1824/1823) In the eponymy of Šu-Daya, […].

(1823/1822) In the eponymy of Šu-Dadim, the taking of Ne[…].

(1822/1821) In the eponymy of Aššur-tukulti, Šamši-Adad defeated the man of Unnini, and Mut-Ia[…] defeated.

(1821/1820) In the eponymy of Puzur-Ištar, Šamši-Adad […].

(1820/1819) In the eponymy of Atanah, Ipiq-Adad defeated […] and took the land of […].

(1819/1818) In the eponymy of Erišum, Šamši-Adad defeated […] in Dur-[…].

Aššur-ennam-šalim.

(1817/1816) In the eponymy of Inib-Ištar, Ipiq-Adad died.

Aššur-Bêl-malki.

(1815/1814) In the eponymy of Be[…], Kirbana […].

(1814/1813) In the eponymy of […], Šamši-Adad […].

(1813/1812) In the eponymy of […], Šamši-Adad […].

(1812/1811) In the eponymy of Šu-ilišu, Šamši-Adad […].

(1811/1810) In the eponymy of Ibni-Adad, Šamši-Adad [returned from Karduniaš].[1]

Lacuna of two years.

(1808/1807) In the eponymy of Atamar-Ištar, [Šamši-Adad captured Aššur].

Lacuna of eight years.

(1799/1798) In the eponymy of […].

(1798/1797) In the eponymy of Idna-Aššur, Šamši-Adad […].

(1797/1796) In the eponymy of Atanum, Šamši-Adad defeated twelve kings; Iahdun-Lim, king of Mari, […] these kings returned […].

(1796/1795) In the eponymy of Aššur-taklaku, Šamši-Adad defeated […].

(1795/1794) In the eponymy of […].

(1794/1793) In the eponymy of Haya-malik, [Šamši-Adad captured Mari].

(1793/1792) In the eponymy of Šalim-Aššur, […].

(1792/1791) In the eponymy of Šalim-Aššur, […].

(1791/1790) In the eponymy of Ennam-Aššur, Šamši-Adad took the land of […].

(1790/1789) In the eponymy of Sin-muballit, Šamši-Adad took the land of […].

(1789/1788) In the eponymy of Riš-Šamaš, Išme-Dagan defeated […].

(1788/1787) In the eponymy of Ibni-Adad, Šamši-Adad took the land of […].

(1787/1786) In the eponymy of Aššur-imitti, Šamši-Adad defeated […] and took it. Daduša took the land of […], the land of Me-Turan, the land of […].

(1786/1785) In the eponymy of Ili-ellati, […].

(1785/1784) In the eponymy of Rigmanum, Muna[…].

(1784/1783) In the eponymy of Ikun-piya, Muna[…] defeated […] and Šamši-Adad […] Me-Turan […] for Dadusa […].

(1783/1782) In the eponymy of Asqudum, Šamši-Adad took Qabra.

(1782/1781) In the eponymy of Aššur-malik, Išme-Dagan defeated Ahazum and Šamši-Adad captured Nurrugum and captured these nine kings: Kibrum, king of […; …, king of …; …, king of …]; Yašub-Adad, king of Ahazum; […, king of …; …, king of …]; Yašub-Lim, king of […; …, king of …, …, king of …]; he gave them as booty to Daduša.

(1781/1780) In the eponymy of Ahiyaya, the Turukkeans opened hostilities. Šamši-Adad and Išme-Dagan defeated the Turukkeans and the […] in Burullan; Yasmah-Adad defeated the Yaminites and unified the banks of the Euphrates.

In the eponymy of Ahiyaya, Mutu-Bisir […] defeated […] at the gate of Saggaratum.

(Colophon) Total […] years, until the victory of the gate of Saggaratum.

Hand of Habdu-malik. Limi-Dagan the nen who dictated.”


Note 1:
The restoration of this line is based on the Assyrian King List, in which Šamši-Adad’s accession is briefly described (more…).

Old Assyrian Period

King name

Reigned[9][10]

Notes[9][10]

Erishum I

fl. ca. 1800 BC (short)
(30 or 40 years)

“son of Ilu-shuma“; contemporary of Samu-la-El of Babylonia; said to have built the temple of Ashur

Ikunum

(damaged text)

“son of Ilushuma“

Sargon I

(damaged text)

“son of Ikunum“

Puzur-Ashur II

(damaged text)

“son of Sargon (I)“

Naram–Suen

(damaged text)

“son of Puzur-Ashur (II)“

Erishum II

(damaged text)

“son of Naram-Suen“

Shamshi-Adad I

fl. ca. 1700 BC (short)
(33 years)

“son of (local ruler) Ila-kabkabu, went to Karduniash in the time of Naram-Suen. In the eponymy of Ibni-Adad, Shamshi-Adad went up from Karduniash. He took Ekallatum, where he stayed three years. In the eponymy of Atamar-Ishtar, Shamshi-Adad went up from Ekallatum. He ousted Erishum (II), son of Naram-Suen, from the throne and took it.“; He was in turn conquered by Hammurabi of Babylon.

Ishme–DaganI

(40 years)

“son of Shamshi-Adad (I)“

Mut-Ashkur

(unknown)

son of Ishme-Dagan I, married to a Hurrian queen; not included in the standard King List, but attested elswhere[11]

Remu…

(unknown)

included in the alternative King List fragment, last part of name lost; not included in the standard King List[11]

Asinum

(unknown)

grandson of Shamshi-Adad I, driven out by vice-regent Puzur-Suen because he was of foreign extraction; not included in the standard King List, but attested in Puzur-Suen’s inscription[11]

Seven usurpers:

Bel-bani

(10 years)

“son of Adasi“

Libaya

(17 years)

“son of Bel-bani“

Sharma-Adad I

(12 years)

“son of Libaya“

Iptar-Suen

(12 years)

“son of Sharma-Adad (I)“

Bazaya

(28 years)

“son of Iptar-Suen“

Lullaya

(6 years)

“son of a nobody“

Shu-Ninua

(14 years)

“son of Bazaya“

Sharma-Adad II

(3 years)

“son of Shu-Ninua“

Erishum III

(13 years)

“son of Shu-Ninua“

Shamshi-Adad II

(6 years)

“son of Erishum (III)“

Ishme-Dagan II

(16 years)

“son of Shamshi-Adad (II)“

Shamshi-Adad III

(16 years)

” son of (another) Ishme-Dagan, brother of Sharma-Adad (II), son of Shu-Ninua“

Ashur-nirari I

(26 years)

“son of Ishme-Dagan“

Puzur-Ashur III

(24 or 14 years)

“son of Ashur-nirari (I)“; contemporary of Burna-Buriash I of Babylonia[3]

Enlil-nasir I

(13 years)

“son of Puzur-Ashur (III)“

Nur-ili

(12 years)

“son Enlil-nasir (I)“

Ashur-shaduni

(1 month)

“son of Nur-ili“

Ashur-rabi I

(damaged text)

“son of Enlil-nasir (I), ousted him (Ashur-shaduni), (and) seized the throne“

Ashur-nadin-ahhe I

(damaged text)

“son of Ashur-rabi (I)“

Enlil-nasir II

ca. 1420–1415 BC (short)

“his (Ashur-nadin-ahhe I’s) brother, ousted him“

Ashur-nirari II

ca. 1414–1408 BC (short)

“son of Enlil-nasir (II)“

Ashur-bel-nisheshu

ca. 1407–1399 BC (short)

“son of Ashur-nirari (II)“

Ashur-rim-nisheshu

ca. 1398–1391 BC (short)

“son of Ashur-bel-nisheshu“

Ashur-nadin-ahhe II

ca. 1390–1381 BC (short)

“son of Ashur-rim-nisheshu“

Middle Assyrian Period

The dates up to Ninurta-apal-Ekur (ca. 1182–1180 BC) are subject to debate, as some of the regnal lengths vary over the different versions of the King List. The dates given below are based on Assyrian King Lists B and C, which give only three years to Ashur-nadin-apli, and the same to Ninurta-apal-Ekur. (Assyrian King List A gives four years to Ashur-nadin-apli and 13 years to Ninurta-apal-Ekur.[12]) This time frame is also subject to the overall debate about the chronology of the ancient Near East; the short (or low) chronology is used here.

