The following are specimens of the imprecatory charms with which the ancient Babylonian literature abounded, and which were supposed to be the most potent means in the world for producing mischief. Some examples are given in the first volume of the "Records of the Past," pp. 131-135 of the exorcisms used to avert the consequences of such enchantments. The original Accadian text is preserved in the first column with an interlinear Assyrian translation: the short paragraphs in Column III also give the Accadian original; but elsewhere the Assyrian scribe has contented himself with the Assyrian rendering alone. The charms are rhythmic, and illustrate the rude parallelism of Accadian poetry. The Assyrian translations were probably made for the library of Sargon of Aganè, an ancient Babylonian monarch who reigned not later than the sixteenth century B.C.; but the copy we possess was made from the old tablets by the scribes of Assur-bani-pal. The larger part of the first column has already been translated by M. François Lenormant in "La Magie chez les Chaldéens" p. 59. The tablet on which the inscription occurs is marked K 65 in the British Museum Collection and will be published in the "Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia," Vol. IV, plates 7, 8.
1 The beginning[1]—The baneful charm[2] like an evil demon acts against[3] the man. 2 The voicethat defilesacts upon him. 3 The maleficent voice acts upon him. 4 The baneful charm is a spell that originates sickness.[4] 5 This man the baneful charm strangles like a lamb. 6 His god in his flesh makes the wound. 7 His goddess mutual enmity brings down. 8 The voicethat defileslike a hyena covers him and subjugates him. 9 Merodach[5] favors him; and 10 to his father Hea into the house he enters and cries: 11 "O my father, the baneful charm like an evil demon acts against the man." 12 To the injured (man) he (Hea) speaks thus: 13 "(A number) make: this man is unwitting: by means of the number he enslaves thee." 14 (To) his son Merodach he replies[6] 15 "My son, the number thou knowest not; the number let me fix for thee. 16 Merodach, the number thou knowest not; the number let me fix for thee. 17 What I know thou knowest. 18 Go, my son Merodach. 19 … with noble hand seize him, and 20 his enchantment explain and his enchantment make known. 21 Evil (is to) the substance of his body,[7] 22 whether (it be) the curse of his father, 23 or the curse of his mother, 24 or the curse of his elder brother, 25 or the bewitching curse of an unknown man." 26 Spoken (is) the enchantment by the lips of Hea. 27 Like a signet may he[8] be brought near. 28 Like garden-herbs may he be destroyed. 29 Like a weed may he be gathered-for-sale. 30 (This) enchantment may the spirit of heaven remember, may the spirit of earth remember.
31 Like this signet he[9] shall be cut, and the sorcerer 32 the consuming fire-god shall consume. 33 By written-spells he shall not bedelivered. 34 By curses and poisons he shall not bemoved. 35 His property (and) ground he shall not take. 36 His corn shall not be high and the sun shall not remember (him).
[Footnote 1: The Accadian word is translated by the Assyrian "siptu" ("lip"), and may be translated "beginning" or "fresh paragraph."]
[Footnote 2: In the Assyrian version, "curse."]
[Footnote 3: In the Assyrian, "goes against."]
[Footnote 4: In the Assyrian, "(is) the cause of sickness."]
[Footnote 5: The Accadian god identified with Merodach by the Assyrian translator was "Silik-mulu-khi" ("the protector of the city who benefits mankind"). He was regarded as the son of Hea.]
[Footnote 6: The verbs throughout are in the aorist, but the sense of the original is better expressed in English by the present than the past tense.]
[Footnote 7: That is, the sorcerer's.]
[Footnote 8: The sorcerer.]
[Footnote 9: The sorcerer.]
1 On the festival of the god, the king unconquerable, 2 may the man (by) the enchantment, (with)eldestson (and) wife, 3 (by) sickness, the loss of the bliss of prosperity, of joy (and) of gladness, 4 (by) the sickness which exists in a man's skin, a man's flesh (and) a man's entrails, 5 like this signet be brought near and 6 on that day may the consuming fire-god consume; 7 may the enchantment go forth and to (its) dwelling-place betake itself.
8 Like this vineyard he shall be cut off, and the sorcerer 9 the consuming fire-god shall consume. 10 Despite theholidaysof aplaguethat returns not, 11 despite the shrine of the god, the king unconquerable, 12 may the man, (by) the enchantment, (with)eldestson (and) wife, 13 (by) sickness, the loss of the bliss of prosperity, of joy (and) of gladness, 14 (by) the sickness which exists in a man's skin, a man's flesh, a man'sentrails, 15 like this garden-stuff be rooted out, and 16 on that day may the consuming fire-god consume. 17 May the enchantment go forth and to (its) dwelling-place betake itself.
18 Like this weed he shall be gathered for sale, and the sorcerer 19 the consuming fire-god shall consume. 20 Before him, despite his blessedness that is not, 21 despite the canopy of a covering that departs not, 22 may the man (by) the enchantment, (with)eldestson (and) wife, 23 (by) sickness, the loss of the bliss of prosperity, of joy (and) of gladness, 24 (by) the sickness which exists in a man's skin, a man's flesh, a man'sentrails, 25 like this weed be plucked, and 26 on that day may the consuming fire-god consume. 27 May the enchantment go forth and to (its) dwelling-place betake itself.
28 Like this thread he shall be stretched, and the sorcerer 29 the consuming fire-god shall consume. 30 Despite his adoration that is not, 31 despite the clothing of the god, the King unconquerable, 32 may the man, (through) the enchantment, (with)eldestson (and) wife, 33 (by) sickness, the loss of the bliss of prosperity, of joy (and) of gladness, 34 (by) the sickness which exists in a man's skin, a man's flesh, a man'sentrails, 35 like this thread be stretched, and 36 on that day may the consuming fire-god consume. 37 May the enchantment go forth and to (its) dwelling-place betake itself.
38 Like this goat's-hair cloth he shall be stretched, and the sorcerer 39 the consuming fire-god shall consume. 40 Despite the goat's-hair that is not, 41 despite the canopy of the covering (that departs not), 42 may the man (through) the enchantment, (with)eldestson (and) wife, 43 (by) sickness, the loss of the bliss of prosperity, of joy (and) of gladness, 44 (by) the sickness which exists in a man's skin, a man's flesh, a man'sentrails, 45 like this goat's-hair cloth be stretched, and 46 on that day the man may the consuming fire-god consume. 47 May the enchantment go forth and to (its) dwelling-place betake itself.
