Sennacherib 015
Obverse | ||
Column i | ||
i 1i 1 | (i 1) [Sennacherib], great king, [strong king, king of the world], king of Assyria, [king of the] four [quar]ters (of the world), capable [shepherd, (i 5) favorite of the] great [gods, guardian of truth] who loves justice, [renders] assistance, [goes to the aid of] the weak, (and) [strives after good deeds], (i 10) perfect man, vi[rile warrior], foremost of all [rulers], the bridle that controls the insub[missive], (and) the one who strikes enem[ies] with lightning: | |
i 22 | ||
i 33 | ||
i 44 | ||
i 55 | ||
i 66 | ||
i 77 | ||
i 88 | ||
i 99 | ||
i 1010 | ||
i 1111 | ||
i 1212 | ||
i 1313 | ||
i 1414 | (i 14) The god Aššur, the great mountain, granted to me unrival[led] sovereignty [and] made [my] weapons greater than (those of) all who sit on (royal) dais[es]. He made [all of the black]-headed (people) from the Upp[er] Sea of the Setting Su[n] (i 20) to the Low[er] Sea of the Rising Su[n] bow down [at my] fe[et]. | |
i 1515 | ||
i 1616 | ||
i 1717 | ||
i 1818 | ||
i 1919 | ||
i 2020 | ||
i 2121 | ||
i 2222 | ||
Lacuna | ||
i 1'1' | (i 1') [I] joy[fully entered his palace, which is in Babylon], then I opened [his] trea[sury and] brought out [gold], silver, gold (and) [silver] utensils, precious stones, (i 5´) all kinds of possessions (and) property without number, a substantial tribute, (together with) his palace women, courtiers, attendants, male singers, female singers, all of the craftsmen, as many as there were, (and) his palace attendants, and I counted (them) as booty. | |
i 2'2' | ||
i 3'3' | ||
i 4'4' | ||
i 5'5' | ||
i 6'6' | ||
i 7'7' | ||
i 8'8' | ||
i 9'9' | ||
i 10'10' | ||
i 11'11' | ||
i 12'12' | (i 12') With the strength of the god Aššur, my lord, I surrounded, conquered, (and) plundered 75 of his fortified cities, fortresses of Chaldea, and 420 small(er) settlements in their environs. I brought out the auxiliary forces of the Arameans (and) Chaldeans who were in Uruk, Nippur, Kish, Ḫursagkalamma, Cutha, (and) Sippar, together with the guilty citizens, and I counted (them) as booty. | |
i 13'13' | ||
i 14'14' | ||
i 15'15' | ||
i 16'16' | ||
i 17'17' | ||
i 18'18' | ||
i 19'19' | ||
i 20'20' | ||
i 21'21' | (i 21') On my return march, I defeated all together the Tuʾmūna, Riḫiḫu, Yadaqqu, Ubudu, Gibrê, Maliḫu (Malaḫu), Gurumu, (i 25´) Ubulu, Damunu, Gambulu, Ḫindaru, Ruʾuʾa, Puqudu, Ḫamrānu, Ḫagarānu, Nabatu, (and) Liʾtaʾu, (i 30´) insubmissive Arameans. I carried off into Assyria a substantial booty (consisting of) 208,000 people, young (and) old, male and female, horses, mules, donkeys, camels, oxen, and sheep and goats, which were without number. | |
i 22'22' | ||
i 23'23' | ||
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 34'34' | ||
i 35'35' | ||
i 36'36' | (i 36') In the course of my campaign, I received a substantial 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 37'37' | ||
i 38'38' | ||
i 39'39' | ||
Column ii | ||
ii 1ii 1 | (ii 1b) 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. (ii 5) I reorganized that district (and) [imposed] for eternity [one] yoke ox, ten sheep, ten homers of wine, (and) [twenty homers of dates] as his first-fruits offerings [to the gods of] Assyria, [my lords]. | |
ii 22 | ||
ii 33 | ||
ii 44 | ||
ii 55 | ||
ii 66 | ||
ii 77 | ||
ii 88 | ||
ii 99 | ||
ii 1010 | ||
Lacuna | ||
