Before the Muses: An Anthology of Akkadian Literature, Volume 2: Mature, Late, Second edition

227 Pages·1996·22.78 MB·English

by  Benjamin R. Foster

Contents
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Before the muses : an anthology of Akkadian literature / [selected and
-
translated by] Benjamin R. Foster. 2nd ed.
Abbreviations
p. cm. XV
Includes bibliographical references and index. Preface
xxvii
Contents: v. I. Archaic, classical, mature. v. 2. Mature, late.
Acknowledgments
I. Assyro-Babylonian literature-Translations into English. xxxi
I. Foster, Benjamin R. (Benjamin Read)
P J ~ ~ s I .1B99~6 ~
892'. I-dczo VOLUME I
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
IN SEARCH OF AKKADIANLI TERATURE
A, The Akkadian Language
I. Semitic Languages, I - 2. Akkadian Vernacular Languages, 2 -
3. Akkadian Literary Language 3, - 4. Akkadian Writing and
Literacy, 4
8, Rediscovery of Akkadian Literature
6
I. Loss and Rediscovery, 6 - 2. Major Sources, 8 - 3. Publication
and Translation, 10
CaP oetry and Prose
I3
I. Linguistic Differentiation, 13 - 2. Verse Structure, 14 -
The preparation of the contents of this volume was made possible by a grant
from the Translations Program of the National Endowment for the Humani- 3. Parallelism, 14 - 4. Repetition, 16 - 5. Meter, 17 - 6. Word-
ties, an independent Federal agency. play, 17 - 7. Prose Style, 17 - 8. Formulae and Word Pairs, 18 -
9. Simile and Metaphor, 18
Copyright 0 1996 by Benjamin R. Foster. All rights resewed. This book may
not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form (beyond that copying D, Authors and Redactors
permitted by Sections 107 and 108 of the U. S. Copyright Law and except by I. Authorship, 20 - 2. Creativity, 22 - 3. Intertextuality, 24
reviewers for the public press), without written permission from the publisher,
CDL Press, P.O.B ox 34454, Bethesda, MD 20827. E, Reading Akkadian Literature
Designed by Karen Polinger Foster and Elizabeth Duncan Lyons. I. Time, 27 - 2. Place, 29 - 3. Speech, Action, Noise, Silence, 3 I -
4. Visual Aspects, 33 - 5. Knowledge, 34 - 6. Divine Images, 35 -
First Edition: ISBN 0-962001 3-9-2 7. Demonic Beings, 36 - 8. Personal Deity and Good Fortune, 37 -
Second Edition: ISBN 1-8830532-3-4
9. Divination, 38
iv Contents Contents
7. At the Cleaners, 92
F. Formation of Akkadian Literature
8. Lament for a City, 94
I. Categories, 39 - 2. Sumerian and Akkadian, 46 - 9. The Faithful Lover, 95
-
3. Oral Tradition, 47 4. What is Akkadian Literature? 47
10. Love Lyrics of Nanay and Muati, 99
r I. Love Lyrics of Rim-Sin, IOI
CHAPTER I I 2. Legends of Sargon, 103
(a) Sargon, King of Battle, 103 - (b) The Sargon Letter, 108
THEA RCHAICP ERIOD
I 3. Legends of Naram-Sin, 109
-
(2300 2000 B.C.) (a) The Siege of Apishal, 109 - (b) The General Insurrection
Introduction (I), I 12- (c) The General Insurrection (II), I I 5
C, Incantations
A. Commemorative Inscription
I. Naram-Sin at Armanum, 5 5 14.A gainst Disease, I 16