48 Like theseboardshe shall be stretched, and the sorcerer 49 the consuming fire-god shall consume. 50 O son of the macebearer, despite produce unproduced, 51 despite the clothing of the god, the King unconquerable, 52 may the man (by) the enchantment, (with)eldestson and wife, 53 (by) sickness, the loss of prosperity, of joy (and) of gladness, 54 (by) the sickness which exists in a man's skin, a man's flesh, a man'sentrails, 55 like theseboardsbe stretched, and 56 on that day may the consuming fire-god consume. 57 May the enchantment go forth and to (its) dwelling-place betake itself.
(The first part of Column III is mutilated. It becomes legible in the middle of a list of magicalformulæ.)
30 The chiefest talisman, the mighty talisman, the engraved talisman, the talisman is the binder, with enchantment. 31 The repetition of the enchantment (is) baneful to man. 32 The curses of the gods. 33 … the binder with enchantment. 34 (With enchantment) his hands (and) his feet he binds. 35 Merodach, the son of Hea, the prince, with his holy hands cuts the knots. 36 May the enchantment cause this talisman to the desert among the wild beasts to go forth. 37 May the baneful enchantment seize upon others. 38 May this man rest (and) open (his eyes). 39 To the blessed hand of his god may he be committed. 40 Conclusion of theformulæfor averting sorcery.
41 For the raising of the mighty foundation thus have I burned up straight, 42 like fire have I burned up (and) have delivered the oracle.[10]
[Footnote 10: Or, "have laid the witchcraft."]
1 The noblecupbearerof Hea, the scribe of Merodach (am) I. 2 Like fire have I blazed (and) I rejoice;[1] 3 (like) fire have I burned (and) I grow; 4 the corn I purify and make heavy. 5 Like fire have I blazed (and) will rejoice; 6 (like) fire have I burned (and) will grow; 7 the corn will I purify and make heavy. 8 O nadir (and) zenith, the light of god and man, 9 may the store he collected be delivered. 10 May the store of (his) heart whoever he be, ye his god and his goddess, be delivered. 11 May his gate bekept fast. On that day 12 may they enrich him, may they deliver him.
13 May the rejoicing[2] of the warrior fire-god 14 rejoice with thee. May lands and rivers 15 rejoice with thee. May Tigris and (Euphrates) 16 rejoice with thee. May the seas and (the ocean) 17 rejoice with thee. May the forest, the daughter of the gods, 18 rejoice with thee. May all the production (of the earth) 19 rejoice with thee. May the hearts of my god and my goddess, well-feasted, 20 rejoice with thee. May the hearts of the god and the goddess of the city, well-feasted, (rejoice with thee). 21 On that day from the curse may my heart, O my god and my goddess, be delivered, 22 and may the enchantment go forth from my body. 23 When the doomcomes uponthee, 24 and from the fulfilment thou protectest thyself, 25 the doom when fulfilled cut thou off.
26 (The tablet) beginning: …Colophon.Tablet (copied from)the old (tablets of Chaldea).Country of (Assur-bani-pal)King of (Assyria).
[Footnote 1: Or, "rest."]
[Footnote 2: The words translated "rejoicing" and "rejoice" properly signify "rest" and that may be their meaning here.]
This inscription of Tiglath Pileser I is found on an octagonal prism and on some other clay fragments discovered at Kalah-Shergat and at present in the British Museum. The text is published in the "Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia," Vol. I, pp. ix-xvi. Four translations of this inscription, made simultaneously in 1857 by Sir H. Rawlinson, Mr. Fox Talbot, Dr. Hincks, and Dr. Oppert, were published in that year under the title of "Inscription of Tiglath Pileser I, King of Assyria, B.C. 1150." Dr. Oppert has also given a revised translation in his "Histoire de l'Empire de Chaldée et d'Assyrie," 8vo, Versailles, 1865, extracted from the "Annales de la Philosophie chrétienne" of the same year, 5e Series, p. 44 and foll. The translations simultaneously published were submitted to the Asiatic Society in that year as a test of the advance made in Assyrian interpretations and the close approximation made by scholars in their interpretation of Assyrian texts. The notes contain some of the different readings of the other Assyrian scholars at that time and give a few of the principal varieties of reading some of the words. It was generally considered a very triumphant demonstration of the sound basis on which the then comparatively recent Assyrian researches were placed and a confutation of certain opinions then prevalent, that no certain or accurate advance had been made in the decipherment of Assyrian inscriptions. On the whole for its extent and historical information relating to the early history of Assyria this inscription is one of the most important of the series showing the gradual advance and rise of Assyria, while as one of the first interpreted it presents considerable literary interest in respect to the details of the progress of Assyrian interpretation. It is also nearly the oldest Assyrian text of any length which has been hitherto discovered and is very interesting from its account of the construction of the temples and palaces made by the King in the early part of his reign. S.B.
Ashur,the great Lord, ruling supreme over the gods; the giver of sceptres and crowns; the appointer of sovereignty. Bel, the Lord;King of the circle of constellations;[1] Father of the gods; Lord of the world. Sin;[2] the leader theLord of Empirethepowerfultheauspiciousgod;Shamas;[3] the establisher of the heavens and the earth; …;[4] the vanquisher of enemies; the dissolver of cold.Vul;[5] he who causes the tempest to rage over hostile lands andwickedcountries.Abnil[6] Hercules; the champion who subdueshereticsand enemies, and who strengthens the heart.Ishtar, the eldest[7] of the gods; the Queen ofVictory; she who arranges battles.
[Footnote 1: Aratnaki. (Fox Talbot.)]
[Footnote 2: The moon.]
[Footnote 3: The sun.]
[Footnote 4: Lacuna.]
[Footnote 5: Ninev. (Fox Talbot.) Ao. (Dr. Oppert.)]
[Footnote 6: Ninip-Sumdan. Dr. Oppert.]
