CDLI Literary 000769, ex. 003 (P346235)

Literary tablet excavated in Ur (mod. Tell Muqayyar), dated to the Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) period and now kept in British Museum, London, UK

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Text / annotations

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Chemical Data

Seal Chemistry

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Metadata history Transliteration history

Museum Collection(s)

British Museum, London, UK

Museum Number

BM —

Period

Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)

Provenience

Ur (mod. Tell Muqayyar)

Artifact Type

Tablet

Material(s)

Clay

Genre / Subgenre(s)

Literary (ETCSL 5.04.03 Enkimanšum and Girniisag (witness) (CHECK))

Language(s)

Sumerian

Measurements

-

Witness

tablet
obverse
  (surface unclear)
1. dumu e2-dub-ba-a u4-da egir dub-me-ka a-na-am3 ga-ab-sar#-[...]
 en: Son of the scribal school, if (we reach) the end of our tablet (assignment), what should we write?
2. u4-da u-ta KA-inim-ma didli-me nu-sar-en-de3-en
 en: If we do not write our various texts/text sections ten times
3. na-an-ga-ma um-mi-a ba-zu-zu-ma mu-e-da-urin-en-de3-en
 en: It will indeed also be (that when) the master finds out, we will be on guard with you(?)
4. a-na an-na-ni-ib-gi4-gi4-en-de3-en
 en: What should we reply to him with there?
5. gen ga2-e nig2 sza3-ga2 ga-ab-sar a2 mu-da-ag2-en
 en: Come! I shall write what I please, I will give you orders
6. tukumbi a2 ba-e-da-an-ag2 szesz-gal-zu nu-me-en
 en: If he(!) has ordered me, (he has to admit?) I am not your “big brother”
7. a-na-ta-am3 nam-szesz-gal-ga2 i-ni-in-ku4-re
 en: What if(?) I enter into my status as “big brother”
8. nam-dub-sar-ra-ta mu-diri-ge-ma nam-szesz-gal# mu-ub-du7-du7
 en: After (I) surpass over the scribal art and an appropriate for status as “big brother”
9. dab gesztu2 dugud a-ga-asz gi4 e2-dub-ba-a-asz
 en: (I will say to you) ..., (possessor of) cumbersome intelligence, backwards facing towards (i.e., inferior one of) the scribal school
10. u2 hub2 nam-dub-sar-ra u2-pilx(PIRIG)? eme-gir15-ra
 en: Deaf one of the scribal art, deaf one(?) of the Sumerian language
11. szu zu-hu-ul szu gi-dub-ba-a szu nu-du7
 en: (Possessor of a) ... hand, a hand that is not suitable for the stylus
 en: Attinger NABU 2018 no. 43, who translates “main déficient.”
12. im-ma nu-tum2-ma szu ka-ta nu#-[...]
 en: One who is not suitable for clay/tablet, with a hand that does not align with the mouth (i.e., dictated content or rate of speech?)
13. ga2-e-gin7 nam dub-sar-me-en
 en: You are (really) a scribe like me?
  double ruling
14. [...] za-e-gin7# dub-sar nu-me-en
 en: Why are you not a scribe like me?
15. [...] x x [...]-gin7#? nu-ub-be2-en
 en: And why(?) do you not say thus:
16. [...] bala#-a-ab# [...] bala#-e-de3 ba-ab-du7-un
 en: Converse, I am suitable for conversation
17. [...] zu2 nu-e-gaz i3#-gub#-gub#-ba ba-an-ku4-re
 en: I did not gnaw at sourdough, I(?) enter as the one standing(?)
18. [...] 5(disz) i3-duh KA-inim-ma 5(disz)-am3 bi2#?-szid#?-da#?-ka dub-sar-me-en bi2-du11-du11
 en: Looking two, 5 times (at a text) and being one of reciting(?) 5 texts/text sections, you say “I am a scribe”
19. dub i3-sar dim2-ma!(LA) nu-mu-da-an-ku4
 en: You write a tablet and then you(!) cannot bring (its contents) into the intellect
20. u3-na-a-du11 i3-sar ki-szer11 a-ra-ab-tuku
 en: You write a letter, and that is the extent of it for you (i.e., no comprehension)
21. e2 ba!-e-de3 gen-na e2 nu-mu-da-ba-e-en
 en: Go to divide up an estate! You cannot divide it
22. a-sza3 si-ge-de3 gen-na esz2-GAN2 gi-disz-ninda nu-mu-da-ha-za
 en: Go to “fill"(? i.e., map out?) a field! You cannot hold the measuring line and rod
23. {gesz}gag-a ki nu-mu-e-da-du3-e dim2-ma mu-e-da-an#?-ku4#
 en: You cannot drive a stake into the ground, you cannot bring it into (your) intellect (i.e., comprehend it?)
24. lu2 du14 mu2-a-bi zi# li-bi2-gi4-gi4-[...]
 en: You do not calm down arguing people
25. szesz szesz-da tesz2-bi bi2-ib2-dab5-be2-[...]
 en: You will make brother seize brother
26. lu2-tu15 nu-ub-tum2 dub-sar-e-ne-[...]
 en: Unsuitable idiot among scribes
27. a-na-sze3 ba-ab-du7-un me-sze3 lu2 he2-en-x-[...]
 en: What are you suitable for? Where should someone bring (employ?) you(?)?
  double ruling
28. a-na-asz nig2-na-me-sze3 la-ba#?-ab-du7-un#?
 en: Why am I not suitable for anything?
29. e2 ba-e-de3 ga-gen e2 mu-da-ba-e-en#?
 en: If I go to divide up an estate, I can divide it
30. a-sza3 si-ge-de3 ga-gen ki si-ge-x [...]
 en: If I go to “fill"(?! i.e., map out?) a field, “filling out” the space ...
