Position in chronology
Sennacherib 018
Translation · reference
High confidence(i 1') fav[orite of the great gods, guardian of truth] who lo[ves justice, renders assistance], goes to [the aid of the weak], (and) strives af[ter good deeds], (i 5´) per[fect] man, [virile warrior], foremost of [all rulers], the bridle that cont[rols the insubmissive], (and) the one who strikes [enemies] with lightn[ing]: (i 1'') ... [...] I received [a sub]stantial [audience gift from Nabû-bēl-šumāti], the official in charge of [the city Ḫararatu (Ḫarutu): gold, silver, large] musukkannu-trees, [donkeys, camels], oxen, and sheep [and goats]. (i 5''b) [I put] to the sword [the population of…
Source: Grayson, A.K. & Novotny, J. 2012–2014. The Royal Inscriptions of Sennacherib, King of Assyria (704–681 BC). RINAP 3. University Park, PA: Eisenbrauns. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/rinap/rinap3/Q003492/
Why it matters
Attests Sennacherib's receipt of tribute from the official of Ḫararatu — gold, silver, musukkannu-timber, and livestock — documenting the economic extraction that funded Assyria's western campaigns circa 695 BCE.
Transliteration
⸢mi⸣-[gir DINGIR.MEŠ GAL.MEŠ na-ṣir kit-ti]1 / ra-[ʾi-im mi-šá-ri e-piš ú-sa-a-ti] / a-⸢lik⸣ [tap-pu-ut a-ki-i] / sa-ḫi-[ru dam-qa-a-ti] / eṭ-lum ⸢gít⸣-[ma-lum zi-ka-ru qar-du] / a-šá-red [kal mal-ki] / rap-pu la-⸢ʾi⸣-[iṭ la ma-gi-ri] / mu-šab-⸢ri⸣-[qu za-ma-a-ni] / x [... ša mdMUATI-EN-MU.MEŠ] / LÚ.qí-⸢pi⸣ [URU.ḫa-ra-ra-ti KÙ.GI KÙ.BABBAR] / GIŠ.mu-suk-kan-⸢ni⸣ [GAL.MEŠ ANŠE.MEŠ…
Scholarly note
Royal inscription of Sennacherib, edited by A. Kirk Grayson & Jamie Novotny (RINAP 3, 2012–2014). ORACC text Q003492.
Attribution
Image: BM 127845 + BM 127996 + BM 128228 + BM 128265 (+) OIM A08134 + OIM A16918 (+) BM 127903 + BM 128297 (+) BM 127914 (+) BM 127932 + BM 128076 + BM 12829 (British Museum, London, UK; Oriental Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA) — from Nineveh (mod. Kuyunjik) — Photo via Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (cdli.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/artifacts, P399282). source
Translation excerpted from Grayson, A.K. & Novotny, J. 2012–2014. The Royal Inscriptions of Sennacherib, King of Assyria (704–681 BC). RINAP 3. University Park, PA: Eisenbrauns. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/rinap/rinap3/Q003492/.
Related tablets
Related sources
The earliest historical document in human history. Before this, we have lists, accounts, and dedications. Here, for the first time, a ruler tells us what happened — with names, places, and consequences.
The oldest surviving law code in human history. The principle that the state — not the wronged family — defines and enforces justice begins here.
Not the first law code, but the most complete and the most famous. Inscribed on a black diorite stele over two meters tall, displayed in a public place — law made visible, law made monumental.