Theme
Writing & Literature
The invention of writing itself, the slow drift from pictogram to cuneiform sign, the rise of literary form — and the first named author in human history, the priestess Enheduanna.
Kish Tablet
Marks the boundary between proto-writing and writing. We can see signs being used systematically — but not yet phonetically. The leap to recording speech itself comes a few centuries later.
Writing & Literature
ATU 5, pl. 089, W 9656,ab
1(N01)[?] , [large capacity unit].BAD~a 1(N01) , [sign ZATU689] [...] , ZAG~b[?] [...] 1(N01) , [sign ZATU693] UKKIN~a 1(N01) , AK~a 1(N01)[?] [...] , [...] [...] 9(N01)[?] , [...] fish NUN~b
Writing & LiteratureEconomyProto-Cuneiform Account Tablet
One of the earliest specimens of human writing. Not literature, not law — accounting. The need to keep track of grain in a temple bureaucracy is what pushed marks-on-clay into a system that could one day carry epics.
Writing & LiteratureEconomy
CDLI Lexical 000002, ex. 183
[1] , [...]\n1 , [...] KAB[?]\n1 , NAM2 DI\n1 , NAM2 NAM2\n1 , [...]\n1 , NAM2 PA RAD\n1 , AB ME\n1 , GAL |N58.BAD|\n1 , EN [...]\n1 , [...]\n1 , [...]\n1 , [...]\n41 , X [...]
Writing & Literature
CDLI Lexical 000002, ex. 188
1(N01) , NAM-ESZDA 1(N01) , NAM2 KAB[?] 1(N01) , NAM2 DI 1(N01) , NAM2 NAM2 1(N01) , NAM2 URU[?] 1(N01) , PA~a ŠE~a NAM2 1(N01) , NAM2 RAD~a 1(N01) , AB~a ME~a[?] 1(N01) , GAL~a X 1(N01)[?] , EN[?] [...] 1(N01)[?] , X [...] 1(N01)[?] , X [...] 1(N01)[?] , [...] 1(N01)[?] , [...] [N] 1(N14) , EN~a 2(N57) [E2 ...]
Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
CDLI Lexical 000002, ex. 194
1(N01) , NAM2 [variant] DI [variant] 1(N01) , NAM2 [variant] NAM2 [variant?] 1(N01) , NAM2 [variant] URU [city-sign variant] [1(N01)] , [...] NAM2 [variant] 1(N01) , barley(-sign) NAM2 [variant] 1(N01) , NAM2 [variant] RAD [variant] PA [overseer-sign] 1(N01) , [...] 1(N01) , KINGAL 1(N01) , GAL [great/large] TE 1(N01) , SUKKAL [...] 41(N01) [N] , X [...]
Writing & Literature
CDLI Lexical 000022, ex. 032
[1(N01)] , GISZ HI GISZ TUN3~a [1(N01)] , [GISZ] AD~a [1(N01)] , [...] 1(N01) , SI TAG~b GISZ [1(N01)] , [...] [N] , [...]
Writing & Literature
CDLI Lexical 000023, ex. 098
[1] vessel, [...] [1] vessel — [DUG~b jar with unidentified sign] (uncertain) [1] vessel — [DUG~b jar with natron/soapwort sign] (very uncertain) 1 vessel — [DUG~b jar with unidentified sign] (uncertain) 1 (uncertain), [...] 1, GAN~c (?) [...] 1, GAN~c (?) [...] [N], [...]
Writing & Literature
CDLI Lexical 000026, ex. 055
1(N01) , [...] 1(N01) , URI[?] 1(N01) , MUD3~a[?] 1(N01) , MUD3@g 1(N01) , MIR~b 1(N01) , [...] 1(N01) , [...] 1(N34) 2(N14) [...] , [...]
Writing & Literature
CDLI Lexical 000026, ex. 056
1(N01) , [X — damaged/unclear sign] 1(N01) , SZAKIR~b 1(N01) , [...] 1(N01) , [...] 1(N01) , [...] 1(N01) , [...] 1(N01) , [...] 1(N01) , SZU2 GU 1(N01) , SZU2 GU [...] 1(N01) , GAL~a TUN3~a 1(N01) , 2(N57) SZU TUN3~a 1(N01) , 1(N57) SZU TUN3~a 1(N01) , AL [...]? 1(N01) , [...] 1(N34) 4(N01) , [...]