(a) Various Diseases, I 16- (b) All Diseases, I I 8
B. Old Akkadian Incantations
I 5. Against Demons, I I 9
2. Against a Demon, 57 (a) A Demon, I 19- (b) A Sickness Demon, 120
3. Against the Evil Eye, 58
16.A gainst a Mote in the Eye, 121
4. Love Charm, 59
17.A gainst Infant Illness, 122
C. Old Akkadian Letter I 8. Against Gas Pains, 123
5. Do Not Sit on a Chair! 61 19.A gainst Constipation, 124
D. Old Assyrian Incantations 20. Against Joint Pain(?), 125
21.A gainst Arousal, 126
6. Against Lamashtu, 62
22. Against Dogs, 127
7. Against Dogs, 63
(a) Swift Dog, 127- (b) Dogbite, 127
23. Against Snakes, 128
CHAPTER I1
(a) Lurking Serpents, 128 - (b) Snakebite, 129
THEC LASSICAPLE RIOD 24. Against Flies, I 30
(zoo0 - 1500 B.C.) 25. Against Scorpions, I 3 I
26. Against Lamashtu, 132
Introduction (a) Anu Begot Her, 132 - (b) She is Fierce, 133
A. Hymns 27. Against a Poltergeist(?), I 34
I. To Ishtar, 68 28. Against a Noxious Herb(?), 135
2. To Nanay, 72 29. Against a Disease of Sheep and Goats, 136
3. To Papulegarra, 75 30. For a Woman in Labor, 137
4. Self-praise of Ishtar, 77 (a) She Has Never Given Birth, 137 - (b) The Child's Arms
Are Bound, 138
B. Narrative and Lyric Poetry
3 I. To Calm a Baby, I 3 9
5. Dialogue between a Man and His God, 78
32. Against a Bleating Goat, 140
6. The Agushaya Poem, 81
vi Contents Contents
3 3. Love Charms, 141 B. Babylonian Poetry and Prose
(a) Horns of Gold, 141 - (b) Look at Me! 143
7. Legends of Sargonic Kings, 25 I
D. Prayers 148 (a) Sargon, King of Battle, 251 - (b) Cuthaean Legend of
34. Nocturnal Prayers of Diviners, 148 Naram-Sin, 258
(a) To Gods of the Night, 148 - (b) To Shamash and Gods of 8. Shulgi Prophecy, 271
the Night, 149 9. Agum-kakrime and the Return of Marduk, 274
35 . Diurnal Prayers of Diviners, I so 10. Kurigalzu, King of the Kassites, 279
(a) The Cedar, I SO - (b) The Lamb, I 53 - (a) Kurigalzu and the Ishtar Temple, 279 - (b) The Favor of
(c) Will Ur-Utu Be Alive and Well? I 55 Kurigalzu, 28 I
36. Kussulu to the Moon-God, 156 I I. Kudur-Nahhunte and His Times, 283
3 7. Ur-Nanshe to Ninsianna, I 58 (a) Kudur-Nahhunte and the Babylonians, 284 -
38. Apil-Adad to "God My Father," 159 (b) The Elamite Attack on Nippur, 285 - (c) Marduk and the
Elamites, 288
E. Flood Story I 60
12. Nebuchadnezzar I and His Times, 290
39. Atrahasis, 160 (a) The Seed of Kingship, 290 - (b) The War with Elam, 295 -
(a) Old Babylonian Version, 161 - (b) Middle Babylonian
(c) Nebuchadnezzar in Elam, 297 - (d) Nebuchadnezzar and
Versions, 186 - (c) Late Assyrian Version, 188 -
Marduk, 299 - (e) Nebuchadnezzar to the Babylonians, 300 -
(d) Late Babylonian Version, 198 (0
Prayer in the Name of Nebuchadnezzar, 301
13. Marduk Prophecy, 302
14. The Poem of the Righteous Sufferer, 306
CHAPTER I11
I 5. A Sufferer's Salvation, 324
THEM ATUREP ERIOD
16. Words of the Wise, 326
(1500- 1000 B.c.) (a) Counsels of Wisdom, 326 - (b) Wisdom of Ugarit, 330 -
