Sumerian Liturgies and Psalms

[Transcriber's Note: This e-book is Number 4 of Volume X of a series, which had a single page numbering system throughout the Volume. Thus, although this e-book is pages 233 through 351, it contains references to pages outside of this range in the same Volume.]

With the publication of the texts included in this the last part of volume X, Sumerian Liturgical and Epical Texts, the writer arrives at a definite stage in the interpretation of the religious material in the Nippur collection. Having been privileged to examine the collection in Philadelphia as well as that in Constantinople, I write with a sense of responsibility in giving to the public a brief statement concerning what the temple library of ancient Nippur really contained. Omitting the branches pertaining to history, law, grammar and mathematics, the following rÉsumÉ is limited to those tablets which, because of their bearing upon the history of religion, especially upon the origins of Hebrew religion, have attracted the attention of the public on two continents to the collections of the University Museum.

Undoubtedly the group of texts which have the most human interest and greatest literary value is the epical group, designated in Sumerian by the rubric zag-sal.1 This literary term was employed by the Sumerian scribes to designate a composition as didactic and theological. Religious texts of such kind are generally composed in an easy and graceful style and, although somewhat influenced by liturgical mannerisms, may be readily distinguished from the hymns and psalms sung in the temples to musical accompaniment. The zagsal [pg 234] compositions2 are mythological and theological treatises concerning the deeds and characters of the great gods. The most important didactic hymns of the Nippur collection and in fact the most important religious texts in early Sumerian literature are two six column tablets, one (very incomplete) on the Creation and the Flood published by Dr. Poebel, and one (all but complete) on Paradise and the Fall of Man. Next in importance is a large six column tablet containing a mythological and didactic hymn on the characteristics of the virgin mother goddess.3 A long mythological hymn in four columns4 on the cohabitation of the earth god Enlil and the mother goddess Ninlil and an equally long but more literary hymn to the virgin goddess Innini5 are good examples of this group of tablets in the Nippur collection.6 One of the most interesting examples of didactic composition is a hymn to the deified king Dungi of Ur. By accident both the Philadelphia and the Constantinople collections possess copies of this remarkable poem and the entire text has been reconstructed by the writer in a previous publication.7 1 have already signaled the unique importance of this extraordinary hymn to the god-man Dungi in which he is described as the divinely born king who was sent by the gods [pg 235] to restore the lost paradise.8 The poem mentions the flood which, according to the Epic of Paradise, terminated by divine punishment the Utopian age. The same mythological belief underlies the hymn to Dungi. Paradise had been lost and this god-man was sent to restore the golden age. There is a direct connection between this messianic hymn to Dungi and the remarkable Epic of Paradise. All other known hymns to deified kings are liturgical compositions and have the rubrics which characterize them as songs sung in public services. But the didactic hymn to Dungi has the rubric [dDungi] zag-sal, “O praise Dungi.” It would be difficult to claim more conclusive evidence than this for the correctness of our interpretation of the group of zagsal literature and of the entire mythological and theological exegesis propounded in the edition of the Epic of Paradise, edited in part one of this volume.9

When our studies shall have reached the stage which renders appropriate the collection of these texts into a special corpus they will receive their due valuation in the history of religion. That they are of prime importance is universally accepted.

From the point of view of the history of religion I would assign the liturgical texts to the second group in order of importance. Surprisingly few fragments from the long canonical daily prayer services have been found. In fact, about all of the perfected liturgies such as we know the Sumerian temples to have possessed belong to the cults of deified kings. In the [pg 236] entire religious literature of Nippur, not one approximately complete canonical prayer service has survived. Only fragments bear witness to their existence in the public song services of the great temples in Nippur. A small tablet10 published in part two of this volume carries a few lines of the titular or theological litany of a canonical or musically completed prayer book as they finally emerged from the liturgical schools throughout Sumer. Long liturgical services were evolved in the temples at Nippur as we know from a few fragments of large five column tablets.11 The completed composite liturgies or canonical breviaries as they finally received form throughout Sumer in the Isin period were made by selecting old songs of lament and praise and re-editing them so as to develop theological ideas. Characteristic of these final song services is the titular litany as the penultimate song and a final song as an intercession. A considerable number of such perfected services exist in the Berlin collection. These were obtained apparently from Sippar.12 The writer has made special efforts to reconstruct the Sumerian canonical series as they existed in the age of Isin and the first Babylonian dynasty. On the basis of tablets not excavated at Nippur but belonging partly to the University Museum and partly to the Berlin collection the writer restored the greater part of an Enlil liturgy in part 2, pp. 155-167.13 In the present and final part of this volume another Enlil liturgy has been largely reconstructed on pages 290-306.14 From these two partially reconstructed song services the reader will obtain an [pg 237] approximate idea of the elaborate liturgical worship of the late Sumerian period. These were adopted by the Babylonians and Assyrians as canonical and were employed in interlinear editions by these Semitic peoples. Naturally the liturgical remains of the Babylonian and Assyrian breviaries are much more numerous and on the basis of these the writer was able in previous volumes to identify and reconstruct a large number of the Sumerian canonical musical services. But a large measure of success has not yet attended his efforts to reconstruct the original unilingual liturgies commonly written on one huge tablet of ten columns. Obviously the priestly schools of the great religious center at Nippur possessed these perfected prayer books but their great size was fatal to their preservation. It must be admitted that the Nippur collection has contributed almost nothing from the great canonical Sumerian liturgies which surely existed there.

Much better is the state of preservation of the precanonical liturgies, or long song services constructed by simply joining a series of kiŠubs or songs of prostration. These kiŠub liturgies are the basis of the more intricate canonical liturgies and in this aspect the Nippur collection surpasses in value all others. Canonical and perfected breviaries may be termed liturgical compositions and the precanonical breviaries may be described as liturgical compilations, if we employ “composition” and “compilation” in their exact Latin sense. Since Sumerian song services of the earlier type, that is liturgical compilations, are more extensively represented in the Nippur temple library than in any other, this is an appropriate place to give an exact description of this form of prayer service which preceded and prepared the way to the greatest system of musical ritual in any ancient religion. If we may judge from the literary remains of [pg 238] Nippur now in the University Museum, the priestly schools of temple music in that famous city were extremely conservative about abandoning the ancient liturgical compilations. These daily song services, all of sorrowful sentiment and invariably emphasizing humility and human suffering, are constructed by simply compiling into one breviary a number of ancient songs, selected in such manner that all are addressed to one deity. In this manner arose intricate choral compilations of length suitable to a daily prayer, each addressed to a great god. Hence we have in the temple libraries throughout Sumer and Babylonia liturgies to each of the great gods. Even in the less elaborate kiŠub compilations there is in many cases revealed a tendency to recast and arrange the collection of songs upon deeper principles. A tendency to include in all services a song to the wrathful word of the gods and a song to the sorrowful earth mother is seen even in the Nippurian breviaries of the precanonical type. I need not dilate here upon the great influence which these principles exercised upon the beliefs and formal worship of Assyria and Babylonia, upon the late Jewish Church and upon Christianity. The personified word of god and the worship of the great As examples of the liturgical compilation texts the reader is referred especially to the following tablets. On pages 290-292 the writer has described the important compiled liturgy found by Charles Virolleaud.15 It is an excellent example of a Nippurian musical prayer service. It contained eleven kiŠubs, or prayers, and they are recast in such manner that the whole set forth one idea which progresses to the end. The liturgy has in fact almost reached the stage of a composition. And in these same pages [pg 239] the reader will see how this service finally resulted in a canonical liturgy, for the completed product has been recovered. On pages 309-310 will be found a fragment, part of an ancient liturgy to Enlil of the compiled type. Here again we are able to produce at least half of the great liturgy into which the old service issued. In the preceding part of this volume, pages 184-187, is given the first song of a similar liturgy addressed to the mother goddess.

Undoubtedly the most important liturgical tablet which pertains to the ordinary cults in the Nippur collection is discussed on pages 279-285. The breviary, which probably belongs to the cult of the moon-god, derives importance from its great length, its theological ideas, especially the mention of the messengers which attend the Logos or Word of Enlil, and its musical principles. Here each song has an antiphon which is unusual in precanonical prayer books of the ordinary cults.16 Students of the history of liturgies will be also particularly interested in the unique breviary compiled from eight songs of prostration, a lamentation for the ancient city of KeŠ with theological references. This song service was popular at Nippur, for remains of at least two copies have been found in the collection. A translation is given on pages 311-323.

The oldest public prayer services consisted of only one psalm or song. A good number of these ancient psalms are known from other collections, especially from those of the British Museum. In view of the conservative attitude of the liturgists at Nippur it is indeed surprising that so few of the old temple songs have survived as they were originally employed; ancient single song liturgies in this collection are rare. The following [pg 240] list contains all the notable psalms of this kind. Radau, Miscellaneous Sumerian Texts No. 317 is a lamentation of the mother goddess and her appeal to Enlil on behalf of various cities which had been visited by wars and other afflictions. Radau, ibid., No. 16 has the rubric ki-Šu18 sÌr-gal dEnlil, “A prayer of prostration, a great song unto Enlil.” A psalm of the weeping mother goddess similar in construction to Radau No. 3 is edited on pages 260-264 of this volume.19 No. 7 of this part, edited on pages 276-279, is an excellent illustration of the methods employed in developing the old single song psalms into compiled liturgies. Here we have a short song service to the moon god constructed by putting together two ancient psalms. The rubrics designate them as sagar melodies,20 or choral songs, and adds that it is sung to the lyre.21 An especially fine psalm of a liturgical character was translated on pages 115-117. It is likewise a lament to the sorrowful mother goddess.

The student of Sumero-Babylonian religion will not fail to comment upon one remarkable lacuna in the religious literature of every Sumerian city which has been excavated. Prayers of the private cults are almost entirely nonexistent. Later Babylonian religion is rich in penitential psalms written in Sumerian for use in private devotions. These are known by the rubric erŠagģunga, or prayers to appease the heart. Only one has been found in the Nippur collection,22 and none at all have been recovered elsewhere. Seals of Sumerians showing them in [pg 241] the act of saying their private prayers abound from the earliest period. Most of these seals represent the worshipper saluting a deity with a kiss thrown with the hand. The attitude was described as Šu-illa, or “Lifting of the Hand.” Semitic prayers of the lifting of the hand abound in the religion of Babylonia and Assyria. Here they are prayers employed in the incantation ritual. We know from the great catalogue of Sumerian liturgical literature compiled by the Assyrians that the Sumerians had a large number of prayers of the lifting of the hand.23 In Sumerian religion these were apparently purely private prayers unconnected with the rituals of atonement. At any rate the Nippur collections in Constantinople and Philadelphia contain a large number of incantation services for the atonement of sinners and the afflicted. These resemble and are the originals of the Assyrian incantation texts of the type utukku limnuti, and contain no prayers either by priest (kiŠub in later terminology is the rubric of priest's prayers in incantations) or by penitent (Šu-il-la's). The absence of prayers of private devotion in the temple library of Nippur is absolutely inexplicable. Does it mean that the Sumerians were so deficient in providing for the religious cure of the individual? Their emphasis of the social solidarity of religion is truly in remarkable contrast to the religious individualism of the Semite. But the Sumerian historical inscriptions often contain remarkable prayers of individuals. The seals emphasize the act of private devotion. The catalogue of their prayers states that they possessed a good literature for private devotions. When one considers the evidence which induces to assume that they possessed such a literature, its total absence in every Sumerian collection is an enigma which the writer fails to explain.

[pg 242]

In the introduction to part two of this volume24 the writer has emphasized the peculiarly rich collection of tablets in this collection pertaining to the cults of deified kings. In the present part is published a most important tablet of that class. This liturgy of the compiled type in six kiŠubs sung in the cult of the god-man Ishme-Dagan, fourth king of the Isin dynasty, is unique in the published literature of Sumer. Its musical intricacy and theological importance have been duly defined on pages 245-247. With the publication of these texts the important song services of the cults of deified kings are exhausted. In addition to the texts of this class translated or noted in part two, I call attention to the very long text concerning Dungi, king of Ur, published by Barton, Miscellaneous Babylonian Inscriptions No. 3. In that extremely long poem in six columns of about 360 lines25 there are no rubrics, which shows at once that it is not a cult song service. Moreover, Dungi had not been deified when the poem was written. It is really an historical poem to this king whose deification had at any rate not yet been recognized at Nippur. It belongs in reality to the same class of literature as the historical poem on his father Ur-Engur, translated on pages 126-136.

The only Sumerian cult songs to deified kings not in the Nippur collection have now been translated by the writer and made accessible for wider study. One hymn to Ur-Engur which proves that he had been canonized at his capitol in Ur will be found in the Proceedings of the Society of Biblical Literature, 1918, 45-50. The twelfth song of a liturgy to Ishme-Dagan published by Zimmern from the Berlin collection is translated on pages 52-56 of the same article. Finally a long liturgy to [pg 243] Libit-Ishtar, son of Ishme-Dagan, likewise in Berlin, has been translated there on pages 69-79.26 Since the Berlin texts probably came from Sippar their existence in that cult is important. For they prove not only the practice of cult worship of deified kings in that city, but the domination of Isin over this north Semitic city is thus documented for a period as late as Libit-Ishtar.

Nearly all the existing prayer services in the cults of the deified kings of Ur and Isin are now published and translated. The student will observe that they are all of the compiled type but that there is in most cases much musical arrangement and striving for combined effect. A few, and especially the Ishme-Dagan liturgy published as No. 1 of this part, reveal theological speculation and an effort to give the institution of god-man worship its proper place in their religion. The hymns of these cults comparatively so richly represented in this volume will be among the most interesting groups of religious texts supplied by the excavations at Nippur.27

Oxford, July 9, 1919.

[pg 245]

The liturgical character of this tablet is unique among all the numerous choral compositions of the Isin period. It is a large two column tablet containing six long kiŠub melodies. Liturgies of such kind, compiled by joining a series of kiŠubs, or melodies, attended by prostrations, represent an advanced stage in the evolution of these compositions in that the sections are not mechanically joined together by selecting older melodies without much regard for their connection, but as a whole they are apparently original compositions so arranged that they develop a motif from the beginning to the end of the liturgy. Choral services composed of kiŠubs in the cults of deified kings have been found28 wherein the deeds and personality of the king are sung, his divine claims are emphasized and his Messianic promises rehearsed. But the liturgy here published resembles in literary style the classical lamentations which always formed the chief temple services of Sumer and Babylonia. It more especially resembles the weeping mother liturgies, but here Ishme-Dagan appears in the lines of the service in a rÔle similar to that of the sorrowful mother goddess of the ordinary liturgies, as he weeps for Nippur.

“Her population like cattle of the fields within her have perished. Helas my land I sigh.”

So reads a line from the second melody.

[pg 246]

Lines of similar character occur repeatedly in the laments of the mother goddess as she weeps for her people in the standard liturgies. In other words, the cult of the deified kings issues here into its logical result. The god man created to live and die for his people usurps the sphere of the earth mother herself. And like her he is intimately associated with the fortunes of mankind, of nature and all living creatures. The great gods and the hosts of their attendants rule over man and the various phases of the universe from afar. But the mother goddess is the incarnation of fruitful nature, the mother of man whose joys and sorrows she feels. So also in this remarkable liturgy the deified son of the great gods lives among men, becomes their patron and divine companion.

The tablet contained originally about fifty lines in each column, or 200 in all. About one-third of the first column is gone. The first melody contained at least fifty lines and ended somewhere shortly after the first line of Col. II of the obverse. It began by relating how Enlil had ordered the glory of Nippur, and then had become angered against his city, sending upon it desolation at the hands of an invader. When we take up the first lines of Obv. II we are well into the second melody which represents Ishme-Dagan mourning for fathers and mothers who had been separated from their children; for brothers who had been scattered afar; for the cruel reign of the savage conqueror who now rules where the dark-headed people had formerly dwelled in peace.

At about the middle of Obv. II begins the third melody which consists of 38 lines extending to Rev. I 19. In this section the psalmist ponders upon the injustice of his city's fate, and looks for the time when her woes will cease, and Enlil will be reconciled.

[pg 247]

The fourth section begins at line 24 of Rev. I and ended near the bottom of this column which is now broken away. Here Ishme-Dagan joins with the psalmists weeping for Nippur.

Section 5 began near the end of Rev. I, and ends at line 16 of Rev. II. Here begins the phase of intercession to Enlil to repent and revenge Nippur upon the foe. Section 6, beginning at Rev. II 17, probably continued to the end of the column and the tablet. Here the liturgy promises the end of Nippur's sorrow. Enlil has ordered the restoration of his city and has sent Ishme-Dagan, his beloved shepherd, to bring joy unto the people.

After sections 2 and 3 follows the antiphon of one or two lines. The ends of sections 1 and 4 are lost but we may suppose that antiphons stood here also. Section 5 does not have an antiphon. Since section 6 ended the liturgy it is not likely that an antiphon stood there.

[Transcriber's Note: In the original book, throughout the book, all of the transcriptions and translations were done in two columns. The left column showed the transcription, and the right the English translation; each line had the line number. In this e-book, the transcription and translation of each line will be shown in succeeding lines.]

Obverse. Col. I

(About eighteen lines broken away.)

1. ... tÚg ba-ra-pad-da
1.
2. d.A-nun-na-ge-ne na-ba-an-ri-gi-eŠ-Ám
2. The Anunnaki he caused to take their seats.29
3. ub-Šu-ukkin-na30 ki di-gal tar-ru
3. In the Assembly Hall, place where the great judgments are decided,
4. eŠ-bar-e si-di ba-ra-an-zu-uŠ31-Ám
4. Decisions to arrange he caused them to know.
5. dingir-bi-ne ki-dÚr ba-ab- gar-ra32
5. These gods he caused to take up there their abode.
[pg 248]
6. Šug-lÁģ-bi im-Šub-ba aga-bi im-ri-a
6. Their clean sacrificial food he gave, their crowns he clothed upon them.
7. ki-lugal du-azag33 ḳin-sÎg34 unÙ35-gal-ba
7. In the king's place, the throne room, the ḳinsig of the vast abode,
8. tin36 lÀl bal-bal-e mu-ŠÚ be-ib-tar-ra
8. The libation of wine and honey yearly he decreed.
9. Nibru-(ki) uru giŠ-gig-dagal-la-bi-ŠÚ
9. For Nippur the city whose shadow extends afar
10. uku-sag-gig-ga nÍ-im-Ši-ib-te-en-na
10. The people, the dark headed, he caused to have reverence.
11. ki-dÚr-ba gÚ-ni a-gim37 ba-ra-an-Šub
11. But its habitations he cursed ...
12. ab sīg-gan-dÚg-ga-gim e-ne sīg-gan-ba-ra-an-dÚg
12. Like scattered cows he scattered them.
13. uru Šag-bi er-gÍg sȋg- bi
13. The city's interior is filled with weeping,
14. en-na38 dam39 dingir ga-Ša-an-bi li-bi nu-tar-ri40
14. While the consort, its divine queen, is not solicitous for her.
15. É-gu-la za-pa-ag ib-zu-a-bi
15. The great house which knew the cry of multitudes,
16. É-ri-a-sÚd-gim galu nu-un-tur-tur
16. Like a vast building in ruins men enter not.
17. Nibru-(ki) uru ki ligir-ligir-gal-gal-e-ne Šu-im-ma-an-ḪA41-eŠ-Ám
17. In Nippur, the city where great princes were prosperous,
18. a-na-ÁŠ Ú-gu i-ni-in-de-eŠ42
18. Why have they fled?
[pg 249]
19. uku sag-gig gÚ-sa-ģi-a43 udu-gim be-ib-?44-a
19. The people, the dark headed, all of them like sheep....
20. e(?)-en-ŠÚ KAK-RU45 er a-nir Šag PA-ḪI-BAD-a
20. How long shall loud crying(?), weeping and wailing distress (?) the heart?
21. en-ŠÚ bar46 be-Íb- ... Ùl
21. How long shall the soul be terrified?
22. Šag nu-ub-Ši-tÚg-e
22. And the heart repose not?
23. suÙb suÁ-lÁ mu-un-tuk-a-ri47
23. To the drum and cymbals I sing.
24. ... gÍg-ga a-a na....
24. ... sorrowfully(?)....
25. ... sÍg ... ne ba-dÚr-ru-ne-eŠ
25. ... brick ... they dwell.
26. ... gar-ra-bi er-ŠÚ ba-ab-bi-ne
26. ... in tears they speak.
27. ... Šub-ba tūr-ru-ba-ne
27. ... are made small.
28. ... sÌr-ri-eŠ ba-ab-bi-ne
28. ... in misery they speak.
29. ... ki-dÚr-bi ḳar-ra
29. ... whose habitations are desolated.
30. ... im-Ši-sÌr-sÌr-e-ne-eŠ48
30. Unto ... they have hastened.
31. ... ne-ne-tÚg
31. ...?
32. ... ga(?)nu-zu-gim
32. ... like one that knows not.
33. ... sūģ49
33. ... is in confusion.

(End of Col. I.)