Writing & Literature
CDLI Lexical 000002, ex. 191
[...] |1(N58).BAD~a| EN, IB [...] Linen-cloth(?) SUKKAL (vizier) Great one, GARA2 Garment, GARA2 [...] Great one of the throne-base Great one of |ZATU737xDI| SANGA-priest of |ZATU737xX| SANGA-priest of |ZATU737xX| [ZATU725(?)] [DAM(?)] (spouse/wife?)
Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
CDLI Lexical 000003, ex. 034
1 unit — NAM2[...] 1 unit — GAL~a (great/large) SZAH2~a 1 unit — NAM2 APIN~a (plow [official]) 1 unit — GAL~a [...] 1 unit — GAL~a SZAB~a 1 unit — PA~a NAM2 [...] 1 unit — AB~a [...] 1 unit — GAL~a [...]
Writing & LiteratureDaily Life
CDLI Literary 006205, ex. 010
[...] she-goat(?) [LAK20] — [...] place(?) — not having [...] ... place GU [...] LUM — not having [...] servant/Subarian [...] MAR — not having [... ...] ... not(?) — [dairy/ghee?] [complex sign cluster] — not eggs/roe — fish — not LI TAR [...] ... [...] KU [... ...]
Writing & Literature
Stele of the Vultures
The earliest historical document in human history. Before this, we have lists, accounts, and dedications. Here, for the first time, a ruler tells us what happened — with names, places, and consequences.
LawWriting & LiteratureA-Ane-pada 3
(1) For Ninhursaĝa: Aya-Ane-pada, king of Urim, child of Meš-Ane-pada, king of Urim, built a temple for Ninhursaĝa.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAbzu-kidu 1
(1) To Inana, A-kalam, spouse of Abzu-kidug, ruler of Nibru, dedicated this (bowl).
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAnam 1
(1) For Inana, the great lady of the E-ana, his lady, Anam, the true shepherd of Unug, the favourite of An and Inana, the beloved child of Inana, built the outer courtyard of the en-priest’s E-ĝipar, the dwelling that fills her heart with joy.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAnam 3
(1) For An, the king of the gods, his master, for Inana, the great lady of the E-ana, his lady, when he renovated and restored their old temple, Anam, the true shepherd of Unug, the beloved child of Inana, installed a door anointed with oil.
Religion & MythWriting & Literature
Anonymous Nippur 08 (FAOS 05/2, AnNip 08)
Dedicates a vessel to the goddess Ninlil on behalf of a named field surveyor's family — attesting private votive practice by a mid-level administrative official at Nippur during the Early Dynastic III period.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAnonymous Nippur 32 (FAOS 05/2, AnNip 32)
(1) To Inana, Barag-ene, the spouse of Mašda, (and) Amar-ezida dedicated this (stone plate).
Religion & MythWriting & Literature
Anonymous Nippur 38 (FAOS 05/2, AnNip 38)
Dedicatory inscription naming Munus-šume, child of Ur-šubur, as donor of a vessel to Inana — one of the few Early Dynastic records attesting private dedicants by personal and patronymic name at Nippur.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAnonymous Nippur 42 (FAOS 05/2, AnNip 42)
(1) To Inana, Ama-azu, spouse of Lugal-urin, the scribe, dedicated this (bowl).
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAnonymous Nippur 44 (FAOS 05/2, AnNip 44)
(1) Lugal-urin dedicated this (vessel) to Inana.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAnonymous Nippur 47 (FAOS 05/2, AnNip 47)
(1) To Inana, Sumu, spouse of Enlil's temple administrator, dedicated this.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureArad-Dumuzida 1
(1) To Inana, lady of the E-ana, his lady, Arad-Dumuzida, temple administrator of Inana, dedicated this (bowl) for his life.
