All tablets.

SAA 03 028. Fragment of an Adulatory Letter to a King

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [Say to Assurbanipal ......] (2) [the king whose rule] is made good over [all nations], (3) [......] the eloquent, intelligent one, [who] gives orders [to ......], (5) [the lord to whom all the kings from the Upper Sea] until the Lower Sea of [Sun]set [......] have brought tribute and submitted to his yoke, (7) [......] who gives life to the righteous one, [...... the] revealer of Šamaš, who does not countenance calumny, [......] who rescues the wronged one, (10) [...... of whose] features one does not get sated, [who]se sweet lips [......], [......] who turns [want]…

~680 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 3

SAA 03 029. Warning to Bel-eṭir

(1) Open the tablet container and re[ad] the stele, [learn the fate] ... like a dog, Bel-eṭir, the son of Ibâ: (2) When Ṣallâ had not yet met his fate, he, a lowly [...] — the king did not know him —, a slave waiting upon Šamaš-ibni, the son of a lowly fisherman, not suit[able for ki]ngship, the shit bucket of Zeru-kinu, an empty talker, a raped comrade of Nummuraya, ...... said: (5) "In Assyria and in Babylonia there is no-one equal to me! The woman Nasqat has praised me; where in the whole world is my rival?" (7) ......[...] her, who did [...] to him reverently. (8) [...] did not drink, did…

Religion & Myth·Daily Life

SAA 03 030. Magic against Bel-eṭir

(1) [Inca]ntation. Bel-eṭir, raped captive, doubly so, runny-eyed one, doubly so, squint-eyed man, doubly so, (2) son of Ibâ, unspecified deadline, shit bucket of a farter, lowly family, servant of a dead god, house whose star has disappeared from the heavens, slave girl, woman, slave of the woman Balihitu, 'beard' of raped girls! (5) Bibiya, whose abuses are many — A[mmana]ppu gave your gypsum, saying: (6) "Firstly, his house is dark, beginning and start." He swore by Bel: "I will not let go until I have fornicated with him!" (8) Leave the (schemes) of Ammanappu, do not pursue (those) of Tamm…

SAA 03 031. Defeat of Teumman and the Annexation of Elam (IAsb pl.45)

(Beginning destroyed) (3) I did not draw together [......] of my heart, [......] (4) [The princes] who had fled before me [...... and] concerning [whom] Teumman [had sent] ...[......], [who had s]at [...] and grasped my feet, I [......]. (7) He g[athered] the [... force]s of Elam; and [although] I had not done to him [evil], he [...... and planned for] ... and the conquest of my land. (10) [......] a banquet before [......] ...: "Do not go!" (11) But he [...] the forces of [Elam] and marched on, saying: "I will not [sleep until] I have come and din[ed] in the centre of Nineveh!" (14) When I…

SAA 03 033. The Sin of Sargon

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...... I am Sennach]erib, the [circumspect] kin[g ......] who revered the gods of heaven and the go[ds of Assyria ......] (2) [In] my intense prayers and righteous[ness I daily spoke with my heart], saying: "Who [can comprehend] any of the deeds [of the gods]? Let me introduce into myself reverence for [their godhead], seize the shaft [of their (yoke), .......], frequent [their holy places], and l[et me ......]." (7) While thus [reverently] pondering [in my heart] over the deeds of the gods, the death of Sargon, [my father, who was slain in the enemy country] and…

SAA 03 035. Marduk Ordeal (Nineveh Version) (MEW 242)

(1) [The ... who ......] with the tiara of Bel [......] (2) [......]... he destroys the lands [......]. (3) [......] The man who rages in his house ...[......, is Bel]. He is held fast [in the prison]. (4) The man who on the 7th of [Nisan ...] from [...] is [the messenger of] Šamaš and Adad. [He takes him] out of the prison. [......: "Witho]ut the messenger of his lords, who could take him out?" (6) The messenger who goes and brings him out [and who rides ......], goes to the (place of the) ordeal. (7) The Akitu House where he goes is the house [at the edge of (the place of) the ordeal; they…

SAA 03 042. Fragment of Aššur’s Response to a Royal Letter (JAOS 103, 148)

