Chapter 03 · 2334 – 2154 BCE

Akkadian Empire

Sargon brings rival city-states under imperial rule.

Illustration: A temple priestess and scribes working in an Akkadian-period courtyard
A temple courtyard at Ur, around 2300 BCE.

~2300 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Rimuš 2001

“(1') To ..., ..., ... of Šuruppak, chosen by Sud in the heart, whose name was proclaimed by Nin-ĝidru, ... for the well-being of his king, Rimuš, king of the world.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001421/

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~2300 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Šar-kali-šarri 4 (Sumerian)

“(1) Enlil spoke: He gave all ... to Šar-kali-šarri, the powerful king, cup-bearer of Enlil, king of Akkad, king of Enlil's people. After he had arrived at the source of the Tigris and the Euphrates, he himself dedicated this (object) to Enlil in Nibru. (colophon 1, 1) The number of its (lines) is six.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001431/

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~2300 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Sargon 02

“(colophon 1, 1) The inscription on its socle. It was written in front of Lugalzagesi.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001397/

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~2300 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Sargon 03

“(colophon 1, 1) The inscription on the statue. Its socle is not inscribed.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001398/

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~2300 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Sargon 06

“(colophon 1, 1) The inscription was written on the socle. (colophon 2, 1) The inscription on the shoulder of Lugalzagesi.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001399/

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~2300 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Sargon 07

“(colophon 1, 1) The inscription on the statue. ....”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001400/

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~2300 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Sargon 11 (Akkadian)

“(colophon 1, 1) The inscription on the statue. Its socle is not inscribed.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001404/

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~2300 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Sargon 11 (Sumerian)

“(1) Šarrukin, king of the world, was victorious in 34 battles. He demolished all city walls as far as the shore of the sea. He moored the ships of Meluhha, Magan, and Dilmun at the quay of Agade. (14) In Tuttul, Šarrukin, the king, prostrated himself before Dagan and prayed to him. (Dagan then) gave him the Upper land, (including) Mari, Yarmuti, and Ebla, as far as the cedar forests and the mountains of precious metal. (29) In the presence of Šarrukin, the king whom Enlil made a man without opponent, 13 (units) of troops eat daily. (38) Whoever obliterates this inscription, may An obliterate his name, may Enlil put an end to his lineage, may Inana cut his ... short! (colophon 1, 1) The inscription on its socle.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001403/

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