CDLI Literary 000382 (Lament for Uruk) composite (P469684)

Literary artifact dated to the Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) period

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Period

Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)

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Genre / Subgenre(s)

Literary (ETCSL 2.02.05 Lament for Uruk (composite))

Language(s)

Sumerian

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Composite

object composite text
surface a
m=segment A
1. [...] x gar-ra re szu gur-bi x x-dam
 en: The ... which had developed -- its wiping clean (?) was to be accomplished (?)
2. [...] x an? ki-ke4 me-bi x x nu2
 en: The ... of heaven and earth put their divine powers ... to sleep (?).
3. [...] x E NE ba-ab-ra
 en: ...
4. [...] lu2 ti dingir-re-e-ne-gin7 a-na me bi2-ib2-tab
 en: ... mortal man multiplied to become as numerous as the gods.
5. [...]-bi-ta |GA2xGAR| su3-e mi-ni-in-se3-ge5-esz-a
 en: When together ... had achieved a momentous decision,
6. [...] dingir-re-e-ne-ke4 sza3 x [...] mu-un-gu7
 en: , the ... of the gods ...
7. {d}en-ki {d}nin-ki umusz mi-ni-in-gal2-e-esz 3(u)-a-kam
 en: Enki and Ninki determined the consensus -
8. {d}en-ul {d}nin-ul-e nam bi2-in-tar-re-esz ...-du11
 en: Enul and Ninul assigned the fate, ...
9. an {d}en-lil2-bi ba-an-u3-tu-usz-a ...-gin7 e-ne ba-se3
 en: When together An and Enlil had created it, that one resembled ...
10. {d}nin-lil2-le musz3-me mi-ni-in-szum2-ma x x e-ne ba-ab-tum3
 en: When Ninlil had given it features, that one was fit for ...
11. {d}a-ru-ru {d}suen {d}en-ki-bi me-dim2-bi ba-an-ak-esz-a
 en: When together Aruru, Suen and Enki had fashioned its limbs,
12. e-ne ba-he2-szi ge6 en-nu-ug3 MASZ-a-gin7 [...] x-asz ba-ab-gar
 en: that one turned pitch black, as at night, halfway through the watch, ...
13. dingir gal-gal-e-ne kusz3-kusz3-ta ba-an-sig7-ge-esz [...] mi-ni-ib-gal2
 en: All the great gods paled at its immensity and ... was brought about.
14. am gal-gin7 gu3 mah im-mi-ib-du11 szix(|KAxBALAG|)-bi e-ne ba-e-si
 en: Like a great wild bull which bellows mightily, that one filled the world with its roar.
15. si gal-bi an-ne2 he2-em-us2-sa ni2-bi a-ba-a in-dub2
 en: As its gigantic horns reached up to heaven, who trembled in his very core?
16. sa-par4-gin7 kur-re he2-em-dub-ba a-ba-a ba-ni-in-gur
 en: As it was piled up over the mountains like a battle-net, who turned away?
17. sila-ba er2 a-nir a-ba-a i-ni-in-gar x [...]
 en: Who caused wailing and lamenting in those streets and ...?
18. unu{ki}-ge lu2 zi ni2 te-a-gin7 x x [...]
 en: Uruk, like a loyal citizen in terror, set up an alarm
19. zi-ga szu-ba a-na-asz ba-ni-ib-dab5 igi zi? a-na-asz ...
 en: (and exclaimed) “Rise up!” Why did its hand seize Uruk? Why did the benevolent eye look away?
20. sza3 sag3 a-nir-ra a-ba-a i-ni-in-gar x x x IM [...] x
 en: Who brought about such worry and lamenting and ...?
21. e-ne ba-ab-te sahar-ra e-ne ba-an-tusz? giri3 a-na-asz ba-da-ze2-er
 en: That one drew nearer. That one settled upon the ground. Why would he withdraw?
22. dim2-ma-bi szu bala a-ba-a bi2-in-ak umusz-bi a-ba-a bi2-in-kur2
 en: Who distorted Uruk's good sense and deranged its good counsel?
23. {d}udug sa6-ga-bi a-ba-a ib2-ta-an-dub2 {d}lamma-bi a-ba-a in-ga-an-ra
 en: Who smashed its good udug deity? Who struck its good lamma deity too?
24. ni2 me-lam2 sag-ga2 gal2-la-bi szu hul a-ba-a bi2-in-du11
 en: Who desecrated the fearsome radiance which crowned it?
25. unu{ki}-ga tesz2-bi a-ba-a ib2-ta-an-gu7?-x x gig a-ba-a in-ga-x x
 en: Who brought about mob panic in Uruk? Who ... sickness too?
26. iri-da kur-kur [...] unu{ki}-ga e2-ba a-ba-a ...
 en: Along with the city, the foreign lands ..., who ... in the temple of Uruk?