[Footnote 7: Or source.]
The great gods, ruling over the heavens and the earth, whose attributes I have recorded and whom I havenamed; the guardians of the kingdom of Tiglath Pileser, the Prince inspiring your hearts withjoy; the proud Chief whom in the strength of your hearts ye have made firm, (to whom) ye have confided the supreme crown, (whom) ye have appointed in might to the sovereignty of the country of Bel, to whom ye have granted pre-eminence, exaltation, and warlike power. May the duration of his empire continue forever to his royal posterity, lasting as the great temple of Bel!
Tiglath Pileser the powerful king; supreme King of Lash-anan;[1] King of the four regions; King of all Kings; Lord of Lords; thesupreme; Monarch of Monarchs; the illustrious Chief who under the auspices of the Sun god, being armed with the sceptre and girt with the girdle of power over mankind, rules over all the people of Bel; the mighty Prince whose praise is blazoned forth among the Kings: the exalted sovereign, whose servants Ashur has appointed to the government of the country of the four regions (and) has made his name celebrated to posterity; the conqueror of many plains and mountains of the Upper and Lower Country; the conquering hero, the terror of whose name has overwhelmed all regions; the bright constellation who, according to his power[2] has warred against foreign countries (and) under the auspices of Bel, there being no equal to him, has subdued the enemies of Ashur.[3]
[Footnote 1: "Various tongues." Talbot.]
[Footnote 2: Or, "as he wished."]
[Footnote 3: Or, "has made them obedient to Ashur."]
Ashur (and) the great gods, the guardians of my kingdom, who gave government and laws to my dominions, and ordered an enlarged frontier to their territory, having committed to (my) hand their valiant and warlike servants, I have subdued the lands and the peoples and the strong places, and the Kings who were hostile to Ashur; and I have reduced all that was contained in them. With a host[1] of kings I have fought …[2] and have imposed on them the bond ofservitude. There is not to me a second in war, nor an equal in battle. I have added territory to Assyria and peoples to her people. I have enlarged the frontier of my territories, and subdued all the lands contained in them.[3]
[Footnote 1: The preamble concludes here.]
[Footnote 2: Lacuna.]
[Footnote 3: Literally, "a sixty."]
In the beginning of my reign 20,000 of theMuskayans[1] and their 5 kings, who for 50 years had held the countries of Alza and Perukhuz, without paying tribute and offerings to Ashur my Lord, and whom a King of Assyria had never ventured to meet in battle betook themselves to their strength, and went and seized the country of Comukha. In the service of Ashur my Lord my chariots and warriors I assembled after me …[2] the country ofKasiyaia[3] a difficult country, I passed through. With their 20,000 fighting men and their 5 kings in the country of Comukha I engaged. I defeated them. The ranks of their warriors in fighting the battle were beaten down as if by the tempest. Their carcasses covered the valleys and the tops of the mountains. I cut off their heads. The battlements of their cities I made heaps of, like mounds ofearth, their movables, their wealth, and their valuables I plundered to a countless amount. 6,000 of their common soldiers who fled before my servants and accepted my yoke, I took them, and gave them over to the men of my own territory.[4]
[Footnote 1: Sirki citizens. (Fox Talbot.)]
[Footnote 2: Lacuna.]
[Footnote 3: Mount Kasiyaia. (Dr. Hincks.)]
[Footnote 4: As slaves.]
Then I went into the country ofComukha,[1] which was disobedient and withheld the tribute and offerings due to Ashur my Lord: I conquered the whole country of Comukha. I plundered their movables, their wealth, and their valuables. Their cities I burnt with fire, I destroyed and ruined. The common people of Comukha, who fled before the face of my servants, crossed over to the city ofSherisha[2] which was on the further banks of the Tigris, and made this city into their stronghold. I assembled my chariots and warriors. I betook myself tocarts of iron[3] in order to overcome the rough mountains and their difficult marches. I made the wilderness (thus) practicable for the passage of my chariots and warriors. I crossed the Tigris and took the city of Sherisha their stronghold. Their fighting men, in the middle of the forests, like wild beasts, I smote. Their carcasses filled the Tigris, and the tops of the mountains. At this time the troops of theAkhe,[4] who came to the deliverance and assistance of Comukha, together with the troops of Comukha, like chaff I scattered. The carcasses of their fighting men I piled up like heaps on the tops of the mountains. The bodies of their warriors, theroaring[5] waters carried down to the Tigris. Kili Teru son of Kali Teru, son of Zarupin Zihusun, their King,[6] in the course of their fighting fell into my power. His wives and his children, the delight of his heart I dispossessed him of. One hundred and eighty[7] iron vessels and 5 trays of copper, together with the gods of the people in gold and silver, and their beds and furniture I brought away. Their movables and their wealth I plundered. This city and its palace I burnt with fire, I destroyed and ruined.
[Footnote 1: Dummuk. (Dr. Oppert.)]
[Footnote 2: Sharisha. (Fox Talbot.) Siris. (Dr. Hincks.)]
[Footnote 3: Bridge. (Fox Talbot.)]
[Footnote 4: Aliens. (Dr. Hincks.)]
[Footnote 5: Nami River. (Fox Talbot.) Blood River. (Dr. Hincks.)]
[Footnote 6: Tirikali fil Tirikali. (Fox Talbot.) Kiliantiru eldest son ofCampineiyusan, (Dr. Hincks.)]
[Footnote 7: Literally, "three sixties."]
The city ofUrrakluirastheir stronghold which was in the country of Panari, I went toward. The exceeding fear of the power of Ashur, my Lord, overwhelmed them. To save their lives they took their gods, and fled like birds to the tops of the lofty mountains. I collected my chariots and warriors, and crossed the Tigris.Shedi Teru[1] the son ofKhasutkh[2] King ofUrrakluirason my arriving in his country submitted to my yoke. His sons, the delight of his heart, and his favorites, I condemned to the service of the gods: 60 vessels of iron;trays[3] andbarsof copper …[4] with 120 cattle, and flocks he brought as tribute and offerings. I accepted (them) and spared him. I gave him his life, but imposed upon him the yoke of my empire heavily forever. The wide spreading country of Comukha I entirely conquered, and subjected to my yoke. At this time one tray of copper and one bar of copper from among the service offerings and tribute of Comukha I dedicated to Ashur my Lord, and 60 iron vessels with their gods I offered to my guardian god,Vul.[5]
[Footnote 1: Sadiyantim. (Dr. Hincks.) Tiri-dates. (Fox Talbot.)]