(c) Wisdom of Hatti, 335 - (d) Sumero-Akkadian Wisdom and
Introduction 205
Proverbs, 336 - (e) Proverbs from Letters, 348
A. Assyrian Poetry 21 I
C. Mythological Poetry
I. Tukulti-Ninurta Epic, 21 I
17. Epic of Creation, 3 50
2. Psalm to Assur for Tukulti-Ninurta I, 23 I
18. Descent of Ishtar to the Netherworld, 402
3. Hymn to Tiglath-Pileser I, 237
19. Nergal and Ereshkigal, 410
4. Psalms to Ishtar for Assurnasirpal I, 240
(a) Middle Babylonian Version, 414 - (b) Late Version, 417
(a) On Occasion of Illness, 240 - (b) On Occasion of an
20. The Adapa Story, 429
Offering, 244
(a) Adapa and the South Wind, 429 -
5. Prayers for Kings of Assyria, 247
(b) Adapa and Enmerkar, 435
(a) Coronation Prayer, 247 -
(b) Prayer at the Gods' Repast, 248 21. Etana, 437
(a) Old Babylonian Version, 439 - (b) Middle Assyrian
6. The Hunter, 249
Version, 442 - (c) Late Version, 448
viii Contents Contents ix
41. To Gods of the Night, 569
22. Anzu, 458
(a) Old Babylonian Version, 460 - (b) Late Version, 465 (a) Against Pestilence, 569 - (b) Against Cultic Impurity, 570 -
(c) Against Witchcraft, 571
23. The Serpent, 482
42. To Gula, 573
24. The Lion-Serpent, 484
-
(a) Healer, 573 (b) Intercessor, 576
43. To Ishtar, 578
VOLUME I1 (a) Against Sorcery, 578 - (b) The Greatness of Ishtar, 580 -
- -
(c) Against Impotence, 582 (d) A Gift to Ishtar, 583
(e) Ishtar Will Not Tire, 584
D. Great Hymns and Prayers 44. To Marduk, 585
25. Gula Hymn of Bullutsa-rabi, 486 (a) Against Marduk's Anger, 585 - (b) Against Illness, 588 -
26. Ishtar Queen of Heaven, 495 (c) Protector of the King, 593 - (d) Reviver of the Sick, 594 -
27. Great Prayer to Ishtar, 503 (e) Lord of the Universe, 595 - (0 Prince of the Gods, 596 -
28. Literary Prayer to Ishtar, g 10 (g) Syncretic Hymn to Marduk, 598 -
29. Literary Prayer to Marduk, 5 I 5 (h) Foremost of the Gods, 599
30. Great Hymn to Marduk, 521 45. To Nabu, 601
3 I. Great Hymn to Nabu, 525 (a) For Protection from Black Magic, 601 - (b) An Old Man's
32. The Shamash Hymn, 53 I Prayer, 603 - (c) Discouragement, 604 - (d) Compound Acrostic
Prayer to Nabu, 607 - (e) The Names of Nabu, 608 -
E. Devotional and Ritual Poetry
(0 Acrostic Prayers of Nabu-ushebshi, 610
33. To Adad, 540
- - 46. To Nergal, 612
(a) Against Thunder, 540 (b) Against Lightning, 542
(a) Nergal the Warrior, 612 - (b) The Terrors of Nergal, 613 -
(c) In Gratitude for Rain, 543
(c) Sublime Nergal, 614
34. To Anu, 544
47. To Ninurta, 616
3 5. To Dumuzi, 545
(a) Prescriptive Hymn to Ninurta, 616 - (b) Protector of the
36. To Ea, 546
King, 617 - (c) Syncretic Hymn to Ninurta, 619 -
(a) For Success in Divination, 546 -
(d) Ninurta as Sirius, 621
(b) Protector of the King, 547
48. To Nusku, 623
37. To Ea, Shamash, and Marduk, 549
(a) Guardian of the Night, 623 - (b) Courier of Dreams, 624 -
(a) Against Congenital Guilt, 549 - (b) Against Any Evil, 550 -
(c) Forfender of Nightmares, 625 - (d) Protector against
(c) Against Snakebite, 552 - (d) Against a Ghost, 554