27. e-ne [...]
 en: That one ...
  n lines broken
m=segment B
1. [...] x x
 en: ...
2. [...] x SA RA [...] x a-ba-a in-ak
 en: Who made ...?
3. [...]-ni sag a-na-asz ba-ab-su3 ug3 sag-ge6-ga a-ba-a in-lu-lu-un
 en: Why was ... expanded? Who made the black-headed people become so numerous?
4. ... a-ba-a za3 im-mi-in-tag
 en: Who overthrew ...?
5. [...]-bi gesz im-mi-gul [...] a-ba-a dur2-bi-sze3 mu-un-gi4
 en: ... was destroyed - who restored ...?
6. [...] x a-ba-a sag im-mi-tu-lu
 en: Who confronted ...?
7. [...] x-ba e-ne ba-ze2-er
 en: That one crushed ...
8. [...] x NI x x E NE [...]
 en: That one ...
  rest broken
m=segment C
1. [...]-gin7? sag x x x x x
 en: ... like ...
2. [...] x DU {d}utu lu2 ki di an-na-ta [...]-a szu2 sza-ra-us2 gu2-bi nu-mu-szi-ib2-zi
 en: ... and Utu, who in human form renders judgment at the law court of heaven, set and did not rise again.
3. [...] x-in-di-be2-esz nam-tag dugud ba-ab-il2
 en: ... bore a heavy burden of sin.
4. [...] di kur2-kur2 en {d}nu-nam-nir-ra
 en: ... the altered verdicts of Lord Nunamnir.
5. [...] x-ga-ke4 a-na bi2-in-tu11-be2
 en: who can smite ...?
6. [...]-ni-in-szub da mu-un-szi-ib-ak-ne
 en: ... and they approach (?)
7. [...] gal2 igi szum2-ma im-mi-in-e3
 en: ... he brings ... forth.
8. [...] {d}en-lil2-la-ka [...] x-kusz2-u3
 en: ... of Enlil ...
9. [...] x-bi bi2-ib2-til-e
 en: He ... and puts an end to ...
  rest broken
m=segment D
1. [...] x [...]
 en: ...
2. [...] x-sze3 tesz2-e ni2-ba [...]
 en: ... each and every one ...
3. [...] x-la-ba a-ra2-bi ba-[...]
 en: ... its ways were ...
4. [...]-gul-lu se3-se3-ge4-bi a2-bi [...]
 en: ...its destruction and demolition, ...
5. ... dingir-re-e-ne-ke4 gesztu2 ba-szi-in-x
 en: The ... of the gods ... attention.
6. [...] x-ke4 gu2 ba-an-da-szub-ba
 en: ..., who neglected ...,
7. [...] x gidim hul bi2-in-te-a iri igi-ba ba-du8
 en: ... the city watched as the evil ghost approached.
8. [...] zi hul i3-pa-an-pa er2 gig i3-sze8-sze8
 en: ... breathed painfully, he wept bitterly.
9. [...] KA mu-un-ak-e sag sag3-ge nu-ga2-ga2
 en: ... there was no nodding of the head.
10. er2-re a-nir-ra sza3 mu-ni-ib-kusz2-u3 iri ni2-ba mu-da-dub2
 en: He consoled himself with tears and laments - the city trembled.
11. szu pe-el szu ba-ab-ra sag ba-ab-tal2 iri ni2-ba ba-an-ta-ra
 en: A defiled hand smote him and flattened his skull - the city collapsed.
12. ni2 me-lam2 i-bi2 du3-a-gin7 ni2-bi-a ba-an-te
 en: The fearsome radiance overwhelmed like ...
13. iri sag-ku3-gal2 kur-kur-ra re ha-lam gar-gin7 ba-du3
 en: The proud city of all the lands became like one who spreads havoc.
14. amasz {lu2}sipa zi-de3 du3-du3-a re ni2-bi-a ba-an-bu-bu
 en: The faithful cowherds themselves overturned every single cattlepen.
15. tur3 unu3 gal-e du3-a re ni2-bi-a ba-an-tab-tab
 en: The chief shepherds themselves burned (?) every sheepfold.
16. zar-gin7 ba-du3 zar-gin7 ba-sal ni2-bi-a ba-an-ur4
 en: They built them up like grain heaps, they spread them out like grain piles,
17. HAR SUH3 a-sza3-ga a ba-ab-gar iri sug-ge4 ba-ab-gu7
 en: they were convulsed. ... they drenched the fields with water, they turned the city into a swamp.
18. i3-ak-ak gi ki sumun-na-gin7 u3-tu-da nu-ga2-ga2
 en: They did all that. Like reeds in a wasteland, life could not be revived.
19. sag2 ba-ab-du11 iri-a nig2-hul-a |KAxLUM| mu-un-da-an-x x
 en: They brought ruination. Evil things menaced (?) the city.
20. sza3 ni2 te ug3-ba nig2-me-gar tug2-gin7 i-im-dul (x x)
 en: A hush settled over the awed hearts of its people like a cloak.
21. {d}udug sa6-ga-bi im-ta-an-e3-e-esz {d}lamma-bi ba-da-an-kar-re-esz
 en: Its good udug deities went away, its lamma deities ran off.
22. {d}lamma-bi edin-na bar-bi2-ib-da giri3 kur2 ba-ra-an-dab5-be2-esz
