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CDLI Literary 000370 (Enmerkar and En-suhgir-ana) composite (P469675)

Literary, Old Babylonian · c. 1900 BCE–1600 BCE

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Designation	CDLI Literary 000370 (Enmerkar and En-suhgir-ana) composite
ID	P469675
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	szeg12 kur szuba-ta e3-a	coming forth from the brickwork of the land of Šuba,
2	kul-aba4{ki} iri{ki} an ki-da mu2-a	Kulaba, the city that grows with heaven and earth,
3	unu{ki}-ga mu-bi {d}tir-an-na-gin7	In Uruk, its name is like that of Tirana
4	an-ne2 us2-sa-bi si-musz3 gun3-a	An, whose radiance is a speckled horn,
5	an-na gub-ba-bi u4-sakar gibil na-nam	Its standing in heaven is indeed the new moon.
6	me gal-gal nam-nun-na du3-a	the great mes of princeliness,
7	kur sikil-la u4 du10-ga ki gar-ra	In the pure mountain, a good day set on earth,
8	iti6-gin7 kalam-ma e3-a	like moonlight coming forth from the Land,
9	u4 zalag-gin7 kalam-ma si sa2	like a bright day, in the land ...
10	ab2-ur3 ab2-saharx(NE)-gin7 he-nun-ta e3-a	Come forth from the pond like a marsh with abundance!
11	unu{ki}-ga ka tar-ra-bi kur-ra ba-te	Uruk, whose mouth was opened, approached the netherworld.
12	me-lam2-bi ku3-me-a zi-da-am3	Its pure splendor is true.
13	aratta{ki}-a tug2-gin7 ba-e-dul gada-gin7 ba-e-bur2	In Aratta, you covered it like a garment, you spread it like linen.
14	u4-ba u4 en-na-am3 ge6 bara2-ga-am3 {d}utu lugal-am3	At that time, it was the day of the en priestess. It was the night on the dais, Utu was the king.
15	sukkal en aratta{ki}-ka sukkal an-sig7-ga-ri-a mu-ni he2-en-na-nam	May his name be the vizier of the lord of Aratta and viziers of the Ansiggari temple.
16	sukkal en-me-er-kar2 en kul-aba4{ki}-ke4 nam-en-na-tum2-ma mu-ni	the minister Enmerkar, lord of Kulaba, dedicated this (vessel).
17	en uru e-ne nun uru e-ne	The lord of the city, he is the prince of the town.
18	en MI uru e-ne nun MI uru e-ne	The lord, the lady of the city, how is he? The prince, the woman of the town, how are you?
19	en MI-MI uru e-ne nun MI-MI uru e-ne	The lord, the woman of the city, he says. The prince, the lady of [the city],
20	lu2 dingir-sze3 tu-u4 e-ne	The one who ... to the god
21	lu2 dingir-sze3 pa e3 e-ne	The one who manifests himself to the god,
22	en unu{ki}-ga en kul-aba4{ki}-ra ur5-bi a-da-min3 na-e-de3	The en-priestess of Uruk, the lord of Kulaba, should not raise a claim.
23	en aratta{ki} en-suh-gir11-an-na-ke4	the lord of Aratta, Ensuḫgirana
24	igi-bi igi unu{ki}-sze3 kin-gi4-a-ar inim mu-na-ni-ib2-be2	before Uruk the messenger spoke to him.
25	e-ne ga2-a-ra gu2 ha-ma-an-ga2-ga2 {gesz}szudul4 ha-ma-ab-il2-e	“Hero, may he set up a neck-rope for me and raise a šudul-pole for me.
26	u4-da gu2 ma-an-gar gu2 na-ma-an-gar u3 e-ne u3 ge26-e	He placed a neck on the storm, he did not place a hip on the day - woe, oh, I, woe!
27	e-ne {d}inanna-da e2-gar8-a-ka hu-mu-da-an-ti	When I was with Inanna in the granary,
28	ge26-e {d}inanna-da e2-za-gin3 aratta{ki}-ka hu-mu-da-an-ti-e-en	I, with Inanna, may you dwell in the lapis lazuli temple of Aratta.
29	gesz-nu2 girin-a-ka hu-mu-un-de3-nu2	May he lie down in the bed of the footstool.
30	sze-er-kan2 du11 u3 du10 ku-ku-de3 hu-mu-de3-nu2-en	May you lie down at the šerkan, the place where good things are to be poured out.
31	e-ne {d}inanna-da ge6-a ma-mu2-da igi hu-mu-ni-in-du8	When he saw Inanna in the night,
32	ge26-e {d}inanna-da giri3 babbar-ra-na inim mu-da-bala-e	I, with Inanna, cross his white path.
33	e-ne kur-gi4{muszen} sze he2-bi2-ib2-gu7-e	The kurgi bird shall eat the barley.
34	ge26-e kur-gi4{muszen} sze ba-ra-bi2-ib2-gu7-e	I, the kurgi bird, did not eat the barley
35	ge26-e kur-gi4{muszen} nunuz-bi giri3-lam-ma amar-bi NIG2 la2-e	I, the kurgi bird, its young, its calf ...
36	tur-tur-bi utul2-gu10-sze3 gal-gal szen mah-gu10-sze3	Its small ones, to my potter's kiln, the great ones, my supreme thunder.