Col. II

(About fifteen lines broken away.)50

1. ... gÁl
1. ....
2. ... -e ba-ab-dÚg-Ám51
2. ....
3. ... ma-lal im-mÉ
3. ....
[pg 250]
4. ... ģul-nu-zu-ne nig-dug be-ib-tar-ru-uŠ-Ám
4. ... evil they know not, good they have decreed.
5. i-lu-gÍg im-me
5. Bitter lament I52 utter.
6. nam-lÙ-găl-bi mÁŠ-anŠu-gim Šag-ba mi-ni-ib-tÍl-la-aŠ
6. Her population like cattle of the fields within her have perished.
7. a ka-na-ăm-mu im-me
7. Helas! my Land! I sigh.
8. ki-el kalag tul-tul-lÁ-bi-ne sÙr53-ri- -eŠ mi-ni-ib- sal-la-ÁŠ
8. Maid and young man and their children cruelly have been scattered far and wide.
9. iŠ-a-bi im-me
9. Tearfully I sigh.
10. ŠeŠ-bi imi-dugud ŠÈg-gÀ-gim di-e-be-ib-sud-Ám54
10. Their brothers like a rain storm have fled afar.
11. er-ŠÚ nu- gul-55 e
11. I cease not to weep.
12. É-e Áb amar-bi kud-du gim nÍ-bi-ŠÙ ūr-gÍg-ga56 im-gub
12. The household like a cow, whose calf has been separated from her, stand by themselves with sorrowful souls.
13. sÎg-sÎg57 ni- mal- mal
13. They have lapsed into the misery of silence.
14. balag-di58 lÙ-ad-dug-ga-ge59-ne um-me-da-ū-a-di-gim
14. Oh sing to the lyre! The wailers like a child nursing mother who cries in woe
15. mu-bi er-ra mi-ni-ib-bal-bal-e-ne
15. because of them devised lamentation.
16. uru Ù-mu-un-bi sag-ib-ta-an-dīm-ma
16. The city whose lord had been magnified,
17. igi-ni sÁ kÛr-ra ib-ta-an-gar-ra ad-e-eŠ ba-an-ara-ÁŠ
17. In whose presence a hostile rule has been established, with sighing they have caused to walk.
[pg 251]
18. É-zid kur-kur-ra igi-ŠÚ ba-an-gÍn-na
18. As for the faithful temple, which in the lands excelled all,
19. uku sag-gig-gi uŠ-zi60 be-Íb-tÙb-ba
19. (Where) the people, the dark headed, reposed in security;
20. a-na ib-ag a-na im-ģa-lam-ma-bi61
20. What has done it, what has destroyed it?
21. Ù-mu-un-bi ib-ta-kÀŠ sag-ki-a mu-un-du
21. Its lord is a fugitive, he hastens in flight.
22. ki-Šub62- gÚ- 2 kam
22. A melody with prostrations. Second section.
23. me-gal Šag-bi63 ba-ra-an-È-a-ÁŠ gÙ-gÍg-ga nu-mal64-aŠ
23. The meaning of the great decrees they have glorified. Sorrowful words they restrain not.
24. giŠ-gÍ-gÁl-bi-im65
24. This is its antiphon.
25. uru Ù-mu-un-bi Šag ba-da-an-dib-ba
25. The city whose lord is distressed,66
26. en-ŠÚ la-ba-Ši-gur-ru suģ67-Ám-bi nu- um- im me
26. Until when shall it not return (to its rest)? Until when shall its “How long” not be spoken?
27. sÍg-bi a-na-ŠÚ gĭr-ib-ta-an-gar
27. Why are its brick walls trodden underfoot?
28. tu(ģu) za-pa-Ág mÀ-mÀ-bi ab-ta ib-ta- an-dal
28. The doves screaming flew from their nests.
29. É ? zu sÍg nar-balag Ág-zÍ-ba68
29. The temple ... the sweet voiced flute,
[pg 252]
30. ... be-in-gÍ
30.
31. Entirely destroyed.
31.
32. É dÛ- na69
32. The temple violently....
33. É nÍ-nu-tuk-gim si-ga....
33. The temple like one without reverence....
34. Ág-me-bi nu-azag-azag-ga
34. Its regulations unholy ones....
35. Šu-luģ-bi kur-kur-ra nu-ub-da-suģ70-a-gim
35. Its cult of ablutions like those which had not been chosen above those of all lands
36. Šu-be-in-ḳal tuģ-ni ib-ta-an-zig
36. He has demolished, its wealth he seized away.
37. Ág-gÍg-ūr-ra a a-Še-ra mu-un-di
37. In misery of soul how long shall I utter lament?
38. ta-Še71 egir na-ăm-ga-lim72 dū-a la-ba-an-kalag
38. Why after the destruction has been done is it not respected?
39. Ág-el-dū-a-gim ģur-ri73 zag-be-in-bi
39. As one who accomplishes pure things this one has uttered a curse:—
40. sÍg-bi pā-e a-na-aŠ ib-ta-an-È
40. “Why rise her brick-walls in effulgent glory?”

Reverse, Col. I

1. gig-an-bil74-ba Šag-ba er be-in-[zÍ-em]
1. Night and day within her wailing is made.
2. Á-Še kÚr Ág-gÍg be-ib-aga-a
2. Now the stranger has wrought insult.
3. Ù-mu-un-bi im-ģul-Ám Šu-bi be-in-gÍ-Ám75
3. Its lord like a storm wind their hands have removed(?)
4. uru-bi É-bi in-gul-gul-Ám
4. Their city, their temple, he has destroyed.
5. Ùr-bi in-sir-ra-Ám Šitim76-e-ne in-ra-Ám
5. Its foundation he laid waste, the skilled workmen he transported.
[pg 253]
6. dam dumu-bi Šag-ba mi-ni-in-dÌg-ga-Ám
6. Wife and children within her he slew.
7. uru-bi uru-Šub-ba im-ma-ni-in-tu-ra-Ám
7. Their city a subjected city he caused to become.77
8. mu-un-ga-bi nÍ-e be-in-ne-ra-Ám78
8. Its property he himself took as plunder.
9. uru-gÁl-la-bi nu-gÁl-la mi-ni-in-tu-ra-Ám79
9. Their city which was he has caused to become a city which is not.
10. dim-ma-bi gĭr ib-ta-an-kÚr-ra-Ám
10. Its works of art he placed a hostile foot upon.
11. tÚg-bi in-sūģ80-Ám lil-e be-in-sīg-Ám
11. Its garments81 he seized away, the winds tore them in shreds.
12. Ú-kaŠ-a-bi ib-ta-an-kar-ra-Ám
12. Its food and drink he pilfered.
13. ga-zu-bi ... mi-ni-ib-tÍl-la-Ám
13. Their infants(?) ... he caused to perish.
14. É-e kÚr Ág-rig82 ... be-ib-aga-a
14. The temple a stranger plundered.
15. a-Še-ir-gÍg im-me er be-ib-lu-lu
15. Bitter sighing I utter, tears I pour out.
16. balag-di galu i-lu ba-ab-bi-Ám
16. Oh sing to the lyre, he that speaks the songs of wailing.
17. Šag nu-zÍ-ba-bi mu-un-na-ni-ib-gÍ-gÍ
17. Their hearts which are not glad it will pacify.
18. Ù-mu-un-bi me-bi ba-ra-an-È-a-ÁŠ83
18. The decrees of their lord they have glorified.
19. Á-bi nu-mu-un-tag-ga-Ám li-bi nu-tar-ra-Ám
19. He84 concerns himself not with their oracles; he cares not for their future.
[pg 254]
20. ... ki-Šub-gÚ 3-kam-ma-Ám
20. A melody with prostrations. Third section.
21. me-gal-gal-la-ni a-gim ba-ra-an-ēŠ
21. His great decrees thus he has ordered.
22. Á-bi la-ba-an-tag-ga-Ám li-bi nu-tar-ra-Ám
22. He has concerned himself not with their oracles; he cared not for their future.
23. ... giŠ-gÍ-gÁl-bi-im
23. This is its antiphon.
24. mu-lu sÌr-ra85 na-ăm-tar-gÍg-ga-mu-uŠ86
24. He of melodious song the sorrowful fate weeps for.
25. me ib-Ši-en87-ne-en er im-Ši-ŠeŠ-ŠÉŠ-en
25. Sound of mourning he causes to arise; lamentation he utters.
26. Á-Še balag-di sÌr-zu- ne
26. Now oh sing to the lyre! They that know the melodies
27. ḪAR-dÚr-ra-mu ma-ar ba-bi-ne-Ám
27. My ... shall speak for me.
28. Ì-dÉ-ŠÚ kuŠ-a im-ma-sȋg88-ga-mu
28. Now I am filled with sighing.
29. galu89-bi er-ra ma-an-mÀ-mÀ-ne-Àm
29. Her population offer prayers to me.
30. Á-Še Šag-zu90-mu nÉ-tÁb-tÁb-ba-mu
30. Now my intercession, my pleading(?),
31. Á-Še dÚr-ra-bi ma-ar galu mu-da-an-zu-Ám
31. Now mightily the population unite with me in making known.
32. a-rÁ gig-ga Šag-sir-ra-mu
32. Upon ways of pain my mercy91
33. ū-a tūr-ra-mu er-ra ma-an-tuk-Ám
33. Oh woe! my children weep for.
34. ÉŠ É-dū-a ki-dÚr-a-ne-ne
34. In the house, the well builded temple, in their dwelling,
35. nar-e-eŠ ba-ab-gar-ra nÍ-tuk ba-ab-tur-ra-Ám
35. Sound like one chanting is raised and praise is diminished.
[pg 255]
36. galu erÍm-eka na-ăm-mu ib-tÍl-la
36. The foe has caused my land to perish.
37. er-ra ma-pad92(?)ma-an-mÀ-mÀ-ne-Ám
37. They beseech....
38. Šag Ág-gÍg-ga ib-sȋg-mu ad-bi-ŠÚ PI-gÀ93-bi dÉ-ib-Šed-dÉ-ne-Ám
38. My heart which is filled with misery by their wailing ... may they calm.
39. er-bi ugÛ94-mÀ mu-un-mÀ-mÀ-dam
39. Their weeping is made unto me.
40. E+SAL95 Šag-izi-du ma-ar ma-[an-tuk-tuk-e-ne-Ám]96
40. In the mother goddess' sanctuary prayer to me they offer.
41. d.Mu-ul-lil....
41. Enlil....

(About twelve lines broken away.)97

Reverse II

1. ....
1. ....
2. ....
2. ....
3. ....
3. ....
4. [ ... mu-ra-ab-]dÚg mu- na-ab
4. ....
5. ... ŭg-ga-gim
5. ....
6. [ ... m]u-ra-ab-dÚg mu-na-ab98
6.
7. ... aga- ... a- ... mu
7.
8. ... mu- ... na- ... ab
8.
9. [...]ma-a[r ... za]l-la
9.
10. ... Íb-dū-e KA-mu-na- ab
10.
11. ... ģar-ra-ge-eŠ ... Šag-izi-du
11.
12. ... arruŠ99 ma-ra-tuk-tuk100
12. Have mercy upon me.
[pg 256]
13. Šag-zu Šag-sīg ib-ta-ba-e Šag-laģ ma-ra-an-gar-ra-me (sic!)101
13. Thy heart whose portion has been affliction become for me a glad heart.
14. sag-zuzi-zi-i102giŠ-Šub-ba-za ul-ŠÚ103 ma-ra-an-mÀ-mÀ
14. Thy head which is held aloof turn unto me to glorify thy portion.
15. Ág-kÚr-ri za-ar104 i-ri-ib-aga-e Šu-bi dÉ-ib-gÍ-gÍ105
15. The hostile deeds which he did unto thee be returned unto his hand.
16. uru-ki-a Šu-bar-ri nu-zu-a mur-ri106 dÉ-ib-sĭg-gi
16. In the city which knew not forgiveness let there be given the cry of multitudes.
17. ... ki-Šub gÚ 5-kam-ma-Ám
17. A melody of prostrations. Fifth section.
18. À-Še Ù-mu-un-zu gÚ-Šub-ba kÚr me-e-Ši-in-ra-Ám
18. Now thy lord anger upon the foe will direct.
19. arruŠ107 ma-ra-an-tuk-Ám na-Ám-zu in-tar-ra-Ám
19. He will have mercy and will decree thy fate.
20. sÍg-zu a-Še-ir ib-ta-an-È-a ib-si be-in-dÚg-ga-Ám
20. Unto thy brick walls where lamentation arose he will command “it is enough.”
21. ģar-ŠÁg-gi-zu-ra108 ma-ra-ni-in-tu-ra-Ám
21. Thy happy soul he will cause to return for me.
22. d.Nin-uraŠā maŠkim kalag-ga sag-zu be-in-tuk-Ám109
22. Ninurash the valiant guardsman will sustain thy head.
23. dun-Ú-a-ni ... giŠ-ib-Ši-in-gub-ba-Ám110
23. His pastor111 he will establish over (the city).
24. É-kur ḳalag-ḳalag dū-dū-Ù-dam Á-mu-un112 ba-an-ag-Ám
24. Ekur like (a temple) which has been tenderly built he will make....
[pg 257]
25. Ág-dÚ-bi ki-bi be-in-gÍ-Ám
25. Its beauty he will restore to its place.
26, 27. gi-gŭn-na-bi113 ki-gÍ-gÍ-bi ud-gim kar-kar-bi114
26, 27. That its great dark chamber be restored to its place, that it shine like day
28. suģ115-ba-la-tÚm-tÚm-mu in-na-an-dÚg-ga-Ám
28. Unceasingly he commands.
29. garza kÚr-ri ib- sūģ116- Ám
29. The ordinances the stranger has placed in confusion.
30. me117 ib-bir-a-bi ki-bi-ŠÚ in-gar-ra-Ám
30. The ritual utensils which have been scattered he will restore to their place.
31. Šu-luģ erÍm118-e Šu-be-in-lÁ-a-ba
31. The rituals of hand-washing which the wicked caused to lapse into disuse,119
32. azag-gi ... el-e- ... bi
32. To cause to be holy and pure
33. uru-azag nam-Šub-da-ni in-na-an-dÚg-ga-Ám
33. In the holy city which has been consecrated he commands.
34. [d.] IŠ-me-dDa-gan sib kenag-gÀ-ni-ir120
34. For Ishme-Dagan his beloved shepherd
35. ... bi(?) gÚ ul-ŠÁr-ŠÁr-ri-da
35. ... to cause rejoicing
36. in-na-an-dÚg-ga-Ám
36. ... he commands.
37. ... azag nam-tar-ri-da-ni
37. The holy ... whose fate has been decreed,
38. ... -ra-Ám
38. ...
39. ... DU-ra-Ám
39. ...

(About twelve lines broken away, in case this section continued to the end of the tablet.)

[pg 258]

Col. II.

...
...
3. d.En-lil lugal dingir-ri-e-ne-ge
3. Enlil king of the gods
4. sig igi-nim-ma nam-en-bi ģa-ma-an-sĭg
4. In the South and North121 may give lordship over them unto me.
5. dÚg-dÚg-ga d.Nu-nam-nir-ra-ta
5. By the commands of Nunamnir,
6. ka-ta-È-a d.En-lil-lÁ-ta
6. By the utterance of Enlil,
7. An-ni enim-zid-dÉmÀ-a-ar ģa-ma-an-de
7. May Anu speak for me an order of confidence.
8. Šibir-Šibir Šu-mu ģe-ma-sĭg
8. Scepters may he give unto my hand.
9. d.UraŠa-e dÛ-azag-ga122-ni-a sal-zid ģa-ma-ni-dÚg
9. May UraŠa bestow upon me faithful care in his holy throne room.
10. d.Nin-lil-li Šag lăg-lăg-ga-ni123
10. Ninlil whose heart is pure,
11. bara-maģ ud-sud-du gÚ-KU-MAL124
11. She that in the far-famed chapel assures length of days,
12. giŠ-Šub-ba-mÀ bal-bi ŠÁg-gi-da
12. She that renders good my portion exceedingly,
13. kuŠ125-d.En-lil-lÁ ka-dug-gi-mÀ
13. She who unto Enlil spoke assuringly for me good words,
14. É-kur-ri ud-Šu-uŠ sag-uŠ-mÀ
14. She who daily protects Ekur for me,126
[pg 259]
15. ki-Úr ki-gal-e127 nam Šu-ģa-ma-ni-tar
15. May render me my fate in Kenur the vast place.
16. d.En-ki en-gal erida-(ki)-ga-ge
16. May Enki the great lord of Eridu
17. ganun zid-maģ sag-mÀ ģa-ma-ni-in-uŠ(?)
17. Sustain(?) my head in the ritual chamber, the faithful, the far-famed.

Reverse I

5. ki-Úr gal-la li-bi tar-ri-ge
5. Of the great Kenur its care....
6. d.En-lil-li Á-bi ģu-mu-da-na-Ág
6. Of Enlil his oracle be proclaimed.
7. dÚg-dÚg-ga a-a d.En-lil-lÁ-ŠÚ
7. Unto the words of father Enlil—
8. d.IŠ-me- d.Da-gan me-en gÚ-mu ģe-in-Ši-ri
8. Ishme-Dagan am I—verily my neck I will turn.
9. ka-ta-È-a lugal-mÀ-ŠÚ giŠ-tÚg-ni128 ģe-im-Ši-ag
9. To the utterance of my king may I lend my129 ears.
10. ki-en-gi-ra nig-si-sÁ ģe-ni-in-gar
10. In Sumer justice may I institute.
11. Nibru-(ki) an-gim gÚ ģe-im-mi-uŠ
11. Nippur may I exalt like heaven.
12. É-kur-ra me-bi ģu-mu-un-ŭr-ŭr
12. Of Ekur its decrees I will deliver.
13. giŠ(?)-ģar(?) Ù-a-ba li-be-[in-tar]
13. Of the plans(?) unto their care may I give heed.
14. garza130 ki-ta Šub-ba-bi ki-bi ģe-[mu-un-gÍ]
14. The sacred relics which have fallen from their places may I restore to their places.
15. d.En-lil-lÁ me ḳal-ḳalag-[ni]
15. Of Enlil his precious decrees—
16. d.IŠ-me-d.Da-gan me-en....
16. I am Ishme-Dagan—I will....
17. d.Nin-lil-lÁ....
17. Of Ninlil her ... I will....
[pg 260]

Liturgical Hymn to Innini. 7847 (No. 3 and duplicate No. 4)

Col. I

1. nin me-dug-ga131 babbar dalla-È-a
1. Oh lady of the good decrees, that risest splendidly like the sun.
2. sai-zid me-lam gÙr-ru kenag d.UraŠa-a
2. Faithful woman, bearing a sheen of terrible splendor, beloved of UrashÂ,
3. nu-gig an-na nin(?) sÌr-gal-gal-la
3. Heavenly virgin, queen(?)132 of the great songs,
4. aga-zi-dÉ ... nam-en-na tum-ma
4. Who puttest on a faithful crown, who hast been created fit for rulership,
5. me-imin-bi Šu-sÁ-dÚg-ga
5. Whose hand attaineth the seven decrees,
6. nin-mu me-gal-gal-la sag-sÌr-bi za-e me-en
6. My queen, of the great decrees their directress133 art thou.
7. me-mu134-ila me Šu-zu-ŠÚ mu-e-lal
7. The decrees thou bearest; the decrees thou holdest in thy hand.
8. me-mu135-ḳin me gab-zu be-tab
8. The decrees thou directest; the decrees thou claspest to thy breast(?)
9. uŠumgal-gim kur-ra sub ba-e-sĭg
9. Like a champion thou subduest the foreign lands.
10. dImmer-gim ki tÙ-gÍ-a136 d.AŠnan la-ba-Ši-gÁl
10. Like the storm-god in the place of the ... curse the grain-goddess thou leavest not.
11. a-ma-ru kur-bi-ta È-de
11. A whirlwind upon their lands thou sendest.
12. sag-kal-an-ki-a dingir-ri-bi137 me-en
12. Oh leader of heaven and earth their divinity thou art.
[pg 261]
13. ne-ne-ne-ra kalam-ma a-an-mal
13. For them thou didst create the Land (of Sumer).
14. dingiri-ir138 me-sĭg-gÀ139 nin-ur-ra-ū-a140
14. That givest orders unto the gods(?), queen that guidest the universe.
15. enim-azag-an-na-ta enim dÚg-dÚg
15. That utterest command by the holy order of Anu.
16. garza-gal-gal-la gar zu a-ba mu- ... un- ... zu
16. The great decisions who (but thee) knoweth to teach?
17. kur-gul-gul ud-de-da ba-e-sĭg
17. Thou that shatterest the mountains, by a spirit of wrath thou art filled.
18. kenag d.En-lil-lÁ kalam-ma im-mi-ni-ri
18. Beloved of Enlil, thou hast founded the Land.
19. Á-aga d.Nin-lil ba-gub-bi me-en
19. Thou art she that hast effected the mandate of Ninlil.
20. nin-mu za-pa-Ág-zu-ŠÚ kur ni-gam-gam-e
20. My lady, at thy cry the lands quake.
21. nÍ-me-lam-ra141-zu-da nam-lÙ-găl-lu
21. At the fear of thy splendor let mankind
22. nig-me-gar gĭr-bi Ù-mu-ri-gub
22. With shouting await thee.
23. me-te me-ģuŠ142-bi Šu-ba-e-ri-ti
23. Fittingly they have received their terrible decrees from thee.
24. i-lu er-ra-zu gÁl-la-ra-ab-ŠÉŠ(?)
24. Thy lamentations and mournings let them wail for thee.
25. É-a nir-gal-gal-la sil-ba mu-ri-du
25. Unto the temple the chief singers shall walk the streets for thee(??).
26. igi-mÉ-ta gar ma-ra-ta-si-ig143
26. From before the face of battle they hasten unto thee.
27. nin-mu Á-nÍ-za enim-enim-ni-dÚg-e
27. My lady, of thy fury they speak.
28. ud-ul-ul-gim ni-dÚ-dÚ-ne
28. The spirit144 like an onrushing storm rushed over them.
[pg 262]
29. ud ka-ra-ta uku im-da-ab-ra-ra
29. The spirit with a loud cry annihilated the people.
30. d.Immer-da tÙ-mu-da-an-gÍ-gÍ-in
30. By the storm god they were ... accursed.
31. im-ģul-im-ģul-da im-da-kuŠ-Ù-ne
31. By the storm winds they were brought to woe.
32. gĭr-za sil kuŠ-Ù i-ni- si
32. Thy foot hastens restless in the street.
33. balag a-nir-da i-lu mu-un-da-ab-bi
33. Upon the lyre of weeping they utter lamentation.
34. nin-mu d.A-nun-na dingir-gal-gal-e-ne
34. Oh my lady, the Anunnaki, the great gods,
35. su-din-(ģu)-dal-a-gim145 dul-dÉ mu-e-Ši-ba-ra-aŠ
35. Like a flying sudin-bird from the crannies hasten unto thee.
36. igi-gĭr-a-za-la146-ba-lag-gi-eŠ-a147
36. When before thy feet they run,
37. sag-ki gĭr-a-za sag-nu-mu-un-ne-gÀ-gÀ148
37. Unto the presence of thy feet they attain not.
38. Šag-ūb-ba-za ba-a ni-te-en-[te-en]
38. Thine angry heart who shall pacify?
39. Šag-ģul-la-za te-[en-te-en-na-Ám]
39. Thine evilly disposed heart let become calm.
40. nin ģar-ni ŠÁg nin[... -ni- ...]
40. Oh lady, whose soul is magnanimous; oh lady [whose ... is ... ]
41. ib-ba nu-te-en-[te-en....]
41. Whose wrath is unpacified....
42. nin-kur-ra-dirig-ga....
42. Lady that stormeth over the mountains....
43. ģar149-sag ki-za ba....
43. The mountains (?) thy place (?)....
44. kÁ-gal-a
44. The great gate....
[pg 263]