Sorcery, 626
38. To Enlil, 556
49. To a Personal God, 627
(a) Spoken by a Person in Authority, 556 - (b) Protector of the
(a) God of My Family, 627 - (b) Furious God, 628 -
King, 558 - (c) Against Enlil's Anger, 560
(c) The Piteous Sufferer, 629 - (d) Who Has Not Sinned? 630
39. To Family Ghosts, 562
50. To Shamash, 632
40. To Girra, 564
(a) Illuminator, 564 - (b) Melter, 566 - (c) Judge, 567 - (a) Against Impending Evil, 633 - (b) Against a Known
Sorcerer, 634 - (c) Against Snakes, 635 - (d) Against Dogs, 636 -
(d) Refiner, 568
F
(e) Against Ghosts, 637 - (f) Against a Curse, 638 - 6. In Praise of Arbela, 723
(g) Golden Tiara of the Heavens, 640 - (h) Protector of the 1 8. Babylonian Poetry and Prose
King (I), 641 - (i) Protector of the King (2), 644 -
7. Nabopolassar, 724
(j) Protector of the King (3), 648 - (k) Protector of the King (a) To Marduk (I), 724 - (b) To Marduk (2), 725
(4), 650 - (1) Protector of the King (s), 651 -
8. Nebuchadnezzar 11, 726
(m) Absolver, 653 - (n) The Supremacy of Shamash, 654 - (a) To Marduk (I), 726 - (b) To Marduk (2), 727 -
(0) Healer, 656 - (p) Against the Consequences of a (c) To Marduk (3), 728 - (d) To Marduk (4), 728 -
-
Nightmare, 659 (q) Homecoming, 660 (e) To Marduk (s), 729 - (f) To Nabu, 729 - (g) To Nabu and
5 I. To Shamash and Adad, 661 Marduk, 730 - (h) To Ninmah, 730 - (i) To Shamash (I), 731 -
(a) The Cleansing Water, 661 - (b) Lighting the Incense, 662 - (j) To Shamash (2), 731 - (k) Acrostic Hymn to Nabu, 732
(c) Placing the Flour Offering, 662 - (d) The Sacrificial
9. Neriglissar to Marduk, 735
Gazelle, 663 - (e) The Sacrificial Lamb, 664
10. Nabonidus, 736
52. To Sin, 665
(a) To Ishtar of Akkad, 736 - (b) To Marduk (I), 737 -
(a) For Help in Haruspicy, 665 - (b) Illuminator of Darkness,
(c) To Marduk (2), 737 - (d) To Shamash (I), 738 -
667 (e) To Shamash (2), 740 - (0 To Sin (I), 741 -
53. To Sin and Shamash, 669
(g) To Sin (4, 742
54. To Any God, 670
I I. Antiochus Soter to Nabu, 744
55. Prayer for Laying the Foundation of a Temple, 673
12. Advice to a Prince, 745
56. Litigant's Prayer, 674
I 3. The King of Justice, 748
14. In Praise of Ezida, 753
CHAPTER IV I 5. In Praise of Babylon, 754
THEL ATE PERIOD (a) Sublime Holy Place, 754 - (b) The Babylonians, 756
(1000- I00 B.C.) C. Narrative and Expressive Works
Introduction 16. Erra and Ishum, 757
17. The Babylonian Theodicy, 790
A. Assyrian Poetry and Prose
I 8. The Dialogue of Pessimism, 799
I. Shalmaneser 111, 683
19. The Birth Legend of Sargon of Akkad, 803
(a) Shalmaneser in Ararat, 683 - (b) To Ninlil, 687
20. The Gilgamesh Letter, 805
2. Sargon 11, 689
21. The Jester, 808
(a) Prayers from Dur-Sharrukin, 689 - (b) To Nanay, 693
22. Love Lyrics of Ishtar of Babylon, 81 I
3. Esarhaddon and Ishtar of Arbela, 696
23. The Poor Man of Nippur, 8 I 3
4. Assurbanipal, 697
24. Why Do You Curse Me?, 819
(a) Coronation Prayer, 697 - (b) To Assur, 699 - (c) To Ishtar
25. The Dog's Boast, 821
