The following psalm for remission of sins is remarkable alike for its deeply spiritual tone and for its antiquity. As it is written in Accadian, its composition must be referred to a date anterior to the seventeenth century B.C., when that language became extinct. An Assyrian interlinear translation is attached to most of the lines; some, however, are left untranslated. The tablet is unfortunately broken in the middle, causing a lacuna in the text. Similarities will be noticed between the language of the psalm and that of the Psalms of the Old Testament, and one passage reminds us strongly of the words of Christ in St. Matthew xviii. 22. Seven, it must be remembered, was a sacred number among the Accadians. Accadian poetry was characterized by a parallelism of ideas and clauses; and as this was imitated, both by the Assyrians and by the Jews, the striking resemblance between the form of Accadian and Hebrew poetry can be accounted for.
Some of the lines in the middle of the psalm have been previously translated by Mr. Fox Talbot, in the "Transactions of the Society of Biblical Archæology," Vol. II, p. 60, and Prof. Schrader in his "Hollenfahrt der Istar," pp. 90-95.
A copy of the text is given in the fourth volume of the "CuneiformInscriptions of Western Asia," plate 10.
1 The heart of my Lord[1] was wroth: to his place may he return. 2 From the man that (sinned) unknowingly to his place may (my) god return. 3 From him that (sinned) unknowingly to her place may (the) goddess return. 4 May God who knoweth (that) he knew not to his place return. 5 May the goddess[2] who knoweth (that) he knew not to her place return. 6 May the heart of my god to his place return. 7 May the heart of my goddess to his place return. 8 May my god and my goddess (unto their place) return. 9 May god (unto his place) return. 10 May the goddess (unto her place return). 11 The transgression (that I committed my god) knew it. 12 The transgression (that I committed my goddess knew it). 13 The holy name (of my god I profaned?). 14 The holy name (of my goddess I profaned?).
(The next three lines are obliterated.)
18 The waters of the sea (the waters of my tears) do I drink. 19 That which was forbidden by my god with my mouth I ate. 20 That which was forbidden by my goddess in my ignorance I trampled upon. 21 O my Lord, my transgression (is) great, many (are) my sins. 22 O my god, my transgression (is) great, my sins (are many). 23 O my goddess, my transgression (is) great, my sins (are many). 24 O my god that knowest (that) I knew not, my transgression (is) great, my sins (are many). 25 O my goddess, that knowest (that) I knew not, my transgression (is) great, my sins (are many). 26 The transgression (that) I committed I knew not. 27 The sin (that) I sinned I knew not. 28 The forbidden thing did I eat. 29 The forbidden thing did I trample upon. 30 My Lord in the wrath of his heart has punished me. 31 God in the strength of his heart has overpowered me. 32 The goddess upon me has laid affliction and in pain has set me. 33 God who knew, (though) I knew not, hath pierced me. 34 The goddess who knew (though) I knew not hath caused darkness. 35 I lay on the ground and no man seized me by the hand.[3] 36 I wept,[4] and my palms none took.
[Footnote 1: Literally, "of my lord his heart."]
[Footnote 2: The Accadian throughout has the word "mother" before "goddess."]
[Footnote 3: Accadian, "extended the hand."]
[Footnote 4: Accadian, "in tears [water of the eye] I dissolved myself."]
1 I cried aloud; there was none that would hear me. 2 I am in darkness (and) trouble:[1] I lifted not myself up. 3 To my god my (distress) I referred; my prayer I addressed. 4 The feet of my goddess I embraced. 5 To (my) god, who knew (though) I knew not, (my prayer) I addressed. 6 To (my) goddess, who knew (though I knew not, my prayer) I addressed.
(The next four lines are lost.)
11 How long O my god (shall I suffer?). 12 How long O my goddess (shall I suffer?). 13 How long O my god, who knewest (though) I knew not, shall (thy) strength (oppress me?). 14 How long O my goddess, who knewest (though) I knew not, shall thy heart (be wroth?). 15 Of mankind thou writest the number and there is none that knoweth. 16 Of mankind the name (that) is fully proclaimed how can I know? 17 Whether it be afflicted or whether it be blessed there is none that knoweth. 18 O Lord, thy servant thou dost not restore.[2] 19 In the waters of the raging flood seize his hand. 20 The sin (that) he has sinned to blessedness bring back. 21 The transgression he has committed let the wind carry away. 22 My manifold affliction like a garment destroy. 23 O my god, seven times seven (are my) transgressions, my transgressions are before (me). 24 (To be repeated) 10 times.[3] O my goddess, seven times seven (are my) transgressions. 25 O god who knowest (that) I knew not, seven times seven (are my) transgressions. 26 O goddess who knowest (that) I knew not, seven times seven (are my) transgressions. 27 My transgressions are before (me): may thy judgment give (me) life. 28 May thy heart like the heart of the mother of the setting day to its place return. 29 (To be repeated) 5 times.[4] Like the mother of the setting day (and) the father of the setting day to its place (may it return). 30 For the tearful supplication of my heart 65 times let the name be invoked of every god.[4] 31 Peace afterward. 32(Colophon)Like its old (copy) engraved and written. 33 Country of Assur-bani-pal King of multitudes, King of Assyria.
[Footnote 1: Or more literally, "hiding." The verb that follows means "to lift self up so as to face another."]
[Footnote 2: In the Assyrian "quiet."]
[Footnote 3: A rubrical direction.]
[Footnote 4: A rubrical direction.]
This inscription is engraved on an obelisk of black marble, five feet in height, found by Mr. Layard in the centre of the Mound at Nimroud, and now in the British Museum. Each of its four sides is divided into five compartments of sculpture representing the tribute brought to the Assyrian King by vassal princes, Jehu of Israel being among the number. Shalmaneser, whose annals and conquests are recorded upon it, was the son of Assur-natsir-pal, and died in 823 B.C., after a reign of thirty-five years. A translation of the inscription was one of the first achievements of Assyrian decipherment, and was made by Sir. H. Rawlinson; and Dr. Hincks shortly afterward (in 1851) succeeded in reading the name of Jehu in it. M. Oppert translated the inscription in his "Histoire des Empires de Chaldée et d'Assyrie," and M. Ménant has given another rendering of it in his "Annales des Rois d'Assyrie" (1874). A copy of the text will be found in Layard's "Inscriptions in the Cuneiform Character" (1851).
1 Assur, the great Lord, the King of all 2 the great gods; Anu, King of the spirits of heaven 3 and the spirits of earth, the god, Lord of the world; Bel, 4 the Supreme, Father of the gods, the Creator; 5 Hea, King of the deep, determiner of destinies, 6 the King of crowns, drinking in brilliance; 7 Rimmon, thecrownedhero, Lord of canals;[1] the Sun-god 8 the Judge of heaven and earth, the urger on of all; 9 (Merodach), Prince of the gods, Lord of battles; Adar, the terrible, 10 (Lord) of the spirits of heaven and the spirits of earth, the exceeding strong god; Nergal, 11 the powerful (god), King of the battle; Nebo, the bearer of the high sceptre, 12 the god, the Father above; Beltis, the wife of Bel, mother of the (great) gods; 13 Istar, sovereign of heaven and earth, who the face of heroism perfectest; 14 the great (gods), determining destinies, making great my kingdom. 15 (I am) Shalmaneser, King of multitudes of men, prince (and) hero of Assur, the strong King, 16 King of all the four zones of the Sun (and) of multitudes of men, the marcher over 17 the whole world; Son of Assur-natsir-pal, the supreme hero, who his heroism over the gods 18 has made good and has caused all the world[2] to kiss his feet;
[Footnote 1: Or, "fertility."]
