Chapter 05 · 2000 – 1600 BCE
Old Babylonian
Hammurabi, the Epic of Gilgamesh, mathematics.
~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A hymn to Nanna (Nanna N)
In plain English
Nanna blazes across the sacred sky, a brilliant and radiant lord whose divine powers are holy. He is the sole lord who lights the heavens from on high, and serves as counselor in both heaven and earth — though several phrases in these opening lines are too damaged to read fully. As he rises, he glows; whatever object or quality is described as holy and purifying — the word is lost — shines out for the king like good sunlight. The passage repeats: as Nanna comes forth and rises in radiance, that holy, purifying thing shines out again for the king like good sunlight.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“Luminous (?) brilliance that fills the holy heavens, an adept (?) exuding radiance (?), Nanna, your divine powers (?) are holy! Unique lord, luminous lord who ...... the heavens, shining in the high heavens, ......, adviser in heaven and on earth, ......, you are the god who ....... 2 lines fragmentary ...... as you come forth, ...... you rise in radiance. The ...... is holy and purifies. O, it has come forth for my king like the good sunlight! Nanna, ...... as you come forth, ...... you rise in radiance. The ...... is holy and purifies. O, it has come forth for my king like the good sunlight!”
Source: ETCSL c.4.13.14: A hymn to Nanna (Nanna N). Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.4.13.14
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A hymn to Nanna (Nanna O)
In plain English
The opening four lines are missing and a fifth is too damaged to read. What remains praises Nanna: An, Enlil, Enki, and Ninhursaja cherish him at his place of creation, and he is called the exalted adviser of heaven and earth — though the end of that line is also lost. As the youthful Suen moves across the sky, the Anuna gods stand in attendance, and across all four corners of the world the black-headed people lift their eyes to him, the firstborn son of Enlil. These lines are then repeated, with Nanna and Suen named together.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“4 lines missing 1 line fragmentary You possess ......! An, Enlil, Enki and Ninhursaja treat you with deserved affection in your place of creation. Exalted Nanna ......, adviser in heaven and on earth ......! An, Enlil, Enki and Ninhursaja treat you with deserved affection in your place of creation. Youthful Suen, as you move the Anuna gods stand in attendance. In the four quarters of the world the black-headed people raise their eyes to you, the first-born son of Enlil. Nanna, youthful Suen, as you move the Anuna gods stand in attendance. In the four quarters of the world the black-headed people raise their eyes to you, the first-born son of Enlil.”
Source: ETCSL c.4.13.15: A hymn to Nanna (Nanna O). Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.4.13.15
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A hymn to Nanshe
In plain English
The city of Nijin stands as a place of manifest sacred power — it is described as a holy mountain rising from the water, its light breaking over a secure temple, its destiny already fixed. Everything in the city is in order, and the rites of mother Nanshe are duly carried out there. Nanshe herself, daughter of Eridug and lady of the precious divine powers, is about to return to the city. She is likened to beer mash and yeast — she is the force behind great things — but the passage breaks off before the final image is complete.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“There is a city, there is a city whose powers are apparent. Nijin is the city whose powers are apparent. The holy city is the city whose powers are apparent. The mountain rising from the water is the city whose powers are apparent. Its light rises over the secure temple; its fate is determined. There is perfection in the city; the rites of mother Nance are performed accordingly. Its lady, the child born in Eridug, Nance, the lady of the precious divine powers, is now to return. She is beer mash (?), the mother is yeast (?), Nance is the cause of great things: her presence makes the…”
Source: ETCSL c.4.14.1: A hymn to Nanshe. Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.4.14.1
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A hymn to Nergal for Shulgi (Shulgi U)
In plain English
Nergal fills heaven and earth with his terrifying radiance, though several lines describing his power are too damaged to read. He is called a wild bull with thick horns whose very name unleashes dread — he falls on enemy lands like the south wind and stands as a bolt barring the breadth of the mountains. When he takes his seat in the temple E-meslam, his desires are fulfilled and the people gather at his feet. Under his title Meslamta-eda, he has encircled the rebel lands; his supremacy over them is proclaimed twice in refrain.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“Nergal who ......, ...... great awe, who ...... the underworld -- its awesome radiance ...... the battle-net, its awesomeness has filled heaven and earth. 2nd cagbatuku. Hero, wild bull with thick horns, ...... like a cow, your terrifying name lets loose awe and fear. You fall on the rebel lands like the south wind. You are a bolt on the broad extent of the mountains. When you sit in E-meclam, your desires are joyously fulfilled (?). The people assemble at your feet. 2nd barsud. Meclamta-eda, your supremacy in the rebel lands! You have encircled the rebel lands, O youth. Nergal, your supremacy in the rebel lands!”