[Footnote 2: Kuthakin. (Fox Talbot.) Kha-thukhi. (Dr. Hincks.)]
[Footnote 3: "Nirmah mamkhar." (Dr. Hincks.)]
[Footnote 4: Lacuna.]
[Footnote 5: "Yem." (Fox Talbot.)]
From among my valiant servants, to whom Ashur the Lord gave strength and power, in 30 of my chariots, select companies of my troops and bands of my warriors who were expert in battle, I gathered together. I proceeded to the extensive country ofMiltis,[1] which did not obey me; it consisted of strong mountains and a difficult land. Where it was easy I traversed it in my chariots: where it was difficult I went on foot. In the country of Aruma, which was a difficult land, and impracticable to the passage of my chariots, I left the chariots and marched in front of my troops. Like …[2] on the peak of the rugged mountains, I marched victoriously. The country ofMiltis,[1] like heaps of stubble, I swept. Their fighting men in the course of the battle like chaff I scattered. Their movables, their wealth and their valuables I plundered. Many of their cities I burned with fire. I imposed on themreligious service[1], and offerings and tribute.
[Footnote 1: Eshtish. (Fox Talbot.)]
[Footnote 2: Lacuna.]
[Footnote 3: Hostages. Fox Talbot. For further and subsequent various readings see the edition of 1857.]
Tiglath Pileser, the illustrious warrior, the opener of the roads of the countries, the subjugator of the rebellious …[1] he who has overrun the whole Magian world.
[Footnote 1: Lacuna.]
I subdued the extensive country of Subair, which was in rebellion. The countries of Alza and Purukhuz, which deferred their tribute and offerings, the yoke of my empire heavily upon them I imposed, decreeing that they should bring their tribute and offerings into my presence in the city of Ashur. While I was on this expedition, which the Lord Ashur, committing to my hand a powerful rebel subduing army, ordered for the enlargement of the frontiers of his territory, there were 4,000 of theKaskayaandHurunayarebellious tribes of the Kheti[1] who had brought under their power the cities of Subarta, attached to the worship of Ashur, my Lord (so that) they did not acknowledge dependence on Subarta. The terror of my warlike expedition overwhelmed them. They would not fight, but submitted to my yoke. Then I took their valuables, and 120[2] of their chariots fitted to the yoke, and I gave them to the men of my own country.
[Footnote 1: Hittites.]
[Footnote 2: Two "soss."]
In the course of this my expedition, a second time I proceeded to the country of Comukha. I took many of their cities. Their movables, their wealth, and their valuables I plundered. Their cities I burnt with fire, I destroyed and overthrew. The soldiers of their armies, who from before the face of my valiant servants fled away, they would not engage with me in the fierce battle: to save their lives they took to the stony heights of the mountains, an inaccessible region: to the recesses of the deep forests and the peaks of the difficult mountains which had never been trodden by the feet of men, I ascended after them: they fought with me; I defeated them: the ranks of their warriors on the tops of the mountains fell like rain: their carcasses filled the ravines and the high places of the mountains: their movables, their wealth, and their valuables I carried off from the stony heights of the mountains. I subdued the country of Comukha throughout its whole extent, and I attached it to the frontiers of my own territory.
Tiglath Pileser, the powerful king, the vanquisher of the disobedient, he who has swept the face of the earth.
In profound reverence to Ashur my Lord, to the country of Kharia, and the far-spreading tribes of the Akhe, deep forests, which no former King (of Assyria) had ever reached, the Lord Ashur invited me to proceed. My chariots and forces I assembled, and I went to an inaccessible region beyond the countries of Itni and Ayá. As the steep mountains stood up like metal posts, and were impracticable to the passage of my chariots, I placed my chariots in wagons, and (thus) I traversed the difficult ranges of hills. All the lands of the Akhe and their wide-spreading tribes having assembled, arose to do battle in the country ofAzutapis. In an inaccessible region I fought with them and defeated them. The ranks of their (slain) warriors on the peaks of the mountains were piled up in heaps; the carcasses of their warriors filled the ravines and high places of the mountains. To the cities which were placed on the tops of the mountains Ipenetratedvictoriously: 27 cities of Kharía, which were situated in the districts of Aya, Suira, Itni, Shetzu, Shelgu, Arzanibru, Varutsu, and Anitku, I took; their movables, their wealth, and their valuables I plundered; their cities I burnt with fire, I destroyed and overthrew.
The people of Adavas feared to engage in battle with me; they left their habitations, and fled like birds to the peaks of the lofty mountains. The terror of Ashur my Lord overwhelmed them; they came and submitted to my yoke; I imposed on them tribute and offerings.
The countries of Tsaravas and Ammavas, which from the olden time had never submitted, I swept like heaps of stubble; with their forces in the country of Aruma I fought, and I defeated them. The ranks of their fighting men I levelled like grass. I bore away their gods; their movables, their wealth, and their valuables I carried off. Their cities I burnt with fire, I destroyed and overthrew, and converted into heaps and mounds. The heavy yoke of my empire I imposed on them. I attached them to the worship of Ashur my Lord.
I took the countries of Itsua and Daria, which were turbulent and disobedient. Tribute and offerings I imposed on them. I attached them to the worship of Ashur.
In my triumphant progress over my enemies, my chariots and troops I assembled; I crossed the lower Zab. The countries of Muraddan and Tsaradavas, which were near Atsaniu and Atuva, difficult regions, I captured; their warriors I cut downlike weeds. The city of Muraddan, their capital city, and the regions toward the rising sun, I took possession of. Their gods, their wealth, and their valuables, onesossbars of iron, 30 talents of iron, the abundant wealth of the Lords, of their palaces, and their movables, I carried off. This city I burnt with fire, I destroyed and overthrew. At this time this iron to the god Vul, my great Lord and guardian, I dedicated.