Dates from 1179 to 912 BC, although less secure than dates from 911 BC onwards, are not subject to the chronology debate.[3]

Adad-nirari I (ca. 1295–1263 BC)

Middle Assyrian Period

King name

Reigned[13][14][15]

Notes[9][10]

Eriba-Adad I

ca. 1380–1353 BC (short)

“son of Ashur-bel-nisheshu“

Ashur-uballit I

ca. 1353–1318 BC (short)

“son of Eriba-Adad (I)“

Enlil–nirari

ca. 1317–1308 BC (short)

“son of Ashur-uballit“

Arik-den-ili

ca. 1307–1296 BC (short)

“son of Enlil-nirari“

Adad-nirari I

ca. 1295–1264 BC (short)

“son of Arik-den-ili“

ShalmaneserI

ca. 1263–1234 BC (short)

“son of Adad-nirari (I)“

Tukulti–Ninurta I

ca. 1233–1197 BC (short)

“son of Shalmaneser (I)“

Ashur-nadin-apli

ca. 1196–1194 BC (short)

“during the lifetime of Tukulti-ninurta (I), Ashur-nadin-apli, his son, seized the throne“

Ashur-nirari III

ca. 1193–1188 BC (short)

“son of Ashur-nadin-apli“

Enlil-kudurri-usur

ca. 1187–1183 BC (short)

“son of Tukulti-Ninurta (I)“

Ninurta-apal-Ekur

ca. 1182–1180 BC (short)

“son of Ila-Hadda, a descendant of Eriba-Adad (I), went to Karduniash. He came up from Karduniash (and) seized the throne.“

Beginning with Ashur-Dan I, dates are consistent and not subject to middle/short chronology distinctions.

Ashur-Dan I

ca. 1179–1133 BC

“son of Ashur-nadin-apli“

Ninurta-tukulti-Ashur

ca. 1133 BC

“son of Ashur-dan (I), briefly“

Mutakkil-nusku

ca. 1133 BC

“his (Ninurta-tukulti-Ashur’s) brother, fought him and took him to Karduniash. Mutakkil-Nusku held the throne briefly, then died.“

Ashur-resh-ishi I

ca. 1133–1115 BC

“son of Mutakkil-Nusku“

Tiglath–Pileser I

ca. 1115–1076 BC

“son of Ashur-resh-ishi (I)“

Asharid-apal-Ekur

ca. 1076–1074 BC

“son of Tiglath-pileser (I)“

Ashur-bel-kala

ca. 1074–1056 BC

“son of Tiglath-pileser (I)“

Eriba-Adad II

ca. 1056–1054 BC

“son of Ashur-bel-kala“

Shamshi-Adad IV

ca. 1054–1050 BC

“son of Tiglath-pileser (I), came up from Karduniash. He ousted Eriba-Adad (II), son of Ashur-bel-kala, (and) seized the throne“

Ashur-nasir-pal I

ca. 1050–1031 BC

“son of Shamshi-Adad (IV)“

Shalmaneser II

ca. 1031–1019 BC

“son of Ashur-nasir-pal (I)“

Ashur-nirari IV

ca. 1019–1013 BC

“son of Shalmaneser (II)“

Ashur-rabi II

ca. 1013–972 BC

“son of Ashur-nasir-pal (I)“

Ashur-resh-ishi II

ca. 972–967 BC

“son of Ashur-rabi (II)“

Tiglath-Pileser II

ca. 967–935 BC

“son of Ashur-resh-ishi (II)“

Ashur-Dan II

ca. 935–912 BC

“son of Tiglath-Pileser (II)“

Neo-Assyrian Period

Neo-Assyrian Empire (824 & 671 BC)

Tiglath-Pileser III (745–727 BC)

Ashurbanipal (669–631 BC)

Synchronisms between the limmu lists and absolute dates known from Babylonian chronology provide good absolute dates for the years between 911 BC and 649 BC.

The dates for the very end of the Assyrian period are uncertain due to the lack of limmu lists after 649 BC. Some sources list Ashurbanipal‘s death in 631 BC, rather than 627 BC; Ashur-etil-ilani then reigns from 631 to 627, and Sin-shar-ishkun reigns until 612 BC, when he is known to have died in the sack of Nineveh.[3]

Neo-Assyrian Period

King name

Reigned[16][17][18]

Notes[9][10]

Adad-nirari II

912–891 BC

“son of Ashur-Dan (II)“

Tukulti-Ninurta II

891–884 BC

“son of Adad-nirari (II)“

Ashur-nasir-pal II

884–859 BC

“son of Tukulti-Ninurta (II)“

Shalmaneser III

859–824 BC

“son of Ashur-nasir-pal (II)“

Shamshi-Adad V

824–811 BC

“son of Shalmaneser (III)“

Shammu-ramat, regent, 811–808 BC

Adad-nirari III

811–783 BC

“son of Shamshi-Adad (V)“

Shalmaneser IV

783–773 BC

“son of Adad-nirari (III)“

Ashur-Dan III

773–755 BC

“son of Shalmaneser (IV)“; solar eclipse 763 BC[3]

Ashur-nirari V

755–745 BC

“son of Adad-nirari (III)“

Tiglath-Pileser III

745–727 BC

“son of Ashur-nirari (V)“

Shalmaneser V

727–722 BC

“son of Tiglath-Pileser (III)“

End of the document known as Assyrian King List; the following kings reigned after the list had been composed.

Sargon II

722–705 BC

co-regency with Shalmaneser V from 722–709 BC

Sennacherib

705–681 BC

Esarhaddon

681–669 BC

The dates of the last kings are not certain.

Ashurbanipal

669–between 631 and 627 BC

Ashur-etil-ilani

ca. 631–627 BC

Sin-shumu-lishir

626 BC

Sin-shar-ishkun

ca. 627–612 BC

fall of Nineveh

In 612 BC, Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, fell to the Medes and Babylonians; supported by the Egyptians, an Assyrian general continued to rule for a few years from Harran.

Ashur-uballit II

612 BC–ca. 609 BC

Harran defeated by Nabopolassar of Babylonia

Assyrian Eponym List (2/1)


King Sargon II (right) and his crown prince Sennacherib (left) on a relief from Khorsabad, now in the Louvre, Paris. Assyrian Eponym List: list Assyrian officials (the limmu‘s, or eponymous magistrates) whose names were given to the years. This list was the foundation of the chronology of ancient Assyria, and still is an important tool to reconstruct the chronology. Two parts remain, one dealing with the first quarter of the second millennium and one dealing with years 858-699.

On this page, you will find the first part of the youngest of these fragments, which was publised as text #9 in Jean-Jacques Glassner’s Chroniques Mésopotamiennes (1993; translated as Mesopotamian Chronicles, 2004). There are ten copies of this text, found in Nineveh, Sultan-Tepe, and Aššur.The other surviving Eponym List can be found here.

(…) reign of Šalmaneser [III] son of Aššurnasirpal [II], king of Assyria.

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[858/857] During the eponymy of Šarru-baltu-niši, campaign against […].

[857/856] During the eponymy of Šalmaneser, the king of Assyria, campaign against […].

[856/855] During the eponymy of Aššur-bêla-ka’in, the commander in chief, campaign against […].

[855/854] During the eponymy of Aššur-bunaya-usur, the chief buttler, campaign against […]

[854/853] During the eponymy of Abi-ina-ekalli-lilbur, the palace herald […].

[853/852] During the eponymy of Dayan-Aššur, the commander in chief, […]

[852/851] During the eponymy of Šamaš-abua, governor of Nisibis, […].

[851/850] During the eponymy of Šamaš-bêla-usur, governor of Kalhu, […].

[850/849] During the eponymy o Bêl-bunaya, the palace herald, […].

[849/848] During the eponymy of Hadi-lipušu, governor of Na’iri, […].

[848/847] During the eponymy of Nergal-alik-pani, governor of […].

[847/846] During the eponymy of Bur-ramman, governor of […].

[846/845] During the eponymy of Inurta-mukin-niši, the palace herald, […].

[845/844] During the eponymy of Inurta-nadin-šumi, governor of […].

[844/843] During the eponymy of Aššur-bunaya, governor of […].

[843/842] During the eponymy of Tab-Inurta, governor of […].

[842/841] During the eponymy of Taklak-ana-šarri, governor of Nemed-Ištar, […].

[841/840] During the eponymy of Addad-remannii, governor of Guzana, […].

[840/839] During the eponymy of Šamaš-abua, governor of Rasappa, campaign against the cedar mountain.

[839/838] During the eponymy of Šulma-bêli-lamur, governor of Ahuzuhina, campaign against Qu’e [Cilicia].

[838/837] During the eponymy of Inurta-kibsi-usur, governor of Rasappa, campaign against Malahi.

