Category Archives: Inanna

Song of Inana (Geshtinanna) & Dumuzi (B1)

A song of Inana and Dumuzid (DumuzidInana B1) (Geshtinanna)

The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue)

        1-9. It was in the days of abundance, it was in the nights of plenty;

        it was in the months of luxuriance, it was in the years of rejoicing.

     2b - Dumuzi the shepherd (Dumuzi The Shepherd with stags)

        In those days the shepherd, the shepherd Dumuzid decided in his holy heart to make his heart joyful,

        to go to the cattle-pen, to brighten its mood, to make the holy sheepfold shine like the day.

        He of decision and resolve spoke to the queen of heaven,

        the queen of earth. Ama-ušumgal-ana addressed words to her:

        10-14. “Wife, I am going to bring flowing water to the arid (?) place.

      weaving-reed-huts-of-early-modern-man  (cattle pens of ancient Sumer feeding the gods)

        I am going to look after my spacious cattle-pen.

        I am going to find out the condition of the holy sheepfold.

        I am going to feed my sheep.

        I am going to seek out the …… of fresh water for drinking.”

        15-20. He told his wife of this resolve; he presented his decision to her.

        His wife returned to their dwelling; holy Inana brought …… into E-tur-kalama

          

                (E-tur-kalama, Inanna’s personal hotel / residence for her visitations in Babylon).

        She was dumbfounded; the mistress Inana was thrown into confusion as if by a flood wave.

        21. 1st kirugu.

        22-34. Then the shepherd went out into the desert.

        The young man Dumuzid …… in the cattle-pen.

        (Geshtinana, scribe & singer of songs)

        His sister (Geshtinana), the queen of scribes, went to …… heaven and earth.

        The shepherd and his sister entered there into the holy sheepfold inside which the sheep live.

        He was living there, the shepherd was living there;

        (Dumuzi, stags, & dwelling with antenna)

        and his sister (Geshtinana), the singer expert in song, was living in that dwelling.

        Abundance filled the cattle-pen, plenty flowed in the sheepfold.

        They ate, they ate pure food — pressed oil, honey and ghee.

        They drank emmer beer and strong liquor.

 

        35-41. Dumuzid, the shepherd Dumuzid decided in his holy heart

        to make the heart of his sister overflow with joy.

        He fastened …… and brought them into the cow-pen.

        (Dumuzi The Shepherd, Enki’s young son)

        He brought …… for her, a ewe with its lamb.

        The lamb jumped up on its mother, and then mounted her and copulated with her.

        The shepherd said to his sister:

        42-46. “Look, my sister! What is the lamb seeking from his mother?”

        His sister replied to him:

        “He is mounting on the back of his mother, and making her sing out.”

        (Dumuzid speaks:)

        “If he is mounting on her back, and making her sing out, what it really is ……:

        he is copulating with her and filling her to overflowing with his semen.”

        47-56. The kid jumped up on his sister and then mounted her and copulated with her.

        The shepherd said to his sister: “Look, my sister!

        What is the kid seeking from his sister?”

        His sister, not grasping the meaning, replied to him:

        “He is mounting on the back of his sister, and making her sing out.”

        (Dumuzid speaks:)

        “If he is mounting on her back, and making her sing out, what it really is:

        he is filling her genitals with his ejaculated semen.”

        “My brother, …… to me derisively …… mount!

        Who will cause …… to have …… in the future?”

        2nd kirugu.

        58-59. The shepherd was not frightened (?), and did not …….

        He said to his sister:

        unknown no. of lines missing

Prayer to Ishtar (Inanna) for Samas-suma-ukin (2001)

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue mixed-breed demigods in teal)

          (Ishtar Inanna, Goddess of Love (King Samas-suma-ukin)

       For the goddess Ištar (Inanna), supreme lady:

       Sîn-šarra-uṣur, viceroy of Ur, in order to ensure the good health of Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, king of Babylon,

          (IshtarInanna (Nanaya & a king with ill daughter)

         gave to the goddesses Ištar and Nanāia (Nanaya) (a plot of land measuring) 660 (cubits along its) upper width,

         bordering (the property of) Atrāia (and) stretching to the estate of the simmagir-official;

         its upper and lower lengths stretch from the Euphrates (River) to the town Sūrānu.

