Sennacherib 018
Obverse | ||
Column i | ||
ii | Lacuna | |
i 1'1' | (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 5´) 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' | ||
i 3'3' | ||
i 4'4' | ||
i 5'5' | ||
i 6'6' | ||
i 7'7' | ||
i 8'8' | ||
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'' | ||
i 3''3'' | ||
i 4''4'' | ||
i 5''5'' | (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'' | ||
i 7''7'' | ||
i 8''8'' | ||
i 9''9'' | ||
i 10''10'' | ||
i 11''11'' | 1-en GU₄ 10 UDU.NÍTA.MEŠ 10 ANŠE GEŠTIN | |
i 12''12'' | ||
i 13''13'' | ||
i 14''14'' | (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'' | ||
i 16''16'' | ||
i 17''17'' | ||
i 18''18'' | ||
i 19''19'' | ||
i 20''20'' | ||
i 21''21'' | ||
i 22''22'' | ||
i 23''23'' | (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'' | ||
i 25''25'' | ||
i 26''26'' | ||
i 27''27'' | ||
i 28''28'' | ||
i 29''29'' | ||
i 30''30'' | ||
i 31''31'' | ||
i 32''32'' | ||
i 33''33'' | (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'' | ||
i 35''35'' | ||
i 36''36'' | ||
i 37''37'' | ||
i 38''38'' | ||
Column ii | ||
iiii | Lacuna | |
ii 1'1' | (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 5´) [cities of] his [roy]al [house], together with thirty-four small(er) settlements [in] their [environs]. | |
ii 2'2' | ||
ii 3'3' | ||
ii 4'4' | ||
ii 5'5' | ||
ii 6'6' | ||
ii 7'7' | ||
ii 8'8' | (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(ṣ)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' | ||
ii 10'10' | ||
ii 11'11' | ||
ii 12'12' | ||
ii 13'13' | ||
ii 14'14' | ||
ii 15'15' | ||
ii 16'16' | ||
ii 17'17' | ||
ii 18'18' | ||
ii 19'19' | (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' | ||
ii 21'21' | ||
ii 22'22' | ||
ii 23'23' | ||
ii 24'24' | ||
ii 25'25' | ||
ii 26'26' | ||
ii 27'27' | (ii 27') [On my return] ma[rch, ...] ... [...] | |
ii 28'28' | [...] x x [...] | |
Lacuna | ||
ii 1''1'' | (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'' | ||
ii 3''3'' | ||
ii 4''4'' | ||
ii 5''5'' | (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'' | ||
ii 7''7'' | ||
ii 8''8'' | ||
ii 9''9'' | ||
ii 10''10'' | (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'' | ||
ii 12''12'' | ||
ii 13''13'' | ||
ii 14''14'' | ||
ii 15''15'' | (ii 15'') (As for) the governor[s, the nobles, and the people of the city Ekron] ... [...] | |
ii 16''16'' | x [...] | |
Lacuna | ||
ii 1'''1''' | [LÚ.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''' | ||
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 | ||
iii 33 | ||
iii 44 | ||
iii 55 | ||
iii 66 | ||
iii 77 | ||
iii 88 | ||
iii 99 | ||
iii 1010 | (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 | ||
iii 1212 | ||
iii 1313 | ||
iii 1414 | ||
iii 1515 | (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 | ||
iii 1717 | ||
iii 1818 | ||
iii 1919 | ||
iii 2020 | ||
iii 2121 | ||
iii 2222 | ||
iii 2323 | ||
iii 2424 | ANŠE.KUR.⸢RA⸣.[MEŠ ANŠE.KUNGA.MEŠ ANŠE.MEŠ ANŠE.GAM.MAL.MEŠ] | |
iii 2525 | ||
iii 2626 | ||
iii 2727 | (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 | ||
iii 2929 | ||
iii 3030 | ||
iii 3131 | ||
Lacuna | ||
iii 1'1' | (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 5´) 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' | ||
iii 3'3' | ||
iii 4'4' | ||
iii 5'5' | ||
iii 6'6' | ||
iii 7'7' | ||
iii 8'8' | ||
iii 9'9' | ||
