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CDLI Literary 000356 (Ningeshzida's Descent) composite (P469663)
Literary, Old Babylonian · c. 1900 BCE–1600 BCE
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| Designation | CDLI Literary 000356 (Ningeshzida's Descent) composite |
|---|---|
| ID | P469663 |
| Language | Sumerian |
| Period | Old Babylonian · c. 1900 BCE–1600 BCE |
| Genre | Literary |
Transliteration (ATF)
From Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative · CDLI: reuse of catalogue/transliteration data with citation of CDLI; images restricted (not fetched)
Machine draft. The right-hand column is machine English from ixmon/atf-to-english (atf-en-t5base-F, 2026-10-17), generated line by line from the transliteration. It is unreviewed and is not a scholarly translation.
| Line | ATF | Machine English (draft) |
|---|---|---|
| surface a | ||
| 1 | zi-ga u5-bi2 zi-ga u5-e-de3-en zi-ga u5-bi2 | Rise, its udug! Rise, I want to go up, rise! |
| 2 | i-lu er2-ra sze?-er? dadag-ga ma2-gur8 ri-de3 | The lament of weeping, the pure lament(?) of the barge is to be sung |
| 3 | gurusz-me-en {gesz}u3 tug2-gin7 tug2-gin7 ni2-gu10 ba-ra-dul?-me-en | I am a young man, I do not cover myself like a garment, like (a garment) |
| 4 | ma2-gur8-re gurusz ma2-gur8 ri-da-ni szu gid2-da | The barge, the young man, his barge is long. |
| 5 | gurusz {d}da-mu-gu10 ma2-gur8 ri-da-ni szu gid2-da | My young man Damu, whose barge has been extended |
| 6 | {d}isztaran igi szuba-ke4 ma2-gur8 ri-da-ni szu gid2-de3 | Ištaran, the one with the shiny face, his barge moored. |
| 7 | dal-la u3-mu-un sa-par3-ra ma2-gur8 ri-da-ni szu gid2-de3 | For Alla, the lord of the net, his barge barge is to be long. |
| 8 | {d}lugal-szudx(KA)-de3 ma2-gur8 ri-da-ni szu gid2-de3 | To Lugal-šude, the barge driver, to extend his hand |
| 9 | u3-mu-un-mu-zi-da-ke4 ma2-gur8 ri-da-ni szu gid2-de3 | Umunmuzida, the barge whose rope is stretched out, |
| 10 | nin9 ban3-da-a-ni {gesz}u5 ma2-ka szir3-re-esz mu-un-na-ab-be2 | His younger sister sings a song in the boat’s barge. |
| 11 | nin9 gal-a-ni u3 ma2-ka du5 mu-un-na-bad | His older sister and the boat carried it for him. |
| 12 | ga-ba-de3-u5 ga-ba-de3-u5 szesz ga-ba-de3-u5 | Let me go, let me go! Let me bring my brother. |
| 12a | szesz-gu10 ma2-gur8-zu ga-ba-de3-u5 szesz-gu10 ga-ba-de3-u5 | My brother, I want to ride your barge, my brother, |
| 12b | ma2-gur8 giri17-zal-la-zu ga-ba-de3-u5 szesz-gu10 ga-ba-de3-u5 | I want to bring your joyous barge, I want [to bring] my brother. |
| 13 | ma2-sag-ta i-lu gu3 mu-un-na-be2 szesz ga-ba-de3-u5 | The lament is uttered from the barge, I want to ride the brother. |
| 14 | ma2-egir-za ga-mu-ra-gaz?-gaz? szesz ga-ba-de3-u5 | I want to destroy your “boat-boat’s mooring pole,' (but) I will bring my brother with me. |
| 14a | {gesz}u5 ma2-egir-ra-zu gudug ba-an-tusz i-lu mu-un-dab5-be2 | The gudug-demon sat on your boat and sang a lament. |
| 14b | ga-ba-de3-u5 szesz-gu10 ga-ba-de3-u5 | Let me go, let me go my brother! |