       Whoever you are, whether king or overseer, who appears and changes the border or boundary line,

          (Marduk, giant alien patron god of Babylon)

         may the god Marduk, the great lord, highest-ranking god (and) lord of the lands,

         afflict him with dropsy (as) his punishment which cannot be alleviated!

         May the goddess Ištar of Uruk, the august lady, inflict defeat and rout on his army!

         May she ungird him (lit. “loosen his loins”) in the presence of his enemy!

         May the goddess Nanāia (Nabu’s spouse), beloved of the gods Nabû and Marduk,

          (alien gods Marduk, Inanna, Nabu, & his spouse Nanaya)

         continually speak evil of him in the presence of the god Nabû, the one who loves him (Sîn-šarra-uṣur)!

          (Nergal, warrior god, patron of the Under World)

         May the god Nergal, the mightiest of the gods, most overpowering of the gods (and) valiant male,

         not spare his life in plague or bloody battle!

         May he take away his descendant(s) (and) his name, and decree that his life (last) not one day (more)!

Prayers to Ishtar (Inanna) for Sargon II (03 – 06)

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue mixed-breed demigods in teal)

          (Ishtar / Inanna, daughter to Nannar & Ningal)

        [For] the goddess Ištar (Inanna), mistress of the lands, (most) eminent of the gods,

          [(most) valiant] of the goddesses, […] fierce, terrifying flood, [(…)

          who] is endowed with […] […] … majestic, […] awe, […] … the firmament (of the heavens),

          […] … […] humble, [… who give]s judgment and decision, […] purification rites,

          […] which is inside Uruk, [the great lady], his lady:

        [Sargon (II), king of Assy]ria, king of the world, viceroy of Babylon,

          [king of (the land of) Sume]r and Akkad, prince who provides for her,

        [In order to ensure] his [good health], to prolong his days, to lengthen his reign,

          [to …] his […], (and) to overthrow his enemy,

           (E-ana, ziggurat residence of many goddesses)

        [(With regard to) Ean]na, which Íulgi (Shulgi), a previous king, had had built and which had become old,

          (with regard to) this temple, whose walls had buckled, whose bondings had disintegrated,

          whose parapet had become ruined, whose foundation had collapsed,

          (and) whose reconstruction had not occurred to (any of) the kings, (his) predecessors —

           (giant god Marduk & his king)

        At that time, the great lord, the god Marduk, gave excellent judgment to Sargon (II),

          king of Assyria, king of the world, viceroy of Babylon,

          (Adad, Ashur, mixed-breed king, & Ninurta)

          one who was chosen by the god Asari (Ashur), and increased his understanding.

        He (Sargon) directed his attention [to] renovating the abandoned cult centers

          and sanctuaries of all the gods of the land Akkad.

          He was assiduous toward the sanctuaries of Eanna, the abode of the goddess Ištar, mistress of the lands, his lady.

           (E-ana, way above city of Uruk)

          (With regard to) the outer enclosure wall of Eanna in the lower courtyard,

          he tore down its parapet and laid bare its foundation.

          (mixed-breed descendant-king Sargon II)

        With fervent entreaties, prayers, and expressions of humility he (Sargon) laid its foundations (anew)

          and he fixed its foundation on the breast of the netherworld (as secure) as a mountain.

           (monument builder Ningishzidda & mixed-breed king)

          With the work of the god Kulla (Ningishzidda), the chief builder,

          and (with the help of) artisans who know (their) craft,

          he raised its top with (ritually) pure bricks and completed its construction.

          He made (it) superior to what had been there before and carried out the plans correctly.