[Footnote 2: Or, "the countries the whole of them."]
19 the noble offspring of Tiglath-Adar 20 who has laid his yoke upon all lands hostile to him, and 21 has swept (them) like a whirlwind. 22 At the beginning of my reign; when on the throne 23 of royalty mightily I had seated myself, the chariots 24 of my host I collected. Into the lowlands[1] of the country of 'Sime'si 25 I descended. The city of Aridu, the strong city 26 of Ninni, I took. In my first year 27 the Euphrates in its flood I crossed. To the sea of the setting sun[2] 28 I went. My weapons on the sea I rested. Victims 29 for my gods I took.[3] To mount Amanus [4] I went up. 30 Logs of cedar-wood and pine-wood I cut. To 31 the country of Lallar I ascended. An image of my Royalty in the midst (of it) I erected. 32 In my second year to the city of Tel-Barsip I approached. The cities 33 of Akhuni the son of Adin I captured. In his city I shut him up. The Euphrates 34 in its flood I crossed. The city of Dahigu, a choice city of the Hittites 35 together with the cities which (were) dependent upon it I captured. In my third year Akhuni 36 the son of Adin, from the face of my mighty weapons fled, and the city of Tel-Barsip,
[Footnote 1: Or, "the descendings."]
[Footnote 2: That is, the Mediterranean.]
[Footnote 3: Namely, in sacrifice.]
[Footnote 4: "Khamanu" in Assyrian.]
37 his royal city, he fortified. The Euphrates I crossed. 38 The city unto Assyria I restored. I took it. (The town) which (is) on the further side 39 of the Euphrates which (is) upon the river 'Sagurri, which the Kings 40 of the Hittites call the city of Pitru,[1] 41 for myself I took. At my return 42 into the lowlands of the country of Alzi I descended. The country of Alzi I conquered. 43 The countries of Dayaeni (and) Elam, (and) the city of Arzascunu, the royal city 44 of Arame of the country of the Armenians, the country of Gozan (and) the country of Khupuscia. 45 During the eponymy of Dayan-Assur from the city of Nineveh I departed. The Euphrates 46 in its upper part I crossed. After Akhuni the son of Adin I went. 47 The heights on the banks of the Euphrates as his stronghold he made. 48 The mountains I attacked, I captured. Akhuni with his gods, his chariots, 49 his horses, his sons (and) his daughters I carried away. To my city Assur 50 I brought (them). In that same year the country of Kullar I crossed. To the country of Zamua 51 of Bit-Ani I went down. The cities of Nigdiara of the city of the Idians 52 (and) Nigdima I captured. In my fifth year to the country of Kasyari I ascended. 53 The strongholds I captured. Elkhitti of the Serurians (in) his city I shut up. His tribute 54 to a large amount I received. In my sixth year to the cities on the banks of the river Balikhi
[Footnote 1: Pethor in the Old Testament.]
55 I approached. Gi'ammu, their Governor, I smote. 56 To the city of Tel-abil-akhi I descended. 57 The Euphrates in its upper part I crossed. 58 The tribute of the Kings of the Hittites 59 all of them I received. In those days Rimmon-idri[1] 60 of Damascus, Irkhulina of Hamath, and the Kings 61 of the Hittites and of the sea-coasts to the forces of each other 62 trusted, and to make war and battle 63 against me came. By the command of Assur, the great Lord, my Lord, 64 with them I fought. A destruction of them I made. 65 Their chariots, their war-carriages, their war-material[2] I took from them. 66 20,500 of their fighting men with arrows I slew. 67 In my seventh year to the cities of Khabini of the city of Tel-Abni I went. 68 The city of Tel-Abni, his stronghold, together with the cities which (were) dependent on it I captured. 69 To the head of the river, the springs of the Tigris, the place where the waters rise,[3] I went. 70 The weapons of Assur in the midst (of it) I rested. Sacrifices for my gods I took. Feasts and rejoicing 71 I made. An image of my Royalty of large size I constructed. The laws of Assur my Lord, the records 72 of my victories, whatsoever in the world I had done, in the midst of it I wrote. In the middle (of the country) I set (it) up.
[Footnote 1: This is the Ben-hadad of Scripture whose personal name seems to have been Rimmon-idri.]
[Footnote 2: Or, "furniture of battle."]
[Footnote 3: Or, "the place of the exit of the waters situated." The tablet is still to be seen near the town of Egil.]
FACE A,base
73 In my eighth year, Merodach-suma-iddin King of Gan-Dunias[1]74 did Merodach-bila-yu'sate hisfoster-brother against himrebel;75 strongly had he fortified (the land). To exact punishment[2]76 against Merodach-suma-iddin I went. The city of thewaters of the Dhurnat[3] I took.77 In my ninth campaign a second time to the land of AccadI went.78 The city of Gana-nate I besieged. Merodach-bila-yu'sateexceeding fear79 of Assur (and) Merodach overwhelmed, and to save his lifeto80 the mountains he ascended. After him I rode.Merodach-bila-yu'sate(and) the officers81 the rebels[4] who (were) with him (with) arrows I slew.To the great fortresses82 I went. Sacrifices in Babylon, Borsippa, (and) Cuthah Imade.83 Thanksgivings to the great gods I offered up. To thecountry of Kaldu [5] I descended. Their cities I captured.84 The tribute of the Kings of the country of Kaldu I received.The greatness of my arms as far as the sea overwhelmed.85 In my tenth year for the eighth time the Euphrates Icrossed. The cities of 'Sangara of the city of the CarchemishiansI captured.86 To the cities of Arame I approached. Arne his royal citywith 100 of his (other) towns I captured.87 In my eleventh year for the ninth time the Euphrates Icrossed. Cities to a countless number I captured. To thecities of the Hittites88 of the land of the Hamathites I went down. Eighty-ninecities I took. Rimmon-idri of Damascus (and) twelve ofthe Kings of the Hittites89 with one another's forces strengthened themselves. A destructionof them I made. In my twelfth campaign for thetenth time the Euphrates I crossed.90 To the land of Pagar-khubuna I went. Their spoil I carriedaway. In my thirteenth year to the country of Yaeti Iascended.91 Their spoil I carried away. In my fourteenth year thecountry I assembled; the Euphrates I crossed. TwelveKings against me had come.92 I fought. A destruction of them I made. In my fifteenthyear among the sources of the Tigris (and) the EuphratesI went. An image93 of my Majesty in their hollows I erected. In my sixteenthyear the waters of the Zab I crossed. To the country ofZimri94 I went. Merodach-mudammik King of the land of Zimruto save his life (the mountains) ascended. His treasure95 his army (and) his gods to Assyria I brought. Yan'suson of Khanban to the kingdom over them I raised.[6]
[Footnote 1: That is, Chaldea.]
[Footnote 2: Or, "to return benefits."]
[Footnote 3: The Tornadotus of classical geographers.]
[Footnote 4: Or, "the Lord of sin."]
[Footnote 5: This is the primitive Chaldea. The Caldai or Chaldeans afterward overran Babylonia and gave their name to it among classical writers.]
[Footnote 6: Or, "I made."]