 en: Its lamma deity (said) “Hide in the open country” and they took foreign paths.
23. iri dingir-bi ba-da-gur sipa-bi ba-da-an-tak4
 en: The city's patron god turned against it and its shepherd abandoned it.
24. maszkim-bi lu2-erim2 nu-me-a ki kur2 im-ma-an-x
 en: Its guardian spirit, though not an enemy, was exiled (?) to a foreign place.
25. dingir gal-gal-bi ur5 in-ze2-esz bar-ta ba-su8-ge-esz
 en: Thus all its most important gods evacuated Uruk, they kept away from it.
26. hur-sag-ga2 bar im-ma-an-dab5-be2-esz edin-lil2-e ba-ab-[...]
 en: They hid out in the hills and wandered (?) about in the haunted plains.
27. iri silim du3-a gu7 nag-a {dug}saman-gin7 im-mi-in-szub
 en: In the city built upon peace, food and drink were overturned like a saman vessel.
28. sza3-tum3?-ma dum-dam mu-ni-in-za ansze udu im-mi-in-e3
 en: In the pasture lands a tumultuous noise arose, the asses and sheep were driven away.
29. ab-ba lu2-banda3{da} sza3 kusz2-u3-bi x igi-sze3 KA BA bi-x x
 en: Elderly people and babies, taking their rest, ... in front ...
30. x x-ne igi mu-un-bar-bar x x bi2-ib2-szar2-szar2 x x x
 en: They saw ... and slaughtered (?) ...
31. [...] x-bi ba-BU-BU x x
 en: ...
32. ... ba-ni-ib2-du11-ge-[...]
 en: ...
33. [...] x-a me-a [...]
 en: ...
  rest broken
m=segment E
1. [...] ki szu sag3 mi-ni-in-du8?
 en: He ... and opened his clenched fist.
2. [...] mu-na-kal?-la? szu mu-na-gid2
 en: He ... and reached out his hand.
3. [...] ki-en-gi-ra iri lugal ki-bala-a-sze3
 en: The ... of Sumer, the city whose king crossed over to an enemy land,
4. [...]-sze3 ba-ra-ab-bala a2 {gesz}tukul-la [...] mu-un-dub2
 en: to ... - he smote it with the might of his weapon.
5. [...] RI ki sahar-da im-ma-an-gi4
 en: He ... and turned the place into dust.
6. [...] ug3 zar-re-esz mi-ni-in-du8-du8
 en: He ... and piled the people up in heaps.
7. [...] la-la-a-ni en-na bi2-ib2-gi4-gi4
 en: ..., how long until its charms are restored?
8. ki-ru-gu2 2(disz)-kam-ma-am3
 en: 2nd kirugu.
9. x x x an NA x x x kur za3 an-sze3 ug3-e [...] x x
 en: The ... of heaven ... and the people ... to the limits of heaven.
10. gesz-gi4-gal2-bi-im
 en: Its gišgigal.
11. x x x-e im-la2 szu mi-ni-in-gid2-gid2 kur-re ni2 bi2-in-te
 en: He ..., stretched forth his hand and induced terror in the land.
12. {d}en-lil2-le husz gal-bi mu-un-tag gu3 ba-an-de2
 en: Enlil struck out with great ferocity. He announced:
13. a-ma-ru ki al ak-e gu3 im-ma-ab-zi
 en: “A deluge dashing the hoe on the ground shall be invoked.
14. me3 ugu-bi-sze3 {uruda}dur10-gag-am3 egir-bi-sze3 |PA.HAR| 1(disz)-am3
 en: At its front war shall be a ... axe, at its rear it shall be a ...
15. siki lum-ma-bi {gesz}gan2-ur3-ra-am3 {mu}murgu-bi-sze3 izi-am3
 en: Its overgrown hair shall be a harrow, its back shall be flames.
16. sag-ki-bi u4 hul-du3-am3 ki an-na dul-lu-dam
 en: Its countenance shall be a malevolent storm that enshrouds heaven and earth.
17. gesz-nu11-bi nim gir2-re anzu{muszen}-gin7 igi su3-u4-bi bar-re-dam
 en: The glint of its eyes shall be lightning that flashes far like the Anzud bird.
18. gu3-bi mer-mer-ra-am3 izi bar7-a kur-re su3-su3-u3-dam
 en: Its mouth shall rage -- a blazing fire that extends as far as the nether world.
19. eme-bi ga-an-ze2-er-ra-am3 u3-dub2 szeg3-ge26 kalam-ma dar-re-dam
 en: Its tongue shall be an inferno, raining embers, that sunders the Land.
20. a2-bi anzu{muszen} mah du10 bad-re6 nig2-nam nu-e3-am3
 en: Its arms shall be the majestic Anzud bird that nothing can escape when it spreads wide its talons.”
21. ti-ti-bi nig2 za-ra ak-dam u4 zal-gin7 zal-le-dam
 en: “Its ribs shall be crowbars that let light pass inside like the sun's rays.
22. szab-ba-bi-a a2-sag3 uru2 gul-la nig2-kesz2-sze3 mu-un-la2
