Sennacherib 018

Obverse
Column i
iLacuna

Lacuna

i 1'1'

mi-[gir DINGIR.MEŠ GAL.MEŠ na-ṣir kit-ti]1

(i 1') fav[orite of the great gods, guardian of truth] who lo[ves justice, renders assistance], goes to [the aid of the weak], (and) strives af[ter good deeds], (i ) per[fect] man, [virile warrior], foremost of [all rulers], the bridle that cont[rols the insubmissive], (and) the one who strikes [enemies] with lightn[ing]:

i 2'2'

ra-[ʾi-im mi-šá-ri e-piš ú-sa-a-ti]

i 3'3'

a-lik [tap-pu-ut a-ki-i]

i 4'4'

sa-ḫi-[ru dam-qa-a-ti]

i 5'5'

eṭ-lum gít-[ma-lum zi-ka-ru qar-du]

i 6'6'

a-šá-red [kal mal-ki]

i 7'7'

rap-pu la-ʾi-[iṭ la ma-gi-ri]

i 8'8'

mu-šab-ri-[qu za-ma-a-ni]

Lacuna

Lacuna

i 1''1''

x [... ša mdMUATI-EN-MU.MEŠ]

(i 1'') ... [...] I received [a sub]stantial [audience gift from Nabû-bēl-šumāti], the official in charge of [the city Ḫararatu (Ḫarutu): gold, silver, large] musukkannu-trees, [donkeys, camels], oxen, and sheep [and goats].

i 2''2''

.-pi [URU.ḫa-ra-ra-ti .GI .BABBAR]

i 3''3''

GIŠ.mu-suk-kan-ni [GAL.MEŠ ANŠE.MEŠ ANŠE.GAM.MAL.MEŠ]

i 4''4''

GU₄.MEŠ ù ṣe-[e-ni ta-mar-ta-šú]

i 5''5''

ka-bit-tu am-ḫur [ba-ḫu-la-ti URU.ḫi-rim-me]

(i 5''b) [I put] to the sword [the population of the city Ḫirimmu], a dangerous enemy, [and] I did not spare a single one. I hung [their] corpses on poles [and] placed (them) around the city. (i 10´´) I reorganized that district (and) imposed for eternity one ox, ten sheep, ten homers of wine, (and) twenty homers of dates as his first-fruits offerings to the gods of Assyria, my lords.

i 6''6''

.KÚR ak-ṣi i-na GIŠ.TUKUL.MEŠ [ú-šam-qit-ma]

i 7''7''

e-du ul e-zib pag-ri-[šu-un]

i 8''8''

i-na ga-ši-ši a-lul-[ma]

i 9''9''

si-ḫir-ti URU ú-šal-me

i 10''10''

na-gu-ú šu-a-tu a-na -šu-ti aṣ-bat

i 11''11''

1-en GU₄ 10 UDU.NÍTA.MEŠ 10 ANŠE GEŠTIN

i 12''12''

20 ANŠE .LUM.MA re-še-te-šú a-na DINGIR.MEŠ-ni

i 13''13''

KUR -šur.KI EN.MEŠ-ia ú-kin -ri-šam



i 14''14''

i-na 2-e ger-ri-ia d-šur be-

(i 14'') On my second campaign, the god Aššur, my lord, (i 15´´) encouraged me and I marched to the land of the Kassites and the land of the Yasubigallians, who since time immemorial had not submitted to the kings, my ancestors. In the high mountains, difficult terrain, (i 20´´) I rode on horseback and had my personal chariot carried on (men’s) necks. In very rugged terrain I roamed about on foot like a wild bull.

i 15''15''

ú-tak-kil-an-ni-ma a-na KUR .kaš-ši-i

i 16''16''

ù KUR .ia-su-bi-gal-la-a-a

i 17''17''

ša ul-tu ul-la a-na LUGAL.MEŠ-ni

i 18''18''

AD.MEŠ-ia la kit-nu-šú lu al-lik

i 19''19''

-reb ḫur-šá-a-ni zaq-ru-ti A.ŠÀ nam-ra-ṣi

i 20''20''

i-na ANŠE.KUR.RA ar-kab-ma GIŠ.GIGIR GÌR.II-ia

i 21''21''

i-na ti-ik-ka-ti ú-šá-áš-ši

i 22''22''

áš-ru šup-šu-qu i-na GÌR.II-ia

i 23''23''

ri-ma-niš at-tag-giš URU.É-mki-lam-za-aḫ

(i 23''b) I surrounded (and) conquered the cities Bīt-Kilamzaḫ, Ḫardišpu, (and) Bīt-Kubatti, (i 25´´) their fortified walled cities. I brought [out] of them people, horses, mules, [donkey]s, oxen, and sheep and [goats, and] I counted (them) [as booty]. Moreover, (i 30´´) I destroyed, [devastated, (and) tu]rned into ruins [their small(er) settlements, which] were without [num]ber. I bu[rned] with fire pavilions (and) te[nts], their [ab]odes, [and] reduced (them) [to] ashes.

i 24''24''

URU.ḫa-ar-diš-pi URU.É-mku-bat-ti

i 25''25''

URU.MEŠ-ni-šú-nu É BÀD.MEŠ dan-nu-ti

i 26''26''

al-me KUR-ud UN.MEŠ ANŠE.KUR.RA.MEŠ ANŠE.KUNGA.MEŠ

i 27''27''

[ANŠE].MEŠ GU₄.MEŠ ù ṣe-e-[ni]

i 28''28''

[ul-tu] qer-bi-šú-un ú-še-ṣa-am-[ma]

i 29''29''

[šal-la-tiš] am-nu ù [URU.MEŠ-šú-nu]

i 30''30''

[TUR.MEŠ ša ni]-ba la i-šu-ú ap-pul [aq-qur]

i 31''31''

[ú]-še-me kar-meš É EDIN kul-[ta-ri]

i 32''32''

[mu]-šá-bi-šú-nu i-na dGIŠ.BAR aq-[mu-ma]

i 33''33''

[di]-tal-liš ú-še-me ú-[ter-ma]

(i 33''b) I made [that city] Bīt-Kilamzaḫ a fortress a[gain] (and) I strengthened its walls more than [before], then [I settled] there[in the people of the lands] that I had conquered. [I brought down from the mountains] the people of the land of the Kas[sites]

i 34''34''

[URU].É-mki-lam-za-aḫ [šu-a-tu]

i 35''35''

a-na URU.bir-tu-ti aṣ-bat UGU šá [u₄-um pa-ni]

i 36''36''

BÀD.MEŠ-šú ú-dan-nin-ma [UN.MEŠ KUR.KUR]

i 37''37''

ki-šit-ti ŠU.II-ia i-na lìb-[bi ú-še-šib]

i 38''38''

UN.MEŠ KUR .kaš-[ši-i]2

Column ii
iiii Lacuna

Lacuna

ii 1'1'

[É ni-ṣir-ti]-šú ú-[maš-šir-ma]3

(ii 1') He (Ispabāra) [abandoned his fortified cities] (and) his [treasury and] fled [far awa]y. I overwhelmed all of [his wide land l]ike a fog. I surrounded, conquered, [destroyed], devastated, (and) burned with fire the cities [Maru]bištu (and) Akkuddu, (ii ) [cities of] his [roy]al [house], together with thirty-four small(er) settlements [in] their [environs].

ii 2'2'

[a-na ru--e]-ti in-na-bit gim-ri

ii 3'3'

[KUR-šú DAGAL-tim ki]-ma MURU₉ as-ḫu-up

ii 4'4'

[URU.mar-ú]-biš-ti URU.ak-ku-ud-du

ii 5'5'

[URU.MEŠ-ni É LUGAL]-ti-šú a-di 34 URU.MEŠ TUR.MEŠ

ii 6'6'

[ša li-me-ti]-šú-nu al-me ak-šudud

ii 7'7'

[ap-pul] aq-qur i-na dGIŠ.BAR aq-mu

ii 8'8'

[UN.MEŠ TUR GAL] NITA ù MUNUS ANŠE.KUR.RA.MEŠ

(ii 8') [I carried off people, young (and) old], male and female, horses, [mules], donkeys, camels, oxen, [and sheep] and goats without number, then [I brought him (Ispabāra) to nought] and made his land smaller. I detached [from] his land [the cities Ṣi()ṣir]tu (and) Kummaḫlum, [fortifi]ed [cities], together with the small(er) settlements (ii 15´) [in their environs (and) the district of] the land Bīt-Barrû in its entirety, and I added (this area) [to the territory of] Assyria.

ii 9'9'

[ANŠE.KUNGA.MEŠ] ANŠE.MEŠ ANŠE.GAM.MAL.MEŠ GU₄.MEŠ

ii 10'10'

[ù ṣe]-e-ni a-na la mi-nam

ii 11'11'

[áš-lu-lam]-ma a-di la ba-ši-i

ii 12'12'

[ú-šá-lik-šu]-ma ú-ṣa-aḫ-ḫir KUR-su

ii 13'13'

[URU.ṣi-ṣi-ir]-tu [URU].ku-um-ma-aḫ-lum

ii 14'14'

[URU.MEŠ-ni dan-nu]-ti a-di URU.MEŠ TUR.MEŠ

ii 15'15'

[ša li-me-ti-šú-nu] KUR.É-mba-ar-ru-u

ii 16'16'

[na-gu-ú] a-na gi-mir-ti-šú

ii 17'17'

[ul-tu ]-reb KUR-šú ab-tuq-ma

ii 18'18'

[UGU mi-ṣir] KUR -šur.KI ú-rad-di

ii 19'19'

[URU.el-en-za-áš] a-na URU LUGAL-ú-ti

(ii 19') I took [the city Elenzaš] as a royal city (ii 20´) [and a fortress for] that [dist]rict, then I changed [its former name] and [called it Kār-Senn]acherib. [I sett]led [therein the people] of the lands that [I] had conquered. (ii 25´) [I placed] (it) under the authority of [a eunuch of mine, the gov]ernor of the city Ḫarḫar, [and (thus) enlarg]ed [my] lan[d].

ii 20'20'

[ù dan-na-at na]-ge-e šu-a- aṣ-bat-ma

ii 21'21'

[MU-šú maḫ-ra-a] ú-nak-kir-ma

ii 22'22'

[URU.kar-mdEN.ZU]-ŠEŠ.MEŠ-eri-ba

ii 23'23'

[at-ta-bi ni-bit-su UN].MEŠ KUR.KUR ki-šit-ti [ŠU.II-ia]

ii 24'24'

[i-na lìb-bi ú-še]-šib i-na ŠU.II

ii 25'25'

[.šu-ut SAG-ia .EN].NAM URU.ḫar-ḫar

ii 26'26'

[am-nu-ma ú-rap]-piš ma-a-[ti]

ii 27'27'

[i-na ta-a-a-ar]-ti-[ia]

(ii 27') [On my return] ma[rch, ...] ... [...]

ii 28'28'

[...] x x [...]