FACE B,base
96 In my seventeenth year the Euphrates I crossed. To the land of Amanus I ascended. Logs 97 ofcedarI cut. In my eighteenth year for the sixteenth time the Euphrates I crossed. Hazael 98 of Damascus to battle came. 1,221 of his chariots, 470 of his war-carriages with 99 his camp I took from him. In my nineteenth campaign for the eighteenth[1] time the Euphrates I crossed. To the land of Amanus 100 I ascended. Logs of cedar I cut. In my 20th year for the 20th time the Euphrates 101 I crossed. To the land of Kahue I went down. Their cities I captured. Their spoil 102 I carried off. In my 21st campaign, for the 21st time the Euphrates I crossed. To the cities 103 of Hazael of Damascus I went. Four of his fortresses I took. The tribute of the Tyrians, 104 the Zidonians (and) the Gebalites I received. In my 22d campaign for the 22d time the Euphrates 105 I crossed. To the country of Tabalu[2] I went down. In those days (as regards) the 24 106 Kings of the country of Tabalu their wealth I received. To conquer 107 the mines of silver, of salt and of stone for sculpture I went. In my 23d year 108 the Euphrates I crossed. The city of Uetas, his strong city, 109 (which belonged) to Lalla of the land of the Milidians I captured. The Kings of the country of Tabalu 110 had set out. Their tribute I received. In my 24th year, the lower Zab 111 I crossed. The land of Khalimmur I passed through. To the land of Zimru 112 I went down. Yan'su King of the Zimri from the face 113 of my mighty weapons fled and to save his life 114 ascended (the mountains). The cities of 'Sikhisatakh, Bit-Tamul, Bit-Sacci 115 (and) Bit-Sedi, his strong cities, I captured. His fighting men I slew. 116 His spoil I carried away. The cities I threw down, dug up, (and) with fire burned. 117 The rest of them to the mountains ascended. The peaks of the mountains 118 I attacked, I captured. Their fighting men I slew. Their spoil (and) their goods 119 I caused to be brought down. From the country of Zimru I departed. The tribute of 27 Kings 120 of the country of Par'sua[3] I received. From the country of Par'sua I departed. To 121 the strongholds of the country of the Amadai,[4] (and) the countries of Arazias (and) Kharkhar I went down. 122 The cities of Cua-cinda, Khazzanabi, Ermul, 123 (and) Cin-ablila with the cities which were dependent on them I captured. Their fighting men
[Footnote 1: The King counts his passage of the river on his return fromSyria the seventeenth time of his crossing the Euphrates.]
[Footnote 2: The Tubal of the Old Testament, and Tibareni of classical geographers.]
[Footnote 3: The Parthia of classical authors.]
[Footnote 4: These seem to be the Madai or Medes of later inscriptions.This is the first notice that we have of them. It will be observed thatthey have not yet penetrated into Media but are still eastward of theParthians.]
FACE C,base
124 I slew. Their spoil I carried away. The cities I threwdown, dug up (and) burned with fire. An image of myMajesty125 in the country of Kharkhara I set up. Yan'su son ofKhaban with his abundant treasures126 his gods, his sons, his daughters, his soldiers in large numbersI carried off. To Assyria I brought (them). In my25th campaign127 the Euphrates at its flood I crossed. The tribute of theKings of the Hittites, all of them, I received. The countryof Amanus128 I traversed. To the cities of Cati of the country of theKahuians I descended. The city of Timur, his strongcity129 I besieged, I captured. Their fighting men I slew. Itsspoil I carried away. The cities to a countless number Ithrew down, dug up,130 (and) burned with fire. On my return, the city of Muru,the strong city of Arame the son of Agu'si,131 (as) a possession for myself I took. Its entrance-spaceI marked out. A palace, the seat of my Majesty, in themiddle (of it) I founded.132 In my 26th year for the seventh time the country of theAmanus I traversed. For the fourth time to the citiesof Cati133 of the country of the Kahuians I went. The city of Tanacun,the strong city of Tulca I approached. Exceedingfear134 of Assur my Lord overwhelmed him and (when) he hadcome out my feet he took. His hostages I took. Silver,gold,135 iron, oxen, (and) sheep, (as) his tribute I received. Fromthe city of Tanacun I departed. To the country ofLamena136 I went. The men collected themselves. An inaccessiblemountain they occupied. The peak of the mountain Iassailed,137 I took. Their fighting men I slew. Their spoil, theiroxen, their sheep, from the midst of the mountain Ibrought down.138 Their cities I threw down, dug up (and) burned withfire. To the city of Khazzi I went. My feet they took.Silver (and) gold,139 their tribute, I received. Cirri, the brother of Cati to thesovereignty over them140 I set. On my return to the country of Amanus I ascended.Beams of cedar I cut,141 I removed, to my city Assur[1] I brought. In my 27thyear the chariots of my armies I mustered. Dayan-Assur142 the Tartan,[2] the Commander of the wide-spreading army,at the head of my army to the country of Armenia Iurged,143 I sent. To Bit-Zamani he descended. Into the lowground to the city of Ammas he went down. The riverArzane he crossed.144 'Seduri of the country of the Armenians heard, and tothe strength of his numerous host145 he trusted; and to make conflict (and) battle against mehe came. With him I fought.146 A destruction of him I made. With the flower of hisyouth [3] his broad fields I filled. In my 28th year147 when in the city of Calah I was stopping news had beenbrought (me, that) men of the Patinians148 Lubarni their Lord had slain (and) 'Surri (who was) notheir to the throne to the kingdom had raised.149 Dayan-Assur the Tartan, the Commander of the wide-spreadingarmy at the head of my host (and) my camp[4]150 I urged, I sent. The Euphrates in its flood he crossed.In the city of Cinalua his royal city151 a slaughter he made. (As for) 'Surri the usurper, exceedingfear of Assur my Lord152 overwhelmed him, and the death of his destiny he went.[5]The men of the country of the Patinians from before thesight of my mighty weapons
[Footnote 1: The Ellasar of Genesis, now Kalah Shergat.]
[Footnote 2: "Turtanu" ("chief prince") in Assyrian.]
[Footnote 3: Or, "the chiefs of his young warriors."]
[Footnote 4: The word properly means "baggage." and sometimes signifies "standard," which may be the translation here.]
[Footnote 5: That is, he died as was fated.]