37	kur-gi4{muszen} ki-a ba-ra-ab-tak4-a-bi	Its kurgi birds that had not left the earth
38	ensi2 kur-ra-ke4 gu2 mu-un-gar-re-esz-a mu-da-an-gu7-u3-ne	The rulers of the foreign lands eat with him wherever he goes.
39	en-me-er-kar2-ra ur5-gin7 inim mu-na-ab-be2	Enmerkara spoke to him as follows:
40	kin-gi4-a du-ni szeg9-bar-ra-am3 im2-mi-da-ni sur2-du3{muszen}-am3	His messenger came, he was a pigeon, his bird-feeder came.
41	u4-dam i3-e3 an-u2-sa11-an-na-am3 i3-gi4-gi4	The storm comes out, An-usa-ana returns.
42	buru5{muszen} u4 zal-le-da-gin7 gaba ki za3 im-gub	Like a buru bird passing the day, it stood at the edge of the ground.
43	buru5{muszen} ge6 masz-gin7 kur-sza3-ge im-si	The sparrows grew in the midst of the netherworld like gazelles.
44	{gesz}ilar-gin7 za3 im-gub-gub-be2	like a axe stands at its edge,
45	dur3{ur3} dili du-e {d}szakkan2-gin7 hur-sag-ga2 i3-dag-ge4	The single rooster, like Šakkan, approaches the mountain range
46	dur3{ur3} uru16 gal-gin7 kuszum4 i3-tag-tag-ge	Like a great lion he threw a stick at it.
47	dur3{ur3} sal-la kas4-e kin-ga2 du-ru-usz bur2	The full-grown suckling donkey(?), the messenger(?) of my work
48	ur-mah a-sza3-ga u4 zal-la mur-ma-ra mu-un-sza4	The lion in the field, when the daylight passed, cries out for me.
49	ur-bar-ra sila4 szu ti-a-gin7 ul4-ul4-e im-gen	He went like a dog carrying lambs in his hand.
50	ki tur-tur-bi mu-un-gen-na-a DUL3-a mu-na-ab-si	When he went to the small places, he filled the dilmun for him.
51	ki gal-gal-bi mu-un-gen-na-a bulug-ga mu-na-ab-be2	He went to the great place, he spoke to him in a supplication.
52	en-ra ge6-par4 ku3-ga-ni-sze3 im-ma-szi-in-ku4-ku4	For the lord, he brought him into his holy gipar.
52a	en-me-er-kar2 ki ku3-ku3-ga-ni-sze3 im-ma-szi-in-ku4-ku4	Enmerkar kehrte zu seinem glanzvollen Ort ein.
53	za-e-sze3 lugal-gu10 mu-e-szi-in-gi4-gi4	Because of you, my king replied to you:
54	en aratta{ki} en-suh-gir11-an-na-ke4 mu-e-szi-in-gi4-gi4	Lord of Aratta, Ensuḫgirana answered him:
54a	lugal-zu du11-ga-ni nam-gu10 tah-a-ni nam-gu10	Your king, his command is my fate, his brother is my destiny.
54b	en-suh-gir11-an-na-ke4 du11-ga-ni nam-gu10 tah-a-ni nam-gu10	Ensuḫŋirana, his word, my fate, his helper, [my fate]
54c	lugal-gu10 a-na bi2-in-du11 a-na bi-in-tah-am3	What did my king say, what did he add?
54d	en-suh-gir11-an-na-ke4 a-na bi2-in-du11 a-na bi2-in-tah-am3	What did Ensuḫŋirana say, what did she add?
55	lugal-gu10 na-ab-be2-a	"My king, what should I say?
56	e-ne ga2-a-ra gu2 ha-ma-an-ga2-ga2 {gesz}szudul4 ha-ma-ab-il2-e	“Hero, may he set up a neck-rope for me and raise a šudul-pole for me.
57	u4-da gu2 ma-an-gar gu2 na-ma-an-gar u3 e-ne u3 ge26-e	He placed a neck on the storm, he did not place a hip on the day - woe, oh, I, woe!
58	e-ne {d}inanna-da e2-gar8-a-ka hu-mu-da-an-ti	When I was with Inanna in the granary,
59	ge26-e {d}inanna-da e2-za-gin3 aratta{ki}-ka hu-mu-da-an-ti-en	I, with Inanna, may I live in the lapis lazuli temple of Aratta.
60	gesz-nu2 girin-a-ka hu-mu-un-de3-nu2	May he lie down in the bed of the footstool.
61	sze-er-kan2 du11 u3 du10 ku-ku-da hu-mu-de3-nu2-en	I want to lie down at the šerkan, the place where pleasant speech and supplication are placed.
62	e-ne {d}inanna-da ge6-a ma-mu2-da igi hu-mu-ni-in-du8	When he saw Inanna in the night,
63	ge26-e {d}inanna-da giri3 babbar-ra-na inim mu-da-bala-e	I, with Inanna, cross his white path.
64	e-ne kur-gi4{muszen} sze he2-bi2-ib2-gu7-e	The kurgi bird shall eat the barley.
65	ge26-e kur-gi4{muszen} sze ba-ra-bi2-ib2-gu7-e	I, the kurgi bird, did not eat the barley
66	ge26-e kur-gi4{muszen} nunuz-bi giri3-lam-ma amar-bi NIG2 la2-e	I, the kurgi bird, its young, its calf ...
