CDLI Literary 000509, ex. 001 (P423487)

Literary tablet written in Ur (mod. Tell Muqayyar) and 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

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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 2.06.09.02 Rim-Sin B (witness) Hymn to Haia for Rim-Sin)

Language(s)

Sumerian

Measurements

-

Witness

tablet
obverse
1. en gesztu2 mah szu du7 sa2 gal-e pa3-da
 en: Lord who perfectly executes supreme wisdom, and gives great advice
2. {d}ha-ia3 dub gal-gal ha-ha-za gesztux(|GISZ.TUG2|)-gesztu2-ga pesz-pesz
 en: Haya, who holds the great tablets, (which) make thick/triplicate(?) understanding
3. szita5-du3 hal-an-ku3 igi kad5? BAD galam-ma e2-|E2.GESZTU2| {d}nisaba-ke4
 en: Accountant of Halankug, skillful knotter and opener of the eye(?) of the “house of wisdom of Nisaba”
4. sza13-dub-ba e2-gal an-ki-a kinx(UR4) kilib3-ba szid-szid
 en: Archivist of the palace of the universe, counting up all of the tasks
5. gi ku3-ga szu gal2-le im nam tar gal-gal mul-mul
 en: One who holds the holy reed (stylus), writing/making shine the tablet of great fates(?)
6. gal-an-zu inim gesztu2 de5-ge u4-bi-sze3 an ku3-ga-ra
 en: Wise one who listens to the word/ponders matters(?) for holy An daily
7. kiszib3-gal2 a-a {d}en-lil2-la2-ke4 lu2 <sza3>-tam-ma <lu2>-e3 erim3# e2-kur-ra
 en: Seal-bearer of father Enlil, šatam official(?) and key holder(?) of the storehouse of the Ekur temple
8. he2-du7 esz3-e abzu-a siki bar-ra sur5-sur5 en {d}nu-dim2-mud-ra
 en: Ornament of shrine Abzu, who ties up(?) (his) external hair for lord Nudimmud
9. {d}ha-ia3 sza3-gada-la2 e2-u6-nir-ra uz-ga ku3-sze3 dab
 en: Haya, the šagadala priest of the Eunir temple, the one who passes into the holy uzga cella
10. umun2 ke3-ke3 esz3 e2-kisz-nu-gal2-ke4 mu mah-bi gal-la#?
 en: The one who acts sagaciously of shrine Ekišnugal, who exalts its supreme name
11. sza3 inim gal2 ki-sikil {d}nin-gal-e unu2 gal ti-la
 en: The one with thoughts in his mind(?) who Ningal sustains in the great dining hall/sanctum
12. musz3-me sa6 gidlam2 ki ag2 {d}nun-bar-sze-gu-nu
 en: (Possessor of) beautiful features, beloved spouse of Nunbaršegunu (Nisaba)
13. lu2 mu mah mi2-us2#-sa2 kur-gal a-a {d}en-lil2-la2
 en: Man with a great name, father-in-law of Great Mountain Enlil
14. saga banda3{+da} igi-gal2-tuku igi#? kar2# x-x an ki-bi-da-ke4
 en: Junior saga functionary, wise one, examiner(?) and ... of both heaven and earth
15. gu2-un dingir-re#-e#-ne# szu# gid2#-da#? ma#-dam kur ab su3-u4-da inim-ma-ni bur2#?-e
 en: Who received the tribute of the gods, and disseminates his (Enlil's?) word about the abundance of(?) distant mountains and seas
16. gal-zu me mah# nam#?-nun#?-na#?-ka u5#?-bi# za3 kesz2-da
 en: Wise one who is clad in the control/superimposition of(!?) the supreme cosmic powers of rulership(?)
17. sza3 dagal# sur-ra gesz-hur ku3-ga e2 eridu#{ki}-ga-ke4 szu dab#?-be2#
 en: (Possessor) of a mind broadly “squeezed” (of every potential idea?), grasping the holy plans of the temple of Eridu
18. {d}ha-ia3 lu2 szu-luh sikil-la engur-ra-ke4 {tug2}ba13-sze3 la2-la2
 en: Haya, he of the pure šuluh rites of the watery deep, fastened to(?) the ba garment
19. {d}nindagarax(|NINDA2.GU4|) sanga2 utah-he2 kur-ta ka# duh-u3 dingir-re-e-ne#-ke4
 en: Indagara, saga functionary, in heaven and the netherworld (he is) the mouth-opener (ritual practitioner) of the gods
20. sza3 dub-ba su3-u4-da zu#-a galam ke3-ke3 dingir gal-gal-e-ne
 en: Who knows the contents of esoteric tablets, the skillfully acting one of the great gods
21. szu!?-nir-nir gesz du3-a du3-du3 sag si-ga ki galam HAR kalam-ma
 en: The one who fixes in place the emblems set (upon) a wood(en pole)(?), caretaker(?) of the ... site of the land
22. ki-szu-tag-tag unu2 sig7-ga an-szar2 kur-gal-ra
 en: (As well as?) the kišutag shrines, and the verdant(?) sanctum for Anšar and Great Mountain (Enlil)
23. sag il2 mah esz3-e abzu-ta du11-ga-ni sze-ga
 en: Supreme one who raises the head, who is agreeable to his (Enki's) command in shrine Abzu
24. lu2 sag kesz2 kur6 u4 sikil-la szu dab-be2 e2 dingir-re-e-ne
 en: Caretaker who requisitions pure daily rations (for?) the temples of the gods
25. {d}ku3-su3 {d}nindagarax(|NINDA2.GU4|) e-ne-ne-da nu an nu-sikil-la ki nu-dadag-ge
 en: Without Kusu and Indagara the sky would not be pure, the earth would not be clean
26. u2 gal-gal su3-su3 an {d}en-lil2-la2 unu2 mah-ne-ne-ke4
 en: The one who dines extensively in the supreme dining hall/sanctum of An and Enlil
27. lu2 musz3 ku3-ga igi duh en {d}nu-dim2-mud-e
 en: The one whose pure face(?) is seen by lord Nudimmud/has seen lord Nudimmud(?)
28. zabar ku3-ga szu gal2-le sza3 hul2-hul2 bar si-si-ge5