of Nineveh and Arbela, 702 - (d) Acrostic Hymn to Marduk,
26. Lament for Tammuz, 822
704 - (e) To Shamash, 710 - (0 Assurbanipal and Nabu, 712 -
(g) Pious Scholar, 714
5. The Netherworld Vision of an Assyrian Crown Prince, 715
xii Contents Contents xiii
45. Love Charms, 869
Incantations
(a) The Harpstring, 869 - (b) Get Up! 869 - (c) I Have Made a
27. Marduk and the Demons, 824 -
Bed, 870 (d) May I Not Miss My Prey! 871
28. Against an Adversary in a Lawsuit, 829
46. For Absolution, 872
29. Against an Angry Man, 830 -
(a) The Brazier, 872
(a) I Will Dissolve Your Anger, 830 - (b) Anger, 830
(b) May My Sin Rise Up to the Sky! 873
30. Against Bile, 831
47. For a Ruler's Favor, 874
3 I. Against the Evil Eye, 832 (a) I Am Proud, 874 - (b) I've Put My Shoes on My Feet, 874
32. Against Evil Spirits, 833
48. For a Woman in Labor, 875
(a) The Seven, 833 - (b) Black Tragacanth, 834 -
(a) The Baby is Stuck! 875 - (b) Sin and the Cow, 876 -
(c) Mysterious Demons, 836
(c) Run Hither to Me! 877 - (d) The Boat, 878
33. Against Eye Disease, 837
49. To Calm a Baby, 879
(a) Daughters to the Wind, 837 - (b) Bloodshot Eyes, 838 -
(c) They Are Two, 838 - (d) Mote, 839 - (a) Be Placid as a Pond, 879 - (b) Be Still as Swamp Water, 880 -
(c) Let Mother Get Her Chores Done, 881
(e) Wind Blew Down, 839 - (f) Vessels of Blood, 840
50. To Recapture a Runaway Slave, 882
34. Against Fever, 841
(a) Fire, Fire! 841 - (b) Your Smoke Has No Smell, 842 5 I. To Secure Brisk Trade at a Tavern, 883
E. Miscellaneous and Supplemental
3 5. Against Flatulence, 843
36. Against Headache, 844 52. When Old Men Dance, 884
(a) Epidemic, 844 - (b) Amiction, 845 - (c) Misery, 846 - 53. Self-praise of Ishtar, 886
(d) Do Not Enter the House I Enter, 847 - 54. Love Lyrics of Nabu and Tashmetu, 887
(e) I Am Pazuzu, 848 55. Elegy for a Woman Dead in Childbirth, 890
37. Against Lamashtu, 849 56. The Tamarisk and the Palm, 891
(a) "Bring Me Your Sons!" 849 - (b) She Tortures Babies, 850 - 57. The Ballad of Former Heroes, 894
(c) "I Am the Daughter of Anu," 85 I -
(d) She Seized, 852 Glossary of Proper Names
38. Against Nurses Harmful to Children, 854
Index of Texts Translated
39. Against Phantoms, 855
(a) Life Passed Them By, 855 - (b) Against a Ghost that Has SeIect Bibliography
Appeared, 858 - (c) Why Do You Keep Appearing to Me? 859
40. Against "Redness," 860
41. Against Scorpions, 861
(a) It Is Green, 861 - (b) Wolf of the Storeroom, 861
42. Against Sickness and Pain, 862
43. Against Toothache, 863
44. Against Witchcraft, 864
(a) My Magic Works, 864 - (b) Blockading, 865 - (c) They
Are Working Against Me, 866 - (d) The Footpad, 867
486 111. The Mature Period Great Hymns and Prayers 487
'. 0
D, GREATH YMNSA ND PRAYERS "Great is my star in heaven, my name in the netherworld. (5)
"Fair it is to hold me in mind, (it is) good health and life.
111.25 GULA HYMN OF BULLUTSA-RABI "People discourse of me (in) sickness (and in) health,
"My great name is Nintinugga.'