67	tur-tur-bi utul2-gu10-sze3 gal-gal szen mah-gu10-sze3	Its small ones, to my potter's kiln, the great ones, my supreme thunder.
68	kur-gi4{muszen} ki-a ba-ra-ab-tak4-bi	The kurgi bird did not leave the earth
69	ensi2 kur-ra gu2 mu-un-gar-re-esz-am3 mu-da-gu7-u3-ne	The governors of the foreign lands eat together with him.
70	en unu{ki}-ga x si?-musz3-bi x-da {gesz}zi-gan-bi-im	It is the lord of Uruk whose horns ... the ziggurat
71	[...] {gesz}rab3 szu ri-bi	The ... of the reed-bed is its ‘hand’
72	[...] ki us2-sa-a-ba	... where the earth rests
73	sur2-du3{muszen} an-na dal-e-da-bi gu muszen-na-bi-im	The surdu bird flying in heaven is its bird's neck.
74	szeg12 e2 gal aratta{ki}-ka sur-sur mah he2-[...]-im?	The brickwork of the great temple of Aratta was a great flood(?)
75	[...] gal-gal aratta{ki}-a nam [...] mah-bi-im	The great ... of Aratta, whose fate is supreme
76	[...] ba?-DU-a-asz [...] gal2	... open(?)
77	im-gin7 szu bi2-in-ra im-gin7 igi i-ni-in-bar	Like clay, he grasped it, like clay he looked at it.
78	e-ne {d}inanna-da e2-za-gin3 aratta-ka hu-mu-da-an-ti	When with Inanna I had the lapis lazuli temple restored for you
79	ge26-e x an-ta ki-a gub-ba-ni hu-mu-da-an-ti-en	I, the one who stands above and below, may I live with you.
80	sze-er-kan2-na du11 u3 du10 ku-ku-da hu-mu-un-de3-nu2-en	May you lie down at the šerkana, the place where sweet speech and supplication are uttered.
81	ge26-e gesz-nu2 gi-rin {d}inanna-ka u2 za-gin3 bara2-ga-a-ba	I, in the reedbeds of Inanna, where lapis lazuli plants are planted
82	egir-bi-sze3 ug-am3 sag-bi-sze3 pirig-am3	It is a lion behind it, its top a pirig creature.
83	ug-e pirig im-sar-re	The ug priestess writes a pirig song.
84	pirig-e ug im-sar-re	The lion screams.
85	ug-e pirig im-sar-re-da-bi	The people, whose lions are encircled,
86	pirig-e ug im-sar-re-da-bi	“The lion, whose horns are encircled,
87	u4 nu-um-zal ge6 u3-na nu-ru-gu2	The day did not pass, the night did not roar.
88	ge26-e {d}inanna-da kaskal danna 1(u) 5(disz)-am3 szu hu-mu-un-da-nigin2-nigin2	I, with Inanna, had a league of 15 leagues(?).
89	{d}utu suh ku3-ga2 igi nu-mu-un-bar	Utu did not look at my pure garment.
90	ge6-par4 ku3-ga2 ba-e-szi-in-ku4-ku4	In my pure Ŋipar he entered.
91	{d}en-lil2-le aga zi gidru [...]	Enlil, the true crown, the scepter
92	{d}nin-urta dumu {d}en-lil2-la2-ke4	Ninurta, son of Enlil
93	gesz {kusz}ummu-da-gin7 ur2 mu-un-tal2-tal2	like a leather bag he stretched it out on his lap.
94	da-ru-ru nin9 {d}en-lil2-la2-ke4	Aruru, the sister of Enlil
95	ubur zi-da-ni ma-an-la2 ubur gab2-bu-ni ma-an-la2	He stretched out his right breast, he stretched out her left breast.
96	esz3 gal-sze3 e11-de3-da-gu10-ne	When I go up to the great shrine,
97	nu-gig-e anzu{muszen} amar-ra-gin7 mur mu-sza4	The nugig priestess cries out like the Anzu bird of the calf.
98	2(disz)-kam-ma-sze3 e11-de3-da-gu10-ne	When I come for the 2nd time,
99	uz amar-ra nu-me-en-na szeg11 mu-un-gi4	I, who am not a calf, screamed.
100	iri{ki} tu-da-ni-ta NE im-ta-[...]	The city that he had founded ...
101	iri{ki} du3-gin7 iri{ki} na-me ba-ra-dim2	Like a built-up city, no city has been built for you.
102	{d}inanna unu{ki}-ga he2-en-ti aratta{ki}-asz a-na me-a-bi	Inanna of Uruk may he live! As many as there will be in Aratta
103	szeg12 kul-aba4{ki}-ka he2-en-ti kur me sikil-sze3 a-na-am3 ab-ak-e	What have I done to the brickwork of Kulaba?
104	mu 5(disz)-am3 mu 1(u)-am3 aratta{ki}-asz ba-ra-gen	5 years and 10 years he did not go to Aratta
105	u4 aratta{ki}-asz in-ga-an-du-a-ba	when Aratta had been built
106	ku3 gal nin e2-an-na-ke4	the great silver, the lady of the Eana
107	ad-bi mu-un-da-gi4-a-asz inim-bi mu-un-zu-a-asz-asz ba-ra-gen	As if he had spoken to me, as if I had known its words, I would not go.