[837/836] During the eponymy of Inurta-ilaya, governor of Ahizuhina, campaign against Danabu.

[836/835] During the eponymy of Qurdi-Aššur, governor of Raqmat, campaign […].

[835/834] During the eponymy of Šep-šarri, governor of Habruri, campaign against Milidu.

[834/833] During the eponymy of Nergal-mudammiq, governor of Nineveh, campaign against Namri.

[833/832] During the eponymy of Yahulu, the chamberlain, campaign against Qu’e.

[832/831] During the eponymy of Ululayu, governor of Kalizi, campaign against Qu’e.

[831/830] During the eponymy of Šarru-hatta-ipe, governor of […], campaign agains Qu’e; [the god] Anu the Great left Der.

[830/829] During the eponymy of Nergal-ilaya, governor of Isana, campaign against Urartu.

[829/828] During the eponymy of Hubaya, governor of […]hi, campaign against Unqu.

[828/827] During the eponymy of Ilu-mukin-ahi, governor of […]ha, campaign against Ulluba.

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[827/826] During the eponymy of Šalmaneser, the king of Assyria, campaign against Mannea.

[826/825] During the eponymy of Dayan-Aššur, the commander in chief, revolt.

[825/824] During the eponymy of Aššur-bunaya-usur, the great butler, revolt.

[824/823] During the eponymy of Yahalu, the commander in chief, revolt.

[823/822] During the eponymy of Bêl-bunaya, the palace herald, revolt.

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Thirty-five years, Šalmaneser, king of Assyria.

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[822/821] During the eponymy of Šamši-Adad [V], the king of Assyria, revolt.

[821/820] During the eponymy of Yahalu, the commander in chief, revolt.

[820/819] During the eponymy of Bêl-dan, the palace herald, the revolt was suppressed.

[819/818] During the eponymy of Inurta-ubla, governor of […], campaign against Mannea.

[818/817] During the eponymy of Šamaš-ilaya, governor of […], campaign against […]šumme.

[817/816] During the eponymy of Nergal-ilaya, governor of Isana, campaign against Tille.

[816/815] During the eponymy of Aššur-bunaya-usur, the chief butler, campaign against Tille.

[815/814] During the eponymy of Šarru-hattu-ilpe, governor of Nisibis, campaign against Zaratu.

[814/813] During the eponymy of Bêl-lu-ballat, the commander in chief, campaign against Der; Anu the Great went to Der.

[813/812] During the eponymy of Mušekniš, governor of Habruri, campaign against Ahsana.

[812/811] During the eponymy of Inurta-ašared, governor of Raqmat, campaign against Chaldaea.

[811/810] During the eponymy of Šamaš-kumua, governor of Arrapha, campaign against Babylon.

[810/809] During the eponymy of Bêl-qate-sabat, governor of Mazamua, the king stayed in the land.

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Thirteen years, Šamši-Adad, king of Assyria.

——————————————

[809/808] During the eponymy of Adad-Nirari [III], the king of Assyria, campaign against Media.

[808/807] During the eponymy of Nergal-ilaya, the commander in chief, campaign against Guzana.

[807/806] During the eponymy of Bêl-dân, the palace herald, campaign against Mannea.

[806/805] During the eponymy of Sil-Bêli, the chief butler, campaign against Mannea.

[805/804] During the eponymy of Aššur-taklak, the chamberlain, campaign against Arpad.

[804/803] During the eponymy of Ilu-issiya, governor of Aššur, campaign against Hazazu.

[803/802] During the eponymy of Nergal-ereš, governor of Rasappa, campaign against Ba’alu.

[802/801] During the eponymy of Aššur-balti-ekurri, governor of Arrapha, campaign against the Sealand; plague.

[801/800] During the eponymy of Inurta-ilaya, governor of Ahizuhina, campaign against Hubuškia.

[800/799] During the eponymy of Šep-Ištar, governor of Nisibis, campaign against Media.

On this page, you will find the second part of the youngest of these fragments, which was publised as text #9 in Jean-Jacques Glassner’s Chroniques Mésopotamiennes (1993; translated as Mesopotamian Chronicles, 2004). There are ten copies of this text, found in Nineveh, Sultan-Tepe, and Aššur.

[800/799] During the eponymy of Šep-Ištar, governor of Nisibis, campaign against Media.

[799/798] During the eponymy of Marduk-išmanni, governor of Amedi, campaign against Media.

[798/797] During the eponymy of Mutakkil-Marduk, the chief eunuch, campaign against Lušia.

[797/796] During the eponymy of Bêl-tarsi-iluma, governor of Kalhu, campaign against Namri.

[796/795] During the eponymy of Aššur-bêla-usur, governor of Habruri, campaign against Manduate.

[795/794] During the eponymy of Marduk-šaduni, governor of Raqmat, campaign against Der.

[794/793] During the eponymy of Kinu-abua, governor of Tušhan, campaign against Der.

[793/792] During the eponymy of Mannu-ki-Aššur, governor of Guzana, campaign against Media.

[792/791] During the eponymy of Mušallim-Inurta, governor of Tille, campaign against Media.

[791/790] During the eponymy of Bêl-iqišanni, governor of Šibhiniš, campaign against Hubuškia.

[790/789] During the eponymy of Šep-Šamaš, governor of Isana, campaign against Itu’a.

[789/788] During the eponymy of Inurta-mukin-ahi, governor of Nineveh, campaign against Media.

[788/787] During the eponymy of Adad-mušammer, governor of Kalizi, campaign against Mdia; foundations of the temple of Nabû in Nineveh laid.

[787/786] During the eponymy of Sil-Ištar, governor of Arbela, campaign against Media; Nabû entered his new temple.

[786/785] During the eponymy of Nabû-šarra-usur, governor of Talmusu, campaign against Kisku.

[785/784] During the eponymy of Adad-uballit, governor of Tamnuna, campaign against Hubuškia; [the god] Anu the Great went to Der.

[784/783] During the eponymy of Marduk-šarra-usur, governor of Arbela, campaign against Hubuškia.

[783/782] During the eponymy of Inurta-nasir, governor of Mazamua, campaign against Itu’a.

[782/781] During the eponymy of Iluma-le’i, governor of Nisibis, campaign against Itu’a.

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Twenty-eight years, Adad-nirari [III], king of Assyria.

——————————————

[781/780] During the eponymy of Šalmaneser [IV], the king of Assyria, campaign against Urartu.

[780/779] During the eponymy of Šamši-ilu, the commander in chief, campaign against Urartu.

[779/778] During the eponymy of Marduk-remanni, the chief butler, campaign against Urartu.

[778/777] During the eponymy of Bêl-lešer, the palace herald, campaign against Urartu.

[777/776] During the eponymy of Nabû-išdeya-ka’in, the chamberlain, campaign against Itu’a.

[776/775] During the eponymy of Pan-Aššur-lamur, governor of Aššur, campaign against Urartu.

[775/774] During the eponymy of Nergal-ereš, governor of Rasappa, campaign against the cedar mountain.

[774/773] During the eponymy of Ištar-duri, governor of Nisibis, campaign against Urartu and Namri

[773/772] During the eponymy of Mannu-ki-Adad, governor of Raqmat, campaign against Damascus.

[772/771] During the eponymy of Aššur-bela-usur, governor of Kalhu, campaign against Hatarikka.

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Ten years, Šalmaneser, king of Assyria.

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[771/770] During the eponymy of Aššur-dan [III], king of Assyria, campaign against Gananati.

[770/769] During the eponymy of Šamši-ilu, the commander in chief, campaign against Marad.

[769/768] During the eponymy of Bêl-ilaya, governor of Arrapha, campaign against Itu’a.

[768/767] During the eponymy of Aplaya, governor of Mazamua, the king stayed in the land.

[767/766] During the eponymy of Qurdi-Aššur, governor of Ahizuhina, campaign against Gananati.

[766/765] During the eponymy of Mušallim-Inurta, governor of Tille, campaign against Media.

[765/764] During the eponymy of Inurta-mukin-niši, governor of Habruri, campaign against Hatarikka; plague.

[764/763] During the eponymy of Sidqi-ilu, governor of Tušhan, the king stayed in the land.

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[763/762] During the eponymy of Bur-Saggile, governor of Guzana, revolt in Libbi-ali; in Simanu eclipse of the sun [15 June 763].

[762/761] During the eponymy of Tab-bêlu, governor of Amedi, revolt in Libbi-ali.

[761/760] During the eponymy of Nabû-mukin-apli, governor of Nineveh, revolt in Arrapha.