This hymn extols in alternating stanzas Gula, goddess of healing, and her
..
spouse, using different names (see also III.42a). The text is unusual because of 11
the author's "signature" in the concluding lines. It is a work of great learning;
"My spouse is the warrior, son of Enlil, the mighty,
rare and dialectal words abound. The hymn makes numerous allusions to
"Valorous one, trampler of the foe, (10)
mythology and may quote directly other compositions. It was popular in
"Who crushes the enemy, (but) who makes the righteous stand,
learned circles and was quoted in an ancient commentary. It is also attested in
"Who fulfilled Enlil's wishes, whose strength is sublime,
an ancient list offamous authors ofthe past and their putative literary works.
"The strong lord who slew Anzu,
The frame of the composition is a third-person prayer by Bullutsa-rabi. He
[ ] the responsibility of (Enlil's) s~premacy.~
"
introduces the goddess in the first stanza and concludes the whole composition
[ ] to whom Ninlil listens,
"
with a prayer that she intercede for him. The goddess speaks her own praises,
"Ninurta, the merciful offspring of heaven,
a well-attested mode in Akkadian.' She discourses upon her astral character,
"Pure progeny, heir of E~harra.~
her elevation to a position of authority, her interest in agriculture, her unalterable
word, her healing abilities, her control of destinies, her sexual attractiveness,
her upbringing and education, marriage, and scholarship. "I was sought out, for E[nli]l chose me among goddesses,
The poet thereby proceeds from her general attributes of divinity, her role, "He looked up [ 1, he fell in love with me.
function, and physical attributes to her major "rites of passage" and concludes "He wed me [for the ... ] his supremacy,
with praise of her medical learning. Perhaps this aspect of her persona was of "He allotted the management of Esharra [ ] into my hands.
particular appeal to the poet, who says he is sick and in need of her "He added [ ] procedures,
ministrations. By contrast, her spouse is consistently portrayed as a fierce and "He [ 1 me,
terrible warrior, without developing a theme. Gula's personality is more "He made fair my name [ ] among goddesses.
complex; she has more names than her husband. Despite the dual structure of "He called [me ] Nin-[ 1, I have no rival.
the hymn, the goddess is clearly the author's primary interest.
"[(My spouse is)] the great master of portions,
i
"Pure light of heaven, the one who calls for the work song,
The goddess is the most capable of all deities who sit on daises,
(I) "Resettler of devastated agricultural lands,
"I am noble, I am lordly, I am splendid and sublime.
"Pursuer, wild bull with head held high,
"My station is on high, I am a woman of dignity. "Who seized .. . , who split stones4 and begot grains,
"I excel among goddesses,
I. Sumerian healing deity, "Lady Who Revives the Dead."
I. Von Soden (RA 52 [1g58], 132) suggests possible cultic significance for fiat-penon texts of 2. Allusion to the Anzu poem, see 111.22.
this type; this genre seems to be restricted to goddesses. Whatever the literary background, the 3. A temple of Enlil in Nippur, hence the author is saying "son of Enlil."
goddess's self-predication seems to lend her praises extra authority. Compare the self-praise of 4. Allusion to the Sumerian poem "Ninurta and the Stones," for which see J. J. A. van Dijk,
Ishtar 11.4 and IV.53 and E. Reiner, "A Sumero-Akkadian Hymn of Nani,"J NES 33 (1974)~2 21- LUGAL-UD ME-LAM-bi NIR-GAL (Leiden, 1983)~3 7-44. with this passage alluded to 42 note
236.
'39.
488 111. The Mature Period
Great Hymns and Prayers 489
"Heaper up of grain piles,
vii
who performed the great festival for Enlil,
"I am sublime in heaven, I am queen in the netherworld,
"Who makes teeming mankind live in abundance,
"Among the gods I have no peer,
who resettles abandoned mounds,
"Among goddesses I have no equal.
"Stately, tall of form, pure shining son of Anu,
"I am mistress of the depths, Ea's place,
"Mightiest of the gods, great Ningirsu.
"Lofty and great are my responsibilities.
"The limits I (set) cannot be changed,
"(My) command cannot be altered.