        On account of this, may the goddess Ištar, mistress of the lands,

          look upon this work with pleasure and may she bestow a (long) life on Sargon,

          king of Assyria, king of the world, viceroy of Babylon, the king who provides for her!

          May she say good things about him before the god Marduk, king of the gods!

        May she go (with him) as his helper in strife and battle!

        May he smash the weapons of his enemies and may he achieve whatever he wants!

         May he subjugate at his feet all rulers who are not submissive to him!

         By the command of the goddess Ištar, beloved of the lord of the gods, may he increase (his) good fortune!

         May long life, happiness, and gladness be bestowed on him and may his reign be long!

         May he make the foundation of his throne secure for future days and may he control (all) regions (of the world)!

        May he exercise the rule over the people who are of privileged status (mixed-breeds)

         (and) freed from taxation by the great gods!

         During his reign may those ones freed from taxation not be in disorder!

         May he decrease their negligence and may he remove their sin!

         Let turmoil be unknown to them (and) may he make their heart(s) rejoice!

         Like the foundations of Uruk and Eanna, may their foundations be firm!

        Colophon

        Copy of the inscription, dispatch to/of the palace of Assyria; copied and collated.

(04):

       Sargon (II), great king, king of the world, king of Babylon,

         king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, commander of Assyria and of all Amurru,

         had the outer enclosure wall, the courtyard of Eanna, the narrow gate, and the regular gate built.

(05):

          (Inanna) (E-ana)

       For the goddess Inanna, lady of Uruk, who dwells in Eanna, the august, supreme lady, his lady:

         Sargon (II), king of the world, viceroy of Babylon, king of Sumer (and) Akkad,

         shepherd of the land of Assyria, had baked bricks made

         (and) made the processional way of Eanna shine like daylight.

(06):

       For the lady, the goddess Inanna, mistress of the lands, his lady:

         Sargon (II), m[ight]y king, king of Babylon, king of the world, king […], king […],

         (re)constructed Eanna, her beloved temple.

Inscriptions to Ishtar (Inanna) for Esarhaddon (137-139)

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue mixed-breed demigods in teal)

(137)

           (Ishtar / Inanna)

        For the goddess Ištar of Uruk, lady of the lands:

        Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, (and) king of the four quarters,

        son of Sennacherib, king of the world (and) king of Assyria, descendant of Sargon (II),

        king of the world (and) (10) king of Ass[yria], renovated Eanna (“House of Heaven”),

        the temple of highest rank, for the sake of his life, and made (it) shine like daylight.

(138)

          (Ishtar / Inanna in flight suit)

        For the goddess [Ištar (of Uruk)], lady of the lands:

        Esarha[ddon], king of Assyria (and) king of Babylon,

        renovated E[ann]a (“House of Heaven”), the temple of highest rank,

        for the sake of [his] life, and made (it) shine like daylight.

(139)

          (winged pilot Ishtar / Inanna)

        For the goddess [Ištar] of Uruk, lady of Eanna, lady of the lands, [his] lady:

        Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyr[ia], governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Ak[kad],

        son of Sennacher[ib, king of the world, king of] Assyr[ia, descendant of Sargon (II)],

        king of the world, king of Assyria, [renovated Ean]na,

        [the temple of high]est rank, [and] made (it) [shine] like [daylig]ht.

Prayer to Ishtar (Inanna) for Esarhaddon (134)

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue mixed-breed demigods in teal)

         (Ninshubur, seated Inanna,& Utu with semi-divine king & spouse)

       For the goddess Ištar-of-Uruk, sovereign of heaven and netherworld, most valiant of the gods, august, supreme lady,

         who has gathered to herself (all) divine offices of highest rank,

         the one into whose hand all purification rites are appointed, empress of the goddesses,

         whose words are pre-eminent in heaven and netherworld,

          (giant gods Inanna & twin Utu with smaller earthling underfoot)

         goddess of war and battle, who goes at the side of the king, her favorite, (and) slays his foes,

         who dwells in Enirgalana (“House, Prince of Heaven) — which is inside Eanna — lady of Uruk, great lady, his lady:

         (giant King Esarhaddon relief on his mountainside tomb)

       Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad;

         respectful king who is assiduous toward the sanctuaries of the great gods; who reveres the lord of lords;

         (mud brick-built ziggurat temple residence of Ashur)

         the one who (re)constructed the temple of the god Aššur (Ashur), (re)built Esagil and Babylon,

         provided for Ezida, renovated Eanna, completed the sanctuaries of cult centers,

         (and) constantly established appropriate procedures in them;

         son of Sennacherib, king of the world (and) king of Assyria; descendant of Sargon (II),

         king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, (and) king of the land of Sumer and Akkad

       Enirgalana (“House, Prince of Heaven”), the cella of the goddess Ištar (Inanna), my lady,

         (E-anna, Inanna‘s ziggurat temple residence way above Uruk)

         which is inside Eanna, which a previous king had built, became old and dilapidated.

         I sought its (original) emplacement (and) repaired its dilapidated parts with baked bricks from a (ritually) pure kiln.

         

           (semi-divine king’s hand held by Inanna, & mother Ningal seated)

         I grasped the hands of the goddess Ištar-of-Uruk, great lady, brought (her) inside,

         (and) caused (her) to take up residence (there) forever.

         I offered splendid offerings and made her doorbolt extremely fine.

       O goddess Ištar-of-Uruk (Inanna), august lady, when you are happily dwelling inside that cella,

         may a good word for me — Esarhaddon, king of Assyria — be set upon your lips!

         Determine as my fate a long life, fullness of old age, good health, and happiness!

          (Inanna, Goddess of War)

         Come to my side in war and battle so that I may squash all my enemies like ants!

       If at any time in the future, during the reign of some future ruler, this cella falls into disrepair,

         may (that ruler) repair its dilapidated state!

         May he write my name with his name!

         May he anoint with oil an inscription written in my name,

         make an offering, (and) set (that inscription) with an inscription written in his name!

         The gods will (then) hear his prayers.

       (But as for) the one who erases my inscribed name by some crafty device,

         destroys my (royal) inscription, or changes its position,

          (Utu with earthling underfoot, & Inanna with earthling held by nose ring)

         may the goddess Ištar-of-Uruk glare at him angrily and determine a bad fate for him!

         May she make his name (and) his descendant(s) disappear from the land and have no pity on him!

Prayer to Ishtar (Inanna) for Esarhaddon (133)

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue mixed-breed demigods in teal)

          (naked Inanna, semi-divine mixed-breed king, etc. & winged sky-disc)

       For the goddess Ištar (Inanna), supreme lady, sovereign of heaven and netherworld,

         most valiant of the gods, splendid, the goddess Ištar-of-Uruk,

         august princess who has taken (unto herself all) divine offices of highest rank

         (and) has gathered to herself (all) ordinances, beloved, eminent,

         who looks upon the king — her favorite — with steady favor,

         makes his reign lengthy, (and) bestows on him power and victory,

         empress of the world, most exalted of the gods, who dwells in Enirgalana

          (E-ana, ziggurat residence of Inanna in Uruk)

         (“House, Prince of Heaven”) — which is inside Eanna — lady of Uruk, great lady, his lady:

       Esarhaddon, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria,

         king of the four quarters (of the world), governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad;

          (Adad, Ashur, mixed-breed king, & damaged Ninurta)

         the one to whom the god Aššur (Ashur) has stretched out his hand, permanently selected by the god Enlil,

          (giant god Marduk & mixed-breed king, etc)

         who was chosen by the god Marduk, favorite of the goddess Irnini (Ninlil);

         

(Top row: Ashur, Enki, Enlil, Inanna, Marduk, & Ningishzidda as horned serpent; Bottom row: Nabu, Nergal, Ninhursag, Ninurta, Utu, & Nannar)

         who from his childhood trusted in the gods Aššur, Anu, Enlil, Ea (Enki), Sîn (Nannar), Šamaš (Utu), Adad,