[760/759] During the eponymy of La-qipu, governor of Kalizi, revolt in Arrapha.

[759/758] During the eponymy of Pan-Aššur-lamur, governor of Arbela, revolt in Guzana; plague.

[758/757] During the eponymy of Ana-bêli-taklak, governor of Isana, campaign against Guazana; peace in the land.

[757/756] During the eponymy of Inurta-iddin, governor of Kurba’il, the king stayed in the land.

[756/755] During the eponymy of Bêl-šadua, governor of Tamnuna, the king stayed in the land.

[755/754] During the eponymy of Iqisu, governor of Šibhiniš, campaign against Hatarikka.

[754/753] During the eponymy of Inurta-šezibanni, governor of Talmusu, campaign against Arpad; return from Aššur.

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[753/752] During the eponymy of Aššur-nirari [V], king of Assyria, the king stayed in the land.

[752/751] During the eponymy of Šamši-ilu, the commander in chief, the king stayed in the land.

[751/750] During the eponymy of Marduk-šallimanni, the palace herald, the king stayed in the land.

[750/749] During the eponymy of Bêl-dan, the chief butler, the king stayed in the land.

On this page, you will find the third part of the youngest of these fragments, which was publised as text #9 in Jean-Jacques Glassner’s Chroniques Mésopotamiennes (1993; translated as Mesopotamian Chronicles, 2004). There are ten copies of this text, found in Nineveh, Sultan-Tepe, and Aššur.The first part can be found here, and the other surviving Eponym List can be found here.

[750/749] During the eponymy of Bêl-dan, the chief butler, the king stayed in the land.

[749/748] During the eponomy of Šamaš-kenu-dugul, the chamberlain, campaign against Namri.

[748/747] During the eponomy of Adad-bela-ka’in, the governor of Aššur, campaign against Namri.

[747/746] During the eponomy of Sin-šallimanni, the governor of Rasappa, the king stayed in the land.

[746/745] During the eponomy of Nergal-nasir, the governor of Nisibis, revolt in Kalhu.

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[745/744] During the eponomy of Nabû-bela-usur, the governor of Arrapha, in Ajaru, the thirteenth, Tiglath-pileser [III] ascended the throne. In Tašrîtu, he on Mesopotamia.[1]

[744/743] During the eponomy of Bêl-dan, the governor of Kalhu, campaign against Namri.

[743/742] During the eponomy of Tiglath-pileser, the king of Assyria, there was a massacre among the Urartaeans in Arpad.

[742/741] During the eponomy of Nabû-da’inannil, the commander in chief, campaign against Arpad.

[741/740]During the eponomy of Bêl-Harran-bêla-usur, the palace herald, campaign against the same; the city was taken after three years.

[740/739] During the eponomy of Nabû-etiranni, the chief butler, campaign against Arpad.

[739/738] During the eponomy of Sin-taklak, the chamberlain, campaign against Ulluba; Birtu was captured

[738/737] During the eponomy of Adad-bêla-ka’in, the governor of Aššur, Kullania was captured.

[737/736] During the eponomy of Bêl-emuranni, the governor of Rasappa, campaign against Media.

[736/735] During the eponomy of Inurta-ilaya, the governor of Nisibis, campaign at the foot of Mount Nal.

[735/734] During the eponomy of Aššur-šallimanni, the governor of Arrapha, campaign against Urartu.

[734/733] During the eponomy of Bêl-dan, the governor of Kalhu, campaign against Philistia.[2]

[733/732] During the eponomy of Aššur-da’inanni, the governor of Mazamua, campaign against Damascus.

[732/731] During the eponomy of Nabû-bêla-usur, the governor of Si’imme, campaign against Damascus.

[731/730] During the eponomy of Nergal-uballit, the governor of Ahizu-hina, campaign against Šapiya.

[730/729] During the eponomy of Bêl-lu-dari, the governor of Tille, the king stayed in the land.

[729/728] During the eponomy of Liphur-ilu, the governor of Habruri, the king took the hand of Bêl [and became king of Babylonia].

[728/727]During the eponomy of Dur-Aššur, the governor of Tušhan, the king took the hand of Bêl; the city of Hi[…] was captured.

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[727/726] During the eponomy of Bêl-Harran-bêla-usur, the governor of Guzana, campaign against […]. Šalmaneser [V] ascended the throne.

[726/725] During the eponomy of Marduk-bêla-usur, the governor of Amedi, the king stayed in the land.

[725/724] During the eponomy of Mahde, the governor of Nineveh, campaign against […].

[724/723] During the eponomy of Aššur-išmanni, the governor of Kalizi, campaign against […].

[723/722] During the eponomy of Šalmaneser, the king of Assyria, campaign against […].

[722/721] During the eponomy of Inurta-ilaya, the commander in chief.

[721/720] During the eponomy of Nabû-taris, the governor of […]ti.

[720/719] During the eponomy of Aššur-nirka-da’in, the governor of […]ru.

[719/718] During the eponomy of Sargon [II], the king of Assyria entered […].

[718/717] During the eponomy of Zeru-ibni, the governor of Rasappa, campaign against Tabal.

[717/716] During the eponomy of Tab-šar-Aššur, the chamberlain, Dur-Šarruken [the new capital of Assyria] was founded.

[716/715] During the eponomy of Tab-sil-Ešarra, the governor of Libbi-ali, campaign against Mannea.

[715/714] During the eponomy of Taklak-ana-bêli, the governor of Nisibis, governors were appointed.

[714/713] During the eponomy of Ištar-duri, the governor of Arrapha, campaign against Urartu and Musasi; [the statue of the god] Haldi was deported.

[713/712]During the eponomy of Aššur-bani, the governor of Kalhu, the nobles fought at Ellipi; the god […] entered his new temple, to Musasir.

[712/711] During the eponomy of šarru-emuranni, the governor of Mazamua,the king stayed in the land.

[711/710] During the eponomy of Inurta-alik-pani, the governor of Si’immel, campaign against Mar’aš.

[710/709] During the eponomy of Šamaš-bêla-usur, the governor of Ahizuhina, campaign against Bit-zeri [against the Babylonian ruler Marduk-apla-iddina, who was defeated]; the king stayed in Kiš.

[709/708] During the eponomy of Mannu-ki-Aššur-le’i, the governor of Tille, Sargon took the hand of Bêl [and became king of Babylonia].

[708/707] During the eponomy of Šamaš-upahhir, the governor of Habruri, Kummuhu was captured; a governor was appointed.

[707/706] During the eponomy of Ša-Aššur-dubbu, the governor of Tušhan, the king returned from Babylon; the chief vizier, the nobles, the booty of Dur-Yakin was carried off; […] Dur-Yakin was destroyed; in Tašrîtu, the twenty-second, the gods of Dur-Šarruken entered their temples.

[706/705]During the eponomy of Mutakkil-Aššur, the governor of Guzana, the king stayed in the land; the nobles were in Karalla; in Ajaru, the sixth, Dur-Šarruken was completed; […] received.

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[705/704]During the eponomy of Nashru-Bêl, the governor of Amedi, the king marched on Tabal; against Gurdi, the Kulummaean, […] the king was killed; the camp of the king of Assyria […] In Abu, the twelfth, Sennacherib, the king [started his reign?].

[704/703]During the eponomy of Nabû-deni-epuš, the governor of Nineveh, to Larak and Sarrabanu; the palace of Kalizi was restored, in […] the nobles afainst the Kulummaean.

[703/702] During the eponomy of Nuhšaya, the governor of Kalizi, campaign against [Babylonia?].

[702/701] During the eponomy of Nabû-le’i, the governor of Arbela, campaign against [Hirimma and Hararatum?].

[701/700] During the eponomy of Hananu, the governor of Til-Barsip, […] from Halzi […]

[700/699] During the eponomy of Metunu, the governor of Isana, Aššur-nadin-šumi, the son of Sennacherib, [became king of Babylonia?] of the palace, in the city […], great cedar logs, alabaster in Ammananum […], in Kapri-Dagili […] for […] the king […].

[699/698] During the eponymy of Bêl-šarrani, governor of Kurba’il,

Broken off

Note 1:
This campaign is described in ABC 1, a chronicle that describes the period from Nabu-Nasir to Šamaš-šuma-ukin.

Note 2:
In Israel, king Pekah was defeated, lost a large part of his kingdom, and was replaced by Hoshea (2 Kings 15.29).