108	e-ne nu-tuku-da-am3 kur-gi4{muszen} sze ba-ra-bi2-ib2-gu7-e	The kurgi bird did not eat the barley.
109	ge26-e kur-gi4{muszen} sze he2-bi2-ib2-gu7-e	I, the kurgi bird, shall eat barley
110	ge26-e kur-gi4{muszen} nunuz-bi giri3-lam-ma amar-bi NIG2 la2-e	I, the kurgi bird, its young, its calf ...
111	tur-tur-bi utul2-gu10-sze3 gal-gal szen mah-gu10-sze3	Its small ones, to my potter's kiln, the great ones, my supreme thunder.
112	kur-gi4{muszen} ki-a ba-ra-ab-tak4-a-bi	Its kurgi birds that had not left the earth
113	ensi2 kur-ra gu2 mu-un-gar-re-esz-a mu-da-gu7-e-ne	The rulers of the foreign lands who have set their necks towards me, they eat with me.
114	kin-gi4-a en-me-er-kar2 en-suh-gir11-an-na-ke4	The messenger of Enmerkar and Ensuḫgirana
115	ge6-par4 ku3 ki ku3-ku3-ga-ni-sze3	For his holy Ĝipar, the holy place,
116	ki ku3-ku3-ga ba-da-an-KU-a AMA-bi ba-na-te	When he entered the holy place, his mother approached him.
117	en-suh-gir11-an-na-ke4 a2 ag2-ga2 gu3 ba-an-de2 inim im-kin-kin-e	Ensuḫŋirana spoke at the command of the king, and made a claim.
118	iszib lu2-mah gudug giri3-se3-ga ge6-par4-ra ti-la	The išib priest of the lumah priest, the gudug priest, on duty at the Ŋepar, living.
119	gu2 x mu-ni-in-gar sza3 mu-da-ab-kusz2-u3	he put ..., he exhausts his heart.
120	a-na ga-an-na-ab-be2 a-na ga-an-na-ab-be2	What should I say to him, what should I tell him?
121	en unu{ki}-ga en kul-aba4{ki}-ra a-na ga-an-na-ab-be2	I want to say to him: “What did the en-priestess of Uruk and the lord of Kulaba say?
122	gu4-da-ni gu4-gu10-da lirum? im-da-ab-zi	His oxen raised their horns with my oxxen
123	gu4 unu{ki}-ga-ke4 a2 bi2-ib-gar	the oxen of Uruk were entrusted.
124	lu2-ni lu2-gu10-da usu im-da-ab-ra2	His man ... with my man.
125	lu2 unu{ki}-ga-ke4 a2 bi2-ib-gar	the man of Uruk imposed upon him.
126	ur-ra-ni ur-gu10-da usu im-da-ab-ra	His dog ... with my dog.
127	ur unu{ki}-ga-ke4 \|KA.NI\| ba-ab-gar	The dog of Uruk was placed at the gate.
128	ukken gar-ra si sa2-na mu-un-na-ni-ib-gi4-gi4	He answers the one who erected the assembly with his right horn.
129	za-e-me-en unu{ki}-ga-sze3 dub-sag-ta	you are, from the first tablet of Uruk,
130	nig2 gal-gal en-me-er-kar2-ra kin-gi4-a-asz mu-un-gi4	Enmerkara sent me the great things.
131	en-me-er-kar2 la-ba-du3-e-en za-e-me-en ba-e-du3-e-en	I did not build Enmerkar, I did build you yourself.
132	zi gi4-ba sza3-zu nig2 na-me na-an-tum3 en-na ba-e-zu-zu	Your heart should not carry anything, as long as you know it.
133	iri-gu10 dul he2-a ge26-e szika-bi he2-me-en	May my city be a heap of work for me, may you be its šika.
134	en unu{ki}-ga en kul-aba4{ki}-ra gu2 ba-ra-na-an-ga2-ga2	The en-priestess of Uruk, the lord of Kulaba, will not raise a claim against him
135	masz-masz dim2-ma-ni dumu ha-ma-zu-ke4	The incantation priest, son of Hamazu,
136	ur-giri3-nun-na dim2-ma-ni dumu ha-ma-zu-ke4	Ur-girinuna, his son Hamazu,
137	ha-ma-zu hul-a-ta aratta{ki}-asz bala-a	“Ḫamazu, because of the evil of Aratta, in the reign
138	e2-ge6-par4 nam-masz-masz-e da?-ga?-na na-mu-un-KU	In the E-gepar, the maš-demon should not ... on his side(?)
139	sukkal an-sig7-ga-ri-a gu3 mu-un-na-de2-e	He called out to the vizier of the blue sky:
140	lugal-gu10 ad-da gal-gal iri{ki}-ke4-ne	My king, the great fathers of the cities
141	libir-ra usz ki gar-ra-ke4-ne	In the olden days, when the foundations were laid,
142	[...] x-ka a-na-asz-am3 nu-um-ga2-ga2-ne ad nu-um-gi4-gi4-ne	Why do they not place ..., they do not answer.
143	ge26-e i7 unu{ki}-ga-ke4 ga-am3-ba-al	I want to go to the canal of Uruk
144	itima aratta{ki}-ka gu2 ga-mu-ni-ib2-gar	In the month of Aratta, I want to set my neck towards it.
