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Post by us4-he2-gal2 on Mar 13, 2010 10:34:03 GMT -5
Thread Orientation: Here I post interesting and or rare balag lamentation pieces, a genre slightly younger than the half dozen Sumerian City lamentations, and thus not found on ETCSL.
Choice Lamentations In my search for the overall meaning of lil2, I have had occasion to order and review the work of M. Cohen in his massive two volume "The Canonical Lamentation of Mesopotamia" (1989). Beyond new data to consider for lil2, I have been pleased to read in full for the first time many lamentations not included at ETCSL or presented by any of the numerous commentators I have sampled before. I will there type out numerous of the interesting ones below, but first will sum Cohen`s introduction and contextualization.
About the Lamentations/ Cohen begins with an explanation of emesal literature, and this explanation is adapted from one he had given in an earlier book concerning the eršemma, another sort of composition that uses again the emesal dialect - what is important to understand is that both the balag lamentations and the eršemma belong to the emesal class of Sumerian literature, and this gives them a special place - here is a sum of Cohen's insight on the emesal literature: " This is a genre which the author discusses insightfully, giving the reader the essential context needed to understand this type of text against others. The eršemma texts are preserved on tablets from the Old Babylonian period on down to late periods in Babylonia, the reason for the continence of interest, the author says is that the texts were part of a key body of religious texts that were composed in emesal, as opposed to the standard dialect of Sumerian. Cohen explains that while many texts written in standard Sumerian dialect unfortunately ceased to be copied and continued after the Kassite period, emesal texts (particularly the balag lamentation and eršemma) actually enjoyed a somewhat steady upkeep - he believe the reason is that they contained and faciliated a core religious tradition (and of course, religion is above all resistant to change, thus it's core texts were carefully maintained). Emesal texts were of course, mainly the prerogative of the gala priests (or so evidence from the second millennium and later proves, and it was probably the case in earlier periods as well). The gala had numerous important functions to include funeral rituals (with the balag drum/harp), lamentation composition and recitation (some of the lamentations had important religious functions, pacifying the hearts of angry gods, or gods who may be expected to become angry - or in other words, lamentations were expected to ward of disaster) and even to fend of evil demons by his use of hymn-incantations. All of the substantial body of texts for use of the gala functionary were written in emesal." Note: For any who may be wondering how much of this emesal material is in fact available on ETCSL, from that website`s explanation of Sumerian literature I copy the following (I have added italics to the final line for emphasis).. ETCSL relates: "Most of the compositions in the corpus are written entirely in the main variety of Sumerian, known as Emegir (perhaps meaning 'native tongue'). Some, however, contain words written in a variety of Sumerian known as Emesal (perhaps meaning 'thin or fine tongue'). Such writings occur particularly in the speech of goddesses, the assumption being that the whole speech was understood to be in Emesal regardless of how it was written. Ritual compositions written much more extensively in Emesal are also attested but are currently not part of the corpus." Cohen then proceeds to describe the genre of balag lamentations which are the focus of this 1989 work. He relates that "The driving need to express one's painful emotions and sense of tragic loss is a human characteristic which transcends cultures. The tragedy may be on a purely personal level, the loss of a wife, a child. Or it may be of national consequence, the destruction of one's homeland, the death of a leader." Cohen explains that the Canonical Lamentations of Mesopotamia are of the latter nature, works that lament national humiliation and disaster, the suffering of people, defiling of temples, destruction of cities etc. The devastation is always portrayed as having been unleashed by the Sumerian gods themselves, the invading forces (that is the enemy armies who literally and historically were the ones doing the destroying) are thus psychologically reduced to being the tools of divine will - this is reminiscent of the historical view prevalent throughout the Book of Judges, Cohen adds. "The chief god of the Sumerian pantheon, Enlil, is most frequently cited in the laments as the direct cause of the misfortune, his mere word ushering in unendurable tragedy." Finally, we should note that Cohen`s work is again on the emesal Balag lamentations, and these are found on tablets beginning in the OB period and copied faithfully down to the final period of Mesopotamian Civilization. They are separate from a slightly older genre of lamentations which are long pieces written in standard Sumerian dialect (non emesal) - these, incidentally, are a sort of lamentation that is to be found on ETCSL, where they are described as city laments, you can view them here. Cohen believes the format of the Balag lamentations are likely adapted from these slightly earlier lamentations.
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Post by us4-he2-gal2 on Mar 14, 2010 12:18:39 GMT -5
The Balag Lamentation:
_____________________________________
ABZU PELAM: The Defiled Abzu ____________________ With thanks to M. Cohen, 1989. Preserved partially OB and First Millennium texts:
The defiled Apsu! Pillaged Eridu!
Faithful house! Te defiled Apsu! Pillaged Eridu!
Faithful house! House of Enki!
Faithful house! House of Damgalnunna!
Faithful house! House of Asarluhi!
Faithful house! House of Panunanki!
Faithful house! House of Sukkalmuh!
Faithful house! House of Muzebbasa!
Faithful house! House of Nammu!
(10) Faithful house! House of Nanshe!
Faithful house! House of Ara!