| 15 | gurusz {d}da-mu-gu10 ga-ba-de3-u5 szesz ga-ba-de3-u5 | I want to ride with the lad, my Damu, I want troop with the brother |
| 16 | {d}isztaran igi szuba-ke4 ga-ba-de3-u5 szesz ga-ba-de3-u5 | Ištaran, look at me with the shiny face, I want to bring you brother! |
| 17 | dal-la u3-mu-un sa-par3-ra ga-ba-de3-u5 szesz ga-ba-de3-u5 | I want to ride with Alla, the lord of the net, |
| 18 | {d}lugal-szudx(KA)-de3 ga-ba-de3-u5 szesz ga-ba-de3-u5 | I want to bring it to Lugal-šud, I want it to bring (it to) the brother. |
| 18a | {d}lugal-ki-bur2-ra ga-be2-de3-u5 szesz-gu10 da2-de3-u5 | I want to say “Lugal-kibura, my brother, come to me! |
| 19 | u3-mu-un-mu-zi-da-ke4 ga-ba-de3-u5 szesz ga-ba-de3-u5 | I want to talk with Umunmuzida, I want [to talk with] my brother. |
| 19a | szesz-gu10 ma2-gur8-zu ga-ba-e-de3-u5 szesz-gu10 ga-ba-e-de3-u5 | My brother, I want to sail your barge, my brother, [I want to] sail. |
| 19b | ma2-gur8 giri17-zal-la-zu ga-ba-e-de3-u5 szesz-gu10 ga-ba-e-de3-u5 | I want to ride your joyous barge, I am going to ride my brother. |
| 20 | gal5-la2 hul murub4-ba ti-la | The evil galla demon dwells in its middle. |
| 21 | {d}lugal-ki-sun5-na gu3 mu-un-na-de2-e | Lugal-kisuna spoke to him. |
| 22 | {d}lugal-ki-sun5-na nin9-zu-sze3 igi bar [...] | Lugalkisuna, before your sister |
| 23 | {d}lugal-ki-sun5-na nin9-sze3 igi bar-ra gu3 mu-un-na-de2-e | Lugalkisuna spoke to his sister before her |
| 24 | mu-de3-u5 mu-de3-u5 za-e ta u5-de3 | She goes, she goes, what is going on with you? |
| 25 | nin gal5-la2 mu-de3-u5 za-e ta u5-de3 | Lady, you are the galla demon, what is going on? |
| 26 | lu2 nig2 ra-ah-ha mu-de3-u5 za-e ta u5-de3 | The one who carries things, what can you do about it? |
| 27 | lu2 szu du3-gu10 mu-de3-u5 za-e ta u5-de3 | The one who touched my hand, what has been done to you? |
| 28 | lu2 a2 la2-gu10 mu-de3-u5 za-e ta u5-de3 | “The one who ... my arms, what did you do? |
| 29 | i7-kur-ra-ke4 a nu-de2 a-bi nu-mu-un-na-na8-na8 | The Ikur canal does not drink water, its water is not drunk. |
| 30 | a-sza3 kur-ra-ke4 sze nu-de2 zid2 nu-mu-un-na-ab-gu7-x | The field of the netherworld does not grow barley, it does not eat good grain. |
| 31 | udu kur-ra-ke4 siki nu-de2 tug2 nu-mu-un-na-ab-TUKU5-TUKU5 | The sheep of the netherworld do not weave wool, they do not shave themselves. |
| 32 | ge26-e ama-gu10 i7-gin7 mu-un-ba-al-la2-asz a-gu10 ba-ra-mu-un-nag | I, because my mother was there like a river, did not drink my water. |
| 33 | {gesz}szinig-gin7 a szu-nim ba-ra-mu-un-de2 gissu-gu10 ba-ra-an-KU-KU | Like a šinig tree he did not pour out water, he ... my foot. |
| 34 | {gesz}geszimmar-gin7 zu2-lum il2-la-gu10 hi-li-bi nu-ma-ra-KA | Like a date palm, my raised dates are not adorned with allure |
| 35 | GAN2-am3 gal5-la2-gu10 mu-de3?-ra-he za-e gu3 bi-ra-ra | My vagina roared(?) in the field, you shouted |
| 36 | gesz-szu szu-gu10 im-mi-gar za-e gu3 bi-ra-ra | He placed my hand on my tree, you are the one who cries out. |
| 37 | gesz-gu2 gu2-gu10 im-mi-gar za-e gu3 bi-ra-ra | He placed my neck on my neck, you are the one who shouts. |