FACE D,base
153 fled, and the children of 'Surri together with the soldiers, the rebels, (whom) they had taken they delivered to me. 154 Those soldiers on stakes I fixed. 'Sa'situr of the country of Uzza my feet took. To the kingdom 155 over them I placed (him). Silver, gold, lead, bronze, iron, (and) the horns of wild bulls to a countless number I received. 156 An image of my Majesty of great size I made. In the city of Cinalua his royal city in the temple of his gods I set it up. In 157 my 29th year (my) army (and) camp I urged, I sent. To the country of Cirkhi[1] I ascended. Their cities I threw down, 158 dug up, (and) burned with fire. Their country like a thunderstorm I swept. Exceeding 159 fear over them I cast. In my 30th year when in the city of Calah I was stopping, Dayan-Assur 160 the Tartan, the Commander of the wide-spreading army at the head of my army I urged, I sent. The river Zab 161 he crossed. To the midst of the cities of the city of Khupuscã he approached. The tribute of Datana 162 of the city of the Khupuscians I received. From the midst of the cities of the Khupuscians 163 I departed.[2] To the midst of the cities of Maggubbi of the country of the Madakhirians he approached. The tribute 164 I received. From the midst of the cities of the country of the Madakhirians he departed. To the midst of the cities of Udaci 165 of the country of the Mannians he approached. Udaci of the country of the Mannians from before the sight of my mighty weapons 166 fled, and the city of Zirta, his royal city, he abandoned. To save his life he ascended (the mountains). 167 After him I pursued. His oxen, his sheep, his spoil, to a countless amount I brought back. His cities 168 I threw down, dug up, (and) burned with fire. From the country of the Mannians[3] he departed. To the cities of Sulu'sunu of the country of Kharru 169 he approached. The city of Mairsuru, his royal city, together with the cities which depended on it he captured. (To) Sulu'sunu 170 together with his sons mercy I granted. To his country I restored him. A payment (and) tribute of horses I imposed. 171 My yoke upon him I placed. To the city of Surdira he approached. The tribute of Arta-irri 172 of the city of the Surdirians I received. To the country of Par'sua[4] I went down. The tribute of the Kings 173 of the country of Par'sua I received. (As for) the rest of the country of Par'sua which did not reverence Assur, its cities 174 I captured. Their spoil, their plunder to Assyria I brought. In my 31st year, the second time, the cyclical-feast 175 of Assur and Rimmon I had inaugurated.[5] At the time while I was stopping in the city of Calah, Dayan-Assur 176 the Tartan, the Commander of my wide-spreading army, at the head of my army (and) my camp I urged, I sent. 177 To the cities of Datâ of the country of Khupuscä he approached. The tribute I received. 178 To the city of Zapparia, a stronghold of the country of Muzatsira, I went. The city of Zapparia together with 179 forty-six cities of the city of the Muzatsirians I captured. Up to the borders of the country of the Armenians 180 I went. Fifty of their cities I threw down, dug up (and) burned with fire. To the country of Guzani[6] I went down. The tribute 181 of Upu of the country of the Guzanians, of the country of the Mannians, of the country of the Buririans, of the country of the Kharranians,[7] 182 of the country of the Sasganians, of the country of the Andians,[8] (and) of the country of the Kharkhanians, oxen, sheep, (and) horses 183 trained to the yoke I received. To the cities of the country of … I went down. The city of Perria 184 (and) the city of Sitivarya, its strongholds, together with 22 cities which depended upon it, I threw down, dug up 185 (and) burned with fire. Exceeding fear over them I cast. To the cities of the Parthians he went. 186 The cities of Bustu, Sala-khamanu (and) Cini-khamanu, fortified towns, together with 23 cities 187 which depended upon them I captured. Their fighting-men I slew. Their spoil I carried off. To the country of Zimri I went down. 188 Exceeding fear of Assur (and) Merodach overwhelmed them. Their cities they abandoned. To 189 inaccessible mountains they ascended. Two hundred and fifty of their cities I threw down, dug up (and) burned with fire. 190 Into the lowground of Sime'si at the head of the country of Khalman I went down.
[Footnote 1: The mountainous country near the sources of the Tigris.]
[Footnote 2: That is in the person of his commander-in-chief,Dayan-Assur.]
[Footnote 3: The modern Van.]
[Footnote 4: Parthia.]
[Footnote 5: This refers to his assuming the eponymy a second time after completing a reign of thirty years. At this period the Assyrian kings assumed the eponymy on first ascending the throne, and the fact that Shalmaneser took the same office again in his thirty-first year shows that a cycle of thirty years was in existence.]
[Footnote 6: The Gozan of the Old Testament.]
[Footnote 7: Haran or Harran in the Old Testament; called Carrhæ by the classical geographers.]
[Footnote 8: Andia was afterward incorporated into Assyria by Sargon.]
I The tribute of 'Su'a of the country of the Guzanians:silver, gold, lead, articles of bronze, sceptres for the King'shand, horses (and) camels with double backs: I received.II The tribute of Yahua[1] son of Khumri[2]: silver, gold,bowls of gold, vessels of gold, goblets of gold, pitchersof gold, lead, sceptres for the King's hand, (and) staves:I received.III The tribute of the country of Muzri[3]: camels with doublebacks, an ox of the river 'Saceya,[4] horses,wild asses,elephants, (and) apes: I received.IV The tribute of Merodach-pal-itstsar of the country of the'Sukhians[5]: silver, gold, pitchers of gold, tusks of thewild bull, staves, antimony, garments of many colors,(and) linen: I received.V The tribute of Garparunda of the country of the Patinians:silver, gold, lead, bronze, gums, articles of bronze, tusksof wild bulls, (and)ebony[6]: I received.
[Footnote 1: Jehu.]
[Footnote 2: Omri.]
[Footnote 3: This is the Armenian Muzri, not Egypt.]
[Footnote 4: This would seem from the sculpture to mean a rhinoceros.Lenormant, however, identifies it with the Yak.]
[Footnote 5: Nomadic tribes in the southwest of Babylonia.]
[Footnote 6: The word means literally "pieces of strong wood."]
Babylonian inscriptions are by no means so replete with interest as the Assyrian. The latter embrace the various expeditions in which the Assyrian monarchs were engaged, and bring us into contact with the names and locality of rivers, cities, and mountain-ranges, with contemporary princes in Judea and elsewhere, and abound in details as to domestic habits, civil usages, and the implements and modes of warfare. But the Babylonian inscriptions refer mainly to the construction of temples, palaces, and other public buildings, and at the same time present especial difficulties in their numerous architectural terms which it is often impossible to translate with any certainty. They are, however, interesting as records of the piety and religious feelings of the sovereigns of Babylon, and as affording numerous topographical notices of that famous city; while the boastful language of the inscription will often remind the reader of Nebuchadnezzar's words in Dan. iv. 30: "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?" Compare column vii, line 32.
The reign of Nebuchadnezzar extended from B.C. 604 to 561. In B.C. 598 he laid siege to Jerusalem (2 Kings xxiv.) and made Jehoiachin prisoner, and in 588 again captured the city, and carried Zedekiah, who had rebelled against him, captive to Babylon (2 Kings xxv.). Josephus gives an account of his expeditions against Tyre and Egypt, which are also mentioned with many details in Ezek. xxvii.-xxix.
The name Nebuchadnezzar, or more accurately Nebuchadrezzar (Jer. xxi. 2, 7, etc.), is derived from the Jewish Scriptures. But in the inscriptions it reads Nebo-kudurri-ussur,i.e.,"may Nebo protect the crown"; a name analogous to that of his father Nebo(Nabu)-habal-ussur. ("Nebo protect the son") and to that of Belshazzar,i.e.,"Bel protect the prince." The phonetic writing of Nebuchadnezzar is"An-pa-sa-du-sis,"each of which syllables has been identified through the syllabaries. The word "kudurri" is probably the [Hebrew: kether] of Esther vi. 8, and the [Greek: kidaris] of the Greeks. The inscriptions of which a translation follows was found at Babylon by Sir Harford Jones Bridges, and now forms part of the India House Collection. It is engraved on a short column of black basalt, and is divided into ten columns, containing 619 lines.
It may be worth while to remark that in the name given to the prophet Daniel, Belteshazzar,i.e.,Balat-su-ussur ("preserve thou his life"), and in Abednego ("servant of Nebo"), we have two of the component parts of the name of Nebuchadnezzar himself.
1 Nebuchadnezzar 2 King of Babylon, 3 glorious Prince, 4 worshipper of Marduk, 5 adorer of the lofty one, 6 glorifier of Nabu, 7 the exalted, the possessor of intelligence, 8 who the processions of their divinities 9 hath increased; 10 a worshipper of their Lordships, 11 firm, not to be destroyed; 12 who for the embellishment 13 of Bit-Saggatu and Bit-Zida[1] 14 appointed days hath set apart, and 15 the shrines of Babylon 16 and of Borsippa 17 hath steadily increased; 18 exalted Chief, Lord of peace, 19 embellisher of Bit-Saggatu and Bit-Zida, 20 the valiant son 21 of Nabopolassar 22 King of Babylon am I.