Lacuna

Lacuna

ii 1''1''

LUGAL URU.is-qa-al-[lu-na ša la ik-nu-šú]4

(ii 1'') [Moreover, (as for) Ṣidqâ], the king of the city Ashke[lon who had not bowed down] to my yoke, I forcibly removed [the gods of his father’s house, himself], his wife, his sons, [his] daughter[s, his brothers], (and other) offspring of his father’s house [and] took him [to Assyria].

ii 2''2''

a-na ni-ri-ia [DINGIR.MEŠ É AD-šú šá-a-šú]

ii 3''3''

DAM-su DUMU.MEŠ-šú DUMU.MUNUS.[MEŠ-šú ŠEŠ.MEŠ-šú]

ii 4''4''

NUMUN É AD-šú as-su-ḫa-am-[ma a-na KUR -šur.KI]

ii 5''5''

ú-ra-áš-šú mLUGAL-lu--ri [DUMU mru-kib-ti]

(ii 5''b) [I set] Šarru-lū-dāri, [son of Rūkibtu], their forme[r] king, [over the people of] the city Ashkelo[n and] imposed upon him the payment of tribute (and) gift[s (in recognition) of my overlordship] so that he (now) pul[ls my yoke].

ii 6''6''

LUGAL-šu-nu maḫ-ru-[ú UGU UN.MEŠ]

ii 7''7''

URU.is-qa-al-lu-[na áš-kun-ma]

ii 8''8''

na-dan GUN kàd-re-[e be-lu-ti-ia]

ii 9''9''

e-mid-su-ma i-šá-[a-aṭ ab-šá-a-ni]

ii 10''10''

i-na me-ti-iq ger-[ri-ia URU.É-da-gan-na]

(ii 10'') In the course of [my] cam[paign], I surrounded, conquered, (and) [plundered the cities Bīt-Daganna], Joppa, [Banayabarqa], (and) Azuru, [the cities of Ṣidqâ] that [had not submitted] to me [quickly].

ii 11''11''

URU.ia-ap-pu-ú [URU.ba-na-a-a-bar-qa]

ii 12''12''

URU.a-zu-ru [URU.MEŠ-ni ša mṣi-id-qa-a]

ii 13''13''

ša a-na GÌR.II-ia [ár-ḫiš la ik-nu-šú]

ii 14''14''

al-me KUR-ud [áš-lu-la šal-la-su-un]

ii 15''15''

.GÌR.NÍTA.[MEŠ .NUN.MEŠ ù UN.MEŠ URU.am-qar-ru-na]

(ii 15'') (As for) the governor[s, the nobles, and the people of the city Ekron] ... [...]

ii 16''16''

x [...]

Lacuna

Lacuna

ii 1'''1'''

[.EN GIŠ.GIGIR.MEŠ ù DUMU.MEŠ] LUGAL KUR.mu-ṣu-[ra-a-a]

(ii 1''') [I]n the thick of battle, I captured [alive the] Egypt[ian charioteers and pri]nces (lit. “the sons of the king”), [together with the charioteer]s of the king of the land Meluḫ[ḫa].

ii 2'''2'''

[a-di .EN GIŠ.GIGIR].MEŠ ša LUGAL KUR.me-luḫ-[ḫi]

ii 3'''3'''

[bal-ṭu-su-un i]-na MURUB₄ tam-ḫa-ri ik-šu-da ŠU.II-a-a

Column iii
iii 1iii 1

[URU.al-ta-qu-u URU.ta-am-na-a al-me KUR-ud áš-lu-la šal]-la-sún

(iii 1) [I surrounded, conquered, (and) plunder]ed [the cities Eltekeh (and) Tamnâ]. I approached [the city Ekron] and [I killed the governors (and) nobles] who [had committed] crime(s) [and (iii 5) hung] their corpses on towers [around the city; I cou]nted the citizens who had committed the crim]inal acts [as booty; (and) I commanded that] the rest of them, [(those) who were not guilty of crimes] or wrongdoing, [(to) whom no penalty] was due, [be allowed to go free].

iii 22

[a-na URU.am-qar-ru-na] aq-rib-ma

iii 33

[.GÌR.NÍTA.MEŠ .NUN.MEŠ] ša ḫi-iṭ-ṭu

iii 44

[ú-šab-šu-ú a-duk-ma] i-na di-ma-a-ti

iii 55

[si-ḫir-ti URU a-lul] pag-ri-šú-un

iii 66

[DUMU.MEŠ URU e-piš an]-ni ù gíl-la-ti

iii 77

[a-na šal-la-ti am]-nu si-it-tu-te-šú-nu

iii 88

[la ba-bil ḫi-ṭi-ti] ù gul-lul-ti

iii 99

[ša a-ra-an-šú-nu la] ib-šu-ú

iii 1010

[-šur-šú-un aq-bi mpa-di]-i LUGAL-šú-nu

(iii 10b) [I brought out Pad]î, their king, [from the city Jerusal]em [and placed (him) on the] lordly [throne over them, then I imposed upon him pay]ment (in recognition) of [my] lo[rdship].

iii 1111

[ul-tu -reb URU.ur-sa-li]-im-mu

iii 1212

[ú-še-ṣa-am-ma i-na GIŠ.GU.ZA] be-lu-ti

iii 1313

[UGU-šú-un ú-še-šib-ma man-da]-at-tu

iii 1414

be-[lu-ti-ia ú-kin ṣe-ru--šú]

iii 1515

ù mḫa-[za-qi-a-ú KUR.ia-ú-da-a-a]

(iii 15) Moreover, (as for) He[zekiah of the land Judah], who had not sub[mitted to my yoke, I surrounded (and) conquered] forty-six of his [fortified] cities, [fortresses], and [small(er)] settlements [in their environs], which [were] without number, [by having] (iii 20) ramps [trodden down and battering rams brought up], the assault of [foot soldiers, sapping, breaching], and siege [engines. I brought] out [of them] 200,[150 people, young (and) old, male and female], horse[s, mules, donkeys, camels], (iii 25) oxen, [and sheep and goats, which were without number, and I counted] (them) as boo[ty].

iii 1616

ša la ik-[nu-šu a-na ni-ri-ia]

iii 1717

46 URU.MEŠ-šú [dan-nu-ti É BÀD.MEŠ]

iii 1818

ù URU.MEŠ [TUR.MEŠ ša li-me-ti-šú-nu]

iii 1919

ša ni-ba la [i-šu-ú i-na šuk-bu-us]

iii 2020

a-ram-me [ù qit-ru-ub šu-pi-i]

iii 2121

mit-ḫu-uṣ [zu-uk GÌR.II pil-ši nik-si]

iii 2222

ù kal-[ban-na-te al-me KUR-ud]

iii 2323

2 ME LIM [1 ME 50 UN.MEŠ TUR GAL NITA ù MUNUS]

iii 2424

ANŠE.KUR.RA.[MEŠ ANŠE.KUNGA.MEŠ ANŠE.MEŠ ANŠE.GAM.MAL.MEŠ]

iii 2525

GU₄.MEŠ [ù ṣe-e-ni ša la ni-bi]

iii 2626

ul-tu [qer-bi-šú-un ú-še-ṣa-am-ma]

iii 2727

šal-la-[tiš am-nu šá-a-šú GIM MUŠEN qu-up-pi]

(iii 27b) [As for him (Hezekiah)], I [confined him] inside [the city Jerusalem, his royal city, like a bird in a cage. I set up blockades against him and (iii 30) made him dread] exiti[ng his city gate. I detached from his land] the cit[ies of his that I had plundered]

iii 2828

-reb [URU.ur-sa-li-im-mu URU LUGAL-ti-šú]

iii 2929

e-[sír-šú URU.ḪAL.ṢU.MEŠ UGU-šú ú-rak-kis-ma]

iii 3030

a-ṣe-[e .GAL URU-šú ú-ter-ra ik-ki-bu-]

iii 3131

URU.[MEŠ-šú ša áš-lu-la ul-tu -reb KUR-šú]5

Lacuna

Lacuna

iii 1'1'

[i-na 4-e ger-ri]-ia d-šur be-

(iii 1') [On] my [fourth campaign], the god Aššur, my lord, [encouraged me] so that [I mustered] my [numerous] troops and [ordered the march] to the land Bīt-Yakīn. In the course of my campaign, (iii ) I defeated [Šūzubu] (Mušēzib-Marduk), a Chaldean who lives in the marshes, [at the city Bi]ttūtu. [As for him], terror of doing battle with me [fell] upon him and his heart pounded. He fled alone [like] a lynx and his (hiding) place could [not] be found.

iii 2'2'

[ú-tak-kil-an-ni]-ma um-ma-na-ti-ia

iii 3'3'

[gap-šá-te ad-ke]-ma a-na KUR.É-mia-kin₇

iii 4'4'

[a-la-ku aq-bi] i-na me-ti-iq ger-ri-ia

iii 5'5'

[ša mšu-zu-bi] .kal--a-a a-šib -reb ÍD.a-gam-me

iii 6'6'

[i-na URU.bi]-it-tu-ú-tu áš-ta-kan BAD₅.BAD₅-šú

iii 7'7'

[šu-ú] ḫur-ba-šú ta-ḫa-zi-ia UGU-šú

iii 8'8'

[im-qut]-ma it-ru-ku lib-bu-šú

iii 9'9'

[ki-ma] az-za-ri e-diš ip-par-šid-ma

iii 10'10'

[ul] in-na-mir a-šar-šú pa-an ni-ri-ia

(iii 10'b) [I] turned around (lit. [I] turned the front of my yoke”) and took the road to the land Bīt-Yakīn. He Marduk-apla-iddina (II) (Merodach-baladan), [whom] I had [de]feated and whose forces I had scattered during my first campaign (iii 15´) [be]came frightened by [the cl]angor of my mighty weapons and my fierce battle array, then [dis]lodged the gods of the (full) extent of his land from their abodes, and loaded (them) onto boats. He flew away [like a] bird [to the city] Nagīte-raqqi, which is in the midst of the sea. (iii 20´) [I brought] his brothers, the seed of his father’s house, [whom he had aban]doned at the shore of the sea, together with the rest of [the people of] his [land, out] of the land Bīt-Yakīn, [which is in the] swamps and marshes, and I counted (them) as booty.

iii 11'11'

[ú]-ter-ma a-na KUR.É-mia-kin₇ aṣ-ṣa-bat

iii 12'12'

ḫar-ra-nu šu-ú mdAMAR.UTU-IBILA-SUM.NA

iii 13'13'

[ša] i-na a-lak ger-ri-ia maḫ-re-e

iii 14'14'