Col. II

1. ģalba150-ba nu....
1. Its frost....
2. ki kuŠlu-Úb....
2.
3. ka-sÌr-la(?)151....
3.
4. nir-da-ni-bi152....
4. Their afflictions....
5. uru tuŠ dinig-di-bi mer-i-in-si-[si]
5. Their city, an arid habitation, the whirlwinds have filled.
6. ḳal-Šag-gan-bi ... -ŠÚ ma-ra-ab-mÚ-[mÚ]
6. Their ... workmen in ... supplicate thee.
7. uru-zagin-ra li-be-in-dÚg-ga153
7. For the brilliant city they mourn in song.
8. a-a uku-za li-be-in-eŠ-a-a
8. The father thy creator sends forth cries of distress for it.154
9. ka-azag-zu dÉ-in-dÚg-dÚg gĭr-za ģe-ib-gÍ
9. May thy holy mouth speak the command and thy feet return.
10. Šă-ab-bi-ta ģuŠ ģe-ib-ta-an-zÍ-ni
10. From her midst mayest thou cast the cruel one.
11. sal-bi dam-a-ni-ta ŠÁg-ga-na-ÁŠ an155-da- ab- bi
11. Let a woman with her husband speak kindly.
12. gÍg-Ù-na-la156 na-an-ba-ni-ib-gÍ-gÍ
12. During the nights forever let her return unto him.
13. nig-azag Šag-ga-na nam-mu-da-an-bur-ri
13. That which is pure in her heart may she disclose.
14. Ù-gul-zi-zi-i dumu-gal d.Zu-en-na-ÁŠ
14. Fervid intercession unto the great son, Sin,
15. nin dingir-ra dirig-ga157 a-ba ki-za ba-an-tum
15. Oh lady surpassing the gods who beside thee brings?
16. me-zi-de nin-gal nin-e-ne
16. Establisher of decrees, oh great lady, their lady,
17. uru-azag-ta È-a ama-uku-ni-ir dirig-ga158
17. Thou that risest from the holy city, thou that surpassest his159 child-bearing mother,
[pg 264]
18. gal-zu igi-gÁl nin kur-kur-ra
18. Intelligent and wise, oh queen of the lands,
19. zi-gÁl kalama-zu-a sÌr-azag-zu ga-a-an-dÚg
19. Oh breath of life of thy Land, I will recite thy holy songs.
20. dingir zi-me-a tum-ma ki-bi dÚg- -ga-bi....
20. Divinity who has been made agreeable unto the fury of battle, whose words unto their place....
21. Šag-sud-du sal-zid lăg-lăg-ga me-zu ga-mu-ra-ab-dÚg(?)
21. Thou of the unsearchable heart, who purgest faithfully, I will relate thy decrees.
22. mi-ib-azag-gÀ ģu-mu-e-Ši-in-tu-ri
22. The holy mi-ib weapon verily thou causest to enter upon (the foe).
23. en me-en en- ... -ul-an-na me-en
23. “A ruler am I, a ruler ... of heaven am I.160”
24. gi-ma-sÁ-ab ni-gÙr-ru keŠda-bi-dÚg
24. The reed censer I bear and I arrange the ritual(?).
25. ki-sĭg-ga be-in-gar mÀ-e nu-mu-un-ne -ti-li
25. At the parentalia I place it; and these things I cease not to do.
26. ud-de ba-nim ud-eŠ da(?)-bÍl
26. By day I ... and daily renew
27. giŠ-gig ud-de ba-nim? -da im-mi-dÙ
27. By night and day I ... and in ... am clothed(?)161
28. KA-lÁl-mu Šu-? a-ba-ab-tum
28. My ... of honey ... I bring.
29. ninda-mur-ŠÁg-ŠÁg-mu da-ta ba-e-de-gÍ
29. By my pious offerings of baked cakes thou wilt be pacified.
30. nam-mu d.En-lil lugal an-ki
30. Something Enlil lord of heaven and earth
31. an-ra enim-mu-na-ab an-e ģa-ba-duģ-e
31. To Anu spoke as a command and verily Heaven is opened.
32. a-da-lam an-ra enim-mu-na-ab an-e mu-e-tūb
32. Now unto Anu he has spoken the command and thou causest Heaven to shudder.
33. nam-lugal-an-ni sal-e ba-ab-kÁr-ri-en
33. The royal power of Anu thou a woman hast seized.
....
....
[pg 265]

This liturgical psalm in one melody adds one more document of this kind to the classical Sumerian corpus of old short musical services on which the later complex liturgies were based.162 The title, Árabu-(ģu) Árabu-(ģu) mÚzu kÚrra munmÁllaŠu zÁe almÉnna, arranged in seven dactyls, does not appear in the catalogue of old songs given in the Assyrian list, IV Raw. 53 Col. III. Since the greater part of the psalm consists in an address of the mother goddess to Enlil on behalf of Nippur, the composition is defined as an adoration of “my mother,”163 an epithet applied to Innini by the singers in most liturgies. The psalm begins with twelve lines sung by the choir and addressed to Enlil. They then in lines 13-15 introduce Innini whom they represent in discourse before Enlil in lines 16-47. This part of the song service contains refrains characteristic of public worship. Theologically the text illustrates one of the most profound principles of Sumerian religion, the sympathy and concern of the virgin mother for mankind.164 The great daily services of the standard prayer books represent her as a mater dolorosa and she with Tammuz shares the vicissitudes of mortal life. Our text is unique and noteworthy for one salient fact. It illustrates the scenes so common on Babylonian seals, where the mother goddess stands in intercession before the god, with one or both hands raised in supplication and the left foot advanced as though about to set it on the paved approach to the throne of the deity.

[pg 266]
1. arÂ-bu-(ģu) arÂ-bu-(ģu) mu-zu kur-ra mu-un-ma-al-la-ŠÚ
1. Oh bird arabu, arabu,165 thou art he whose name is proclaimed in the world.
2. za-e al-me-en-na
3. d.Mu-ul-lil arÂ-bu-(ģu) mu-zu kur-ra mu-un-ma-al-al-la-ŠÚ
3. Oh Enlil, arabu-bird, thou art he whose name is proclaimed in the world.
4. za-e al-me-en-na
5. d.Mu-ul-lil Šag-sud-du e-ne-em zid- da
5. Enlil of unsearchable heart, of faithful word.
6. gÚ ki-ma-al166 e-ne-em di- di167
6. He that bends the neck, that speaks the word.
7. mu-zu kur-ra mu-un-ma-al-la-ŠÚ za-e al-me-en- na
7. Thou art he whose name is proclaimed in the world.
8. mu-zu kur-ra mu-un-ma-al-la-ŠÚ
8. At thy name which is proclaimed in the world,
9. dÚg-ga-zu kur-ra Ám-da-ma-al-la-ŠÚ
9. At thy discourse which is proclaimed in the world,
10. taģ-a-zu kur-ra Ám-da-ma-al-la-ŠÚ
10. At thy aid which is wrought in the world,
11. uru-me-a168 an nÍ-bi nam-dÚb ki nÍ-bi nam- sīg
11. In my city heaven trembles of itself, earth quakes of itself.169
12. nibru-(ki)-a an nÍ-bi nam-dÚb ki nÍ-bi nam- sīg
12. In Nippur the heaven trembles of itself, earth quakes of itself.
13. ama mu-gÍg-gi ama nu-bar-ra ama-mu ni-mi-ni-in-gÍ-gÍ
13. The mother virgin, the mother courtesan, my mother began discourse.
14. d.[...]-e ga-Ša-an urÚ-bar-ra-ra170
14. She the divine ..., queen of the villages,
[pg 267]
15. ... ni-mi-ni-in-gÍ- ... gÍ
15. ... discoursed.
16. ... ku-a-zu- ... dÉ
16. When in ... thou dwellest,
17. ... -la ku-gar-ra171-zu-dÉ
17. When in ... thou makest thy abode,
18. [d.Nin-lil-da?]172 ga-Ša-an keŠ-(ki)-a-ge
18. With Ninlil (?) queen of KeŠ
19. ... ģen mu-e-da-ab-tar-ri
19. ... thou decreest.

...173

20. ... ge me-ri-mu-ŠÚ174 nu-GÁ-e
20. [As I was ...] my foot I lifted not.175
21. [a-a-mu lu-]lu-mu-Ùr176 su-din-ģu ab-ba-ge
21. To my father, my benefactor, as a sudin-bird of the sea,177
22. me-ri-mu-ŠÚ nu-GA-e
22. My foot I lifted not.
23. d.Mu-ul-lil-]-e Šag-sud-da
23. [To Enlil of] unsearchable heart,
24. [Ù-mu-un e-ne]-em zi-da
24. [Lord] of faithful word,
25. [gÚ ki-ma-al e-]ne-em di-di
25. That bends the neck, that speaks the word,
26. ... ge me-ri-mu-ŠÚ nu-GA-e
26. [As I was ...] my foot I lifted not.
27. [d.Mu-ul-lil ?]-e me-ri-mu-ŠÚ Ù178-GA-e
27. [But unto Enlil] I would lift my foot.
28. ... -ra ga-Ám-Ši-rÁ
28. Unto ... verily I will go;
29. [me-ri]-mu-ŠÚ ga-mu-ni-ib-GA
29. My foot I will lift.
30. [a-a-mu]lu-lu-mu-Ùr ga-Ám-Ši-rÁ
30. To my father, my benefactor, verily I will go;
31. me-ri-mu-ŠÚ ga-mu-ni-ib-GA
31. My foot I will lift.
32. d.Mu-ul-lil-ra Šu-mu-ŠÚ ga-mu-ni-ib-GA
32. Unto Enlil my hand I will raise;
33. me-ri-mu-ŠÚ ga-mu-ni-ib-GA
33. my foot I will lift.
[pg 268]
34. me-e d.Mu-ul-lil-ra um-ma dÉ-til
35. ... ṭu179-mu-na-da- ab- dÚg
34. I unto Enlil will say, “May the mother live.”
36. a-a-mu lu-lu-mu-Ùr ab-ba dÉ-til
37. ... ṭu-mu-na-da-ab- dÚg
36. Unto my father, my benefactor, I will say, “May the father live.”
38. gÙ-gÙ gÙ-si-di ṭu-mu-na-Ám-mar
38. Words which set aright all things I will say.
39. urÚ-me-a ama dumu dÉ-im-me
40. ... dumu ama dÉ-im-me
39. In my city may the mother hail her son, may the son hail his mother.180
41. nibru-(ki)-a ama dumu-dÉ-im-me
41. In Nippur may the mother hail her son,
42. ... dumu ama dÉ-im-me
42. may the son hail his mother.
43. Ùz181-e sÍl-bi ģe-im-Ši-ib-Še-gi-en
43. To ewe and her lamb may he be propitious.
44. e-ne-em d.Mu-ul-lil-lÁ UZ-dÉ182 mÁŠ-bi
45. ... ģe-en-Ši-ib-Še-gi-en
44. May the word of Enlil be propitious to the she-goat and her kid.
46. d.Mu-ul-lil-ra uru-ni Še-ib nibru-(ki)
46. For Enlil, his city, brick-walled
47. ki-bi ga-mu-na-ab-gÍ
47. Nippur, unto its place I will restore.”
48. nÍ-na-teg nÍ-na-teg ama-mu nÍ-na teg
48. She offers devotion, she offers devotion, my mother offers devotion.

Lamentation on the Pillage of Lagash by the Elamites. 2154 (No. 6)

This neatly written but seriously damaged single column tablet carried when complete about fifty-five lines. In style the liturgical lamentation has a striking resemblance to the lamentation [pg 269] on the invasion of Sumer by the people of Gutium, published in the author's Sumerian Liturgical Texts, 120-124. The same refrain, “How long? oh my destroyed city and my destroyed temple, sadly I wail,” distinguishes both compositions.183 Other lines are common to both threnodies. The contents are similar to the lamentation on Lagash published in Cuneiform Texts of the British Museum, Vol. XV 22, of which Zimmern has published a variant VAT. 617 Rev. II 10-42, in his Sumerische Kultleider. A translation of the British Museum text will be found in the author's Sumerian and Babylonian Psalms, p. 284, an edition which can now be improved.

1. a-a[...]
1. Father [
2. ? dingir[...]
2. ...
3. a uru-gul-la É-[gul-la-mu gÍg-ga-bi im-mi]
3. How long? oh my destroyed city, my destroyed temple, sadly I wail.184
4. ud-ba enim ud-dam bi-[...]
4. At that time the word like a storm ...
5. enim d.En-lil-lÁ [...]
5. The word of Enlil ...
6. d.En-lil galu nam-tar [...]
6. Enlil who the fate of ... determined.
7. d.En-lil-li nim-[...]
7. Enlil ...
8. d.MÀ-mÀ185 dumugu [...]
8. Mama the princely son ...
9. d.Nin-mar-(ki)-ra-ge gÚ[...]
9. Ninmar ...
10. azag dāg-zagin giŠmÁ-gal-gal-la bal-[...]
10. The holy one who lapis lazuli in great ships ...
11. nin nig-ga-ŠÙ igi-[...]-ti-la a azag pi-el ...
11. The queen ... humiliates ...
[pg 270]
12. nin-e KA.? gim NE-a im-da-ra?
12. The queen ...
13. ki lagaŠ-(ki) nim-ki Šu-ni-a im-ma-Ši-in-gÍ
13. The land of Lagash he abandoned unto the hand of Elam.
14. ud-bi-a nin-e ... ud-da-ni sÁ-nam-ga186-mu-ni-ib-dÚg
14. At that time his wrathful word verily attained the queen.
15. d.Ba-Ú galu-sukal-lu-gim ud-da-ni sÁ- nam-ga-mu-ni-ib-dÚg
15. His wrathful word attained unto the divine Bau even as a messenger.
16. me-li-e-a ud-dÉ Šu-ni-a im-ma-Ši-in-gÍ
16. Woe is me, the spirit of wrath into her hand he entrusted.
17. ud uru gul-gul-e Šu-ni-a im-ma-Ši-in-gÍ
17. The spirit of wrath that destroys the city into her hand he entrusted.
18. ud É gul-gul-e Šu-ni-a im-ma-Ši-in-gÍ
18. The spirit of wrath that destroys the temple into her hand he entrusted.
19. [uru?] d.Dumu-zi-abzu-ge-ta ki nir-Ša-ki-ba-ge im187-ma ba-an-teg188
19. In the city(?) of Tammuz of the sea, the place of wailing ... terror it caused.
20. ... nir-Šag-(ki) uru nam-Šibir-ka ni-ḳar-ḳar-ge izi-ba-ab-dÚg
20. The city ... nirsag, city of ... with fire it consumed.
21. ... uru(?)-ni Ninā-(ki)-a kur-ri ba-ab-gar189
21. ... of her city Ninā it seized away to the mountains.
22. [Si]rar190-(ki) ki-dÚr kenag-gÀ-ni ģul-gÁl-e ba-ab-Šub
22. Sirar her beloved habitation an evil one has overthrown.
23. [a uru]-gul-la É-gul-la-mu gÍg-ga-bi191 im-me
23. How long? my destroyed city, my destroyed temple, sadly I wail.
24. [gÈ-pÀr]192 azag nam-en-na-ba Šu-ba-e-lÁ-lal
24. Of the holy “Dark Chamber” the priestly rites are suspended.
[pg 271]
25. [en]-bi gÈ-pÀr-ta ba-da-an-ḳar ki-erim-e ba-ab-KA(du)193
25. Its high priest from the “Dark Chamber” has been taken and unto the land of the foe has gone.
26. ... KU-si-na d.Nannar-ka da-dugud ba-Ši-in-du
26.
27. ... gan kaskal-gid d.Nannar-ka tÙr-dugud ...
27.
28. ... ḳar-ra-gim Íb-ri ba-ra- ...
28.
29. ... gim Íb-ri ba-an-de i-im-gul-gul-lu-ne194
29. ... they destroyed.
30. ... azag-ga-bi im-zÍ-ir-zÍ-ri195-e-ne ... -e-ne
30. Of the ... its holy ... they shattered and ...
31. [a uru-gul]-la É-gul-la-mu gÍg-ga-bi im-me
31. How long? oh my destroyed city and my destroyed temple, sadly I wail.
32. [gÈ-pÀr] azag nam-en-na-ba Šu-ba-e-lÁ-lal
32. Of the holy “Dark Chamber” the priestly rites are suspended.
33. [en]-bi gÈ-pÀr-ta ba-da-an-ḳar ki-erim-e ba- ab- du
33. Its high priest from the “Dark Chamber” has been taken and unto the land of the foe has gone.
34. ... gid-da-bi[...]a-nir ba-an-da-di
34.
35. ... -bi nu gud-du sag me-te-a-ÁŠ li-be-Íb-gÁl
35.
36. ... KA Íb-bi ba-ra-an-kÁd196
36.
37. ... a ... a-ri-a-e ba-da-ab-lal
37. ... has bound with him(?)
38. ... ka lÙ-erÍm-e ba-an-?
38. The ... of the ... the foe has ...
39. ... -da(?)-ab-ag
39.
40. É ... -sug-ga ba-an-dū
40.
[pg 272]
41. ki ... LU a-ri tÙr-dugud-gim ba-gul
41. ... like a ruined cattle stall has been destroyed.
42. dingir Nin [...] mÀ [...] gĭr kÚr ba-ra-an-ku
42. As for the goddess Nin ... her ... the foe has set his foot.197
43. d.Nin-lÍ-ga-ge im ... na er-ni-ŠÉŠ-ŠÉŠ
43. Ninliga ... weeps bitterly.
44. a uru-gul-la É-gul-la-mu gÍg-ga-bi im-me
44. How long? oh my destroyed city and my destroyed temple, sadly I wail.
45. gÈ-pÀr-azag nam-en-na-ba198 Šu-ba-e-lÁ-[lal]
45. Of the holy “Dark Chamber” the priestly rites are suspended.
46. en-bi gÈ-pÀr-ta ba-[da-an-ḳar ki-erim-e ba-ab-KA(du)]
46. Its high priest from the “Dark Chamber” has been taken and unto the land of the foe has gone.
47. d.Nin-a-zu-ge ...
47. Ninazu199 ...
48. d.Nin-ģar-sag ...
48. Ninharsag ...
49. tu-(ģu)-gim ...
49. Like a dove ...
50. a uru-gul-la É-gul-la-mu gÍg-ga-bi im-me
50. How long? oh my destroyed city and my destroyed temple, sadly I wail.
...
...200

This well preserved single column tablet is published by Poebel in PBS. V 26. The composition reflects the standard theological ideas found in the canonical psalms and liturgies. The mother goddess Innini is represented as a divine mother wailing for the misery of her city and her people. The calamity [pg 273] consists in the pillage of the city and its holy places by a foreign invader, who is repeatedly compared to an ox. Like the ordinary psalms of public service the singers abruptly introduce the goddess speaking in the first person as in lines 16; 18-20; 33-4. But the lamentation does not have refrains and at the end the style approaches nearly that of a prayer. The tablet also bears no liturgical note at the end. For these reasons and because of the general impression which the lines leave with the present interpreter, he classifies this text as the product of a scholastic liturgist of the Ur or Isin period whose work was not incorporated into the corpus of the official breviary.

Obverse

1. zabar aga-[zu?] im-gūr-gūr-ri
1. Oh pure one thy(?) crown overawes.
2. til-igi-da201-zu ... im-bi-bi-ri
2. Thy proceeding arrow scatters the....
3. zÍd202-gu-Šig suģur-sū-lal (ģa)-da ... -kÙr....
3. Meal of the ... bean to the beared skate-fish thou givest to eat.
4. eg ģa sĭg eg-eg ģa sŭ-lum-ma-gim im-bul-[...]—
4. She that gives fish to the stream, in the streams fish (as numerous) as dates she causes to dart about.
5. gud-dam ra e-sir unug-(ki)-ga-ge ŠÁr-Ám mu-na-ab(?)- ... uŠ
5. Rushing like an ox in the street of Erech like a multitude(?) he followed203
6. ŠÁr-ra giŠ-KU-A204 mu-na-an-dÚr-ru-ne-eŠ
6. Multitudinously in the habitations they dwelled.
[pg 274]
7. Šattam-a-ni lugal gab-gÁl205 ki-gub-bu-ne ba-ra-È
7. Her precentor,206 the defender king, whither they go, went up.
8. ugnim-e igi-im- ma- an- sĭg
8. The hosts of peoples she beholds.
9. nar-e li-du-a Šu-i-ni-in-gÍ ŭb207 Šu-na be-in-Šub
9. The singer refuses to chant and from his hand has thrown the drum.
10. ni208-nag-a-zu ni-nag-a-zu
10. Thou drinkest not; thou drinkest not.
11. a209 nu-e-nag amaŠ-zu um-mi-ni-nag
11. Water thou drinkest not, but thy sheepfolds drink.
12. ni-nag-a-zu ni-nag-a-zu
12. Thou drinkest not; thou drinkest not.
13. kaŠ nu-e-nag ÙŠ210-zu um-mu-ni-nag
13. Beer thou drinkest not, but thy protÉgÉs drink.
14. gud-dam e211 e-sir unug-(ki)-ga-ge ŠÁr-Ám ma-ra-mi-Ù-uŠ
14. Like an ox going forth in the streets of Erech like a multitude(?) he pursues thee.
15. Šar-ra-Ám giŠ-KU-A ma-ra-dÚr-ru-ne-eŠ
15. In multitudes they have taken up their abodes in the habitations.
16. mÈn212 a-na-ag-en sal-e mÀ-a ma-an-dÚg-ga sal-un-ne213 mÈn-ne-en
16. As for me what shall I do? I who have bestowed care. A sacred devotee I am.
17. gud-dam e ib-tag-ra be-in-ra ni-zu214 e-ne-ib-uŠ
17. Coming forth like an ox, hastening in destructive fury he came; even thee thyself he pursued.
18. Šar-Úr Á nam-ur-sag-gÀ-mu Šu-nu-um-ma-ti
18. The Šar-ur weapon, arm of my heroic power I have taken not in my hand.
[pg 275]
19. É ģallab-mÀ a-gil-zu215-bi dal-la mi-ni-gÍ216
19. Of my temple in Hallab its treasures he has hidden far away.
20. giŠ-dal É-an-na pa-ba mi-ni-in-kud
20. Of the tallu217 of Eanna its PA he broke off.
21. gud-dam sil-ŠÚ im-ma-na-ra-È
21. Like an ox he came up against thee on the highways.
22. gud-dam e e-sir unu-(ki)-ga-ge ŠÁr-ra mu-ni-in-gaz
22. Like an ox going forth in the streets of Erech he slaughtered multitudes(?).
23. ŠÁr-ra giŠ-KU-A-a-na mu-ni-in-dīg
23. Multitudes in their habitations he caused to die.
24. giŠ-ig kÁ-gal-la im-ma-an-gŭr-gŭr
24. The doors of the city gate he shattered.
25. a-tuģ218-na-ka ... im-ma-an-È
25. Her defender he caused to go forth,
26. Šu-PEŠ219 dumu Šu-PEŠ d.Innini-ge
26. The fisherman, the son fisherman of Innini.
27. Šen-urudu mu-na-an-bar-ri-ia-dÚg220
27. The copper vessels he scattered.
28. gud-dam ra ... im-ma-an-ra-aģ
28. Hastening like an ox he has wrought demolition.
29. gud-dam e er-im-ma-an-Šub221 sÎg-sÎg-ni-mÀ-mal222
29. Coming forth like an ox tears he has caused to fall and misery he caused to be.
[pg 276]
30. d.Innini zig223-mu sum-ma-ab
30. Oh Innini, grant me favor.
31. gud kur-ra ga-mu-ra-ab-sum tÙr-zu ga-mu-ra-ah-lu224
31. Oxen of the mountains I will give thee; thy stables I will enrich for thee.
32. udu ... kur-ra ... ga-mu-ra-ab-sum amaŠ-zu ga-mu-ra-ab-lu
32. Sheep of the mountains I will give thee; thy sheepfolds I will enrich for thee.
33. azag d.Innini-ge mu-na-ni-Íb-gÍ-gÍ225
33. Holy Innini replied:—
34. a-Šag ģallab-(ki)-a dÚr-gar be-e-gar-ra e-ku226 ni-nad-ba
34. “In the plains of Hallab thou shalt make thy abode where the people repose.”
35. ama-ba227 ... gĭr(?) ... ģa-ra-ab-tÚg-e balag-al228 ģu-mu-ra-ab-bi
35. May their hosts attend(?) thee and proclaim to thee on lyre and harp(?)
36. d.Innini nam-ur-sag-[zu]229 ga-Ám-dÚg
36. Oh Innini, I will rehearse thy valor.
37. zag-sal-zu ... dug-ga-Ám
37. It is good to sing thy praise.