Source: ETCSL c.2.4.2.21: A hymn to Nergal for Shulgi (Shulgi U). Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.2.4.2.21
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A hymn to Nergal (Nergal B)
In plain English
Nergal is hailed as the majestic, terrifying son of Enlil — a hero who crashes into rebel lands like a battering storm and roars over them like a surge of floodwater. Lord Meclamta-eda (another name for Nergal) radiates such dread that the hostile land finds no release from his grip; his great horn and weapons strike with devastating force. Several lines are too damaged to read, but what survives describes him as Enlil's offspring, placed and positioned in his full heroic power. He lifts his head, speaks with a commanding and resonant voice, and moves through the heavens fully conversant with the divine powers of the gods, bringing order to everything.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“Hero, majestic, awe-inspiring son of Enlil, battering like a storm and roaring against the rebel lands! Immense at his front, at his rear surging as a flood, after he ......, ...... this place; lord Meclamta-eda inspiring terrifying awe, his magnificent strength not releasing the hostile land, his luxuriant horn ...... in the Land, struck ...... with weapons. ......, sired by Enlil, great ......, ...... flood ......; he has placed you ......, he has positioned you in your heroic strength. Raising his head, authoritative with a ringing voice, knowing the divine powers of the gods, ...... of the Land, he travels through heaven and organises everything.”
Source: ETCSL c.4.15.2: A hymn to Nergal (Nergal B). Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.4.15.2
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A hymn to Nibru and Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan C)
In plain English
The shrine of Nibru — the E-kur, radiant and surpassing even the abzu — counts the greatest gods among its household. Its prince is Enlil, the Great Mountain, who stands above even Enki; its lady is the gentle and refined Ninlil; its caretaker is the vigorous hero Ninurta. The chief minister Nuska tends the shrine's beautiful copper vessels, keeps its inner chamber welcoming, and guards its sacred divine powers. Now Ishme-Dagan — son of Enlil and Ninlil, a king who has won renown among his many people — prostrates himself at the shrine's feet.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“Shrine of Nibru, shrine surpassing the abzu, shining E-kur; your prince is the Great Mountain, Enlil, who surpasses the Prince (i.e. Enki) . Your great lady is the good woman, mother Ninlil, excelling in refinement. Your caretaker is one whose vigour is surpassing, the hero Ninurta. The chief minister (i.e. Nuska) , who is worthy of your fair copper vessels, who makes your bedchamber exceedingly pleasant, is also the guardian watching over your honourable divine powers; he is the shepherd watching over your honourable divine powers. Your provider, who was engendered by the Great Mountain and was born by Ninlil -- Icme-Dagan, who was engendered by the Great Mountain, and was born by Ninlil, he who has achieved a high reputation among his numerous people, throws himself at your feet.”
Source: ETCSL c.2.5.4.03: A hymn to Nibru and Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan C). Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.2.5.4.03
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A hymn to Nibru and Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan W)
In plain English
The city of Nibru rises in terrifying splendor across heaven and earth, its towers unmatched, its brickwork the finest of any building raised in the Land. Its power reaches to the farthest edges of heaven and earth, and it has granted every foreign land and every city yet built a share of excellent divine powers. Its name is as magnificent as those powers, and its very soil matches the greatness of its name. The city's name — or its divine powers, depending on which manuscript you follow — towers over heaven and earth. The final line breaks off mid-sentence, leaving the closing image incomplete.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“City whose terrifying splendour extends over heaven and earth, whose towers are exceptionally grand, shrine Nibru! Your power reaches to the edges of the uttermost extent of heaven and earth. Of all the brick buildings erected in the Land, your brickwork is the most excellent. You have allowed all the foreign lands and as many cities as are built to receive excellent divine powers. Your name is as excellent as your excellent divine powers. Your soil is soil as good as your name. City, your name towers (1 ms. has instead: your divine powers tower) over heaven and earth. You are the pillar (?)…”
Source: ETCSL c.2.5.4.23: A hymn to Nibru and Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan W). Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.2.5.4.23
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A hymn to Ningishzida (Ningishzida C)
In plain English
The hymn opens with Ningishzida compared to a flood-wave surging through a river, sweeping everything away like a destructive deluge — though the first several lines are too damaged to read fully. From birth, the king has possessed abundance in Ningishzida's name, and the god's praise is declared sweet. The first kirugu ends there. The second begins with Ningishzida addressed directly: beloved of holy An, born in the shining great mountains, bright-eyed, with the appeal of a young man, and the king's right arm on the battlefield. His praise is sung aloud. The third section opens with Ningishzida wandering the earth, but the surface breaks off at that point.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“...... to you. ...... a flood-wave in the river, sweeping over everything like a destructive flood. My king, from your ....... King, from your birth you have ...... in abundance. Ninjiczida, your praise is sweet ....... 1st kirugu. Lord Ninjiczida, ...... 1 line fragmentary Hero, ...... beloved of holy An, ...... born in the shining great mountains, lord ...... with sparkling eyes, with the attractiveness of a young man, great hero, the king's right arm on the battlefield, lord Ninjiczida, your praise is sweet. They praise you in song. 2nd kirugu. Hero, as you wander on the earth, Ninjiczida,…”
Source: ETCSL c.4.19.3: A hymn to Ningishzida (Ningishzida C). Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.4.19.3
Read the full tablet entry