Religion & MythWriting & Literature
Amar-Suena 03
(1) For Enlil, the king of all lands, his master, Amar-Suena, whose name was proclaimed by Enlil in Nibru, the steadfast supporter of Enlil's temple, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters, built the Kura-igi-ĝ̃al, the ziggurat temple, his beloved temple.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAmar-Suena 06
(1) For Enlil, the king of all lands, his beloved master, Amar-Suena, nominated by Enlil in Nibru, the steadfast supporter of Enlil's temple, the powerful king, king of Urim, king of the four quarters, built the temple in which syrup, ghee, and wine never cease in (Enlil's) place of offering.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAmar-Suena 08
(1) For Ningal, his lady, Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters, built the Ĝipar-kug, her beloved temple. He dedicated it to her for his well-being.
Religion & MythWriting & Literature
Amar-Suena 10
Dedicatory curse clause invokes Nanna and Ningal against anyone who displaces the statue, preserving the standard Ur III formula for protecting royal monuments through divine sanction rather than human enforcement.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & MythAmar-Suena 13
(1) For Inana, the lady of battle, his beloved spouse, Amar-Suena, whose name was proclaimed by Enlil in Nibru, the steadfast supporter of Enlil's temple, the powerful king, king of Urim, king of the four quarters, fashioned her bronze ... of the E-ĝipar. He dedicated it to her for his well-being.
Religion & MythWriting & Literature
Amar-Suena 15
Dedicatory inscription of Amar-Suena for Enki's Abzu temple at Eridu, attesting the third Ur III king's building programme and his claim to universal rule under Enlil's authority.
Religion & MythWriting & Literature
Amar-Suena 16
Records Amar-Suena's foundation of the first ĝipar (high-priestess residence) at Karzida, attesting the Ur III crown's active role in extending Nanna's cult into previously unserved cult centres.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAmar-Suena 2008
(o 1) To Nungal, lady of the prisons, the life-giving lady, his lady, Puzur-ilī, the chief administrator of the E-ugti, dedicated this (stone tablet) for the well-being of Amar-Suena, whose name was proclaimed by Enlil in Nibru, the steadfast supporter of Enlil's temple, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters.
Religion & MythWriting & Literature
Amar-Suena 2009
A private votive dedication by a scribe's wife to the goddess Lamma, it attests the personal piety of literate households under Amar-Suena and the role of women as independent dedicants in Ur III religious life.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAmar-Suena 2024add / CDLI Seals 005543 (CDLI Seals 005543 (composite))
(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Dan-ili, the scribe, child of ..., is your servant.
Writing & LiteratureAmar-Suena 2033add / CDLI Seals 000215 (CDLI Seals 000215 (composite))
(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful king, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Lugal-kugzu, the scribe, is your servant.
Writing & LiteratureAmar-Suena 2034add / CDLI Seals 000245 (CDLI Seals 000245 (composite))
(i 1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Lu-Nanna, the scribe, child of Inim-Šara, land recorder of the king, is your servant.
Writing & LiteratureAmar-Suena 2035add / CDLI Seals 000256 (CDLI Seals 000256 (composite))
(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful king, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: ..., the scribe, child of Iddin-Suen, is your servant.
Writing & LiteratureAmar-Suena 2039add / CDLI Seals 005909 (CDLI Seals 005909 (composite))
(i 1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Nanna-maba, the scribe, child of Unapšen, is your servant.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & MythAmar-Suena 2042add / CDLI Seals 000303 (CDLI Seals 000303 (composite))
(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters, presented (this seal) to Nawir-ilum, the shepherd, his servant.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & MythAmar-Suena 2043add / CDLI Seals 005895 (CDLI Seals 005895 (composite))
(i 1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Šarakam, the scribe, child of Inim-Šara, land recorder of the king, is your servant.
Writing & LiteratureAmar-Suena 2044add / CDLI Seals 005434 (CDLI Seals 005434 (composite))
(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful king: Šulgida-nirĝal is your servant.
Writing & LiteratureAmar-Suena 2048add / CDLI Seals 005045 (CDLI Seals 005045 (composite))
(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Umani, the scribe, child of ..., is your servant.
Writing & LiteratureAmar-Suena 2049add / CDLI Seals 000423 (CDLI Seals 000423 (composite))
(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful king, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Ur-Bau, the scribe, is your servant.