Liturgical Hymn to Sin. 8097 (No. 7)

This liturgical composition consists of two melodies each designated by the rubric sagarram, “It is a sagar.” The entire service is sung to the tigÛ, a kind of flute. In the first melody of fifteen lines the choir chant the glory of the moon god and his city Ur. The second melody of twenty-four lines is apparently an address of the earth god Enlil to his son the moon god. This melody must remain obscure as long as the recurring liturgical phrase Áb-mu-ba-Ši-in-dib is unexplained.

[pg 277]
....
....
5. [...]-ni ÉŠ uri-ki mu-ŠÚ ba-an-sÁ
5. His city(?) the abode of Ur as a name he named.
6. en ud-sud-du-ge uru-ni-ta
6. As lord unto eternal days in his city,
7. d.Zu-en-e kidur230 ba-ni-in-gar
7. The god Sin he231 caused to abide.
8. uri-ki uru Šag-gi-pad-da-na
8. In Ur the city which his heart has chosen
9. È gud-gim ub-im-me
9. The temple like a strong bull calls unto the regions(?)232
10. lugal-mu ... sÁ-rin-na-ni233
10. Of my king, may his net(?)
11. ki-maģ ki-kal-kal ģe-en-na-nam-ma-Ám
11. Be upon tomb and ruins.
12. d.Zu-en-e uru kenag-gÀ-ni
12. Of Sin, may his beloved city,
13. eŠ uri-(ki) me-azag-azag-ga....
13. The dwelling-place Ur, with holy decrees a city....
14. lugal-mu bara....
14. Of my king may his chapel....
15. [...]-e nin [...] gar-ra....
15. ....
16. sa- [gar-] ra- Ám234
16. It is a sagar melody.
17. e235 d.Nannar [ Áb -] zu me-a mu-'u-lu en d.ÁŠ-Ìm-Ür
17. Hail! Nannar, of the flocks(?) thou art ruler, lord AŠimur.
19. uru igi-ila ÉŠ Šag [-gÁl ul- ] ti236-a-ni-mÀ
19. In my city of the lifting of the eyes, the home of his own abode, which is his fulness of luxury,
20. Šuruppak-gim [nam-ģar-]-gud-e237 gÁl-la-bi
20. Whose design is like Šuruppak,
21. ...-e.... Áb-mu-ba-Ši-in-dib
21. ....I have caused him to be a shepherd(?)
22. [e dumu] e.En-lil-lÁ kalama me-a mu-'u-lu en d.ÁŠ-Ìm-Ür
22. [Hail! son] of Enlil, in the Land he is ruler, lord AŠimur.
[pg 278]
24. [uru igi-] ila ÉŠ-Šag-gÁl ul-[ti]-a-ni-mÀ
24. Into my city of the lifting of the eyes, the home of his own abode, which is his fulness of luxury,
25. [Šuruppak]-gim nam-ģar-gud-[e] gÁl-la-bi
25. Whose design is like Šuruppak,

Reverse

1. [... Áb-mu-ba-] Ši-in-dib
1. [...] I have caused him to be a shepherd(?)
2. [dumu-sag d.En-lil-lÁ kalama me-a] mu-'u-lu en d.ÁŠ-Ìm-Ür
2. [First son of Enlil, in the Land he is] ruler, lord AŠimur,
4. [ud-]-dug-ga [ki-gar-ra mu-ŠÚ ga]-sÁ-a
4. [“He that institutes battle” ] as a name I name.
5. d.ÁŠ-Ìm-[Ür Šag]-gi-pad-da-mu
5. AŠimur the ... whom my heart has chosen,
6. É-mud-[kur-ra-mu]238 Áb-mu-ba-Ši-in-dib
6. In Emudkurramu I caused to be a shepherd(?).
7. dumu-sag d.En-lil-lÁ kalama me-a mu-'u-lu
7. First son of Enlil, in the Land he is ruler.
8. ud-dug-ga239-ki-gar-ra mu-[ŠÚ] ga-sÁ-a
8. “He that institutes battle” as a name I name.
9. d.ÁŠ-Ìm-Ür me-en ki [Šag]-gi-pad-da-mu
9. AŠimur thou art; where my heart has chosen,
10. É-mud-kur-ra-mu Áb-[mu-ba]-Ši-in- dib
10. In Emudkurramu I have caused thee to be a shepherd(?).
11-12. lugal tÙr-azag-ga Áb-zu me-a mu-'u-lu Šul-pa munsub-nun-na
11-12. Lord of the clean sheepfolds, ruler of the flocks is he, the glorious(?) hero, far famed shepherd.
13. Šag-tÚm-ma bara Ša mu-un-dū eŠ-e uri-(ki)-mu-[ŠÚ]
13. In the meadow a sanctuary I have built; in the abode of my city Ur,
[pg 279]
14. É-ŠÁg-nam-sar kur Dilmun-na nam
14. In the temple Šagnamsar240 which is in the mount of Dilmun,
15. É-gi-azag-bi-a Áb mu-ba-Ši-in-dib
15. In the temple of the holy stylus a shepherd I caused him to be(?)
16. dumu-sag d.En-lil-lÁ kalama me-a mu-'u-lu Šul-pa munsub nun-na
16. First son of Enlil, in the Land he is ruler, glorious(?) hero, far famed shepherd.
18. Šag-tÚm-ma bara Ša-mu-un-dū ÉŠ-e uri-ki-mu-ŠÚ
18. In the meadow a sanctuary I built; in the abode of my city Ur,
19. É-ŠÁ-nam-sar kur Dilmun-na nam
19. In the temple Šagnamsar which is in the mount of Dilmun,
20. É-gi-azag-bi-a Áb-mu-ba-Ši-in-dib
20. In the temple of the holy stylus a shepherd I have caused him to be(?)
21. sa-gar- ra- Ám
21. It is a sagar melody.
22. nar-balag241 d.Zu-en-na
22. Song on the flute to Sin.

Lamentation on the Destruction of Ur. 7080 (No. 11)

The fragment Ni. 7080 carries the right half of one of the largest literary tablets in the Museum. Broken evenly at the center from top to bottom the right half of this tablet preserves part of Col. III and all of Cols. IV, V of the obverse. The reverse correspondingly contains Cols. I, II and half of Col. III. Like so many similar liturgical compositions of the period of Ur this lamentation is divided into a series of kiŠubs or songs, here of unusually great length. The third song ends at Obv. III 38; [pg 280] its first line stood in Obv. II, which has been lost. The fourth song began at Obv. III 42 and ends at Obv. IV 23, containing thirty-four lines. The fifth song begins at Obv. IV 27 and ends at Obv. V 7, containing forty-seven lines. In the following pages will be found a translation of twenty-three lines of the end of the fourth song which describes the wrathful word of the gods Anu and Enlil. The fifth song, a remarkable ode to the wrathful word of Enlil, has been translated so far as the text permits.

The sixth song begins at Obv. V 11, and probably terminated in the broken passage at the top of Rev. I. Its length was also unusual, having at least forty-five lines. This song was edited on a small tablet Ni. 4584 on which the beginning and the end of the section are preserved. It has been published as No. 10 in Sumerian Liturgical Texts, Vol. X of the Publications of the Babylonian Section. Only a few lines at the commencement of this song have been translated here. From this point onward the language of the liturgy presents such difficulty that the writer has been unable to offer a translation.

Section seven probably ended at the top of Rev. II and refers throughout to the mother goddess who weeps over the ruins of Ur. The eighth song probably began at the top of Rev. II and ended perhaps at the top of Rev. III. It is another doleful ode to the weeping mother and many of its lines are clear and translatable. The entire song is marked by sorrowful refrains: me-li-e-a uru-mu nu-me-a, Oh woe is me, my city is no more.242 a-uru-mu im-me, How long? oh my city I cry.243 me-li-e-a uru-ta È-a-mÈn, Oh woe is me, from the city I depart.244 dingir ga-Ša-an-gal-mÈn É-ta È-a-mÈn, Great divine queen am I, [pg 281] from the temple I depart.245 er-gig ni-ŠÉŠ-ŠÉŠ, She weeps bitterly.246

Only the ends of lines of a large part of the ninth song are preserved in Rev. III. The tenth song probably occupied most of the space in Rev. IV. Speculation concerning the number of songs in the entire liturgy is limited to the number of about 11-13. The liturgy was, therefore, extremely long, attaining to a content of about 500 lines. We know from the single tablet variant of the sixth song that another edition of this series existed in which small tablets carried each a single kiŠub. A similar condition of editorial redaction is revealed by Zimmern, KL. 200, a small tablet which contains the twelfth song of a liturgy to the deified king of Isin, IŠme-Dagan.

The historical event referred to in this liturgy is undoubtedly the destruction of Ur in the time of Ibi-Sin, last of the kings of the Ur dynasty. This calamity left many traces in the temple songs of Sumer, and the Sumerian prayer books of Nippur contain other lamentations on the fall of Ur, written perhaps during the Isin period. The writer has already published a single column tablet which rehearses the same catastrophe, mentioning Ibi-Sin himself and naming the Elamites as his captors.247

Obverse IV

1. an-ni e-ne-em-bi ba-ra-mu-un-gur
1. Anu may prevent his word.
2. d.Mu-ul-lil-e ni248-ŠÁg ģe-Ám-bi
2. Enlil may order kindness.
3. ... Šag-mu ba-ra-be-in-Šed-di
3. And may my heart be at peace from sorrow.
[pg 282]
4. [...-]su-ud arad-na sag ki-ba-da-ab-gÁl-la
4.
5. [ ]-nae-ne-em-sÚr-ragur-da-bi
5. [ ] the angry word be prevented.
6. [ ] ba-da-an-dÚr-ru-ne-eŠ-a
6.
7. Ùr-ģe-im-ma-gid-gid-da ģe-im-ma-lal-lÁ
7. The foundations it has annihilated, and reduced to the misery of silence.
8. an-ra a-i-ne-mÀ me-e ģe-im-ma-na-dÚg
8. Unto Anu I will cry my “how long?”
9. d.Mu-ul-lil-ra nÍ-mu Šag-ne-du ģe-im-ma-ag
9. Unto Enlil I myself will pray.
10. uru-mu nam-ma-gul-lu ģe-im-me-ne-dÚg
10. “My city has been destroyed” will I tell them.
11. Uri-(ki) nam-ma-gul-lu ģe-im-me-ne-dÚg
11. “Ur has been destroyed” will I tell them.
12. uku-bi nam-ma-bir(?)-e ģe-im-me-ne-dÚg249
12. “Its people have been scattered” will I tell them.
13. an-ni e-ne-em-bi ba-ra-mu-un-gur
13. May Anu prevent his word.
14. d.Mu-ul-lil-e ni-ŠÁg ģe-Ám- bi
14. May Enlil order kindness.
15. Šag-mu ba-ra-be-in-Šed-di
15. And may my heart be at peace from sorrow.
16. uru-mu gul-gul-lu-ba-da-bi ģe-im-ma-an-?-eŠ
16. My city which has been destroyed may they ...
17. Uri-(ki) gul-gul-lu-ba-da-bi ģe-im-ma-an-?-eŠ
17. Ur which has been destroyed may they ...
18. uku-bi dÌg gi-bil-Šu Ág-bi ģa-ba-an-ṫar-ri-eŠ
18. Of its slain people may they decree a new dispensation.250
19. me-e nig-dÚg-mu mu-ne-sum-ma-gim251
19. I will offer my meditations unto them.
20. me-e uru-mu-da ģe-en-bi mu-un-da-lal-eŠ
20. I (will say to them): “In my city they have despised the splendor.”
21. Uri-(ki) mu-durun-da ģe-en-bi mu-(un)-da-lal-e-eŠ
21. “In Ur the city of homes they have despised the splendor.”
22. an-ni [dÚg-ga-ni ģur] nu-kÚr-ru-dam
22. Anu whose words in this manner change not.
[pg 283]
23. d. Mu-ul-lil-e eṇim-bi È-a-ni ... e-dam
23. Enlil the going forth of whose word....
24. ki-Šub-gÚ 4-kam-ma-Ám
24. It is the fourth song.
25. uru-ni ba-da-gul-Ám me-ni ba-da-kÚr-am
25. Her city has been destroyed, her ordinances have been changed.
26. giŠ-gÍ- gÁl-bi- im
26. This is its antiphon.
27. d. En-lil-li ud-de gÙ-ba-an-de
27. Enlil utters the spirit of wrath
28. uku-e Še-Ám-ŠÁ
28. and the people wail.
29. ud ģe-gÁl-la kalaṃa-da ba-da-an-ḳar
29. The spirit of wrath prosperity from the Land has destroyed
30. uku-e Še-Ám-ŠÁ
30. and the people wail.
31. ud dug Ki-en-gi-da ba-da-an-ḳar uku-e Še-Ám-ŠÁ
31. The spirit of wrath peace from Sumer has taken and the people wail.
32. ud ģul-gÁl-e Á-ba-da-an-Ág uku-e Še-Ám-ŠÁ
32. He has sent the evil spirit of wrath and the people wail.
33. ḳin-gal-ud-da ud-da-gub-ba Šu-na im-ma-an-sĭg
33. The “Messenger of Wrath,” the “Assisting Spirit” into its hand he entrusted.252
34. ud kalam-tÍl-tÍl-e gÙ-ba-an-de uku-e Še-Ám-ŠÁ
34. He has uttered the spirit of wrath which exterminates the Land and the people wail.
35. d.En-lil-li d.Gi-bil Á-taģ-a ki-mu-na-ni-in-[ ]
35. Enlil has sent Gibil as its helper.
36. ud-gal an-na-ge gÙ-ba-an-de uku-e Še-Ám-ŠÁ
36. The great spirit of Heaven has been uttered and the people wail.
37. ud-gal-e253 an-ta gÙ-ni-ib-im-me uku-e Še-Ám-ŠÁ
37. The mighty spirit on high he commanded forth and the people wail.
[pg 284]
38. ud kalam tÍl-tÍl-e azag ki ...
38. The spirit that annihilates the Land ...
39. im-ģul-e a-maģ-È-a-gim ...
39. The evil storm like a mounting inundation ...
40. giŠ-dÚr254 uru-ge sag-gaz ni-ag ...
40. The shepherd of the city it slew ...
41. an-na Ùr-ba? mu-un-nigin ...
41. Of heaven its foundation it ...
42. ud-da igi-ba-ne mu-un-ne-ne ...
42.
43. bÀr-bÀr-ri ne-gig-edin-na tÙr(?) ...
43.
44. an-ne-bar-Ám ne-gÙr-gÙr ...
44.
45. an-ne É UD-UD È ...
45.
46. kalam-ma lăg-lăg-ga ...
46.

(Lines 47-55 mostly illegible.)

Col. V.

(Lines 1-6 mostly illegible.)

7. Uri-(ki)-ma tÚg-gim ba-e-gul ... gim ba-e-bÚr
7. Ur like a garment thou hast destroyed, like a ... thou hast scattered.
8. ki-Šub-gÚ 5-kam-ma-Ám
8. It is the fifth song.
9. ud ug(?)-Ám al-[ ]uku-e Še-am-ŠÁ
9. The spirit of wrath like a lion ... and the people lament.
10. giŠ- gÍ- gÁl -bi- im
10. This is its antiphon.
11. ud-ba ud uru-da ba-da-an-gar uru-bi ...
11. At that time the spirit of wrath upon the city was wrought and the city....255
12. a-a d.Nannar uru dim-dūl-dūl-da ba-da-an-[ ]uku-e Še-Ám-ŠÁ
12. Father Nannar upon the city of master workmen ... and the people wail.
13. ud-ba ud kalama-ta ba-da-an-kÁr uku-e Še-Ám-ŠÁ
13. At that time the spirit of wrath descended upon the Land and the people wail.
[pg 285]
14. uku-bi Šika-kud-da [nu-me-a bar-ba ba-e-si]
14. Her people without water jars sit without her in desolation
15. bÁd-ba gÚ [?256]-nin [kaskala im-ma-an-gar-gar uku-e Še-Ám-ŠÁ]
15. Within her ... in the ways are placed and the people wail.
16. kÁ-gal-maģ gĭr-gÁl-la-[ba Àd-a im-ma-] an [BAD]
16. The great city gate and the highways with the dead are choked up.
17. duk?-tun-sÌr-gim dū-a-ba [sag-bal-e] ba-ab- gar
17. Like a leather vessel all of her the usurper cast asunder(?)
18. [ ] e-sir gĭr-gÁl-la-ba Àd im-ma-an-gar-gar
18. In her ... streets and roads corpses he heaped up(?)

The obverse of this fine single column tablet contained a hymn in thirty-eight lines to the departed Tammuz. It represents the people wailing for the lord of life who now sleeps in the lower world. Thirteen lines have been completely broken away from the top. The reverse carried a long liturgical song of the cult of this god in which the mother goddess is represented wailing for her ravished lover. Songs of the weeping mother are common enough in these wailings for Tammuz, but all other known examples of this motif represent the major unmarried type of mother goddess Innini-Ishtar wandering on earth, crying for her departed son. The hymn on our tablet reveals in a wholly unexpected manner the close relation between the mother goddess Gula of Isin and Innini. It was known that both sprang from a common source, a prehistoric unmarried goddess, but one had hardly supposed that the liturgists went so far as to introduce [pg 286] the married goddess of Isin in the rÔle of the virgin mother Innini. The great mother divinity of Isin, although attached in a loose way to a male consort Ninurta, in that city retained, nevertheless, much of her ancient unattached character. In the standard liturgies she is almost invariably the type of Weeping mother, whereas Innini is this type in the Tammuz liturgies. Since Gula of Isin was the ordinary liturgical type we find the influence of the ordinary liturgies effective in the composition of the Tammuz hymn. It explains the extraordinary phenomenon of the introduction of a long passage (Rev. 3-10) from one of the wailing liturgies. And the short litany refrain lines 11-20 is obviously an imitation of numberless similar passages of the ordinary liturgies in which the goddess wails for various temples; here only for Nippur and Isin, since the composition was written for the services at Nippur in the period of the Isin dynasty. In a most gratifying manner our tablet shows how the lamentations of the mother goddess in the canonical prayer books express sorrows for certain concrete misfortunes and certain defined temples and cities and find their general expression in the lamentations for Tammuz, the representative of all human vicissitudes. This edition has been made from my own copy. The tablet was first published by Myhrman, PBS. Vol. I No. 5, and by Radau, BE. 30 No. 2. To these copies I have been able to make only slight additions.