23 When he, the Lord god my maker made me, 24 the god Merodach, he deposited 25 my germ in my mother's (womb): 26 then being conceived 27 I was made. 28 Under the inspection of Assur my judge 29 the processions of the god I enlarged, 30 (namely) of Merodach great Lord, the god my maker. 31 His skilful works 32 highly have I glorified; 33 and of Nebo his eldest son 34 exalter of My Royalty 35 the processions (in honor of)[2] his exalted deity 36 I firmly established. 37 With all my heart firmly 38 (in) worship of their deities I uprose 39 in reverence for Nebo their Lord.
40 Whereas Merodach, great Lord, 41 the head of My ancient Royalty, 42 hath empowered me over multitudes of men, 43 and (whereas) Nebo bestower of thrones in heaven and earth, 44 for the sustentation of men, 45 a sceptre of righteousness 46 hath caused my hand to hold; 47 now I, that sacred way 48 for the resting-place of their divinities, 49 for a memorial of all their names, 50 as a worshipper of Nebo, Yav and Istar, 51 for Merodach my Lord I strengthened. 52 Its threshold I firmly laid, and 53 my devotion of heart he accepted, and 54 him did I proclaim 55 … Lord of all beings, and[3] 56 as Prince of the lofty house, and 57 thou, (O Nebuchadnezzar) hast proclaimed the name of him 58 who has been beneficent unto thee. 59 His name, (O god,) thou wilt preserve, 60 the path of righteousness thou hast prescribed to him. 61 I, a Prince, and thy worshipper 62 am the work of thy hand; 63 thou hast created me, and[4] 64 the empire over multitudes of men 65 thou hast assigned me, 66 according to thy favor, O Lord, 67 which thou hast accorded 68 to them all.[5] 69 May thy lofty Lordship be exalted! 70 in the worship of thy divinity 71 may it subsist! in my heart 72 may it continue, and my life which to thee is devoted
(Continued on Column II.)
[Footnote 1: Two of the principal temples of Babylon. The former occurs below, Col. ii. 40, where it is followed by the epithet, "Temple of his power." Dr. Oppert always renders it "la Pyramide et la Tour."]
[Footnote 2: Literally, "the goings." Compare Ps. lxviii. 24: "They have seen thy goings, O God," i.e., processions.]
[Footnote 3: Of this line Mr. Norris (Dict., p. 166) states "that he cannot suggest any rendering."]
[Footnote 4: It seems as if the hand were addressed.]
[Footnote 5: I.e., "in making me their ruler."]
1 mayest thou bless!
2 He, the Chief, the honorable, 3 the Prince of the gods, the great Merodach, 4 my gracious Lord, heard 5 and received my prayer; 6 he favored it, and by his exalted power, 7 reverence for his deity 8 placed he in my heart: 9 to bear his tabernacle 10 he hath made my heart firm, 11 with reverence for thy power, 12 for exalted service, 13 greatly and eternally.
14 The foundation of his temple it was 15 which from the upper waters 16 to the lower waters 17 in a remote way, 18 in a spot exposed to winds, 19 in a place whose pavements had been broken, 20 low, dried up, 21 a rugged way, 22 a difficult path, 23 I extended. 24 The disobedient I stirred up, 25 and I collected the poor and 26 gave full directions (for the work) and 27 in numbers I supported them. 28 Wares and ornaments 29 for the women I brought forth, 30 silver, molten gold, precious stones, 31 metal,umritganaand cedar woods, 32 (however their names be written) 33 a splendid abundance, 34 the produce of mountains, 35 sea clay,[1] 36 beautiful things in abundance, 37 riches and sources of joy, 38 for my city Babylon, 39 into his presence have I brought 40 for Bit-Saggatu 41 the temple of his power, 42 ornaments for Dakan[2] 43 Bit-Kua, the shrine 44 of Merodach, Lord of the house of the gods, 45 I have made conspicuous with fine linen[3] 46 and its seats 47 with splendid gold, 48 as for royalty and deity, 49 with lapis lazuli and alabaster blocks[4] 50 I carefully covered them over; 51 a gate of passage, the gate Beautiful,[5] 52 and the gate of Bit-Zida and Bit-Saggatu 53 I caused to be made brilliant as the sun. 54 A fulness of the treasures of countries I accumulated;[6] 55 around the city it was placed as an ornament, 56 when at the festival of Lilmuku at the beginning of the year, 57 on the eighth day (and) eleventh day, 58 the divine Prince, Deity of heaven and earth, the Lord god, 59 they raised within it. 60 (The statue) of the god El, the beauty of the sphere, 61 reverently they bring; 62 treasure have they displayed before it, 63 a monument to lasting days, 64 a monument of my life.
65 They also placed within it
(Continued on Column III.)
[Footnote 1: Mr. Norris conjectures "amber."]
[Footnote 2: Dagon.]
[Footnote 3: "Sassanis." The root is probably identical with the Hebrew "shesh," "fine linen"; thus in Ex. xxvi. I: "Thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen."]
[Footnote 4: These are found still in the ruins of Babylon.]
[Footntoe 5: Compare the Beautiful Gate of the Jewish Temple.]
[Footnote 6: Mr. Norris in his Dictionary professes his inability to master the first words of this line, p. 580. The same remark applies to line 58. The above rendering is suggested to me by Mr. G. Smith.]
1 his altar, an altar of Royalty; 2 an altar of Lordship, 3 (for) the Chief of the gods, the Prince Merodach, 4 whose fashion the former Prince 5 had fashioned in silver, 6 with bright gold accurately weighed out 7 I overlaid. 8 Beautiful things for the temple Bit-Saggatu 9 seen at its very summit, 10 the shrine of Merodach, with statues and marbles 11 I embellished 12 as the stars of heaven. 13 The fanes of Babylon 14 I built, I adorned. 15 Of the house, the foundation of the heaven and earth, 16 I reared the summit 17 with blocks of noble lapis lazuli: 18 to the construction of Bit-Saggatu 19 my heart uplifted me; 20 in abundance I wrought 21 the best of my pine trees 22 which from Lebanon 23 together with tall _Babil-_wood I brought, 24 for the portico of the temple of Merodach: 25 the shrine of his Lordship 26 I made good, and interior walls 27 with pine and tall cedar woods: 28 the portico of the temple of Merodach, 29 with brilliant gold I caused to cover, 30 the lower thresholds, the cedar awnings, 31 with gold and precious stones 32 I embellished: 33 in the erection of Bit-Saggatu 34 I proceeded: I supplicated 35 the King of gods, the Lord of Lords: 36 in Borsippa, the city of his loftiness, 37,38 I raised Bit-Zida: a durable house 39 in the midst thereof I caused to be made. 40 With silver, gold, precious stones, 41 bronze,ummakanaand pine woods, 42 those thresholds I completed: 43 the pine wood portico 44 of the shrine of Nebo 45 with gold I caused to cover, 46 the pine wood portico of the gate of the temple of Merodach 47 I caused to overlay with bright silver. 48 The bulls and columns of the gate of the shrine 49 the thresholds, thesigariof _ri-_wood, conduits 50 ofBabnakuwood and their statues 51 with cedar wood awnings 52 of lofty building, 53 and silver, I adorned. 54 The avenues of the shrine 55 and the approach to the house, 56 of conspicuous brick 57 sanctuaries in its midst 58 with perforated silver work. 59 Bulls, columns, doorways, 60,61 in marble beautifully I built; 62,63 I erected a shrine and with rows 64 of wreathed work I filled it: 65 the fanes of Borsippa 66 I made and embellished; 67 the temple of the seven spheres 68 …[1] 69 with bricks of noble lapis lazuli 70 I reared its summit: 71 the tabernacle of Nahr-kanul 72 the chariot of his greatness
(Continued on Column IV.)