"Opener of the furrow, director of daybreak,
"My name is great, I am sublime,
"Who drives out the (plow) ox, mistress of (its)-track,
"I tower in my stance, I am enormous in form.
"Beloved of the stars which are the signs for plowing,
"I grant portions to all the gods.
"Who silos fodder for the oxen,
"I am daughter, I am bride, I am spouse,
"Who grants good work to the plowman,
I, indeed, manage the household,
"Mistress of basket, seed grain, plow, plowfield, share,
"Wife of the foremost one, Pabilsag,'
and field hand(?),
"Ninkarrak,2 mistress of counsel, am I.
"Who stretches out the measuring cord, cubits,
and measuring rod, .. .
Vlll
"Who carries a stylus as she works, doing the accounts,
"The lofty one, favorite of the gods, Anu's son,
"Mother Nanshe,' mistress of the field boundary am I.
"He is the foremost one, surpassing all lords.
"The Igigi-gods consult with him,
the shining breastplate(?)* of heaven.
"My towering husband is an honored noble of heaven,
"Great is fear of him among the gods,
"Clad in awesomeness and divine splendor,
every one of them is in awe of his name,
"Who makes heaven and netherworld quake,
"They await his command.
lofty one among the Igigi-gods,
"He is the foremost one, towering hero, noble,
"Who charges through canebrakes, who dances in battle,
virile one, bastion,
"Who examines the heights of heaven,
"He is firm of foot in heaven, powerful in the depths,
who investigates the bottom of the netherworld,
"Great in the netherworld, sublime in Ekur,
"Who implements wise counsel, master of decisions,
"Cherished son of Enlil,3
"Who gathers to himself wisdom, of profound intelligence,
"Pure offspring of Nin<lil>,
"Reared by the depths, splendid one, offspring of Mami,
"Double of Anu, the warrior Ninurta.
"Rider of all the winds, lord of battle and warfare,
"Great storm, brilliant of feature, lord of lords, ~inazu.'
1. A goddess at home in the Lagash region, not usually equated with Gula, but perhaps I. Sumerian deity, husband of Nininsina, a healing goddess.
through Ningirsu (Lagashite god) = Ninurta (see Anzu [III.22]); see also line 34. 2. Healing goddess.
2. "Lord Physician," a Sumerian deity (usually a brother of Ninurta). 3. Variant omits Enlil.
490 111. 7'he Mature Period Great Hymns and Prayers 491
ix "I bestow life on the one who reveres me.
"I make straight the path of the one who seeks after my ways,
"I am the physician, I can save life,
"I am the great one, daughter of Anu, mother Ba'u,'
"I carry every herb, I banish illness. (80)
life of the people.
"I gird on the sack with life-giving incantations,
"I carry the texts which make (one) well.
xii
"I give health to mankind.
"My beloved is the warrior, foremost one, king of kings,
"(My) clean dressing salves the wound, (1 10)
"Furious one, slayer who tangles (in) battle,
"(My) soft bandage relieves the pain.
"Launcher of the deluge,
"At my examination, the moribund revives,
"Who loves [ ] and bride.
"At a word from me, the feeble one arises.
"Being merciful, he heeds prayers,
"I am merciful, [I am] kindly [ ]
"He turns the wicked and enemies into clay.
1
"The mighty man [
"He burns the roots of all disobedient like reeds,
"I am she who gives [ 1
"Ninurta, foremost of the vanguard, mighty son of Enlil.
"Ninigiziba[ra am I].
...
Xlll
"I am fairest voiced among goddesses,
"My beloved is the young man .. . [ ]
"I am the most beautiful among queens,
"The mighty one, endowed with strength [
"I am the most attractive among young women,
"Overpowering lord whose vigor cannot be equalled,
"I am the most seemly among fine ladies.
"Towering, with stately physique,
"I have been given to his divinity,
standing ready to charge mountains, (95)
"I am led to the foremost one, lord of the gods.