iii 10'10' | (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' | ||
iii 12'12' | ||
iii 13'13' | ||
iii 14'14' | ||
iii 15'15' | ||
iii 16'16' | ||
iii 17'17' | ||
iii 18'18' | ||
iii 19'19' | ||
iii 20'20' | ||
iii 21'21' | ||
iii 22'22' | ||
iii 23'23' | ||
iii 24'24' | ||
iii 25'25' | (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' | ||
iii 27'27' | ||
iii 28'28' | (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' | ||
iii 30'30' | ||
Lacuna | ||
iii 1''1'' | (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'' | ||
iii 4''4'' | ||
iii 5''5'' | ||
iii 6''6'' | (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'' | ||
iii 8''8'' | ||
iii 9''9'' | [...] x [...] | |
Lacuna | ||
iii 1'''1''' | x [...] | |
Column iv | ||
iv 1iv 1 | (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 | ||
iv 33 | ||
iv 44 | (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 | ||
iv 66 | ||
iv 77 | ||
iv 88 | ||
iv 99 | ||
iv 1010 | ||
Lacuna | ||
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 5´) his aid. I dispersed [his forces] and scatte[red his assembled host]. |
iv 2'2' | ||
iv 3'3' | ||
iv 4'4' | ||
iv 5'5' | ||
iv 6'6' | ||
iv 7'7' | (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' | ||
iv 9'9' | ||
iv 10'10' | ||
iv 11'11' | ||
iv 12'12' | ||
iv 13'13' | ||
iv 14'14' | ||
iv 15'15' | ||
iv 16'16' | ||
iv 17'17' | (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' | ||
iv 19'19' | ||
iv 20'20' | ||
iv 21'21' | ||
iv 22'22' | ||
iv 23'23' | ||
iv 24'24' | ||
iv 25'25' | ||
iv 26'26' | ||
iv 27'27' | ||
iv 28'28' | ||
iv 29'29' | ||
iv 30'30' | (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' | ||
iv 32'32' | ||
iv 33'33' | ||
iv 34'34' | ||
iv 35'35' | ||
iv 36'36' | ||
Lacuna | ||
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'' | ||
iv 3''3'' | ||
iv 4''4'' | ||
iv 5''5'' | ||
iv 6''6'' | ||
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'' | ||
iv 9''9'' | ||
iv 10''10'' | [ŠÈG.MEŠ]-šá ŠÈG.[MEŠ ù šal-gu ...] | |
iv 11''11'' | [...] x [...] x [...]9 | |
Lacuna | ||
Column v | ||
vv | Lacuna | |
v 1'1' | (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' | ||
v 3'3' | ||
v 4'4' | ||
v 5'5' | ||
v 6'6' | (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' | d⸢U⸣.[GUR d]⸢INANNA⸣ ša NINA.KI dINANNA ⸢ša URU⸣.[LÍMMU-DINGIR] | |
v 8'8' | ||
v 9'9' | ||
v 10'10' | ||
v 11'11' | (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' | ||
v 13'13' | ||
v 14'14' | ||
v 15'15' | ||
v 16'16' | ||
v 17'17' | ||
v 18'18' | ||
v 19'19' | ||
v 20'20' | (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' | ||
v 22'22' | ||
v 23'23' | ||
v 24'24' | ||
v 25'25' | ||
v 26'26' | ||
v 27'27' | ||
v 28'28' | ||
v 29'29' | ||
v 30'30' | ||
v 31'31' | [UD-zi-zi-iš md]⸢ḫu-um-ban-un⸣-[da-šá (...)]12 | (v 31'b) [I quickly slaughtered and defeated] Ḫumban-un[dāša, (...)] |
Lacuna | ||
Column vi | ||
vi 1vi 1 | (vi 1) [...] I made [their blood] flow [over the br]oad [earth ...] ... | |
vi 22 | ||
vi 33 | [...] (x) x x x | |
Lacuna | ||
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' | ||
vi 3'3' | ||
vi 4'4' | (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' | ||
vi 6'6' | ||
vi 7'7' | ||
vi 8'8' | (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' | ||
vi 10'10' | ||
vi 11'11' | ||
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' | ||
vi 14'14' | ||
vi 15'15' | ||
Lacuna | ||
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'' | ||