[Footnote 1: Lacuna.]
1 the tabernacle, the shrine Lilmuku, 2 the festival of Babylon, 3,4 his pageant of dignity 5 within it, I caused to decorate 6 with beryls and stones.
7 A temple for sacrifices, the lofty citadel 8 of Bel and Merodach, god of gods, 9 a threshold of joy and supremacy 10 among angels and spirits, 11 with the stores of Babylon, 12 with cement and brick, 13 like a mountain I erected.
14 A great temple of Ninharissi[1] 15 in the centre of Babylon 16 to the great goddess the mother who created me, 17 in Babylon I made. 18 To Nebo of lofty intelligence 19 who hath bestowed (on me) the sceptre of justice, 20 to preside over all peoples, 21 a temple of rule over men, and a site for this his temple 22,23 in Babylon, of cement and brick 24 the fashion I fashioned.
25,26 To the Moon-god, the strengthener of my hands 27 a large house of alabaster as his temple 28 in Babylon I made. 29 To the sun, the judge supreme 30 who perfects good in my body, 31 a house for that guide of men, even his house' 32,33 in Babylon, of cement and brick, 34 skilfully did I make.
35 To the god Yav, establisher of fertility 36 in my land, Bit-Numkan as his temple 37 in Babylon I built.
38 To the goddess Gula, the regulator 39 and benefactress of my life, 40 Bit-Samit, and Bit-haris the lofty, 41,42 as fanes in Babylon, in cement and brick 43 strongly did I build.
44 To the divine Lady of Bit Anna, 45 my gracious mistress, 46 Bit-Kiku in front of her house 47 so as to strengthen the wall of Babylon 48 I skilfully constructed.
49,50 To Ninip the breaker of the sword of my foes 51 a temple in Borsippa I made; 52 and to the Lady Gula[2] 53 the beautifier of my person[3] 54 Bit-Gula, Bit-Tila, Bit-Ziba-Tila, 55 her three temples 56 in Borsippa I erected: 57 to the god Yav who confers 58 the fertilizing rain upon my land, 59,60 his house (also) in Borsippa I strongly built: 61 to the Moon-god who upholds 62 the fulness of my prosperity 63 Bit-ti-Anna[4] as his temple, 64 on the mound near Bit-Ziba 65 I beautifully constructed: 66,67 Imgur-Bel and Nimetti-Belkit 68 the great walls of Babylon, 69 …[5] I built, 70 which Nabopolassar 71 King, King of Babylon, the father who begat me, 72 had commenced but not completed their beauty
(Continued on Column V.)
[Footnote 1: Wife of the sun.]
[Footnote 2: In I Mich. iv. 5. Gula is said to be the wife of the southern sun.]
[Footnote 3: Or, "the favorer of my praises."]
[Footnote 4: The goddess Anna is identical with the Nana whose image was by her own command restored by Assurbanipal to the temple of Bit-Anna after an absence in Elam of 1,635 years. See Smith's "Assurb.," pp. 234, 235.]
[Footnote 5: Lacuna.]
1 Its fosse he dug 2 and of two high embankments 3 in cement and brick 4 he finished the mass: 5,6 an embankment for pathways he made, 7,8 Buttresses of brick beyond the Euphrates 9,10 he constructed, but did not complete: 11,12 the rest from …[1] 13 the best of their lands I accumulated: 14 a place for sacrifice, as ornament, 15,16 as far as Aibur-sabu[2] near Babylon 17 opposite the principal gate 18 with brick anddurmina-turdastone 19 as a shrine of the great Lord, the god Merodach 20 I built as a house for processions. 21,22 I his eldest son, the chosen of his heart, 23,24 Imgur-Bel and Nimetti-Bel 25,26 the great walls of Babylon, completed: 27 buttresses for the embankment of its fosse, 28 and two long embankments 29 with cement and brick I built, and 30 with the embankment my father had made 31,32 I joined them; and to the city for protection 33,34 I brought near an embankment of enclosure 35 beyond the river, westward. 36 The wall of Babylon 37,38 I carried round Aibur-sabu 39 in the vicinity of Babylon: 40 for a shrine of the great Lord Merodach 41,42 the whole enclosure I filled (with buildings) 43 with brick made ofkamina-turdastone 44 and brick of stone cut out of mountains. 45,46 Aibur-sabu from the High gate, 47,48 as far as Istar-Sakipat I made, 49,50 for a shrine for his divinity I made good, 51 and with what my father had made 52,53 I joined, and built it; 54,55,56 and the access to Istar-Sakipat I made, 57,58 which is Imgur-Bel and Nimetti-Bel, 59 the great gates, the whole temple of the gods, 60,61 in completeness near to Babylon 62 I brought down; 63,64 the materials of those great gates 65 I put together and
(Continued on Column VI.)
[Footnote 1: Lacuna.]
[Footnote 2: An ornamental piece of water near Babylon.]
1 their foundations opposite to the waters 2,3 in cement and brick I founded, 4 and of strong stone ofzamat-hati,5 bulls and images, 6 the building of its interior 7 skilfully I constructed: 8,9,10 tall cedars for their porticos I arranged, 11ikkiwood, cedar wood, 12 with coverings of copper, 13 on domes and arches: 14,15 work in bronze I overlaid substantially on its gates, 16,17 bulls of strong bronze and molten images 18 for their thresholds, strongly. 19 Those large gates 20 for the admiration of multitudes of men 21 with wreathed work I filled: 22 the abode of Imzu-Bel 23 the invincible castle of Babylon, 24 which no previous King had effected, 25 4,000 cubits complete, 26 the walls of Babylon 27 whose banner is invincible, 28 as a high fortress by the ford of the rising sun, 29 I carried round Babylon. 30 Its fosse I dug and its mass 31 with cement and brick 32,33 I reared up and a tall tower at its side 34 like a mountain I built. 35,36 The great gates whose walls I constructed 37 withikkiand pine woods and coverings of copper 38 I overlaid them, 39 to keep off enemies from the front 40 of the wall of unconquered Babylon. 41,42 Great waters like the might of the sea 43 I brought near in abundance 44 and their passing by 45 was like the passing by of the great billows 46 of the Western ocean: 47,48 passages through them were none, 49,50 but heaps of earth I heaped up, 51 and embankments of brickwork 52 I caused to be constructed. 53,54 The fortresses I skilfully strengthened 55 and the city of Babylon 56 I fitted to be a treasure-city. 57 The handsome pile 58,59 the fort of Borsippa I made anew: 60,61 its fosse I dug out and in cement and brick 62 I reared up its mass 63 Nebuchadnezzar
(Continued on Column VII.)