ii 1'1' | [...].⸢MEŠ⸣ | (ii 1') [I bro]ught out [of them ...] ... [...] sheep and goa[ts, and I counted] (them) as booty. [Moreover, I destroyed, devastated, (and) tur]ned into ruins [their small(er) settlements], which were without number. [I burn]ed [with fire pavilions (and) te]nts, their abodes, and reduced (them) to ashes. |
ii 2'2' | [...] ⸢US₅.UDU.ḪI⸣.[A] | |
ii 3'3' | ||
ii 4'4' | ||
ii 5'5' | ||
ii 6'6' | ||
ii 7'7' | ||
ii 8'8' | (ii 8') I made that city Bīt-Kilamzaḫ a fortress [again] (and) I strengthened its walls more than before, then [I settled therein] the people of the lands that I had conquered. | |
ii 9'9' | ||
ii 10'10' | ||
ii 11'11' | ||
Lacuna | ||
ii 1''1'' | (ii 1'') I had a st[ele made], had [all the victorious] conquests [that I achieved over them written] on it, [and I erected (it) in (that) city]. | |
ii 2''2'' | ||
ii 3''3'' | ṣe-ru-uš-šú ú-šá-[áš-ṭir-ma i-na qer-bi URU ul-ziz pa-an ni-ri-ia] | (ii 3''b) I turned [around] (lit. “I turned the front of my yoke”) and took the roa[d to the land Ellipi. (ii 5´´) Before my arrival], Ispabāra, [their] king, abandoned [his fortified cities] (and) his treasury [and fled far away. I overwhelmed] all of his wide land [like a fog]. I surrounded, conquered, destroyed, devas[tated], (and) burned [with] fire the cities Marubištu (and) [Akkuddu], (ii 10´´) cities of [his] royal house, toget[her with] thirty-four small(er) settlements [in] their environs. |
ii 4''4'' | ||
ii 5''5'' | ||
ii 6''6'' | ||
ii 7''7'' | ||
ii 8''8'' | ||
ii 9''9'' | ||
ii 10''10'' | ||
ii 11''11'' | ||
ii 12''12'' | ||
ii 13''13'' | (ii 13'') I carried off people, young (and) old, male [and female], horses, mules, donkey[s], camels, (ii 15´´) oxen, and sheep and goat[s] without number, then I brought him (Ispabāra) to nought and made his land smaller. I detached from his land the cities Ṣi(ṣ)ṣirtu (and) Kummaḫlum, fortified cities, [to]gether with the small(er) settlements (ii 20´´) 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 14''14'' | ||
ii 15''15'' | ||
ii 16''16'' | ||
ii 17''17'' | ||
ii 18''18'' | ||
ii 19''19'' | ||
ii 20''20'' | ||
ii 21''21'' | ||
ii 22''22'' | ||
ii 23''23'' | ||
ii 24''24'' | (ii 24''b) I took the city Elenzaš as a royal city and a fortress for that district, then I changed its former name and called it Kār-Sennacherib. I settled therein the people of the lands that I had conquered. (ii 30´´) I placed (it) under the authority of a eunuch of mine, the governor of the city Ḫarḫar, and (thus) enlarged my land. | |
ii 25''25'' | ||
ii 26''26'' | ||
ii 27''27'' | ||
ii 28''28'' | ||
ii 29''29'' | ||
ii 30''30'' | ||
ii 31''31'' | ||
ii 32''32'' | (ii 32'') On my return march, I received a substantial payment from the distant Medes, of whose land none of the kings, my ancestors, had heard mention. (Thus) I made them bow down to the yoke of my lordship. | |
ii 33''33'' | ||
ii 34''34'' | ||
ii 35''35'' | ||
ii 36''36'' | ||
ii 37''37'' | ||
Column iii | ||
iii 1iii 1 | (iii 1) On my third campaign, I marched to the land Ḫatti. Fear of my lordly brilliance over[whelmed] Lulî, the king of the city Sidon, and (iii 5) he fled afar into [the midst of] the sea and disappeared. The awesome terror of the weapon of the god Aššur, my lord, overwhelmed the cities Great Sidon, Lesser Sidon, Bīt-Zitti, Ṣarepta, Maḫalliba, [Ušû], (iii 10) Akzibu, (and) Acco, his fortified [cit]ies (and) fortresses, [an area of pasture(s) and] water-place(s), resources upon which he relied, [and they bowed do]wn at my feet. | |