In the might and power of Ashur my Lord, I went to the country of Tsugi, belonging to Gilkhi, which did not acknowledge Ashur my Lord. With 4,000 of their troops, belonging to the countries Khimi, Lukhi, Arirgi, Alamun, Nuni, and all the far-spread land of theAkhí, in the country of Khirikhi, a difficult region, which rose up like metal posts, with all their people I foughton foot. I defeated them; the bodies of their fighting men on the tops of the mountains I heaped in masses. The carcasses of their warriors I strewed over the country of Khirikhi like chaff. I took the entire country of Tsugi. Twenty-five of their gods, their movables, their wealth, and their valuables I carried off. Many of their cities I burnt with fire, I destroyed and overthrew. The men of their armies submitted to my yoke. I had mercy on them. I imposed on them tribute and offerings. With attachment to the worship of Ashur, my Lord, I intrusted them.[1]
[Footnote 1: That is, "I caused them to worship Ashur."]
At this time 25 of the gods belonging to those countries, subject to my government, which I had taken, I dedicated for the honor of the temple of the Queen of glory, the great ancestress of Ashur my Lord, of Anu, and of Vul, the goddess who is the guardian of all the public temples of my city of Ashur, and of all the goddesses of my country.
Tiglath-Pileser, the powerful King; the subduer of hostile races; the conqueror of the whole circle of kings.
At this time, in exalted reverence to Ashur, my Lord, by the godlike support of the heroic "Sun," having in the service of the great gods, ruled over the four regions imperially; there being found (to me) no equal in war, and no second in battle, to the countries of the powerful Kings who dwelt upon the upper ocean and had never made their submission, the Lord Ashur having urged me, I went. Difficult mountain chains, and distant (or inaccessible) hills, which none of our Kings had ever previously reached, tedious paths and unopened roads I traversed. The countries of Elama, of Amadana, of Eltís, of Sherabili, ofLikhuna, of Tirkakhuli, of Kisra, of Likhanubi, of Elula, of Khastare, of Sakhisara, of Hubira, of Miliatruni, ofSulianzi, of Nubanashe, and of Sheshe, 16 strong countries, the easy parts in my chariots, and the difficult parts in wagons of iron, I passed through; the thickets of the mountains I cut down; bridges for the passage of my troops I prepared; I crossed over the Euphrates; the King of Elammi, the King of Tunubi, the King of Tuhali, the King of Kindari, the King of Huzula, the King of Vanzamuni, the King of Andiabi, the King of Pilakinna, the King of Atúrgina, the King of Kulibartzini, the King of Pinibirni, the King of Khimua, the King of Päíteri, the King of Vaíram, the King of Sururia, the King of Abäéni, the King of Adäéni, the King of Kirini, the King of Albaya, the King of Vagina, the King of Nazabia, the King ofAmalziú, the King of Dayeni, in all 23 Kings of the countries of Naíri, in their own provinces having assembled their chariots and troops, they came to fight with me.[1] By means of my powerful servants I straitened them.[2] I caused the destruction of their far-spreading troops, as if with the destroying tempest of Vul. I levelled the ranks of their warriors, both on the tops of the mountains and on the battlements of the cities, likegrass. Two soss [3] of their chariots I held as a trophy from the midst of the fight; one soss [4] of the kings of the countries of Naíri, and of those who had come to their assistance, in my victory as far as the upper ocean I pursued them; I took their great castles; I plundered their movables, their wealth and their valuables; their cities I burnt with fire, I destroyed and overthrew, and converted into heaps and mounds. Droves of many horses and mules, of calves and of lambs, their property, in countless numbers I carried off. Many of the kings of the countries of Naíri fell alive into my hands; to these kings I granted pardon; their lives I spared; their abundance and wealth I poured out before my Lord, the sun-god. In reverence to my great gods, to after-times, to the last day, I condemned them to do homage. The young men, the pride of their royalty, I gave over to the service of the gods; 1,200 horses and 2,000 cattle I imposed on them as tribute, and I allowed them to remain in their own countries.
[Footnote 1: Literally, to make war and do battle.]
[Footnote 2: Or, brought them into difficulties.]
[Footnote 3: One hundred and twenty.]
[Footnote 4: Sixty.]
Tseni, the King of Dayani, who was not submissive to Ashur my Lord, his abundance and wealth I brought it to my city of Ashur. I had mercy on him. I left him in life to learn the worship of the great gods from my city of Ashur. I reduced the far-spreading countries of Naíri throughout their whole extent, and many of their kings I subjected to my yoke.
In the course of this expedition, I went to the city of Milidia, belonging to the country of Khanni-rabbi, which was independent and did not obey me. They abstained from engaging in the rude fight with me; they submitted to my yoke, and I had mercy on them. This city I did not occupy, but I gave the people over to religious service, and I imposed on them as a token of their allegiance a fixed tribute of …[1]
[Footnote 1: Lacuna.]
Tiglath-Pileser, the ruling constellation; the powerful; the lover of battle.
In the service of my Lord Ashur, my chariots and warriors I assembled; I set out on my march. In front of my strong men I went to the country of the Aramæans, the enemies of my Lord Ashur. From before Tsukha, as far as the city of Qarqamis[1] belonging to the country of Khatte,[2] I smote withone blow. Their fighting men I slew; their movables, their wealth, and their valuables in countless numbers I carried off. The men of their armies who fled from before the face of the valiant servants of my Lord Ashur, crossed over the Euphrates; in boats covered with bitumen skins I crossed the Euphrates after them; I took six of their cities which were below the country of Bisri; I burnt them with fire, and I destroyed and overthrew; and I brought their movables, their wealth, and their valuables to my city of Ashur.
[Footnote 1: Carchemish.]
[Footnote 2: The Hittites.]
Tiglath-Pileser, he who tramples upon the Magian world; he who subdues the disobedient; he who has overrun the whole earth.
My Lord Ashur having urged me on, I took my way to the vast country of Muzri, lying beyond Elammi, Tala, and Kharutsa; I took the country of Muzri throughout its whole extent; I subdued their warriors; I burnt their cities with fire, I destroyed and overthrew; the troops of the country of Comani hastened to the assistance of the country of Muzri: in the mountains I fought with them and defeated them. In the metropolis, the city of Arin, which was under the country of Ayatsa, I besieged them; they submitted to my yoke; I spared this city; but I imposed on them religious service and tribute and offerings.