Hymns of the Tammuz Cult

1. KU-? [ ]
1.
2. kalag giŠ [ ]
2. Oh strong one [ ]
3. me-ri kuŠ-Ù-[zu257 ]
3. Thy weary foot [ ]
[pg 287]
4. Á-lirum-Šu258-[kuŠ-Ù-zu ... ]
4. Thy weary arms—breast—hands [ ]
5. a-zu259-guruŠ a-zu [ ]
5. Oh strong healer, oh ... healer [ ]
6. kalag d.Da-mu-mu [ ]
6. Oh strong one, my Damu [ ]
7. ṭu-mu Ù-mu-un mu-zi-da [ ]
7. Oh child, lord GiŠzida [ ]
8. a-zu a dam ... ni-kuŠ-Ù-a-zu
8. Oh healer, how long husband ... wilt thou be weary?
9. a-zu a ṭu-mu ... ni-kuŠ-Ù-a-zu
9. Oh healer, how long son ... wilt thou be weary?
10. i-dÉ (?) ... ṭu-ru ? [na?] zu-dÉ
10. When before ... thou sittest,
11. kalag da-ga-Ám-ma260-ni ... zu-dÉ
11. Oh strong one, when into his assembly thou ...
12. a-rib261 Šu-si me-ri ... a-bal-mÀ na-nam
12. Alas he whose fingers and feet [are bound], my irrigator262 is he.
13. Šag-zu-ŠÚ la-aģ-[la-aģ-]ģu-a-zu
13. Because of thee she wanders far for thee.
14. kalag d.Da-mu-mu a-bal-mÀ na-nam
14. My sturdy Damu, my irrigator is he.
15. ama-zu mu-lu er-ri nu-kuŠ-Ù
15. Thy mother she of lamentation rests not.
16. ama ga-Ša-an tin-dib-ba tÚb-bi-ŠÚ nu-durun
16. The mother, queen who gives life to the afflicted, tarries not to repose.
17. Ù-Šub-ba-za Ù-zi-ga-za sÌr-ri-ŠÚ na-ri-bi
17. In thy perdition, in thy seizure, in melodious sighing she speaks of thee.
18. kalag a-rin-na-za Ù(?) a-tar-ra-za sÌr-ri-ŠÚ na-ri-bi
18. Oh hero, in thy contumely, in thy removal, in melodious sighing she speaks of thee.
[pg 288]
19. ama-ugu-mu GAR-LUL-LUL-na-mu sÌr-ri-ŠÚ nu-uŠ ma-gub-bi
19. My child-bearing mother, my lamenter(?) with melodious sighing behold she stands
20. kalag idim-[ma me-]en galu-kur-al
20. Oh sturdy one, prostrate thou art, a man of the land of wailing(?)263
21. en ... me-en galu-kur-dim264
21. Oh lord, ... thou art, a man of the land of lament.
22. unu-[dagal-mu] kur-idim-ma-mu
22. In my vast chamber, in my land of misery,
23. en me-en a-ra-li ki-sag kirud-da-mu
23. A lord am I. In Aralu, place where I am cast away,
24. kalag me-en kur-ri-sud-du-ŠÚ im-ma-ab-du me-en
24. A laborer am I. Unto the faraway land I go.
25. ud-me-e-na265 ni- ? ?
25. Daily(?) he [sorrows?]266

Reverse

1. Šă-ab-er-ri267 kuŠ-Ù-a-mu ma-a-a nad-da-[mu]
1. I weary with heart woe, where shall I rest?
2. balag-di Šă-ab-er-ri kuŠ-Ù-a-mu ma-a-a nad-da-[mu]
2. Oh sing to the lyre; I weary with heart woe, where shall I rest?
3. ama uru-sag ga-Ša-an tin-dib-ba mÈn
3. Mother of the chief city,268 queen who gives life to the dead am I.
4. sag-ṭu-an-na ga-Ša-an Ì-si-in-(ki)-na mÈn
4. First born daughter of heaven,269 queen of Isin am I.
5. ṭu-mu É-a ga-Ša-an-mu270 d.Gu-nu-ra
5. Daughter of the temple, Queen Gunura.
6. tum-lu-azag ama É-Šăb-ba mÈn
6. Holy tumlu mother of EŠabba am I.
[pg 289]
7. d.En-Á-nun271 ama gÙ-an-ni-si mÈn
7. Enanun mother of lamentation am I.
8. ga-Ša-an nigÍn-mar-ra ki-azag-ga mÈn
8. Queen of Niginmarra,272 the holy place, am I.
9. ga-Ša-an ÁŠ-te273 ... ga-Ša-an La-ra-ak-(ki) mÈn
9. Queen of AŠte,274 queen of Larak.
10. ama É-a d.AŠnan d.Azag-sud mÈn
10. Mother of the temple, AŠnan the divine lustrator275 am I.
11. Šă-ab-er-ri a-Še-ir-ri ma-a kuŠ-Ù-mu
11. Weeping and sighing where shall I find rest?
12. er É-kur-ra-ge ma-a kuŠ-Ù-mu
12. Weeping for Ekur, where shall I repose?
13. er kenur-ra-ge ma-a kuŠ-Ù-mu
13. Weeping for Kenur, where shall I repose?
14. er dÙ-azag-ga-ge ma-a kuŠ-Ù-mu
14. Weeping for Duazagga, where shall I repose?
15. er É-dīm-ma276-ge ma-a kuŠ-Ù-mu
15. Weeping for the “House of the King,” where shall I repose?
16. er uru-sag-gÀ-ge ma-a kuŠ-Ù-mu
16. Weeping for the chief city, where shall I repose?
17. er tir-azag-ga277-ge ma-a kuŠ-Ù-mu
17. Weeping for the sacred forest, where shall I repose?
18. er Ì-si-in-(ki)-na-ge ma-a kuŠ-Ù-mu
18. Weeping for Isin, where shall I repose?
19. er É-gal-maģ-a-ge ma-a kuŠ-Ù-mu
19. Weeping for Egalmah, where shall I repose?
20. er La-ra-ak-(ki)-a-ge ma-a kuŠ-Ù-[mu ma-a na]-d-da-bi
20. Weeping for Larak, where shall I repose, where shall he rest?
21. Šă-ab dam-e-mu Ša-ab [tu-mu-]278 mu
21. The ravished one my husband, the ravished one, my son,
22. [...] ki-el-la Šăb mu-ud-na-mu
22. [In ... ] the clean place, the ravished one my spouse,
[pg 290]
23. ṭu-mu-tūr ṭu-[mu ... ]
23. The little son, the ... son [...]
24. ga-Ša-an [...]
24.
25. Šă-ab [...]
25.
26. AN-NE [...]
26.
27. sukkal [...]
27. 279
L. E. a-Šab-ba-ni a-ba-bar-ra-ni
L. E. How long his ravishing? how long his absence?280

The history of the text of this long and intricate Enlil liturgy elucidates in unusual manner the evolution of Sumerian prayer books until they attained canonical and permanent form. The earliest text of this liturgy is partially preserved on the Tablet Virolleaud published in the Revue d'Assyriologie, Vol. XVI. The fragment was brought to Europe in 1909 by the assyriologist Charles Virolleaud, having been purchased by him during his excavations in Persia. It is light brown and varies from the center to the edge by two inches to one inch in thickness. The fragment is from the upper left corner of a large three(?) column tablet. About half of the first melody is preserved on the obverse. The reverse preserves the last two melodies. From their rubrics we learn that the entire series contained eleven sections. This tablet has the rubric ki-Šub-gÚ after each strophe. The titular litany281 occupies as usual the next to the last place but only the opening lines giving the motif and a few titles are given. The redactor indicates the remaining titles by a rubric “(Recite the title) of a [pg 291] god until they are finished.” The rubric is in Semitic which shows that the redaction was done by Semitic scholars.

The series as it finally issued from the hands of the liturgists in the Isin period was written upon a huge five(?) column tablet, the lower half of which has been published by Zimmern, Altsumerische Kultlieder, No. 11. Each column contained about fifty lines. There are no giŠ-gÍ-gal or antiphons after the melodies, ten of which I have been able to restore. By borrowing from old songs and other liturgies the redactors have greatly increased the length of this service. At least ten songs have been lost on Cols. III, IV of the obverse and I, II of the reverse.

The late Assyrian redaction is mentioned in the catalogue of prayer books IV Raw. 53 I 13 and in BL. No. 103 Obv. 13. SBH. No. 21, edited in SBP. 112-119, is tablet one of the late Babylonian School282 and contains the first four songs, duplicates of the first four on K.L. 11. SBH. No. 25, edited in SBP. 120-123,283 carries on the obverse two songs (e-lum di-da-ra and me-e ur-ri men) found on Col. III of K.L. No. 11, Rev., or the two last melodies before the titular litany. A fragment published by Meek in BA. X pt. 1, No. 11, contains the end of e-lum di-da-ra and all of me-e ur-ri men. SBH. 25 and Meek No. 11 belong to the series e-lum di-da-ra, entered in the Assyrian catalogue, IV Raw. 53a 8, and form tablet one of that service.

The titular litany of the e-lum gud-sun series is identical (except for some variants) with the famous titular litany of the mother goddess series mu-ten NU-NUNUZ gim-ma, tablet five, edited in SBP. 149-167. Portions of the titular litany of the Enlil series have been edited in PBS. X 155-167, see pages 163-4. The titular litany of nÍ-ma-al gÙ-de-de occurs at the end [pg 292] of tablet two of that series, SBP. 24-9 = BL. 72-3. Not every series has a theological litany of this kind, which ordinarily comes before the er-Šem-ma, or intercessional song at the end. The song to the “word,” which occurs in all series, is partially preserved on Obv. III and begins a-ma-ru na-nam. The indispensable song to the weeping mother comes just before the titular litany. This little nine-line melody me-e ur-ri-mÈn me-e kÀs-mÈn must have been a national religious song. It was copied into another Enlil song service as we have seen. The same song introduces tablet four of an Innini series of which we have only the end of tablet three, K. 2759, in BL. 93 f.

Finally the reader will note that the first song e-lum gud-sun of this series has been copied into one of the tablets of ame baranara, SBH. No. 22 = SBP. 126 f. A fragment of some unknown series, K. 8603 = BL. 14 also employs this song in the body of its text.

1. e-lum gud-sun mu-zu kur-kur-ŠÚ284
1. Exalted one, bull that overwhelms, thy name is on the lands.
2. Ù-mu-un-e285 kur-kur-ra gud-sun
2. Lord of the lands, bull that overwhelms, thy name, etc.286
3. Ù-mu-un dÚg-ga-zi-da gud-sun
3. Lord of the faithful word, bull that overwhelms, etc.
4. d.Mu-ul-lil a-a ka-na-Ág287-gÀ ... gud-sun
4. Enlil, father of the Land, bull that overwhelms, etc.
5. sib sag-gÍg-ga gud-sun
5. Shepherd of the dark-headed people, bull that overwhelms, etc.
6. i-dÉ-duģ ni-te-na gud-sun
6. Thou of self-created vision, bull that overwhelms, etc.
[pg 293]
7. am GĬR288-na sÁ-sÁ gud-sun
7. Wild bull who directs his hosts, bull that overwhelms, etc.
8. Ù-lul-la ku-ku289 gud-sun mu-zu kur-kur-ŠÚ
8. Thou that sleepest the sleep of perversity, bull that overwhelms, thy name is on the lands.
9. mu-zu kur-ra mu-ma-al-la-ŠÚ an nÍ-bi nam-dÚb
9. When thy name is laid upon the lands the heavens tremble of themselves,
10. ki nÍ-bi nam-sīg
10. and the earth quakes of itself.
11. d.Mu-ul-lil e-ne-em-zu kur-ra-Ám ma-ma-al-la-ŠÚ
11. Oh Enlil, when thy word is laid upon the lands,
12. dÚg-ga-zu kur-ra-Ám ma-ma-al-la-ŠÚ
12. When thy command is laid upon the lands,
13. daģ-a-zu kur-ra-Ám ma-ma-al-la-ŠÚ
13. When thy command290 is laid upon the lands,
14. an nÍ dÚb sīg291 ki nÍ-bi nam-sīg
14. The heavens tremble of themselves, the earth of itself quakes,
15. ama [nu]292-gÍg-gi ama nu-bar-ra dumu-ni mi-ni-in-gÍ-gÍ
15. The harlot mother, the hierodule mother slays her son,
16. ... ga-Ša-an uru bar-ra-ra dumu-ni mi-ni-in-gÍ-gÍ
16. ... queen of the city, outside the city slays her son.
17. ... dumu-ni mi-ni-in-gÍ-gÍ
17. ... slays her son.
18. e-lum ... e-ne-em-zu-ŠÚ ... kur-ri ni-in-gÍ-gÍ
18. Oh exalted ... at thy word ... the foreign land thou reducest to the misery of silence.
19. d.Mu-ul-lil mu-lu? A ...
19. Enlil lord of ...293
20. kur-ri ni-in-gÍ-[gÍ]
20. the foreign land thou reducest to the misery of silence
21. e-lum za-e e-ne-em-zu an-e um-ma-[dÚg]
21. Oh exalted one, as for thee, thy word in heaven speak
22. an-e ib-[...]
22. and heaven shall ...
23. d.Mu-ul-lil za-e e-ne-em-zu ki-e um-[ma-dÚg]
23. Enlil, as for thee, thy word on earth speak
[pg 294]
24. ki nu-um-[ ]
24. and earth shall not....
25. dim-me-ir a-tÚ-a294 um-ma-dÚg....
25. God of libation speak [and heaven shall ... and earth shall not....]
26. d.am an-ki am uru zÍ-ba-ge um-ma-dÚg [....]
26. Divine wild ox of heaven and earth, wild ox of the good city295 speak, etc.
27. ama É-maģ-a296 d.[Dam-gal-nun-na-ge]
27. Mother of the house of the famous one, Damgalnunna,
28. um-ma-dug [....]
28. speak, etc.
29. d.Asar-lÙ-dug-e [dumu uru zÍ-ba-ge]
29. Marduk, son of the good city297
30. um-ma-dÚg [....]
30. speak, etc.
31. d.Ìd ama uru zÍ-ba-ge um-[ma dug....]
31. River goddess, mother of the good city speak, etc.
32. d.A-?298-e ga-Ša-[an ab-su-ra-ka-di299 um-ma-dug....]
32. Zarpanit queen of ... speak, etc.
33. [sukkal-zid mu-dug-ga]-sÁ-a-ra um-ma300
33. Faithful messenger, called by a good name, speak, etc.
34. [ud-dÉ du(l)- du(l)-]dÚg Šu-Ám mi-ib-gÁl
34. [The spirit] reduces [all things] to tribute.301
35. te-e-Ám ama-gan-ra dumu-ni zÍ-em-mÀ-na-ad(!)-du302
35. How long shall the child-bearing mother reject her son?
36. te-e-Ám ama-gan-ra ga-Ša-an urÚ303 bar-ra-ra dumu-ni zÍ-em-mÀ-na-ad(!)-du
36. How long shall the child-bearing mother, queen of the city, cast aside her son?304
[pg 295]
37. te-e-Ám ama-gan-ra ga-Ša-an sun-na-ra305 dumu-ni zÍ-em-mÀ-na-ad-du
37. How long shall the child-bearing mother, the wild-cow queen, reject her son?
38. a urÚ-a mu-lu im-me-a-ra306 dumu-ni zÍ-em-mÀ-na-ad-du
38. How long in the city shall he of wailing reject his son?
39. a ki-dagar-ra-Ám Nippur-Ám ib ÉŠ-ga-a-ra307
39. How long in the wide land, in Nippur, in the region of the vast abode?
40. a-gal-gal Šel-su-su mulu ta-zu mu-un-zu308
40. Flood that drowns the harvests, who comprehends thy form?
41. e-lum a-gal-gal Šel-su-su mulu ta-zu mu-un-zu
41. Exalted, flood that drowns the harvests who comprehends thy form?
42. d.mu-ul-lil Ù-mu-un kur-kur-ra
42. Enlil lord of the lands, who etc.

Obverse II

1. Ù-mu-un dÚg-ga-zi-da309
1. Lord of the faithful word, who etc.
2. d.mu-ul-lil a-a ka-nag-ga
2. Enlil father of the Land, who etc.
3. sib sag-gÍg-ga
3. Shepherd of the dark-headed people, who etc.
4. i-dÉ-duģ nÍ-te-na
4. Thou of self-created vision, who etc.
[pg 296]
5. am erin-na sÁ-sÁ
5. Hero who directs his hosts, who etc.
6. Ù-lul-a dÚr-dÚr
6. Thou that sleepest the sleep of perversity, who etc.
7. Šag gi-ū gi-ū Šă-ab tÚg-e tÚg-e
7. Oh heart be reconciled, be reconciled, oh heart repose, repose.
8. Šag an-na gi-ū gi-ū
8. Oh heart of Anu be reconciled, be reconciled.
9. Šag d.mu-ul-lil gi-ū gi-ū
9. Oh heart of Enlil be reconciled, etc.
10. Šag ur-sag-gal gi-ū gi-ū310
10. Oh heart of the great hero, be reconciled, etc.
11. nÍ-ma-al-e zid al-ma-al311 [li-]e312 nap-tan-na aŠ-Ša-ka-nu
11. Kneaded bread for the feast I set,
12. nÍ-ma-al-e nÍ-ma-al-e
12. Kneaded bread, kneaded bread,
13. nÍ-ma-al-e zid al-ma-al
13. Kneaded bread for the feast I set,
14. [kur-gal d.en-lil-]da Šu-en-ne ba-tÚg
14. By the Great Mountain, Enlil, it has been blessed.
15. [a-a d.mu-ul-lil] Šu-en-ne ba-tÚg
15. By Father Enlil it has been blessed.
16. [kur-gal d.en-lil-]Šu-en-ne ba-tÚg
16. The Great Mountain Enlil has blessed.
17. [a-a d.mu-ul-lil] Šu-en-ne ba-tÚg
17. The Father Enlil has blessed.313
18. Ù-mu-un am urÚ-zÍ-ib-(ki) Šu-en-ne-ba-tÚg
18. Lord, hero of the sacred city, has shown grace.
19. ama-É-maģ314-a d.dam-gal-nun-na
19. Mother of the house of the famous one, Damgalnunna, has shown grace.
20. d.asar-lÙ-dug dumu urÚ zÍ-ib-(ki)
20. Asarludug, son of the sacred city, has shown grace.
21. mu-ud-na-an-ni d.apin315-nun-na-an-ki
21. His wife Zarpanit has shown grace.
[pg 297]
22. d.Ìd ama urÚ zi-ib-(ki)
22. River goddess, mother of the sacred city, has shown grace.
23. d.a-rĭ-e ga-Ša-an ab-su-di316
23. Zarpanit queen of ..., etc.
24. sukkal-zid mu-dug-ga-sÁ-a Šu-ba-e-en
24. Faithful messenger, called by a good name, has shown grace.
25. nÍ-ma-al-e zÍ-ib ni-ma-al-la-ta
25. The kneaded bread which has been well made,
26. zÍ-ib ni-ma-al-la-ta nÍ-ma-al-e zÍ-ib-bi dÉ-kÙr-e317
26. Which has been well made, the kneaded bread may he eat graciously,
27. d.mu-ul-lil-li zÍ-ib-bi-kÙr zÍ-ib-bi dÉ-kÙr-e
27. May Enlil graciously eat; yea graciously eat.

Col. III

(Here began a melody of which ten lines at least are lost.)

11. É-....[ta (=KL. 11 Obv. III 1)]
11.
12. unugal(?)-da....[ta ]
12.
13. dÙ-sag-ÁŠ324-ta [ ]
13.
14. É-bi-tūr-ta d.[ ]
14.
15. ÉŠ È-bÀr-ta [ ]
15.
16. ÉŠ É-an-na-[ta ]
16.
17. Še-ib [ ]
17.
18-22 ...
18-22 ...
23. É [ ]
23.
24. dÙ(?) [ ]
24.
25. ...
25.
26. [mu-un-]tÚg-gÀ-ta [ ]
26. He has been pacified [ ]
27. mu-un-tÚg-gÀ-ta [ ]
27. He has been pacified [ ]
28. mu-un-tÚg-gÀ-ta [ ]
28. He has been pacified [ ]
29. mu-un-tÚg-gÀ-ta Šag d.[ ]
29. He has been pacified, the heart of ... [has been pacified]
30. mu-un-tÚg-gÀ-ta kur-gal d.m[u-ul-lil mu-un-tÚg-gÀ-ta]
30. He has been pacified, the great mountain [Enlil has been pacified]
[pg 299]
31. edin-na ? -a erida (ki)-ta
31. In the ... plain of Eridu....325
32. a-ma-ru na-nam kur al-gul-gul
32. A tempest it is shattering the mountain.
33. Ù-mu-un-e e-ne-em-mÀ-ni a-ma-[ru na-nam]
33. The word of the lord is a tempest.
34. Šăb-bi e-lum-e a-ma-ru na-[nam]
34. The heart326 of the exalted is a tempest.327
35. Šăb-bi d.mu-ul-lil a-ma-ru na-nam
35. The heart of Enlil is a tempest.
36. Ù-mu-un-na Šag an-ŠÚ an nÍ-ne ba-ni-ib-gam-ma-[ne]
36. The heart of the lord is in heaven and the heavens waver of themselves.328
37. d.mu-ul-lil e-ne-em ki-ŠÚ ki nÍ sīg-ga-ni
37. The word of Enlil is on earth and the earth trembles of itself.
38. e-ne-em-mÀ d.a-nun-na gil-li-em-eŠ-[a-ni]329
38. The word which brings woe to the spirits of earth.
39. e-ne-em-mÀ-ni a-zu nu-tuk Šim-Šar nu-[un- tuk]
39. His word a prophet has not; a magician it has not.
40. e-ne-em-mÀ-ni a-ma-ru zi-ga gab-Šu-gar nu-un-tuk330
40. His word is an onrushing tempest, an adversary to oppose it has not.

(Here followed Obv. IV; eight or ten lines continued this melody to the word. Their contents were similar to SBP. 100, 49-57 ff.)