iii 22 | ||
iii 33 | ||
iii 44 | ||
iii 55 | ||
iii 66 | ||
iii 77 | ||
iii 88 | ||
iii 99 | ||
iii 1010 | ||
iii 1111 | ||
iii 1212 | ||
iii 1313 | ||
iii 1414 | ||
iii 1515 | (iii 15) [I placed] Tu-Baʾ[lu on the royal throne] over them and [imposed upon] him [tribute (and) pay]ment (in recognition) of [my overlordship (to be delivered) yearly (and) without interrup]tion. | |
iii 1616 | ||
iii 1717 | ||
iii 1818 | ||
iii 1919 | ||
Lacuna | ||
iii 1'1' | (iii 1') [I imposed upon him (Šarru-lū-dāri) the payment of tribute (and) gifts (in recognition) of] my [overlor]dship [so that he (now) pulls] my yoke. | |
iii 2'2' | ||
iii 3'3' | (iii 3') [In the course of my campaign], I surrounded, [conquered, (and) plund]ered the cities [Bīt-Dagan]na, Joppa, [Banayabarqa], (and) Azuru, (iii 5´) [the cities of Ṣ]idqâ that had not submitted [to me qu]ickly. | |
iii 4'4' | ||
iii 5'5' | ||
iii 6'6' | ||
iii 7'7' | ||
iii 8'8' | (iii 8') (As for) the governors, the noble[s, and the peopl]e of the city Ekron who had thrown Padî, their [king] who was bound by treaty (iii 10´) and oaths to Assyria, into iron fetters and who had handed him over to Hezekiah of the land Judah in a hostile manner, they became frightened on account of the villainous acts they had committed. They formed a confederation with the kings of Egypt (and) the archers, (iii 15´) chariots, (and) horses of the king of the land Meluḫḫa, forces without number, and they came to their aid. | |
iii 9'9' | ||
iii 10'10' | ||
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 18') In the plain of the city Eltekeh, they sharpened their weapons while drawing up in battleline before me. With the support of the god Aššur, my lord, I fought with them and defeated them. In the thick of battle, I captured alive the Egyptian charioteers and princes (lit. “the sons of the king”), together with the charioteers of the king of the land Meluḫḫa. | |
iii 19'19' | ||
iii 20'20' | ||
iii 21'21' | ||
iii 22'22' | ||
iii 23'23' | ||
iii 24'24' | ||
iii 25'25' | ||
iii 26'26' | (iii 26') I surrounded, conquered, (and) plundered the cities Eltekeh (and) Tamnâ. I approached the city Ekron and I killed the governors (and) nobles who had committed crime(s) and (iii 30´) hung their corpses on towers around the city; I counted the citizens who had committed the criminal 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 27'27' | ||
iii 28'28' | ||
iii 29'29' | ||
iii 30'30' | ||
iii 31'31' | ||
iii 32'32' | ||
iii 33'33' | ||
iii 34'34' | ||
iii 35'35' | ||
Column iv | ||
iv 1iv 1 | (iv 1b) I brought out Padî, their king, from the city Jerusalem and placed (him) on the lordly throne over them, then I imposed upon him [pay]ment (in recognition) of [my] overlordship. | |
iv 22 | ||
iv 33 | ||
iv 44 | ||
iv 55 | ||
iv 66 | (iv 6) Moreover, (as for) He[ze]kiah of the land Judah, [who had not] submitted to my yoke, I surrounded (and) conquered forty-six of [his] fortified [wa]lled cit[ies] and small(er) [settlements] in their environs, (iv 10) which were without number, by having 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, horses, mules, donkeys, (iv 15) camels, oxen, and sheep and goats, which were without number, and I counted (them) as booty. | |
iv 77 | ||
iv 88 | ||
iv 99 | ||
iv 1010 | ||
iv 1111 | ||
iv 1212 | ||
iv 1313 | ||
iv 1414 | ||
iv 1515 | ||
iv 1616 | ||