 

Assyrian King List

Jean-Jacques Glassner, Chroniques Mésopotamiennes (1993) (translated as Mesopotamian Chronicles, 2004)

 

(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…)

 

Assyrian King List: list of rulers of ancient Assyria, used as a framework for the study of Mesopotamian chronology.

Incomplete lists of Assyrian kings have been discovered in every one of Assyria’s three capitals: Aššur, Dur-Šarukkin, and Nineveh. There are also two fragments. The texts of these copies are more or less consistent and goes back to one original, which was based on the list of yearly limmu-officials, who were appointed by the king and had to preside the celebration of the New Year festival.

As a consequence, modern scholars tend to believe that the numbers of regnal years mentioned in the Assyrian King List are correct; however, there are minor differences between the copies. Down to the reign of Aššur-dan I, they offer identical information, and it is therefore reasonable to assume that the list is more or less reliable until his regnal years, 1178-1133. Before 1178, the three documents show divergences.

[1-17] Tudija, Adamu, Janqi, Sahlamu, Harharu, Mandaru, Imsu, Harsu, Didanu, Hanu, Zuabu, Nuabu, Abazu, Belu, Azarah, Ušpija, Apiašal.

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Total: 17 kings who lived in tents.[1]

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[18-26] Aminu was the son of Ilu-kabkabu, Ila-kabkabi of Yazkur-el, Jazkur-ilu of Yakmeni, Jakmeni of Yakmesi, Jakmesi of Ilu-Mer, Ilu-Mer of Hayani, Hajanu of Samani, Samanu of Hale, Hale of Apiašal, Apiašal of Ušpia.

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Total: 10 kings who were ancestors.[2]

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[27-32]Sulili son of Aminu, Kikkija, Akija, Puzur-Aššur[I], Šalim-ahum, Ilušuma.
Total: 6 kings named on bricks,[3] whose number of limmu-officials is unknown.

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[33] Erišum [I], son of Ilušuma, […] ruled for 30/40 years.

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[34] Ikunum, son of Erishu, ruled for […] years.

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[35] Sargon [I], son of Ikunu, ruled for […] years.

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[36] Puzur-Aššur [II], son of Sargon, ruled for […] years.

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[37] Naram-Sin, son of Puzur-Aššur, ruled for N+4 years.

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[38] Erišum [II], son of Naram-Sin, ruled for […] years.

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[39]Šamši-Adad [I], son[5] of Ila-kabkabi, went to Karduniaš in the time of Naram-Sin. In the eponymy of Ibni-Adad, Šamši-Adad went up from Karduniaš. He took Ekallatum, where he stayed three years. In the eponymy of Atamar-Ištar, Šamši-Adad went up from Ekallatum. He ousted Erišum, son of Naram-Sin, from the throne and took it. He ruled for 33 years. (1813-1781)

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[40] Išme-Dagan [I], son of Šamši-Adad, ruled for 40 years.

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[41]Aššur-dugul, son of a nobody, who had no title to the throne, ruled for 6 years.

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[42-47] In the time of Aššur-dugul, son of a nobody, Aššur-apla-idi, Nasir-Sin, Sin-namir, Ipqi-Ištar, Adad-salulu, and Adasi, six sons of nobodies, ruled at the beginning of his brief reign.

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[48] Belu-bani, son of Adasi, ruled for 10 years.

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[49] Libaja, son of Belu-Bani, ruled for 17 years.

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[50] Šarma-Adad [I], son of Libaja, ruled for 12 years.

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[51] Iptar-Sin, son of Šarma-Adad, ruled for 12 years.

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[52] Bazaja, son of Iptar-Sin, ruled for 28 years.

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[53] Lullaja, son of a nobody, ruled for 6 years.

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[54] Šu-Ninua, son of Bazaja, ruled for 14 years.

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[55] Šarma-Adad [II], son of Šu-Ninua, ruled for 3 years.

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[56] Erišum [III], son of Šu-Ninua, ruled for 13 years.

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[57] Šamši-Adad [II], son of Erišum, ruled for 6 years.

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[58] Išme-Dagan [II], son of Šamši-Adad, ruled for 16 years.

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[59] Šamši-Adad [III], son of [another] Išme-Dagan, brother of Šarma-Adad [II], son of Šu-Ninua, ruled for 16 years.

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[60] Aššur-nirari [I], son of Išme-Dagan, ruled for 26 years.

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[61] Puzur-Aššur [III], son of Aššur-nirari, ruled for 24/14 years.

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[62] Enlil-nasir [I], son of Puzur-Aššur, ruled for 13 years.

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[63] Nur-ili, son of Enlil-nasir, ruled for 12 years.

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[64] Aššur-šaduni, son of Nur-ili, ruled for 1 month.

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[65] Aššur-rabi [I], son of Enlil-nasir, ousted him, seized the throne and ruled for […] years.

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[66] Aššur-nadin-ahhe [I], son of Aššur-rabi, ruled for […] years.

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[67]Enlil-nasir[II], his brother, ousted him and ruled for 6 years(1420-1415).[7]

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[68] Aššur-nirari [II], son of Enlil-nasir, ruled for 7 years(1414-1408).

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[69] Aššur-bêl-nišešu, son of Aššur-nirari, ruled for 9 years (1407-1399).

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[70] Aššur-rem-nišešu, son of Aššur-bêl-nišešu, ruled for 8 years (1398-1391).

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[71] Aššur-nadin-ahhe [II], son of Aššur-rem-nišešu, ruled for 10 years (1390-1381).

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[72] Eriba-Adad [I], son of Aššur-bêl-nišešu, ruled for 27 years (1380-1354).

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[73] Aššur-uballit [I], son of Eriba-Adad, ruled for 36 years (1353-1318).

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[74] Enlil-nirari, son of Aššur-uballit, ruled for 10 years (1317-1308).

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[75] Arik-den-ili, son of Enlil-nirari, ruled for 12 years (1307-1296).

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[76] Adad-nirari [I], son of Arik-den-ili, ruled for 32 years (1295-1264).

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[77] Šalmaneser [I], son of Adad-nirari, ruled for 30 years (1263-1234).

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[78] Tukulti-ninurta [I], son of Šalmaneser, ruled for 37 years (1233-1197).

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[79] During the lifetime of Tukulti-ninurta, Aššur-nadin-apli, his son, seized the throne and ruled for 4 years (1196-1193).

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[80] Aššur-nirari [III], son of Aššur-nadin-apli, ruled for 6 years (1192-1187).

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[81] Enlil-kudurri-usur, son of Tukulti-ninurta, ruled for 5 years (1186-1182).

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[82] Ninurta-apil-Ekur, son of Ila-Hadda, a descendant of Eriba-Adad, went to Karduniaš. He came up from Karduniaš, seized the throne and ruled for 3 years (1181-1179).

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[83] Aššur-dan [I], son of Aššur-nadin-apli, ruled for 46 years (1178-1133).

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[84] Ninurta-tukulti-Aššur, son of Aššur-dan, briefly.

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[85] Mutakkil-Nusku, his brother, fought him and took him to Karduniaš. Mutakkil-Nusku held the throne briefly, then died.

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[86] Aššur-reš-iši [I], son of Mutakkil-Nusku, ruled for 18 years (1132-1115).

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[87] Tiglath-pileser [I], son of Aššur-reš-iši, ruled for 39 years (1114-1076).

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[88] Ašarid-apil-Ekur, son of Tiglath-pileser, ruled for 2 years (1075-1074).

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[89] Aššur-bêl-kala, son of Tiglath-pileser, ruled for 18 years (1073-1056).

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[90] Eriba-Adad [II], son of Aššur-bêl-kala, ruled for 2 years (1055-1054).

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[91] Šamši-Adad [IV], son of Tiglath-pileser, came up from Karduniaš. He ousted Eriba-Adad, son of Aššur-bêl-kala, seized the throne and ruled for 4 years (1053-1050).

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[92] Aššurnasirpal [I], son of Šamši-Adad, ruled for 19 years (1049-1031).

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[93] Šalmaneser [II], son of Aššurnasirpal, ruled for 12 years (1030-1019).

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[94] Aššur-nirari [IV], son of Šalmaneser, ruled for 6 years (1018-1013).

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[95] Aššur-rabi [II], son of Aššurnasirpal, ruled for 41 years (1012-972).

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[96] Aššur-reš-iši [II], son of Aššur-rabi, ruled for 5 years (971-967).

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[97] Tiglath-pileser [II], son of Aššur-reš-iši, ruled for 32 years (966-935).

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[98] Aššur-dan [II], son of Tiglath-pileser, ruled for 23 years (934-912).