145	inim unu{ki}-ga-ke4 \|KAxX\| um-mi-in-tag	The words of Uruk he uttered
146	erin2 gal-gu10 sig-ta igi-nim-sze3 ab-ta kur {gesz}erin-sze3	My great troops from the lowlands to the highlands, from the mountains of cedars
147	igi-nim-ta kur szim {gesz}erin-na-sze3 gu2 ga-mu-ni-ib-gar	From the east I want to set my neck towards the mountain of aromatic cedar.
148	unu{ki}-ge nig2-gur11 ni2-ba-ke4 {gesz}ma2 he2-em-da-gid2-de3	In Uruk the possessions of its own may they be counted among the boats.
149	{gesz}ma2 he2-em-da-la2-e e2-za-gin3 aratta{ki}-sze3	may he sail with the boat, to the lapis lazuli house of Aratta
150	sukkal an-sig7-ga-ri-a iri?-na mu-ni-zi KISZI4-na mu-ni-szub	The vizier of the Ansiggaria gods raised him up in his city and abandoned his craft.
151	x lu2 [...] an-sig7-ga-ri-a na-mu-ni-x-du11-x	... one should not ... in the shade.
152	[...] x-e? nu-usz-ma-ab-x-x	... we shall ...
153	lugal-gu10 ad-da gal-gal iri{ki}-ke4-ne	My king, the great fathers of the cities
154	libir-ra usz ki gar-ra-ke4-ne	In the olden days, when the foundations were laid,
155	ki sukkal e2-gal-la a-na-asz-am3 nu-um-ga2-ga2-ne ad nu-um-gi4-gi4-ne	Why do they not place the vizier in the palace? They do not answer.
156	ge26-e i7 unu{ki}-ga-ke4 ga-am3-ba-al	I want to go to the canal of Uruk
157	itima aratta{ki}-ka gu2 ga-mu-ni-ib-gar	In the month of Aratta, I want to set my neck towards it.
158	inim unu{ki}-ga-ke4 \|KAxX\| um-mi-in-tag	The words of Uruk he uttered
159	erin2 gal-gu10 sig-ta igi-nim-sze3 ab-ta kur {gesz}erin-sze3	My great troops from the lowlands to the highlands, from the mountains of cedars
160	igi-nim-sze3 kur szim {gesz}erin-na-sze3 gu2 ga-mu-ni-ib-gar	I want to set my neck towards the east, towards the mountain of aromatic cedar.
161	unu{ki}-ga nig2-gur11 ni2-ba-ke4 {gesz}ma2 he2-em-da-gid2-de3	In Uruk, may the possessions of the self-renewing boat be moored.
162	{gesz}ma2 he2-em-da-la2-e e2-za-gin3 aratta{ki}-sze3	may he sail with the boat, to the lapis lazuli house of Aratta
163	en-ra hul2-la-gin7 im-ma-na-ni-ib-gar	Like a joyful en priestess it was placed for him.
164	5(disz) ma-na ku3-sig17 mu-na-ab-szum2-mu	5 minas of gold he gave to him.
165	5(disz) ma-na ku3-babbar mu-na-ab-szum2-mu	5 minas of silver he gave to him.
166	u2 nir-gal2 gu7 ba-bi mu-na-ab-be2	She says to him “It is good food, eat it!"
167	a nir-gal2 nag ba-bi mu-na-ab-be2	He says to her “It is enough! Drink it!’
168	u4 nam-ra-asz lu2-bi ak-am3	That man did it in a day of abundance.
169	zi-zu nig2-ga2 a-la szu-zu he2-gal2 mu-na-ab-be2	Your life is something, your hand is abundance, she says to him.
170	masz-masz engar numun sag-ga2-ke4	the exorcist, the farmer of the first seed,
171	erisz2{ki} iri{ki} {d}nisaba-sze3 giri3 im-ma-ab-gub-be2-en	I stand at the foot of Eriš, the city of Nisaba.
172	e2 tur3-ra e2 ab2 dur2-ru-na-asz ba-te	He approached the cattle-pen, the cow-pen where he sat.
173	ab2-e tur3-ra sag mu-da-ab-sag3	The cow trembles in the cattlepen.
174	ab2-e inim bi2-in-du11 lu2-ulu3-gin7 inim mu-da-ab-bala-e	He spoke to the cow, he was speaking to him like a man.
175	ab2 i3-zu a-ba-a i3-gu7-e ga-zu a-ba-a i3-na8-na8	Cow, who is eating your oil? Who is drinking your milk?
176	i3-gu10 i3-gu7-e {d}nisaba-ke4	Nisaba ate my oil,
177	ga-gu10 i3-na8-na8 {d}nisaba-ke4	Nisaba drinks my milk.
178	ga-ar3-gu10 suh10 ku3 galam du11-ga	My emmer, adorned with a pure crown,
179	unu6 gal unu6 {d}nisaba-ke4 me-te-a-asz im-mi-ib-gal2	The great dining hall, the dining hall of Nisaba, was there for me.
180	i3-gu10 tur3 ku3-ta en-na ga-mu-de6-a-asz	As long as I will bring my oil from the pure cowshed,
181	ga-gu10 amasz ku3-ta en-na ga-mu-de6-a-asz	As long as I will bring my milk from the pure sheepfold,
182	u3-sumun2 zi {d}nisaba dumu-sag {d}en-lil2-la2-ke4 lu2 nu-um-mi-in-zi-zi	True wild bull Nisaba, first-born son of Enlil, no one raises him.