(1) As to what you wr[ote me: ......] (2) The king of [......] (3) As to what you wrote [me: ......] (4) They fled [......] (5) Because of [......] (6) The kings [......] (7) As to what you wrot[e me: ......] (8) In [......] (9) In [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 03 043. Fragment of the Same Text as No. 42

(Beginning destroyed) (1) That land ...[......] (2) The princes and governors [......] (3) Tax and tribute [......] (4) First fruits to Ehursagg[alkurkurra ......] (5) As to what you wrote me: "The gods ...[......] (6) "What your gods [...] not [......] (7) As for them [......] (8) Which god ...[......] (9) Which king [......] (Break) (r 1) ...[......] (r 2) The land of Ak[kad ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 03 044. Aššur’s Response to Assurbanipal’s Report on the Šamaš-šumu-ukin War (CT 35 13ff)

(1) By my great support, with which I gave [you] confid[ence, you defeat the ......] who vie with you [for kingship ......]. (3) Because of these evil deeds [which Šamaš-šumu-ukin] committed against you, I pulled out the foundations of his royal throne, over[threw] his reign and [comma]nded the destruction of the entire land of Akkad. (5) To perfect the shrines of the great gods, to renew [...] the offerings, to venerate my divinity (and) a good reign of [...] I decreed as your fate. (7) As for Šamaš-šumu-ukin, who did not keep my treaty but sinned against the charity of Assurbanipal, my…

SAA 03 045. Aššur’s Response to Assurbanipal’s Report on the Elamite Wars (CT 35 26)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [......] gods [......] (2) [......] to make you attain [your] wish [......] (3) [...... I] endowed you with mig[ht ......] (4) [......] You have no [equal] where there is battle [......] (5) [Princes and governors kne]el before you and praise the valour of your lordship. (6) [The magnates] of Elam tremble and shake b[efore you]. [By] your [... and] the good fate which I decreed for you, [you will sm]ite [her], and her governors will sway to and fro like reeds in the tempest. (9) I will remind you of [......] and show it to you. [(While) the ......] seized their…

SAA 03 046. Fragment of a Divine Letter (CT 35 30)

(1) [By the support] of my great divinity, with which [I gave you confidence], (2) [......] the kings, your fathers [......] (3) [...]... to conquer a land not obedient to me [......]. (4) [At the comm]and of my great divinity, which cannot be [changed ..., the rulers] of the [four] regions [......]. (6) On their own initiative [they ...... and ......] in Ehursaggalkurkurra in the presence of [my great godhead.] (8) I desired you, I picked you out for shep[herdship ......, and sent you with] mighty weapons, sharp arrows, and flaming [swords] to fell [my] enemies. (11) [...] your priesthood [..…

SAA 03 047. Letter from Ninurta to an Assyrian King (BA 5 657)

(1) The great lord, the king of the gods, Ninurta, has sent [me]: (2) S[ay] to the prince, [my] outstretched hand, to the one who has received sceptre, throne, and regnal insignia, to the governor (appointed) by my own hand: (5) Thus speaks Ninurta, the great lord, the son of Illil [...]: (6) I am distressed, I am wrathful, I am angry [...]. (When) I am distressed, who [......]? (8) (When) I am wrathful, who [......]? (9) (When) I am angry in my temple, who [......]? (10) Truly, [who ...] to the one who created him? Where is the oath [......] (12) ...[......] (13) And in her blood [......]…

SAA 03 048. Childbirth Incantation and Ritual (ABRT 2 19)

(Break) (1) [... pr]aises you, lady [...] (2) [...] who [...] does [...] (3) [... w]eeps, does not [...] (4) [...] there is [...] (5) [...] a woman [...] (6) [...]... she knelt, with her [hands ope]ned (in prayer) before Adad [her br]other. (8) "What do you want from me, (my) sister, what should they give [you?] Let them give you fat oxen, fat sheep!" (10) "I do not eat fat oxen, fat sheep. Let them give to me the attractiveness of maidens, the handsomeness of young men!" (12) Place in my hands the inexhaustible craft of medicine! (13) May the phlegm keep on falling on the ground like a flash…