When the Apsu had been built upon a pure place,
when Eridu had been built upon a good place,
(so too were) my still Enegur,
my standard, which was purified,
my standard, which was glorified,
my main courtyard, the Apsu ...,
my main courtyard, the Apsu ...,
my [...], a perfect thing,
(20) my holy throne, set up where the sun rises,
Tintir, my city where there are sighs,
my open house into which gifts were brought,
my chamber of cedar by the edge of the sea,
my inner sanctum of the Apsu which no man has ever seen.
Tears at its front, tears at its interior,
in tears one enters its front,
in sighing one exits from its interior.
==========================================
Why does the Apsu turn against me at every shore?
Faithful house, why does the Apsu turn again me at every shore?
(30) House of Enki, why does it turn against me at every shore?
House of Damgalnunna, why does it turn again me at every shore?
House of Asarluhi, why does the it turn again me at every shore?
House of Panunanki, why does the it turn again me at every shore?
House of Sukkalmaham, why does the it turn again me at every shore?
House of Muzebbasa, why does the it turn again me at every shore?
House of Nammu, why does the it turn again me at every shore?
House of Nanse, why does the it turn again me at every shore?
House of Ara, why does the it turn again me at every shore?
Because of the defiled Apsu, we are hurrying to him,
(40) As for us, because of the defiled Apsu, we are hurrying to him,
Because of the desecration, we are hurrying to our lord Enki.
Because of the defiled Apsu, the lord no longer dwells in the Apsu,
Because of the desecration, the [lord] Enki no longer dwells in Eridu.
The lord no longer dwells in the Apsu. The lord is silent for me.
The lady Damgalnunna no longer dwells in Eridu. The lady is silent for me.
Its lady ... goes to him because of her defiled house.
She goes to him [... and] because of her pillaged assembly hall.
She goes to him because of her destroyed cattle pen.
She goes to him because of her destroyed treasure house and her slain people.
(50) She goes to him because of her defiled funerary offerings.
She goes to him because of her corridor through which men (now) traipse.
She goes to him because of her holy places which have become estranged.
She goes to him because of her defiled great banquet hall.
Day and night she cries out. She goes to him.
She cries out over her destroyed cattle pen. She goes to him.
She moans over her uprooted sheepfold. She goes to him.
She walks about stooped over in her house. She cries bitterly.
She walks about (aimlessly) in her defiled cella. She cries bitterly.
She walks about (aimlessly) in her leveled treasure house. She cries bitterly.
(60) "(My) possessions are in (the eye of) a storm!" she says feverishly.
Oh, my lady! "What will become of me?" she says feverishly.
The lady of the house! "Enlil, how long will it continue?" she says prostrating.
She goes to him because of her defiled house and city.
===========================================
As for me, ... Where can I go?
===========================================
Treasure house! Treasure house! Faithful house!
Treasure house! Treasure house! To where have your people been carried off?
Faithful house! House of Enki!
Faithful house! House of Damgalnunna!
Faithful house! House of Asarluhi!
(70) Faithful house! House of Panunanki!
Faithful house! House of Sukkalmuh!
Faithful house! House of Muzebbasa!
Faithful house! House of Nammu!
Faithful house! House of Nanshe!
Faithful house! House of Ara!
Your youngsters and your adults,
the youngsters for whom you cared,
the adults who traversed the highways,
your sheep with bent legs,
(80) your kids with trailing beards,
you small female kids covered with wool,
your artfully crafted ornaments of shuba-stone
your wealth of shuba-stones and lapis-lazuli, (to where have they been carried off?)
He who was familiar to the house is no longer in attendance. Who is left to care for you?
The gala-priest who knew the chants is no longer in attendance. Who is left to care for you?
The harp, your advisor, is no longer in attendance. Who is left to care for you? ... Who is left to care for you?
House, to where has your maidservant been carried off? She is no longer in attendance. Who is left to care for you?
To where have your people been carried off? To where have then been led away? They are not in attendance. Who is left to care for you?
=============================================
(90) I wander about the place that has been pillaged. I wander about.
I wander about. I wander about the place that has been pillaged.
(The one of) my ditches has been cast into the ditches.
(The one of) my canals has been thrown into the canals.
He who goes for wood has been cut off.
He who goes for water has been carried off.
He who carried wood no longer carries wood for anyone. He has been carried off.
He who carried water no longer carries water for anyone. He has been carried off.
The dogs, which knew me, have made me known (to) the enemy.
The dogs, which (now) do not know me, follow the enemy.
(100) The flocks of birds do not acknowledge my fledglings, who must pick at the ground.
My bird does not acknowledge (its) marsh. It flies away.
...
... killed.
(Break in the composition to the end of the current kirugu.)
I wander about [the place that has been pillaged. ...]
============================================
[...] you [...]
(Break in the composition. It is unclear whether the following is part of a new kirugu or the one begun in line a+106)
...
... return ...
... to Nippur ...
Your house, your seat, ...
(b+110) Your clay returns to its Apsu. ...
Your reeds return to their canebrake. ...
Your beams return to their forests. ...
... rising waters ... standing waters ...
By the edge of the sea ... at her wails tears are held back.
The smell of offerings has been destroyed. ...
The aroma has been destroyed (for) the gods. ...
The lord has been installed as lord ...
The lady has been installed as lady ...