Writing & LiteratureAmar-Suena 2054add / CDLI Seals 000491 (CDLI Seals 000491 (composite))
(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful king, king of Urim: Ur-Nintur, the scribe, child of Duga, is your servant.
Writing & LiteratureAmar-Suena 2058add / CDLI Seals 001560 (CDLI Seals 001560 (composite))
(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful king, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Ur-Šulpae, the scribe, child of Ur-Haya, is your servant.
Writing & LiteratureAmar-Suena 2059add / CDLI Seals 000516 (CDLI Seals 000516 (composite))
(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Ur-Šulpae, the scribe, child of Ur-Haya, is your servant.
Writing & LiteratureAmar-Suena 2064add
(i 1) Amar-Suena, the powerful king, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Lu-Nanna, the royal scribe, child of Ur-Suen, is your servant.
Writing & LiteratureAmar-Suena 22 / CDLI Seals 005914 (CDLI Seals 005914 (composite))
(1) Amar-Suena, the powerful man, king of Urim, king of the four quarters: Ur-Bau is his child.
Writing & LiteratureBur-Sin 2006 / CDLI Seals 002155 (CDLI Seals 002155 (physical))
(1) Ilum-ahu, ..., is the servant of Bur-Suen.
Writing & LiteratureAbi-sare 2006 / CDLI Seals 012801 (CDLI Seals 012801 (composite))
(1) Lugal-šuba, the scribe, child of Ur-dukuga, the slave of Abi-sare.
Writing & LiteratureAbi-sare 3add
(1) For Nanna, his master, Abi-sare, the powerful man, king of Urim, built and restored the city wall of Iškun-Suen.
Religion & MythWriting & Literature
Sumerian King List (Weld-Blundell Prism)
The single most influential Mesopotamian king list — the model for every later attempt to chronicle the deep history of the region. It transmits the political theology of divinely granted kingship, an idea that would echo through Babylon, Assyria, and into the Hebrew Bible. The Weld-Blundell prism (WB 444) at the Ashmolean is the most complete surviving copy.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureA hymn to Haia for Rim-Sin (Rim-Sin B)
Lord, perfect in august wisdom and recognised for his mighty counsel, Haia, who holds the great tablets, who enriches wisdom with wisdom! Accountant of Hal-an-kug, having the final overview of the arts of Nisaba's house of wisdom; palace archivist of heaven and earth, who keeps count of every single assignment, who holds a holy reed-stylus and covers the great tablets of destiny with writing! Wise one, who prompts holy An with words and attention at the appropriate times; seal-holder of Father Enlil! He who brings forth the holy objects from the treasure-house of E-kur; ornament of the abzu shrine, wearing his hair loose for lord Nudimmud!
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureA shir-namshub to Nisaba (Nisaba B)
...... is destroyed. ...... is destroyed. It is destroyed. ...... of Nisaba is destroyed. The house of Nisaba, her of the tablets, is destroyed. The house of ...... is destroyed. The house of Nunbarcegunu is destroyed. ......, the E-hamun is destroyed. The plants of lamentation have sprouted; the cumunda grass has sprouted. By the walls the long grass has sprouted. Amongst them, the willow trees are everywhere. As for the word of An and the word of Enlil, the angry heart of great An is everywhere, and the malign heart of Enlil is everywhere. (Nisaba speaks:) "In my house, may the moonlight in…
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureArik-din-ili 2
(1) Arik-dīn-ili, legitimate ruler, strong king, king of Assyria, builder of the temple of the god Šamaš — the exalted shrine. (5) (As for) whoever erases my inscribed name or removes my inscription, may the god Šamaš, my lord, overthrow his kingship and afflict his land with famine.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & Myth
BM 090715
The mighty king, king of the four quarters (of the world), the Ekišnugal — the ancient temple — from time immemorial had been built, [then] had fallen into ruin; he rebuilt it [for him], to its [former] place he restored it; its foundations...
Writing & Literature
BM 137412
[The king of the] four [quarters], the Ekišnugal — the [temple] of old, which from [distant] days had been built (and) had fallen into ruin — he (re)built (it) for him; to its (former) place he restored it; its foundations he refounded.