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[99] Adad-nirari [II], son of Aššur-dan, ruled for 21 years (911-891).

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[100] Tukulti-Ninurta [II], son of Adad-nirari, ruled for 7 years (890-884).

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[101] Aššurnasirpal [II], son of Tukulti-Ninurta, ruled for 25 years (883-859).

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[102] Šalmaneser [III], son of Aššurnasirpal, ruled for 35 years (858-824).

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[103] Šamši-Adad [V], son of Šalmaneser, ruled for 13 years (823-811).

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[104] Adad-nirari [III], son of Šamši-Adad, ruled for 28 years (810-783).

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[105] Šalmaneser [IV], son of Adad-nirari, ruled for 10 years (782-773).

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[106] Aššur-dan [III], son of Šalmaneser, ruled for 18 years (772-755).

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[107] Aššur-nirari [V], son of Adad-nirari, ruled for 10 years (754-745).

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[108]Tiglath-pileser[III], son of Aššur-nirari, ruled for 18 years (744-727).[9]

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[109] Šalmaneser [V], son of Tiglath-pileser, ruled for 5 years” (726-722).

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Aššur copy. Hand of Kandalanu, scribe of the temple of Arbela. 20 Lulubû, eponomy of Adad-bela-ka’in, governor of Aššur, during his second eponomy.

Note 1:
Probably, the author of the Assyrian King List wanted to create the impression that these rulers, with their rhyming, invented names, were nomad kings.

Note 2:
It is not clear what is meant with ‘ancestors’; nor is it understood why the sequence of kings is reverted. Perhaps, we must read ‘my predecessors’, but this raises the question who is their descendant. Note the calculating error: the writer has mentioned ten kings, but one of them, Apiašal son of Ušpia, has already been mentioned among the seventeen who lived in tents.

Note 3:
Bricks with inscriptions of some of these rulers are indeed known.

Note 4:
Sargon and Naram-Sin are also the names of kings of Akkad who probably ruled in the twenty-fourth and twenty-third centuries BCE. However, the two men mentioned in this list appear to be more recent.

Note 5:
If this Ila-kabkabi is identical to the king mentioned before, the word ‘son’ must be read as ‘descendant’.

Note 6:
‘Son of a nobody’ means that someone seized power, although he did not belong to the royal dynasty. It appears that Aššur-dugul’s reign was contested not only by the six kings mentioned in the next section, but also by Mut-Aškur, Rimu-xxx, and Asinum.

Note 7:
This appears to be the correct date. The implication is that Aššur-nadin-apli ruled four years (the tablets mention 3 and 4) and Ninurta-apil-Ekur three (the tablets mention 3 and 13).

Note 8:
It is difficult to establish the length of the two ‘brief’ reigns of Ninurta-tukulti-Aššur and Mutakkil-Nusku, which makes all the dates offered above hard to verify. However, we know for certain that Aššur-uballit I, who was dated to 1353-1318, exchanged letters with his Egyptian colleague Akhenaten (1353-1336). The error can not be very large (five years?).

Note 9:
From the Assyrian Eponym List, it is known that Tiglath-pileser III became king in April/May 745.

Note 10:
Another tablet, written by a different scribe, contains another colophon:

Written and checked with the original. Tablet of Bêl-šuma-iddin, Aššur’s exorcist. May Šamaš (Utu) take away the man who steals this tablet.

The next king, Sargon II (721-705) came to power after a coup d’état, which may have been the immediate cause for making this king list. The remaining kings were:

[110] Sargon II

721-705
[111] Sennacherib

704-681
[112] Esarhaddon

680-669
[113] Aššurbanipal

668-631
[114] Aššur-etel-ilani

?
[115] Sin-šumu-lišir

?
[116] Sin-šar-iškun

–612
[117] Aššur-uballit II

611-609

The Assyrian Chronicle

Records of the Past, 2nd series, Vol. II, ed. by A. H. Sayce, [1888], at sacred-texts.com

 

(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…)

 

858. Shalmaneser king of Assyria; (campaign) against [the land of] …

857. Assur-bela-kain the tartan, 1 …

856. Assur-Bani-aplâ-utsur the Rab-BI-LUL; 2 …

855. Abu-ina-ekalli-lilbur the governor of the palace; …

854. Dân-Assur the tartan; …

853. Samas-abûa the prefect of the city Na’sibna; 3 …

852. Samas-bela-utsur of the city of Calah; …

851. Bel-bani-pal-a the governor of the palace; …

850. Khadî-lipusu of the city of …; …

840. [Sallimmu-bela-l’amur] of the river of ’Sukhina; against the land of [Qu]e.

839. [Uras-kib’si-utsur] of the city of Ratsappa (Rezeph); against the land of Ma(?) . . khi.

838. [Uras-A]of the river of ’Sukhina; against the land of Danabi.

837. [Qurdi-Assur] of the city of Sallat; against the country of Tabali (Tubal).

836. [Ner-sarri] of the country of [Kir]ruri; against the land of Melidi (Malatiyeh).

835. [Nergal-mudammiq] of Ninevah; against the land of Namri.

834. [Yakhâlu] the seer; against the land of Que.

833. [Ululâ] of the city of [Kal]zi; against the land of Que.

832. [Sarru-patî-beli] …; against the land of Que; the great god went to the city of Diri.

831. [Nergal-A] of [Nisib]is; against the land of Ararat.

830. [Khubâ] of the city of [Cal]ah; against the land of Unqi.

829. [Ilu-kin-akha] of [Arba]kha; against the land of Ulluba.

828. [Shalmaneser the king]; against the land of the Mannâ.

827. [Dân-Assur] … Insurrection.

826. [Assur-bani-pal-a-utsur] … Insurrection.

825. [Yakhâlu] … Insurrection.

824. [Bel-bani-pal-a] … Insurrection.

_________

823. [Samas-Rimmon the king]. Insurrection.

822. [Yakhâlu] … Insurrection.

817. [Assur-bani-aplâ-utsur] the Rab- …; against the land of Tille.

816. [Sarru-patî-beli of the city of Ni]sibis; against the land of Zarati.

815. [Bel-baladh, the tartan?]; against the city of Diri; the great god went to the city of Diri.

814. [Musiknis of the land of] Kirruri; against the land of Akh’sana.

813. [Nergal-utsur of] Sallat (?); against the land of the Kaldi. 1

812. [Samas-kumua of] Arbakha; 2 against Babylon.

811. [Bel-qati-tsabat of the city of] Mazamua; in the country. 3

_________

810. [Rimmon-nirari king of] Assyria; against the land of A.

809. [Nergal-A the] tartan; against the city of Gozan. 4

808. [Belu-dân, the ner of] the palace; against the land of the Mannâ. 1

807. [Tsil-beli, the Rab-]BI-LUL; against the land of the Mannâ.

806. [Assur-taggil] the seer; 2 against the land of Arpad.

805. [… the …]; against the city of Khazazi.

804. [Nergal-esses of the country of] Ratsappa; 3 against the city of Bahli.

803. Assur-nes-nisi of the city of Arbakra; against the sea-coast. A pestilence.

802. Uras-A of the city on the banks of the Zukhina; against the city of Khupuskia.

801. Ner-Istar of the city of Nisibis; against the country of A.

800. Merodach-isip-anni of the city of Amedi 4; against the country of A.

799. Mutaggil-Merodach the Rab-shakeh; 5 against the city of Lusia.

798. Bel-tartsi-same of the city of Calah; against the country of Namri.

797. Assur-bela-utsur of the city of Kirruri; against the city of Mantsuate.

796. Merodach-sadûni of the city of Sallat; against the city of Deri.

795. Kin-abûa of the city of Tuskhan; against the city of Deri.

794. Mannu-kî-Assur of the city of Gozan; against the country of A.

793. Musallim-Uras of the city of Tille; against the country of A.

792. Bel-qais-âni of the city of Mekhinis; against the land of Khupuskia.

791. Ner-Samas of the city of I’sana; against the land of Ituha.

790. Uras-kin-akha of the city of Ninevah; against the land of A.

789. Rimmon-musammir of the city of Kalzi; against the land of A. The foundation of the temple of Nebo (Nabu) in Ninevah [was laid].