iv 1717 | ||
iv 1818 | (iv 18) As for him (Hezekiah), I confined him inside the city Jerusalem, his royal city, like a bird in a cage. (iv 20) I set up blockades [against] him and [made] made him dread ex[iti]ng his city gate. [I detached from] his land [the cities of his that I had plundered and I gave (them) to Mitinti, the king of] the city Ashdod, [Padî, the king of the city E]kron, [and Ṣilli-Bēl, the king of the city G]az[a], | |
iv 1919 | ||
iv 2020 | ||
iv 2121 | ||
iv 2222 | ||
iv 2323 | ||
iv 2424 | ||
iv 2525 | ||
Lacuna | ||
iv 1'1' | (iv 1') [and], after my (departure), he (Hezekiah) had [the auxiliary forces and] his eli[te troops whom he] had brought inside [to strengthen] the city Jerusalem, [his royal city], thereby gaining reinforceme[nts, along with] 30 talents of gold, (iv 5´) 800 [talents of silver, ch]oice antimony, large blocks of ..., ivory beds, [armch]airs of ivory, elephant hide(s), elephant ivory, [ebony, boxwood], every kind of [valuable] treasu[re], (iv 10´) as well as his daughters, his palace women, [male singers, (and) female singers] brought into Nineveh, [my] capi[tal] city, [and] he sent a mounted messenger of his to me to deliver (this) [pay]ment and to do obeisance. | |
iv 2'2' | ||
iv 3'3' | ||
iv 4'4' | ||
iv 5'5' | ||
iv 6'6' | ták-kàs-si ⸢NA₄⸣.[AN.ZA].⸢GUL⸣.ME GAL.MEŠ | |
iv 7'7' | ||
iv 8'8' | ||
iv 9'9' | ||
iv 10'10' | ù DUMU.MUNUS.MEŠ-šú MUNUS.UN.MEŠ É.GAL-⸢šú⸣ [LÚ.NAR.MEŠ MUNUS.NAR.MEŠ]21 | |
iv 11'11' | ||
iv 12'12' | ||
iv 13'13' | ||
iv 14'14' | ||
iv 15'15' | (iv 15') 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-[Ya]kīn. In the course of my camp[aign], I defeated Šūzubu (Mušēzib-Marduk), a Chaldean who lives in the marshes, (iv 20´) at the city Bittūtu. 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. | |
iv 16'16' | ||
iv 17'17' | ||
iv 18'18' | ||
iv 19'19' | ||
iv 20'20' | ||
iv 21'21' | ||
iv 22'22' | ||
iv 23'23' | ||
iv 24'24' | (iv 24') 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 defeated and whose forces I had scattered [during] my first campaign — became frightened by the clangor of my mighty weapons (iv 30´) and my fierce battle array, then [dislodged] 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. [I] brought his brothers, the seed of his father’s house, whom he had abandoned at the shore of the sea, together with the rest of the people of his land, out of the land Bīt-Yakīn, (v 1) which is in the swamps (and) [marshes], and I counted (them) as booty. | |
iv 25'25' | ||
iv 26'26' | ||
iv 27'27' | ša [ina a]-⸢lak⸣ ger-ri-ia maḫ-re-e BAD₅.BAD₅-šú áš-ku-nu-ma | |
iv 28'28' | ||
iv 29'29' | ||
iv 30'30' | ||
iv 31'31' | ||
iv 32'32' | ||
iv 33'33' | ||
iv 34'34' | ||
iv 35'35' | ||
iv 36'36' | ||
Column v | ||
v 1v 1 | ||
v 22 | (v 2b) [Once again] I destroyed (and) devastated his cities, (and) [turned (them) into ruins]. I poured out awe-inspiring brilliance upon his ally, the king of the land Elam. | |
v 33 | ||
v 44 | ||
v 55 | (v 5) On my return ma[rch], I placed Aššur-nādin-šumi, my first-born son (whom I) [rai]sed on my (own) knee, on his lo[rd]ly throne and entrusted him with the wide land of Sumer and Akkad. | |
v 66 | ||
v 77 | ||
v 88 | ||
v 99 | ||
v 1010 | (v 10) From the booty of those lands that I had plundered, I conscripted 20,000 archers (and) 15,000 shield bearers and added (them) to my royal contingent. I divided up the rest of the substantial enemy booty (v 15) like sheep and goats among my entire camp (and) my governors, (and) the people of my great cult centers. | |