1 King of Babylon 2 whom Merodach, the Sun, the great Lord, 3 for the holy places of his city 4 Babylon hath called, am I: 5 and Bit-Saggatu and Bit-Zida 6 like the radiance of the Sun I restored: 7 the fanes of the great gods 8 I completely brightened. 9 At former dates from the days of old 10 to the days …[1] 11 of Nabopolassar King of Babylon 12 the exalted father who begat me, 13 many a Prince who preceded me 14,15 whose names El had proclaimed for royalty 16 for the city, my city, the festivals of these gods 17 in the perfected places 18 a princely temple, a large temple did they make 19 and erected it as their dwelling-places. 20,21 Their spoils in the midst they accumulated, 22 they heaped up, and their treasures 23 for the festival Lilmuku 24 of the good Lord, Merodach god of gods 25 they transferred into the midst of Babylon; 26,27 when at length Merodach who made me for royalty 28 and the god Nero his mighty son, 29 committed his people to me 30 as precious lives. 31 Highly have I exalted their cities; 32 (but) above Babylon and Borsippa 33 I have not added a city 34 in the realm of Babylonia 35 as a city of my lofty foundation.
36 A great temple, a house of admiration for men, 37,38 a vast construction, a lofty pile, 39,40 a palace of My Royalty for the land of Babylon, 41 in the midst of the city of Babylon 42,43 from Imgur Bel to Libit-higal 44 the ford of the Sun-rise, 45 from the bank of the Euphrates 46 as far as Aibur-sabu 47 which Nabopolassar 48 King of Babylon the father who begat me 49,50 made in brick and raised up in its midst, 51 but whose foundation was damaged 52 by waters and floods 53,54 at Bit-Imli near Babylon, 55,56 and the gates of that palace were thrown down, 57,58 of this the structure with brickwork I repaired 59 with its foundation and boundary wall, 60 and a depth of waters I collected: 61,62 then opposite the waters I laid its foundation 63 and with cement and brick
(Continued on Column VIII.)
[Footnote 1: Lacuna.]
1,2 I skilfully surrounded it; 3,4 tall cedars for its porticos I fitted; 5,6ikkiand cedar woods with layers of copper, 7 on domes and arches 8,9 and with bronze work, I strongly overlaid its gates 10 with silver, gold, precious stones, 11,12 whatsoever they call them, in heaps; 13 I valiantly collected spoils; 14 as an adornment of the house were they arranged, 15 and were collected within it; 16,17 trophies, abundance, royal treasures, 18 I accumulated and gathered together. 19 As to the moving of My Royalty 20 to any other city, 21 there has not arisen a desire: 22 among any other people 23 no royal palace have I built: 24 the merchandise and treasures of my kingdom 25,26,27 I did not deposit within the provinces of Babylon: 28 a pile for my residence 29,30 to grace My Royalty was not found: 31 Therefore with reverence for Merodach my Lord, 32,33 the exterior and interior in Babylon 34 as his treasure city 35,36 and for the elevation of the abode of My Royalty 37 his shrine I neglected not: 38 its weak parts which were not completed, 39 its compartments that were not remembered, 40 as a securely compacted edifice 41,42 I dedicated and set up as a preparation for war 43,44 by Imgur Bel, the fortress of invincible Babylon, 45 400 cubits in its completeness, 46 a wall of Nimitti-Bel 47 an outwork of Babylon 48,49 for defence. Two lofty embankments, 50 in cement and brick, 51 a fortress like a mountain I made, 52 and in their sub-structure 53 I built a brickwork; 54 then on its summit a large edifice 55 for the residence of My Royalty 56,57 with cement and brick I skilfully built 58 and brought it down by the side of the temple: 59 and in the exact middle, on the second day 60 its foundation in a solid depth 61,62 I made good and its summit I carried round; 63 and on the 15th day its beauty
(Continued on Column IX.)
1 I skilfully completed 2 and exalted as an abode of Royalty. 3,4 Tall pines, the produce of lofty mountains, 5 thickasuhuwood 6,7 andsurmanwood in choice pillars 8 for its covered porticos I arranged. 9ikkiandmusritkannawoods 10 cedar andsurmanwoods 11 brought forth, and in heaps, 12 with a surface of silver and gold 13 and with coverings of copper, 14,15 on domes and arches, and with works of metal 16 its gates I strongly overlaid 17 and completely withzamat-stone 18 I finished off its top. 19,20 A strong wall in cement and brick 21 like a mountain I carried round 22,23 a wall, a brick fortress, a great fortress 24 with long blocks of stone 25,26 gatherings from great lands I made 27,28 and like hills I upraised its head. 29,30 That house for admiration I caused to build 31 and for a banner to hosts of men: 32 with carved work I fitted it; 33 the strong power of reverence for 34 the presence of Royalty 35 environs its walls; 36,37 the least thing not upright enters it not, 38 that evil may not make head. 39 The walls of the fortress of Babylon 40,41 its defence in war I raised 42 and the circuit of the city of Babylon. 43,44 I have strengthened skilfully. 45 To Merodach my Lord 46 my hand I lifted: 47 O Merodach the Lord, Chief of the gods, 48,49 a surpassing Prince thou hast made me, 50 and empire over multitudes of men, 51,52 hast intrusted to me as precious lives; 53 thy power have I extended on high, 54,55 over Babylon thy city, before all mankind. 56 No city of the land have I exalted 57,58 as was exalted the reverence of thy deity: 59 I caused it to rest: and may thy power 60,61 bring its treasures abundantly to my land. 62 I, whether as King and embellisher, 63 am the rejoicer of thy heart 64 or whether as High Priest appointed, 65 embellishing all thy fortresses,
(Continued on Column X.)
1,2 For thy glory, O exalted Merodach 3 a house have I made. 4 May its greatness advance! 5 May its fulness increase! 6,7 in its midst abundance may it acquire! 8 May its memorials be augmented! 9 May it receive within itself 10 the abundant tribute 11,12 of the Kings of nations and of all peoples![1] 13,14 From the West to the East by the rising sun 15 may I have no foemen! 16 May they not be multiplied 17,18 within, in the midst thereof, forever, 19 Over the dark races may he rule!
[Footnote 1: Compare Dan. i. 2, "He brought the vessels into the treasure-house of his god."]
The following poem is one of the numerous bilingual texts, written in the original Accadian with an interlinear Assyrian translation, which have been brought from the library of Assur-bani-pal, at Kouyunjik. The seven evil spirits who are mentioned in it are elsewhere described as the seven storm-clouds or winds whose leader seems to have been the dragon Tiamat ("the deep") defeated by Bel-Merodach in the war of the gods. It was these seven storm-spirits who were supposed to attack the moon when it was eclipsed, as described in an Accadian poem translated by Mr. Fox Talbot in a previous volume of "Records of the Past." Here they are regarded as the allies of the incubus or nightmare. We may compare them with the Maruts or storm-gods of the Rig-Veda (see Max Müller, "Rig-Veda-Sanhita: the Sacred Hymns of the Brahmans translated and explained," Vol. I). The author of the present poem seems to have been a native of the Babylonian city of Eridu, and his horizon was bounded by the mountains of Susiania, over whose summits the storms raged from time to time. A fragment of another poem relating to Eridu is appended, which seems to celebrate a temple similar to that recorded by Maimonides in which the Babylonian gods gathered round the image of the sun-god to lament the death of Tammuz.
A copy of the cuneiform text will be found in the "Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia," Vol. IV, pl. 15. M. Fr. Lenormant has translated a portion of it in "La Magie chez les Chaldéens"pp. 26, 27.