183	ab2 i3-zu si-musz3-zu-sze3 ga-zu murgu-zu-sze3	Cow, your oil is for your horns, your milk for your shoulders.
184	ab2 i3-bi si-musz3-bi-sze3 ba-ab-BU ga-bi murgu-bi-sze3 ba-ab-BU giri3 [...]	Cow, its oil ... to its horns, its milk to its back ...
185	amasz ku3 amasz {d}nisaba-sze3 ba-te	The pure sheepfold approached the sheepfold of Nisaba.
186	ud5-de3 amasz-a sag mu-da-ab-sag3	The goats tremble in the sheepfold.
187	ud5-de3 inim bi2-in-du11 lu2-ulu3-gin7 inim mu-un-da-ab-bala-e	He spoke to the goat, he was speaking to him like a man.
188	ud5 i3-zu a-ba-a i3-gu7-e ga-zu a-ba-a i3-na8-na8	Who will eat your nanny goat, who will drink your milk?
189	i3-gu10 i3-gu7-e {d}nisaba-ke4	Nisaba ate my oil,
190	ga-gu10 i3-na8-na8 {d}nisaba-ke4	Nisaba drinks my milk.
191	ga-ar3-gu10 suh10 ku3 galam du11-ga	My emmer, adorned with a pure crown,
192	unu6 gal unu6 {d}nisaba-ke4 me-te-a-asz im-mi-ib-gal2	The great dining hall, the dining hall of Nisaba, was there for me.
193	i3-gu10 tur3 ku3-ta en-na ga-mu-un-de6-a-asz	As long as I will bring my oil from the pure cowshed,
194	ga-gu10 amasz ku3-ta en-na ga-mu-un-de6-a-asz	Because I want to bring my milk from the pure sheepfold,
195	u3-sumun2 zi {d}nisaba dumu-sag {d}en-lil2-la2-ke4 lu2 nu-um-mi-in-zi-zi	True wild bull Nisaba, first-born son of Enlil, no one raises him.
196	ud5 i3-zu si-musz3-zu-sze3 ga-zu murgu-zu-sze3	The nanny goats that you know to your horns, your milk to your loins,
197	ud5 i3-bi si-musz3-bi-sze3 ba-ab-BU ga-bi murgu-bi-sze3 ba-ab-e3	The nanny goat ... its oil, its milk ... it came out on its back.
198	u4-bi-a tur3 amasz-a e2 si-ga ba-ab-du7 nig2 ha-lam-ma ba-ab-ak	At that time, in the cattlepen and sheepfold, the house was perfect, everything was destroyed.
199	ubur ab2-ka ga nu-un-gal2 amar-e u4 bi2-in-szu2	The milk in the cow's thigh is not present, the calf gives the day.
200	amar tur-bi sza3-sug4-ga mu-un-gal2 er2 gig i3-sze8-sze8	The young calf is there in mourning, she weeps bitterly.
201	ubur ud5-ka ga nu-un-gal2 masz2-e u4 bi2-in-szu2	He did not have milk in the nanny goat's womb, he gave the goat as a gift.
202	masz2-ud5-da-bi sza3-ka-tab-ba ba-an-nu2 zi-bi mi-ni-[...]	Its nanny-goats lie in their ša-katab. Its life ...
203	ab2-e amar-bi-sze3 inim gig bi-ib2-be2	The cow speaks bitter words to its calf.
204	ud5-de3 masz2-bi mu-na-ab-[...]	The goat ... its kid for him
205	{dug}szakir3 ku3-ga si-si-ig x [...] sza3-sug4-ga mu-un-gal2 sza3-ka-tab-ba ba-an-nu2	The pure churn ... was there in mourning, it lay down in its midst.
206	u4-bi-a tur3 amasz-a e2 si-ga ba-ab-du11 nig2 ha-lam-ma ba-ab-ak	At that time, in the cattlepen and sheepfold, a stable was established, and destruction was carried off.
207	unu3-de3 eszgiri2 szu-na bi2-in-tak4 igi-ni i3-sag3-ge	(Sum) The herdsman took the ešgiri in his hand and struck his face (Akk) He struck the herd, he struck his eye
208	sipa-de3 szibir za3-ga-na bi2-in-la2 er2 gig i3-sze8-sze8	The shepherd carried a scepter on his shoulder, she weeps bitterly.
209	kab-bar tur amasz tur3-sze3 la-ba-x giri3 kur2 ba-ra-an-dab5	He did not ... the small grain-heaps and sheepfolds, he took a different path.
210	ga-il2-bi ad gal-esz2 nu-mu-e11 sila kur2 ba-ra-an-dab5	Its milk did not come out with a great voice, it was seized in a strange street.
211	unu3 sipa {d}nisaba-ke4-ne	the cattle herders and shepherds of Nisaba
212	dumu tu-da ama dili-me-esz	the single mothers of birthed children,
213	tur3 amasz-a a2 e3-a-me-esz	The cattle-pen and sheepfold, where the laborers come out,
214	1(disz)-kam-ma masz2-gu-la mu-ni he2-en-na-nam	For the first time, may his name be mašgula.