[BAD₅].BAD₅-šú áš-ku-nu-ma ú-par-ri-ru el-lat-su

iii 15'15'

[ri]-gim GIŠ.TUKUL.MEŠ-ia dan-nu-ti

iii 16'16'

ù ti-ib ta-ḫa-zi-ia ez-zi

iii 17'17'

[e]-dur-ma DINGIR.MEŠ ma-rak KUR-šú ina KI.TUŠ-šú-nu6

iii 18'18'

[id]-ke-ma -reb GIŠ..MEŠ ú-šar-kib-ma

iii 19'19'

[a-na URU].na-gi-ti-raq- ša MURUB₄ tam-tim

iii 20'20'

[iṣ-ṣu]-riš ip-pa-riš ŠEŠ.MEŠ-šú NUMUN É AD-šú

iii 21'21'

[ša ú-maš-ši]-ru a-ḫi tam-tim a-di si-it-ti

iii 22'22'

[UN.MEŠ KUR]-šú ul-tu KUR.É-mia-kin₇

iii 23'23'

[-reb ÍD].a-gam-me u ap-pa-ra-a-ti

iii 24'24'

[ú-še-ṣa-am]-ma šal-la-ti- am-nu

iii 25'25'

[ú-ter-ma URU].MEŠ-šú ap-pul aq-qur

(iii 25') [Once again] I destroyed (and) devastated his [cit]ies, (and) [turned (them) into ruins]. I poured out [awe-inspiring] brilliance upon his ally, [the king of the land Elam].

iii 26'26'

[ú-še-me kar-meš] UGU EN sa-li-me-šú

iii 27'27'

[LUGAL KUR.ELAM.MA.KI na-mur]-ra-tum at-bu-uk

iii 28'28'

[i-na ta-a-a-ar-ti-ia] m-šur-na-din-MU

(iii 28') [On my return march, I] placed Aššur-nādin-šumi, [my first-born son (whom I) raised on] my (own) knee, [on his lordly throne] and

iii 29'29'

[DUMU reš-tu-ú tar-bit] bir-ki-ia

iii 30'30'

[i-na GIŠ.GU.ZA be-lu-ti-šú ú]-še-šib-ma

Lacuna

Lacuna

iii 1''1''

[URU.šá-ru-um URU.e-za-ma URU].kip-šú URU.[ḫal-bu-da]7

(iii 1'') [On my fifth campaign: The population of the cities Tumurrum, Šarum, Ezāma], Kipšu, [Ḫalbuda, Qūa, (and) Qana, whose dwellings are situated] like the nests of [eagles, the foremost of birds, on the peak of Mount] Nipur, a rugged mountain, [and who had not] bowed down to the yoke (iii 5´´) I had [my camp] pitched [at the foot of Mount Nipur].

iii 2''2''

[URU.qu-u-a URU.qa-na ša] GIM qin-ni [TI₈.MUŠEN a-šá-red]

iii 3''3''

[MUŠEN.ḪI.A ṣe-er zuq-ti KUR].ni-pur KUR-i mar-ṣi

iii 4''4''

[šu-bat-sún šit-ku-na-at-ma la] kit-nu-šú a-na ni-ri

iii 5''5''

[i-na GÌR.II KUR.ni-pur ka-ra-ši] ú-šá-áš-kin-ma

iii 6''6''

[it-ti .qur-bu-ti GÌR.II-ia] na-as-qu-ti

(iii 6'') [Like a fierce wild bull, with my] select [bodyguard and my] merci[less combat troops], I took [the lead of] them (the soldiers in my camp). [...] ... [...]

iii 7''7''

[ù .ERIM.MEŠ ta-ḫa-zi-ia la] ga-me-lu-ti

iii 8''8''

[a-na-ku GIM AM ek-di pa-nu-]-šu-un aṣ-bat

iii 9''9''

[...] x [...]

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iii 1'''1'''

x [...]

(iii 1''') ... [...]

Column iv
iv 1iv 1

i-na ŠU.SI.MEŠ ḫur-šá-a-ni [ar-de-šú-nu-ti-ma]

(iv 1) [I pursued them] on the peaks of the mountains [and] defeated them. [I conquered], plundered, [destroyed, devastated], (and) burned with fire [their cities].

iv 22

áš-ta-kan taḫ-ta-šú-un [URU.MEŠ-šú-nu KUR-ma]

iv 33

áš-lu-la šal-la-su-un [ap-pul aq-qur]

iv 44

i-na dGIŠ.BAR aq-mu [pa-an ni-ri-ia]

(iv 4b) I turned [around] (lit. “I turned [the front of my yoke]) and took the road against [Maniye], the king of the city Ukku (and) an [insubmissive] mountain-d[weller]. Before [my] time, none of [the former kings of the past] had mar[ched through the untrodden paths] (and) difficult trails [on account of the] rugged [mountains].

iv 55

ú-ter-ma ṣe-er m[ma-ni-ia-e]

iv 66

LUGAL URU.uk-ki šad-da-[a-a-e la kan-še]

iv 77

aṣ-ṣa-bat ḫar-ra-nu [ur-ḫi la pe-tu-ti]

iv 88

ṭu-di pa-áš-qu-ti [ša la-pa-an KUR.MEŠ]

iv 99

mar-ṣu-ti ul-la-nu-[ú-a -reb-šú-un]

iv 1010

ma-am-man la il-[li-ku LUGAL.MEŠ pa-ni maḫ-ru-ti]

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iv 1'1'

[...] x [...]8

(iv 1') [...] ... [... I bound him (Nergal-ušēzib) with] tethering ropes and [iron fetters, and brought him] to Assyria. I defea[ted the king of the land Elam], who had aligned himself with him [and come to] (iv ) his aid. I dispersed [his forces] and scatte[red his assembled host].

iv 2'2'

šum-man-nu ù [bi-re-tu AN.BAR ad-di-šu-ma]

iv 3'3'

a-na KUR -šur.KI [ú-ra-áš-šú LUGAL KUR.ELAM.MA.KI]

iv 4'4'

ša Á.II-šú is-ḫu-ru-[ma il-li-ku]

iv 5'5'

re-ṣu-su BAD₅.BAD₅-šú áš-[kun ILLAT.MEŠ-šú]

iv 6'6'

ú-sap-pi-iḫ-ma ú-par-[ri-ir pu-ḫur-šú]



iv 7'7'

i-na 7-e ger-ri-ia [d-šur be-]

(iv 7') On my seventh campaign, [the god Aššur, my lord], encouraged me and I marched to [the land Elam]. In [the course of] my campaign, I conquered and plundered the cities Bīt-Ḫaʾiri (and) [Raṣā], (iv 10´) cities on the border of [Assyria] that the E[lamites] had taken away by force in the time of my ancestors. I had my garrisons stationed (iv 15´) inside them. I brought (those cities) back inside the border of Assyria and placed (them) under the authority of the garrison commander of Dēr.

iv 8'8'

ú-tak-kil-an-ni-ma a-na [KUR.e-lam-ti]

iv 9'9'

lu al-lik URU.É-mḫa-ʾi-i-ri [URU.ra-ṣa-a]

iv 10'10'

URU.MEŠ-ni ša mi-ṣir [KUR -šur.KI]

iv 11'11'

ša i-na tar-ṣi AD-ia e-[la-mu-ú]

iv 12'12'

e-ki-mu da-na-niš i-na [me-ti-iq]

iv 13'13'

ger-ri-ia KUR-ud-ma áš-lu-la šal-la-sún

iv 14'14'

.ERIM.MEŠ šu-lu-ti-ia ú-še-rib

iv 15'15'

-reb-šú-un a-na mi-ṣir KUR -šur.KI

iv 16'16'

ú-ter-ram-ma ŠU.II .GAL URU.ḪAL.ṢU

iv 17'17'

BÀD.AN.KI am-nu URU.bu--e

(iv 17'b) The cities Bubê, Dunni-Šamaš, Bīt-Risiya, Bīt-Aḫlamê, Dūru, (iv 20´) Dannat-Sulāya, Šilibtu, Bīt-Aṣusi, Kār-Zēra-iqīša, Bīt-Giṣṣi, Bīt-Katpalāni, Bīt-Imbiya, Ḫamānu, Bīt-Arrabi, Burutu, (iv 25´) Dimtu-ša-Sulāya, Dimtu-ša-Mār-bīti-ēṭir, Ḫarri-ašlakê, Rabbāya, Rāsu, Akkabarina, Tīl-Uḫuri, Ḫamrānu, Naṭītu,

iv 18'18'

URU.dun-ni-dUTU URU.É-mri-si-ia

iv 19'19'

URU.É-aḫ-la-me-e URU.du-ru

iv 20'20'

URU.dan-nat-msu-la-a-a URU.ši-li-ib-tu

iv 21'21'

URU.É-ma-ṣu-si URU.kar-mNUMUN-BA-šá

iv 22'22'

URU.É-mgi-iṣ-ṣi URU.É-mkàt-pa-la-ni

iv 23'23'

URU.É-mim-bi-ia URU.ḫa-ma-nu

iv 24'24'

URU.É-mar-ra-bi URU.bu-ru-tu

iv 25'25'

URU.di-in-tu-ša-msu-la-a-a

iv 26'26'

URU.di-in-tu-ša-mdDUMU-É-KAR-ir

iv 27'27'

URU.ḫar-ri-áš-la-ke-e URU.rab-ba-a-a

iv 28'28'

URU.ra-a-su URU.ak-ka-ba-ri-na

iv 29'29'

URU.DU₆-mú-ḫu-ri URU.ḫa-am-ra-nu

iv 30'30'

URU.na-ṭi-tu a-di URU.MEŠ ša -re-bi

(iv 30'b) together with the cities of the passes, namely Bīt-Bunakku, Tīl-Ḫumba, Dimtu-ša-Dumeli, Bīt-Ubiya, Baltī-līšir, [Ta]qab-līšir, Alu-ša-nāqidāte, (iv 35´) [Massūtu]-šaplītu, Sarḫu-Dēri, [Ālum-ša-Bēlet-bīti], Bīt-Aḫḫē-iddina,

iv 31'31'

ša URU.É-bu-na-ki URU.DU₆-dḫu-um-bi

iv 32'32'

URU.di-in-tu-ša-mdu-me-DINGIR

iv 33'33'

URU.É-mú-bi-ia URU.bal-ti-li-šir

iv 34'34'

[URU.ta]-qab-li-šir URU-ša-na-qi-da-ti

iv 35'35'

[URU.ma-su-]-šap-li- URU.sa-ar-ḫu-de-ri

iv 36'36'

[URU.a-lum-ša-GAŠAN-É] URU.É-mPAP.MEŠ-SUM.NA

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iv 1''1''

[x] x [...]