Ninlil has been installed in the Kiur ...
(b+120) Ninmah has been installed in Kesh ...
... installed ...
May he cause him who approaches me to submit.
May the world of great (An) cause him who approaches me to submit.
May the word of Enlil cause him who approaches me to submit
(the remainder of the composition not preserved.)
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anima
dubsartur (junior scribe)
Posts: 10
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Post by anima on Mar 14, 2010 14:32:52 GMT -5
The Balag Lamentation:
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ELUM DIDARA: The Horned One who walks about ____________________
Thus let me sit down with the honored one who wanders about!
With him who wanders about, thus let me sit down with the honored one who wanders about!
With the lord, great An, who wanders about,
with the lord of the lands, who wanders about,
with the lord whose pronouncement is true, who wanders about,
with Enlil, the father of the nation, who wanders about
with the shepherd of the black-headed, who wanders about,
with him who witnesses everything first-hand, who wanders about,
with the bull that causes the troops to wander, who wanders about,
(10.) with him who sleeps a false sleep, who wanders about!
Let me libate beer from the vessel for him!
Like a bull, may I submit to him!
"You city is destroyed!" shall I tell him.
"Nippur and the Ekur are destroyed!" shall I tell him.
"The Kiur and the Enamtila are destroyed!" shall I tell him.
"Sippar and the Ebabbar are destroyed!" shall I tell him.
"Your city Tintir is destroyed!" shall I tell him.
"The Esagil and Borsippa are destroyed!" shall I tell him.
"The Ezida and the Emahtila are destroyed!"shall I tell him.
(20.) "The Etemenanki is destroyed!" shall I tell him.
"The Edaranna is destroyed!" shall I tell him.
"The reed-of-mourning has sprouted!" shall I tell him.
When (his) light shines at me, I cannot stand before him.
When Enlil shines, I cannot stand before him.
I cannot stand before Enlil. Let him not look upon me!
=======================================================
I feel alienated. I feel estranged.
The gushing waters are channeled. The gushing waters are channeled.
The princess of the treasure house, the great mother Ninlil, am I.
Araru, the sister of Enlil, am I.
(30.) The mother of the house, Gashannanibgal, am I.
The holy lady, Gashanmagia, am I.
When he is there, when he is there,
when Enlil is in the (foreign) lands,
my lord is not (with me), when he is there.
=======================================================
... . The hero, while at rest, sleeps a false sleep,
the honored one, the heir to the Ekur,
at the Ekur, the house of Enlil,
at the house, the Kiur, the house of Ninlil,
at the Enamtila, the house of Enlil,
(40.) at the Emitummal, the house of Ninlil,
at the interior of the Edimma, the house of Enlil,
at the great storehouse of Enlil,
at the "Gate-where-grain-is-not-cut" of Enlil,
at the Ninnu-canal of Enlil,
at the great gate of Enlil,
at the eastern gate,
at the gate facing Ur, (...).
=======================================================
(break in the composition)
=======================================================
He's coming out! He's coming out! Tell it to him!
[The lord], the goring [bull]! Tell it to him!
(a+50.) [The sleeping bull!] Tell it to him!
Your house! For your house! Tell it to him!
Your city! For your city! Tell it to him!
Your wife! For your wife! Tell it to him!
Your son! For your son! Tell it to him!
"Its brickwork! Restore the brickwork!" Tell it to him!
"Its (fill)-dirt! Restore the (fill)-dirt!" Tell it to him!
"[...] for your [...]!" Tell it to him!
So that [...] be restored, tell it to him. Tell it to him!
[...] surpassing the heavens. Tell it to him!
(a+60.) [...] wide as the earth. Tell it to him!
[...] Tell it to him!
[...] Tell it to him!
[...] Tell it to him!
So that [...] Tell it to him!
So that [...] be restored to [...] Tell it to him!
So that [...] be restored [...] Tell it to him!
[...] Tell it to him!
[...] Tell it to him!
[...] Tell it to him!
(a+70.) [...] built on a good place, they are killed ... Tell it to him!
[...] Tell it to him!
=======================================================
[...]
(break in the composition)
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"Princess! Princess!" is the cry which the city utters. Alas!
Oh, my lady,the beautiful woman! Alas!
Daughter-in-law of the Esagil! Alas!
First-born of Urash! Alas!
First-born of the Eibianum! Alas!
Gashanguteshasiga! Alas!
My lady, Nanâ! Alas!
(b+80.) Your house! For your house! Alas!
Your city! For your city! Alas!
Your wife! For your wife! Alas!
Your son! For your son! Alas!
Its brickwork! Restore the brickwork! Alas!
Its (fill)-dirt! Restore the (fill)-dirt! Alas!
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When you are surpassing (as) the shining horn of heaven, inherently majestic,
when you are surpassing,
when you are surpassing (as) father Nanna, the shining horn of heaven, inherently majestic, when you are surpassing,
(surpassing as) father Nanna, the lord Anshar!
(Surpassing as) the lord Nanna, the lord Ashimbabbar!
(b+90.) (You), the great lord! Beset by evil at (the hands of) the enemy, your city,
inherently majestic!
Your city, Nippur, beset by evil at (the hands of) the enemy, your city itself,
inherently majestic!