SAA 03 051. Your Slanderous Lips

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] before the king [......] (2) [...]... one who plots [ ......] (3) He approached me, [......] the fates. (4) You used to wonder about [......] (5) The slander of your lips [......] (6) All the dark things that you did [......] (r 1) You pocketed a shekel, [......] your comrade (r 2) You used to sit opposite [......] (r 3) What did you achieve, (you) terrible, evil [......]? (r 4) He tears out [...], does not [......] flesh (r 5) [...]... does not [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 03 052. Unidentified Literary Fragment

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [......]... and does not [...] my partners. (3) Am I your god, who protects you? The herald of the land [......] (4) Please, eunuchs; let him not be scratched! [......] (5) Seize, seize [......] (6) With Šamaš is the lead-rope, in heaven ...[......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 20 002. Rituals on Shebat 18-22 (Babyloniaca 01, 206-207)

(beginning (about 32 lines) lost) (i 1') [The queen supplies the food for] the w[edding night of Mullissu]. (i 2') [......] (i 3') On the 18[th] day [the king goes down to the House of God. He ...s at the Royal Entrance]. A [chanter ...s before the king. At the Anzû Gate] water [for the purification cone is placed in the king’s hands] and the gods [are hung around the king’s neck]. (i 6') [The king enters and prostrates himself] before [Aššur. He places loaves of bread before Aššur. He swings] the puri[fication device over the censer, gives] in[cense] twice, [and pours out a libation bowl].…

SAA 20 004. Rituals on [Shebat 22?] (Geers B 157)

(entirely broken away) (beginning broken away) (ii 2) [......] Belet-balaṭ[i ......] (ii 3) [...... he pours out] three libat[ion bowls]. (ii 4) [......] sits [on] the ground [......]. (ii 5) The king [mounts] the riksh[aw ......]. (ii 6) He performs a sheep offering, [treats] the gods [......] (ii 7) The king [mounts] the rikshaw [......] (rest broken away)

SAA 20 005. Rituals on Shebat 23 (RIAA 308)

(beginning broken away) (1') [The priests] enter and go as far as the courtyard of the palace. The chariot-driver [...s] the ch[ariot]. The priests go out and the eunuchs enter. (4') The king goes straight to the house. Šerua, Kippat-mati and Tašmetu go to the palace and sit down in the Labbunu-house. [The king] performs a sheep offering, provides cooked meat, and [‘arouses’] the House of God. (7') [The goddesses] take their seats. Aššur of Reading and [DN] go [to] the Aššur Gate and are seated before the gate. He [perform]s a sheep offering, burns a female goat kid, opens the vat [......].…

SAA 20 006. Rituals on [Shebat 23?] (RIAA 315)

(1) [On the 23rd day the king performs] the ‘washing of the mouth’ [in the main room]. (2) [... they] p[ut a portable censer] of juniper in the king’s hand. (3) [The king] enters the house of Dagan [with a rikshaw]. He brings f[orth a portable censer and a torch], lights the censer, [illuminates the face]. (5) [... in] the courtyard an eating-bowl (6) [......] he offers [...] and returns the eating-bowl (7) [......] he puts [...] on the censer (8) [......] pours wine [...] (9) [......] He ‘arouses’ the house, (10) [......] performs sheep offerings. (11) He seats [the chanters]. (12) He…

SAA 20 007. Royal Coronation Ritual (KAR 135 + KAR 137 + KAR 216)

(about 18 lines broken away) (i 20') [...] from/with [......] (i 21') [u]pon [......] (i 22') [Having finished] their blessings, [the magnates and the royal eunuchs] place [......] before Aššur [...]. (i 24') The king [......] (i 25') touches the king [......]... (i 26') The carrier[s pla]ce [the throne of the king upon their necks] and s[et off] for the House of God. They enter the [House] of God. The priest of Aššur slaps [the king’s cheek] in their presence and says thus: “Aššur is king, Aššur is king!” He says so [as far as] the Anzû gate. (i 30') [Having r]eached the Anzû gate, the king…

SAA 20 008. Brazier Offerings to Aššur (AsT 33)