(iv 1'') [...] ... [... Kudur-Naḫundu (Kudur-Naḫḫunte)], the Ela[mite], heard about [the conquest of his cities and fear fell upon him. He brought] (the people of) the rest of [his cities into fortresses]. (iv 5´´) He [abandoned] the city Ma[daktu, his royal city, and] took the road to the city Ḫayda[la (Ḫidālu), which is in the distant mountains].

iv 2''2''

-me-ma [ki-šit-ti URU.MEŠ-šú mNÍG.DU-dna-ḫu-un-du]

iv 3''3''

.e-la-[mu-ú im-qut-su ḫat-tum]

iv 4''4''

si-it-ti [URU.MEŠ-šú a-na dan-na-a-ti ú-še-rib]

iv 5''5''

šu-ú URU.ma-[dak-ti URU LUGAL-ti-šú e-zib-ma]

iv 6''6''

a-na URU.ḫa-i-da-[la ša -reb šad-di-i .MEŠ]

iv 7''7''

iṣ-ṣa-bat ḫar-ra-nu [a-na URU.ma-dak-ti URU LUGAL-ti-šú]

(iv 7''b) I ordered the march [to the city Madaktu, his royal city]. In the month Tam[ḫīru, bitter cold] set in and a [severe] rainst[orm sent down] (iv 10´´) its [rain. I was afraid] of the rain [and snow ...] ... [...] ... [...]

iv 8''8''

a-la-ku aq-bi ITI.tam-[ḫi-ri EN.TE.NA dan-nu]

iv 9''9''

e-ru-ba-am-ma šá-mu-[tum ma-at-tum ú-šá-az-ni-na]

iv 10''10''

[ŠÈG.MEŠ]-šá ŠÈG.[MEŠ ù šal-gu ...]

iv 11''11''

[...] x [...] x [...]9

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Column v
vLacuna

Lacuna

v 1'1'

ša [dun-ni e-ri-ia-ti pa-an AN-e]10

(v 1') [The dust of their feet covered the] wide [heavens like a heavy cloud] in [the deep of winter]. While drawing up a bat[tleline before me] at the city Ḫa[lulê], which is [on the bank of the Tigris River] (and) keeping [me from the water source, they sharpened their weapons].

v 2'2'

rap-šu-ti [ka-ti-im el-la-mu-ú-a]

v 3'3'

i-na URU.ḫa-[lu-le-e ša ki-šad ÍD.IDIGNA]

v 4'4'

šit-ku-nu si-[dir-ta pa-an maš--ia]

v 5'5'

ṣab-tu-ma [ú-šá-ʾa-lu GIŠ.TUKUL.MEŠ-šú-un]

v 6'6'

a-na-[ku a-na] d-šur d30 d[UTU dEN dMUATI]

(v 6') I myse[lf] prayed [to] the deities Aššur, Sîn, [Šamaš, Bēl, Nabû], Ne[rgal], Ištar of Nineveh, (and) Ištar of [Arbela], the gods who support me, for victory [over] (my) strong enemy and (v 10´) they immediately heeded my prayers (and) came to my aid.

v 7'7'

dU.[GUR d]INANNA ša NINA.KI dINANNA ša URU.[LÍMMU-DINGIR]

v 8'8'

DINGIR.MEŠ ti-ik-li-ia a-na ka-šá-[di]

v 9'9'

.KÚR dan-ni am-ḫur-šú-nu-ti-ma

v 10'10'

su-pe-e-a ur-ru-ḫi- -mu-ú

v 11'11'

il-li-ku re-ṣu-ti la-ab-biš

(v 11'b) I raged up like a lion, then put on armor (and) placed a helmet suitable for combat on my head. (v 15´) In my anger, I [rode quickly] in [my] exalted battle chariot, which lays enem[ies] low. I took in my hand the mighty bow that [the god Aššur had granted to me] (and) I grasped [in my hand] an arr[ow that cuts off] life.

v 12'12'

an-na-dir-ma at-tal-bi-šá si-ri-ia-am

v 13'13'

ḫu-li-ia-am si-mat ṣi-il-te a-pi-ra

v 14'14'

ra-šu-ú-a i-na GIŠ.GIGIR ta-ḫa-zi-[ia]

v 15'15'

ṣir-ti sa-pi-na-at za-ʾi-[i-ri]

v 16'16'

i-na ug-gat lib-bi-ia ar-[ta-kab ḫa-an-ṭiš]

v 17'17'

GIŠ.PAN dan-na-tum ša d[-šur ú-šat-li-ma]

v 18'18'

i-na ŠU.II-ia aṣ-bat GIŠ.šil-ta-[ḫu pa-ri-]

v 19'19'

nap-šá-ti at-muḫ [rit-tu-u-a]

v 20'20'

ṣe-er gi-mir um-ma-[na-ti na-ki-ri]

(v 20') I roa[red loud]ly like a storm (and) thundered like the god Adad against all of the troop[s of the] wicked [enemies]. By the command of the god [Aššur], the great lord, [my lord, I blew like the onset of a] severe [stor]m against the enemy [o]n (their) flanks and front lines. (v 25´) [With] the weapons of the god Aššur, my lord, [and] my fierce battle [array, I] turned [them] back and [made] them retreat. I shot [the troops of the en]emy with uṣṣu-arrows (and) [mulmul]lu-[arrows], and pierc[ed all of their corpses like ...].

v 21'21'

lem-nu-ti u₄-- [ṣar]-piš al-[sa-a]

v 22'22'

GIM dIŠKUR áš-gu-um i-na -bit d[-šur]

v 23'23'

EN GAL [EN-ia a]-na šid-di u pu-ti [GIM]

v 24'24'

[ti-ib me-ḫe]-e šam-ri a-na .KÚR [a-zi-iq]

v 25'25'

[i-na] GIŠ.TUKUL.MEŠ d-šur EN-ia [ù]

v 26'26'

[ti-ib] ta-ḫa-zi-ia ez-zi [i-rat-su-un]

v 27'27'

[a]---ma suḫ-ḫur-ta-šú-nu

v 28'28'

[áš-kun ERIM.ḪI.A na]-ki-ri i-na uṣ-ṣi

v 29'29'

[mul-mul]-li ú-šá-qir-ma

v 30'30'

[gim-ri ADDA.MEŠ-šú]-nu ú-pal-li-[šá]11

v 31'31'

[UD-zi-zi- md]ḫu-um-ban-un-[da-šá (...)]12

(v 31'b) [I quickly slaughtered and defeated] Ḫumban-un[dāša, (...)]

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Column vi
vi 1vi 1

[... ù-mun-ni-šú-nu] ú-šar-da-a

(vi 1) [...] I made [their blood] flow [over the br]oad [earth ...] ...

vi 22

[ṣe-er er-ṣe-ti šá]-di-il-ti

vi 33

[...] (x) x x x

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vi 1'1'

[...] x x [x (x)]13

(vi 1') [I cut off (their) li]ps [and (thus) destroyed their pride. I cut off] their hands [like the st]ems of cucumbers [in season].

vi 2'2'

[ú-na-kis-ma bal-ta-šú-un a-bu-ut ki-ma bi]-ni qiš-še-e

vi 3'3'

[si-ma-ni ú-na-kis] qa-ti-šú-un

vi 4'4'

[ḪAR.MEŠ as-pi .GI] KI.SAG eb-bi

(vi 4') [I received gold] (and) shining silver [sling straps as their wrist-trappings] (and) slashed off [their belts w]ith [sharp] swords. I took away [gold (and) silver (decorated) belt-daggers as] their [waist-trappings].

vi 5'5'

[šá rit-ti-šú-nu am-ḫur i]-na nam-ṣa-ri

vi 6'6'

[zaq-tu-ti ḫu-ṣa-an-ni-šú-nu] ú-par-ri-

vi 7'7'

[GÍR.MEŠ šib-bi .GI .BABBAR šá MURUB₄].MEŠ-šú-nu e-kim

vi 8'8'

[si-it-ti .GAL.MEŠ-šú a]-di mdMUATI-MU-GAR-un

(vi 8') [(As for) the rest of his magnates, in]cluding Nabû-šuma-iškun, [a son of Marduk-apla-iddina (II) (Merodach-baladan), (vi 10´) who had raised the]ir [arms be]cause [they were terrified o]f doing battle with me, I [capt]ured them alive [in the thick of battle].

vi 9'9'

[DUMU mdAMAR.UTU-IBILA-SUM.NA ša la]-pa-an -ia

vi 10'10'

[ip-la-ḫu id-ku-ú Á.II-šú]-un bal-ṭu-su-un

vi 11'11'

[i-na MURUB₄ tam-ḫa-ri it-mu]-ḫa ŠU.II-a-a

vi 12'12'

[GIŠ.GIGIR.MEŠ a-di ANŠE.KUR.RA.MEŠ-ši-na ša i]-na qit-ru-ub

(vi 12') [I brought ba]ck [all together the chariots along with their horses, whose drivers] had been killed [i]n the thick of (that) [mighty battle] and [which had themselves been released so that they galloped about on] their [ow]n.

vi 13'13'

[ta-ḫa-zi dan-ni ra-ki-bu-šin] de-ku-ma

vi 14'14'

[ù ši-na muš-šu-ra-ma ra-ma-nu]--šin

vi 15'15'

[it-ta-na-al-la-ka mit-ḫa-riš ú-ter]-ra

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vi 1''1''

[...] URU x [x]14

(vi 1'') [...] the city Nine[veh ... which] from [distant] days [...], whose site [was too sm]all [... its extent was] 330 cubits (vi 5´´) [on (its) longer side (and) ...] cubits on (its) shorter side, [and] whose construction was [in]expert.

vi 2''2''

[... ša] ul?-tu UD.MEŠ15

vi 3''3''

[.MEŠ ... ṣu-uḫ-ḫu]-rat šu-bat-su

vi 4''4''

[...] ša 3 ME 3016

vi 5''5''

[i-na 1.KÙŠ x x x i]-na 1.KÙŠ SAG.KI

vi 6''6''

[ma-ra-ku šit-ku-na-at-ma la] nu-ku-lat e-piš-taš

vi 7''7''

[... qa?]-bal?-ti URU ú-ṣu-ú17

(vi 7'') [...] that went out [throu]gh the city [...] ... its foundation [...] to its rear (vi 10´´) [...] ... when its flood (the Tebilti’s) was in full spate [...] ... the people living in [...] ... annually, the city, the gods [...] where[in] the kings, my ancestors, received [the tribute of the rulers of] the (four) quarters (of the world); (vi 15´´) [...] ... of the entire world [...] ... the strength of gods [...] very frightening, annually, [...] they brought their [substantial] payment [i]nto Nineveh, [my capital city].

vi 8''8''

