Position in chronology
Sargon II 1006
Translation · reference
High confidence(1') Not sufficiently preserved to allow translation. (4') to/for [...] (5') he rejoiced an[d ...] (6') over the food allocation [...] ... [...] (7') he was happy [... his face] shone an[d ...] (8') ... [...] he prayed [...] (9') to ensure (my) good health [...] to firmly establish (my) reign [...] (10') to g[o] at my side [... {to st]and} in trium[ph ...] (11') one who renovates [this] temple [...] ... [...] (12') who to show [...] he/th[ey] will establ[ish ...] (13') strong ... [...] ... enemy ... [...] (14') may he go and [wh]en his foes in ... [...] (15') may he bind [(and)] his army that ... [...] (16') he/th[ey] will shatter [...] (17') ... [...]
Source: Frame, G. 2021. The Royal Inscriptions of Sargon II, King of Assyria (721–705 BC). RINAP 2. University Park, PA: Eisenbrauns. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/rinap/rinap2/Q006636/
Why it matters
Preserves fragmentary benedictions from a Sargon II royal inscription — a temple renovation dedication with curses against future desecrators and prayers for dynastic continuity, attesting the formulaic ideology binding Assyrian kingship to divine favour.
Transliteration
x [...] / NI? [...] / x [...] / ŠI x [...] / a-na x [...] / i-li-iṣ-⸢ma⸣ [...] / UGU ku-ru-ma-ti [x x x x x x (x x)] x ⸢BU? ŠÚ⸣ x [...] / iḫ-du lìb-ba-⸢šú⸣ [x x x x (x)] im-mir-⸢ma⸣ [...] / E MI? DI PA x [x x x x (x)] ik-ru-ba ⸢IA⸣ [...]1 / ba-laṭ ZI-tim [x x x x (x)] ⸢ku⸣-un-nu BALA-e ⸢MI/UL⸣ [...] / i-da-a-a a-⸢la⸣-[ku x x x (x)] ⸢i?⸣-zu-zi ina li-⸢i-ti?⸣ [...] / mu-ud-di-iš ⸢É?⸣ [x x x x (x)]…
Scholarly note
Royal inscription of Sargon II, edited by Grant Frame (RINAP 2, 2021). ORACC text Q006636.
Attribution
Image: BM — (British Museum, London, UK) — from Kalhu (mod. Nimrud) — Photo via Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (cdli.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/artifacts, P428887). source
Translation excerpted from Frame, G. 2021. The Royal Inscriptions of Sargon II, King of Assyria (721–705 BC). RINAP 2. University Park, PA: Eisenbrauns. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/rinap/rinap2/Q006636/.
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