vi 3''3'' | ||
vi 4''4'' | ||
vi 5''5'' | ||
vi 6''6'' | ||
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? uš-še-šá | |
vi 9''9'' | [...] a-na ar-ke-e-šá | |
vi 10''10'' | ||
vi 11''11'' | ||
vi 12''12'' | [...]-ḫu šat-⸢ti⸣-šam URU DINGIR.MEŠ | |
vi 13''13'' | [...] a-šar LUGAL.MEŠ-ni AD.MEŠ-ia | |
vi 14''14'' | ||
vi 15''15'' | [qé-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'' | ||
vi 19''19'' | ||
vi 20''20'' | [...] URU ṣe-eḫ-⸢ru⸣22 | (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'' | ||
vi 23''23'' | ||
vi 24''24'' | [... a-na a]-⸢tal⸣-lu-ki la ṭa-bu | |
vi 25''25'' | ||
vi 26''26'' | ||
vi 27''27'' | ||
vi 28''28'' | ||
vi 29''29'' | ||
vi 30''30'' | [...] ú-šu-zu i-ta-ti-šú | |
vi 31''31'' | (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'' | ||
vi 35''35'' | [...] x-šá eṭ-lum | |
vi 36''36'' | ||
vi 37''37'' | [... a]-⸢na⸣ maš-ti-ti-šú | |
vi 38''38'' | [...] ⸢ni⸣-iz-mat-su | |
vi 39''39'' | (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⸣ | |
Lacuna | ||
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''' | ||
vi 5'''5''' | ||
vi 6'''6''' | ||
vi 7'''7''' | ||
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 | |
Lacuna | ||
Column vii | ||
vii 1vii 1 | (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 | ||
vii 33 | ||
vii 44 | ||
vii 55 | ||
vii 66 | ||
vii 77 | [1 ME] ⸢90⸣ ti-ib-ki a-na ⸢e⸣-[la-ni tam-la-a?] | |
vii 88 | ⸢uš⸣-mal-li ṣe-ru-uš-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 | ||
vii 1010 | ||
vii 1111 | (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 uš-⸢rab⸣-[bi ...] | |
vii 1313 | ||
vii 1414 | še-ḫi-ni-tu-šú ša a-gúr-ri [...] | |
vii 1515 | ||
vii 1616 | (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 | ||
vii 1818 | ||
vii 1919 | (vii 19b) I widened its moat [100 large cubits. ...] ... [...] ... [...] | |
vii 2020 | ḫa-ri-ṣu-uš ⸢uš-rap-piš⸣ [...] | |
vii 2121 | ma-da-⸢x⸣ [...] | |
vii 2222 | x [...] | |
Lacuna | ||
vii 1'1' | x x x x x ⸢ša BÀD?⸣-[šú GAL bàd-ní-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 5´) 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' | ⸢lú⸣-kúr-ra-šú-šú du-ú-ru ⸢ša nam⸣-[ri-ru-šu]41 | |
vii 3'3' | ||
vii 4'4' | ||
vii 5'5' | ||
vii 6'6' | ||
vii 7'7' | ||
vii 8'8' | ||
vii 9'9' | ||
vii 10'10' | (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' | ||
vii 12'12' | ||
vii 13'13' | (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' | ||
vii 15'15' | ||
vii 16'16' | ||
vii 17'17' | ||
vii 18'18' | ||
vii 19'19' | ||
vii 20'20' | ||
vii 21'21' | ||
vii 22'22' | ||
vii 23'23' | ||
vii 24'24' | ||
vii 25'25' | (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' | ||
vii 27'27' | ||
vii 28'28' | ||
vii 29'29' | ||
vii 30'30' | ||
vii 31'31' | ||
vii 32'32' | ||
vii 33'33' | ||
vii 34'34' | ||
vii 35'35' | ||
vii 36'36' | ||
vii 37'37' | ||
vii 38'38' | ||
vii 39'39' | ||
vii 40'40' | ||
vii 41'41' | (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' | ||
vii 43'43' | [x x] x le ⸢e u⸣ i x [...] | |
vii 44'44' | ma-da-⸢ti?⸣ ku x [...] | |
vii 45'45' | ||
vii 46'46' | ||
vii 47'47' | ||
vii 48'48' | ||
vii 49'49' | (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' | ||
vii 51'51' | ||
vii 52'52' | ⸢ú⸣-nam-mir GIM [u₄-me ...] | |
Lacuna | ||
Column viii | ||
viiiviii | Lacuna | |
viii 1'1' | (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' | ||
viii 3'3' | ||