 en: Knotted at both its hips shall be city-destroying slingstones.
23. hasz2 gal-bi gir2 sur usz2 dul4-dul4-lu u3-mun bala-bala-e-dam
 en: Its great haunches shall be dripping knives, covered with gore, that make blood flow.
24. sa-sa-bi {uruda}szum-me szab-dam giri3-bi hu-ri2-in{muszen}-na-am3
 en: Its muscles shall be saws that slash, its feet those of an eagle.
25. {i7}idigna {i7}buranun ni2 mu-ni-ib-te kur-ra gu3 mi-ni-ib2-ra
 en: It shall make the Tigris and Euphrates quaver, it shall make the mountains rumble.
26. szix(|KAxBALAG|) gi4-bi-sze3 hur-sag i3-bu-re ug3 zar-re-esz i3-sal-e
 en: At its reverberation the hills shall be uprooted, the people shall be pitched about like sheaves,
27. ki-en-gi ki-uri su im-sag3-sag3-ge buru14-gin7 i3-su3-su3-u3
 en: Sumer and Akkad shall shiver, they shall be flooded like a harvest crop.
28. nu-zu-u3-ne im-szi-hul2-hul2-e-esz szeg5? im-szi-ib-tar-re-ne
 en: The foolish shall rejoice, they shall exclaim (?):
29. he2-em-du me3-a gesz-gesz-la2-sze3 iri igi he2-bi2-ib-du8-un-de3-en
 en: “Let it come -- we shall be seeing war and battle in the city,
30. |URUxKAR2| im-gul-la-a-asz bad3 im-se3-ge5-a-asz iri silim i3-si-il-le-a-asz
 en: how the sacred precinct (?) is destroyed, how the walls are battered down, how the city's peace is disrupted,
31. numun zi sag lul-la sag zi-da szu bala mi-ni-ib-ak-a-a-asz
 en: how among the loyal families honest men are transformed into traitors.”"
32. lu2 zu-u3-ne gaba sag3 i3-ak-ne sag i3-sal-sal-e-ne
 en: “But the sensible shall beat their breasts and droop (?) their heads.
33. a2 ge6-ba ni2 er2 mu-ni-ib-te-esz igi lib i3-ak-ne
 en: At midnight they shall be afraid and tearful, and suffer insomnia.
34. ki-nu2 {tug2}nig2-bara3-bi u3 du10 li-bi-ku-ku-ne iri{ki} im-nigin2-nigin2-ne
 en: In bed, under the covers, they shall be unable to sleep soundly, they shall wander about the city.
35. e-ne-ne szu-ne-ne ba-du3-du3 sza3 dar i3-ak-ne
 en: They shall be immobilised, their courage shall run out:
36. a2-tah gub me3 silim-me-esz2 gaba-bi ha-ba-ab-zi-zi-i
 en: “May our allies serving in times of war raise their forces for peace.
37. inim {d}en-lil2-la2-ke4 he2-bi2-ib-gur-re murgu-bi-sze3 ha-ba-gub
 en: May the word of Enlil be sent back, may it turn tail.
38. x x {d}nu-nam-nir-ra-ka usz11-bi he2-bi2-ib-til-e
 en: May the venom of Nunamnir's anger become exhausted.
39. lu2 husz e2-kur-ra x mu-un-dab5-be2-esz-a igi-bi he2-em-szi-tum2
 en: May those vicious men who have seized the E-kur be punished.
40. nibru{ki}-sze3 igi-bi mu-ra-szi-ni-ib2-gal2-la szusz3 he2-em-mi-ib-su-su
 en: May those who have set their sight upon Nibru be swept away.”"
41. ki-ru-gu2 3(disz)-kam-ma-am3
 en: 3rd kirugu.
42. sza3-gu10 er2 im-si szex(SIG7)-szex(SIG7) i3-ga2-ga2
 en: My heart is filled with sorrow, I am tear-stricken.
43. gesz-gi4-gal2-bi-im
 en: Its gišgigal.
44. ki-en-gi a sza3-zu a bar-zu a nam-lu2-u18-lu-zu
 en: Oh, Sumer! Alas -- your spirit! Alas -- your structure! Alas -- your people!
45. inim an-na ki-bi-sze3 ga2-ga2-de3 |URUxKAR2| i3-gul x x
 en: The word of An, having been assigned its place, has destroyed the sacred precinct (?).
46. du11-ga {d}en-lil2-la2 di-di-de3 im-ma-ni-szi-ib-[...]
 en: The pronouncement of Enlil, having been set in motion, ...
47. a-ma-ru ki al ak-e x [...]
 en: The deluge dashing the hoe to the ground ...
48. x husz gal en {d}nergal [...]
 en: The great and fierce ..., Lord Nergal
49. x x x {d}gibil-gin7 {d}nergal [...]
 en: ... like Gibil, Nergal ...
50. [...] x x tum3-gin7 i3-[...]
 en: ...
51. me3 ki-bala [...] x szix(|KAxBALAG|) mu-[...]-gi4-gi4
 en: War ... enemy lands ... echoed.
52. ti mar-uru5-a-gin7 [...]-til-e [...]
 en: Like arrows in a quiver ...
53. ki-en-gi-ra lu2-erim2 [...]