v 1111 | 20 LIM GIŠ.PAN.⸢MEŠ⸣ 15 LIM GIŠ.a-ri-tu28 | |
v 1212 | ||
v 1313 | ||
v 1414 | ||
v 1515 | ||
v 1616 | ||
v 1717 | ||
v 1818 | (v 18) At that time, Nineveh, the exalted cult center, the city loved by the goddess Ištar (v 20) in which all of the rituals for gods and goddesses are present; the enduring foundation (and) eternal base whose [plan] had been designed by the stars (lit. “writing”) of the firmament and whose arrangement was made manifest since time immemorial; (v 25) [a sophisti]cated [place] (and) site of secret lore in which every kind of [skil]led [craftsmanship], all of the rituals, (and) [the secret(s) of the lalgar] (cosmic subterranean water) are apprehended; | |
v 1919 | ||
v 2020 | ||
v 2121 | ||
v 2222 | ||
v 2323 | ||
v 2424 | ||
v 2525 | ||
v 2626 | ||
v 2727 | ||
v 2828 | (v 28) [in which since time immemorial] ea[rl]ier [king]s, [my ancestors, before] me (v 30) exercised dominion over Assyria and ruled the subjects of the god En[lil]; (but) not one among them had conceived of [and put his mind] towards increasing the site of the city, building wall(s), straightening the streets, or dredging the river (and) planting orchards; nor had any (of them) paid heed to (or) shown (v 35) interest in [the palace inside it], the seat of lordly dwelling whose [site had become too sm]all (and) whose construction was inexpert: | |
v 2929 | ||
v 3030 | ||
v 3131 | ||
v 3232 | ||
v 3333 | ||
v 3434 | ||
v 3535 | ||
v 3636 | ||
v 3737 | ||
v 3838 | ||
v 3939 | (v 39b) (But) as for me, Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, the performing of this work came to my attention by the will of the gods and I put my mind to it. I forcibly removed the people of Chaldea, Aramean (tribes), the land of the Manneans, the lands Que, Ḫilakku, (and) Philistia, (v 45) and the land (of the city) Tyre, who had not submitted to my yoke, then I made them carry baskets (of earth and) they made bricks. | |
v 4040 | ||
v 4141 | ||
v 4242 | ||
v 4343 | ||
v 4444 | ||
v 4545 | ||
v 4646 | ||
v 4747 | (v 47b) The former palace, which was 360 cubits long, 80 cubits wide opposite the zamû-wall of the ziggurrat, (v 50) 134 cubits wide opposite the tower of the temple of the goddess Ištar, (and) 95 cubits wide opposite the tower of the Bīt-Kidmuri; which earlier kings, my ancestors, [had had] constructed for their lordly dwelling, but whose construction they had carried out inexpertly: | |
v 4848 | ||
v 4949 | ||
v 5050 | ||
v 5151 | ||
v 5252 | ||
v 5353 | ||
v 5454 | ||
v 5555 | (v 55) [They quarri]ed mountain sheep colossi of white limestone [in the city T]astiate, which is across the Tigris River, to be their (the palatial halls’) gatekeepers. Throughout their entire land [they depleted] forests [of large trees to have] boats [bu]ilt. (v 60) [In the month Ayyāru (II), the time of] spring [fl]oods, [they brought] (the colossi) across [to this side] (of the river) with difficulty [in] magnificent [boats]. They sank [large bo]ats [at the quay dock (and then) made their] cre[ws strugg]le (and) strain. (v 65) With might and ma[in], they [strug]gled to transport (the colossi) and ins[tall (them) in their gates]. | |
v 5656 | ||
v 5757 | ||
v 5858 | ||
v 5959 | ||
v 6060 | ||
v 6161 | ||
v 6262 | ||
v 6363 | ||
v 6464 | ||
v 6565 | ||