         Marduk, Nabû, Nergal, and Ištar (Inanna), the great gods, his lords,

         (who) allowed him to attain his desire, (the one who) recognized their power,

         (the one) over whom (the gods) extended their eternal protection

         in order to appease their divine heart(s) and set their mind(s) at rest;

         (giant god Ashur & King Esarhaddon with spouse keeling before him)

         (the one who) by the might of the gods Aššur, Bēl (Marduk), the Son-of-Bēl (Nabû), and Ištar,

         the gods, his helpers, ruled over all lands and made all rulers submissive to him;

         the one who (re)constructed the temple of the god Aššur, (re)built Esagil and Babylon,

        

               (Marduk’s ziggurat residence Esagil & Babylon below) (Inanna’s ziggurat residence E-anna & Uruk below)

         renovated Eanna, completed the sanctuaries and cult centers, (and) (re)confirmed (their) sattukku offerings;

         the king during the days of whose reign, the great lord, the god Marduk,

         

             (son Nabu, mixed-breed king with dinner, earthling worker, seated father Marduk, & son Ashur)

         became reconciled to Babylon (and again) took up his residence in Esagil, his palace;

         the one who made the god Great-Anu enter into his city Dēr and his temple Edimgalkalama

         (“House, Great Bond of the Land”) and had (him) sit upon (his) eternal dais;

         (the one who) restored the splendid appearance of the great gods who had rushed to Assyria,

          (Assyrian Empire)

         returned them from Assyria to their (proper) places and (re)confirmed their income;

         wise prince, expert who knows every craft, who constantly established appropriate procedures

         in the great cult centers (and) has purification rites performed correctly;

                    (Sennacherib)   (Sargon II)

         son of Sennacherib, king of the world (and) king of Assyria;

         descendant of Sargon (II), king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, (and) king of the land of Sumer and Akkad;

         descendant of the eternal (mixed-breed) line of Bēl-bāni, son of Adasi, king of Assyria;

         precious scion of Baltil (Aššur), (one of) royal lineage (and) ancient stock

       When Eanna, the temple of highest rank, beloved of the goddess Ištar, my lady,

         which a previous king had built, became old and its walls buckled,

         I sought its (original) emplacement, removed its dilapidated parts, (and) surveyed its (entire) foundation.

          (Ningishzidda laid foundation pegs to the world’s greatest monuments)

         I completely (re)built (it) with the work of the god Kulla (Ningishzidda)

         according to its ancient specifications (and) raised its top (as high) as a mountain.

       May the goddess Ištar, supreme lady, look upon this work with pleasure

         and may a good word for me be set upon her lips!

         May she make my weapons prevail over all (my) enemies!

        If at any time in the future, during the days of the reign of some future ruler,

         this work falls into disrepair and becomes dilapidated,

         may (that ruler) seek out its (original) emplacement (and) repair its dilapidated parts!

         May he anoint an inscription written in my name with oil, make an offering, (and) set (it) back in its place!

         The gods will (then) hear his prayers.

         He will lengthen (his) days (and) enlarge (his) family.

       (But as for) the one who by some crafty device destroys an inscription written in my name or changes its position,

          (Goddess of War Inanna, her 8-pointed star symbol above her head, standing upon her zodiac symbol Leo)

         may the goddess Ištar, great lady, glare at him angrily

         and make his name (and) his descendant(s) disappear from every land!