 en: Evildoers in Sumer ...
54. gu-ti-um ur-re ba-e-bala [...]
 en: Gutium, the enemy, overturned ...
55. ki-en-gi gesz-bur2-ra i3-bala-la x [...]
 en: Sumer, caught in a trap, ...
56. ug3-bi szu suh3-ha im-ma-ab-du11 x [...]
 en: ts people were thrown into turmoil ...
57. ur-sag kal-ga ki-en-gi-ra-ke4 gesz [...]
 en: he mighty heroes of Sumer ...
58. sza3 {tu15}u18-lu-da zu NE EN e11? [...]
 en: ... the heart of a hurricane ...
59. erin2 sag-gin7 mu-un-lah5-lah5-esz-am3 AN [...]
 en: They advanced like the front rank of troops, ...
60. KASKAL x-gin7 mu-un-gaz-usz 1(disz)-a re an-gin7 [...]
 en: Like ... they were crushed, every one of them ...
61. me3 zu-ba szu-ba bi2-ib-szub dim2-ma-bi [...]-ak
 en: Their war veterans gave up, their brains were muddled.
62. sag erin2-na lu2-ta e3-a-me-esz gar3 hul-bi [...] x
 en: The troop leaders, the most outstanding of the men, were viciously hewn down.
63. gu-ti-um{ki} ur-ra x E NE [...] {gesz}tukul [...] x
 en: Gutium, the enemy, ... weapons ...
64. igi-bi da-bi-a nu-mu-un-bar-bar-re-esz-a GIR2-GIR2 [...]
 en: Gutium, the enemy, ... weapons ...
65. su-bir4{ki}-e a mah e3-a-gin7 a x [...] x-gin7 ki-en-gi-ra ba-an-de2
 en: Like a swelling flood, like ..., Subir poured into Sumer.
66. masz kar-ra-gin7 ur x [...] ug3 ad6-bi mu-un-si-il-le-esz
 en: They ... like stampeding goats, they tore apart the corpses of the population.
67. ki-en-gi ki-uri gu2-gur5?-ru-usz {gesz}naga3-sze3 mu-un-ak-esz
 en: They mutilated Sumer and Akkad, they pulverised it as with a pestle.
68. masz-kan2 a2-dam-bi mu-un-gul-gul-lu-usz du6-du6-ra mi-ni-in-si-ig-esz
 en: They destroyed its settlements and habitations, they razed them to ruin mounds.
69. ki-en-gi sag-e sahar-gin7 mu-un-dub-bu-usz x [...] mu-un-tu11-be2-esz
 en: The best of Sumer they scattered like dust, they heaped up ...
70. nam-lu2-ulu3-bi aga3-kar2 bi2-in-se3-ge5-esz tur mah-bi mu-un-til-le-esz
 en: They massacred its populace, they finished off young and old alike.
71. iri{ki} {d}a-nun-ke4-ne mu-un-gul-gul-lu-usz izi mu-ni-in-ri-ri-esz
 en: They destroyed the city of the Anuna gods, they set it aflame.
72. unu{ki}-ga igi tab-bi mu-un-gul-gul-lu-usz {gesz}isimu2{mu2}-bi mu-un-suh-u3-usz
 en: hey put out both Uruk's eyes, they uprooted its young shoots.
73. ki-a-nag {d}a-nun-ke4-ne-ke4 nigin2-nigin2 im-mi-in-dib-be2-esz
 en: They wandered all through the libation places of the Anuna gods.
74. kul-ab{ki} iri ul in-ga-me-a ki-lul-la bi2-in-sag3-sag3-ge-esz
 en: And even Kulaba, which is the primeval city, they turned into a place of murder.
75. ki-ru-gu2 4(disz)-kam-ma-am3
 en: 4th kirugu.
76. a ki-en-gi a nam-lu2-ulu3-bi
 en: Alas - Sumer! Alas - its people!
77. gesz-gi4-gal2-bi-im
 en: Its gišgigal.
78. unu{ki} kar-zu za3-zu ba-ab-dab5-be2-esz [...]
 en: Uruk! They seized your wharf and your borders and ...
79. unu{ki}-ge gu3 im-ra szegx(|KAxLI|)? im-gi4 lu2 szu dab5-bi [...]
 en: At Uruk shouts rang out, screams reverberated, its captured men ...
80. sig-sze3 za-pa-ag2 im-gar sig ba-gul a2 nam-ba?-[...]
 en: The noise reached to the south. The south was destroyed and ...
81. nim-sze3 szu im-zi nim ba-se3 tab-ba la-ba-x [...]
 en: The impact forced its way to the uplands. The uplands were struck and ...
82. zi-da gab2-bu ug3 nu-di a2-dam nu-du3-du3 [...]
 en: To the right and left no people moved about, no habitations were built.
83. ki x x-bi-a nu-un-gal2 zi-ga la-ba-szi-ib-x [...]
 en: There was no ... and the mobilisation of troops did not ...
84. an-sze3 x x il2 an i3-til a2-bi DI li-bi2-[...]
 en: ... rose up to heaven. Heaven perished and its strength did not ...
85. ki-a x bi2-ib-DU ki i3-bara3 ni2-bi nu-um-x [...]
 en: ... upon the earth. The earth was scattered, and it did not ...