v 6666 | ú-šá-⸢aṣ⸣-[bi-tu KÁ.MEŠ-ši-in] ÍD.te-bil-ti a-gu-u [šit-mu-ru]36 | (v 66b) The Tebilti River, a [tempestuous] flood (of water) which had flowed from distant days by the side of the palace and which had caused erosion [in its foundation] when its flood was in full sp[ate] (and) had shaken [its base]: |
v 6767 | ||
v 6868 | ||
v 6969 | ||
Column vi | ||
vi 1vi 1 | (vi 1) [I tore down] that small palace in its entirety, [then] I chan[ged] the course of the Tebilti River, repaired (the effects of) the erosion, and directed [its] out[flow]. | |
vi 22 | ||
vi 33 | ||
vi 44 | (vi 4) In the hidden depths of its subterranean waters I bonded together, with bitumen, reeds below (and) strong mountain stone above, then I raised (that) area out of [the water and co]nverted (it) [to dry land]. I added to the dimensions of the former terrace a plot of land that was 288 cubits wide. (vi 10) In total, I filled in and measured a terrace of 700 large aslu-cubits along (its) longer side, 176 large aslu-cubits along (its) upper, northern shorter side, 268 [large aslu-cubits along the] inner, [shorter side], (which is) opposite [the zamû-wall of the shrine behind] (the temple of) the goddess Ištar, 443 [lar]ge aslu-[cubits] along (vi 15) the other, parallel, inner shorter side, (which is) on the west behind the zig[gur]rat of the temple of the goddess Ištar, (and) 386 large aslu-cubits along the lower, southern shorter side, (which is) beside the Tigris River. | |
vi 55 | ||
vi 66 | ||
vi 77 | ||
vi 88 | ||
vi 99 | ||
vi 1010 | ||
vi 1111 | ||
vi 1212 | ||
vi 1313 | ||
vi 1414 | ||
vi 1515 | ||
vi 1616 | ||
vi 1717 | ||
vi 1818 | ||
vi 1919 | ||
vi 2020 | (vi 20) So that the construction of my palace might be carried out correctly and that my handiwork be completed, at that time, [the god Aš]šur and the goddess Ištar revealed [to me the pres]ence of [white] limestone in the city Balāṭāya. (vi 25) Therein, I qua[rrie]d [mighty] mountain sheep coloss[i], sphinxes, and [large] stone [slabs] for the gates of my lordly palace. | |
vi 2121 | ||
vi 2222 | ||
vi 2323 | ||
vi 2424 | ||
vi 2525 | ||
vi 2626 | ||
vi 2727 | ||
vi 2828 | (vi 28) In order to prevent the foundation of the terrace from being weakened over the passage of time by cresting flood(s), (vi 30) I surrounded its base with large limestone (slabs and thereby) reinforced its base. | |
vi 2929 | ||
vi 3030 | ||
vi 3131 | ||
vi 3232 | (vi 32) I inscribed objects bearing my name [160 cour]ses of brick within the terrace and [I] deposited (them) deep down [in its foundation] for ever after. | |
vi 3333 | [1 ME 60? ti]-⸢ib⸣-ki tam-li-i qé-reb-šú al-ṭu-ur-ma | |
vi 3434 | ||
vi 3535 | (vi 35) Afterwards, I de[cided] to [increase the height of the ter]race, [then I added] 30 [cour]ses of brick to the former (terrace) and (thus) I [raised (it) to a heig]ht of 190 courses of brick. [I] made the area larger than [before], (vi 40) added (it) to the [former] dimensions of the pal[ace], and (thus) enlarged [its structure]. | |
vi 3636 | ||
vi 3737 | ||
vi 3838 | 1 ME 90 ti-ib-ki ⸢ú⸣-[šaq-qí e-la]-niš46 | |
vi 3939 | ||
vi 4040 | ||
vi 4141 | ||
vi 4242 | (vi 42) I had a palace of breccia, [alabaster], elephant ivory, ebony, boxwood, [musukkannu-wood], cedar, cyp[ress, juniper, and elammaku-wood], (vi 45) (a palace that I named) Egalzagdi[nutukua (“The Palace Without a Rival”), constructed [thereon as my royal residence]. | |
vi 4343 | ||