788. Tsil-Istari of the city of …; against the land of Ki-?-ki. Nebo [entered] the (new) temple.

787. Nebo-sarra-utsur of the city of …… [against the land of Khupuskia.] The great god entered the city of Deri.

785. Merodach-sarra-utsur of the city of Kurban; against the land of Khupuskia.

783. Uras-natsir of the city of Mazamua; against the land of Ituha.

782. Samu-lih of the city of Nisibis; against the land of Ituha.

_________

781. Shalmaneser king of Assyria; against the land of Ararat.

780. Samsi-ilu the tartan; against the country of Ararat.

779. Merodach-rim-ani the Rab-BI-LUL; against the land Of Ararat.

778. Bel-esir [the governor] of the palace; against the land of Ararat.

777. Nebo-isdi-ya-yukin the seer; against the country of Ituha.

776. [Pan-Assuri-l’amur of] the (Assyrian) country; 1 against the land of Ararat.

775. [Nergal-esses of the country of] Ratsappa; against the country of Erini. 2

774. [Istar-duru of the city of] Nisibis; against the countries of Ararat and Namri.

773. [Mannu-ki-Rimmon of] the (Assyrian) country; against the city of Damascus.

772. [Assur-bela-utsur of the city of] Calah; against the country of Khatarika. 1

_________

771. Assur-dân the king of Assyria; against the city of Gananâti.

770. Samsi-ilu the tartan; against the city of Marad.

769. Bel-A of the city of Arbakha; against the country of Ituha.

768. Abla-ya of the city of Mazamua; at home.

767. Qurdi-Assur of the city on the banks of the Zukhina; against the country of Gannanati.

766. Musallim-Uras of the city of Tile; against the country of A.

765. Uras-mukin-nisi of the country of Kirruri; against the country of Khatarika. A pestilence.

764. Tsidqi-ilu of the country of Tuskhan; at home.

_________

763. Isid-Raki’s-rabe of the city of Gozan. Insurrection in the city of Assur. In the month Sivan the sun was eclipsed. 2

762. Dhabu-Bel of the city of Amedi; insurrection in the city of Assur.

767. Nebo-kin-akhi of the city of Ninevah; insurrection in the city of Arbakha.

760. Laqipu of the city of Kalzi; insurrection in the city of Arbakha.

759. Pan-Assur-l’amur of the city of Arbela; insurrection in the city of Gozan. A pestilence.

758. Ana-beli-taggil of the city of I’sana; against the city of Gozan. Peace in the country (of Assyria).

757. Uras-iddin of the city of Kurban; at home.

756. Bel-sadûa of the city of Parnunna (?); at home.

755. Iqi’su of the city of Mekhinis; against the country 1 of Khatarika.

754. Uras-sezib-ani [of the city] of Rimu’si; against the country 1 of Arpad. From the city of Assur a return.

_________

753. Assur-[nirari king of] Assyria; at home.

752. Samsi[-ilu the tar]tan; at home.

751. Merodach-[sallim-anni the governor] of the palace; at home.

750. Bel-[dân the Rab-]BI-LUL; at home.

749. Samas-[mukin-duruk the] seer; against the land of Namri.

748. [Rimmon-bela-yukin], an Assyrian 2; against the land of Namri.

_________

747. [Sin-sallim-anni of the country] of Ratsappa; in the country.

746. [Nergal-natsir of the] city of Nisibis; insurrection in the city of Calah.

_________

745. [Nebo-bela-utsur of the city of Arbakha; on the 13th day of the month Iyyar Tiglath-pileser ascended the throne; in the month Tisri he marched to the river [Euphrates].

744. [Bel-dân] of the city of Calah; against the land of Namri.

743. The king of Assyria; in the city of Arpad. The troops of the land of Ararat were slaughtered.

742. [Nebo-danin-anni] the tartan; against the city of Arpad.

741. [Bel-Kharran-bela-utsur] the governor of the palace; against the same city. After three years’ (siege) it was captured.

740. [Nebo-edhir-anni] the Rab-BI-LUL; against the city of Arpad.

739. [Sin-taggil] the seer; against the land of Ulluba. The city of Birtu was taken (?). 1

738. [Rimmon-bela-yukin] an Assyrian; 2 (the king) captures the city of Kullani. 3

737. [Bel-emur-anni] of Ratsappa; against the land of A.

736. [Uras-A] of Nisibis; against the foot of Mount Naal.

735. [Assur-sallim -anni] of the country of Arbakha; against the land of Ararat.

734. [Bel-all] of Calah; against the land of Pilista. 4

733. [Assur-danin-anni] of the city of Mazamua; against the land of Damascus.

732. [Nebo-bela-utsur] of the city of ’Sihme; against the land of Damascus.

731. [Nergal-yuballidh] of the city on the banks of the Zukhina; against the city of Sapiya.

730. [Bel-ludari] of the city of Tile; at home.

729. [Napkhar-ilu]-of the land of Kirruri; the king took the hands of Bel (Enlil). 5

728. [Dur-Assur] of the city of Tuskhan; the king took the hands of Bel; the city of Di(ri) …

_________

727. [Bel-Kharran-bola-utsur] of [Go]zan; against the city of … [Shalman]eser [ascended] the throne.

726. [Merodach-bela-utsur of Ame]di; at [home].

725. [Makhdê] of Ninevah; against …

724. [Assur-isip-anni of Kal]zi; against …

723. [Shalmaneser king of] Assyria; against …

_________

716. [Dhabu-tsil-Ê-sarra] … against the city of the Mannâ.

715. [Taggil-ana-Bela] … prefects were appointed.

714. [Istar-dur] … the city of Muzazir of the (god) Khaldia [was captured].

713. [Assur-bani] … the great … in the country of Illipa; the god … entered the new [temple].

712. [Sarru-emur-anni] … the city of Muzazir.

711. [Uras-alik-pani] …; at home.

710. [Samas-bela-utsur] …; against the city of Marqa’sa.

709. Mannu-ki-Assur-lih …; against the city of Bit-ziri; the king poured out a sacrificial libation in the city of Kis … Sargon took the hands of Bel.

708. [Samas-yupakhkhir of Kirru]ri; the city of Kumukh was conquered; a prefect was appointed (over it).

707. Sa-Assur-dubbu the prefect of Tuskhan; the king made a pilgrimage to Babylon. [Its] temples and [palaces] he restored. On the 22d day of the month Tisri the gods of the city of Dur-yakin 1 were brought forth.

706. Mutaggil-Assur the prefect of Gozan; the king destroyed the city of Dur- yakin the 6th day of the month Iyyar. To their temples [the gods] returned.

705. Yupakhkhir-Bel the prefect of Amedi … Mukh(?)kaespai the Kulummite in the country of Karalla … A soldier murdered the king of Assyria. … On the 12th day of the month Ab Sennacherib [ascended the throne].

_________

704. Nebo-dini-epus the governor of Ninevah … the cities of Larak and ’Sarabanu [were captured?]. A palace was built in the city of Kalzi.…

Footnotes

120:1 Turtanu, “commander-in-chief;” see Isaiah xx. I, 2 Kings xviii. 17.

120:2 Perhaps “the chief of the cup-bearers.”

120:3 Nisibis.

121:1 The Chaldæans, at this time a tribe in the marshes of Southern Babylonia.

121:2 Arrapakhitis.

121:3 That is to say, the troops stayed at home; no military expedition took place.

121:4 On the river Khabour; see 2 Kings xix. 52.

122:1 The Minni of the Old Testament, the Manâ of the Vannic inscriptions, whose territory extended from the Kotur mountains, the eastern frontier of the kingdom of Ararat or Van, towards Lake Urumiyeh. The name has no connection with that of Van.

122:2 Abarakku, from the Accadian abrik; in Genesis xli. 43 Joseph is called abrek, a word erroneously supposed to be of Egyptian origin. See my Hibbert Lectures on Babylonian Religion, p. 183, where, however, I have erroneously translated abrikku or abarakku “vizier.” Joseph’s cup of divination is referred to in Genesis xliv. 5.

122:3 The Rezeph of Isaiah xxxvii. 12.

122:4 Amida, now Diarbekir.

122:5 Rab-saki, “the chief of the princes,” or Vizier.

123:1 Or perhaps “the prefect” (saladh).

123:2 “The country of the cedar-trees,” i.e. Mount Amanus.

124:1 The Hadrach of Zech. ix. 1.

124:2 The eclipse was visible at Nineveh on the 15th of June.

125:1 “City” in another copy.

125:2 Or “the prefect.”

126:1 I cannot explain the grammatical construction of tsabtat.

126:2 Or “the prefect.”

126:3 Probably the Calneh of Genesis x. 10; Isaiah x. 9.

126:4 The Philistines.

126:5 This ceremony was performed at Babylon, and implied that the king was recognised as legitimate sovereign of Babylonia.

