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An elegy on the death of Nannaya (Q000776)
Literary, Old Babylonian, Nippur · c. 1900 BCE–1600 BCE
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| Designation | An elegy on the death of Nannaya |
|---|---|
| ID | Q000776 |
| Language | Sumerian |
| Period | Old Babylonian · c. 1900 BCE–1600 BCE |
| Genre | Literary |
| Find spot | Nippur |
| Coordinates | 32.1271, 45.2300 |
Transliteration (ATF)
From Open Richly Annotated Cuneiform Corpus (ORACC) · CC BY-SA 3.0 (ORACC default); per-file JSON license fields say: This data is released under the CC0 license (133618)
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) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ab-ba ki re-a-še₃ dumu-ni-ir kiŋ₂ bi₂-in-gi₄ | The elders returned to the place of the shepherd, his son. |
| 2 | dumu ki ba₉-ra₂ ŋen-na re ud-ba ba-ra-an-bad | The one who abandoned the child - now how long will he roam around? |
| 3 | ab-ba uru₂{ki}-a tuš-a-ra tur₅-ra gaba ba-ri | The elder who dwells in the city is abandoned, his chest is split. |
| 4 | sud-aŋ₂ kal-la kur sud-da pad₃-da tur₅-ra gaba ba-ri | The mighty one, chosen by the suda-demon of the faraway mountain, ... |
| 5 | KA DIM₃ sag₉-sag₉ lu₂ inim zil₂-zil₂-le tur₅-ra gaba ba-ri | The one who utters a good word, the one whose words are slanderous, has no opponent. |
| 6 | alan sud tuku saŋ-du tuku teš₂-bi tur₅-ra gaba ba-ri | The one who has a statue, the one who possesses a crown, its limbs are shattered. |
| 7 | gal-zu ŋiš-hur-ra me-te unken-na tur₅-ra gaba ba-ri | Your greatness is a “cutting-of-the-throat' omen, a fitting one of the assembly, whose chest is split open. |
| 8 | lu₂ gen₆-na ni₂ teŋ₃-ŋe₂₆ diŋir-bi tur₅-ra gaba ba-ri | (Sum) The one who is dressed in his ordinary soiled garments, whose limbs are swollen(?) (Akk) The man of the pure šunû-garment, who has shaved his head |
| 9 | tur₅-ra u₂ nu-gu₇ gaba ba-ri tur₅-ra ba-an-dab₅ | The sick one, who does not eat food, the sick one has been seized. |
| 10 | ka u₃-ba-e-šu₂ ninda nu-mu-un-šu₂-šu₂ šag₄-sug₄-ga ba-an-nu₂ | When she opens her mouth, she does not eat bread, she lies down in despair. |
| 11 | dub-gin₇ bar-gin₇ ni₂-ŋal₂-la RI ib₂-gurud-da mu-un-la₂ | Like a tablet, like a blurred-out one, he stretched out a net. |
| 12 | ur-saŋ gaba ur₄-ur₄ ŋiri₃ nu-mu-un-da-bad-de₃ | (Sum) The hero is not able to cross over the breast(?) (Akk) She does not traverse the breast of the hero |
| 13 | KA tur₅-ra-a-ni-ta nam-dumu-ni i-si-iš X i₃-gu₇ | From his mouth, his son ... eats |
| 14 | šag₄ sag₃-sag₃-ge i-si-iš SI A X | The storm that shakes the earth ... |
| 15 | dub zu nibru{ki}-a ki-lul-la ba-an-ug₅ | The one who knows the tablet of Nippur was killed in a falsehood. |
| 16 | inim-bi kaskal su₃-ra₂-še₃ dumu-ni-ir ba-an-na-te | Its word travels a long road for its child. |
| 17 | dumu ad-da-a-ni-ta nu-ub-da-la₂-a-gin₇ | Like a child who does not live with his father, |
| 18 | kiŋ₂ in-ši-gi₄-in₄-nam nu-ub-da-gur-ra-am₃ | The place where he had restored was not to be returned to. |