viii 4'4' | [ṣe-er ta-mir-ti NINA.KI ú?]-⸢kin?⸣-na-ma qé-reb GIŠ.KIRI₆.MEŠ | |
viii 5'5' | ||
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-tú URU.a-lum-la-bir | |
viii 8'8' | ||
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 | ||
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'' | né-su-ú x [...] | |
viii 4''4'' | ka-a-a-na x [...] | |
viii 5''5'' | (viii 5'') I [annually provided irrigation for] 600 fields seeded with grain [and cereals (located) upstream] and downstream of the city. | |
viii 6''6'' | ||
viii 7''7'' | (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'' | ||
viii 9''9'' | ||
viii 10''10'' | ||
viii 11''11'' | qé-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 iš-mu-ḫu (GIŠ.ŠUR.MÌN GIŠ.MES.MÁ.KAN.NA)] | |
viii 13''13'' | ||
viii 14''14'' | ||
viii 15''15'' | ||
viii 16''16'' | ||
viii 17''17'' | (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'' | ||
viii 19''19'' | ||
viii 20''20'' | be-lu-ti-ia ⸢lu⸣ [e-pu-uš ...]63 | (viii 20''b) I [...] both [...] flourished, [...] within [...] set, gra[in ...]. |
viii 21''21'' | ki-lal-la-an ⸢aḫ⸣-[...] | |
viii 22''22'' | ||
viii 23''23'' | i-mi-du áš-na-[an? ...] | |
viii 24''24'' | (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'' | ||
viii 26''26'' | ||
viii 27''27'' | ||
viii 28''28'' | ||
viii 29''29'' | ||
viii 30''30'' | ||
viii 31''31'' | ||
viii 32''32'' | ṣur-ra-[ši-in am-kir ...]65 | |
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''' | ||
viii 8'''8''' | ||
viii 9'''9''' | ||
viii 10'''10''' | ||
viii 11'''11''' | ||
viii 12'''12''' | ||
viii 13'''13''' | ||
viii 14'''14''' | (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''' | ||
viii 16'''16''' | ||
viii 17'''17''' | ||
viii 18'''18''' | ||
viii 19'''19''' | ||
viii 20'''20''' | ||
viii 21'''21''' | ||
viii 22'''22''' | ||
Date | Date | |
viii 23'''23''' | [...] x66 | (viii 23''') [The month ..., ... day, eponymy of Bēl-ēmurann]i, [governor of the city Carchem]ish (691). |
viii 24'''24''' | ||
viii 25'''25''' |
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 qé-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 qé-reb GIŠ.MÁ.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-iš “...”: 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-iš 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.
20qé-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 qé-e et-tu-tú [...] “[... 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-uš? 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 uš-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-ta “I 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.
33⸢9 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?lā?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 uš-⸢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?⸣ uš-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 daš-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 daš-šur “May the Vice-Regent of the God Aššur Stay in Good Health.”
47The name of the Mullissu Gate is diš-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 KÁ.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-qí-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 LÚ.su-mu-ʾi-ìl ù LÚ.te-e-me qé-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-tú? “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-iš-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/.