Chapter 03 · 2334 – 2154 BCE
Akkadian Empire
Sargon brings rival city-states under imperial rule.
~2270 BCE · AO 11289 — Louvre Museum, Paris, France
MAD 4, 050
In plain English
Inventory on deposit: about half a mina of silver (the first entries are damaged) plus a níg-luh item, together weighing 2 minas and 12 shekels; twenty-eight assorted sheep and goats; one cargo barge, fully equipped and ready to sail; two wheels of one type and one wagon wheel. All of the above is currently held in the custody of Ur-mes, the minister. In effect, a custody receipt: these goods are with Ur-mes and he is answerable for them.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“1. 1/2(?) mina of silver [...] 2. 1 níg-luh(?)-implement [...] 3. their weight: 2 minas 12 shekels; 4. 30 less 2 (= 28) sheep (and) goats, assorted; 5. 1 processional barge, fully equipped; 6. 2 wheels (for the) uš(?); 7. 1 wagon(?) wheel; 8–9. (all this) is on deposit with Ur-mes, the minister (sukkal).”
Source: engine:claude-fable-5 (2026-09-20/v8-evolved) · claude-fable-5 · medium confidence
Read the full tablet entry~2270 BCE · AO 11290 — Louvre Museum, Paris, France
MAD 4, 051
In plain English
Bill of sale: one male kunga, a donkey–onager hybrid. Lugal-KA-e bought the animal from Gala, son of Lugal-kar-e-si, who works on the magur-boat, and paid him 11 shekels of silver. The witnesses were a man whose name is lost (along with his father's), Abu-hadu son of Ur-zu, Lugal-nigbaradu the merchant, and Ama-emega.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“Obverse(?) 1. 1 male kunga-equid, 2. from Gala, son of Lugal-kar-e-si, the man of the magur-boat, 3. Lugal-KA-e 4. bought (it). 5. 11 shekels of silver 6. he weighed out to him. 7. [1 PN], 8. [son of ......]; 9. 1 Abu-hadu, 10. son of Ur-zu; 11. 1 Lugal-nigbaradu, the merchant; 12. 1 Ama-emega: 13. they are the witnesses.”
Source: engine:claude-opus-5-5 (2026-09-20/v8-evolved) · claude-opus-5-5 · medium confidence
Read the full tablet entry~2270 BCE · AO 11291 — Louvre Museum, Paris, France
MAD 4, 052
In plain English
Outstanding balance: five young goats, three mother ewes, and two rams. This shortfall is charged to the account of Ur-Šara. The animals in deficit are currently being kept with the shepherd Utu-mu. The period covered by this account: four years and eight months.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“1. Deficit: 5 kids (young goats), 2. 3 mother ewes, 3. 2 rams — 4. it is (the deficit) of Ur-Šara. 5. The deficit 6. with Utu-mu, 7. the shepherd, 8. is kept (alive, i.e. the animals dwell with him). 9. 4 years, 8 months.”
Source: engine:claude-fable-5 (2026-09-20/v8-evolved) · claude-fable-5 · medium confidence
Read the full tablet entry~2270 BCE · AO 11297 — Louvre Museum, Paris, France
MAD 4, 058
In plain English
This is a running tally of missing goats. Ten nanny goats and seven male kids — seventeen animals in all — are outstanding on Ur-Šara's account. Another four nannies and one male kid are missing from Ur-Suen's account. The whole shortfall is charged to Utu-mu, the shepherd who was responsible for the flocks, and it covers a period of six years and three months.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“1. Deficit: 10 mother (nanny) goats, 2. 7 male kids; 3. total: 20 minus 3 (= 17) goats — 4. it is (the account) of Ur-Šara. 5. 4 mother (nanny) goats, 6. 1 male kid — 7. it is (the account) of Ur-Suen. 8. (This is the) deficit 9. of Utu-mu, the shepherd. 10. 6 years, 3 months.”