(beginning broken away) (2') They go [......] (3') They bu[rn a female kid ......]. (4') On the 16th day, at night, they li[ght ...] a fi[re] in the the House of Aššur [...]. (6') [They start] the brazier before Aššur. (7') [......] one ram on the brazier. (8') Kakka comes out [......] (9') [......] before the brazier (10') [...] the brazier before Aš[šur] (11') [...] the torch in [...] (12') The people of the country [......] (13') He prepares the bed [......] (rest broken away)

SAA 20 012. Calendar of Psalms and Lamentations in the Aššur Temple (AJSL 42, 110)

(beginning (about 13 lines) broken away) (1') [On the 19th day: “......,” a lamentation. “......]..., “ [an eršemma-lamentation to Aššur in Ešarra after] the sheep offering. (3') [On the 20th day: “......,” a lamentation. “O dragon] lying in ... grass,” [an eršemma-lamentation to Aššur in Ešarra] after the sheep offering. (5') [On the 21st day: “Lord, respected one of heaven and earth,” a lamentation]. “Important one, go about!,” [an eršemma-lamentation to Aššur in Ešarr]a after the sheep offering. “[...],” a lamentation. “You should not desert me!,” an eršemma-lamentation to Aššur after the…

SAA 20 014. Text Similar to No. 13

(beginning broken away) (2') “[.....],” an erš[ahunga-psalm to DN]. (3') “Let me pray to [the ... wild bull of heaven and earth],” an erš[ahunga-psalm to Ea]. (4') “[......], have mercy on me,” an erša[hunga-psalm to DN]. (5') You sing, “[......] heart” (6') “[......],” a lamentation. “O Lord, my city [...,” an eršemma-lamentation]. (7') “Let me sing yo[ur praises to him],” an eršahu[nga-psalm to DN]. (rest broken away)

SAA 20 018. Victory and Lion-Hunt Ritual (AsT 39)

(1) [...] the king [......] (2) [...] Enlil [......] (3) [...] ... [......] (4) [...] Enlil [......] (5) (Break) (7) [... Belat]-dunani [......] (8) [......] he places upon it [......] (9) He ties [......, ...s] two rams [...] (10) They separate [..., bring forth] the sarrānus, and remain standing before the gods. They perform hitpu-offerings and place the sarrānus before the gods. The singer intones, “The hero got angry, enraged was the beautiful prince.” (16) The sarrānus turn their faces towards the enemy. They hum and dance. The kurgarrûs sing, “Battle is my game,” the assinnus exchange…

SAA 20 022. Bath of Šarrat-nipha (ABL 0864)

(beginning (a few lines only) broken away) (1') [The king] per[forms] sheep offerings, goes to the hou[se of Šarrat]-nip[ha], strew[s] salt on the t[able], pour[s] out the libation b[owls, ..., burns] a female kid, brings Šarrat-[nipha] into the Road House, and begins the bath. (16') After the bath he comes out and performs sheep offerings. The king goes straight to the palace. (uninscribed)

SAA 20 023. Fragment of a Ritual (CT 53, 941)

(beginning broken away) (1') [... wh]ich is befo[re ......] (2') [... up]on his name [......] (3') goes (and) [...] the kin[g ......] (4') rises, [......] (5') [...s] the stoo[ls ...] (6') [...]...[...] (rest broken away) (completely broken away)

SAA 20 025. Ritual of Tukulti-Ninurta for the Lady-of-the-River (BA 05, 689 + BBR pl. 61)

(1) [Tukulti-Ninurta (I), king of Assyria, performed and] insti[tuted the (following) rites for the Lady-of-the-River], his [g]od. (2) [When] you are to perform [the nāṭu-ritual of Tukulti-Ninurta for the Lady-of]-the-River: (3) [......] perform [this ritual before the Lady-of-the-River] (and) his seed will solidify! (4) [You erect a tent, place its opening before Šamaš, and] place a chair at the side of the tent. [You lay clean red wool upon it, (and) place a bowl of sweet oil, aromatics], juniper, and a tuft of red wool on it. (6) [You set up a table before Šamaš, and] place [a censer,…

SAA 20 026. Ritual of Tukulti-Ninurta for Sîn (BBR pl. 63 + 68)