Reverse III331

1. sukkal-zid mu-dug-ga-sÀ-a [ ]
1. The faithful messenger, he called by a good name.
2. dingir ga-Še-dÉ a-be-in-si sag [ ]
2. The god who satiates with milk and grain, sag332....
[pg 300]
3. an-ki-bi-da im-mi-ib-ģun-gÀ
3. Heaven and earth it has pacified.
4. ki-an-bi-da im-mi-ib-ģun-gÀ
4. Earth and heaven it pacified.
5. ud É-kÙr-ta kÙr-gal d.mu-ul-lil [im-mi-ib-ģun-gÀ]
5. When in Ekur the great mountain Enlil it pacified,
6. É-lam-ma333-ta ama-gal d.nin-lil im[-mi-ib-ģun-gÀ]
6. [When] in Elamma the great mother Ninlil it pacified,
7. an-ni-gar-ra334-ta ereŠ335 d.mu-ul-[-lil im-mi-ib-ģun-gÀ]
7. In Annigarra the consort (sister) of Enlil it pacified.
8. e-lum di-da-ra dÉ-en336 ga-Ám-dÚr
8. The exalted who walketh forth, where tarries he?337
9. di-da-ra e-lum di-da-ra dÉ-en ga-Ám-dÚr
9. Who walketh forth, the exalted who walketh forth, where tarries he?
10. Ù-mu-un-e kur-kur-[ra-ge di-da-ra]
10. The lord of the lands, who walketh forth, where tarries he?
11. [Ù-mu-]un-e dÚg-ga-zi-da di
11. The lord of faithful word, who etc.
12. d.mu-ul-lil a-a ka-nag-gÀ di
12. Enlil, father of the Land, who etc.
13. sib sag-gÍg-ga di
13. Shepherd of the dark-headed people, who etc.
14. i-dÉ-duģ nÍ-te-na di
14. He of self-created vision, who etc.
15. am erin-na sÁ-sÁ di
15. Hero that directs his hosts, who etc.
16. Ù-lul-la dÚr-dÚr di
16. He that sleeps the sleep of perversity, who etc.
17. me-e bur-maģ-a kaŠ ga-an-na-ab nisak-ka
17. I in a great bowl will pour out wine to him.
18. ama-gim dugud338-da da-mu-un-lal
18. I like a wild ox will bow down to the mighty one.339
[pg 301]
19. urÚ-zu al-gul-gul ga-an-na-ab-dÚg
19. “Thy city is destroyed,” will I say to him.
20. kenur É-nam-ti-la al
20. “Kenur and Enamtila are destroyed,” will I say to him.
21. zimbir-(ki) É-bÀr-ra al
21. “In Sippar Ebarra is destroyed,” etc.
22. urÚ-zu tin-tir-(ki) al
22. “Thy city Babylon is destroyed,” etc.
23. É-sag-ila bÁd-si-ab-ba-(ki) al
23. “Esagila and Barsippa are destroyed,” etc.
24. É-zi-da É-maģ-ti-la al
24. “Ezida and Emahtila are destroyed,” etc.
25. É-te-me-en-an-ki al
25. “Etemenanki is destroyed,” etc.
26. É-dÁr-an-na al340
26. “Edaranna is destroyed,” etc.
27. gi-er-ra ba-mă ga-an-na-ab-dÚg341
27. “Wailing on the reed-flute ascends in her,”342 will I say to him.
28. ud ma-ra mu-un-zal-la-ta i-dÉ-a-ni nu-gub
28. When I am overjoyous in his presence may I not stand.
29. d.mu-ul-lil-li mu-un-zal-la-ta i-dÉ-[a-ni nu-gub i-dÉ-nam-mu-un-dŭ-ru]
29. As to Enlil when I am overjoyous in his presence may I not stand.
30. d.mu-ul-lil-li i-dÉ-a-ni nu-gub i-dÉ-nam-mu-un-dŭ-ru
30. In the presence of Enlil may I not stand; may he behold me not.
31. me-e ur-ri-mÈn me-e kÀs-mÈn343
31. I am a stranger and a fugitive.
32. a È-ne al-dib a È-ne al-dib
32. The risen waters seized away; the risen waters seized away.
33. [nin]-urÚ-ma ama-gal d.nin-lil-lÀ [mÈn]
33. Queen of city and house, great mother Ninlil am I.
34. [d.a]-ru-ru SAL+KU d.mu-ul-lil-lÀ [mÈn]
34. Aruru, sister of Enlil I am.
35. [nin?]Ú-a gaŠan ni-ib-bur mÈn
35. A queenly caretaker, queen of Nippur I am.
[pg 302]
36. [gaŠan] azag-ga344 gaŠan ma-gÍ-a mÈn
36. An holy queen, queen of the convent I am.
37. ma ma-al-la-ŠÚ ma ma-al-la-ŠÚ
37. In the builded house, in the builded house,
38. d.mu-ul-lil [umun?] kÚr-kÚr-ra ma
38. Enlil [lord] of lands in the builded house,
39. [ereŠ]-mu mu-un-til ma
39. My consort dwells not in the builded house.
40. At the end of this column began a long titular melody.345

(Lines 1-11 of this melody, i. e., 40-51 on KL. 11, III, are supplied by Tablet Virolleaud, Rev. 1-11, and restores the entire section.)

Reverse IV(?)

1. d.Mu-ul-lil-li dam-a-ni d.Nin-lil-li
1. Enlil and his consort Ninlil (we will pacify). (= Tab. Vir. Rev. 12.)
2. An d.UraŠa ki-Še-gu-nu-e346
2. Anu-UraŠ kisegunu.
3. d.En-ki d.Nin-ki En-ul d.Nin-ul
3. Enki and Ninki, Enul and Ninul.
4. d.En-da-Šurim-ma d.Nin-da-Šurim-ma
4. EndaŠurimma, NindaŠurimma.347
5. d.En-dÙ-azag-ga d.Nin-dÙ-azag-ga348
5. The Lord of Duazag, the Queen of Duazag.

(Here supply twenty-eight lines = SBP 154, 24-156, 51.)

Reverse V(?)

1. d.En-Á-nun ama gÙ-an-ni-si
1. Enanun mother of loud weeping.364
2. d.NINDA + GUD365 amar zag-gi-ra366
2. Ninda-Gud, the radiant son.
3. d.SÚ-nir-da367 en Šul-mÉ-ra
3. Šunirda, queen, heroine of battle.
4. dumu-ŠÁg-ga ga-Ša-an kÁr368-nun-na-ra
4. The pious daughter, Ninkar-nunna.369
5. ga-Ša-an dig-ga dingir-lum-ma370 ur-sag
5. Queen(?) of the dead, Lumma the heroic.
6. Ù-mu-un uru371-gal Ù-mu-un É372-gid-da
6. Lord of the grave, lord of the seizing hand.
[pg 305]
7. d.Ir373-ra-gal kÚ-a-nu-si-ra374
7. Great Girra, hero unopposable.
8. lamma-ŠÁg-ga sil-gig edin-na
8. The good genius of the dark ways of the plain.375
9. d.Nin-sÎg-ge d.GuŠkin-banda-ra
9. Ninsig GuŠkinbanda,
10. Ù-mu-un nig-nam-ma-ge ḪU376-kur-kur377
10. Lord of whatsoever is, the sculptured form.
11. sal-si378-a d.Ba-Ú379-ŠÁg-ga
11. The earth woman, beneficent Bau.
12. Ù-mu-un nÉ me en380 ga-Ša-an abzu
12. Lord of might, lord of decrees, priest of the deep.381
13. d.AŠnan d.Azag-sug382 mun-galu383-sal-sal
13. AŠnan the divine cleanser, the ... loud crying.
14. [Ù-mu-un] sa-a384 ki-sÁ385 dumu nun-ra
14. Lord of light, director of the earth, and the daughter of the prince.386
15. [gidim uru-]ma ur sag-imin
15. The demon of my city the dog of seven heads.
16. [d.Gi-bil mu- ? ?]-na387 mu-ten ur-sag
16. Gibil ... warlike man.
17. [d.Ut-ta-ed-dÉ mu-lu] ki-azag-ga
17. Uttaedde lord of the holy place.
18. [umun ma-da sub-be an-na ]
18. [Lord of the land, light of heaven.]388
[pg 306]
19. [umun Á-zu umun e389-gid-da ]
19. [Lord Nergal, him of the seizing hand.]
20. [ga-Ša-an-nÉ-da umun mu-zi-da]
20. [Allat and NingiŠzida]390
21. [ ] dū-a
21. [ ]
22. [ ]-ga
22. [ ]391
23. [d.Ir-ri-eŠ ur-sag ga-Ša]-an-subur
23. [IrriŠ, the heroic] lord of the soil.
24. [dingir ama É-uru-sag-gÀ gaŠan tin-dib-ba]
24. [The divine mother of the temple of the chief city392 queen who gives life to the dead.]
25. [sag-gÀ an-na gaŠan] Í-si-in-na
25. The lofty browed queen of Isin.
26. [d.Pa-bil-sag Ù-mu-]un La-ra-ag-ga
26. Pabil-sag393 lord of Larak.
27. [d.Gu-nu-ra dim-gal] kalam-ma
27. Gunura bar of the Land.
28. [d.Da-mu ŠÁg-ga Ù-]mu-un gir-su-a
28. The pious Damu lord of the flood.394
29. [d.Immer Ù-mu-un] nÍ-dŭ-an-na
29. Immer lord of terror.395
30. [ ] Íd-da-ra
30. ... the river.396
31. [Ù-mu-un Ši ka-nag-]gÀ Ši kur-kur-ra
31. Lord of the souls of Sumer, of the souls of the lands.
32. [d.SÚ-ud-da-am du-mu nun-na ama É-]Šab-ba
32. Suddam, daughter of the prince, mother of EŠabba.

About twenty-four lines completed this column and ended the liturgy. The void is to be completed by part of the titular litany, SBP. 160, 19-164, 38, and by a short intercession similar to the fragmentary intercession at the end of KL. No. 8. It is possible that the eleventh and last section on Tablet Virolleaud was retained as the final melody of this later redaction.

Ni. 11359, published by Myhrman, PBS. I. No. 8, is the left upper corner of a large four column tablet. It contained a series of ki-Šub melodies which formed the prototype of the later Enlil series of which three tablets have been edited by the writer, see Sumerian Liturgical Texts 167. It stands to the completed series as the similar tablet of the e-lum gud-sun series, Tablet Virolleaud, is related to its completed canonical form in Zimmern, KL. 11. Both Ni. 11359 and Tablet Virolleaud show the evolution of two great Enlil liturgies arrested midway in their evolution. They still consist of unmethodically joined melodies. Both have the same rubric at the end. The first melody of d.Babbar-gim-È-ta after line four agrees with the first melody of the Enlil series zi-bu-Ù sud-du-Ám in Zimmern, KL. 8 and 9 after line five of that series. A duplicate will be found in BL. pp. 37-39, which see for critical notes on the reconstructed text.

Obverse 1

1. d.Babbar-gim È-ta [ ]
1. Like the sun-god arise ...
2. Ù-mu-un gan ...
2. Oh lord ...
3. a-a d.Mu-ul-lil Ù-[mu-un kur-kur-ra
3. Father Enlil, lord of the lands.
4. d.Mu-ul-lil Ù-mu-[un dÚg-ga-zi-da]
4. Enlil lord of faithful word.
5. am-nÁ-a gud-dÉ sīg-gan-nu-di
5. Crouching wild ox, bull that rests not.410
6. d.Mu-ul-lil dam-kar-[ra ki-dagar-ra]
6. Enlil herdsman of the wide earth.
[pg 310]
7. Ù-mu-un mu erin-na-[ni sag-ma-al ki]
7. Lord who summons his toilers, recorder of the earth.
8. Ù-mu-un iÁ erin-a-[ni ga-eri-Ám da-]ma-[la]
8. Lord who causes to abound oil for his toilers, milk for the newly born.411
9. Ù-mu-un ki-dÚr-a-ni [uru ir-ir]
9. Lord whose abode is the city of weeping.
10. ki-nÁ-a-ni Á-Ág-[gÀ-e gal-zu]
10. In whose chamber oracles are interpreted.
11. a-a d.Mu-ul-lil uru-[ta Nibru-ki]
11. Father Enlil in (thy) city Nippur.
12. É-kur É-Šag-gi-pad-da-ta
12. In Ekur temple of (thy) heart's choice.
13. gi-gun-na giŠ-tir-Šim [giŠ erin-na-ta
13. In the great dark chamber of odorous forest and cedar.
14. [ ] ŠeŠ-dū-a-ka ŠeŠ-mul [... ta]
14. In ...,
15. [ ]si-ra É-ŭ-[di- ta ]
15. In ... the house of vision,
16. [ ]lu É babbar nu-[zu-ta]
16. In ... house which knows the sunlight not,
17. [É]-gi-dim-dim-ma i-dÉ [nu-bar-ri-ta]
17. In the house of the “reed of sorrow,” which eye beholds not,
18. [ ]maģ dug-li duģ-[duģ-ta]
18. In the great ... causing prosperity to abound,
19. [É(?)]-ku-a giŠik-[ku-igi-lal-a-ta]
19. In Ekua gate of the lifting of the eyes,
20. [ ]-silim-ma mu-mar [mar-ra-ta]
20.
...

Reverse II

...
21. sub-bi Še-ib É-[kur-ra-ta?] ki-na-an-gÍ-gÍ-ra412
21. Prayer for the brick walls of Ekur that it be restored to its place.
22. ki-ŠÙ-bi-im
22. It is a service of prostrations.
[pg 311]

Liturgy of the Cult of Kes (Nippur Fragments and Ashmolean Prism.)

KeŠ and Opis, two closely associated but unlocated southern cities of Sumer, lay apparently somewhere in the region between Erech and Šuruppak. So closely were they united that the same cult of the great mother goddess obtained in both.413 According to II Raw. 60a 26, Innini of Hallab was the queen of KeŠ. The Sumerian liturgy, BL. p. 54, names Nintud as the goddess of this city, but the list of mother goddesses in PSBA. 1911 Pl. XII calls her by the name Ninharsag,414 where she is associated with Ninmenna, epithet of the earth mother in Adab a city near Šuruppak. A fragment, No. 102 in BL., reads her title at KeŠ as Aruru. These various epithets all refer to the earth mother whose principal married type is Ninlil. In fact one liturgy actually names Ninlil as the goddess of KeŠ, SBP. 24, 74. On the other hand, a cult document of the Neo-Babylonian period names Kallat Ekur, the bride of Ekur, as the goddess of U-pi-ia or Opis, VS. VI. 213, 21.415 The bride of Ekur is Ninlil. Thus the twin cities KeŠ and Opis of Sumer with their cult of the earth mother Ninharsag or Nintud were imitated in later times in Akkad and located on the Tigris where Opis survived into Greek times (ωπις) and KeŠ seems to have become confused in writing with KiŠ a famous city near Babylon. At Opis in Akkad a male satellite Igi-du was associated with the mother goddess and we [pg 312] may be safe in assuming that he was borrowed from the original southern cult.416 Of the names Ninharsag, Aruru, Nintud, Ninmah, Innini of Hallab, we are not certain which one applied especially to KeŠ and Opis. In any case the liturgy which we are about to discuss had some special name for the goddess here. In a refrain which recurs at the end of each melody the psalmists say that the god of KeŠ, that is probably Igidu,417 was made like AŠŠirgi, or Ninurta, and that its goddess was made like Nintud, hence the special name of the mother goddess in this liturgy cannot have been Nintud.

So far as the text of this important liturgy in eight melodies can be established, it leads to the inference that, like all other Sumerian choral compositions, the subject is the rehearsal of sorrows which befell a city and its temple. Here the glories of KeŠ, its temple and its gods are recorded in choral song, and the woes of this city are referred to as symbolic of all human misfortunes. The name of the temple has not been preserved in the text. But we know from other liturgies that the temple in KeŠ bore the name UrŠabba.418 The queen of the temple UrŠabba is called the mother of Negun, also a title of Ninurta in Elam.419 The close connection between the goddess of KeŠ and Ninlil is again revealed, for Negun is the son of Ninlil in the theological lists, CT. 24, 26, 112. Therefore at KeŠ we have a reflection of the Innini-Tammuz cult or the worship of mother and son, mother goddess Ninlil or Ninharsag, and Igidu or Negun.420

[pg 313]

KeŠ and Opis must have been closely associated with both Erech and Šuruppak, and of traditional veneration in Sumer. KeŠ is mentioned in a list with Ur, Kullab (part of Erech) and Šuruppak, Smith, Miscellaneous Texts 26, 5. Gudea speaks of a part of the temple in Lagash which was pure as KeŠ and Aratta (i. e. Šuruppak).421 The various mother goddesses of Eridu, Kullab, KÊŠi, LagaŠ and Šuruppak are invoked in an incantation, CT. 16, 36, 1-9. The first melody of the Ashmolean Prism contains a reference to the horse of Šuruppak.

The textual history of this liturgy is interesting. The major text is written upon a four-sided prism now in the Ashmolean Museum of Oxford. The object is eight inches high, four inches wide on each surface and is pierced from top to bottom at the center by a small hole, so that the liturgy could be turned on a spindle. The writer published a copy of this prism or prayer wheel in his Babylonian Liturgies. The elucidation of this exceedingly difficult text was lightened somewhat by the discovery of a four column tablet in Constantinople, which originally contained the entire text. It was afterwards published as No. 23 of my Historical and Religious Texts. Since the edition of these two sources, the Nippur Collection in Philadelphia has been found to contain several fragments of the same liturgy. A portion of the redaction on several single column tablets had been already published by Radau in his Miscellaneous Sumerian Texts, No. 8 (=Ni. 11876), last tablet of the series containing melodies six, seven, and eight. I failed to detect the connection of Radau's tablet at the time of the first edition but referred to it with a rendering in my Epic of Paradise, p. 19. [pg 314] Another tablet, also from a single column tablet redaction at Nippur, has been recovered in Philadelphia, Ni. 8384.422 This text utilized here in transcription contains a section marked number 4 on that tablet but all the other sources omit it. Hence this redaction probably contained nine melodies. The new melody has been inserted between melodies three and four of the standard text. If evidence did not point otherwise the editor would have supposed that Ni. 8384 and 11876 belonged to the same tablet. But Ni. 8384 has melodies four, five and six of its redaction with the catch-line of the next or its seventh melody which partly duplicates the Radau tablet. Moreover, these two tablets have not the same handwriting and differ in color and texture of the clay. Finally a small fragment, Ni. 14031, contains the end of the second melody and the beginning of the third on its obverse. The reverse contains the end of the sixth melody. This small tablet undoubtedly belongs to the four column tablet in Constantinople. The two fragments became separated by chance when the Nippur Collection was divided between Philadelphia and the MusÉe Imperial of Turkey. Ni. 14031 will be found in my Sumerian Liturgical Texts, No. 22.

Under ordinary circumstances a text for which so many duplicates exist should have yielded better results than I have been able to produce. But the contents are still obscure owing largely to the bad condition of the prism. My first rendering of the interesting refrain in which I saw a reference to the creation of man and woman was apparently erroneous. The refrain refers rather to the creation of the mother goddess of KeŠ and to her giving birth to her son Negun.423

[pg 315]

Col. I (Lines 1-22 defaced)

...
23. [É ke]Š-(ki)-dug-ga dū-a
23. [Temple] in holy KeŠ builded.
24. [É(?)] ÉN-ḪAR-(ki)-dug-gu dū-a
24. [Temple(?)] in holy EN-ḪAR builded.
25. [É ...] nun-gim an-na dirig-ga
25. [Temple] like ... nun, like heaven exceeding all.424
26. [É ...] azag-gim ? -si ri-a
26. [Temple] like the pure ... clothed in
27. [É] an-na-gim mūŠ kur-kur-ra
27. [Temple] like heaven the illumination of the lands.
28. [É ...] tūr-gim ki-a-ta sur-sur-ra
28. [Temple] like ... tur in the earth founded.
29. [É ...-]gim mur-du ninda425-gim gÙ-nun-di426
29. [Temple] like ... roaring, like a young bull bellowing.
30. [É ...] bi-ta lipiŠ kalam-ma
30. [Temple] in whose ... the hearts of the creatures of the Land ...427
31. [É ...] bi-ta zid Ki-en-gi-ra
31. [Temple] in whose ... the soul of life of Sumer ...
32. [É ...] ib-gal an-e-ri428 uŠ-sa
32. [Temple], great ... IB, attaining unto heaven.
33. [É ...]-da-gal an-e429 uŠ-sa
33. [Temple], great ... da, attaining unto heaven.
34. [É ...] gal an-e uŠ-sa
34. [Temple], great ..., attaining unto heaven.
35. [É ...] -na [an-e] uŠ-sa
35. [Temple ...], attaining unto heaven.

Col. II

1. ... an-ki ...
1. ... heaven and earth ...
2. ... abzu ...
2. ... of the nether-sea ...
3. É an-ni(?) Šu-[ ]
3. Temple which Anu ...
[pg 316]
4. d.En-lil-li zag-ŠÚ ...
4. Enlil above all ...
5. ama d.Nin-tud eŠ-[bar-kin ... ]
5. The mother, Nintud oracles ...
6. É KeŠ-ki ... na ...
6. Temple in KeŠ ...
7. ÉN-ḪAR-(ki)430-gim rib-ba431 galu Ši-in-[ga-an-tÚm-mu]
7. Like EN-ḪAR it has been made surpassing; verily man has brought solicitude for it.432
8. ur-sag-bi d.ÁŠ-Šir-gÍ-gim rib-ba
8. Its hero like AŠŠirgi has been
9. ama Ši-in-ga-an433-Ù-tud
9. made surpassing; the mother434 verily has borne him.
10. nin-bi d.Nin-tud-gim rib-ba-ra a-ba435 er-mu-ni-in-duģ
10. Its lady like Nintud has been made surpassing. And then wailing began.
11. gÚ 2 kam-[ma-Ám]
11. It is the second song.
12. É an-ŠÚ ģud-da ki-ŠÚ ...436
12. Temple, in heaven resplendent, in earth ...
13. É an-ŠÚ ... ki-ŠÚ ...
13. Temple, in heaven ..., in earth ...
14. É an-ŠÚ siḳḳa437 ki-ŠÚ udu-[gim ... ...]
14. Temple, in heaven (like) a wild goat, on earth like a sheep ...
15. É an-ŠÚ ... ki-ŠÚ dÁr-[bar-gim ...]
15. Temple, in heaven (like) ..., in earth like a roe ...
16. É an-ŠÚ ... gim ... ki-ŠÚ dÁr-bar-gim ...
16. Temple, in heaven like ..., in earth like a roe ...
17. É an-ŠÚ muŠ-gim sÎg-ga ki-Šu babbar-gim za-e laģ-[laģ?]
17. Temple, in heaven like a dragon gleaming, on earth like the sunlight thou shinest.
[pg 317]
18. É an-ŠÚ babbar-gim È-a ki-Šu d.Nannar-gim ...
18. Temple, in heaven like the sun arising, in earth like the new moon ...
19. É an-ŠÚ kur-ra ki-Šu idim-ma
19. Temple, in heaven shining,438 on earth loud crying.439
20. É an-ki 3 gu-ma-bi na-nam
20. Of the temple of heaven and earth three are its attendants.
21. ÉN-ḪAR-(ki) gim rib-ba galu Ši-in-ga-an-tÚm-mu
21. Like EN-ḪAR it has been made surpassing; verily man has brought solicitude for it.
22. ur-sag-bi d.ÁŠ-Šir-gÍ-gim rib-ba-[ra]
22. Its hero like AŠŠirgi has been made surpassing; the mother
23. [ama] Ši-in-ga-an-Ù-tud
23. verily has borne him.
24. [nin-bi] d.Nin-tud-gim rib-ba-ra a-ba er-mu-ni-in-duģ
24. Its lady like Nintud has been made surpassing. And then wailing began.
25. [gÚ] 3-kam-ma-[Ám]
25. It is the third section.

8384.