86. masz-kan2-masz-kan2 ba-bir-bir unu{ki} dili-bi ba-du3 [...]
 en: All the settlements were dispersed - Uruk stood all alone.
87. gu4-dam usu-tuku-am3 tesz2 im-dagal {gesz}tukul-e im-x [...]
 en: It was a bull, it was a champion, it was immense with pride, but it ... to the weapons.
88. ge6 an-bar7-gan2-ba dam-ha-ra im-ak egir-bi-sze3 nu-x [...]
 en: All night and even until midday battle was waged, and afterwards it did not ...
89. {gesz}gu4-si-ASZ {kusz}gurx(|E.TUM|){ur3} ba-su8-ge-esz bad3-bi mu-un-si-il-si-il-le-esz
 en: Battering rams and shields were set up, they rent its walls.
90. za3-e3-ba gu2-giri3 mi-ni-in-gar-re-esz iri {gesz}al-e bi2-in-ra-ra-asz
 en: They breached its buttresses, they hewed the city with axes.
91. ki-gub-ba izi mu-ni-in-szum2-mu-usz iri-tusz-ba mu-un-[...]
 en: They set fire to its stations, they ... the city's dwellings.
92. mu-un-se3-ge-esz mu-un-gul-lu-usz
 en: They destroyed it, they demolished it.
93. unu{ki} ki du10 sahar-da im-da-[...]
 en: Uruk, the good place, was ... with dust.
94. am gal-gin7 ti mu-ni-in-gid2-gid2-i x [...]
 en: Like a great wild bull wounded with an arrow, ...
95. sun2?-gin7 {gesz}szukur mi-ni-in-te-te x [...]
 en: Like a wild cow pierced with a spear, ...
96. kal-ga {gesz}tukul-e sag ba-an-szum2 gesz me3 [...]
 en: The mighty one rushed with his weapons and ... implements of war.
97. su-bir4{ki}-e a mah a e3-a-gin7 zi-ga ...
 en: Subir, rising up like a swelling floodwave, ...
98. e-sir2-e-sir2-ra du10 mi-ni-in-MUSZ2-MUSZ2 [...]
 en: They trampled (?) through the streets and ...
99. u3-mu-un nam-lu2-ulu3 ab2-gin7 mu-un-sur-sur-re-esz nig2 dim2 mu-un-ze-x-re-esz
 en: They let the blood of the people flow like that of a sacrificial cow, they tore out everything that had been built.
100. dumu unu{ki}-ga-ke4-ne [...] x-le-esz
 en: The citizens of Uruk ...
101. x x-bi I x [...]-in-tu11-usz
 en: They ... and threw down ...
102. x x x x ... mu-un-til-le-esz
 en: They ... and put an end to ...
103. [...] mu-un-da-an-dab5-be2-esz
 en: They seized ...
104. [...] bi2-ib-se3-ge5-esz
 en: They struck ...
105. [...] mu-un-gul-gul-lu-usz
 en: They destroyed ...
106. [...]-in-ri-ri-esz
 en: They ...
107. ... mu-un-ha-lam-e-esz
 en: They demolished ...
108. [...] mu-un-gar-re-esz
 en: They set up ...
109. [...]-bi gesz? ba-an-tu11-usz
 en: They heaped up ...
110. [...] ba-an-til-le-esz ... nu-mu-un-tak4-a-asz
 en: They put an end to ... and did not leave behind ...
111. [...] x-ha-e su-bir4{ki}-e ba-an-ku4
 en: ... Subir entered ...
112. ki-ru-gu2 5(disz)-kam-ma-am3
 en: 5th kirugu.
113. [...] im-ma-dim2 gu3 im-me [...] sahar mi-ni-in-su-ub
 en: ... cried out “... has been created” and he smeared dust ...
114. gesz-gi4-gal2-bi
 en: Its gišgigal.
115. [...]-zu sa2 mi-ri-ib-du11 [...] x gaba hul-bi DI-ga2
 en: ... reached ...
116. [...] sa6-sa6 gub-ba
 en: ...
117. [...] us2-sa
 en: ...
118. [...]-da
 en: ...
119. [...]-ga?
 en: ...
120. [...]-an-RI
 en: ...
121. [...]-ba-sze3
 en: ...
122. [...] gar
 en: ...
123. [...] x
 en: ...
124. [...] x
 en: ...
125. [...] x
 en: ...
126. [...] x
 en: ...
127. [...] x-esz
 en: ...
128. [...]-gur
 en: ...
129. [...]-i
 en: ...
130. [...]-asz
 en: ...
131. [...]-dub2-usz
 en: ...
132. [...]-esz
 en: ...
133. [...]-usz
 en: ...
134. [...]-esz
 en: ...
  rest broken
m=segment F
1. ki?-bala? e2? [...] UR [...]
 en: The enemy land ...
2. ki zabala{ki} [...] TA [...]
 en: zabala ...
3. uri2{ki} e2-kisz-nu-gal2 [...] TA [...]
 en: In Ur, the E-kiš-nu-gal ...
4. tur3 {e2}amasz e2 x [...] hul [...]
 en: Cattlepen and sheepfold, evil ...
5. ki su-bir4{ki} [...]
 en: The land of Subir ...
  (200-300 lines broken)
m=segment G
1. dingir gal-gal [...]
 en: All the great gods ...
2. {d}a-nun-na [...]
 en: The Anuna gods ...