Writing & LiteratureAdad-narari I 02
(36) (As for) the one who erases my inscribed name and writes his (own) name, or discards my commemorative inscriptions, hands (them) over for destruction, consigns (them) to oblivion, covers (them) with earth, burns (them) with fire, throws (them) into the water, puts (them) in a Taboo House where there is no visibility, or because of these curses he incites a stranger, a foreigner, a malignant enemy, (a man who speaks) another language, or anyone else (to do any of these things), or conceives of and does anything (injurious), (48) may the god Aššur, the exalted god, the one who dwells in…
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAdad-narari I 07
(35) At that time, the Step Gate of the temple of the god Aššur, my lord, which is opposite the Gate of the Oath of the God of the Land and the Gate of the Judges, (and) which was built (some time) ago, had become dilapidated, sagged, and shook. I cleared that site (and) reached its foundation pit. I built (it) with limestone and mortar from the city Ubasê. I restored it. Moreover, I deposited my monumental inscription (therein). (45) In the future, may a future ruler, when that site becomes old and dilapidated, renovate its dilapidated section(s) (and) return my monumental inscription (and) my inscribed name to their (text “its”) places. The god Aššur will (then) listen to his prayers. (80) Muḫur-ilāni, twentieth day, eponymy of Šulmānu-qarrād.
Writing & LiteratureReligion & MythAdad-narari I 18
(1') I built that wall anew. I removed the weak (and) old beams, supports, and lashings (and) installed new beams, supports, and lashings. I made (them) reach between the wall [and] the door. I built the wall of the bakehouse from its foundations to its crenellations. [I] restored it. Moreover, I deposited my monumental inscription (therein). (11') In the future, may a future ruler, when he renovates that wall (when) it becomes dilapidated, return my monumental inscription and my inscribed name to its place. The god Aššur will (then) listen to his prayers. (15') (As for) the one who erases my inscribed name and writes his (own) name or discards my monumental inscription, may the god Aššur, the exalted god, the one who dwells in Eḫursagkurkurra, [...] ...
Writing & LiteratureReligion & MythAdad-narari I 19
(4'b) At [that time, (as for) the wall of the temple of the god Aššur], my lord, which is next to [the towers ...] in which there is a drainage opening, [which is before the orchards] of the upper ... [(...) which flood(s)] had eroded (and) which the kings, [my ancestors who came] before me, previously [... had] built, that wall, [which had been built with] baked brick and bitumen, [(...) had become] dilapidated. I built its foundations [with baked brick] and bitumen. [I ... and] strengthened [...] from its foundations to [its] crenella[tions]. I deposited my commemorative inscriptions and…
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAdad-narari I 29
(1) Palace of Adad-nārārī (I), king of the world, son of Arik-dīn-ili, king of Assyria, son of Enlil-nārārī, (who was) also king of Assyria: (brick) belonging to the terrace.
Writing & LiteratureAdad-narari I 34
(1) Palace of Adad-nārārī (I), king of the world, son of Arik-dīn-ili, king of Assyria: (brick) belonging to the red šudu(tin)nu.
Writing & Literature
Adad-narari I 35
Records Adad-nārārī I's renovation of the processional avenue at Aššur's temple, anchoring the physical expansion of Assyrian royal piety to a specific monarch at the dawn of the Middle Assyrian kingdom.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAdad-narari I 38
(1) Palace of Adad-nārārī (I), king of the world, son of Arik-dīn-ili, king of Assyria: (brick) belonging to the Courtyard of Emblems.
Writing & Literature
Adad-narari I 39
Marks Adad-nārārī I's construction of a quay wall at the palace canal: physical evidence of royal infrastructure investment at Aššur in the early Middle Assyrian period.
Writing & Literature
Adad-narari I 40
Marks Adad-nārārī I as builder of Aššur's Tigris quay wall, anchoring his public-works program in the archaeological and epigraphic record of early Middle Assyrian urban infrastructure.
Writing & LiteratureAššur-bel-kala 11
(1) Palace of Aššur-bēl-kala, great king, king of the world, king of Assyria.