[...]-x-du-ú? -še-šá

vi 9''9''

[...] a-na ar-ke-e-šá

vi 10''10''

[...]-ú i-na ILLU-šá gap-ši18

vi 11''11''

[...] x x-tu UN.MEŠ a-šib

vi 12''12''

[...]-ḫu šat-ti-šam URU DINGIR.MEŠ

vi 13''13''

[...] a-šar LUGAL.MEŠ-ni AD.MEŠ-ia

vi 14''14''

[GUN? mal-ki?] kib-ra-a-ti im-da-na-ḫa-ru19

vi 15''15''

[-reb-šu ...] x gi-mir ad-na-a-ti20

vi 16''16''

[...]-me? da-na-ni ša DINGIR.MEŠ

vi 17''17''

[...] šug-lu-du šat-ti-šam

vi 18''18''

[... a]-na -reb NINA.KI

vi 19''19''

[URU? be-lu-ti-ia?] i-bab-ba-lu-ni man-da-ta-šú-nu21

vi 20''20''

[...] URU ṣe-eḫ-ru22

(vi 20''b) [...] small settlement [...] ... [...] of the city was filled [...] ... were set [...] was not suitable [for p]assage (vi 25´´) [...] ... borders of the city [...] ... and vegetation [... which] had been turned into wastelands [without] water [... we]re woven over with spider webs [...] were bound [w]ith ropes (vi 30´´) [...] standing at its sides;

vi 21''21''

[...] x pi-i [x x]-ki-šú

vi 22''22''

[...]-a-ti URU ma-lu-ú

vi 23''23''

[...] x.MEŠ šit-ku-na23

vi 24''24''

[... a-na a]-tal-lu-ki la ṭa-bu

vi 25''25''

[...]-mu-ú i-ta-at URU

vi 26''26''

[...] x-bu ù šá-am-mu

vi 27''27''

[... ša ina la] ma-a-me šu-lu-ka na-mu-ta24

vi 28''28''

[... šá]-ta-ta -e et-tu-tu25

vi 29''29''

[... i]-na e-bi-ḫi rak-su-ma26

vi 30''30''

[...] ú-šu-zu i-ta-ti-šú

vi 31''31''

[...]-ṣa-bu la i-ba-šu-ú

(vi 31'') [...] are not ... [...] newly tilled soil before the city [...] cold and thirst [...] seeds, thorns (vi 35´´) [...] ..., the young man [...] rose up above it [... f]or his drink allowance [...] his desire

vi 32''32''

[...] šab-bur-ti SAG URU

vi 33''33''

[...] sa?-ra-bu ù ṣu-mu

vi 34''34''

[...] ze-ri pu-qut-tu

vi 35''35''

[...] x-šá eṭ-lum

vi 36''36''

[...] e-lu-ú e-li-šá

vi 37''37''

[... a]-na maš-ti-ti-šú

vi 38''38''

[...] ni-iz-mat-su

vi 39''39''

[...] ša i-na

(vi 39'') (No translation possible)

vi 40''40''

[...] x

vi 41''41''

[...] x

vi 42''42''

[...]

vi 43''43''

[...] UD

vi 44''44''

[...]-ú

vi 45''45''

[...] KUR.MEŠ

vi 46''46''

[...] x-li

vi 47''47''

[... is?]-pu-nu

vi 48''48''

[...]-ú

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vi 1'''1'''

(traces) [...]

(vi 1''') ... [...] ... [...] their ... [... ea]rlier [kings, my ancestors who from] (vi 5´´´) distant [days], befo[re me], had exercised [dominion over Assyria] and r[uled the subjects of the god Enlil; (but) not] one among [them had conceived of and put his mind towards building] a magnificent palace, [...] or increasing [the site of the city, ...] and ... [...] ... [...]

vi 2'''2'''

[...] AD [...]

vi 3'''3'''

[x x]-ti-šú-un [... LUGAL.MEŠ-ni]27

vi 4'''4'''

a-li-kut maḫ-ri [AD.MEŠ-ia ša ul-tu u₄-me]

vi 5'''5'''

ul-lu-ti ul-la-[nu-ú-a be-lu-ut KUR -šur.KI]

vi 6'''6'''

e-pu-šu-ma ú-[ma-ʾe-ru ba-ʾu-lat dEN.LÍL]

vi 7'''7'''

a-a-um-ma i-na [lìb-bi-šú-nu a-na e-peš?]

vi 8'''8'''

É.GAL ṣi-ir-ti [...]

vi 9'''9'''

ù šum-dul₆? [šu-bat URU ...]28

vi 10'''10'''

ù x [...]

vi 11'''11'''

(traces) [...]29

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Column vii
vii 1vii 1

qaq-qa-ru at-ru [...]30

(vii 1) [I took ...] as an additional plot of land. [I] added (it) to the three hundred [and ... cubits long (and) ...] hundred and eighty cubits [wide ... I enlarged] the structure of the pa[lace] to nine hundred [and ... large cubits along (its) longer side (vii 5) and ...] hundred and sixty [large] cubits [along (its) shorter side and (thus) I made its site bigger]. Upon it, I filled in [a terrace 1]90 courses of brick h[igh].

vii 22

i-na UGU 3 ME [x x ina 1.KÙŠ ]31

vii 33

[x] ME 80 i-na 1.KÙŠ [SAG.KI ...]32

vii 44

[lu ú]-rad-di a-na 9 ME [x x i-na 1.KÙŠ? GAL-ti? ]33

vii 55

[ù x] ME 60 i-na 1.KÙŠ [GAL-ti?]34

vii 66

[SAG.KI] ši-kit-ti É.[GAL ú-ter-ma šu-bat-sa -rab-bi]

vii 77

[1 ME] 90 ti-ib-ki a-na e-[la-ni tam-la-a?]

vii 88

-mal-li ṣe-ru--šú [...]35

(vii 8b) For [my] lordly residence [in the citadel] of Nineveh I built anew [a palace (...)] that [...] in the fou[r] quarters (of the world).

vii 99

ša i-na kib-rat ar-ba-[ʾi ...]36

vii 1010

a-na mu-šab be-lu-ti-[ia ina? MURUB₄? URU?]37

vii 1111

ša NINA.KI -šiš ab-ni [...]38

(vii 11b) I made [...] larg[er] than before, had [...] built, and rais[ed (it) as high as a mountain]. (As for) its ..., which [...] baked bricks, (vii 15) I had (it) expertly made through the craft of [well-trained] master builder[s].

vii 1212

UGU ša u₄-um pa-ni -rab-[bi ...]

vii 1313

ú-še-piš-ma ú-zaq-[qir ḫur-šá-niš]

vii 1414

še-ḫi-ni-tu-šú ša a-gúr-ri [...]

vii 1515

i-na ši-pir .ŠITIM.GAL-le-[e en-qu-ti]

vii 1616

ú-še-piš nak-liš áš-šú i-[na ŠÈG.MEŠ?]39

(vii 16b) In order to [prevent] its foundations fr[om being weakened by rain] and snow, [I had] its base [built] with [large] limest[one] (blocks and thereby) reinforced [its] base.

vii 1717

ù šal-gi -še-šú [la? e--ši?]

vii 1818

ki-su-šú i-na NA₄.pi-i-[li GAL.MEŠ ú-še-pi-šá?]

vii 1919

ú-dan-nin šu-pu-uk-[šu 1 ME ina 1.KÙŠ GAL-tim]40

(vii 19b) I widened its moat [100 large cubits. ...] ... [...] ... [...]

vii 2020

ḫa-ri-ṣu- -rap-piš [...]

vii 2121

ma-da-x [...]

vii 2222

x [...]

Lacuna

Lacuna

vii 1'1'

x x x x x ša BÀD?-[šú GAL bàd--gal-bi]--

(vii 1') [...] ... I laid the foundation of [its] great [wall, Badnigalbi]lukurašušu, (which means) “Wall Whose Bril[liance] Overwhelms Enemies,” upon lime[stone] and (vii ) made (it) 40 bricks thick, measured by [my] large brick mold. Upwards (to the north) and downw[ards] (to the south), I enlarged its battlements to (a width of) 39 bricks, [then] I raised its superstructure up high, to its copings, to (a height of) 200 courses of brick, (each of) whose thickness was one-third of a cubit, and (thus) raised (it) as high as a mountain.

vii 2'2'

-kúr-ra-šú-šú du-ú-ru ša nam-[ri-ru-šu]41

vii 3'3'

na-ki-ri saḫ-pu ṣe-er NA₄.pi-[i-li]

vii 4'4'

tem-me-en-šú ad-di-ma 40 SIG₄ i-na na-al-ban-[ia]42

vii 5'5'

GAL-i ú-kab-bir-šú a-na e-liš a-di šap-la-[niš]

vii 6'6'

na-bur-ri-šú a-na 39 SIG₄ ú-ter-[ma]

vii 7'7'

i-na 3 20 ti-ib-ki SIG₄ ša ši-zu-ú43

vii 8'8'

mu-bu-šá e-la-niš a-di pa-ás--šú re-ši-šú

vii 9'9'

ul-li-ma ú-zaq-qir-šú ḫur-šá-niš

vii 10'10'

a-na er-bet-ti šá-a-ri 18 .GAL.MEŠ44

(vii 10') I had eighteen gates opened up in it in four directions, in front and behind, (and) along both sides, for entering and leaving.

vii 11'11'

pa-nu ù ar-ka i-na ṣi-li ki-lal-la-an

vii 12'12'

a-na e-re-bi ù a-ṣe-e ú-šap-ta-a

vii 13'13'

-reb-šú dšár-ur₄ mu-šam-qit a-a-ab LUGAL45

(vii 13'b) “The God Šarur Is the One Who Cuts Down the King’s Enemy”: (this is) the Ḫandūru Gate. “May the Vice-Regent of the God Aššur Endure”: (vii 15´) (this is) the Aššur Gate, which (leads to) the Inner City (Aššur). “The One Who Flattens All Enemies”: (this is) the Sennacherib Gate, which (leads to) the land Ḫalzi. “The God Enlil Is the One Who Makes My Reign Firm”: (this is) the Šamaš Gate, which (leads to) the land Gagal. “May Sennacherib’s Dynasty Be as Firm as the Position of the Wagon Constellation!”: (this is) the Mullissu Gate, which (leads to) the city Kār-Mullissi. (vii 20´) “The One Who Exorcises the ‘Flesh’ of the Asakku-demon”: (this is) the Step Gate. “The Choicest of Grain and Flocks Are Constantly Inside It”: (this is) the gate (that leads to) the city Šibaniba. “The Bearer of the Produce of the Mountains”: (this is) the gate (that leads to) the land Ḫalaḫḫu. In total, eight gates (facing) the rising sun, towards the south and east, (and) I gave them (these) names.