| 19 | dumu er₂ in-pad₃ sahar-ta ma-ra-da-šub šir₃ nam-nar mu-un-na-ab-e | He has sworn by the tears of a child that he has walked with you in the dust: he will praise the musicianship for him. |
| 20 | {m}lu₂-diŋir-ra šag₄ NE-NE-a-ni-ta i-lu ab-sar-re | Ludibira cried out a lament from his ... heart |
| 21 | ab-ba ki-lul-la ba-an-ug₅-ga-ta | After the abba priest was killed in a wicked way, |
| {m}{d}nanna-a šag₄ hul dim₂-ma-ni-ta kur-še₃ ba-ab-DU-a {m}{d}nanna-a-ŋu₁₀ | Nanna, by means of his evil deeds he brought him into the netherworld. | |
| 23 | dam-zu niŋ₂ ud-bi-ta nitalam-a-ni na-nam me-da nu-mu-un-su-a | Your spouse, since distant days, is indeed his wife, she does not have a spouse. |
| 24 | {tum₉}dal-ha-mun-gin₇ ud DI ma-ra-ab-kaš₄-kaš₄-e u₁₈-lu ma-ab-sag₃-ge | Like a storm blowing, the storm is blowing for you, it shakes the storm. |
| 25 | a₂-e₃-gin₇ za-e ma-ra-ab-ak-e dim₂-ma-ni in-kur₂ | Like a rising flood, you have changed his mind. |
| 26 | al-lib mu-na-ŋar i-gi₄-in-zu i-im-ši-tud-tud-de₃ | (Sum) The allib priestess, the one who looks at him, he will give birth to you (Akk) He who looks after you, your eyes will be opened for you |
| 27 | x x im-ma-ab-gur-re ab₂-gin₇ gu₃ x x | ... like a cow ... |
| 28 | x x a-nir an-DAG er₂ im-ma-še₈-še₈ | ... weeps. |
| 29 | x x-bi mu-un-šu₂ u₃ niŋ₂-zid ba-an-dab₅ | Its ... seized it, and it was seized by fear. |
| 30 | x-a NI x | ...; |
| 31 | x-a-ur₄-ur₄ mu-da-ab-ZA | ... he ... with him. |
| 32 | x šu mu-ra-ab-tag-ge šag₄ x BA x x BAD | ... he touches ... |
| 33 | x zi-zi ud zal-še₃ KA X KA | ... rising, passing the day ... |
| 34 | x ki dur₂-ru-na-ta lukur {d}nin-urta-ke₄ X TA x ma-ra-da-šub | From the ... of Uruna the nadītu of Ninurta ... enter for you. |
| 35 | diŋir sig₇-ga-gin₇ x x KA mi-ni-in-x x-a | Like a yellow ... |
| 36 | an-gul-a-ni hul x | His destruction ... |
| 37 | šag₄ PI-ra-ke₄ ga-gi₄-i HUB₂ IN x | I want to return to the ... field |
| 38 | X IGI KA x x U₈ x | ... ewe ... |
| 39 | uŋ₃ daŋal-la še mu-e-ši-ib-x A x | “The one who crosses the river ... |
| 40 | suh₃-suh₃ šen-šen-na nin-diŋir {d}nuska x TE | The šuhsuh prayer of the mountains, the nindibir prayer of Nuska |
| 41 | x x-ra-an-sil₂-sil₂-e U₈-ni ma-ra-an-SU-e | ... his ewe for you. |
| 42 | x x GI ma-x-nam | ... ... |
| 43 | x x KI x-nam | ...; |
| 44 | x x ur₂-zu-ta x-de₃ | ... from your lap ... |
| 45 | x x A GA x-ra | ... ... |
| 46 | x-de₂-e | to ... |
| 47 | dumu tur-zu dumu lugal-la-gin₇ mu-da-ak-a | Your little ones, like the king's children, have been killed. |
| 48 | a-na-am₃ i₃-gu₇ x | What did he eat? |
| 49 | a-na-am₃ i₃-naŋ x | What in ...? |
| 50 | lal₃ i₃-nun x x MA x mu-un-x | ... honey and butter ... |
| 51 | {ŋiš}banšur i₃-zu-ta mu-un-da-ŋa₂-ŋa₂ | The table that you have set up for him(?) |
| 52 | er₂ im-ŋa₂-ŋa₂-a-ni er₂ arhuš x x-am₃ | His tears, his tears are a merciful lament. |
| 53 | i-im-sig₇-sig₇-ga-a-ni ki aŋ₂ šag₄ kug-ga-kam | When he paints, it is the place of the holy water vessel |