"Lovely, adorned with allure, and gorgeous all over,
"My face is attractive,
"Who dances in the pride of young manhood, adorned with joy,
"I am seductive to the mighty one,
"First fruits of the harvest song, whose look is abundance,
son of the lord of the gods.
"Fierce, irresistible, overcoming foes, (125)
"I have come into his pure place,
"Crusher of stones,' Zababa.= (100)
"Into awe-inspiring E~humesha,~
"Into (its) Ekashbar, house of decisions, place of commands,
"I am ~n~alnibrtuhe, ~pu re princess.
"I am a warrior, skilled through experience,*
"I am the spouse of the mighty one, light of the gods.
xiv
"I make decisions, I give commands,
"Lofty one, lord who is the very greatest in heaven,
"In Esharra (my) way is sublime,
"Terror of whom makes all lands quake(?),4
"In Ekur, dwelling of the gods, (my) dwelling is on high. (105)
"I have mercy on the weak, I enrich the destitute,
I. Sumerian goddess, wife of Ninginu (see p. 488 note I).
I. See p. 487 note 4. 2. Temple of Ninurta and spouse at Nippur.
2. A wamor god sometimes equated with Ninurta; see, for example, Anzu (111.22) Tablet 111 3. Sumerian epithet, "Queen of Nippur."
line 142. 4. See p. 487 note 4.
492 111. n eM ature Period Great Hymns and Prayers 493
"Fear of whom envelops the mountain[s], xvii
"He wears the heavens on his head, like a tiara, 6 6 ...
"He is shod with the netherworld, as with [sanldals, "My allure is compelling .. . [
]
"He holds in his grasp commands that no [god knlows of, (135) "I am adorned with .. . [ I
"At his glance .. . [ 1 "My [ 1 are .. .
"Swift [ 1, multiplying prosperity, "My [ ] are piping,
[ 1, trampler, lofty Uta'ulu.' "I wear(?) a .. .
"
"When I go in procession, charm falls like the dew,
"When I come in there is splendor,
"Antu bore me, cherished me steadfastly, .. .
"In my bed
"She taught me fair counsel, adorned me with charm, (14 0) "There is no one like me,
"She gave me to the fullest the joys of young girls.
"I am in sun,' the merciful goddess.
"Anu my father named me according to his own name,*
"He made me excel among my brothers. xviii
"Ea in the depths gave me in full of his wisdom, "My beloved is the favorite among goddesses,
"He gave me the tablet stylus from his own hand, (145) "He wears on his head a tiara with superb horns,
"He entrusted to me the physician's craft, a secret of the gods, "He wields sharp weapons,
"Enlil chose me as bride for the mighty one, his son. "He leads about fierce storm demons,
"I am Gula, mistress of heaven and netherworld. "Conqueror of all mountains,
"Who overthrew hard stones, as many as there were,2
(175)
"He forced to submit those
"Foremost one, slayer, mountain, overwhelmer of the sea,
who were insubmissive to Enlil,
"Irresistible storm, battle deluge, (150)
"Strongest of the strong, slayer of slayers, Lugalbanda.
"Instigator of discord, declarer of war,
"Who brings opponents to submission, mastering the foe, xix
"Mighty one who relies on his own strength, "I am merciful, I hear (prayer) from afar off,
"Savage, pitiless, who musters the ill wind, "I fetch up the dead from the netherworld,
who grants victory, "I am girded with the leather bag,
"Esharra's trust, sublime son, who takes his own high rank, (155) I .. . the scalpel and knife.
"Avenger of the father who begot him, "I examine the weary, I watch over the sick,
"Pure god, deserving of kingship, I open(?) the sore,
"My fair spouse, L~~albanda.~ "I am mistress of life.
"I am physician, I am diviner, I am exorcist,
I. Another name for Ninurta; compare the hymn to Ninurta III.47b, line 4.
2. Legendary Sumerian king of Uruk, who, like Ninurta, contested with Anzu. For the I. "Wild Cow," mother of Gilgamesh.
equation of Lugalbanda and Ninurta, compare Anzu (111.22) Tablet 111 line 147. 2. See p. 487 note 4.