Prayer to Innini (Inanna) for Esarhaddon (128)

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue mixed-breed demigods in teal)

        For the goddess Queen-of-Nippur, ruler of Uzu-mu-a, august, eminent, most splendid of the gods,

          the goddess Innini (Inanna), supreme lady who always cares like a mother for the king — her favorite —

         who makes his reign lengthy (and) bestows on him power and might,

       queen of Nippur, who dwells in Ebaradurgara (Inanna’s private temple residence used when visiting grandfather Enlil in his patron city of Nippur, his Earth Colony Command Central),

       the temple which makes firm the royal abode, the great lady, his lady:

         (giant god Ashur & King Esarhaddon with kneeling spouse)

       Esarhaddon, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria,

         king of the four quarters (of the world), governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad,

         selected by the steadfast heart of the god Enlil;

         

(Top: Ashur, Enki, Enlil, Inanna, Marduk, & Ningishzidda as horned serpent; Bottom: Nabu, Nergal, Ninhursag, Ninurta, Utu, & Nannar)

         who from his childhood trusted in the gods Aššur (Ashur), Enlil, Sîn (Nannar), Šamaš (Utu), Adad,

         Marduk, Nabû, Nergal, and the (other) great gods, his lords,

         (the one who) recognized their power, (the one) over whom (the gods) extended their eternal protection

         in order to appease their divine heart(s) and set their mind(s) at rest;

           (Utu, Marduk, mixed-breed king, Enki, & scribe Nabu)

         (the one who) by the might of the gods Aššur, Enlil, Bēl (Marduk), and the Son-of-Bēl (Nabû),

         the gods, his helpers, ruled over all lands and made all rulers submissive to him;

         the one who (re)constructed the temple of the god Aššur, renovated Ekur, (re)built Esagil and Babylon,

         

                   (Marduk’s Easgil ziggurat residence way above Babylon;        Inanna’s E-anna ziggurat residence in Uruk)

         completed the sanctuaries and cult centers, (and) (re)confirmed (their) sattukku offerings;

         the king during the days of whose reign the great lord, the god Marduk, became reconciled to Babylon

         

           (son Nabu, mixed-breed king with dinner, earthling worker, father Marduk enters Babylon, & son Ashur)

         (and again) took up his residence in Esagil, his palace;

         (the one who) made the god Great-Anu enter into his city Dēr

         and his temple Edimgalkalama (“House, Great Bond of the Land”) and had (him) sit upon (his) eternal dais;

         (the one who) restored the splendid appearance of the plundered gods of the lands,

         returned them from Assyria to their (proper) places, and (re)confirmed their income;

         wise prince, expert who knows every craft, who constantly established appropriate procedures

         in the great cult centers (and) has purification rites performed correctly;

         son of Sennacherib, king of the world (and) king of Assyria; descendant of Sargon (II),

           (Sennacherib) (Sargon II)

         king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, (and) king of the land of Sumer and Akkad;

         descendant of the eternal (long-lived mixed-breed) line of Bēl-bāni, son of Adasi, king of Assyria;

         precious scion (mixed-breed semi-divine descendant) of Baltil (Aššur), (one of) royal lineage (and) ancient stock

        At that time Ebaradurgara, the temple of the goddess Queen-of-Nippur, the great lady, my lady,

         

                             (Enlil’s E-kur, ziggurat complex in NippurEnlil’s ancient established cities of Sumer)

         which a previous king had built, became old and its walls buckled.

         I sought its (original) emplacement, removed its dilapidated parts, (and) surveyed its (entire) foundation.

         I completely (re)built (it) with the work of the god Kulla (Ningishzidda) according to its ancient specifications

         

                            (alien architect Ningishzidda laid the 1st foundation pegs to the greatest monuments worldwide)

         (and) raised its top (as high) as a mountain.

        May the goddess Queen-of-Nippur, supreme lady, my lady, look upon this work with pleasure

         and may a good word for me be set upon her lips!

         May she determine as my fate a long life, fullness of old age, good health, and happiness!

        If at any time in the future, during the days of the reign of some future ruler,

         this temple falls into disrepair and becomes dilapidated,

         may (that ruler) seek out its (original) emplacement (and) repair its dilapidated parts!

         May he anoint an inscription written in my name with oil, make an offering, (and) set (it) back in its place!

         The gods will (then) hear his prayers.

         He will lengthen (his) days (and) enlarge (his) family.