| 54 | še ur₄-ur₄ KUL-gin₇ saŋ ba-da-x-eš | ... like a weapon ... |
| 55 | amar mušen-e amar x SA LA he-en-gi₄-gi₄ x al-il₂-il₂ | May he return the calf of the snake to its place, he raises ... |
| 56 | e₂-gi₄-a dumu tur-zu me-na me-na-am₃ bi₂-in-dug₄-ga-a | The bride, when will you give birth to your little child? |
| 57 | ugu-ne-ne-a x U₂-zu bi₂-in-šub | He placed your ... upon them |
| 58 | x-ne-ne-a x x-ra ma-ra-an-si-ig | ... silenced for you. |
| 59 | ur₂ e₂-ke₄ x ŠA NE x x ma-ra-x | The base of the house ... |
| 60 | x x-zu x ad dug₃-dug₃-ga-x u₃-sa₂-a x x-a | Your ... good advice ... |
| 61 | x-gin₇ im-ma-ab-x x | Like ... |
| 62 | i-lu x-zu x nu-gul-e | The lament ... cannot be overturned. |
| 63 | ad-da-ŋu₁₀ šag₄-zu he₂-huŋ-ŋe₂₆ | May your father rejoice over you |
| 64 | {m}{d}nanna-a ur₅-zu he₂-sag₉ | May Nanna be glad on your account. |
| 65 | en ensi₂ x er₃-ra-bi a-ab-x | Lord, ruler ... its tears ... |
| 66 | šu nam-uš₂-ta kar-ra x UL x | Hand of sin ... |
| 67 | šu nam-uš₂ niŋ₂ X X-ba bi₂-ib-si lu₂ x | Hand of evil, fear of ... he filled ... |
| 68 | nam-uš₂ niŋ₂ dug₃ diŋir-ra-kam ki nam tar-ra x | It is a niŋešu-demon, a dibirru-vessel, the place where fates are determined |
| 69 | šag₄-bal-bal-zu dug₃-zu he₂-en-x x | May your šagbalbal prayer be uttered to you |
| 70 | dumu-munus-zu x x-ne-a ma-ra-x x | Your daughter ... |
| 71 | ab-ba iri{ki}-za-a-kam kana₅ ma-ra-X-X | The shepherd of your city ... the canal for you. |
| 72 | ki-sikil iri{ki}-za-a-kam x x MU mu-ra-ab-x x | The maiden of Zakam ... |
| 73 | saŋ {na₄}kin₂-kin₂-x x er₂-zu x IN x | ... agate, your tears ... |
| 74 | e₂ im-ma-ni-ŋa₂-ŋa₂ x | The house that he had built ... |
| 75 | kug in-taka₄ še bi₂-in-tuku niŋ₂-gur₁₁ daŋal bi₂-in-x | He has opened the silver, he has taken the barley, and ... his own property. |
| 76 | ibila suhuš gen₆-na x MAŠ-zu ha-ra-ab-x x | May your heir, whose foundation is firm, ... for you |
| 77 | lu₂-ug₅-ge-zu šag₄ |IGI+X|-gin₇ x | Your dead ones, like ... |
| 78 | zag-zu a₂ hul-la za-e ma-ra-kiŋ₂-ŋa₂ | Your right arm is an evil arm, you are the one of Araki |
| 79 | šu ŋar gen₆ lugal sipad diŋir-za-a-kam | Hand of the king, shepherd of the intercalary river |
| 80 | sa₂-ŋar gen₆ {d}utu-u₃-kam | It is a sabar offering of Utu. |
| 81 | lu₂-bi lu₂ nam kud he₂-a nam-uš₂ x | That man, if he is a man whose fate is determined, a curse ... |
| 82 | ŋiri₃-pad-ra₂-ni lu₂ x | Bīr-padrani, the man |
| 83 | {u₂}kul li-li-a-ni x MA x tuku mu-bi x | The lilīnu-plant has ... its name. |
| 84 | niŋ₂-gur₁₁-bi buru₅{mušen} x dal-a-gin₇ x he₂-x | Its fearsomeness, like a ... swallow ... |
| 85 | x x TUG₂ ki x x-ib-la₂-e KU-KU-de₃ kalam-ma x | ... to ... the Land ... |
| 86 | inim niŋ₂ sag₉-ga X-zu he₂-en-tum₂ šag₄ dug₃ he₂-ri-ib-ŋa₂-ŋa₂ | May your good words bring forth a pleasant mood |
| 87 | {m}{d}nanna-a ur₅-zu he₂-sag₉ šag₄-zu he₂-ši-huŋ-ŋe₂₆ | Nanna, may your mood be good, may (your) heart be satisfied |
| 88 | {d}utu en gal a-ra-li-ke₄ | Utu, the great lord of Arali |