1. [É- ...] nÍ-gal-ar an-ni mu-maģ sÁ
1. [Temple ...] in splendor blazing, which Anu with a far-famed name has named.
2. [È ...]-gal d.En-lil-li nam-ma-ni gal tar-ri
2. [Temple ...] great, whose fate Enlil has grandly decreed.
3. [É]Á-nun-gÁl d.A-nun-ge-ne kalam sigi(?)440 lÁm(?)-mu
3. [Temple] ... of the Anunnaki, in the Land starlike gleaming.
4. É ki-dÚr im-dÚb-bu441 dingir gal-gal-e-ne
4. Temple, peaceful dwelling place of the great gods.
5. É an-ki-bi-da giŠ-ģar-bi ni-ģar me el Šu-ba-e-tag
5. Oh temple whose design in heaven and earth has been planned, thou art possessed of pure decrees.
6. É kalam ki-gar-ra zag-gar-ra uŠ-sa
6. Temple erected in the Land, where stand the chapels of the gods.
[pg 318]
7. É-kur ģe-gÁl ka-zal ud-zal-zal-li
7. Mountain house, radiant with abundance and festivity.
8. É d.Nin-ģar-sag-gÀ zi-kalam-ma ki-bi-ŠÚ gar
8. Temple in whose place Ninharsag has instituted the breath of life of Sumer.
9. É-ģar-sag-gal Šu-luģ-ģa tÚm-ma nig-nam-ma-ni ni442-kÚr
9. Great mountain house, made worthy of the rituals of purification, of its possessions nought changes.
10. É ... da-nu ka-ÁŠ-bar nu-gÀ-gÀ
10. Temple ... ceases not to render decision.
11. È ... kalam-dagal-ŠÚ lÁ-a
11. Temple ... unto the wide Land bearing.
12. [É] kalam ŠÁr Ù-tud numun giŠ-isimu tuk-tuk
12. [Temple] causing the multitudes of the Land to produce offspring, causing the seed to send forth sprouts.
13. [É] lugal Ù-tud nam kalam-ma tar-ri
13. Temple that gives birth to king, decreeing the fate of the Land.
14. [É] bÁr-bÁr kar su-ḳin-dÚr-bi ag-dÉ
14. ...
15. ÉN-ḪAR-(ki)-gim rib-ba galu Ši-in-ga-an-tÚm-mu
15. Like ÉN-ḪAR it has been made surpassing; verily man has wrought solicitude for it.
16. ur-sag-bi d.ÁŠ-Šir-gÍ-gim rib-ba ama Ši-in-ga-Ám-Ù-tud
16. Its hero like AŠŠirgi has been made surpassing; the mother verily has borne him.
17. nin-bi d.Nin-tud-gim rib-ba-ra a-ba er-mu-ni-in-duģ
17. Its lady like Nintud has been made surpassing. And then wailing began.
18. [gÚ 4]-kam-ma-Ám
18. It is the fourth section.
[pg 319]

Col. III

2. giŠA-TU-GAB-LIŠ-dam an-da-PI-PI-SAL(?) ...
2.
3. ģar-sag-da mă-a450 an-da-sÎg-sÎg-[ga-Ám?]
3.
4. EN-ḪAR-(ki)-gim rib-ba galu Ši-in-ga-tÚm-mu
4. Like EN-HAR it has been made surpassing; verily man has wrought solicitude for it.
5. ur-sag-bi d.AŠ-Šir-gi-gim rib-ba ama Ši-in-ga-an-Ù-tud
5. Its hero like AŠŠirgi has been made surpassing; the mother verily has borne him.
[pg 320]
6. nin-bi d.Nin-tud-gim rib-ba-ra a-ba er mu-ni-in-duģ
6. Its lady like Nintud has been made surpassing. And then wailing began.
7. [gÚ451 4-kam-ma-Ám
7. Section four452 it is.
8. ...
8. ...
9. É [ ]
9.
10. É [ ]-la nÉ [ ] tu453 [ ] ur [ ]
10.
11. Šag-bi-a ur-sag ur-sag-e-ne si-mu-un-si-di-e-ne
11. Within it the heroic ones administrate.
12. d.Nin-ģar-sag-gÀ uŠumgal-Ám Šag-ki im-[ ]
12. Ninḫarsag placed it in the bosom of the earth like a python.
13. d.Nin-tud ama-gal-la tud-tud mu-un-[ ]
13. Nintud the great mother ...
14. d.Šul-pa-È-a pa-te-si-ge nam-en-na mu [ ]
14. Šulpae the priest king lordship ...
15. d.ÁŠ-Šir-gi454 ur-sag-gÀ AB455-mu-[...]
15. AŠŠirgi, the champion, ...
16. d.UrumaŠ ligir-gal-Ám456 edin-na-an457 mu-da-an-[...]
16. UrumaŠ great prince in the (heavenly) plain has ...
17. É-e siḳḳa lu-lim458 gÚ-Ám-ma-gur-ri459
17. The temple assembles the rams and bucks.
18. ÉN-ḪAR-(ki)-gim rib-ba galu Ši-in-ga-an-tÚm-mu
18. Like EN-HAR it has been made surpassing; verily man has wrought solicitude for it.
19. ur-sag-bi d.ÁŠ-Šir-gi460-gim rib-ba
19. Its hero like AŠŠirgi has been made surpassing; the mother
20. ama Ši-in-ga-a-an-Ù-tud
20. verily has borne him.
[pg 321]
21. nin-bi d.Nin-tud-gim rib-ba-ra461 a-ba er-mu-ni-in-duģ
21. Its lady like Nintud has been made surpassing. And then wailing began.
22. É 5-kam-ma-Ám
22. It is the fifth462 section.
23. É ud-gim ki-gal-la gub-ba
23. The temple like the sun on the vast foundation stands.
24. am-laģ-laģ-gim edin-na sūg-sūg-[gi]
24. Like a white bull on the landscape it reposes.
25. [ ] e gar-ra É [ ]
25.
26. [ ]-bi-ta [ ]
26.
27. [ -]ta [ ]
27.
28-30.
(28-30 illegible or lost on all the variants.463)
31. [ ] ra [ ]
31.
32. [ ] gar nu [ ]
32.
33. [ ] an-ŠÁr ki-Šar
33.
34. [ ]bi la-ģa-ma ki-uŠ-sa
34.
35. [ ] na-ra-ab Uri-(ki)-ka keŠ-du
35.
36. ÉN-ḪAR-(ki)-gim rib-ba464 galu Ši-in-ga-an-tÚm-mu
36. Like ÉN-HAR it has been made surpassing; verily man has brought solicitude for it.

Col. IV

1. ur-sag-bi d.ÁŠ-Šir-gÍ-gim rib-ba-ra
1. Its hero like AŠŠirgi has been made surpassing; the mother
2. ama-a465 Ši-in-ga-an-Ù-tud
2. verily has borne him.
3. nin-bi d.Nin-tud-gim rib-ba-ra a-ba er-mu-ni-in-duģ
3. Its lady like Nintud has been made surpassing. And then wailing began.
4. É466 6-kam-ma Ám
4. It is the sixth section.
[pg 322]
5. É-azag LU-bi É467....
5. The sacred temple whose (?) is....
6. É-KeŠ-(ki)-azag LU-bi É468
6. The sacred temple of KeŠ whose ? is....
7. É-a en-bi d.A-nun-na-me-eŠ
7. In the temple whose high priests are the Anunnaki,
8. nu-ÉŠ-bi dim-É-an-na-me-eŠ469
8. Whose sacrificial priests are the dim of Eanna,
9. kisal-e lugal-bur-ra-Ám mu-un-gub
9. The aisle ... treads.
10. en-dug Šag tÚg-lal nam-mi-in-lal
10. (The temple) unto which a beneficent lord has shown solicitude....
11. a-tu-e umun d.En-ki NE-GAB in-[ ]
11. The libator(?), lord Enki....
12. tu-e a-ŭr(?)470-a471 mu- e- gub
12. The baptizer ... treads thee.
13. lÀl a-Šag-ga ki-azag-ga-Ám mi-472...
13.
14. en isimu-e473 abkal ubar-e-ne tÙ ki-Ám-ma-gÁl-li-eŠ [ ]ŠeŠ-a-ni SU-mu-un-sīg-gi-ne474
14. The lord Isimu, the councilor....
15. [ ] RU URU RU mu-ni-ib-bi-ne
15.
16. [ ]-ma-ge gig-ga475 mi-ni-ib-za [ ] Á-lal-e gÙ-ģu mi-ni-ib-bi
16. ... in sorrow abounds. ... the bound cry like birds (?)[7]
17. [ ]?-ra-ge sūģ-sūģ mi-ni-ib-za [ ] dug-gi si-ģa-ba-ni-ib di
17. ... in desolation abounds. ... may direct aright.
[pg 323]
18. [ ] ka-zal-bi al-dug
18. Of ... its joy was sweet.
19. [ -]dug ka-zal-bi al-dug
19. Of ... its joy was sweet.
20. [ ]-zal-bi a-mu-un-KU
20.
21. [ ]-ģar-sag-gÀ nin-bi[?-] bi Ám-mu-un-KU(?)
21.
22. ÉN-ḪAR-(ki)-gim rib-ba galu Ši-in-ga-an-tÚm-mu
22. Like EN-HAR it has been made surpassing; verily man has brought solicitude for it.
23. ur-sag-bi d.ÁŠ-Šir-gi-gim rib-ba ama Ši-in-ga-an-Ù-tud
23. Its hero like AŠŠirgi has been made surpassing; verily the mother has borne him.
24. nin-bi d.Nin-tud-gim rib-ba-ṛa a-ba er-mu-ni-in-duģ
24. Its lady like Nintud has been made surpassing. And then wailing began.
25. [É(?)476] 7-kam-ma-Ám
25. It is the seventh section.

Third Tablet of the Series “The Exalted One Who Walketh” (e-lum didara) (No. 13)

The series elum didara is entered in the Assyrian liturgical catalogue, IV Raw. 53a 8, and the first tablet of this Enlil liturgy has been found in the Berlin collection and published by Reisner, SBH. No. 25.477 The Berlin tablet belongs to a great Babylonian temple library of the Greek period redacted by a family of liturgists descendants of Sin-ibni. A fragment of the same first tablet of another Babylonian copy has been found, BM. 81-7-27, 203.478 The catch line of tablet two is lost on SBH. 25 and no part of tablet two has been identified. In 1914 [pg 324] I copied BM. 78239 (=88-5-12, 94) the upper half of a large tablet carrying according to the colophon ninety-six Sumerian lines. The number of lines provided with an interlinear translation on this fragment is only two, which increases the actual number of lines to ninety-eight. Probably a few more should be added for Semitic lines on the lost portion. This tablet, also from a Babylonian redaction, belongs to an edition made by another school of liturgists and contains tablet three of elum didara.

The third tablet of elum didara began with a melody nin-ri nin-ri gÛ-am-me to the mother goddess Bau (I. 2), who in line 7 is identified with NanÂ. Lines 3-6 introduce by interpolation other local forms of the mother goddess, as a concession to cities whose liturgists succeeded in inserting these lines before the canon of sacred songs were closed in the Isin period. Hence Babylon is favored by a reference to Zarpanit in line 3; Barsippa by a reference to TaŠmet in lines 4-6. Bau or Gula wails for Nippur whose destruction is here attributed to the moon-god, Sin. The introduction of a long passage to the moon-god in the weeping mother melody of an Enlil liturgy is unusual. The entire passage reflects the phraseology and ideas of the well-known Sumerian hymn to the moon-god magur azag anna.479 The composer desiring to utilize these fine lines makes a setting for them by describing Sin as the god who visited Nippur with wrath, regardless of the inconsistency of placing such a passage in an Enlil song service which attributed the sorrows of Nippur to Enlil himself.

According to the catch line of tablet two of the Ninurta liturgy gud-nim kurra the third tablet of that series began by the same melody as tablet three of the elum didara.480 It is probable [pg 325] that the first melody of tablet three of both series was identical. Melodies are always identified by their first lines and when these agree we assume that the entire melodies are identical. Since the musicians referred to all melodies by their first lines it was manifestly impossible to begin two different melodies with the same line. But tablet three of the weeping mother liturgy muten nu-nunuz-gim begins its first melody481 nin-ri nin-ri gÙ-Ám, etc., otherwise both melodies differ completely. This is the first known of example of two different melodies bearing the same title. It is curious indeed that an Enlil, a Ninurta and a mater dolorosa series all begin their third tablets in the same manner.

The obverse of BM. 78239 breaks away before the end of the melody nin-ri ninri gÚ-Ám-me. Here forty-five Sumerian lines are lost; one or two melodies at least stood in this break. For the last passage on tablet three, the scribe borrows the first melody of the Ninurta series gud-nim kurra.482 The litanies which begin these melodies or series of addresses to Ninurta differ greatly in the two redactions. Since SBH. No. 18 belongs to a Ninurta series the addresses therein are much more extensive. The composer of the Enlil series elum didara obviously introduced this irrelevant melody to obtain the fine passage to the weeping mother, Rev. 10-21 on BM. 78239. These lines are lost on the Berlin text SBH. No. 18. On the whole the liturgy elum didara is more inconsistent in the development of ideas than any song service of which extensive portions are known. Only tablets one and three are as yet identified and neither of these is much more than half complete.

[pg 326]
ru-ba-tum (rubatum) Ši-si-it Âli i-Šes-si ina lal-la-ra-ti
The princess, the princess, in misery shouts the wailing of the city.483
1. nin-ri nin-ri gÚ-Ám-me Úru in-ga-Ám-me Ù-li-li
1.
2. a gaŠan-mu nu-nunuz-ŠÁg-ga Ù
2. How long my queen, the pious woman, in misery?484
3. É-gÍ-a É-sag-il-la485 Ù
3. The bride of Esagila in misery?
4. dumu-sag d.UraŠa-a Ù
4. First born daughter of Urasha in misery?
5. dumu-sag É-i-be- d.A-nu-um Ù
5. First born daughter of the temple Ibe-Anum in misery?
6. gaŠan-gÙ-ur-a-sĭg ud-lal-a-ge Ù
6. The obedient queen, she the ..., in misery?
7. gaŠan-mu d.Na-na-a Ù
7. My queen Nana in misery?
8. É-zu É-zu-ŠÚ Ù
8. (How long) shall thy temple for thy temple in misery be?
9. uru-zu uru-zu-ŠÚ Ù
9. Thy city for thy city in misery be?
10. dam-zu dam-zu-ŠÚ Ù
10. Thy wives for thy wives in misery be?
11. dumu-zu dumu-zu-ŠÚ Ù
11. Thy sons for thy sons in misery be?
12. Še-ib-ŠÚ Še-ib-gÍ-gÍ Ù
12. (How long) for the brick walls shall the brick walls restored wail?
13. saģar-ŠÚ saģar-gÍ-gÍ486 Ù
13. For the dust shall the restored dust wail?
14. si-mă487 azag an-na Še-ir-ma-al-la nÍ-te-na dirig-ga-zu-dÉ za-e dirig-ga-zu-dÉ
14. Bright horned light of heaven mighty of itself, in thy excellence, yea thou in thy excellence,
15. na-an-na-ru el-lu Ša Ša-me-e e-ṭil ra-ma-ni-Šu ina Šu-tu-ru-ti-ka at-tam
15.
[pg 327]
16. a-a d.Nannar si-mă azag an-na Še-ir-ma-al- a nÍ-te-na
16. O father Nannar bright horned light of heaven, mighty of itself, (in thy excellence, yea thou in thy excellence),
17. a-a d.Nannar umun-e an-ŠÁr
17. Father Nannar, lord of all the heavens,
18. umun d.Nannar umun d.AŠ-Ìm-Ür-ra488
18. Lord Nannar, lord of the rising light,
19. umun gu-la galu nin-ģul-ma-al-la uru-zu nÍ-te-en-na Še-ir-ma-al-la nÍ-te-en-na
19. Great lord, who himself has wrought evil to thy city,489 mighty of himself,
20. uru-zu Nippur-(ki) galu nin-ģul-ma-al-la uru-zu
20. As for thy city Nippur, he who has wrought evil to thy city,
21. nigin kalam-ma-zu Á-si ma-ni-ib-bi
21. All thy Land....
22. [uru?] kalam-ma-da-zu gig-ga-an-na-ag-eŠ
22. Thy city and land are afflicted with woe.
23. [ ] zu-gÀ490 (galu) a-ba an-lăģ491-eŠ
23. In thy ... and thy ... the scribes are driven away.
24. [ ] zu-gÀ pag-da492 ma-an-lÁ-lal-la-aģ(?)493-eŠ
24. In thy ... and thy ... the augurers are exiled.
25. ... zu ba-ni-ib-gul
25. Thy ... is destroyed.
26. ... zu ba-ni-ib-sĭg-sĭg
26.
27. ... ḪUL-AŠ-A (gloss) e-ga ib ...
27.
28. ... A-AN ḪUL ... e-ga ib ...
28.
29. ...
29. ...

Reverse

1. [gū-ud nim] kur-ra [mu-lu ta-zu mu-un-zu]
1. Exalted hero of the world, doth any one comprehend thy form?494
[pg 328]
2. [kar-ra-]du Ša-ku-u Ša ma-a-tim kat-tuk [man-nu i-lam-mad]
2.
3. alim-ma umun ur-sag-gal
3. Honored one, lord, great champion.
4. ur-sag-gal umun si d.Mu-ul-lil-lÁ-ge
4. Great champion, lord, light of Enlil.
5. alim-ma abil É-kur-ra
5. Honored one, son of Ekur.495
6. ur-sag-gal umun É-Šu-me-DU496
6. Great champion, lord of EŠume-du.
7. umun É-Šag-maģ-a umun-e É-i-be-Šu-gÚd
7. Lord of EŠamaḫ, lord of E-ibe-Šugud.497
8. umun sukkal-maģ-di498 gal-ukkin d.Nusku-ge
8. Lord, great messenger, the herald Nusku.
9. d.MaŠ-tab-ba d.Lugal-gĭr-ra
9. The twin god, Lugalgirra.
10. dÚg-ga-zu mu-lu ta-zu mu-un-zu
10. As to thy commands, who comprehends thy form?
11. taģ-a-zu mu-lu
11. As to thy succor, who comprehends thy form?
12. e-ne-em-zu mu-lu
12. As to thy word, who comprehends thy form?
13. edin-na di-di edin-na Še-Ám-du
13. She wanders on the plain, on the plain she wails.
14. ama gaŠan tin-dib-ba edin-na
14. The mother, queen who gives life to the dead, on the plain wails.
15. nin gaŠan nigÍn-gar-ra edin-na
15. The queen, lady Nigingar, on the plain wails.
16. nin gaŠan Lara-ak-(ki)-ge499 edin-na
16. The queen, lady of Larak, on the plain wails.
[pg 329]
17. nin gaŠan I-si-in-na-(ki) edin-na
17. The queen, lady of Isin, on the plain wails.
18. nin ama É-dÚr500-azag-ga edin-na
18. The queen, mother of the holy city, on the plain wails.
19. nin ama ŠU-ḪAL-BI501 edin-na
19. The queen, the ... mother, on the plain wails.
20. d.Ba-Ú nu-nÚmuz ŠÁg-ga edin-na
20. Bau, the pious woman, on the plain wails.
21. ÉŠ É-rab-ri-ri umun d.SÁ-kut-maģ-a edin-a
21. The abode, Erabriri, of the lord Sakutmah on the plain wails.
22. e-lum-e la-lu u-'u-a u-'u-a
22. Oh honored one, the exuberant, alas, alas.
23. 96-Ám mu-Šid-bi-im duppu 3-kam e-lum di-da-ra nu al-tÍl
23. Ninety-six is the number of its lines. Third tablet of Elum didara, unfinished.
24. gab-ri BÁr-sip-(ki) kima labiri-Šu Ša-ṭir-ma barim duppu d.BÊl-iḳ-ṣur māri-Šu Ša d.BÊl-iŠkun-ni
24. Copy from Barsippa, according to its original, written and collated. Tablet of BÊlikṣur son of Belishkunni,
25. mar Iddin-d.Papsukkal pa-liḫ d.Nabu ina Šar-tum la uŠteŠir Ù ina me-riŠ-tum la u-Ša-bi502
25. son of Iddin-Papsukkal worshipper of Nebo. In fraud he has not translated it and with wilful readings has he not published it.
[pg 330]

Ni. 6060, a Cassite tablet in four columns, yields a notable addition to the scant literature we now possess concerning Babylonian mystic symbols. A fragmentary Assyrian copy from the library of AŠurbanipal was published by Zimmern as No. 27 of his Ritual Tafeln. The Assyrian copy contains only fifteen symbols with their mystic identifications, in Col. II of the obverse. The ends of the lines of the right half of Col. I are preserved on Zimmern 27, and these are all restored by the Cassite original. The obverse of these two restored tablets contained about sixty symbols with their divine implications. Most of them are the names of plants, metals, cult utensils and sacrificial animals, each being identified with a deity. A tablet in the British Museum, dated in the 174th year of the Seleucid era or 138 B. C., Spartola Collection I 131, published by Strassmaier, ZA. VI 241-4, begins with an astronomical myth concerning the summer and winter solstices503 and then inserts a passage on the mystic meanings of ten symbols. The myth of the solstices runs as follows:

“In the month Tammuz, 11th day, when the deities Miniṭṭi and Kaṭuna, daughters of Esagila,504 go unto Ezida505 and in the month Kislev, 3d day, when the deities Gazbaba and Kazalsurra, daughters of Ezida, go unto Esagila—Why do they go? In the month Tammuz the nights are short. To lengthen the nights the daughters of Esagila go unto Ezida. Ezida is the house of [pg 331] night. In the month Kislev, when the days are short, the daughters of Ezida to lengthen the days go unto Esagila. Esagila is the house of day.” The tablet then explains the Sumerian ideogram gubarra=AŠrat, the western mother goddess Ashtarte, and says that AŠrat of Ezida is poverty stricken.506 But AŠrat of Esagila is full of light and mighty.507 Some mystic connection between AŠrat or GeŠtinanna, mistress of letters and astrology,508 scribe of the lower world, and the daughters of night and day existed. This cabalistic tablet here refers to a mirror which she holds in her hand and says she appeared on the 15th day to order the decisions. The 15th of the month Tammuz is probably referred to or the beginning of the so-called dark period when the days begin to shorten and Nergal the blazing sun descends to the lower world to remain 160 days.509 For some reason AŠrat, here called the queen,510 appears to order the decisions, probably the fates of those that die. The phrase “The divine queen appeared” is usually said of the rising of stars or astral bodies, but the reference here is wholly obscure. As a star she was probably Virgo. At any rate some mystic pantomime must have been enacted in the month of Tammuz in which the daughters of Esagila and Ezida and the queen recorder of Sheol were the principal figures. The pantomime represented the passing of light, the reign of night and the judgment of the dead. Clearly an elaborate ritual attended by magic ceremonies characterized the ceremony. At this point the tablet gives a commentary on [pg 332] the mystic meaning of cult objects used for the healing of the sick or the atonement of a sinner. Obviously some connection exists between this mystagogy and the myth described. The commentary is probably intended to explain the hidden powers of the objects employed in the weird ritual, at any rate the mystery is thus explained.511

(1) Gypsum is the god Ninurta.512 (2) Pitch is the asakku-demon.513 (3) Meal water (which encloses the bed of the sick man) is Lugalgirra and Meslamtaea.514 [A string of wet meal was laid about the bed of a sick man or about any object to guard them against demons. Hence meal water symbolizes the two gods who guard against demons. See especially Ebeling, KTA. No. 60 Obv. 8 zisurrÁ talamme-Šu, “Thou shalt enclose him with meal water.”]