Writing & LiteratureAššur-dan II 4
(1) To the god Aššur, the father of the great gods, his lord: Aššur-dān (II), appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of the god Aššur, son of Tiglath-pileser (II), appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of (the god) Aššur, son of Aššur-rēša-iši (II), appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of the god Aššur, [son of Aššur-ra]bi (II), [(who was) also] appointee of the god Enlil (and) vice-regent of the god Aššur. (6) [I dedicated (this) for my life] so that my days might be long, [my years be many], (and for) the well-being of my seed [(and) my land].
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAššur-nadin-apli 2
(1) Palace of Aššur-nādin-apli, king of the world, son of Tukultī-Ninurta (I), (who was) also king of the world; property of the palace.
Writing & LiteratureAššur-uballiṭ I 4
(1) Aššur-uballiṭ, vice-regent of the god Aššur, son of Erība-Adad (I); Erība-Adad (I), vice-regent of the god Aššur, (was) the son of Aššur-bēl-nišēšu; Aššur-bēl-nišēšu, vice-regent of the god Aššur, (was) [the son] of Aššur-nārārī (II); Aššur-nārārī (II), [vice-regent of the god] Aššur, (r 1) I roofed (it) with beams and installed doors inside it. I renovated (and) restored it from its foundations to its crest. Moreover, I made the goddess Ištar-kudnittu, my lady, reside inside that temple. Furthermore, I deposited my clay cone (therein). (r 9) (When) a future ruler builds that temple when it becomes dilapidated, the deities Aššur, Adad, and Ištar-kudnittu will (then) listen to his prayers. Moreover, may he return my clay cone to its place.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAššur-uballiṭ I 6
(1) The stone (cylinder) seal of Aššur-uballiṭ (I), king of Assyria, son of Erība-Adad (I).
Writing & LiteratureAššur-uballiṭ I 7
(1) Belonging to the palace of Aššur-uballiṭ (I), the overseer.
Writing & Literature
Adad-nerari II 7
Attests the royal titulary of Adad-nārārī II — 'king of the world, king of Assyria' — and anchors his lineage through Aššur-dān II to Tiglath-pileser II, fixing the dynastic continuity of the early Neo-Assyrian restoration.
Writing & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 036
(1') [The god Ninurta, the lord of judgment and destruction] and (the god) Aššur, the great lord, [... will (then) listen to his prayers. May they establish] copious abundance in [his] land; (and) may they make him achieve success [in wars with kings on the battlefield]. (4'b) As for the one who erases my inscription and [writes] his (own) name [or] removes my commemorative inscription, [throws (it)] into water [(,...)], may the god Ninurta, the lord of judgment and destruction, (and) the god Aššur, [the great lord], overthrow [his kingship], take away from him his throne, [make him sit] in bondage before his [enemies, establish in his land distress, famine, (and) hunger, (and) make] his name (and) his seed [disappear] from the land.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 070
(1) Palace of Ashurnasirpal (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), king of Assyria, son of Adad-nārārī (II), (who was) also king of Assyria; the conqueror of all lands (who) made (all rulers) from east to west bow down at his feet: (7) (As for) the palace of the city Apku, I laid its foundations for the residence of my royal majesty, (together) with tablets of silver (and) gold. (10) O future ruler, do not erase (my) inscribed name! (The god) Aššur, the great lord, will (then) listen to your (text: “his”) prayers. (12b) As for the one who erases (my) inscribed…
Writing & LiteratureReligion & MythAshurnasirpal II 085
(1) Palace of Ashurnasirpal (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), king of Assyria, son of Adad-nārārī (II), (who was) also king of Assyria: captives of the land Ḫatti.
Writing & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 088
(1) Palace of Ashurnasirpal (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), king of Assyria, son of Adad-nārārī (II), (who was) also king of Assyria: tribute of the land Sūḫu.
EconomyWriting & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 091
(1) Palace of Ashurnasirpal (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), king of Assyria, son of Adad-nārārī (II), (who was) also king of Assyria: captives of the city Mari[ri o]f the land [Ḫ]atti.
Writing & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 098
(1) To the god Enlil, king of destinies and designs, the one who makes the mountains shake, the who dwells in the Bīt-Kidmuri, the great lord, my lord: Ashurnasirpal (II), vice-regent of (the god) Aššur, son of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), (who was) also vice-regent of (the god) Aššur: I dedicated (this) for my life so that my days might be long, my years be many, (for) the well-being of my seed (and) land.