vii 14'14'

.GAL ḫa-an-du-ri lil-bur ÉNSI d-šur46

vii 15'15'

.GAL d-šur ša URU.ŠÀ.URU sa-pi-in gi-mir na-ki-ri

vii 16'16'

.GAL mdEN.ZU-ŠEŠ.MEŠ-SU ša KUR.ḫal-zi

vii 17'17'

dEN.LÍL mu-kin BALA-ia .GAL dUTU ša KUR.ga-gal

vii 18'18'

šá mdEN.ZU-ŠEŠ.MEŠ-SU it-ti man-zal-ti e-req-

vii 19'19'

li-kun BALA-šú .GAL dNIN.LÍL ša URU.kar-dNIN.LÍL47

vii 20'20'

mu-še-ṣa-at UZU ÁZAG .GAL muš-la-lum

vii 21'21'

du-muq dáš-na-an u dlaḫar -reb-šá ka-a-a-an

vii 22'22'

.GAL URU.ši-ba-ni-ba ba-bi-lat ḫi-ṣib ḫur-šá-a-ni

vii 23'23'

.GAL KUR.ḫa-láḫ-ḫi ŠU.NIGIN 8 .GAL.MEŠ dUTU.È

vii 24'24'

-eḫ-ret šu-ú-ti u šá-di-i az-ku-ra

vii 25'25'

ni-bit-si-in dIŠKUR šá-rik ḪÉ.GÁL a-na KUR

(vii 25'b) “The God Adad Is the Provider of Prosperity to the Land”: (this is) the Adad Gate, which (leads to) the game preserve. “The God Erra Is the One Who Cuts Down My Enemies”: (this is) the Nergal Gate, which (leads to) the city [Tar]biṣu. “The Divine Nannāru Is the One Who Makes Firm My Lo[rd]ly Crown”: (this is) the Sîn Gate. “The God Ea Is the One Who Properly Directs (Water Flow into) My Cist[erns]: (vii 30´) (this is) the Mašqû Gate. “May Its Buil[der] Endure”: (this is) the Step Gate of the Palace. “The God Igisigsig Is the One Who Makes Orchards Flourish”: (this is) the Step Gate of the Gardens. “The One Who Brings in Income from the Settlements”: (this is) the Quay Gate. “May Its Builder Live Forever”: (vii 35´) (this is) the Step Gate of the Armory. “The God Anu Is the Protector of My Life”: (this is) the gate of the section assigned to the land Barḫalzu. “The Presents of the People of Tēma and Sumuʾil Enter Through It”: (this is) the Desert Gate. In total, ten gates (facing) towards the north (vii 40´) and west (and) I gave them (these) names.

vii 26'26'

.GAL dIŠKUR ša am-ba-si dèr-ra mu-šam-qit

vii 27'27'

a-a-bi-ia .GAL dU.GUR ša URU.[tar]-bi-ṣi48

vii 28'28'

dŠEŠ.KI-ru mu-kin a-ge-e be-[lu]-ti-ia49

vii 29'29'

.GAL d30 dé-a mu-še-šir kùp-[pi]-ia50

vii 30'30'

.GAL ma-as--e li-bur e-pi-[(is?)]-sa?51

vii 31'31'

muš-la-lum ša É.GAL dIGI.SIG₇.SIG₇52

vii 32'32'

mu-šam-me-eḫ ṣip-pa-ti muš-la-lum ša GIŠ.KIRI₆

vii 33'33'

mu-še-ri-bat mi-šìr-ti da-ád-me

vii 34'34'

.GAL ka-a-ri lu da-ri ba-nu-šá53

vii 35'35'

muš-la-lum É.GAL ma-šar-ti da-nu-um54

vii 36'36'

na-ṣir na-piš-ti-ia .GAL pil-ku KUR.bar-ḫal-zi

vii 37'37'

kàd-re-e .te-e-me u .su-mu-ʾi-ìl55

vii 38'38'

-reb-šá ir-ru-ub .GAL mad-ba-ri

vii 39'39'

ŠU.NIGIN 10 .GAL.MEŠ ša -eḫ-ret il-ta-ni

vii 40'40'

ù a-mur-ri at-ta-bi zi-kir-ši-in

vii 41'41'

ša šal-ḫi-i bàd-níg-érim-ḫu-luḫ-ḫa56

(vii 41') [I opened up] a foundation pit for the outer wall, Badnigerimḫuluḫa, (which means) “Terrorizer of Enemies,” then [...] ... [...] ... [...]. (vii 45´) Until I [had (it) reach] the water table, I dug down [into] the water [forty-five nindanu, then] I bound together strong mountain stone [below and above I expertly carried out its construction] with large limestone (blocks) [up to its copings].

vii 42'42'

mu-gal-lit za-ma-a-ni -še-šú [ap-te-e-ma]

vii 43'43'

[x x] x le e u i x [...]

vii 44'44'

ma-da-ti? ku x [...]

vii 45'45'

a-di UGU A.MEŠ ú-[šá-ak-šid? 45? NINDA? -reb?]

vii 46'46'

ma-a-me ú-šap-pil-[ma šap-la-a-nu]

vii 47'47'

NA₄ KUR-i dan-nu ak-si-[ma e-la-niš a-di pa-ás--šú]

vii 48'48'

i-na NA₄.pi-i-li GAL.[MEŠ ú-nak-kil ši-pir-šu]

vii 49'49'

ša NINA.KI URU [be-lu-ti-ia šu-bat-su]57

(vii 49') I enlarged [the site] of Nineveh, [my capital] city. For the course of a [royal] ro[ad, I made its streets] fifty-two [large cubits wide and] (thus) I made (the city) as bright as [day. ...]

vii 50'50'

-rab-bi 52 i-[na 1.KÙŠ GAL-tim su--šu]

vii 51'51'

me-ti-iq ger-[ri LUGAL ú-šá-an-dil-ma]

vii 52'52'

ú-nam-mir GIM [u₄-me ...]

Lacuna

Lacuna

Column viii
viiiviii Lacuna

Lacuna

viii 1'1'

[URU.ki-si-ri a-di] ta-[mir]-ti NINA.[KI KUR-a?]58

(viii 1') I cut [with] iron picks [a can]al [straight through mountain and valley, from the border of the city Kisiri to] the [plain] of Nineveh. (Thus) [I] provided for eternity a regular supply of water from the Ḫusur River [to the plain of Nineveh] and I made (it) gush through small canals into the gardens (planted) [on newly tilled soil].

viii 2'2'

[ù bi-ru-? ina] ak-kul-la-te AN.BAR ú-šat-tir-ma59

viii 3'3'

[ú-še-šir ÍD.ḫar]-ru A.MEŠ ÍD.ḫu-su-ur da-riš

viii 4'4'

[ṣe-er ta-mir-ti NINA.KI ú?]-kin?-na-ma -reb GIŠ.KIRI₆.MEŠ

viii 5'5'

[EDIN šá-ab-bur-ti?] ú-šaḫ-bi-ba a-tap-piš

viii 6'6'

[...]-x-a?-ti URU.gi-ir-mu-a60

(viii 6') [...] ..., the city Girmua, [...] ..., the city Ālum-labir [...] which since time immemorial [...] ... took water (viii 10´) [...] took water [...] review [...] like a gallû-demon

viii 7'7'

[...]-x- URU.a-lum-la-bir

viii 8'8'

[...] ša ul-tu ul-la

viii 9'9'

[...] x-ur i-šat-tu-u

viii 10'10'

[...] i-šat-tu-ú

viii 11'11'

[...] ma-šar-tu

viii 12'12'

[...] gal?-liš

Lacuna

Lacuna

viii 1''1''

x x [...]61

(viii 1'') ... [...] the people liv[ing in ...] distant ... [...] constantly ... [...].

viii 2''2''

UN.MEŠ a-ši?-[bu-ut ...]

viii 3''3''

-su-ú x [...]

viii 4''4''

ka-a-a-na x [...]

viii 5''5''

6 ME ŠE.NUMUN áš-na-an [u dnisaba e-li URU]62

(viii 5'') I [annually provided irrigation for] 600 fields seeded with grain [and cereals (located) upstream] and downstream of the city.

viii 6''6''

ù KI.TA URU ú-[šá-an-kar šat-ti-šam]

viii 7''7''

a-na šup-šu-uḫ a-lak-[ti A.MEŠ šu-nu-ti ÍD.a-gam-mu]

(viii 7'') I created [a marsh] to moderate the flow [of those waters] and [planted] a can[ebrake in it]. (viii 10´´) I [let loose] in it herons, [wild boars (lit. “pigs of the reeds”), (and) roe deer. By divine will, vines, all kinds of fruit trees], olive trees, (and) aromatic [trees flourished greatly] in (those) gardens (planted) [on newly tilled soil. (Cypress trees, musukkannu-trees, and)] all kinds of trees [grew tall and sent out] shoots. The ma[rshes thrived greatly]. (viii 15´´) Birds of the heavens, her[ons whose home(s) are far away], made nest(s) and [wild boars (and) roe deer] ga[ve birth] in abundance.

viii 8''8''

ú-šab-ši-ma ṣu-[ṣu-ú -reb-šá as-ti-il]

viii 9''9''

ÍGIRA.MUŠEN.MEŠ [ŠAḪ.MEŠ GIŠ.GI a-lap -ši]

viii 10''10''

i-na lìb-bi ú-[maš-šir i-na ṭè-em DINGIR-ma]

viii 11''11''

-reb GIŠ.KIRI₆.MEŠ [EDIN šá-ab-bur-ti GEŠTIN gi-mir GURUN]

viii 12''12''

GIŠ.se-er-du ŠIM.[ḪI.A ma-gal -mu-ḫu (GIŠ.ŠUR.MÌN GIŠ.MES..KAN.NA)]

viii 13''13''

nap-ḫar GIŠ.MEŠ [i-ši-ḫu-ma ú-ṣar-ri-šú]

viii 14''14''

pa-pa-al-lum ap-[pa-ra-a-ti ma-gal i-ši-ra]

viii 15''15''

MUŠEN AN-e ÍGIRA.[MUŠEN ša a-šar-šú ru-ú-qu]

viii 16''16''

qin-na iq-nun-[ma ŠAḪ.MEŠ GIŠ.GI a-lap -ši]

viii 17''17''

ú-rap-pi-šú ta-[lit-tu GIŠ.MES..KAN.NA GIŠ.ŠUR.MÌN]

(viii 17''b) I cut down [musukkannu-trees (and) cypress trees] grown in the orchards (and) [marsh reeds from the swamps] and [I used (them) in the work required] (to build) my lordly [palatial halls].