 en: Who holds the pure bronze vessel/mirror(?) that gladdens the heart and improves/beautifies(?) the back/liver
29. lugal-gu10 nam-mah-zu szir3-ra ga-am3-i-i
 en: My king, I want to praise your greatness in song
reverse
1. {d}ha-ia3 nam-gal-zu gil-sa-sze3 ga-am3-pa3-pa3-de3
 en: Haya, I want to constantly discover your greatness as a treasure
2. a-ba za-a-gin7 dingir-re-e-ne-ke4 me ku3-ga-asz tum2-ma
 en: Who is like you among the gods in being suited for the pure cosmic powers?
3. gidlam ki ag2-zu ki-sikil {d}nisaba nin9 gal nin-e-ne
 en: Your beloved spouse, the young woman Nisaba, the great lady/"elder sister"(?) of ladies
4. u3-tu-da sza3-ga-ni {d}nin-lil2-la2 dam mah {d}nu-nam-nir#-ra
 en: Her womb gave birth to(?) Ninlil, the supreme spouse of Nunamnir
5. bara2 e2-kur-ra-ke4 sag il2-la an-sze3 szi-in-da-ti
 en: She who has raised her head in the tent enclosure/at the dais of the Ekur temple, she is able to approach(?) towards heaven
6. nam-eresz dingir-re-e-ne-ke4 me-er-ga-bi al-ke3-e dingir za3 sza4 nu-tuku
 en: She singly exercises the queenship of the gods (as) a god that has no rival
7. za-e ninda2 gal galga zi pa3-da en3 tar-tar dingir-re-e-ne-ke4
 en: You, the great breed bull that finds true counsel, who constantly inquires after the gods
8. {d}ha-ia3 me szum2-szum2-mu kinx(UR4) ag2-e ki-szu-pesz igi zu-zu-a-me-en
 en: Haya, who gives out the cosmic powers and assigns work, you are the one who makes (others?) familiar with(?) the shrine
9. {d}en-ki-ke4 esz3-e abzu-ta mu7-mu7 nam-ti-la-ni mu-ra-rig7
 en: Enki bestowed his incantations of life to you in shrine Abzu
10. en ge6-par4-e mu-ni-ib-hun-en sag si mu-ni-ib-gar-re-en
 en: You install the en priestess in the gipar cloister, you put in place (its) caretaking(?)
11. sipa kalam-ma-ra gidri mah u4 su3-ra2 szu-ni-sze3 bi2-ib-dab5-be2!-en
 en: For the shepherd of the homeland, you take hold of the supreme scepter of(?) distant time for his hand
12. {d}ha-ia3 dingir kalam-ma a-ra-zu ug3 szar2-ra gesz tuku-me-en
 en: Haya, god of the homeland, you are the one who listens to the arazu prayer of the many people
13. za-e dingir gal-gal-e-ne ug3 dagal-la szu-ni-sze3 bi2-ib-dab5-e#?-en
 en: You (among the?) great gods take hold of/settle(?) the broad population for his hand
14. a-a {d}en-ki abzu-ta e3-da-ni-ta
 en: After Enki comes forth from the Abzu
15. {d}ha-ia3 nam-gal-bi za-e sza-mu-re-da-an-ag2
 en: Haya, he shall measure/assign(?) its greatness for you
16. kalam sza3-ba i3-ni-me-a-ke4 gu2-bi an-sze3 szi-bi2-ib-zi-zi
 en: The one(s) who are in the midst of the homeland(?) shall raise their necks towards heaven
17. nam-lu2-lu7-bi u4 asil3-la2 mi-ni-ib-zal-zal-le-ne
 en: Its people will pass the time rejoicing
18. ug3 szar2-ra-bi sza3 hul2-la u4 ul-li2-a-asz bi2-ib-ke3-e-en
 en: You will compel its many people to rejoice as in ancient times
19. e2 dingir gal-gal-e-ne ezem ab-gar-re-en giri17-zal szi-bi2-du8-du8-un
 en: You establish festivals (in) the temples of the great gods and therefore release joy
20. sag-kal-sag-kal-e dingir-re-e-ne-ke4 gesz-szub gal-gal ug3 til-la-a#!?-ni
 en: The foremost among the gods(?), when he ... the great lots that sustain/finish(?) the land/people
21. igi sa6-ga-zu nam-ti SI-A lugal-ra igi zi bar-mu-un-szi-ib
 en: For the sake of the king, look faithfully towards him (with) your beautiful face that is filled with/surpassing with(?) life
22. nun {d}ri-im-{d}suen bala hul2-hul2 u4 su3-u4-da szu zi gar-mu-na-ab
 en: For prince Rīm-Sîn, faithfully establish a most joyous reign of distant duration
23. im nam-ti-la-ke4 du-ri2-sze3 nu-kur2-ru mu-bi gub-ni
 en: Enter this name on the tablet of life, which is never to be altered
24. sipa {d}ri-im-{d}suen nam-en-bi an {d}en-lil2-la2 ki he2-ag2-e-ne
 en: So that An and Enlil shall love the lordship of shepherd Rīm-Sîn
25. lu2-szir3-ra-ke4 za3-mi2-zu ka-bi-a mi-ni-ib-du10-ge-ne
 en: The singers shall make your praise sweet in their(?) mouths
26. {d}ha-ia3 lu2-szir3-ra-ke4 za3-mi2-zu ka-bi-a mi-ni-ib-du10-ge-ne
 en: Haya, the singers shall make your praise sweet in their(?) mouths
27. en an-ki lugal abzu-a za3-mi2-bi mah-a
 en: Lord of the universe, king of the watery deep, whose(?) praise is supreme
28. a-a {d}en-ki lugal abzu-a za3-mi2-zu du10-ga
 en: Father Enki, king of the watery deep, your praise is sweet
  double ruling
29. u18-ru12-bi-im
 en: It is its uru.
30. {d}ha-ia3 dingir kalam-ma ga-ti-e ki ag2 nun {d}ri-im-{d}suen-e a2 bad tal2-ni he2-me#-en#
 en: Haya, god of the land who loves the will to live/the ex-voto offering(?), your shall be his one who extends open arms (in protection)
31. gesz-gi4-gal2-bi-im
 en: It is its gešgigal “response”.