vi 4444 | ||
vi 4545 | ||
vi 4646 | (vi 46b) [I roofed them (the palatial halls) with beams of cedar (and) cypress], who[se scent is sweet, product(s) of] Mount [Amanus (and) the yield of Mount Sirāra], the [holy] mountain[s]. I [fastened bands of shining silver (and) bright copper on] (vi 50) mag[nificent doors of cedar, cypress, (and) juniper and I installed (them) in their gates. I decorated] th[em (the doors) with silver and copper knobbed] nai[ls. I adorned the arches], friez[es, and all of the copings with baked bricks] (vi 55) (glazed in the color of) obsidian (and) [lapis lazuli]. | |
vi 4747 | ||
vi 4848 | ||
vi 4949 | ||
vi 5050 | ||
vi 5151 | ||
vi 5252 | ||
vi 5353 | ||
vi 5454 | ||
vi 5555 | ||
vi 5656 | ||
vi 5757 | (vi 57) [For] my lordly [pleasure, I had] a por[tico, a replica of a Hittite palace], which [is called] bīt-ḫilā[ni] in [the language of the land Amurru, constructed inside them]. | |
vi 5858 | ||
vi 5959 | ||
vi 6060 | ||
vi 6161 | (vi 61) Twelve [striding] lions [of shining copper] (and) fierce [demeanor, (which were) standing opposite one another], which [were skillfully cast] through the craftsmanship of the god [Ninagal, and] which were filled with rad[iance] — upon (those) lion colos[si I] installed [two] identical [columns that were] c[ast fro]m [bronze], together with four large [cedar] colu[mns], and I positioned cross-beams (upon them) as a cor[nice for their gates]. | |
vi 6262 | ||
vi 6363 | ||
vi 6464 | ||
vi 6565 | ||
vi 6666 | ||
vi 6767 | ||
vi 6868 | ||
vi 6969 | (vi 69) [I cover]ed [ten sphinxes of cast] bright [urudû-coppe]r with [shining] zaḫalû-silv[er] and (over them), over ten sphin[xes of ala]baster, (and) over twelve sphin[xes of cast] ...-metal [I erected] two mag[nificent] ebony columns, [whose inlays are pašallu-gold], and columns of [cedar, cypress, (and) daprānu-juniper] (vi 75) with eš[marû-silver and bronze] inlays, [and I positioned the architraves of my] lord[ly] palatial halls (on those columns). | |
vi 7070 | ||
vi 7171 | ||
vi 7272 | ||
vi 7373 | ||
vi 7474 | ||
vi 7575 | ||
vi 7676 | ||
vi 7777 | ||
vi 7878 | (vi 78) Moreover, [I made] twelve mountain sheep [colossi of cast bright urudû-copper, which are splendid] in form (and) [perfect in shape], (vii 1) two moun[tain] sheep [colossi of alabaster], (and) seventy-two mountain sheep [colossi and sphinxes of] whit[e] limestone suitable for holding the door bolt(s) for leaving and entering. | |
vi 7979 | ||
Column vii | ||
vii 1vii 1 | ||
vii 22 | ||
vii 33 | ||
vii 44 | ||
vii 55 | (vii 5) I engraved on slabs of breccia (and) [alabaster], and on [large] limestone slabs (images of) the enemy settlements that [I] had conquered. I surrounded their (the palace rooms’) lower courses (with them and) made (them) an object of wonder. | |
vii 66 | ||
vii 77 | ||
vii 88 | ||
vii 99 | ||
vii 1010 | (vii 10) I planted alongside it (the palace) a botanical garden, a replica of Mount Amanus, which has all kinds of aromatic plants (and) fruit trees, trees that are the mainstay of the mountains and Chaldea, collected inside it. | |
vii 1111 | ||
vii 1212 | ||
vii 1313 | ||
vii 1414 | (vii 14) Nineveh, the site of whose circumference had been [9],300 [cubits] since former times (and) for which no [ea]rlier ruler had had an inner or outer [wa]ll built — I added 12,515 (cubits) [in] the plain around the city to (its) previous measurement and (thus) [established its dimensions as] 21,8[15 large cubits]. | |