viii 18''18''

tar-bit ṣip-pa-a-ti [GI AMBAR.MEŠ ša -reb ÍD.a-gam-me]

viii 19''19''

ak-šiṭ-ma a-na [šip-ri ḫi-šiḫ-ti É.GAL.MEŠ]

viii 20''20''

be-lu-ti-ia lu [e-pu- ...]63

(viii 20''b) I [...] both [...] flourished, [...] within [...] set, gra[in ...].

viii 21''21''

ki-lal-la-an aḫ-[...]

viii 22''22''

-mu-ḫa -reb [...]

viii 23''23''

i-mi-du áš-na-[an? ...]

viii 24''24''

ul-tu šip-ri [É.GAL-ia ú-qat-tu-ú]

(viii 24'') After [I had finished] the work on [my palace, (viii 25´´) I invited inside it] the god Aššur, the grea[t] lord, (and) [the gods and goddesses] living in [Assyria, then I made splendid] offerings [and] presented [my gift(s). I made fine oil from olives] and aroma[tics]. (viii 30´´) At the inauguration [of the palace], I had [the heads of the subjects of my land] dren[ched (and) I watered their] insides [with sweet wine].

viii 25''25''

d-šur EN GAL-[ú DINGIR.MEŠ ù d.TAR.MEŠ]

viii 26''26''

a-ši-bu-ut [KUR -šur.KI i-na qer-bi-šá aq-re-ma]

viii 27''27''

UDU.SISKUR.MEŠ [taš-ri-iḫ-te aq--ma]

viii 28''28''

ú-šat-lim [kàd-ra-a-a Ì.GIŠ GIŠ.sér-di]

viii 29''29''

ù ḫi-bi-[-ti ú-raq-qa-a a-na ru--ti]64

viii 30''30''

i-na taš-ri-[it É.GAL ša ba-ḫu-la-te KUR-ia]

viii 31''31''

ú-šá-áš-[qa-a muḫ-ḫa-ši-in GEŠTIN du--šu-pu]

viii 32''32''

ṣur-ra-[ši-in am-kir ...]65

(viii 32''b) [...]

Lacuna

Lacuna

viii 1'''1'''

[...] x

(viii 1''') (No translation possible)

viii 2'''2'''

[...] pa?-ni-šú

viii 3'''3'''

[...] x-áš-šú-ni

viii 4'''4'''

[...] x-ut-tu

viii 5'''5'''

[...]-lu? É.GAL

(viii 5''') [...] ... palace [...] have [...] the people of cities, [...] ... expressions of humility (lit. “stroking the nose”) [...] ... to Nineveh (viii 10´´´) [...] ... between [...] ... which is inside [...] they march along [the ro]ad [...] they made [...] smell pleasant [...] their [...].

viii 6'''6'''

[...] i-šu-ú

viii 7'''7'''

[...] UN.MEŠ URU.MEŠ

viii 8'''8'''

[...] x la-ban ap-pi

viii 9'''9'''

[...] x a-na NINA.KI

viii 10'''10'''

[...]-ti i-na bi-rit

viii 11'''11'''

[...]-ki-i ša ina -reb

viii 12'''12'''

[... ḫar?]-ra?-na i-šad-di-ḫu

viii 13'''13'''

[...] ṭa?-biš ú-ṣa-nu

viii 14'''14'''

[...] x-šú-un a-na ár-kàt

(viii 14'''b) In the futu[re], may [one of the kings], my descendants, whom the god Aššur nam[es for shepherding] the land and people, renovate its [dilap]idated section(s) [wh]en that wall becomes old and [dilapidated]. May he find [an inscribed object bearing] my name, (viii 20´´´) [anoint (it) with oil], make [an of]fering, (and) [ret]urn (it) [to its place]. The god Aššur [and the goddess Ištar] will (then) [he]ar his [praye]rs.

viii 15'''15'''

[UD.MEŠ i-na LUGAL.MEŠ-ni] DUMU.MEŠ-ia ša d-šur

viii 16'''16'''

[a-na RE.É.UM] KUR ù UN.MEŠ i-nam-bu-u

viii 17'''17'''

[zi-kir-šú e-nu]-ma BÀD šá-a- i-lab-bi-ru-ma

viii 18'''18'''

[en-na-ḫu an]-ḫu-us-su lu-ud-diš

viii 19'''19'''

[MU.SAR-e ši-ṭir] šu-me-ia li-mur-ma

viii 20'''20'''

[Ì.GIŠ lip-šu- UDU].SISKUR liq-

viii 21'''21'''

[a-na áš-ri-šú lu]-ter d-šur

viii 22'''22'''

[ù d-tar ik-ri]-bi-šú i-[šem]-mu-ú



DateDate
viii 23'''23'''

[...] x66

(viii 23''') [The month ..., ... day, eponymy of Bēl-ēmurann]i, [governor of the city Carchem]ish (691).

viii 24'''24'''

[li-mu mEN-IGI-a]-ni

viii 25'''25'''

[.EN.NAM URU.gar-ga]-miš

1These lines generally duplicate text no. 16 i 1–v 16 and text no. 17 i 1–iv 44, apart from orthographic variants; see the on-page notes of those texts for comments.

2Based on parallels, the translation assumes that a now-missing line, probably i 40´´ or i 41´´, contained ul-tu -reb KUR-i ú-še-ri-dam-ma “I brought down from the mountains.”

3Based on parallels, the translation assumes that the now-missing line immediately before ii 1´ contained URU.MEŠ-šú dan-nu-ti “his fortified cities.”

4The translation assumes that the now-missing line immediately before ii 1´´ contained ù mṣi-id-qa-a “Moreover, (as for) Ṣidqâ.”

5Based on parallels, the translation assumes that the now-missing iii 32 began with ab-tuq-ma “I detached and.”

6Text no. 15 exs. 2 and 11, text no. 16, and text no. 17 omit DINGIR.MEŠ ma-rak KUR-šú i-na KI.TUŠ-šú-nu id-ke-ma -reb GIŠ..MEŠ ú-šar-kib-ma “he dislodged the gods of the (full) extent of his land from their abodes, and loaded (them) onto boats.”

7Based on parallels, the translation assumes that the now-missing line immediately before iii 1´´ contained i-na 5 ger-ri-ia ba-ḫu-la-te URU.tu-mur-ri “On my fifth campaign: The population of the cities Tumurrum.”

8Reports of the sixth, seventh, and eighth campaigns, which are badly damaged in this inscription, duplicate those same passages in text no. 22 iv 32–vi 35, apart from orthographic variants; see the on-page notes of that text for comments.

9The translation assumes that a-du-ra “I was afraid” is to be (partially or completely) restored in iv 11´´.

10Based on the report of the eighth campaign in text nos. 22 and 23, the translation assumes that the now-missing line(s) immediately before v 1´ contained SAḪAR.ḪI.A GÌR.II-šú-nu ki-ma MURU₉ kab-ti “the dust of their feet (covered the wide heavens) like a heavy cloud.”

11UD-zi-zi- “...”: The reading and meaning are unknown. See von Soden, AHw p. 1318 sub tamzīziš and CAD T p. 168 sub tamziziš.

12Based on the report of the eighth campaign in text nos. 22 and 23, the translation assumes that a now-missing line after v 31´ (ca. six or seven lines later) contained ur-ru-ḫi- ú-pal-liq-šú-nu-ti-ma áš-ku-na taḫ-ta-šú-un “I quickly slaughtered and defeated them.”

13The translation assumes that x x [x (x)] partially preserves sa-ap-sa-pa-te “lips.” Too little is preserved of x x to positively identify the signs.

14The building report of this inscription contains material borrowed from earlier inscriptions, especially text no. 16 and text no. 17, and material that was composed anew for inscriptions written in 693, 692, and 691. Because no intermediary editions of Sennacherib’s res gestae between text no. 17 and this inscription are known, it is difficult to trace the editorial history of the various passages of the building report; we assume that foundation inscriptions were written on octagonal clay prisms in 693 (eponymy of Iddin-aḫḫē, governor of the city Dūr-Šarrukīn; Sennacherib’s 12th regnal year) and 692 (eponymy of Zazāya, governor of the city Arpad; Sennacherib’s 13th regnal year). For some of the differences between this inscription and text no. 17, see the on-page notes below. Col. vi 1´´–48´´ are presently known only from this inscription.

15Sennacherib complains in this passage about the small size of the former palace and the inferior workmanship of its structure. Cf. the earlier descriptions in text no. 16 v 71–78 and text no. 17 v 56b–63. The restorations in vi 5´´–6´´ are based on text no. 17 v 57–59.

16The longer side and shorter side of the former palace are 360 cubits and 95 cubits respectively in text no. 17 v 57–58.

17This line probably refers to the destructive waters of the Tebilti River. Cf. text no. 16 vi 11–19a and text no. 17 v 79–87, both of which describe the damaged caused by the Tebilti River immediately after the passage describing the former palace.

18[...]-ú “[...] ...”: R.C. Thompson restores [i-ba-ʾu]-ú “had flowed” on analogy with Luckenbill, Senn. p. 99 line 47 (= text no. 3 line 47). ILLU-šá “its flood”: The feminine possessive suffix (-ša) very probably refers to the Tebilti River, as the expression ina mīlīša gapši (“when its flood was in full spate”) occurs in passages concerning the destructive nature of that watercourse.

19The restoration at the beginning of the line is based on text no. 4 line 65.

20-reb-šu “wherein”: The restoration is based on text no. 4 line 65. [...] x “[...] ...”: E. Frahm (Sanherib p. 96) tentatively suggests [... LUGAL? da-ád?]-me “[... king of the settlemen]ts of.”

21Following E. Frahm (Sanherib p. 92), URU? be-lu-ti-ia?my capital city” is tentatively restored at the beginning of the line.

22Possibly restore ka-bit-tu “valuable” at the beginning of the line, as suggested by E. Frahm (Sanherib p. 92).

23x.MEŠ “...”: A.MEŠ “water” is possible.

24Cf. the Bavian Inscription lines 6–7 (Luckenbill, Senn. p. 79).

25An inscription preserved on K 19861, a small fragment of a clay tablet, has [... šá]-ta-at -e et-tu- [...] “[... we]re woven over with spider webs [...].” For a transliteration of that fragment, see Frahm, Sanherib p. 96.

26Cf. at-ta e-bi-iḫ-ka ina lìb-bi-šú-nu ta-rak-kas “you will tie with your rope on them” in Parpola, SAA 1 p. 6 no. 1 lines 50–51. This appears to be an idiom.

27This passage is an expanded and reworked version of text no. 16 v 51–61 and text no. 17 v 34–47.

28E. Frahm (Sanherib p. 97) tentatively suggests [... šu-pu-? BÀD] ù šal-[ḫi-i ...] “[... to have an inner wall] and oute[r wall built, ...].”