3. DI NE x [...]
 en: ...
4. bara2-bara2? [...]
 en: The daises ...
5. IM [...]
 en: ...
  rest broken
m=segment H
  (beginning of 12th kirugu)
1. nin nam-gal-la-ni kur-ra diri-ga
 en: Lady inanna whose greatness is vaster than the mountains,
2. an-gin7 dib {d}en-lil2-gin7 ni2 gur3-ru
 en: hovering like An, vested with grandeur like Enlil,
3. a-a-ni-gin7 ge6 an-szeg6-ga2-ba he2-du7
 en: like her father, perfect by night and in the heat of the day,
4. {d}utu-gin7 nam-szul-la za3 dib
 en: like Utu, surpassing in vigour,
5. ub-da limmu2-ba dili-ni mah
 en: singularly exalted in all the four regions -
6. ni2 dub2-ba e2-za hu-mu-hul2-le
 en: let Išme-Dagan take pleasure in relaxing in your temple,
7. e2-za mul-ma-al hu-mu-ri-ib-za
 en: let him murmer to you in your temple,
8. e2-an-na-za sag hu-mu-ri-in-il2
 en: let him raise his head to you in your E-ana.
9. {d}isz-me-{d}da-gan u2-a-zu ha-ra-da-gub
 en: Let Išme-Dagan serve you as your steward.
10. gu4 gal-gal-e si ha-ra-ni-ib-sa2
 en: Let him prepare great bulls for you.
11. nidba gal-gal-e gesz hu-mu-ra-ab-tag-ge
 en: Let him dedicate great offerings to you.
12. kasz i3-udu i3 hu-mu-ra-ab-szar2-e
 en: Let him make the beer, fat and oil plentiful for you.
13. lal3 gesztin bur-gin7 ha-ra-ab-de2-e
 en: Let him make syrup and wine flow for you as from stone jars.
14. {d}isz-me-{d}da-gan-e ki lugal gub-ba
 en: Let Išme-Dagan,
15. dumu {d}en-lil2-la2 giri17 szu ha-ra-ab-tag-ge
 en: son of Enlil on the king's pedestal, bow in homage to you.
16. ub3 a2-la2-e gu3 nun hu-mu-ra-ab-be2
 en: May he make the ub and ala drums resound grandly for you.
17. tigi a-ra-du10 za-am-za-am hu-mu-ra-ab-du12
 en: May the tigi sound sweetly for you, and may the zamzam play for you.
18. x x x tigi-a hu-mu-ra-ab-du12
 en: May they play ... on the tigi for you,
19. siskur a-ra-zu-zu sag-bi-sze3 ha-ra-e3
 en: expressing your prayers and supplications before you.
20. x x e3-a gal2-gal2-la-sze3
 en: In bringing forth ...,
21. unu{ki} e2-ge6-par4-ra-za
 en: all that there are, at your E-gipar in Uruk,
22. lu2 sun5-na giri3-zu mu-un-dab5-ba
 en: as a humble man who has grasped your feet,
23. ni2-tuku nam-mah-zu mu-un-zu-a
 en: as a reverent man who has experienced your exaltedness,
24. er2 siskur-ra-ta ma-ra-an-de6 u3-mu-un-x x
 en: e has brought a lament as offering to you and will ...
25. nig2 ki-en-gi ki-uri a-na-ab-ak
 en: As for everything that happened to Sumer and Akkad,
26. unu{ki}-ga ki gig-ga igi-na bi2-du8-am3
 en: which he has witnessed in Uruk, the aggrieved place,
27. nar gal-zu szer3-ra hu-mu-ni-ib-tum2-tum2
 en: may the most knowledgeable cantors perform songs there.
28. u3-mu-un-e3-esz er2-bi {d}a-nun-na-ke4-ne
 en: If the Anuna gods emerge tearfully,
29. u4 an ki-in-du-a a-na gal2-la-ba
 en: let them promise to us that as it was when heaven and earth came about,
30. u4-bi nam-me-kur2-ru he2-me-ne-esz
 en: nothing of that time shall be changed.
31. an lu2-ba-ra igi zi u3-mu-un-szi-in-bar
 en: If An looks kindly upon that man and at the well-built city,
32. iri{ki} du3-a ki nam tar-re-da
 en: the place of determining fate,
33. lu2 iri-bi nam-ti nig2 du10-ge
 en: “Man and city! Life and well-being!"
34. gu3 zi-mu-na-ni-ib me-tesz2 he2-i-i
 en: proclaim for him. Let praise ring out.
35. zi-da gab2-bu-na he2-bi2-in-diri
 en: Let him be made surpassing above all, to his right or left
36. {d}lamma ga2-la nu-dag-ge sag-ga2-na tuku-bi2-ib
 en: Tireless lamma deity, take hold of his head,
37. nam-tar-ra-ni inim? zi du11-ga-a-ba
 en: pronounce his fate in charitable words -
38. inim an-na? {d}en-lil2-la2-sze3 su3-da-sze3 nu-kur2-ru
 en: - by the command of An and Enlil it will remain unaltered for a long time.
39. ki-ru-gu2 12(disz)-kam-ma-am3
 en: 12th kirugu.