At this time the whole country of Comani which was in alliance with the country of Muzri, all their people assembled and arose to do battle and make war. By means of my valiant servants I fought with 20,000 of their numerous troops in the country of Tala, and I defeated them; their mighty mass broke in pieces; as far as the country of Kharutsa, belonging to Muzri, I smote them and pursued; the ranks of their troops on the heights of the mountains I cut downlike grass; their carcasses covered the valleys and the tops of the mountains; their great castles I took, I burnt with fire, I destroyed, and overthrew into heaps and mounds.
The city of Khunutsa, their stronghold, I overthrew like a heap of stubble. With their mighty troops in the city and on the hills I foughtfiercely. I defeated them; their fighting men in the middle of the forests I scattered likechaff. I cut off their heads as if they werecarrion; their carcasses filled the valleys and (covered) the heights of the mountains. I captured this city; their gods, their wealth, and their valuables I carried off, and burnt with fire. Three of their great castles, which were built of brick, and the entire city I destroyed and overthrew, and converted into heaps and mounds, and upon the site I laid down large stones; and I made tablets of copper, and I wrote on them an account of the countries which I had taken by the help of my Lord Ashur, and about the taking of this city, and the building of its castle; and upon it[1] I built a house of brick, and I set up within it these copper tablets.
[Footnote 1: "The stone foundation."]
In the service of Ashur my Lord, my chariots and warriors I assembled, and I approached Kapshuna, their capital city; the tribes of Comani would not engage in battle with me; they submitted to my yoke, and I spared their lives. The great castle of the city and its brick buildings I trampled under foot; from its foundations to its roofs I destroyed it and converted it into heaps and mounds, and a band of 300 fugitive heretics who did not acknowledge my Lord Ashur, and who were expelled from inside thiscastle, I took this band and condemned to the service of the gods, and I imposed upon the people tribute and offerings in excess of their former tribute; and the far-spreading country of Comani throughout its whole extent I reduced under my yoke.
There fell into my hands altogether between the commencement of my reign and my fifth year 42 countries, with their kings, from beyond the river Zab, plain, forest, and mountain, to beyond the river Euphrates, the country of the Khatte[1] and the upper ocean of the setting sun. I brought them under one government; I placed them under the Magian religion, and I imposed on them tribute and offerings.
[Footnote 1: Hittites.]
I have omitted many hunting expeditions which were not connected with my warlike achievements. In pursuing after the game I traversed the easy tracts in my chariots, and the difficult tracts on foot. I demolished the wild animals throughout my territories.[1]
[Footnote 1: A very difficult paragraph.]
Tiglath-Pileser, the illustrious warrior, he who holds the sceptre ofLashanan; he who has extirpated all wild animals.
The gods Hercules and Nergal gave their valiant servants and theirarrowsas a glory to support my empire. Under the auspices of Hercules, my guardian deity, four wild bulls, strong and fierce, in the desert, in the country of Mitan, and in the city Arazik, belonging to the country of the Khatte,[1] with my longarrowstipped with iron, and with heavy blows I took their lives. Their skins and their horns I brought to my city of Ashur.
[Footnote 1: Hittites.]
Ten large wild buffaloes in the country of Kharran, and the plains of the river Khabur, I slew. Four buffaloes I took alive; their skins and their horns, with the live buffaloes, I brought to my city of Ashur.
Under the auspices of my guardian deity Hercules, twosossof lions fell before me. In the course of my progress on foot I slew them, and 800 lions in my chariots in my exploratory journeys I laid low. All the beasts of the field and the flying birds of heaven I made the victims of my shafts.[1]
[Footnote 1: A very doubtful sentence.]
From all the enemies of Ashur, the whole of them, I exactedlabor. I made, and finished the repairs of, the temple of the goddess Astarte, my lady, and of the temple of Martu, and of Bel, and Il, and of the sacred buildings andshrinesof the gods belonging to my city of Ashur. Ipurifiedtheir shrines, and set up inside the images of the great gods, my Lords. The royal palaces of all the great fortified cities throughout my dominions, which from the olden time our kings had neglected through long years, had become ruined. I repaired and finished them. The castles of my country, I filled up theirbreaches. I founded many new buildings throughout Assyria, and I opened out irrigation for corn in excess of what my fathers had done. I carried off the droves of the horses, cattle, and asses that I obtained, in the service of my Lord Ashur, from the subjugated countries which I rendered tributary, and the droves of the wild goats and ibexes, the wild sheep and the wild cattle which Ashur and Hercules, my guardian gods, incited me to chase in the depths of the forests, having taken them I drove them off, and I led away their young ones like the tame young goats. These littlewild animals, the delight of their parents' hearts, in the fulness of my own heart, together with my own victims, I sacrificed to my Lord Ashur.
The pine, the …,[1] and thealgum tree, these trees which under the former kings my ancestors, they had never planted, I took them from the countries which I had rendered tributary, and I planted them in the groves of my own territories, and Iboughtfruit trees; whatever I did not find in my own country, I took and placed in the groves[2] of Assyria.
[Footnote 1: Lacuna.]
[Footnote 2: Or "orchards."]
I built chariots fitted to the yoke for the use of my people[1] in excess of those which had existed before. I added territories to Assyria, and I added populations to her population. I improved the condition of the people, and I obtained for them abundance and security.
[Footnote 1: Or "throughout my territories."]
Tiglath-Pileser, the illustrious prince, whom Ashur and Hercules have exalted to the utmost wishes of his heart; who has pursued after the enemies of Ashur, and has subjugated all the earth.
The son of Ashur-ris-ili, the powerful King, the subduer of foreign countries, he who has reduced all the lands of the Magian world.
The grandson of Mutaggil-Nabu, whom Ashur, the great Lord, aided according to the wishes of hisheartand established in strength in the government of Assyria.