| 38 | {d}ama-szilam-ma {d}nin-gesz-zi-da-ra gu3 mu-un-na-de2-e | She spoke to Amašilama and Ningešzida |
| 39 | gal5-la2 sza3 gig-ga ag2 he2-gid2-i ki-sze-er-ra ab-tuku-e | May the galla demons curse him bitterly, he will have mercy on him. |
| 40 | x x gal5-la2-zu ag2 he2-gid2-i ki-sze-er-ra ab-tuku-e | ... may your galla demons be long-lasting, they will rule the netherworld. |
| 41 | [...] szu-gu10 ga-mu-na-ab-x ki-sze-er-ra ab-tuku-e | ... I want to ... my hand for him, he has seized the territory. |
| 42 | [...] szu-gu10 ga-mu-na-ab-x ki-sze-er-ra ab-tuku-e | ... I want to ... my hand for him, he has seized the territory. |
| 43 | {na4}za-gin3 di4-di4-la2 ur2-gu10 ga-mu-na-ab-x ki-sze-er-ra ab-tuku-e | I want to ... tiny lapis lazuli on my lap, he has taken it to the steppe. |
| 44 | x {na4}za-gin3-gu10-gin7 ur2-gu10 ga-mu-na-ab-x ki-sze-er-ra ab-tuku-e | I want to ... my lapis lazuli for him, and he will take it to the netherworld. |
| 45 | [...] ki ag2-ga2-me-en ki-sze-er-ra ab-tuku-e | I am a beloved ..., I have gained dominion over the underworld. |
| 46 | i3-ak-ke2-esz i3-ak-ke2-esz ki-sze-er-ra ab-tuku-e | He did it, he did it. He has seized the netherworld. |
| 47 | szesz-gu10 i3-ak-ke2-esz mah-bi i3-ak-ke2-esz ki-sze-er-ra ab-tuku-e | My brother did it, he did it magnificently. He has seized the netherworld. |
| 48 | szagar ba-an-tuku ninda ma-ra-an-ze2-er ki-sze-er-ra ab-tuku-e | He has a šagar-demon, he gives bread to you, and he goes to the netherworld. |
| 49 | enmen2 ba-an-tuku a ma-ra-an-ze2-er ki-sze-er-ra ab-tuku-e | (Sum) The enmen priestess has water, he gives water to you. (Akk) He has water to drink. |
| 50 | gal5-la2 hul murub4-ba ti-la | The evil galla demon dwells in its middle. |
| 51 | gal5-la2 ku3-zu gal5-la2 gal-bi murub4-ba ti-la | Your holy galla-demon, its great galla demon lives in its middle. |
| 52 | lu2 {gesz}ma2-sag-ga2-ke4 lu2 {gesz}ma2-egir-ra-ke4 gu3 mu-un-na-de2-e | “The one of the first barge, the man of the second barge spoke to him. |
| 53 | gesz na-an-zi gesz na-an-zi szesz-ra u5-de3 | Do not prune, do not prune! To feed the brother, |
| 54 | nin-e {gesz}ma2-gur8-ra u5-de3 | The lady, to feed the barge |
| 55 | {d}ama-szilamx(TUR3) {gesz}ma2-gur8-ra u5-da-a-ni | Amašilam, when he rides the barge |
| 56 | gu3 an-na ba-te gu3 ki-ta ba-te | The voice of heaven approaches, the voice of earth approaches. |
| 57 | gu3 szu nigin2-na gal5-la2 gal-bi i7-da mu-da-gar | The large galla demons gathered together in the river. |
| 58 | uri2{ki}-am3 gu3 de2 an-ta-gu10 | In Ur, my shouting from above |
| 59 | e2-za gi-bi e2-za gi-bi iri e2-za gi-bi | The reeds of your house, the re[ed of your] house. The city, the [ree]d of [your] house, |
| 60 | esz3 uri2{ki}-ma e2-za gi-bi iri e2-za gi-bi | Shrine Urim, the reeds of your house are in your city, in your house is in your town. |
| 61 | en-zu ge6-par3-ta ba-ra-e3-a iri e2-za gi-bi | Your lord left the ŋipar, the city of your house. |
| 62 | [...] x x x x x x | |
| 63 | [...] | |