Religion & MythWriting & Literature
Ashurnasirpal II 099
Dedicates an offering to Šarrat-Kidmuri, a goddess attested almost exclusively in Assyrian royal contexts, confirming her role in Ashurnasirpal II's dynastic piety alongside the better-known cult of Aššur.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 102
(1) Palace of Ashurnasirpal (II), great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-nārārī (II), (who was) also great king, strong king, king of the world, (and) king of Assyria: facing slab of the palace courtyard.
Writing & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 103
(1) Palace of Ashurnasirpal (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-nārārī (II), (who was) also king of the world and king of Assyria: facing (slab) of the Second House/Wing/Room.
Writing & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 105
(1) Palace of Ashurnasirpal (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), king of Assyria, son of Adad-nārārī (II), (who was) also king of Assyria.
Writing & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 106
(1) Palace of Ashurnasirpal (II), great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-nārārī (II), (who was) also king of the world (and) king of Assyria.
Writing & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 107
(1) Palace of Ashurnasirpal (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), king of the world, king of Assyria: ten minas.
Writing & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 108
(1) Image of Ashurnasirpal (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-nārārī (II), (who was) also king of Assyria.
Writing & Literature
Ashurnasirpal II 109
Labels temple property as belonging to the Bīt-Kidmuri at Kalḫu, anchoring the institutional landholdings of Ashurnasirpal II's newly built capital to his dynastic lineage across three generations.
Writing & Literature
Ashurnasirpal II 111
Attests Ashurnasirpal II's construction of Ištar's Nineveh temple, anchoring his reign within a three-generation dynastic lineage while documenting royal patronage of the city's chief cult.
Religion & MythWriting & Literature
Ashurnasirpal II 113
Three-generation royal genealogy anchoring Ashurnasirpal II to Tukultī-Ninurta II and Adad-nārārī II, each styled vice-regent of Aššur — the titulary formula that legitimised Neo-Assyrian kingship as divinely delegated office.
Writing & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 114
(1) Palace of Ashurnasirpal (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-nārārī (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Aššur-dān (II), (who was) also king of the world (and) king of Assyria.
Writing & Literature
Ashurnasirpal II 115
Standard titulary of Ashurnasirpal II anchors his three-generation dynastic claim — Adad-nārārī II, Tukultī-Ninurta II, himself — in stone, a formulaic assertion of legitimacy typical of 9th-century Assyrian royal self-presentation.
Writing & Literature
Ashurnasirpal II 123
Labels civic property of Kalḫu in Ashurnasirpal II's three-generation royal titulary, attesting the administrative machinery by which the Assyrian crown asserted ownership over its newly built capital.
Writing & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 124
(1) Palace of Ashurnasirpal (II), great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-nārārī (II), (who was) also great king, strong king, king of the world, (and) king of Assyria.
Writing & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 132
(1) Palace of Ashurnasirpal (II), <king of the world>, king of Assyria, son of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-nārārī (II), (who was) also king of the world (and) king of Assyria: facing (brick) of the well of the Bīt-Kidmuri.
Writing & Literature
Ashurnasirpal II 137
Ownership stamp linking Ashurnasirpal II's palace archive to the Bīt-natḫi institution at Nineveh, attesting the administrative reach of Assyrian royal households beyond the capital at Kalḫu.
Writing & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 2004
(1) To the god Adad, canal inspector of heaven and netherworld, who sends abundant rain, who provides pasturage and watering for the peoples in all of the communities, who provides temple shares and offerings for the gods his brothers, canal inspector of rivers, who brings prosperity to the (four) quarters (of the world), the compassionate god to whom it is good to pray, who resides in the city Guzāna, great lord, his lord: (8b) Adda-itʾī, governor of the city Guzānu, son of Šamaš-nūrī, (who was) also governor of the city Guzāna, has devoted and dedicated (this object) for his life so that…
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAshurnasirpal II 2005 / CDLI Seals 006500
(1) Seal of Mušēzib-Ninurta, vice-regent, son of Ninurta-ēriš, (who was) also the same (i.e. vice-regent), son of Samnuḫa-šar-ilāni (who was) also the same (i.e. vice-regent).