Source: engine:claude-fable-5 (2026-09-20/v8-evolved) · claude-fable-5 · high confidence
Read the full tablet entry~2270 BCE · AO 11298 — Louvre Museum, Paris, France
MAD 4, 059
In plain English
Shortfall report: the flock is down by 3 mother ewes, 2 rams, 2 good-grade ewe lambs, and 12 young goats — 18 head missing in all. The shortfall is charged to Ur-Šara's account. Abi-nar is the shepherd responsible. The deficit covers a period of two years and eight months.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“(obv.) 1. Deficit: 3 mother ewes, 2. 2 rams, 3. 2 female lambs of regular (šà-du₁₀) quality, 4. 12 (male) kids. 5. Total: 20 less 2 (= 18) sheep (and goats), the deficit; 6. it is (the deficit) of Ur-Šara. 7. Abi-nar (is) the shepherd. 8. (Period:) 2 years, 8 months.”
Source: engine:claude-fable-5 (2026-09-20/v8-evolved) · claude-fable-5 · medium confidence
Read the full tablet entry~2270 BCE · AO 11300 — Louvre Museum, Paris, France
MAD 4, 061
In plain English
This is a livestock and hide ledger. Two branded nanny-goat hides and one unbranded kid belong to Ur-Šara; a further kid is booked to Ur-Šara the scribe. One branded nanny goat is under the shepherd Si-du together with Ur-Suen. Then come one nanny-goat hide, one branded kid hide, one branded ram, and one branded lamb, under the shepherd Utu-mu together with Na-ešdua. The account covers a period of five years and four months.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“1. 2 hides of nanny goats, branded (zag-šu₂), 2. 1 young goat, unbranded (nu-šu₂): 3. they are Ur-Šara's. 4. 1 young goat: Ur-Šara, the scribe. 5. 1 nanny goat, branded: 6. Si-du, the shepherd, 7. (and) Ur-Suen. 8. 1 hide of a nanny goat, 9. 1 hide of a young goat, branded, 10. 1 ram, branded, 11. 1 lamb, branded: 12. Utu-mu, the shepherd, 13. (and) Na-ešdua. 14. 5 years, 4 months.”
Source: engine:claude-fable-5 (2026-09-20/v8-evolved) · claude-fable-5 · medium confidence
Read the full tablet entry~2270 BCE · AO 11301 — Louvre Museum, Paris, France
MAD 4, 062
In plain English
Thirty gur of barley in all, measured by the standard sag-gál gur: ten gur to Lugal-KA, ten for Lugal-tur, and ten to Nigar. This is threshed barley from the agar-field of A-nimgirza. The man responsible for the work gang is Lugal-KA, and the grain went out on the first barge of the shipment. Dated: year 16, month 4.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“1. 10 gur of barley, (in) the sag-gál (standard) measure — 2. (for) Lugal-KA; 3. 10 for Lugal-tur; 4. 10 (for) Nigar. 5. Barley threshed (lit. "beaten with the stick"), 6. (from) the agar-field of A-nimgirza. 7. Foreman: Lugal-KA. 8. The lead barge (boatload). 9. 16 (is the) year, 4 (is the) month.”
Source: engine:claude-fable-5 (2026-09-20/v8-evolved) · claude-fable-5 · medium confidence
Read the full tablet entry~2270 BCE · AO 11306 — Louvre Museum, Paris, France
MAD 4, 067
In plain English
Harvest ledger. From the A-nimgirza district: 384 gur of barley (standard measure), 52 gur of emmer, and 4 gur of wheat. From the district of the Nintu field: 202 gur and 2 barig of barley. From the district of the Enlil field: 45 gur and 2 barig of barley. Grand totals: 632 gur of barley, 52 gur of emmer, and 4 gur of wheat — the wheat total is partly broken but restorable from the entry above. All of it is threshed grain, booked under Lugal-KA.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“1. 384 gur of barley, (in the) saggal(-measure); 2. 52 gur of emmer; 3. 4 gur of wheat: 4. (from the) irrigation district of A-nimgirza. 5. 202 gur 2 barig of barley: 6. (from the) irrigation district of the field of Nintu. 7. 45 gur 2 barig of barley: 8. (from the) irrigation district of the field of Enlil. 9. Total: 632 gur of barley, (in the) saggal(-measure); 10. total: 52 gur of emmer; 11. [total: 4] gur of wheat. 12. Threshed barley. 13. Lugal-KA.”
Source: engine:claude-fable-5 (2026-09-20/v8-evolved) · claude-fable-5 · medium confidence
Read the full tablet entry