215	2(disz)-kam-ma ur-edin-na mu-ni he2-en-na-nam	For the 2nd time Ur-edina named him,
216	2(disz)-na-ne-ne ka2 mah igi {d}utu e3-a ki u6 di kalam-ma	Their 2nd gate, the front of Utu coming out, the place that makes the judgments favorable in the land
217	sahar-tu11-sahar-tu11-ba ba-an-dur2-ru-ne-esz {d}utu an-ta i-im-gi4-gi4-ne	They sat down in their dust. Utu answered him from heaven:
218	masz-masz-e lu2 aratta{ki}-ka e2 tur3-ra mu-un-ku4	The exorcist, the man of Aratta, entered the cattlepen.
219	e2 tur3-ra gara2 ba-an-kal amar tur la-ba-an-ri-ri	In the cattlepen he eats the cream, but he does not bring in the small calves.
220	tur3 amasz nig2-gig-bi bi2-ak i3 ga ba-e-ni-kal bi2-in-la2	He built a cattle-pen and a sheepfold for evil, he poured out butter and milk for him.
221	[...] x-bi i3-szub-szub nig2 ha-lam-ma ba-ab-ak	... its ... fell, destruction was done.
222	[...] KA-bi ba-an-na-te	... approached its gate.
223	[...] gal2-la-am3 igi mu-un-na-nigin2	... was there, he looked at him
224	[...] erisz2{ki} [...]-x-an-gur	... Eriš ... turned
225	gu2 {i7}buranun-na i7 na? mah? KA gal2-la i7 dingir-re-e-ne	on the bank of the Euphrates, the supreme canal(?) open to the gods
226	iri{ki} nam tar-ra an {d}en-lil2-la2 [...] giri3 bi2-in-gub	The city, whose fate was determined by An and Enlil, stood at its foot
227	um-ma sag-bur-ru szu mu-un-na-an-[...]	The old woman ... for him
228	2(disz)-na-ne-ne agargara i7-da i-ni-in-szub-bu-usz	2 of them fell into the river meadows.
229	masz-masz-e suhur{ku6} gal a-ta im-ta-an-e3	The exorcist brought out the large fish from the water
230	um-ma sag-bur-ru hu-ri2-in{muszen} a-ta im-ta-an-e3	The old woman, the sagburru-bird, came out from the water.
231	hu-ri2-in{muszen}-e suhur{ku6} gal in-kar hur-sag-sze3 ba-an-ku4	The harin bird seized the large fisherman and brought him into the mountains.
232	2(disz)-kam-ma-asz agargara i7-da i-ni-in-szub-bu-usz	For the 2nd time, he abandoned the meadows of the river.
233	masz-masz-e u8 sila4-bi a-ta im-ta-an-e3	The exorcist brought out its ewes and lambs from the water.
234	um-ma sag-bur-ru ur-bar-ra a-ta im-ta-an-e3	The mother of the saŋburru-demon came out from the water.
235	ur-bar-ra u8 sila4-bi in-kar edin dagal-sze3 ba-an-ur3	The dogs seized their ewes and lambs, and they were carried off to the wide steppe.
236	3(disz)-kam-ma-asz agargara i7-da i-ni-in-szub-bu-usz	For the 3rd time, they fell into the river meadows.
237	masz-masz-e ab2 amar-bi-ta a-ta im-ta-an-e3	The exorcist brought out the cow from its calf.
238	um-ma sag-bur-ru ur-mah-e a-ta im-ta-an-e3	The mother Saŋburu, the lion, came out from the water.
239	ur-mah-e ab2 amar-bi in-kar gesz-gi-sze3 ba-an-ku4	The lion seized the cow and its calf and entered the reedbed.
240	4(disz)-kam-ma-asz agargara i7-da i-ni-in-szub-bu-usz	The 4th, he fell into the river meadows.
241	masz-masz-e szeg9 szeg9-bar-e a-ta im-ta-an-e3	The exorcist brings out the wild goat and the wild bull from the water.
242	um-ma sag-bur-ru nemurx(\|PIRIG.TUR\|) hur-sag-ga2 a-ta im-ta-an-e3	The young woman Sagburu, the nemur of the mountains, came out from the water
243	nemurx(\|PIRIG.TUR\|)-e szeg9 szeg9-bar-e in-kar hur-sag-sze3 ba-an-ku4	The nemur turned into a wild bull and a ram, and entered the mountain range.
244	5(disz)-kam-ma-asz agargara i7-da i-ni-in-szub-bu-usz	For the 5th time he abandoned the meadows of the river.
245	masz-masz-e amar masz-da3 a-ta im-ta-an-e3	The exorcist brought out the calf of the exorcion from the water.
246	um-ma sag-bur-ru ur-szub5 ur-nim-e a-ta im-ta-an-e3	The mother Saŋburu, the hero, came out from the water.
247	ur-szub5 ur-nim-ma amar masz-da3 in-kar {gesz}tir-tir-sze3 ba-an-ku4	The hero Ur-nima the calf of the gazelle flew into the forest.
248	masz-masz-e igi-ni ba-ku10-ku10 dim2-ma-ni ba-suh3	The exorcist has seen him, his mind has been shattered.
249	um-ma sag-bur-ru gu3 mu-na-de2-e	The mother speaks to the saŋburu:
250	masz-masz nam-masz-masz-zu he2-gal2 dim2-ma-zu me-a	The exorcist, who is the creator of abundance, where is your creation?