(1) [Tukulti-Ninurta (I)], king of Assyria, [performed and instituted] the (following) ri[tes for Sîn, his god]. (2) [When you are to perform the n]āṭu-ritual of Sîn of [Tukulti-Ninurta]: (3) [You place] two chairs [at the si]de of the house und[er the god and lay clean read wool upon them]. (4) [Yo]u place [a ...] diagonally [... and put seven] loaves of sēpu-bread, seven kukku-cakes [......]. (5) You drag [a ... t]o the side of the house of Sîn [......]. (6) You pour [...] into the la[p] of the god, [and place] a bowl o[f sweel oil, aromatics, juniper and tufts of red wool upon it]. (7) You…

SAA 20 027. Ritual of Tukulti-Ninurta for Nusku (BBR pl. 64 + 66 + 69)

(1) Tukulti-[Ninurta (I), king of Assyria, performed and insti[tuted the (following) rites fo]r Nusku: (2) When you are [to perform] a sheep offering to [Nusku, you g]o [to the house of Sîn (and) let] sunshine enter it through its doo[rway]. (3) [You set up] a chair beside the house under the god, [lay] clean [r]ed [wool] upon it, [and place] a bowl of sweet oil, aromatics, juni[per, and tufts of] red [wo]ol upon it. (5) You set up a table before Šamaš, [light] a cens[er, and place it beh]ind the table. [You place] two libation vessels (and) two libation bowls to the left of the censer, and…

SAA 20 028. Fragment of a Ritual for Singer (BBR pl. 65)

(beginning (approximately 15 lines) broken away) (1') You prepare [......] (2') You prepare [......] (3') [......] (and) you put [...] upon [them]. (4') [......] (and) prepare [......]. (5') [......] of budê-confection (6') [......] you place on the table [...] (7') [......] you place on it [...] (8') [......] you put a [kam]anu-cake (made) with zīzu-onion [...] (9') [......] (and) you say: [...]. (10') [You ......], (and) sing, “[......].” (11') [You ......] pour [bee]r and wine (12') [You ......] place [......] (13') [You ......], (and) sing, “[......].” (14') [You ...... po]ur [beer and…

SAA 20 029. Initiation into the Secrets of Ištar of Heaven (KAR 139)

(1) When the (proper) time arrives, the sacrificer enters the Equ house. In the Equ house he proceeds to the right to the table before the Mouth-and-Tongue, and kindles with the torch in his hand the censer before the Mouth-and-Tongue. Grasping the torch with his left hand, he twice pours aromatics into the censer before the Mouth-and-Tongue. He breaks a bread cake upon the table, cools the eating-bowl twice, and twice performs a libation of beer into the pithos. (8) He scatters mixed aromatics into a portable censer, places a vagina of lead weighing half a mina before the Mouth-and-Tongue,…

SAA 20 031. The Banquet of [DN] (BBR pl. 60)

(beginning broken away) (2') [...... a muk]arrisu-pan of oil (3') [......] pours on a beer vat (4') [......] pushes (it) with his feet (5') [......] throws [... on] the tab[le], and goes (away). (6') [......] The singer intones before him: “The strongest one of the gods,” and goes (away). (7') [...] ... You throw ... on it and place the mukarrisu on it. You fill a pail of [oil] with water, place it atop the chair in the middle of the doorway, and let it bathe in sunshine. (10') You set up a table before the chair. You place three litres of grain on the table, half of it groats, half of it…

SAA 20 033. Protocol for the Royal Dinner (MVAG 41 60f)

(i 1) At the time of the dinner, when the ki[ng] enters the dinner [together with the magnates, the table and] the couch for the king [are place]d opposite the doorway. (i 4) As soon as the king is seated on his seat, the overseer of the palace enters, [kisses] the ground before [the king], and gives (his) report before the king. The overseer of the palace [goes out] and brings in the palace herald. (i 7) The palace herald e[nters], kisses the ground before the king, and stands with the stan[dard opposite the king]. The palace herald gives (his) report before the king. [The overseer of the…

SAA 20 034. Burial of a Queen (ZA 045, 042-046)