29Based on similar passages in text nos. 15, 16, and 17, the translation assumes that ú-zu-un-šu ul ib-ši-ma ul -ta-bil ka-ras-su “(not one among them) had conceived of and put his mind towards” appeared in vi 11´´´ or in the now-missing vi 12´´´ or 13´´´.

30This passage records the construction of the terrace and the layout of the palace, which is now said to be 900+ large cubits along its longer side. Cf. text no. 17 vi 11, where it is only 700 large cubits. At the end of vii 1, probably restore lu aṣ-ba-taI took”; cf. text no. 17 vi 4 and text no. 22 vi 47.

313 ME [x x] “three hundred [and ...]”: Based on vi 4´´, E. Frahm (Sanherib p. 97) tentatively suggests 3 ME [30] “3[30].” Cf. text no. 17 v 91, where the length of the additional plot of land is 3 ME 40 “340.”

32[x] ME 80 “[...] hundred and eighty”: Cf. text no. 17 vi 91, where the width of the additional plot of land is 2 ME 89 “289.” See also the discussion in Frahm, Sanherib p. 97.

339 ME [x x] “nine hundred [and ...]”: The longer side of the palace is 700 large cubits in text no. 17 vi 11.

34[x] ME 60 “[...] hundred and sixty”: The shorter side of the palace is 440 large cubits in text no. 17 vi 12 and thus x may be read as 4.

35This passage records the construction of the “Palace Without a Rival.” Because the passage is not attested elsewhere in the extant Sennacherib corpus, it is not certain if vii 11b–12a also deal with Sennacherib’s palace or another structure at Nineveh. See Frahm, Sanherib pp. 97–98 (the commentary to vii 11).

36E. Frahm (Sanherib p. 92) tentatively restores the end of the line as [šānina??īšû?] “[does not have a rival].”

37The restoration follows E. Frahm (Sanherib p. 92).

38This passage describes work on another building/structure at Nineveh, possibly the citadel wall. Moreover, it is not certain if this passage begins after ab-ni “I built” in vii 11 or after -rab-[bi] “I made larg[er]” in vii 12. See Frahm, Sanherib pp. 97–98 (the commentary to vii 11).

39The restorations follow E. Frahm (Sanherib p. 92). Cf. text no. 16 vi 49–52 and text no. 17 vi 7–10.

40Text no. 38 lines 18–19 also record the widening of the moat to a width of 100 large cubits. The moat is clearly visible only on the north and east walls, about 80 m in front of the wall; it is 70 m wide and 10 m deep (after erosion). A relief from the South-West Palace (Layard, Discoveries p. 231) may show the southwestern corner of the wall with the moat. See Reade, RLA 9/5–6 (2000) p. 390 fig. 1 and p. 400 fig. 5.

41This passage is an expanded version of text no. 16 vii 29b–33 and text no. 17 vii 65b–69. x x x x x “...”: R.C. Thompson (Iraq 7 [1940] p. 90) suggests reading the signs as x-su? -te-šib “... I had installed.” In lieu of 40 SIG₄ ... ḫur-šá-niš “... 40 bricks thick ... as a mountain,” those earlier inscriptions have 40 SIG₄ ú-kab-bir i-na 1 ME 80 ti-ib-ki ul-la-a re-ši-šu “I made (it) 40 bricks thick. I raised its superstructure up 180 layers of brick.”

42i-na na-al-ban-[ia] GAL-i “by [my] large brick mold”: This expression also occurs in text no. 34 lines 62–63.

43Text no. 16 vii 33 and text no. 17 vii 69 record that the height of the wall was 180 (1 ME 80) layers of brick. Moreover, nothing is said about the thickness of the brick layers in those inscriptions.

44Cf. text no. 15 vii 25–23´ and text no. 16 vii 34–69, which state that there were fourteen gates, and text no. 17 vii 70–viii 5, which records that Nineveh had fifteen gates. The lack of foundation inscriptions written on prisms in 693 and 692 prevents us from knowing exactly when Sennacherib built the three new gates mentioned in this inscription. For details, see the chart on p. 18. On the location of the gates, see in particular King, Cat. pp. xix–xxiv; Thompson, Arch. 79 (1929) pp. 111–113; Thompson, Iraq 7 (1940) pp. 91–93; Reade, RA 72 (1978) pp. 50–54; and Scott and MacGinnis, Iraq 52 (1990) pp. 63–68.

45Like text no. 16 vii 38–39, this inscription places the Ḫandūru Gate first. Cf. text no. 17 viii 3, where it is listed last, with the west-facing gates.

46lil-bur ÉNSI d-šur “May the Vice-Regent of the God Aššur Endure”: The name of the gate is the same as text no. 15 vii 31 and text no. 16 vii 40; cf. text no. 17 vii 74, where the name of the gate is li-bur ÉNSI d-šur “May the Vice-Regent of the God Aššur Stay in Good Health.”

47The name of the Mullissu Gate is d-tar za-nin-ki kur-bi “O Ištar Bless Your Provider” in text no. 16 vii 46 and šá mdEN.ZU-ŠEŠ.MEŠ-eri-ba it-ti man-zal-ti e-req-qi kin-ni BALA-šú “Make Sennacherib’s Dynasty as Firm as the Position of the Wagon Constellation!” in text no. 17 vii 78–79.

48The name of the Nergal Gate is almost the same as it is in text no. 16 vii 57, which has dèr-ra mu-šam-qit a-a-bi “The God Erra Is the One Who Cuts Down Enemies.” Cf. text no. 17 vii 89, where it is dèr-ra šá-a-giš za-ma-ni-ia “The God Erra Is the One Who Slaughters Those Hostile to Me.”

49The name of the Sîn Gate is dŠEŠ.KI-ru na-ṣir AGA be-lu-te-ia “The Divine Nannāru Is the One Who Protects My Lordly Crown” in text no. 17 vii 91. Cf. the former name of the gate in text no. 16 vii 59–60a: dIGI.SIG₇.SIG₇ mu-šam-me-eḫ ṣip-pa-a-te .GAL GIŠ.KIRI₆.MEŠ “‘The God Igisigsig Is the One Who Makes Orchards Flourish’: (this is) the Gate of the Gardens.” The old name was reused for the third gate from the north wall; see the on-page note to vii 31´–32´.

50Cf. text no. 16 vii 60–62 and text no. 17 vii 92–93, which record the number of gates in the north wall after the Sîn Gate/Gate of the Gardens. This inscription combines the totals of the north and south walls; see vii 39´–40´.

51This inscription is the earliest known text mentioning the Step Gate of the Palace; it may have been first incorporated into the building report of inscriptions in either 693, 692, or 691. e-pi-[(is?)]-sa?Its Buil[der]”: The reading follows Frahm, Sanherib p. 93; B. Pongratz-Leisten (Ina Šulmi Īrub p. 213) reads the signs as e-pi-[is?]-su?Its Buil[der].” The traces of the last sign are too faint for any certain reading.

52The name was originally used for the westernmost gate in the northern wall; see text no. 16 vii 59–60a. Igisigsig (or Amurriqānu, “jaundice”) is the chief gardener of Anu.

53The gate associated with the armory in text no. 17 viii 2 is pa--da-at ka-la-ma “The One Who Regulates Everything.” Note that the Armory Gate is mentioned after the Desert Gate in that inscription; it is mentioned before it in this text.

54This inscription is the earliest known text mentioning the gate leading to the land Barḫalzi; it may have been first incorporated into the building report of inscriptions in either 693, 692, or 691.

55The name of the Desert Gate in text no. 17 vii 96–viii 1 is kàd-re-e .su-mu-ʾi-ìl ù .te-e-me -reb-šá ir-ru-ub “The Presents of the People of Sumuʾil and Tēma Enter Through It.” Note also that it is mentioned before the Armory Gate in that text; it is the southernmost gate on the western wall in this inscription.

56Cf. text no. 16 vii 70–76a and text no. 17 viii 6–12. The contents of vii 43´–44´ are not attested elsewhere in the Sennacherib corpus, and those of vii 45´–46´ rework material known from other inscriptions. The restorations in those lines follow Frahm, Sanherib p. 93.

57This passage is similar to text no. 38 lines 15–19a; cf. text no. 16 vii 76b–80 and text no. 17 viii 13–15. Sennacherib had inscribed steles placed on both sides of the royal road, which probably ran from the Aššur Gate in the south wall, east past the armory and the citadel, to the Sîn Gate (formerly the Gate of the Gardens) at the western end of the north wall. Three of those steles are preserved today and their inscriptions also record that the width of the road was fifty-two cubits. For further details, including information on the royal road, see text no. 38.

58Based on similar passages in text nos. 15, 16, and 17, the translation assumes that the now-missing line immediately before viii 1´ ended with ul-tu pa-a-ṭi “from the border of.”

59This passage is based on text no. 16 viii 16–23 and text no. 17 viii 26–30. KUR-a? ù bi-ru-?mountain and valley”: The conjectural restoration is based on text no. 16 viii 17; cf. text no. 17 viii 27, which has mu-la-a muš-pa-lum “high ground (and) low ground.”

60This passage is not attested elsewhere in the extant Sennacherib corpus. Cf. text no. 17 viii 31–42. [...]-x-a?-ti “[...] ...”: E. Frahm (Sanherib p. 101) tentatively suggests reading [... URU.nam-pa-ga]-a-ti “[... the city Nampag]ātu,” which is based on the Bavian Inscription line 10 (Luckenbill, Senn. p. 79).

61This passage is not attested elsewhere in the extant Sennacherib corpus.

62Cf. text no. 16 viii 24–28 and text no. 17 viii 43–45, both of which are earlier versions of this passage. Those inscriptions record that water was provided for 500 and 1000 seeded fields respectively. The numeral is definitely 6, not 5 (so Thompson).

63This passage is not attested elsewhere in the extant Sennacherib corpus.

64Text no. 17 viii 72 adds ša GIŠ.KIRI₆.MEŠ EDIN šá-ab-bur-ti “from the orchards (planted) on newly tilled soil” after ḫi-bi--ti “aromatics.”

65This passage is not attested elsewhere in the extant Sennacherib corpus.

66It is unclear if x is the last sign of the month name or the KAM following the day that the prism was inscribed. Thus one could read this line as [ITI.x x] x “[The month ...] ...” or [ITI.x x (x) UD.x (x)].KAM “[The month ..., ... day].” Note that text no. 17 (both exs. 1 and 2) and text no. 22 ex. 2 have only the month name recorded; the day the objects were inscribed is not mentioned.


Created by A. Kirk Grayson, Jamie Novotny, and the Royal Inscriptions of the Neo-Assyrian Period (RINAP) Project, 2012. Lemmatized by Jamie Novotny, 2011. The annotated edition is released under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license 3.0. Please cite this page as http://oracc.org/rinap/Q003492/.