251	a-na-gin7-nam erisz2{ki} iri {d}nisaba-sze3	Why, to Eriš, the city of Nisaba
252	iri{ki} nam tar-ra an {d}en-lil2-la2	The city whose fate was determined by An and Enlil
253	iri{ki} ul iri ki ag2 {d}nin-lil2-la2	The ancient city, the beloved city of Ninlil
254	nam-masz-masz ak-de3 a-gin7 im-da-gen-ne-en	How can I go to act as a exorcist?
255	masz-masz-e mu-un-na-ni-ib-gi4-gi4	The exorcist returns it to him.
256	nu-zu-a-gu10-ne i-im-gen-ne-en	When I do not know, I am going.
257	nam-gur4-ra-zu i3-zu nam-ba-an-sis-e-de3-en	Your strength, when you have learned it, do not abandon it!
258	szu giri17-na i-ni-in-gal2 szudu3 mu-un-na-an-sza4-asz	He put his nose in his nose and prayed to him:
259	szu ba-mu-u8 nin-gu10 szu ba-mu-u8	My lady, let me give you a hand!
260	silim-ma-bi iri{ki}-gu10-sze3 ga-gen	I want to go to my city in peace.
261	aratta{ki} kur me sikil-la-sze3 zi-gu10 ga-ba-szi-de6	I want to bring my life to Aratta, the mountain of pure divine powers.
262	nam-mah-zu kur-kur-ra ga-bi2-ib-zu	I want to proclaim your greatness over all the lands.
263	aratta{ki} kur me sikil-la-ka ka tar-zu ga-si-il	In Aratta, the mountain of pure divine powers, I want to purify your mouth.
264	um-ma sag-bur-ru mu-un-na-ni-ib-gi4-gi4	The mother of the saŋburru is replying to him.
265	tur3 amasz-a nig2-gig-ga bi2-ak i3 ga ba-e-ni-kal	In the cattle-pen and sheepfold he performed evil, he weighed out butter and milk.
266	{gesz}banszur an-bar7 {gesz}banszur kin-nim kin-sig mu-e-su3	The table at the outer edge, the table of the ‘workshop’, was set up.
267	kin-sig unu6 gal-la i3 ga ba-e-ku5 nig2-gig-bi x DU	In the work-assignment of the great dining hall, oil and milk were cut off, its evil ...
268	nam-tag-zu i3 ga [...] nu-mu-e-tum3	Your sin, oil and milk ... you will not bring
269	{d}nanna lugal x amasz-a? MU x ga ba-e-szum2-mu	Nanna, king ... in the sheepfold(?) ... gave
270	szer7-da i3-ga2-ga2 zi nu-mu-ra-ab-szum2-mu	The šerda that he established, he did not give to you.
271	um-ma sag-bur-ru masz-masz-e ukken?-ni inim-ma-ni mu-ni-in-sag3	The mother of the saŋburru priestess, the exorcist, struck her with her word
272	szaga-a-ni gu2 {i7}buranun-na-ka i-ni-in-szub	his life on the bank of the Euphrates he abandoned.
273	zi nam-ti-la ba-da-an-kar iri{ki}-ni erisz2{ki}-sze3 ba-e-gur	He took away the life of his city and Eriš.
274	en-suh-gir11-an-na-ke4 inim-bi gesz ba-an-tuku-a-ta	After Ensuḫŋirana heard this matter,
275	en-me-er-kar2-ra lu2 mu-un-szi-in-gi4-gi4	Enmerkara replied to him:
276	za-e-me-en en ki ag2 {d}inanna-me-en dili-zu-ne mah-me-en	You are the beloved en priestess of Inanna, you alone are supreme
277	{d}inanna-ke4 ur2 ku3-ga-ni-sze3 zi-de3-esz mu-un-pa3-de3-en ki ag2-ga2-ni-me-en	Inanna chose me faithfully in her holy lap, I am his beloved.
278	sig-ta igi-nim-sze3 en gal-bi za-e-me-en ge26-e us2-sa-zu-me-en	From the lowland to the highland, you are its great lord, I am their supporter.
279	a ru-a-ta gaba-ri-zu nu-me-en szesz-gal za-e-me-en	You are not your rival, you are a great brother.
280	ge26-e nu-mu-da-sa2-e-en u4 da-ri2-sze3	I do not agree with you forever.
281	en-me-er-kar2 en-suh-gir11-an-na a-da-min3 du11-ga	Enmerkar, Ensuḫŋirana, the judge,
282	en-me-er-kar2 en-suh-gir11-an-na dirig-ga-a-ba	Enmerkar, who surpasses Ensuḫŋirana
283	{d}nisaba za3-mi2	Nisaba, praise!
surface b
1	[...] BI SI	... ...
2	[...]-ta	from
3	[...]-an-du11	... said
4	masz-masz-e ki en-na-sze3 lu2 mu-un-ni-in-ku4-ku4	The exorcist enters the place of the lord.
5	ur-giri3-nun-na ki en-na-sze3 lu2 mu-ni-in-ku4-ku4	The hero enters the place of the lord.
6	masz-masz-e sukkal GA2 an-sig7-ga-ri-a na-mu-un-ne-du11-ga	As for the exorcist, the vizier of the ... of heaven, he did not speak to him.
7	x-bi-sze3 nu-usz-[...]	... did not ...

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.