Your power is recounted throughout your entire country.
The people (of) your land act sickly.
The people (of) your city walk about (infested) with lice.
[...] of your [...] ... like birds.
Your [...] have been destroyed there.
Your [...] have been overthrown there.
[...] rejoicing [...] shining [...]
[...] rejoicing [...] shining [...]
(b+100.) [... the brickwork of Tintir [...] heart [...]
(break in the composition)
=======================================================
Lofty hero of the land, what can one know about you?
(b+150.) Honored one, lord, great hero,
great hero, ensi of Enlil,
honored one, heir to the Ekur,
great hero, lord of the Eshumesha,
lord of the Eshamah, lord of the Eibishuba,
lord of the Emahdi, leader of the assembly, Nusku,
Mashtabba, Lugalgirra,
what can one know about you, about your utterance? What can one know about you, about your additional orders?
What can one know about you, about your word?
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(b+160.) Roaming about in the steppe, she mourns in the steppe.
Mother Nintinugga, roaming about in the steppe, mourns in the steppe.
The princess, Ninnigarra, roaming about in the steppe, mourns in the steppe.
The princess, Ninlarak, raming about in the steppe, mourns in the steppe.
The princess, Ninisina, roaming about in the steppe, mourns in the steppe.
The princess, Amaedukuga, roaming about in the steppe, mourns in the steppe.
The princess, Amashuhalbi, roaming about in the steppe, mourns in the steppe.
Baba, the beautiful woman, roaming about in the steppe, mourns in the steppe.
The shrine, Erabriri, the lord Dikumaham, roaming about in the steppe, mourns
in the steppe.
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The honored one! Alas! Woe! Woe!
(Remainder of the composition not preserved)
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anima
dubsartur (junior scribe)
Posts: 10
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Post by anima on Mar 15, 2010 23:05:30 GMT -5
 The Sun Disk in Clay The Sun Disk on PaperThe Balag Lamentation:
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Utu ... Ekura: Utu, the ... of the Ekur ____________________
Utu, the ... of the Ekur ...
(beginning of the composition not yet preserved)
The hero, the great hero, he who decides the fates!
The hero, the he-man Utu, the great hero, he who decides the fates!
The hero, the he-man Utu, the great hero!
The bull of the Ebabbar, the great hero!
The bearded one, the child of Ningal, the great hero!
He with a shining beard, the great hero!
He adorned with a shining beard!
He with the shining beard of heaven, the great hero!
(a+10.) The prince worthy of the dais, the great hero!
The prince seated upon the dais, the great hero!
The prince emanating radiance, the great hero!
To the edge of heaven, to the edge of earth, the great hero!
The lord who removes darkness (from) man, the great hero!
The son, the respected one of holy An are you.
The elevated son of Enlil are you.
The elevated son of my father Suen are you.
The one cared for by Nudimmud are you.
From sunrise to sunset, the great hero!
(a+20.) South and North, the great hero!
To the lower sea, the great hero!
To the upper sea, the great hero!
From the place of the eternal haluppu-tree, the great hero!
From the place of the haluppu-trees, the forest of hewn cedar, the great hero!
From (the place of) Enbilulu, the forests of hewn cedar, the great hero!
What in the depths, what are you not able to reach?
What can stride with you in the sea?
Who may escape your glance?
Who may escape your pursuit?
(a+30.) Your word is a huge net spread over heaven and earth.
You, the hero, ... children ... throat ...
When you, the hero, stretch over the sea, it rages.
When you, the hero, stretch over the swamp, its moans.
When you are on onrush of water stratching across the Euphrates, ...
You, the hero, ... the mes-trees ... road ... canal ...
=======================================================
In the house the gods spend the day with the balag-instrument and laments.
The gala-priest sings to him.
The gala-priest sings a song of lordship to him.
The gala-priest sings a song to him accompanied accompanied by the balag-instrument.
(a+40.) He plays the holy uppu-drum and the holy lilis-drum.
He plays the shem-drum, the meze-drum and the balag-instrument for him.
=======================================================
So that your heart be calmed, your liver pacified,
bison, hero, he-man Utu,
great hero, bull of the Ebabbar,
the lofty ..., the great mountain Enlil,
the princess of the treasure house, the great mother Ninlil,
Urash, the place of motley grain,
50 lines skipped over
the gods of heaven and the gods of earth,
(say), "Oh, his heart! Oh, his liver!"
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A supplication that the brickwork of the Ebabbar should be restored.
=======================================================
It is its kišû. A balag-lamentation [of Utu]
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anima
dubsartur (junior scribe)
Posts: 10
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Post by anima on Mar 19, 2010 18:18:41 GMT -5
The Balag Lamentation:
_____________________________________
UMUN SHEMAL ANKIA: Lord, Respected One of Heaven and Earth ____________________
Lord, respected one of heaven and earth, what can one know about you?
Bison, lord, respected one of heaven and earth, what can one know about you?