1 (In) the earth their borders were taken, and that god[1] came not forth. 2 From the earth he came not forth, (and) their power was baneful. 3 The heaven like a vault they extended and that which had no exit they opened.[2] 4 Among the stars of heaven their watch they kept not, in watching (was) their office. 5 The mighty hero[3] to heaven they exalted, and his father he knew not.[4] 6 The Fire-god on high, the supreme, the first-born, the mighty, the divider of the supreme crown of Anu! 7 The Fire-god the light that exalts him with himself he exalts. 8 Baleful (are) those seven, destroyers. 9 For his ministers in his dwelling he chooses (them). 10 O Fire-god, those seven how were they born, how grew they up? 11 Those seven in the mountain of the sunset were born. 12 Those seven in the mountain of the sunrise grew up. 13 In the hollows of the earth have they their dwelling. 14 On the high-places of the earth are they proclaimed. 15 As for them in heaven and earth immense (is) their habitation. 16 Among the gods their couch they have not. 17 Their name in heaven (and) earth exists not. 18 Seven they are: in the mountain of the sunset do they rise. 19 Seven they are: in the mountain of the sunrise did they set. 20 Into the hollows of the earth do they penetrate.[5] 21 On the high places of the earth did they ascend. 22 As for them, goods they have not, in heaven and earth they are not known.[6] 23 Unto Merodach[7] draw near, and this word may he say unto thee.[8] 24 Of those baleful seven, as many as he sets before thee, their might may he give thee, 25 according to the command of his blessed mouth, (he who is) the supreme judge of Anu. 26 The Fire-god unto Merodach draws near, and this word he saith unto thee. 27 In the pavilion, the resting-place of might, this word he hears, and 28 to his father Hea[9] to his house he descends, and speaks: 29 O my father, the Fire-god unto the rising of the sun has penetrated, and these secret words has uttered. 30 Learning the story of those seven, their places grant thou to another. 31 Enlarge the ears, O son of Eridu.[10] 32 Hea his son Merodach answered: 33 My son, those seven dwell in earth; 34 those seven from the earth have issued.
[Footnote 1: That is, the god of fire.]
[Footnote 2: The Assyrian has, "Unto heaven that which was not seen they raised."]
[Footnote 3: The Assyrian adds; "the first-born supreme."]
[Footnote 4: In the Accadian text, "they knew not."]
[Footnote 5: In the Accadian, "cause the foot to dwell."]
[Footnote 6: In the Assyrian, "learned."]
[Footnote 7: In the Accadian text, Merodach, the mediator and protector of mankind, is called "protector of the covenant."]
[Footnote 8: That is, the fire-god.]
[Footnote 9: Hea, the god of the waters, was the father of Merodach, the sun-god.]
[Footnote 10: "Eridu," the "Rata" of Ptolemy, was near the junction of the Euphrates and Tigris, on the Arabian side of the river. It was one of the oldest cities of Chaldea.]
35 Those seven in the earth were born, 36 those seven in the earth grew up. 37 The forces of the deep for war[1] have drawn near. 38 Go, my son Merodach! 39 (for) the laurel, the baleful tree that breaks in pieces the incubi, 40 the name whereof Hea remembers in his heart. 41 In the mighty enclosure, the girdle of Eridu which is to be praised, 42 to roof and foundation may the fire ascend and to (work) evil may those seven never draw near. 43 Like a broad scimitar in a broad place bid (thine) hand rest; and 44 In circling fire by night and by day[2] on the (sick) man's head may it abide. 45 At night mingle the potion and at dawn in his hand let him raise (it). 46 In the night a precept[3] in a holy book,[4] in bed, on the sick man's head let them place.[5] 47 The hero (Merodach) unto his warriors sends: 48 Let the Fire-god seize on the incubus. 49 Those baleful seven may he remove and their bodies may he bind. 50 During the day the sickness (caused by) the incubus (let him) overcome. 51 May the Fire-god bring back the mighty powers to their foundations. 52 May Nin-ci-gal [6] the wife of (Hea) establish before her thebile(of the man). 53 Burn up the sickness[7] … 54 May Nin-akha-kuddu [8] seize upon his body and abide upon his head, 55 according to the word of Nin-akha-kuddu, 56 (in) the enclosure of Eridu. 57 (In) the mighty girdle of the deep and of Eridu may she remember his return (to health). 58 In (her) great watch may she keep (away) the incubus supreme among the gods (that is) upon his head, and in the night may she watch him. 59 (By) night and day to the prospering hands of the Sun-god may she intrust him.
Conclusion.
60 (In) Eridu a dark pine grew, in a holy place it was planted. 61 Its (crown) was white crystal which toward the deep spread. 62 The … [9] of Hea (was) its pasturage in Eridu, a canal full (of waters). 63 Its seat (was) the (central) place of this earth.[10] 64 Its shrine (was) the couch of mother Zicum. [11] 65 The …[12] of its holy house like a forest spread its shade; there (was) none who within entered not. 66 (It was the seat) of the mighty the mother, begetter of Anu.[13] 67 Within it (also was) Tammuz.[14]
(Of the two next and last lines only the last word, "the universe," remains.)
[Footnote 1: Literally, "warlike expedition."]
[Footnote 2: In the Accadian, "day (and) night."]
[Footnote 3: "Masal" (mashal), as in Hebrew, "a proverb."]
[Footnote 4: Literally, "tablet."]
[Footnote 5: It is evident that the poem was to be used as a charm in case of sickness. Compare the phylacteries of the Jews.]
[Transcriber's Note: The following footnote (6) is illegible in many places. Illegible areas are marked with a '*'.]
[Footnote 6: "Nin-ci-gal" ("the Lady of the Empty Country") was Queen of *s, and identified with Gula, or *, "chaos" ["bohu"] of Gen-*, *, "the Lady of the House of Death."]
[Footnote 7: In the Accadian, "the sick head (and) sick heart." Then follows a lacuna.]
[Footnote 8: Apparently another name of Nin-ci-gal.]
[Footnote 9: Lacuna.]
[Footnote 10: Compare the Greek idea of Delphi as the central [Greek: omphalos] or "navel" of the earth.]
[Footnote 1: Zicum, or Zigara, was the primeval goddess, "the mother ofAnu and the gods."]
[Footnote 2: Lacuna.]
[Footnote 3: That is, of Zicum.]
[Footnote 4: Tammuz, called "Du-zi" ("the [only] son") in Accadian, was a form of the sun-god. His death through the darkness of winter caused Istar to descend into Hades in search of him.]
For the sake of completeness a charm for averting the attack of the seven evil spirits or storm-clouds may be added here, though the larger part of it has already been translated by Mr. Fox Talbot in "Records of the Past," Vol. Ill, p. 143. It forms part of the great collection of magicalformulæ, and is lithographed in the "Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia," Vol. IV, pl. 2, col. v, lines 30-60.
1 Seven (are) they, seven (are) they! 2 In the channel of the deep seven (are) they! 3 (In) the radiance of heaven seven (are) they! 4 In the channel of the deep in a palace grew they up. 5 Male they (are) not, female they (are) not.[1] 6 (In) the midst of the deep (are) their paths. 7 Wife they have not, son they have not. 8 Order (and) kindness know they not. 9 Prayer (and) supplication hear they not. 10 Thecavernin the mountain they enter. 11 Unto Hea (are) they hostile. 12 The throne-bearers of the gods (are) they. 13 Disturbing thelilyin the torrents are they set. 14 Baleful (are) they, baleful (are) they. 15 Seven (are) they, seven (are) they, seven twice again (are) they. 16 May the spirits of heaven remember, may the spirits of earth remember.
[Footnote 1: The Accadian text, "Female they are not, male they are not." This order is in accordance with the position held by the woman in Accad; in the Accadian Table of Laws, for instance, translated in "Records of the Past," vol. iii. p. 23, the denial of the father by the son is punished very leniently in comparison with the denial of the mother.]