The glorious offspring of Ashur-dapur-Il, who held the sceptre of dominion, and ruled over the people of Bel; who in all the works of his hand and the deeds of his life placed his reliance on the great gods, and thus obtained a prosperous andlong life.
The beloved child[1] of Barzan-pala-kura, the king who first organized the country of Assyria, who purged his territories of the wicked as if they had been …,[2] and established the troops of Assyria in authority.
[Footnote 1: Or, "heart of hearts."]
[Footnote 2: Lacuna.]
At this time the temple of Anu and Vul, the great gods, my Lords, which, in former times, Shansi-Vul, High-priest of Ashur, son of Ismi Dagan, High-priest of Ashur, had founded, having lasted for 641 years, it fell into ruin. Ashur-dapur-Il, King of Assyria, son of Barzan-pala-kura, King of Assyria, took down this temple and did not rebuild it. For 60 years the foundations of it were not laid.
In the beginning of my reign, Anu and Vul, the great gods, my Lords, guardians of my steps, they invited me to repair this their shrine. So I made bricks; I levelled the earth, I took itsdimensions; I laid down its foundations upon a mass of strong rock. This place throughout its whole extent I paved with bricks inset order, 50 feet deep I prepared the ground, and upon this substructure I laid the lower foundations of the temple of Anu and Vul. From its foundations to its roofs I built it up, better than it was before. I also built two lofty cupolas in honor of their noble godships, and the holy place, a spacious hall, I consecrated for the convenience of their worshippers, and to accommodate their votaries, who were numerous as the stars of heaven, and in quantity poured forth like flights of arrows.[1] I repaired, and built, and completed my work. Outside the temple I fashioned (everything with the same care) as inside. The mound of earth (on which it was built) I enlarged like the firmament of the rising stars, and I beautified the entire building. Its cupolas I raised up to heaven, and its roofs I built entirely of brick. An inviolable shrine for their noble godships I laid down near at hand. Anu and Vul, the great gods, I glorified inside,[2] I set them up on their honored purity, and the hearts of their noble godships I delighted.
[Footnote 1: Very doubtful.]
[Footnote 2: The shrine.]
Bit-Khamri, the temple of my Lord Vul, which Shansi-Vul, High-priest of Ashur, son of Ismi-Dagan, High-priest of Ashur, had founded, became ruined. I levelled its site, and from its foundation to its roofs I built it up of brick, I enlarged it beyond its former state, and I adorned it. Inside of it I sacrificed precious victims to my Lord Vul.
At this time I found various sorts of stone[1] in the countries of Nairi which I had taken by the help of Ashur, my Lord, and I placed them in the temple of Bit-Khamri, belonging to my Lord, Vul, to remain there forever.
[Footnote 1: The particular sorts cannot be identified.]
Since a holy place, a noble hall, I have thus consecrated for the use of the great gods, my Lords Anu and Vul, and have laid down an adytum for their special worship, and have finished it successfully, and have delighted the hearts of their noble godships, may Anu and Vul preserve me in power. May they support the men of my Government. May they establish the authority of my officers. May they bring the rain, the joy of the year, on the cultivated land and the desert during my time. In war and in battle may they preserve me victorious. Many foreign countries, turbulent nations, and hostile Kings I have reduced under my yoke; to my children and descendants may they keep them in firm allegiance. I will lead my steps, firm as the mountains, to the last days before Ashur and their noble godships.
The list of my victories and the catalogue of my triumphs over foreigners hostile to Ashur, which Anu and Vul have granted to my arms, I have inscribed on my tablets and cylinders, and I have placed them to the last days in the temple of my Lords Anu and Vul, and the tablets of Shamsi-Vul, my ancestor, I have raised altars and sacrificed victims (before them), and set them up in their places.
In after-times, and in the latter days …,[1] if the temple of the great gods, my Lords Anu and Vul, and these shrines should become old and fall into decay, may the prince who comes after me repair the ruins. May he raise altars and sacrifice victims before my tablets and cylinders, and may he set them up again in their places, and may he inscribe his name on them together with my name. As Anu and Vul, the great gods, have ordained, may he worship honestly with a good heart and full trust.
[Footnote 1: Lacuna.]
Whoever shall abrade or injure my tablets and cylinders, or shall moisten them with water, or scorch them with fire, or expose them to the air, or in the holy place of god shall assign them a position where they cannot be seen or understood, or who shall erase the writing and inscribe his own name, or who shall divide the sculptures, and break them off from my tablets,
Anu and Vul, the great gods, my Lords, let them consign his name to perdition; let them curse him with an irrevocable curse; let them cause his sovereignty to perish; let them pluck out the stability of the throne of his empire; let not offspring survive him in the kingdom;[1] let his servants be broken; let his troops be defeated; let him fly vanquished before his enemies. May Vul in his fury tear up the produce of his land. May a scarcity of food and of the necessaries of life afflict his country. For one day may he not be called happy. May his name and his race perish in the land.
In the month ofKuzallu[2] on the 29th day, in the High-Priesthood ofIna-iliya-hallik,(entitled)Rabbi-turi.
[Footnote 1: Doubtful and faulty in text.]
[Footnote 2: Chisleu.]
This curious narrative is found on a cuneiform tablet in the British Museum. The original text is published in Plate 42 of Delitzsch's work, "Assyrische Lesestucke." I gave a translation of it in the "Transactions of the Society of Biblical Archæology," Vol. IV, pp. 349-362.
This tablet describes the revolt of the gods or angels against their Creator. It seems to have been preceded by an account of the perfect harmony which existed in heaven previously. And here I would call to mind a noble passage in Job, chap, xxxviii, which deserves particular attention, since it is not derived from the Mosaic narrative but from some independent source, namely, that when God laid the foundations of the world, "the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." By "the sons of God" in this passage are to be understood the angels. In the beginning, therefore, according to this sacred author, all was joy and harmony and loyalty to God. But this state of union and happiness was not to last. At some unknown time, but before the creation of man, some of the angels ceased to worship their Creator: thoughts of pride and ingratitude arose in their hearts, they revolted from God, and were by his just decree expelled from heaven. These were the angels of whom it is said in the book of Jude that "they kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation." [Footnote: Jude 6.] The opinions of the fathers and of other religious writers on this mysterious subject it were useless to examine, since they admit that nothing can be certainly known about it. The opinion that one-third of the heavenly host revolted from their Creator is founded on Rev. xii. 3, where it is said: "And there appeared a dragon in heaven, having seven heads … and his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven and did cast them to the earth. And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels. And prevailed not: neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out—he was cast out into the earth and his angels were cast out with him,"
The Revelation of St. John was written in the first century, but some of the imagery employed may have been far more ancient, and for that reason more impressive to the religious mind of the age.