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 2.06.09.02 Rim-Sin B (witness) Hymn to Haia for Rim-Sin)
  • Language(s): Sumerian


  • history: UET 6, 0101b

    [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 07738
  • Findspot Square:
  • Findspot Comments:

Created Creator Type Authors Project Reviewer Status Action
2023-06-28 at 23:15:35 Rattenborg, Rune Artifact Hafford, William B.; Rattenborg, Rune Geomapping Landscapes of Writing Rattenborg, Rune approved View
2023-06-15 at 20:38:30 Rattenborg, Rune Artifact Rattenborg, Rune Geomapping Landscapes of Writing Rattenborg, Rune approved View
2019-06-11 at 15:44:58 Englund, Robert K. Atf Englund, Robert K. CDLI approved View
2019-06-01 at 14:34:08 Englund, Robert K. Atf Englund, Robert K. CDLI approved View
2019-05-29 at 21:01:59 Englund, Robert K. Atf Peterson, Jeremiah CDLI approved View
2015-07-31 at 08:29:39 Englund, Robert K. Atf Englund, Robert K. CDLI approved View
2015-07-31 at 08:18:27 Englund, Robert K. Atf Englund, Robert K. CDLI approved View
2014-02-28 at 09:07:25 Englund, Robert K. Atf Englund, Robert K. CDLI approved View
2011-10-07 at 06:49:29 CDLI Atf CDLI CDLI approved View
2011-07-19 at 00:00:00 CDLI Artifact Dahl, Jacob L.; Peterson, Jeremiah CDLI approved View

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

Composite Score
CDLI Literary 000509 (Rim-Sin B) composite (P481130) View the score

General Notes: -
CDLI Notes:

zzz

Cite this Artifact
“CDLI Literary 000509, Ex. 001 Artifact Entry.” (2011) 2023. Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (CDLI). June 28, 2023. https://cdli.ucla.edu/P423487.
CDLI Literary 000509, ex. 001 artifact entry (No. P423487). (2023, June 28). Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (CDLI). https://cdli.ucla.edu/P423487 (Original work published 2011)
CDLI Literary 000509, ex. 001 artifact entry (2023) Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (CDLI). Available at: https://cdli.ucla.edu/P423487 (Accessed: March 28, 2024).
@misc{2023CDLI,
	note = {[Online; accessed 2024-03-28]},
	year = {2023},
	month = {jun 28},
	title = {CDLI {Literary} 000509, ex. 001 artifact entry},
	howpublished = {https://cdli.ucla.edu/P423487},
}

TY  - ELEC
DA  - 2023/6/28/
PY  - 2023
ID  - P423487
LB  - CDLI:P423487
M1  - 2024/3/28/
TI  - CDLI Literary 000509, ex. 001 artifact entry
UR  - https://cdli.ucla.edu/P423487
ER  - 
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