        (But as for) the one who by some crafty device destroys an inscription written in my name or changes its position,

          (Inanna, Goddess of War atop her zodiac symbol of Leo)

         may the goddess Queen-of-Nippur, great lady, glare at him angrily

         and make his name (and) his descendant(s) disappear from every land!

        (Property) of Ebaradurgara (Inanna’s temple residence in Nippur).

Prayer to Ishtar for Ashurbanipal (20)

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue….demigod mixed-breeds in teal)

       this [work] falls into dis[repair …], question skilled [craftsmen! …

         Rebuild (…)], the temple of the goddess Ištar (Inanna) according to [its ancient] specifi[cations! …

          (Inanna in Akkadia / Akkad)

         The goddess Ištar-(of-Akkad)] will (then) listen to [your prayers. Look at my] royal inscription,

         [anoint (it) with oil, offer a sacrifice, (and)] s[et] (my royal inscription) with your (own) royal inscription!

        [(But) as for the one who erases my inscribed name by some crafty device],

         (or) does not write [my name] with his name, (or) [destroys my royal inscription],

         (or) does not set [my royal inscription with his (own) royal inscription] …

         […] the goddess Ištar-of-Akkad [will …]

Prayer to Ishtar for Ashurbanipal (15)

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue mixed-breed demigods in teal)

           (Inanna & her house above Uruk)

       For the goddess Ištar-of-Uruk, sovereign of heaven and netherworld,

         most powerful of the gods, august one, who executes the command she gives in the east and in the west,

         the fierce goddess of battle who whirls around in the melee like a dust storm,

           (Inanna & Ninurta riding their winged, fire-spitting flying storm beasts; Inanna high above in her storm beast / well armed sky-disc)

         who goes at the side of the king, her favorite, (and) slays his foes, mistress of the lands,

         who has gathered to herself (all) divine offices (and) administers correctly all purification rites,

         

                  (Inanna’s E-anna complex, her ziggurat temple residence in Uruk)

         who dwells in Enirgalanim — which is inside Eanna — great lady, his lady:

           (giant semi-divine Assyrian King Ashurbanipal)

        Ashurbanipal, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria,

         king of the four quarters (of the world), king of kings, prince who has no rival,

         who rules from the Upper Sea to the Lower Sea and has subjugated all rulers;

         who imposed the yoke of his rulership upon the city Tyre — which is in the midst of the Upper Sea —

          (pristine Dilmun, lands & sweet waters given by father Enki to Ninsikila)

         and Dilmun — which is in the midst of the Lower Sea — so that they bore his yoke (lit. “pulled his yoke-rope”);

         whose deeds are pleasing to all the gods (and) whose shepherdship is sweet to the black-headed people;

          (Adad; Enki brings sweet water to the lands)

         during whose reign the god Adad made his rain (and) the god Ea (Enki) his springs last a long time for his land,

         (who) continually seeks after his people with prosperity and wealth,

         whose people are all in a state of prosperity, and whose settlements rejoice;

          (giant Esarhaddon) (giant Ashurbanipal)

         son of Esarhaddon, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria,

         viceroy of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad,

          (Marduk’s Babylon; Marduk’s ziggurat residence in Babylon)

         who (re)settled Babylon, (re)built Esagil, renovated the sanctuaries of all the cult centers,

         and constantly established appropriate procedures in them;

         grandson of Sennacherib, (who was) also great king, mighty king, king of the world, (and) king of Assyria

        During my reign, the great lord, the god Marduk, [entered] Babylon amidst rejoicing.

         I (re)confirmed the regular offerings for Esagil and the gods of Babylon.

           (giant brothers, mixed-breed semi-divine kings Ashurbanipal & Samas-suma-ukin)

         I (re-)established the privileged status of Babylon (and) appointed Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, my favorite brother,

         to the kingship of Babylon in order that the strong might not harm the weak.

         I completed the work on Esagil which had not been finished.