| 64 | x [...] | |
| 65 | x [...] | |
| 66 | gidru ku3 [...] | The holy scepter |
| 67 | tug2-ba13 ku3 [...] | a silver ... garment |
| 68 | aga ku3 sag-ga2 [...] | The pure crown on my head |
| 69 | gidru za-gin3-na [...] | The lapis scepter |
| 70 | i7 sug4 i7 hul2?-la? [...] | The narrow canal, the joyful canal |
| 71 | e2-ba la-ba-te-te [...] | (Sum) The one who is not able to leave his house (Akk) In his house, the one who does not leave |
| 72 | ki {d}erisz-ki-gal-la-ka [...] | At the place of Eriškigal |
| 73 | ge26-e ama-gu10 ki ag2-ga2-ni-ta [...] | I, because of his beloved mother |
| 74 | za-e gal5-la2 gal-bi he2-me-en [...] | You, may you be its great vagina |
| 75 | nam-gu-za-la2 kur-ra-sze3 szu-zu [...] | Your hand ... the throne of the netherworld |
| 76 | lugal-gu10? igi er2-ra nu-sze8-sze8-x | My king does not look at me in tears |
| 77 | balag sza3 hul2-la-ka-ni er2 [...] | His balaŋ drum that pleases the heart weeps |
| 78 | gen-na muszen-du3 e2 nig2 gar-ra-na i-lu-zu he-me en i-lu-zu he2-me te ba-ab-pel-e | Come, fowler, builder of the house! May your lament be your lord, may your lilû be yours! How did it be destroyed? |
| 79 | szu-ku6 tur-e e2 nig2 gar-ra-na i-lu-zu he2-me en i-lu-zu he2-me ta ba-ab-pel-e | The young fisherman, when he has built a house, may your lament be your lord! What has been carried away? |
| 80 | ama gudug ug5-ga ge6-par3-ra sug4-ga-na i-lu-zu he2-me en i-lu-zu he2-me ta ba-ab-pel-e | Mother of the dead gudug priestess, in his empty Ŋipar, may your lament be your lord! May your lilû be your song! What has been carried away? |
| 81 | ama nin-dingir ge6-par3-ra ba-ra-e3-x x i-lu-zu he2-me en i-lu-zu he2-me ta ba-ab-pel-e | Mother Ninŋira left the gipar. May your lament be there, may your lord be there! What did he destroy? |
| 82 | lugal-gu10 sag-zu sahar-ra nigin2-na-zu a tu5-a | My king, when your head is covered in dust, when you bathe, |
| 83 | giri3-zu ki pel-la pel-la-zu e-sir2 [...] | Your foot is a twisted place, your feet are twisted |
| 84 | lugal-e sag-du sahar-ra nigin2-na-ni a mu-un-tu5 | The king bathed his head in dust. |
| 85 | giri3-bi ki pel-la pel-la-ni e-sir2 [...] | Its foot is a barren place, its barren places are a bitch |
| 86 | e2-bi la-ba-te-ge26 [...] | Its temple is not to be approached |
| 87 | {gesz}gu-za-zu tusz-a [...] | Sitting on your throne |
| 88 | gesz-nu2 nu2-a hu-mu-[...] | May he lie down in the bed. |
| 89 | nig2-gu7 ka-a mi-ni-in-gu7 kurun2 suh-bi i3-nag | He ate food in the mouth, he drank its sweet beer. |
| 90 | ku3 gal {d}erisz-ki-gal-la za3-mi2-zu du10-ga-am3 | Great holy Eriškigal, your praise is sweet |
Sources & licences
- Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative · CDLI: reuse of catalogue/transliteration data with citation of CDLI; images restricted (not fetched) · Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (CDLI), https://cdli.earth/ ; cite CDLI and the P-number
Cite the original edition and translator. Page generated by Unread Atlas from the public corpus export of 2026-10-18.