Bison, lord Amarukam,
hero, lord Asarluhi,
bison, Asaralimnuna,
hero, lord Enbilulu,
bison, firstborn of Eridu,
hero, foremast of the lofty shrine,
bison, hero Muzebbasa,
(10.) hero, lord Dikumaham,
bison, lord of Tintir,
hero, lord of the Esagil,
bison, lord of Borsippa,
hero, lord Ilurugu,
bison, lord of the Ezida,
hero, lord of the Emahtila,
bison, lord of the Etemenanki,
hero, lord of the Edaranna,
bison, avenger of his father,
(20.) hero, who frees the heart of Enlil (from worry),
hero, sheltering roof of the shrine of the Apsu, (what can one know about you)?
Great hero, Asarluhi, ... heaven and earth ...!
... its venom, ... its venom,
a great dragon before whose pursuit chaos ensues.
A furious, great storm roaring below and above!
A raging fire ... house ...
An angry shibbu-snake, which, when it comes out, ... the land!
A hero engulfing the land, a killer (of) the disobedient land!
How long shall you remain silent? What keeps you quiet?
(30.) With broad wisdom, wise in all matters,
with exceptional wisdom, ...,
the one in Sumer worthy of the golden throne,
the one in Sumer elevated to the silver throne!
Lord, who is worthy of you? Who can compare to you?
Great hero, who is worthy of you? Who can compare to you?
Asarluhi, who is worthy of you? Who can compare to you?
Who may escape your glance?
Who may escape your pursuit?
Your word is a huge net spread over heaven and earth.
(40.) When you stretch over the sea, it rages.
When you stretch over the swamp, the swamp moans.
When you are an onrush of water stretching over the Euphrates,
the word of Asarluhi roils those subterranean waters.
Lord, you are exalted. Who can compare to you?
Asarluhi, you are superior to any god, whatever he be named.
Hero, you ... the hostile.
Asarluhi, ... the enemy.
Lord, in battle ...
(remainder of the composition not preserved)
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Post by us4-he2-gal2 on Mar 22, 2010 20:05:44 GMT -5
The Balag Lamentation:
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ELUM GUSUN: Horned One, Wild Ox ____________________ ****Note: The following balag lamentation is added here for the numerable cultural references apparent in the text which may be of value; Because of the many interesting mentions of gods and places, I have undertaken to copy out the Mesopotamian spellings in [square brackets] after occurences of less common names, following Cohen's transliteration. As the text is in emesal, the names may look weird, and so I may also write out Enki and Enlil's name once, as even they are spelt differently in emesal. ALL GOD NAMES should be assumed to include a dingir whether or not I have included one. I have employed "sh" in the place of š, and use 1 and 2 in the place of acute and grave accents. Cohen gives two full translations for this particular composition, one from OB sources and first mill. sources - I follow the former below: Horned one, wild ox, when your name is against the lands, lord of the lands, wild ox, lord whose pronouncement is true, wild ox, Enlil [mu-ul-lil2], father of the nation, wild ox, shepherd of the black-headed, wild ox, he who witnesses everything first-hand, wild ox, bull who causes the troops to wander, wild ox, he who sleeps a false sleep, wild ox, when your name is against the land, heaven itself rumbles, the very earth shakes. ( 10) Enlil, when your word is in the land, when your utterence is in the land, when your further orders are in the land, heaven itself rumbles, the very earth shakes. The devotees and priestesses who are mothers, each kills her child. The ... for Ninurbara [ga-sha-an-uru2-bar-ra-ra] killls her child. (The ...) for Ninsun [ga-sha-an-sun2-na-ra] kills her child. Honored one, ... your word kills ... the land. Enlil, he who ..., kills ... the land. You are the honored one. When your word is spoken heavenward, the heavens rumble. ( 20) You are Enlil. When your word is spoken earthward, the earth shakes. After you've spoken to the gods who are being washed, after you have spoken to Enki [Am-an-ki], the bull of Eridu, after you have spoken to the mother of the shrine, Damgalnuna [Dam-gal-nun-na-ke4] after you have spoken to Asarluhi [Asar-lu2-ḫi-e], the child of Eridu, after you have spoken to Nammu [Nammu], the mother of Eridu, after you have spoken to Arue [A-ru6-e], the lady of the Apsu, after you have spoken to Mudugasa [mu-du11-ga], the faithful vizier. ... pay homage. Why wont you hand over to the mother her child who was taken away? ( 30) Why wont you hand over to the mother, to Ninurubara, her child who was taken away? Why wont you hand over to the mother, to Ninsun, her child who was taken away? Why wont you hand over to her who says "Oh city! Oh people!" her child who was taken away? (Why wont you hand over) to her who says "Oh wide place! Oh Nippur!" (her child who was taken away? ================================================ A flood which drowns the harvest, what can one know of you? Honored one, a flood which drowns the harvest, what can one know of you? Enlil, lord of the lands, Enlil, lord whose pronouncement is true, Enlil, father of the nation, Enlil, shepherd of the black-headed, Enlil, he who witnesses everything first-hand, ( 40) Enlil, bull who causes troops to wanders, Enlil, he who sleeps a false sleep,