(1) They put up the bed and perform the display. (2) They wash the feet. A torch of sweet reed, a bowl of sweet oil. (4) The bride washes the feet. She walks around the bed three times, kisses the feet, goes and sits down. She burns cedar and quenches it with wine. She lays the heart of a ram in tappinnu-flour and places it in the middle of the image. (10) They pour wine onto the ground from a ... stone vessel and crush it against the sideboard of the bed. They mix (the contents of) two sprinkling-vessels and pour it before Šamaš. She throws herself at the feet. (15) The day on which they put…

SAA 20 036. Fragment Relating to Rituals in Assur (CT 53, 330)

(beginning broken away) (2') [......] are likewise placed in the palace (3') [......] they have not been written (4') [......] they have been [e]rased (5') [......] he provides (6') [...... sheep offerings] are performed (7') [......] is (8') [......] he provides (9') [......] they provide (10') [...... the house of] An[u] (11') [...... the Dais of] Destinie[s] (rest broken away) (beginning broken away) (rest broken away)

SAA 20 040. Takultu for Assurbanipal (3 R 66)

(i 1) [Aššur-Enlil; Mašmaš; Aššur-Adad in front of Aššur-dugul; Aššur-Adad in front of Aššur-Conquer]or; [Enlil-Anu]; Ea-šarru; [Sîn], Adad, Šamaš; [Iš]tar, the Queen of Heaven [of] Kar-Tukulti-Ninurta, [Še]rua; the Great Gods; [Taš]metu; Nusku, Ninurta; Kippat-mati, Kippat-mati-image, Kutatati; Enlil, Dagan, Aššur-Tiara, the Sun-image, Aššur-Lahmus, Aššur-Judges, Ea-Kittu, Sîn, Šamaš, Aššur-Conqueror; Ea, Kittu (and) Mišaru, Dibar; Ninurta (and) Aššur; Aššur-Šakkan-Tišpak, Aššur-Judges; [L]ubelim, Gimagan, [I]li-pada; (i 24) the Couch, the [im]age of the Sun-of-the-Lands, the Rivers (and)…

SAA 20 046. Fragment of a Takultu Text (Takultu 9)

(totally destroyed) (beginning broken away) (r i 1') the god [......], the god [......], the god [......] who dwells [...], Mt. Eb[eh, ..., ......], (r i 7') Ištar o[f ...], the Lady of Paran[zi], the Seven Gods (and) the Narudi, Nergal of Tarbiṣu, the heaven and earth: (r i 12') The gods of Nineveh. (r i 13') Aššur-Aššur, Aššur-Enlil, Ninurta, Nusku, Ner[gal], the Weapon, Aššur-J[udges], Enlil, Aššur-[Adad, Ninurta]-image[s], (rest broken away) (beginning broken away) (r ii 1') the divine [...], the Weapons, the Wild Bulls, the Lahmus-image, the Fathers, the Dais of Destinies, the Lady of…

SAA 20 047. Fragment of a Takultu Text (ABL 1413)

(beginning broken away) (2') Kunuš-kadru, the images of gods, citi[es and rivers], the Golden Doors, [the Thunderbirds], the Lions of the Gate of Ent[ry ...], (6') Mullissu, Tamb[aya], Mullissu-image, [Ulaya], the Inpis, [...], the Cherubs, the [Lahmus], (r 1) Kalkal, Kalkal-[images], the Šakkans, the Lions, [the Wild Bulls], the Thunderbirds, the Bi[son-men, Ea-šarru] (and) Damkina, [the gods of Subartu], (r 5) the mountains, the rivers, [the Aššur-Judges], Kittu, Me[šaru] (rest broken away)

SAA 20 053. Text Similar to No. 52 (PKT 14-15)

(beginning (about 30 lines) broken away) (i 1') [Ea, Belet-ili], Damkina and [Ninurta] go [to the Akit]u [House aft]er Aššur. [The Chariot, the Weapon, Amurru], Haya, Mandanu, [Nusku and K]akka go before Aššur. (i 6') [The gods] of the Akitu House on the right and left of Aššur: (i 7') [Aššur, Mul]lissu, Mašmaš, Šerua, [Sîn, Ni]kkal, Šamaš, Aya, Enlil, [Ištar of Nineveh], Kakka, Kippat-mati in the courtyard. [Hay]a and Kusu i[n] the courtyard. [Total 14] gods [o]n the right. (i 12') Anu, Antu, Adad, Šala, Ea, Belet-ili, Damkina, Ninurta, Nergal, Nu[s]ku, and Mandanu in the courtyard. Total 11…

