Chapter 05 · 2000 – 1600 BCE
Old Babylonian
Hammurabi, the Epic of Gilgamesh, mathematics.
~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
An adab (?) to Ninurta for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan O)
In plain English
The text opens with a hymn to Ninurta, greatest warrior in heaven and earth, the god who holds all fifty divine powers perfectly in hand within the E-kur temple. He is Enlil's governor, a raging storm that drives terror into foreign lands and casts dread over all people — a god without equal. Several lines are too damaged to read, but what survives calls him the ornament of Enlil's holy shrine, outstanding in strength and radiance, and names him the neck-stock of the gods — a figure of supreme authority among the Anuna deities.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“Great hero, strongest in heaven and earth! Ninurta, who controls perfectly the fifty divine powers in the E-kur! ...... governor for his father, rising raging storm, who extends terror ...... towards the foreign countries. ...... roaring ......, who casts fear upon the people, who has no rival! Ninurta, surpassing in vigour! ...... great and majestic strength ......, ...... of Enlil, ...... of Enlil, ornament of the august shrine! ...... whose radiance ......! 1 line fragmentary ...... the neck-stock of the gods. 1 line fragmentary ...... among the Anuna gods. ...... exceptionally mighty…”
Source: ETCSL c.2.5.4.15: An adab (?) to Ninurta for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan 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.2.5.4.15
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
An adab (?) to Ninurta (?) for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan P)
In plain English
The opening three lines are too damaged to read, followed by scattered phrases praising a great warrior whose radiance is described but whose name is lost. A roaring lion is invoked alongside Ninurta, and a figure called Uta-ulu appears near a section heading marked Sa-gida. Two more lines are lost before the text resumes inside the Ubcu-unkena, where it praises the authority and power of Enlil, called the Great Mountain. Ishme-Dagan is then named, associated with Ninurta, a fifty-headed battle-mace, and a great copper throne, though the lines around each of these references are broken or missing, and the tablet ends with an unknown number of lines completely lost.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“3 lines fragmentary Great warrior, ....... Brave ....... His radiance ....... 1 line fragmentary ...... the cities and settlements. Roaring lion ...... to ....... Ninurta. Uta-ulu ....... Sa-gida. Lord ....... Jicgijal of the sa-gida. 2 lines fragmentary ...... in the Ubcu-unkena. ...... the status of Enlil ....... ...... the power of the Great Mountain, Enlil ....... ...... my man ....... Prince Icme-Dagan ....... ...... Ninurta ....... ...... fifty-headed battle-mace ....... ...... Icme-Dagan ....... 1 line fragmentary ...... great copper throne ....... 1 line fragmentary unknown no. of lines missing”
Source: ETCSL c.2.5.4.16: An adab (?) to Ninurta (?) for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan P). 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.2.5.4.16
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
An adab to Ninurta for Lipit-Eshtar (Lipit-Eshtar D)
In plain English
Ninurta is addressed as the mightiest of the Anuna gods, who emerges from the E-kur. His father Nunamnir — Enlil — shaped him like a great storm (the text is damaged here) and charged him to win victories on his behalf. His mother Nintud opened her creative hands over him, nursed him at her sweet breasts, and fed him milk that gave him strength. She built his body like that of a magnificent wild bull — his frame powerful, his limbs massive — and clothed him in awe-inspiring radiance and heroism. Then she took him by the right wrist and led him before his father in the E-kur, where she made her request: decide a great destiny for this son, your avenger.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“Hero, mightiest of the Anuna gods, who comes forth from the E-kur! Ninurta, lord Nunamnir created you like a great storm ......, he commanded you to achieve triumphs for him. Barsud. For you Nintud has opened wide her creative hands; she has breast-fed you from her sweet breasts; she has fed you with the milk of vigour. As if you were a spectacular wild bull, she has made your figure strong (?), she has made your limbs massive. She has fitted you out with ...... appearance, awesome radiance and heroism. Your mother, Nintud, held you by the right wrist as she led you before your father in E-kur, the august shrine. Then she said: "Decide a great fate for the son who is your avenger!"”
Source: ETCSL c.2.5.5.4: An adab to Ninurta for Lipit-Eshtar (Lipit-Eshtar D). 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.2.5.5.4
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
An adab to Nuska for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan Q)
In plain English
An unknown number of lines are lost at the start, and the first surviving line is too damaged to read. Then the text speaks directly to Nuska: the Anuna, the great gods, have consecrated the holy palace as his dwelling. Lord Nunamnir himself has appointed Nuska as his chief minister, placed the holy sceptre firmly in his hand, and made his name glorious. Nuska alone is qualified to carry out all the complex ordinances of the E-kur, to oversee its lustrations and solemn rites, to purify and cleanse, and to make its divine powers fully manifest — the right to issue commands with absolute authority is now his, irrevocably. He is the prince and counsellor of the E-kur, and across the whole of heaven and earth, in every land, no one else comes close to his power.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“unknown no. of lines missing 1 line fragmentary The Anuna, the great gods, ...... the holy palace, the dwelling-place. Lord Nunamnir has appointed you as his chief minister; he has firmly put the holy sceptre in your hand, and made your name glorious. You are perfectly suited to perform the ordinances of the E-kur in all their complexity, to teach the proper execution of the lustrations and the august rites, to purify and clean, and to make grandly manifest the numerous divine powers, the surpassing divine powers; indeed, to give command with grandeur is now consummately and irrevocably yours. Moreover, you are indeed Nuska, the prince and the counsellor of the E-kur! In the entire extent of heaven and earth, in all the countries, you alone are mighty.”