| 89 | ki ku₁₀-ku₁₀ ud-še₃ u₃-mu-ni-in-tud di kud-zu i₃-kud-de₃ | He gave birth to a dark place, a storm - your judgment is to be pronounced. |
| 90 | {d}nanna-a ud nu₂-a nam-zu he₂-tar-re | Nanna, may your fate be decided in the daytime. |
| 91 | {d}nergal {d}en-lil₂ kur-ra-ke₄ igi-bi-a sag₉-ni | Nergal, Enlil of the netherworld, his beautiful face |
| 92 | ki-TAR gu₇ mu-zu he₂-pad₃-de₃ u₂ dug₃ he₂-ri-ib-gu₇-e | May he find your name in the place where food is eaten, may he eat good food. |
| 93 | ŠE₃ bar-ra nin kur-ra he₂-me-en arhuš hu-mu-ra-an-tuku-tuku | May you be the outsider, the lady of the netherworld, who has compassion for you |
| 94 | ki-naŋ a dug₃-ga e₂-zu he₂-ni-ib-us₂-X | May he make your house ... in the bedchamber of good water. |
| 95 | e₂-a NIM-ta he₂-bi₂-in-KU X en {d}nin-ŋiš-zid-da | from the upper house ... lord Nin-išzida |
| 96 | kalag-ga {d}gilgameš₂ silim ha-ra-an-x x | Mighty Gilgamesh, may he be reconciled for you |
| 97 | {d}bi₂-ti u₃ {d}e-ta₂-na a₂-tah-zu x x | Itti and Etana, your helper |
| 98 | diŋir kur-ra-ke₄ šudu₃-zu he₂-em-ša₄-x | May the Ibir of the netherworld ... your sheep |
| 99 | muš₃-am₃ diŋir-zu he₂-em-me nam-zu x | May he say to you "I am a snake", your fate ... |
| 100 | diŋir iri{ki}-za-a-kam šag₄ šu niŋin₂ ha-ra-X | Dibir, the city of Zakam, a hand of fearsomeness for you |
| 101 | šag₄ zu₂ keše₂ šul-a-lum ha-ra-du₈ | May the ‘cutting-of-the-throat’ magic be released for you |
| 102 | nam-tag-ga e₂-e-ke₄ šid-bi he₂-en-gaz | May the sin of the house be destroyed. |
| 103 | niŋ₂-hul dim₂-ma-zu MUNUS kur-ta ge-en₆-na-bi | Your evildoer, the woman who is set from the netherworld, |
| 104 | egir-zu he₂-sag₉ X x X X-zu x X | May your back be sweet ... |
| 105 | x TUG₂ he₂-dab₅ | [x] garments, seized; |
| 106 | {d}udug {d}lamma X X GAR-zu he₂-X | May udug-stone and lamma-stone be your ... |
| 107 | dumu u₃-tu-ud-da-zu nam-saŋ-še₃ he₂-ni-sar | Your born son, may he write his own name there. |
| 108 | dumu-munus-zu diŋir he₂-tuku-tuku | May your daughter have a divorce. |
| 109 | dam-zu he₂-til₃ im-ri-a-zu he₂-daŋal | May your spouse live, may your limbs be carried off. |
| 110 | he₂-ŋal₂ saŋ sag₉-ga ud šu₂-uš-e he₂-ni-gur₃-ru | May he carry it off, may he return it to its place in good condition. |
| 111 | a-pap-za kurun niŋ₂ dug₃-ga muš₂ nam-ba-an-tum₂-mu | You should not bring the sweet kurun beer into your libation bowl |
| KA e₂-e-zu KA diŋir-za-kam du-ri₂-še₃ he₂-a tu₆ tu₆ | May the gate of your house be a gate of interšu-disease, may it be an incantation of incantations. |
Sources & licences
- Open Richly Annotated Cuneiform Corpus (ORACC) · CC BY-SA 3.0 (ORACC default); per-file JSON license fields say: This data is released under the CC0 license (133618) · ORACC project editions, https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ ; cite the individual project (see texts.extra_json.project)
Cite the original edition and translator. Page generated by Unread Atlas from the public corpus export of 2026-10-18.