The war between Michael and the dragon bears much resemblance to the combat of Bel and the dragon recounted on a Chaldean tablet. [Footnote: See G. Smith, p. 100 of his Chaldean Genesis.] And it is not unworthy of remark that the Chaldean dragon had seven heads, like that spoken of in the Revelation. [Footnote: See 2 R 19, col. ii. 14, and my Assyrian Glossary, No. 108.]
At the creation harmony had prevailed in heaven. All the sons of God, says Job, shouted for joy. What caused the termination of this blissful state? We are not informed, and it would be in vain to conjecture. But the Babylonians have preserved to us a remarkable tradition, which is found in the tablet of page 42, and has not, I believe, been hitherto understood. It is unlike anything in the Bible or in the sacred histories of other countries. While the host of heaven were assembled and were all engaged in singing hymns of praise to the Creator, suddenly some evil spirit gave the signal of revolt. The hymns ceased in one part of the assembly, which burst forth into loud curses and imprecations on their Creator. In his wrath he sounded a loud blast of the trumpet and drove them from his presence never to return.
(The first four lines are broken. They related, no doubt, that a festival of praise and thanksgiving was being held in heaven, when this rebellion took place.)
5 The Divine Being spoke three times, the commencement of a psalm. 6 The god of holy songs, Lord of religion and worship 7 seated a thousand singers and musicians: and established a choral band 8 who to his hymn were to respond in multitudes … 9 With a loud cry of contempt they broke up his holy song 10 spoiling, confusing, confounding, his hymn of praise. 11 The god of the bright crown [1] with a wish to summon his adherents 12 sounded a trumpet blast which would wake the dead, 13 which to those rebel angels prohibited return, 14 he stopped their service, and sent them to the gods who were his enemies.[2] 15 In their room he created mankind.[3] 16 The first who received life dwelt along with him. 17 May he give them strength, never to neglect his word, 18 following the serpent's voice, whom his hands had made. 19 And may the god of divine speech [4] expel from his five thousand [5] that wicked thousand 20 who in the midst of his heavenly son, had shouted evil blasphemies! 21 The god Ashur, who had seen the malice of those gods who deserted their allegiance 22 to raise a rebellion, refused to go forth with them.
(The remainder of the tablet, nine or ten lines more, is too much broken for translation.)
[Footnote 1: The Assyrian scribe annotates in the margin that the same god is meant throughout, under all these different epithets.]
[Footnote 2: They were in future to serve the powers of evil.]
[Footnote 3: It will be observed that line 15 says that mankind were created to fill up the void in creation which the ungrateful rebellion of the angels had caused. A friend has supplied me with some striking evidence that the mediæval church also held that opinion, though it was never elevated to the rank of an authorized doctrine.]
[Footnote 4: See note 4. This is another epithet.]
[Footnote 5: The total number of the gods is, I believe, elsewhere given as 5,000.]
This legend is found on a tablet marked K, 3,657, in the British Museum. The story which the tablet contains appears to be the building of some great temple tower, apparently by command of a king. The gods are angry at the work, and so to put an end to it they confuse the speech of the builders. The tablet is in a very broken condition, only a few lines being in any way complete.
The late Mr. George Smith has given a translation of the legend in his work on Chaldean Genesis, and I have published the text and translation in the fifth volume of "Transactions of the Society of Biblical Archæology."
1 …[1] them the father. 2 (The thoughts) of his heart were evil 3 …[1] the father of all the gods[2] he turned from. 4 (The thoughts) of his heart were evil[3] 5 …[1] Babylon corruptly to sin went and 6 small and great mingled on the mound.[4] 7 …[1] Babylon corruptly to sin went and 8 small and great mingled on the mound.
[Footnote 1: Lacunæ.]
[Footnote 2: A title of Anu.]
[Footnote 3: Refers to the king who caused the people to sin.]
[Footnote 4: The verb used here is the same as in Gen. xi. 7, [Hebrew: bll].]
1 The King of the holy mound[1] …[2] 2 In front and Anu lifted up …[2] 3 to the good god his father..,[2] 4 Then his heart also …[2] 5 which carried a command …[2] 6 At that time also …[2] 7 he lifted it up …[3] 8 Davkina. 9 Their (work) all day they founded 10 to their stronghold[4] in the night 11 entirely an end he made. 12 In his anger also the secret counsel he poured out 13 to scatter (abroad) his face he set 14 he gave a command to make strange their speech[5] 15 …[6] their progress he impeded 16 …[6]the altar
(Column III is so broken only a few words remain, so I have omitted it.)
[Footnote 1: A title of Anu.]
[Footnote 2: Lacunæ.]
[Footnote 3: All these broken lines relate to council of gods?]
[Footnote 4: The tower.]
[Footnote 5: "Uttaccira—melic-su-nu," "make hostile their council."]
[Footnote 6: Lacunæ.]
COLUMN IV [Footnote: Relates to the destruction of the tower by a storm.]
1 In (that day) 2 he blew and …[1] 3 For future time the mountain …[1] 4 Nu-nam-nir[2] went …[1] 5 Like heaven and earth he spake …[1] 6 His ways they went …[1] 7 Violently they fronted against him [3] 8 He saw them and to the earth (descended) 9 When a stop he did not make 10 of the gods …[1] 11 Against the gods they revolted 12 …[1] violence …[1] 13 Violently they wept for Babylon[4] 14 very much they wept. 15 And in the midst
(The rest is wanting.)
[Footnote 1: Lacunæ.]
[Footnote 2: The god of "no rule," or lawlessness.]
[Footnote 3: The builders continued to build.]
[Footnote 4: Lamentations of the gods for the Babylonians.]