(break in the composition)... offers a blessing. He is pacified. Enku, bull of Eridu offers a blessing. He is pacified. The mother of the lofty shrine, Damgalnunna, (offers a blessing. He is pacified.) Asarluhi, the child of Eridu, (offers a blessing. He is pacified.) His spouse, Panunanki [Pa5-nun-na-an-ki] (offers a blessing. He is pacified.) Nammu, the mother of Eridu, (offers a blessing. He is pacified.) Arue, the lady of the Apsu, (offers a blessing. He is pacified.) ( 50) The faithful vizier, Mudugasa, (offers a blessing. He is pacified.) "It is ready. Having been prepared well, having been prepared well, it is ready. May you eat well! Enlil, may you eat well! May you eat well! ======================================================= Oh people, hurry hither to the place where An dwells! (to) the princely house, oh people, hurry hither to the place where An dwells! It is at the house. The lofty first-offerings are at the house. Ablutions ..., ablutions ... So that at the house the heart (of) the storm will be calm, the liver (of) the storm will be calm, so that during the day the first-offerings will be performed correctly, ( a+60) so that during the day the supplications will be performed correctly, so that during the day the heavens, the god(s) of man will ..., so that Enki, the bull of Eridu will ... . ======================================================= Enlil, come! Enlil, (...)! Oh people, hurry hither! ... washed. At evening ... washed. It calms the heart. ... washed, ... calms ... Enki, the bull of Eridu, calms (the heart). The mother of the lofty shrine, Damgalnunna, calms (the heart). Asarluhi, the child of Eridu, calms (the heart). His spouse, Panunanki, calms (the heart). ( a+70) Nammu, the mother of Eridu, calms (the heart). Arue, the lady of the Apsu, calms (the heart). The faithful vizier, Mudugasa, calms (the heart). (break in the composition) ... house ... ... from the Dusagash [du6-sag-ash-ta] ... from that house, the Ebanda [<e3>-banda3-ta] , ... from the shrine Ebabbar [e2-babbar-ta] ... Utu [Utu], from the shrine Eanna [e2-an-na-ta], Inanna [ga-sha-an-an-na], from the brickwork of ..., Ninshubur [ga-sha-an-(d)shubur], ( b+80) from the [house of the chief city], Nintinuga [ga-sha-an-tin-lu-ba], from the house of Isin, Ninisina [ga-sha-an-in-si-na], from the [ ... of Larak ], the lord Pabilsag [Pa-bil3-sag], from ..., the beautiful Damu [Da-mu-sha6-ga], from the ... house of the steppe, the lady Gunura [ga-sha-an gu-nu-ra], from Dushuba [du6-su8-ba-ta], Amageshtinanna [ama-mu-tin-na-an-na], (...). ... when he is calmed, ... god and man, when he is calmed, when he is calmed, when will he be calmed? When he is calmed, when man has calmed his heart, when he is calm, when ... has calmed ... great An, ( b+90) when he is calmed, when he has calmed the heart of Enlil, when he is calm, when he has calmed the great mountain, Enlil, when will the herald in the steppe ... be calmed? ======================================================= He is indeed a flood. The land is devastated. The word of the lord is indeed a flood. The heart of the honored one is indeed a flood. The heart of Enlil is indeed a flood. The lord causes the heavens to rumble in their very midst. Below, the word (of) Enlil causes the earth to shake. His word causes Anunna to stumble. ( b+100) His word has no diviner. It has no interpreter. His word is a swelling flood, unopposed. (break in the composition) Nanna [Nanna], the lord ... ======================================================= Woe is me! Woe is me! Woe is me! Umungurusha! Woe is me! Lord of decisions! Woe is me! Ensi of Enlil! Woe is me! Lord, great warrior! Woe is me! He who ... the nation! Woe is me! Lord whose utterance cannot be altered. ( c+110) You have covered your head with a cloth. You have put your neck in your lap. Your mind is covered like a reed box. Honored one, you have leaned your ear against your lap. Like the ... of my city ... Warrior of Enlil, ... The Ekur, the favorite house ... (break in the composition) I ... I, Enlil, ... ... ( d+120) The ewe ... lamb. The goat ... kid. Piles of grain ... I, the lord, ... ... [Invoking ]the name of the built house, invoking my name, [it invokes my name]. I[nvoking ]the name of the built city, [invoking m]y name, [it invokes my name]. I destroy the land and [overthrow the land. It invokes my name.] the lands into heaps. [It invokes my name.]
I stew the rebellious lands into heaps. [It invokes my name.]
(d+ 130) [After I have ... the sweet waters into bitter waters, it invokes my name].
(break in the compisition)
[Enki, the bull of Eridu, ...
The mother of the lofty shrine, Damgalnunna,
Asarluhi, the child of Eridu,
His spouse, Panunanki,
Nammu, the mother of Eridu,
Arue, the lady of the Apsu, ]
The faithful vizier, Mudugasa, (...)
The cool evening ...
Heaven and earth ...
(e+140) Earth and Heaven ...
When from the Ekur, the great mountain Enlil, ...
From the 'Gate-of-Peace' [ka2?-silim-ma-ta] the great mother Ninlil ...
from the Annegarra [an-ne2-gar-ra-ta] the wife of Enlil ...
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Thus may I sit down with the horned one who wanders about.
With him who wanders about, thus may I sit down with the horned one who wanders about,
with the lord of the lands, who wanders about,
with the lord whose pronouncement is true, who wanders about,
with Enlil, the father of the nation, who wanders about.