31. lu2 du14 mu2-a-bi sza3-bi ab-hun-ge26 zi x-[...]
 en: I(!) pacify the hearts of the arguing people, I can calm them down
32. szesz# szesz-da tesz2-bi bi2-ib2-du10-ge sza3 mu#-[...]
 en: I(!) sweeten brother together with brother, I can cool their hearts
reverse
1. za-e gu2-zal dub#-[...]
 en: You are a scoundrel among scribes, a ground dweller among people
2. a-ra2 he2-bi2-szid#? [...]
 en: If you count up//recite a multiplication table, the calculation(?) is labored
3. igi diri he2-bi2-[...]
 en: If you solve the inverted numbers, you cannot return them to one side (invert them again?)
4. sahar-gar-ra x [...]
 en: Volume calculations, “length to front eating each other” (calculation of the volume of a triangle?)
5. ib2-si8 sag-du3 ka#-[sir3 ...]
 en: Squares, triangles, circles, semi-circles
6. us2 us2 i3-gu7 GAN2 pana [...]
 en: Trapezoids, “field of a bow,” “field of a boat”
7. lu2 a-ra-gar szu ba-e-da-e3#? [...]
 en: (If) someone posits them to you, you cannot(!?) produce them, you are blocked in your mouth
8. KA-inim-ma sza3 dub-ba eme-gir15#-[...]
 en: You do not know the solutions of texts/text sections and the contents of Sumerian tablets
9. na-ru2-a-sze3 u3-ba-te u4 zalag [...]
 en: After approach a stela, shining light darkens for you
10. puzur5-puzur5 bar-ra szu ur3-ru-sze3 x [...]
 en: In order to erase extraneous secrets(?), spit(?) is not ... for you, you are blocked in your mouth
11. eme x eme hul-gal2 in dub2#-[...]
 en: (Possessor of) a ... tongue, (possessor) of an evil tongue, abuser, arguer
12. u3# za#-e sza3 dumu e2-dub-ba-a-[...]
 en: And you are among the students of the scribal school?
  double ruling
13. [...] sza3# dumu e2#-dub-ba-a-ke4-ne nu-me-en
 en: Why am I not among the students of the scribal school?
14. [...]-sar#-ra#-zu dub nam-dub-sar-gu10 za3 ba-ab-tag#
 en: My tablet of the scribal art supplants your tablet of the scribal art
15. [...]-lu7#-zu! nam-lu2-lu7-gu10-da ba-ab-gar
 en: ..., your humanity has been set with my humanity
16. [...]-an-gur ga-ra-ab-du11
 en: I want to roll up/wipe clean ..., I want to speak to you
17. [... nam]-dub#-sar-ra-ka# diri-gu10-usz# x-zu#-a nu#?-me-en#
 en: Among the work of the scribal art, you are not above me in your ...
18. [...] lu2#-ka# [...] lu2# [nu]-me#-en
 en: Among the work of the “son of a man” as a “son of a man” you are not above me
19. [...]-me-en
 en: I want to say, I want to repeat “you are not the son of an established man”
20. [... im]-ri#-a#-me-en
 en: I want to say “peace,” I am the son of a (famous?) family/clan
21. [...] ka#-ta sa2-a-me#-en
 en: The clay/tablet is(?) good ..., my hand compares with the mouth (in dictation speed, content?)
22. [...] x-tum3-de3-en-na-gu10-gin7 ma-an-ni-ib-ku4-ku4-un
 en: When(?) I bring my hand somewhere(?), I bring ... there for myself(?)
23. x-x {gesz#}as4-lum-ma {gesz}dib-dab {gesz}ki-la2-bi
 en: The design(?), the measuring rod, the waterclock and its(?) weight
24. im-la2 gesz szu du7 nu-kar2-kar2-da szu-si ga-pa3-da
 en: Hanging from it(?), fully equipped tools(?) that are not to be checked(?), I shall find with my finger(?)
25. gi-ku5 gi-pa3-da du10-us2-asz
 en: ... on behalf of a friend/companion(?)
26. ku3 dam-gar3-ra siki sa10 na4 4(disz) gin2? a2-ne-ne-sze3 tum3-da#?
 en: In order to bring on behalf of their labor/wage(?) the merchant's silver (for) buying wool, a total of four gin stone weights' worth(?)
27. a2-du3-a geme2 usz-bar zi-zi ga2-ga2-de3
 en: To initiate and conclude/to raise and set (the warp and weft?) the daily labor of the servile female weaver
28. kin2 til-la simug dumu um-mi-a-ke4-ne sza3-bi in-ga-an-zu
 en: The completed task of the metalworker, the member of the experts, I(?) also have known its particulars
29. a ru-a-gu10 eme-gir15-ra-am3 dumu dub-sar-ra-me-en
 en: My engenderer is Sumerian, I am the son of a scribe
30. za-e tur pe-el-la2 na-ga2-ah-me-en
 en: You are a “defiled child,” stupid
31. dub nu-mu-da-dim2-en {im}li-gi4-in szu nu-e-da-ra-ra-an
 en: You cannot form a tablet, you cannot pat out a ligin extract tablet
32. mu ni2-za nu-e-da-sar-re im szu-za nu-du7
 en: You cannot write your own name, the tablet is not suited to your hand
33. al ke3-de3 gub-ba al-szub he2-da-gal2
 en: Get up to do hoeing work, so that the šub hoe is with you
34. lil hu-ru gesztu2 szu2-a-ab szu2-a-ab ga2-e-gin7-nam eme-gir15-ra-me-en
 en: Childish fool, cover your ears(?), cover your ears! Are you Sumeran like me?
  double ruling
36. a-na-asz gesztu2 szu2-a-ab szu2-a-ab-gu10 ma-ra-szid-de3-en
 en: Why do you recite(?) “cover your ears(?), cover your ears"? for me(?)