SAA 03 001. Assurbanipal’s Hymn to Aššur (ABRT 1 32-33)

(1) The exceedingly great one, king of the gods, the omniscient; venerable, surpassing, the Illil of the gods, he who decrees the fates! (3) Aššur, exceedingly great lord, omniscient; venerable, surpassing, the Illil of the gods, he who decrees the fates! (5) [Let me magn]ify Aššur, the superlatively strong, the king of the gods, the lord of the lands! [Let me procla]im his greatness, magnify his praise! (7) Let me proclaim the fame [of Aš]šur, let me extol his name; let me glorify the praise of [the god] who dwells in Ehursaggalkurkurra! (9) Let me mention the [superlatively strong one], let…

SAA 03 004. Nanaya Hymn of Sargon II (ABRT 1 54-55)

(Beginning destroyed) (i 1) [...... she holds in her hand] the naked sword, [emblem of Nergal], the pointed axe, appropriate to the [Pleiades]. (i 4) On (her) right and left battle is arrayed. (i 5) The foremost of the gods, (she) whose play is battle, who goes ahead of the brotherhood of the Seven (demons) — (i 7) Skilled musicians are seated before her, players of the lyre, the small harp, the clapper, the flute, the oboe, the long (pipes). (i 10) The kurgarrûs ease her heart with spindles, whiplashes, and with sweet [...]s. (i 12) [...]... of loveliness of ...... (i 13) they are clad in…

SAA 03 006. Assurbanipal’s Hymn to Tašmetu and Nabû (KAR 122)

(1) [Let me praise the wi]se [...], Tašmetu [...], (2) [...] lady, queen [......], (3) [Good-l]ooking, attractive [...], (4) [Goddess] of goddesses, queen of queens [...], (5) Princess of Ešarra, temple of the universe [...], (6) She who beseeches, wife of Nabû, the beloved of [...], (7) She who raises and lowers, sage of Ezida. (8) On the fifth day, monthly, is the procession of Tašmetu; (9) When she emerges from the holy workshop to [our] Nabû, the son of Bel raises his head from the tablet house to the nuptial bedroom, reci[tes ...]: (12) Say something, my Tašmetu, why [......]? (13) Bless…

SAA 03 008. Hymn to the city of Arbela (LKA 032)

(1) Arbela, O Arbela, (2) Heaven without equal, Arbela! (3) City of merry-making, Arbela, (4) City of festivals, Arbela! (5) City of the temple of jubilation, Arbela! (6) Shrine of Arbela, lofty hostel, (7) broad temple, sanctuary of delights! (8) Gate of Arbela, the pinnacle (of) holy to[wns]! (9) City of likenesses, Arbela! (10) Abode of jubilation, Arbela! (11) Arbela, temple of reason and counsel! (12) Bond of the lands, Arbela! (13) Establisher of profound rites, Arbela! (14) Arbela is as lofty as heaven. (15) Its foundations are as firm as the heavens. (16) The pinnacles of Arbela are…

SAA 03 010. Blessing for the City of Assur (STT 087)

(1) [...]... [......] (2) [...]... [......] (3) [...] all [......] (4) [...] they rejoice, they [......] (5) [...] they rejoice ...[......] (6) [...] until [......] (7) [...] destiny...[......] (8) [...]... of prosperity [...] (9) [...]......[...] (10) [...] which [...] play! (11) Fill, fill their pails [with ...]! (12) [Aššur], Illil, bless the Inner City! (13) Fill [...] up to their necks! (14) [...]... abundance, may Esarhaddon restore life! (15) May joy of the heart be established; let constant joy come in, come in! (17) Pour oil into skull-(sized) containers, pluck countless (amounts of)…

SAA 03 011. Assurbanipal’s Coronation Hymn (LKA 031)