May libate beer from the vessal for him!
(e+150) Like a bull ... I shall embrace (him).
"Your city is destroyed!" may I tell him.
"... is destroyed!" may I tell him.
"... is destroyed!" may I tell him.
"... is destroyed!" may I tell him.
"... is destroyed!" may I tell him.
"... is destroyed!" may I tell him.
"The reed of mourning has sprouted!" may I tell him.
When his light shines at me, (I cannot stand) before him.
When Enlil shines ...
(e+160) ...
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To the house in prayer, we go in prayer.
Lamentation filling the house, we go in prayer.
Going about (with) lamentations, we go in prayer to Enlil.
(With) lamentations god and man going in prayer to Enlil.
God and man going about, we go in prayer.
We go to the house in prayer.
We go to that place in prayer. We go to Enlil.
We go to calm the heart of the lord. We go to Enlil.
We go to calm the heart, to calm the liver. We go to Enlil.
(e+170) We go to calm the heart of the lord. We go to Enlil.
Joyfully we [go] to calm the heart of An, the heart of Enlil.
Enlil and his spouse, Ninlil,
... Urash [Urash], the place of motley grain,
Enki [En-ki] and Ninki [Nin-ki] , Enul and Ninul [En-ul, Nin-ul],
Endashurima, Nindashurima, [Em-da-shurim-ma, Nin-da-shurim-ma]
Endukuga, Nindukuga, [En-du6-ku3-ga, En-du6-ku3-ga]
the mothers (of) Ninlil, the fathers of Enlil, (var: the mothers of Enlil, the fathers of Enlil) Enutila [En-mu-[ti]-la], Enmeshara [En-me-en-(d)shara2?],
the faithful princess of heaven, Ninhursag [ga-sha-an-hur-sag-[ga2]],
(e+180) Shulpaea [Shul-pa-e3], the lord of the offering table,
mother Shentur [shen3-tur], the mother of the seven gods, (var: mother Shentur of the seven gods)
the lord, ensi of Nippur, Umungurusha [u3-mu-un-gurush-a],
the clamoring one, Ninnibru [ga-sha-an-Nibruki],
Nab, first born of Gashanmunga [ga-sha-an-ma-un-gu-ra],
Lofty Nusku [Nusku-mah], the genie [(d)Udug-e2-kur-ra] of the Ekur, (var: the doorkeeper of the Ekur)
the mother of the house, Sadaranuna [Sa-dara3-nun-na],
Sherah [Se-ra-ah/she2-lah/She-ra2-e], the genie [udug] of the Esharra [e2-shar-ra], (var: the doorkeeper of the Esharra)
Lammashaga [(d)Lamma-sha6-ga], the splendor of heaven,
the great princely son, Nanna-Suen [(d)Nanna-(d)Suen-na], (var: the son (of) the palace, Nanna-Suen)
(e+190) the high priestess, the wife of Nanna,
the exalted lieutenant, Enlilazi [Nin-lil2-zi],
Enbune, the child of Eshaba [En-bun2-e],
the he-man, Utu, the lord of the mountain (var: the lord of the hero)
Ningal [ga-sha-an-gal-2] , the mother of Utu,
Inanna, uniquely heroic,
her spouse, Amaushumgalanna [Ushumgal-an-na],
the mother of the lord, Ninsun [ga-sha-an-(d)sun2-na].
the young lord, the god Eshnunna [esh2-nun-na],
the celestial sister-in-law, Geshtinanna [Mu-tin-an-na],
(e+200) the (var: high) Tigris, filled with abundance,
Enki, the bull of Eridu,
the mother of the house, Damgalnunna,
Asarluhi, (var: the lord,) the child of Tintir,
... his wife, Panunanki,
Ennugi [En-nu-gi] , the child of Enlil, (var: the child of Ninlil)
The lord of the screptre; Ninmeshudu [ga-sha-an-me-shu-du7],
good Kalkal [kal-kal-sha6-ga], the doorkeeper of the Ekur, (var: the doorkeeper of Eshara)
Ninsar [nin-(sar)], the knife bearer, the one of the Ekur,
the faithful shepherd, Enamushkuga [u3-mu-un-amash-ku3-ga],
(e+210) mother Baba [Ba-ba6], the lady of Uruku [uru2-ku3-ga],
the great mother of Abba [Ab-ba6], the princely son,
mother Lisi [li9-si4], the lady of Hurshaba [ur5-sha3-ba],
the lady Nisaba [Nisaba], ... Nanibgal [en-SHE3,an-ib-g[al]],
Umunaba [u3-mu-un-ab-a], the lord who rides the ox,
Ninmug [ga-sha-an-mug], who occupies the outdoor shrines [ub-lil2-lil2-e],
(var: Ninmug [ga-sha-an-mug], herioc Lumma [Lum-ma]; var: Ninmug, the vault ...)
mother Nanshe [Nanshe], Hendersaga [Hendur-sag-ga2], (var: the beautiful herald, Hendersaga, ...)
Ninegal [ga-sha-an-e2-gal-la], Haya [Ha-ia3], keeper of the seal,
..., Ninkasi [ga-sha-an-ka-si-a].