Consult previous versions and their differences
Consult sign list of Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)
Consult word list of Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)

  • Artifact type: Tablet
  • Material: Clay
  • Measurements (mm):
  • Weight:
  • Artifact Preservation:
  • Condition Description:
  • Join Information:
  • Seal no.:
  • Seal information:
  • Artifact comments:

  • Genre(s): Literary (ETCSL 5.04.03 Enkimanšum and Girniisag (witness) (CHECK))
  • Language(s): Sumerian

  • history: UET 6, 0150

    [Gadd1963] Gadd, Cyril J., and Aaron Shaffer. 1963, 1966.

  • Composite No.:
  • Museum No.: BM —
  • Accession No.:

  • Provenience: Ur (mod. Tell Muqayyar)
  • Elevation:
  • Stratigraphic Level:
  • Excavation No: U 17900j
  • Findspot Square:
  • Findspot Comments:

Created Creator Type Authors Project Reviewer Status Action
2023-06-15 at 20:34:30 Rattenborg, Rune Artifact Rattenborg, Rune Geomapping Landscapes of Writing Rattenborg, Rune approved View
2019-05-29 at 21:01:58 Englund, Robert K. Atf Englund, Robert K. CDLI approved View
2006-11-02 at 00:00:00 CDLI Artifact Foxvog, Daniel A.; Guerra, Dylan; Peterson, Jeremiah; Veldhuis, Niek; Wolfe, Jared N. CDLI approved View

Consult this artifact as presented on the website of collections and projects:

This artifact is a witness to the following composite(s):

Composite Score
CDLI Literary 000769 (Enkimanšum and Girniisag) composite (P519352) View the score

General Notes: -
CDLI Notes: -
Cite this Artifact
“CDLI Literary 000769, Ex. 003 Artifact Entry.” (2006) 2023. Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (CDLI). June 15, 2023. https://cdli.ucla.edu/P346235.
CDLI Literary 000769, ex. 003 artifact entry (No. P346235). (2023, June 15). Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (CDLI). https://cdli.ucla.edu/P346235 (Original work published 2006)
CDLI Literary 000769, ex. 003 artifact entry (2023) Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (CDLI). Available at: https://cdli.ucla.edu/P346235 (Accessed: May 1, 2024).
@misc{2023CDLI,
	note = {[Online; accessed 2024-05-01]},
	year = {2023},
	month = {jun 15},
	title = {CDLI {Literary} 000769, ex. 003 artifact entry},
	url = {https://cdli.ucla.edu/P346235},
	howpublished = {https://cdli.ucla.edu/P346235},
}


TY  - ELEC
DA  - 2023/6/15/
PY  - 2023
ID  - P346235
LB  - CDLI:P346235
M1  - 2024/5/1/
TI  - CDLI Literary 000769, ex. 003 artifact entry
UR  - https://cdli.ucla.edu/P346235
ER  -
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