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: Artifact type comments:

    composite text

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

    composite text

  • Genre(s): Literary (ETCSL 2.02.05 Lament for Uruk (composite))
  • Language(s): Sumerian


  • history: ETCSL, (1998-2006) 2.2.5 The lament for Unu

    [BlackETCSL] Black, Jeremy A. 1998-2006. “Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature.” https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk. 1998-2006.

  • Composite No.: Q000382
  • Museum No.:
  • Accession No.:

  • Provenience:
  • Elevation:
  • Stratigraphic Level:
  • Excavation No:
  • Findspot Square:
  • Findspot Comments:

Created Creator Type Authors Project Reviewer Status Action
2017-10-27 at 09:14:59 Englund, Robert K. Atf CDLI CDLI approved View
2016-04-23 at 16:27:12 Englund, Robert K. Atf Englund, Robert K. CDLI approved View
2016-04-18 at 07:51:37 Englund, Robert K. Atf Englund, Robert K. CDLI approved View
2015-02-22 at 17:00:46 Englund, Robert K. Atf Englund, Robert K. CDLI approved View
2015-02-05 at 12:16:34 Englund, Robert K. Atf Englund, Robert K. CDLI approved View
2014-10-17 at 12:12:54 Englund, Robert K. Atf Englund, Robert K. CDLI approved View
2014-09-13 at 13:10:06 Dahl, Jacob L. Atf Dahl, Jacob L. CDLI approved View
2014-09-11 at 00:00:00 CDLI Artifact Wagensonner, Klaus CDLI approved View

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

    There is no external resource for this artifact yet.

This artifact is a composite text. View the score of CDLI Literary 000382 (Lament for Uruk) composite. See below for a list of its witness(es):

Witness Period Provenience
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 001 (P343005) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) uncertain (mod. uncertain)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 002 (P345100) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 003 (P345334) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 004 (P346148) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Ur (mod. Tell Muqayyar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 005 (P346226) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Ur (mod. Tell Muqayyar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 006 (P343189) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 007 (P343196) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 008 (P343243) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 009 (P343258) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 010 (P343288) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 011 (P343453) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 012 (P276869) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 013 (P256819) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 014 (P260135) Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 015 (P268988) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 016 (P259301) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 017 (P269196) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 018 (P256907) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 019 (P256923) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 020 (P276544) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 021 (P464218) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Nippur (mod. Nuffar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 022 (P346554) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Ur (mod. Tell Muqayyar)
CDLI Literary 000382, ex. 023 (P346555) Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) Ur (mod. Tell Muqayyar)

General Notes: -
CDLI Notes: -
Cite this Artifact
“CDLI Literary 000382 (Lament for Uruk) Composite Artifact Entry.” 2014. Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (CDLI). September 11, 2014. https://cdli.ucla.edu/P469684.
CDLI Literary 000382 (Lament for Uruk) composite artifact entry (No. P469684). (2014, September 11). Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (CDLI). https://cdli.ucla.edu/P469684
CDLI Literary 000382 (Lament for Uruk) composite artifact entry (2014) Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (CDLI). Available at: https://cdli.ucla.edu/P469684 (Accessed: March 28, 2024).
@misc{2014CDLI,
	note = {[Online; accessed 2024-03-28]},
	year = {2014},
	month = {sep 11},
	title = {CDLI {Literary} 000382 ({Lament} for {Uruk}) composite artifact entry},
	howpublished = {https://cdli.ucla.edu/P469684},
}

TY  - ELEC
DA  - 2014/9/11/
PY  - 2014
ID  - P469684
LB  - CDLI:P469684
M1  - 2024/3/28/
TI  - CDLI Literary 000382 (Lament for Uruk) composite artifact entry
UR  - https://cdli.ucla.edu/P469684
ER  - 
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