Source: ETCSL c.2.5.4.17: An adab to Nuska for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan Q). 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.2.5.4.17
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
An adab to Suen for Ibbi-Suen (Ibbi-Suen C)
In plain English
The moon god Suen — born of the Great Mountain to be a princely lord, renewing his light across heaven and earth — is hailed as forceful king of both realms. One line is too damaged to read. As Asimbabbar, as the god of light, he goes on renewing his light; he shines through the pure sky down toward the earth. Acting on the decisions of great An, he gives weighty counsel and brings forth all the divine powers to keep things in right order. He has raised the young Ibbi-Suen to the rank of prince and called him to a long and prosperous reign.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“...... of heaven and earth, renewing his light, ...... just prince who comes forth, Suen, whom the Great Mountain engendered to be a princely lord, 1 line fragmentary He is forceful, he is the king of heaven and earth! The lord Acimbabbar, renewing his light! Suen, renewing his light! ......, renewing his light! The god of light, renewing his light! He is forceful, he is the king of heaven and earth! He ...... in the pure sky, he shines forth towards the earth. On the basis of the decisions of great An, he gives important advice. He brings forth all the divine powers, to keep ...... in good order. Youth elevated to be prince, my Ibbi-Suen! He calls him to a long and prosperous reign.”
Source: ETCSL c.2.4.5.3: An adab to Suen for Ibbi-Suen (Ibbi-Suen 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.2.4.5.3
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
An adab (?) to Suen for Shu-Suen (Shu-Suen F)
In plain English
The hymn opens with damaged lines invoking Suen from a place of distant radiance somewhere in heaven — the surface is too broken to read them fully. Nanna has elevated Shu-Suen; the moon god, described as the beauty of heaven, prince of earth, the youthful and immense light of heaven and earth, is the one who makes years of prosperity last and who, born anew each month, fathered Shu-Suen. Nanna's judgments are called ingenious decisions, and together with Nunamnir he shapes great destinies — while his beloved youth Ashimbabbar decides destiny specifically for Shu-Suen. A second section hails Nanna as the light that sweetens the night and orders the year, the crown of the holy heavens, before two more fragmentary lines trail off around the name of Shu-Suen.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“...... from the distant radiance, ...... in heaven, 1 line fragmentary Suen, ......, ...... Cu-Suen. Nanna has elevated ....... Barsud. The beauty of heaven, the prince of earth, youthful Suen, the immense, the light of heaven and earth, who makes years of prosperity and good ...... last permanently, Nanna, the lord who is born each month, sired my Cu-Suen. Cagbatuku. Mighty one, great power among the great gods, father Nanna, your judgments are ingenious decisions -- deciding great destinies with Nunamnir, his beloved youth Acimbabbar decides destiny for my Cu-Suen. 2nd barsud. The light which sweetens the night and structures the year, Nanna, the crown of the holy heavens, ...... my Cu-Suen, 2 lines fragmentary”
Source: ETCSL c.2.4.4.6: An adab (?) to Suen for Shu-Suen (Shu-Suen F). 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.2.4.4.6
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
An adab to Utu for Shulgi (Shulgi Q)
In plain English
Youthful Utu rises — his name is partly lost here — out of Urac, a brilliant light, a great lion, a hero stepping out of heaven's holy interior, a storm whose splendor and terror hang over the whole Land. He is the king of justice fit for a true royal heir, the wise one of all countries, the fearsome radiance of Urac, the just god among the Anuna gods, the long holy dragon, and the first-born son cherished by Suen, lord born to rule. This same Utu made Shulgi, the trustworthy shepherd, glorious in battle and bestowed on him the kingship of the Land.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“Youthful Utu ......, ...... from Urac; brilliant light, great lion, ......, hero emerging from the holy interior of heaven, storm whose splendour covers the Land and is laden with great awesomeness; Utu, king of justice that befits the true offspring, made Culgi, the trustworthy shepherd, glorious in the battle. The great wild bull, youthful Utu, who like a torch illuminates the Land from the holy heavens; the wise one of all the countries, the fearsome radiance of (?) Urac, the just god among the Anuna gods, the long (?), holy dragon, the first-born son cherished by Suen, the lord born to command -- Utu bestowed the kingship of the Land on Culgi.”
Source: ETCSL c.2.4.2.17: An adab to Utu for Shulgi (Shulgi Q). 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.2.4.2.17
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
An elegy on the death of Nannaya (Elegy 1)
In plain English
A father sent word to his son, who was far away in a distant place. Back in the city, the father had fallen ill — he who shone like something precious found in a far mountain, who spoke beautifully and carried himself with a tall, powerful frame. He was wise in matters of the gods, an ornament of the assembly, a truthful and god-fearing man. He had stopped eating. The text breaks off here.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“A father sent a message to his son, to a far-off place; at that time the son, having gone to a distant place, was far away. The city-dwelling father was stricken with illness. He, precious brilliance found in a distant mountain (?), was stricken with illness. He, attractive in ......, a man who made words pleasing, was stricken with illness. He who had a tall figure, and altogether was powerful, was stricken with illness. He, wise in divine plans and an ornament of the assembly, was stricken with illness. He who was a man of truth, god-fearing, was stricken with illness. He, not eating, was…”
Source: ETCSL c.5.5.2: An elegy on the death of Nannaya (Elegy 1). 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.5.5.2
Read the full tablet entry