(4) Three meal cakes are Anu, Enlil and Ea.515 (5) The design which is drawn before the bed is the net which overwhelms all evil. (6) The hide of a great bull is Anu. [Here the hide of the bull is the symbol of the heaven god as of Zeus DolichaÎos in Asia Minor.]

(7) The copper gong516 is Enlil. But in our tablet II 13 symbol of Nergal and in CT. 16, 24, 25 apparently of Anu. The term of comparison in any case is noise, bellowing.

(8) The great reed spears which are set up at the head of the [pg 333] sick man are the seven great gods sons of IŠhara. The seven sons of IŠhara are unknown, but this goddess was a water and vegetation deity closely connected with Nidaba goddess of the reed.517 The reed, therefore, symbolizes her sons.

(9) The scapegoat is NinamaŠazagga. Here the scapegoat typifies the genius of the flocks who supplies the goat. See, however, another explanation below Obv. II 17.

(10) The censer is Azagsud. The deity Azagsud in both theological and cult texts is now male and now female. As a male deity he is the great priest of Enlil, CT. 24, 10, 12, and always a god of lustration closely connected with the fire god Gibil, Meek, BA. X pt. 1 No. 24,4.518 But ordinarily Azagsud is a form of the grain goddess who was also associated with fire in the rites of purification. As a title of the grain goddess, see CT. 24, 9, 35 = 23, 17; SBP. 158, 64 A-sug where Zimmern, KL. 11 Rev. III 11 has Azag-sug. She is frequently associated with Ninḫabursildu and Nidaba (the grain goddess) in rituals, Zimmern, Rt. 126, 27 and 29; 138, 14, etc. The censer probably symbolizes both male and female aspects, the fire that burns and the grain that is burned. See below II 9, where the censer is symbol of Urash a god of light.

(11) The torch is Nusku the fire god in the Nippur pantheon. Below (II 10) the torch is Gibil, fire god in the Eridu pantheon.

The mystic identifications do not always agree, but the term of comparison can generally be found if the origin and character of the deities are known and the nature of the symbol determined. Each god was associated with an animal and a plant and with other forms of nature over which they presided. When the cult utensils are symbols the term of comparison is generally clear. [pg 334] Below will be found such interpretations of these mysteries as the condition of the tablet and the limits of our knowledge permit. Most difficult of all are the metal symbols which begin with Obv. I 10. Here silver is heaven, but it can hardly be explained after the manner of the same connection of Zeus DolichaÎos with silver in Kommagene. The cult of this Asiatic heaven god is said to have been chiefly practiced at a city in the region of silver mines.519 That is an impossible explanation in the case of Anu whose chief cult center was at Erech. The association of gold with Enmesharra, here obviously the earth god, is completely unintelligible. In Obv. I 31 he is possibly associated with lead or copper as the planet Saturn. In lines I 14-18 the symbols are broken away, but they are probably based upon astronomy. Metals seem to be connected with fixed stars and planets on the principle of color. The metallic symbolism of the planets was well known to Byzantine writers who did not always agree in these matters. Their identifications are certainly a GrÆco-Roman heritage which in turn repose upon Babylonian tradition.520 The following table taken from Cook, Zeus, p. 626, will illustrate GrÆco-Roman ideas on this point:

Kronos—lead (Saturn); Zeus—silver (Jupiter); Ares—iron (Mars); Helios—gold (Sun); Aphrodite—tin (Venus); Hermes—bronze (Mercury); Selene—crystal (Moon).

Our tablet preserves only the names of the deities at this [pg 335] point, and if metals stood at the left we are clearly authorized to interpret the divine names in their astral sense. This assumes, of course, that these astral identifications obtained in the Cassite period. Assuming this hypothesis we should have the metals for Betelgeuze, Ursa Major, Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, New-moon(?), a star in Orion, Venus as evening and morning star, Virgo, and perhaps others.

The reverse of the tablet is even more mystic and subtle. The first section connects various cult substances with parts of the body. White wine and its bottle influence the eyes. White figs pertain to a woman's breasts. Must or mead have power over the limbs as the members of motion. Terms of comparison fail to suggest themselves here and we are completely disconcerted by the fancy of the Babylonian mystagogue. In the next section, which is only partially preserved, we have twelve gods of the magic rituals. The province of each in relation to the city and state is defined. Kushu, the evil satyr who receives the sin-bearing scapegoat, hovers over the homes of men. Muḫru, the deity who receives burnt offerings, or incarnation of the fires of sacrifice, dwells at the city-gate. Sakkut, a god of light and war, inexplicably protects the pools. Then follow hitherto undefined and unknown Cassite deities and a break in the tablet.

As in the Assyrian duplicate, Zimmern Rt. 27, so also here, the reverse contains a lexicographical commentary on mythological phrases. The name of the god Negun is commented upon here and most timely information is given. Both the phonetic reading of the name and the character of the deity are defined. The colophon at the end has the usual formula attached to cult instructions whose contents are forbidden to the uninitiated.

[pg 336]
1. duk a-gub-ba ... [ ]521
1. The vessel of holy water ... [of the gods]
2. d.Nin-ḫabur-sil-du nin(?) [tÙ-tÙ-ge]522
2. is Ninhabursildu,523 queen of incantations.
3. dukgan-nu-tūr524 d.[ ]MEŠ-GAR
3. The little hannu-vessel is the deity ...
4. giŠŠinig d.A-nim
4. The tamarisk is anu.525
5. giŠŠag-giŠimmar526 d.Dumu-zi
5. The date palm-head is Tammuz.
6. Úin-nu-uŠ527 d.É-a
6. The mashtakal-plant is Ea.
7. giŠul-ģi d.Nin-urta
7. the Šalatu-reed is Ninurta.
8. Úel528 d.NinÂ529
8. The El-plant is NinÁ
[pg 337]
9. giŠburru530 d.Gir-rÁ531
9. The giŠbur wood is the Fire God Girra.
10. dāgkubabbar d.GAL532
10. Silver is the great god (the moon).
11. dāgku-gi d.En-me-ŠÁr-ra533
11. God is EmmeŠarra (the sun).
12. dāgurudu d.É-a
12. Copper is Ea.
13. dāgan-na d.Nin-maģ
13. Lead is Ninmah.534
14. [ ]535 d.Ninurta
14. [ ] is Ninurta.
15. [ ] d.Ninlil536
15. [ ] is Ninlil.
16. [ ] d.Dilbat
16. [ ] is Ishtar-Venus.
17. [ ] d.AMAR-RA-ĠE-UD-DU-A-LU-TU537
17. [ ] is Marduk-Jupiter.
18. [ ] d.Lugal-giŠ-a-tu-gab-liŠ-a538
18. [ ] is Nergal-Mars.
19. [ ] d Sak-kud
19. [ ] is Ninurta-Saturn.539
20. [ ] d.Nusku540
20. [ ] is Nusku.
21. [ ] d.Pap-sukkal541
21. [ ] is Papsukal.
[pg 338]
22. [ -]ŠÁg d.Sak-kut542
22. [ ] is Sakkut.
23. [ -]ŠID iluRam-ma-nu
23. [ ] is Ramman.
24. [ ] ilatIshtar Uruk-(ki)
24. [ ] is Ishtar of Erech.543
25. [ ] ilatIshtar A-ga-de-(ki)
25. [ ] is Ishtar of Agade.544
26. [ -]TAR ilatBe-lit-ṣÊri
26. [ ] is BÊlit-ṣeri.545
27. [ ] d.Nin-lil
27. [ ] is Ninlil.
28. [ ri-]kis-su-nu d.Ninurta
28. [ ] their band(?) is Ninurta.
29. [ ] ilāni sibitti546
29. [ ] is the seven gods.
30. [ ] d.En-me-ŠÁr-ra
30. [ ] is Enmesharra.547

Obverse II

...
2. giŠ [ ] [d. ]
2. [ ]
3. giŠ [ ] [d. ]
3. [ ]
4. giŠŠim [ ] [d. ]
4. [ ]
5. Šim-Šal548 [d. ]
5. Box-wood is the god....
6. gi-dug-ga549 [d. ]
6. The good reed is the god....
[pg 339]
7. Šim-li d.[Immer550 ]
7. Cypress is Adad.
8. Šīpāti burrumti551 iluLabartu(?)552 mar[at iluAnim ]
8. Wool of variegated color is Labartu daughter of Anu.
9. Šim-ZU553 d.[Nin-urta ]
9. The aromat-ZU is Ninurta.
10. nig-na d.UraŠā
10. The censer is Urasha.554
11. gi-bil-lÁ d.[ Gi-bil]
11. The torch is Gibil.555
12. ḳu-ta-ri ibbÛti556 d.[Ne-gun]
12. The clean incense is Negun.557
13. mul-lil-lum d.Ig[i-BALAG558 lÙ nu-gisŠ-Šar d.En-lil-lÁ]
13. The amphora(?) is Igi-BALAG, gardener of Enlil.
14. urudūnig-kalag-ga559 d.Nin-[sar d.Nergal]
14. The copper kettledrum is Ninsar,560 that is Nergal.
15. kuŠ-gū-gal561 d.[NINDA+GUD]
15. The hide of a great bull is NINDA+GUD.562
16. im-bar d.[Utu-găl-lu
16. Gypsum is the storm god (Ninurta).563
17. esir d.id
17. Bitumen is the river god.564
18. mÁŠ-ģul-dÚb-ba-a d.[Ku-Šu]
18. The scapegoat is Kushu.565
[pg 340]
19. udu-ti-la566 d.[Gira]
19. “The living lamb” is Gira.567
20. mÁŠ-gi-bil-la d.[Mu-uḫ-]ra
20. The goat of the torch568 is Muḫru.
21. Še-bir-bir-ri u-pu-un-tum
21. “Scattered grain(?),” chick pea (?)
22. zērÊ ma-ka-lu-Ú
22. seed-corn, eating table and
23. dukḳa-gazpl. d.Nun-ŭr-ra d.Ea569
23. the ḳagaz-pots are Ninurra-Ea.
24. giŠku-ma-nu 7 Û-mu570 ku d.Marduk
24. The seven (headed) weapon of laurel wood, the storm, the weapon of Marduk.
25. kÙ-gi-sigpl. d.A-nun-na-ki
25. Red sun-disks(?) are the Anunnaki.
26. kÙ-gi nig-mÁŠ-zid571 d.MaŠ-tab-ba-gal-ga
26. The golden sacred kid(?) is the Great Twins.572
27. maŠ-dū d.Un-gal Nibru-ki573
27. The kid is Ungal574 of Nippur.
28. kur-gi-(ģu) d.Nin-sÎg
28. The crane is Ninsig.575
29. sÚn576 giŠerin Šita577 d.Zi-i
29. The sun of cedar, weapon of Zu.578
30. lÀl ... d.[ ]
30. Honey ... is the god ...
31. lÍ ... li
31. Oil ... oil ...
32. d.Íd d.[ ]
32. ... River-god, god...
[pg 341]

Reverse I

1. karanu ellu ḳaḳḳul-ti enÂ-Šu
1. White wine and bottle are his eyes.
2. tittu piṣÎtu579 tulÊ-Šu580
2. The white fig is her breasts.
3. iṣunurmÛ bir-ka-a-Šu
3. The nur-fig is his (her) knees.
4. tittu581 ki-sal-la-a-Šu
4. The fig is his (her) loins.
5. mirsu pit puridi-Šu
5. Must is his (her) crotch.
6. d.Ku-Ši ṣÊr ki-i-ṣi582
6. The god Kushu over the chamber.
7. d.Mu-uḫ-ra ina pan abulli
7. Muḫru before the city gate.
8. d.Sak-kut ina ḳabal appari
8. Sakkut in the midst of the pool.
9. d.Si-lak-ki583 ina ma-na-ḫa-ti
9. Silakki in the ruins.
10. d.E-ḳu-rum584 ina libbi ŠÊr iŠdi
10. Ekurum in the leg.
11. d.Ab-ba- gu-la585 ina igari
11. Abbagula in the wall.
12. d. ? ? ina nasikati
12. [ ] in the fortress.
13-17. ........................
13-17.
18. 12 ilāni [ ]
18. Twelve gods.

Reverse II

1. [SAG-GĬR]-ME Ša ina pani-Šu namru586
1. The battle which before him gleams.
2. [ KU]-ŠÚ la587 maḫ-ru
2. ... not are received.
3. [ -]u:NU: la-a
3. [ ]NU = not.
4. [ BT:]Šu-u588:ILA:ma-ḫa-ri
4. [ ]BI = that: ILA = to present.
[pg 342]
5. [d.Ne-gun] erim-bi nu-tuk-a ai-bi ina ḳatÊ-Šu la uṣÛni
5. Negun who foes has not. The wicked from his hand escape not.
6. NE-RU:ai-bi:ID:ḳa-ti:TUK-A SAL-ŠEŠ?
6. NE-RU = wicked : ID = hand : ? ?
7. d.Ne-gun589 ḳa-lu-Ú i-Ša-tam
7. Negun is he that burns with fire.
8. ḪU-gunu[1agin]:gu-nu-u:SI:ḳa-lu-u
8. The gunu of ḪU has the syllabic value gunū:si(g) = to burn.
9. NE:i-Ša-tu:sa-niŠ ka-lu ni-ka
9. NE = fire: Or = to consume offerings in fire.
10. SAL-ŠEŠ590:ba-nu-Ú: ga-lu
10. ninmuŠ = blaze, burn.
11. SI:ba-nu-Ú:NE ga-lu
11. si(g) = blaze: bil = burn.
12. mÛdÛ mÛd li-kal-lim
12. Let the knowing inform the knowing.
13. la mÛdÛ ul immar
13. He that knows not may not read.
ki-ma labiri-Šu iluNinurta-naṣir mar Ilu-iḳΊa ameluaŠipu iŠṭur bÛŠi E-Šu-me-rÁ
According to its original Ninurtu-naṣir son of Ilu-iḳiŠa, the priest of magic wrote. It is the property of the temple EŠumera.591
[pg 343]

Anu in this passage really denotes Sin, the moon, which has been connected with silver on account of its color. The identification of Anu, the heaven god, with the moon god rests upon the astronomical connection between the moon and the summer solstice, see Weidner, Handbuch der Babylonischen Astronomie, 32. Sin is called “Anu of heaven,” King, Magic, No. I, 9, and for the connection with silver, see Virolleaud, Astrologie, Supplement, V II, kaspu ilu A-nu huraṣu ilu Enlil erÛ ilu Ea. Enlil is connected with gold in Virolleaud, Astrologie, Second Supplement, XVII 14, and Enlil is not infrequently identified with Shamash, see p. 158, 1-2 and p. 308, 18, and gold is the traditional metal of the sun.

The Greek identification of Zeus, the sky-god, with silver is certainly borrowed from Babylonia; see p. 334.

[pg 344]

Description Of Tablets

Number in this Volume Museum Number Description
113856 Large two column tablet. Unbaked; light brown with dark spots. Top broken away and left lower corner damaged. H. 6-½ inches; W. 4-¼; T. 1-¾ - ¾. Liturgy of the cult of Ishme-Dagan. See pages 245-257.
211005Upper part of a large two column tablet. Unbaked; light brown. Top and left edge of the fragment damaged. H. 3-¾; W. 3-¾; T. 1-½ - ¾. Liturgy of Ishme-Dagan. See pages 258-259.
37847Dark brown unbaked tablet. Right upper corner slightly damaged. Right lower corner broken away. Two columns. H. 8; W. 5-¼; T. 1 - ½. Mythological hymn to Innini. The obverse is translated on pages 260 to 264, but the reverse is too badly damaged to permit an interpretation. The text ends with the line, “Oh praise Innini,” the literary note characteristic of epical compositions. The scribe adds a note stating that there are 153 lines. Written by the hand of Lugal-ģe-a ... son of E-a-i-lÙ(?)....
47878Light brown fragment from the left upper corner of a large unbaked tablet. H. 3-½; W. 1-½ - 1; T. 1-½ - 1. Duplicate of 7847. This tablet omits the liturgical note, “Oh praise Innini.” It has the colophon, “Written by the hand of Ninurash-mu..., in the presence of Nidaba-igi-pa(?)-...ģe-en.”
515204Single column, dark brown tablet. Partly baked. Left lower corner broken away. H. 4-½; W. 2-½; T. 1-¼ - ½. Psalm to Enlil. See pages 265-268.
62154Single Column, light brown tablet. Top and left lower corner broken. H. 4-¼; W. 2-½; T. 1-¼-½. Lamentation for Lagash. See pages 268-272.
78097Single column, light brown tablet. Lower edge damaged. H. 4-¼; W. 2-¼; T. ¾-½. Liturgical hymn to Sin. See pages 276-279.
8346Single column, dark unbaked tablet. Damaged at top and bottom. H. 4; W. 2-½; T. 1--½. Bilingual hymn. See plate 86.
98334Single column, light brown tablet, unbaked. Left upper corner and top of reverse damaged. H. 4-¾; W. 2-½; T. 1-¼-½. Hymn to Innini.
108533Upper part of a large two column tablet. Light brown, soft and crumbling. Purchased by the Expedition in 1895, from Abu Hatab. H. 3-¼; W. 5-½; T. 1-¼-½. Hymn to Enlil.
117080Large light brown tablet; five columns; broken perpendicularly at the middle. Isin period. H. 8-¼; W. 4; T. 2. Liturgy to Enlil. Lamentation for the city of Ur. See pages 279-285.
126060Nearly complete tablet; baked. Temple library (IV). Second Exp. Two column tablet; Cassite period. H. 4; W. 3-½; T. 1-½. Cult symbols. See pages 320-342.
13B.M. 78239Upper half of large single column tablet. Light brown, partially baked. H. 7; W. 6; T. 2. Acquired by the British Museum in 1888. Late Babylonian edition of the third tablet of the liturgy elum didara to Enlil. See pages 323-329.
1411327Lower part of a large unbaked tablet, two columns. Right half almost wholly broken away. Myth of the water god Enki. H. 6; W. 6-½; T. 1-¾. Probably a zag-sal hymn.
[pg 346]

Index Of Tablets

Tablets in this Volume.

Museum Number Number in this Volume
3468
21546
606012
708011
78473
78484
80977
83349
853310
110052
1132714
138561
152045
B.M. 7823913

Other Tablets Translated Or Discussed

Nies 1315, Tablet Virolleaud, 290-308

Poebel, PBS. V No. 26, 272-276

Myhrman, PBS. I No. 5, Radau, BE. 30, No. 2, 285-290

Myhrman, PBS. I No. 8, 309-310

Zimmern, KL. No. 11, 290-308

Zimmern, Ritual Tafeln, No. 27, 330-340

Ashmolean Prism, 311-323

Strassmaier, ZA. VI 241-4, 330-333

Reisner, SBH. No. 18, 327-329

Reisner, SBH. No. 21, 292-297

Reisner, SBH. No. 22, 292-295

Reisner, SBH. No. 25, 300-302

[pg 347]

Plate LXXI. 1. Obverse. Col. 1.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXII. 1. Obverse. Col. 2.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXIII. 1. Reverse. Col. 1.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXIV. 1. Reverse. Col. 2.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXV. 2. Obverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

2. Reverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXVI. 3. Obverse. Col. 1 Initial.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXVII. 3. Obverse. Col. 1 Continued.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

3. Obverse. Col. 2 Initial.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXVIII. 3. Obverse. Col. 2 Continued.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

3. Reverse. Col. 1 Initial.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXIX. 3. Reverse. Col. 1 Continued.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

3. Reverse. Col. 2 Initial.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXX. 3. Reverse. Col. 2 Continued.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

4. Obverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

4. Reverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXXI. 5. Obverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXXII. 5. Reverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXXIII. 6. Obverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXXIV. 6. Reverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXXV. 7. Obverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

7. Reverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXXVI. 8. Obverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

8. Reverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXXVII. 9. Obverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

9. Reverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXXVIII. 10. Obverse. Col. 1. (Col. 2 Destroyed)

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate LXXXIX. 10. Reverse. Col. 1.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

10. Reverse. Col. 2.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate XC. 11. Obverse. Col. 3 Initial.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate XCI. 11. Obverse. Col. 3 Continued.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

11. Obverse. Col. 4 Initial.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate XCII. 11. Obverse. Col. 4 Continued.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate XCIII. 11. Obverse. Col. 4 Final.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

11. Obverse. Col. 5 Initial.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate XCIV. 11. Obverse. Col. 5 Continued.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate XCV. 11. Reverse. Col. 1. Initial.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate XCVI. 11. Reverse. Col. 1 Continued.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

11. Reverse. Col. 2 Initial.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate XCVII. 11. Reverse. Col. 2 Continued.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

11. Reverse. Col. 3. Initial.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate XCVIII. 11. Col. 3 Continued.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate XCIX. 12. Obverse. Cols. 1 and 2.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate C. 12. Reverse. Cols. 1 and 2.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate CI. 13. Obverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate CII. 13. Reverse.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate CIII. 14. Obverse. Col. 1

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate CIV. 14. Obverse. Col. 2.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

14. Reverse. Col. 1.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

Plate CV. 14. Reverse. Col. 2.

Plate of cuneiform tablet.

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