Writing & LiteratureAdad-nerari III 10
(1) For the goddess Bēlet-parṣē, his lady: Adad-nārārī (III), king of Assyria, son of Šamšī-Adad (V), (who was) also king of Assyria, dedicated (this) for his life.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAdad-nerari III 2001
(1) Monument of Semiramis, the palace woman [of Šam]šī-Adad (V), king of the world, king of Assyria, mother of Adad-nārārī (III), king of the world, king of Assyria, daughter-in-law of Shalmaneser (III), king of the four quarters (of the world).
Writing & LiteratureAdad-nerari III 2004
(1) Property of Bēl-tarṣi-ilumma, scribe (and) eunuch of Adad-nārārī (III), king of the world, king of Assyria.
Writing & LiteratureAdad-nerari III 2008 / CDLI Seals 009581
(1) Seal of [Aš]šur-bēlu-uṣur, eunuch of Pālil-ēreš, the governor of the land Raṣappa.
Writing & LiteratureAdad-nerari III 2016 / CDLI Seals 007055
(1) For the goddess Gula, his lady: Pān-Aššur-lāmur, the governor of Baltil (Aššur), dedicated (this) for the life of Adad-nārārī (III), king of Assyria, (and) his (own) life.
Religion & MythWriting & Literature
Ashurbanipal 005
Claims divine sanction for Ashurbanipal's legendary scribal literacy — a rare royal boast that a king personally mastered cuneiform learning, framing intellectual mastery as a god-given mark of legitimate rule.
Religion & MythWriting & Literature
Ashurbanipal 160
Dedicates a restored shrine to Bēlet-parṣē within Nineveh's House of Succession, then invokes her curse on any ruler who erases Ashurbanipal's dynastic name — a rare attestation of this goddess as guardian of Sargonid legitimacy.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAshurbanipal 247
(1) For the god Marduk, his lord: Ashurbanipal, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, in order to ensure his good health (5) had baked bricks made anew for Esagil and Etemenanki.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAshurbanipal 248
(1) For the god Marduk, his lord: Ashurbanipal, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, son of Esarhaddon, (5) king of the world, king of Assyria, (and) king of Babylon, had baked bricks made anew for Etemenanki.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAshurbanipal 249
(1) For the god Marduk, his lord: Ashurbanipal, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, for the sake of his life had baked bricks made anew for Etemenanki.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAshurbanipal 251
(1) For the god Asari, great lord, his lord: Ashurbanipal, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, son of Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, (and) king of Babylon, for the sake of his life had constructed Etemenanki anew.
Religion & MythWriting & LiteratureAshurbanipal 252
(1') this [work] falls into dis[repair ...], question skilled [craftsmen! ... Rebuild (...)], the temple of the goddess Ištar according to [its ancient] specifi[cations! (...) The goddess Ištar (of Agade)] will (then) listen to [your prayers. Look at my] inscribed object, [anoint (it) with oil, offer a sacrifice, (and)] s[et] (my inscribed object) with your (own) inscribed object! (5'b) [(But) as for the one who erases my inscribed name by some crafty device], (or) does not write [my name] with his name, (or) [destroys my inscribed object], (or) does not set [my inscribed object with his (own) inscribed object] ... [...] the goddess Ištar of Agade [will ...].
Writing & LiteratureReligion & MythAshurbanipal 260
(1) For the god Enlil, king of the gods, sovereign of heaven (and) netherworld, prince (who decides) the fates, (5) his lord: Ashurbanipal, his obedient shepherd, mighty king, king of the world, (re)built Egigunû with baked bricks.
Religion & MythWriting & Literature
Epic of Gilgamesh, Tablet XI (the Flood)
The single most important literary discovery of the 19th century. It rewired the understanding of the Bible's literary context and proved that the Mesopotamian flood tradition is older. It is the oldest surviving epic poetry in human history.
Religion & MythWriting & Literature
Aššur-etel-ilāni 01
Aššur-etel-ilāni's dedication of baked bricks for Ezida at Kalḫu — framed as a life-preservation rite — attests royal temple-building ideology persisting into the final turbulent years of the Assyrian Empire.
Religion & MythWriting & Literature