127:1 According to the text published in W. A. I. ii. 69, Dur-Sargon (now Khorsabad). The text published by Dr. Bezold, however (Proceedings of the Society of Biblical Archæology, xi. 7), gives Dur-yakin, the ancestral capital of Merodach-baladan in the southern marshes of Babylonia.

Translation of the Inscription Giving the Assyrian Interpretation of the Names of the Early Babylonian Kings

Records of the Past, 2nd series, Vol. I, ed. by A. H. Sayce, [1888], at sacred-texts.com

 

(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…)

 

Obv.—COLUMN I

About forty lines lost.

1. [? Ur-Damu. Acc. 1]

“Man of the goddess Gula (Bau).”

2. [? Babar-uru. Acc.]

“The Sun-god protects.”

3. [Ur- …]la. Acc.

“Man of the Moon-god (Nannar / Sin).”

4. [Ur-]Babara. Acc.

“Man of the Sun-god (Utu / Shamash).”

5. [Is-ki-]pal. Acc.

“Sweeper away of the hostile country.”

6. [Gul-ki-]sar. Acc.

“Destroyer of hosts.”

7. A-[dara]-kalama. Acc.

“Son of the god Ea (Enki) king of the land.”

8. A-kur-du-ana. Acc.

“Son of Bel (Enlil) (the mountain) of the treasury of heaven.”

9. Lugal-ginna. Acc.

 “Established king”(Sargon). 2

10. The queen Azag-Bau. Acc.

“The goddess Bau is holy.”

_________

11. These are the kings who after the flood are not described in chronological order.

_________

12. Khammu-ragas. Kas. 3

“Of a large family.”

13. Ammi-didugga. Kas.

“Of an established family.”

14. Kur-gal-zu. Kas.

“Be a shepherd.”

15. Simmas-sipak. Kas.

“Offspring of Merodach (Marduk).”

16. Ulam-bur-yas. Kas.

“Offspring of the lord of the world.”

17. Nazi-Murudas. Kas.

“The shadow of Uras. (Marduk)“

18. Meli-Sipak. Kas.

“Man of Merodach.”

19. Burna-bur-yas. Kas.

“Servant [of the lord of the world].”

20. Kara-Urus. Kas.

“Minister of [Bel].”

COLUMN II

About thirty-three lines are lost.

1. [an-]khegal. Acc.

“With Merodach is life.”

2. [an-]khegal. Acc.

“With Merodach is verdure.”

3. Lu-Silig-lu-sar. Acc.

“Man of Merodach.”

4. Un-kur-Silig-alim. Acc.

“The lord of the land is Merodach.”

5. Gu-sermal-Tutu. Acc.

“The closer of the mouth is Merodach.”

6. Sazu-[an]kusvu. Acc.

“Merodach is an over-shadowing god.”

7. Sazu-ap-tila-nen-gu. Acc.

“Merodach has declared life to him.”

8. Ur-Nin-din-bagga. Acc.

“Man of Gula [the goddess of life and death].” (physician)

9. Khumeme. Acc.

“Man of Gula.”

10. Dili-khidu. Acc.

 “(Man of) the god Papsukal.” 1

11. Mu-na-tila. Acc.

“May his name live.”

12. Nannak-satu. Acc.

“The Moon-god (Nannar) has begotten.”

13. Nannak-agal-duabi. Acc.

“The Moon-god is strong over all.”

14. Labar-Nu-dimmud. Acc.

“Servant of Ea (Enki) [lord of the universe].”

15. Urudu-man-sun. Acc.

“The god Nusku has given.”

p. 34

16. Kud-ur-Alima. Acc.

“Sweet are the loins of Bel.”

17. Dun-aga-ba-khe-til. Acc.

“May Bau vivify her womb.”

18. Damu-mu-as-khe-gal. Acc.

“May Gula be one name.”

19. Dun-gal-tur-taê. Acc.

“May Bau establish great and small.”

20. Tutu-bul-anta-gal. Acc.

“O Merodach as a comrade spare her (?).”

21. Dugga-makh-Sazu. Acc.

“Supreme is the word of Merodach.”

22. Khedu-lamma-ra. Acc.

“Pap-sukal is the colossus.”

23. Mul-khe-sal. Acc.

“May Bel be exalted.”

24. Dimir-Uru-du. Acc.

“The Moon-god as son [of the city Ur].”

25. Dimir-Uruk-du. Acc.

“The god who is the son of [Erech].”

26. Dimir-Erida-du-ru. Acc.

“Ea [as son of Eridu, the creator].”

The next two lines are destroyed.

Rev.—COLUMN III

The first two lines are destroyed.

1. … a-edina. Acc.

“The choir of the goddess Zarpanit (sarpanit, Marduk’s spouse).”

2. ’Si-ru. Acc.

“Bel has created.”

3. Kur-nigin-garra-gurus-nene. Acc.

“Uras (Marduk) is their first-born.”
4. Uras-saglitar 1-zae-men. Acc.

“Uras, thou art overseer.”

5. Uras-qalzi-nes-kiam-mama. Acc.

“Uras who loves constancy.”

6. Mul-lil-ki-bi-gi. Acc.

“Bel (Enlil) of Nipur has returned to his place.”

7. Laghlaghghi-Gar. Acc.

“Nebo (Nabu) illuminates.”

8. Kur-gal-nin-mu-pada. Acc.

“The great mountain (Bel) records the name.”

p. 35

9. Aba-Sanabi-dari. Acc.

“Who is like Bel a bridegroom.”

10. Aba-Sanabi-diri. Acc.

“Who is like Bel (the lord) of counsel.”

11. Es-Guzi-gin-du. Acc.

“The temple of E-Saggil the establishment of the son.”

12. Khu-un-zuh. Acc.

“Bel who knows mankind.”

13. Nab-sakh-menna. Acc.

“Bel, prosper me.”

14. Massu-gal-Babara-gude. Acc.

“What is shorn by Rimmon (Adad).”

15. Ur-Sanabi. Acc.

“The man of Ea (Enki).”

16. Lu-Damu. Acc.

“The man of Gula.”

17. Tutul-Savul. Acc.

“The Sun-god has mustered.”

18. Nin-sakh-gu-nu-tatal. Acc.

“Pap-sukal who changes not (his) command.”

19. Agu-sag-algi. Acc.

 “The Moon-god has given a son.” 1

20. Agu-ba-tila. Acc.

“May the Moon-god vivify what is below him.”

21. Larru-ningub-al. Acc.

“O Bel, defend the landmark.”

22. Lubar-E-gir-azagga. Acc.

“Servant of Nergal.”

23. Bad-Mullilla. Acc.

“Minister of Bel.”

24. Nanak-gula. Acc.

“The Moon-god is great.”

25. … nu-laragh-danga-su-mu-aldibba. Acc.

“(O Sun-)god, in difficulties and dangers take my hand.”

26. [Es-Guzi-]kharsag-men. Acc.

“E-Saggil is our mountain.”

More than thirty lines are destroyed here.

COLUMN IV

1. Ulam-Urus. Kas.

“Offspring of Bel.”

2. Meli-Khali. Kas.

“Man of Gula.”

p. 36

3. Meli-Sumu. Kas.

“Man of the god Suqamuna.”

4. Meli-Sibarru. Kas.

“Man of the god Simalia.”

5. Meli-Sakh. Kas.

“Man of the Sun-god.”

6. Nimgirabi. Kas.

“The merciful.”

7. Nimgirabi-Sakh. Kas.

“Merciful is the Sun-god.”

8. Nimgirabi-Buryas. Kas.

“Merciful is [Bel the lord of the world].”

9. Kara-Buryas. Kas.

“Servant of [Bel lord of the world].”

10. Kara-Sakh. Kas.

“Servant of the Sun-god.”

11. Nazi-Sipak. Kas.

[“Shadow of Merodach.”]

12. Nazi-Buryas. Kas.

[“Shadow of Bel lord] of the world.”

The remaining eight lines are lost.

Footnotes

32:1 That is, Accado-Sumerian.

32:2 The name of the king was really Sarganu (perhaps of the same origin as the Biblical Serug), but his Accadian subjects misunderstood it, turning it into Sarru-kinu, “established king,” which was written in Sumerian Lugal-ginna.

32:3 That is, Kassite or Kossæan.

33:1 Literally “the messenger of the treasury (of heaven).”

34:1 The correct reading of this word is doubtful.

35:1 The Assyro-Babylonian translation is a paraphrase, as in some other instances. The Accado-Sumerian compound is literally: “The Moon-god has established a head.”