(e+220) Patendu [pa-te-en-du1-], the one in charge of the first offerings,
Usakara [U4-sakar-ra], the child of ...,
the shining lady, Shuzianna [Shu-zi-an-na],
the good wetnurse, the one of the Ekur,
Nineshgal [ga-sha-an-ESH3-gal], the mother of Kulaba,
Enanun [En-a3-nun], the mother ...
Indak [Indak], the glistening calf,
Sherida [(d)She3-ri5-da], the en-priest, the good man,
the good child Ninkununa [ga-sha-an-ku3-nun-na-ra],
Nergal [u3-mu-un-eri11-gal], the of the Egidda [e2-gid2-da], (var: (of) the cattle procession)
(e+230) Irragal [Ir3-ra-gal], of the cattle procession,
Lammashaga [Lamma-sha6-ga] of the ... streets ...
Ninimma [Nin-imma3-ke4], Kusigbanda [Ku3-sigx(GI)-ban3-da-ra],
the lord of the ..., the bird of the lands, (var: the one who is named (of) the lands)
the ... woman, the good Ababa, [Ba-ba6-sha6-ga] (var. the good Baba)
Umunug [u3-mu-un-ug-me-en]..., the lady of the Apsu, (var: Umunug, Ninbar [Nin-bar], the child of the Apsu)
Ezinu-Kusu [(d)Ezinu (d)Ku3-su3][, ...
Umunsazu [u3-mu-un-sa-a-zu], Sud [Sud3], the princely child, (var: Umunsaza, ..., the princely child)
the genie of the treasure-house [(d)Udug-erim6-ma3], the hero of all, (var: the genie of my city)
..., the spouse of the heroic man,
(e+240) Etaede [e2-ta-e2-da], the one of the pure place,
Umunmada [u3-mu-un-ma-da], the perfect one of heaven,
Umunazu [u3-mu-un-a-zu], the lord of Egidda [e2-gid2-da],
Ningirda [ga-sha-an-gir3-da], Ningishzida [u3-mu-un-mu-zi-da],
(var: heroic) Ereshda [eresh-da], the lady of Emashda [ga-sha-an-e2-mash-da],
the mother of the treasure-house, Nintiunugga [ga-sha-an-tun-ug5-ga],
the land registrar of Ana , Ninisina, (var: Ninisina, the demon)
the vizier of An, Ninshubar [ga-sha-an-(d)shubur], (var: Ninshubar, the offering table of heaven)
Pabilsag [Pa-bil2-sag], the lord of Larak [La-ra-ag-ga], (var: Your child Pabilsag, the weapon ...)
Gunura [Gu-nu-ra], the mast [gis-dimgal-kalam-ma] of the nation,
(e+250) the goodly Damu [da-mu-sha6-ga], the lord of Girsu,
(var: the lord) Ishkur [Ishkur], the lord of the canal, (var: of the Guedena, var: the heavenly rain)
Medimsha [me-dim2-sha4?], ...
Enbilulu [En-bi-lu-lu], the canal inspector,
the lord, the life of the nation, the life of the lands,
Sud [Sud3], the princely child, the mother of Eshaba (var: the LAL of Eshaba, var: the water of the holy dish)
the true road, the holy Nin...,
my wise one, Ningirgilum [ga-sha-an-gir-gi4-lu],
the celestial hierodule, Ninehubba [ga-sha-an-e2-HUB-ka],
the destroyer of the land, the lady of Eanna,
(e+260) the hierodule, the master of the Guedena [gu2-eden!-[na]],
Pisansagunuga [sag-TUG2-Unugki-ga], the god of Kulaba,
Enkimdu [en-ki-im-du], the lord of the ditch and canal, (var: Enkimdu, ... furrow, ditch and canal ...)
Martu [Mar-tu-e], the one of the mountains,
Sumuqan , the one of the holy place, (var: who proliferates the herds and the wild boar in the plain)
Numushda [Nu-mush-da], ...,
Ishtaran [Ishtaran[, with the beautiful contenance,
the respected one,...
Dungu [dunga3-Elamki-ma] of Elam, the one of the bolt,
the gods of heaven and earth,
(e+270) the Anunna-gods [A-nun-na] who go about in the heavens,
the Anunna gods who go about on earth,
the lock of Nippur, the bolt of Nippur,
the mother in supplication in that house,
the mother in supplication, in Nippur,
the mother in supplication, in the Ekur,
the mother in supplication, in the Kiur,
the mother in supplication, in Eridu,
the mother in supplication, in Ur,
the mother in supplication, in Larsa,
(e+280) the mother in supplication, god and man (go to Enlil).
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You are my lord. Light of my city, your are a warrior.
My shining one, Umungurusha [u3-mu-un-gurush-a], your are a warrior.
Umungurusha, you are a warrior. Indeed you are powerful.
Like the sun you whirl about (in) the clouds.
Like the moon you spread forth your light.
My lord, you give notice to a man.
You give notice to the insubordinate and unsubmissive man.
You give notice to the insubordinate to Enlil, to the unsubmissive.
(c+290) My lord, inspect the watercourses in your city!
Father Enlil, inspect the earth which has grown up in your city!
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A supplication that the brickword of Ekur should be restored.
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It is a kišû.
ELUM GUSUN is finished.
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