         I decorated Esagil with silver, gold, and precious stones

          (Babylon, re-creation image)

         and made Eumuša glisten like the [stars (lit. “writing”) of the firmament].

         I repaired the damaged parts of all their sanctuaries (and) extended (my) protection over all cult centers.

        At that time, (with regard to) the enclosure wall of Ea[nn]a, the perimeter […]

         which had become old, buckled, (and) a heap of ruin,

         I sought their (original) emplacement [and had (them) (re)built anew.

         I] completed (them), raising their tops (as high) as a mountain.

           (Ninsun & Inanna,, goddesses residing in Uruk)

        On account of this, may the goddess Ištar-of-Uruk, the great lady,

         look upon this work with pleasure and may a go[od] word for me —

         Ashurbanipal, king of Assyria (and) prince who reveres her— be set upon her lips!

         [May she determine as my fate] a long life, fullness of old age, good health, (and) happ[iness]!

         Moreover, with regard to Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, king of Babylon, my favorite brother,

         may his days be long (and) may he be fully [satisfied with (his) good fortune]!

        May any future prince, during the days of whose reign this work falls into disrepair, [renovate its] dilapidated sections!

         May he write my name with his (own) name, look at my royal inscription,

         anoint (it) with oil, offer a sacrifice, (and) place (my royal inscription) with his (own) royal inscription!

        The goddess Ištar-of-Uruk will (then) listen to his prayers.

       (But) as for the one who does not write my name with his name, (or) destroys my royal inscription,

         or changes its position and does not place (it) with his (own) royal inscription,

          (Inanna as both Goddess of Love, & Goddess of War on the front lines)

         may the goddess Ištar-of-Uruk, great lady, glare at him angrily,

         make his name (and) his descendant(s) disappear from the lands, and have no pity on him!

Prayer to Ishtar for Ashurbanipal & Brother Samas-suma-unkin (3)

http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in blue….mixed-breed demigods in teal)

          Ashurbanipal, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria,

        king of the four quarters (of the world), king of kings, prince who has no rival,

        who rules from the Upper Sea to the Lower Sea and has subjugated all rulers;

        son of Esarhaddon, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria,

          

            (giant mixed-breed kings of Assyria: Ashurbanipal, Esarhaddon before giant god Ashur; Sennacherib)

        viceroy of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad;

        grandson of Sennacherib, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria

          I completed the work on Esagil which (my) father who had engendered me had not finished.

        I (re)confirmed the regular offerings for Esagil and the gods of Babylon.

           

                  (Marduk’s ziggurat residence in Babylon;              Babylon separate & way down below Marduk’s lair)

        I (re-)established the privileged status of Babylon (and) appointed Šamaš-<šuma>-ukīn, my favorite brother,

        to the kingship of Babylon in order that the strong might not harm the weak.

          At that time, I had Eturkalama, the temple of the goddess Ištar (Inanna)-of-Babylon, (re)built anew.

             (Inanna’s private entrance to her residence in Babylon)

          May the goddess Ištar-of-Babylon, the august lady, look upon my good deeds with pleasure

         (Marduk, his spouse Sarpanit, unidentified god, & father Enki)

        and may she say good things about me daily before the god Bēl (Marduk) and the goddess Bēltīia (Zarpanītu) (Sarpanit)!

        May she determine as my fate a long life (and) make my reign [as] firm as heaven and netherworld!

        [Moreover, with regard to] Šamaš-<šuma>-ukīn, king of Babylon, [my favorite brother],

        may [his days] be long and may he experience the fullness of old age!         

        [(But) as for the one who] erases [my inscribed name or the name of] my [fav]orite (brother)

        by some crafty device, (or) destroys my royal inscription, or changes its position,

        may the goddess Ištar-of-Babylon speak evil of him before the god Bēl (and) the goddess Bēltīia (Marduk‘s spouse)

           (Marduk, spouse Sarpanit, & son Nabu)

        (and) make his name (and) his descendant(s) disappear from the lands!