(1) May Šamaš, king of heaven and earth, elevate you to shepherdship over the four [region]s! (2) May Aššur, who ga[ve y]ou [the sceptre], lengthen your days and years! (3) Spread your land wide at your feet! (4) May Šerua extol [your name] to your god! (5) Just as grain and silver, oil, [the catt]le of Šakkan and the salt of Bariku are good, so may Assurbanipal, king of Assyria, be agreeable to the gods [of his] land! (8) May eloquence, understanding, truth and justice be given to him as a gift! (9) May [the people] of Assur buy 30 kor of grain for one shekel of silver! May [the peopl]e of…

SAA 03 012. Righteous Sufferer’s Prayer to Nabû (STT 065)

(1) [......] years (2) [......] ......[...] (3) [...] with [...] feet I grasped [the ...] of ... (4) O Nabû, to avoid sin, O son of Bel, to avoid guilt, [in view of] the culpable behaviour of my fathers and brothers, who neglected and disregarded [...], (6) I have yearned for Ezida, the lofty ground, the temple of our trust; I have longed for Ezida, to behold the threshold of delight. (8) In my [c]hildhood, I longed for the Assembly, to sit in the tablet house. (9) I ... the offerings of the precious temple of Nabû; I constantly think of its fine things; the fire of Ezida burns my heart. (11)…

SAA 03 014. Love Lyrics of Nabû and Tašmetu (TIM 09 54)

(1) May anyone trust in whomever he trusts; as for us, we trust in Nabû, we are devoted to Tašmetu! (4) What is ours is ours; Nabû is our lord, Tašmetu is the mountain of our trust! Ditto. (6) Say to her, to her of the wall, to her of the wall, to Tašmetu: "Save (us), sit down in the cella!" (8) Let (the scent of) holy juniper fill the sanctuary! Ditto. (9) The shade of the cedar, the shade of the cedar, the shade of the cedar, the king's shelter! The shade of the cypress (is for) his magnates! The shade of a sprig of juniper is shelter for my Nabû and my games! Ditto. (12) Tašmetu, fondles…

SAA 03 016. Elegies Mourning the Death of Tammuz (STT 360)

(1) [The age]nt, the Babylonian merchant, [who] gave his word, has left behind his donkeys! The dog has been killed at the side of our sheep! (4) The agent, the Babylonian me[rchant], who gave his word, has left behind his donkeys! The dog has been killed at the [sid]e of our sheep! (7) Watch the brother of [my] heart ...[...], watch the [......] our daughter! [...]... [...... does not] pass. (10) [We let out] a scream [...... at] the onset of evening, as [......]... us, as [...... the ...] our daughter. (13) He has made the house of my father [into a ...]...! I ... his ... like the [temple]…

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

SAA 03 017. Shalmaneser III’s Campaign to Urarṭu (STT 043)

(1) [O valiant ..., ... of] the lands, shepherd of all rulers, (2) [......] elevated one of the Lady of Nineveh, (3) [......]... justice (4) [...... gave] you the universe (5) [... you s]pare [...] ......! (6) Bel and Anu have entrusted to you [the di]stant [...]s. (7) [He ...ed] the arrogant slave, citizen of Bit Adini, (and) his companions. (8) Having [put] to fire the great city of Til Barsip and having laid waste the dwellings of the kings of the Hittite lands, he spoke (to) Aššur-belu-ka''in, the commander-in-chief, sharply thus: (11) Let the fortresses be entrusted to you; let your…

SAA 03 020. Epical Narrative Relating to Assurbanipal’s Elamite Wars (SAAB 01 14)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) The eunuch [......] (3) The eunuch [...] the hand [......] (4) The king [had] mercy [......] (5) The eunuch [gave] or[ders ......] (6) release m[e ......] (7) Concerning the message which [......] (8) [Which] to Elam ...[......] (9) [...]... his magnates [......] (10) [...] Elam, the Chief [......] (11) Indeed the land of Arašu, in E[lam ......] (12) The king of Elam ...[......] (13) Their [...] from [......] (14) His magnates, within the city of [......] (15) They took booty [......] (16) His eunuch, Nazia [......] (17) He conquered Arašu, and [......] (18) He opens…