vii 1515 | ||
vii 1616 | ||
vii 1717 | ||
vii 1818 | ||
vii 1919 | ||
vii 2020 | ||
vii 2121 | (vii 21) [I laid the foundation of] its [great] wall, [Badnigalbilukurašušu], (which means) “Wall [Whose Brilliance Overwhelms Enemies],” upon limesto[ne and made (it) 40 bricks thick. I raised its superstructure] 180 [courses of brick high]. | |
vii 2222 | ||
vii 2323 | ||
vii 2424 | ||
vii 2525 | (vii 25) I had [fourteen gates] op[ened up in it] in fou[r directions], in front and be[hind, (and) along both sides], for en[tering and leaving]. | |
vii 2626 | ||
vii 2727 | ||
vii 2828 | ||
vii 2929 | (vii 29) “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 3030 | ||
vii 3131 | ||
Lacuna | ||
vii 1'1' | (vii 1') (this is) [the Šamaš] G[ate, which (leads to) the land Gagal]. “O Iš[tar Bless the One Who Provides for You!”: (this is) the Mullissu] Ga[te, which (leads to) the city Kār-Mullissi]. “The One [Who Exorcises the ‘Flesh’ of the Asakku-demon”: (this is) the Step Gate]. (vii 5´) “The Choi[cest 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, (vii 10´) (and) I gave them (these) names. | |
vii 2'2' | ||
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 11'11' | (vii 11') “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 Enemies”: (this is) the Nergal Gate, which (leads to) the city Tarbiṣu. (vii 15´) “[The God Igi]sigsig Is the One Who Makes Orchards Flourish”: (this is) the Gate of the Gardens. In total, three gates (facing) towards the north (and) I gave them (these) names. | |
vii 12'12' | ||
vii 13'13' | ||
vii 14'14' | ||
vii 15'15' | ||
vii 16'16' | ||
vii 17'17' | ||
vii 18'18' | ||
vii 19'19' | (vii 19') “The God Ea Is the One Who Properly Directs (Water Flow into) My Cisterns”: (this is) the Mašqû Gate. (vii 20´) “The One Who Brings in Income from the Settlements”: (this is) the Quay Gate. “The One Who Regulates Everything”: (this is) the Armory Gate. In total, three gates (facing) towards the west (and) I gave them (these) names. | |
vii 20'20' | ||
vii 21'21' | ||
vii 22'22' | ||
vii 23'23' | ||
vii 24'24' | (vii 24') I opened up a foundation pit for the outer wall, Badnigerimḫuluḫa, (which means) “Terrorizer of Enemies,” then I dug down forty-five nindanu and made (it) reach the water table. I bound together strong mountain stone in the water below and above I expertly carried out its construction with large limestone (blocks) up to its copings. | |
vii 25'25' | ||
vii 26'26' | ||
vii 27'27' | ||
vii 28'28' | ||
vii 29'29' | (vii 29'b) [I en]larged the site of Nineveh, my capital city. [I broad]ened [its] squar[es, making (them) as bright as day]. | |
vii 30'30' | ||
vii 31'31' | ||
Lacuna | ||
Column viii | ||
viiiviii | Lacuna | |
viii 1'1' | ⸢a-na me-ti-iq⸣ GIŠ.GIGIR be-lu-ti-ia ú-še-⸢piš⸣ [ti-tur-ru]65 | (viii 1') I had [a bridge] constructed [opposite the Citadel Gate with paving stones of white limestone] for the passage of my lordly chariot. |
viii 2'2' | (viii 2') [Besi]de the city, in a botanical garden (one) pānu (in size and) a garden (one) pānu (in size) for a game preserve, I gathered every type of aromatic tree of the land Ḫatti, fruit trees of all la[nds], (and) trees that are the mainstay of the mountains and Chal[dea]. Upstream of the city, on newly tilled soil, I planted vines, every type of fruit tree, and olive trees. | |
viii 3'3' | ||
viii 4'4' | ||
viii 5'5' | ||
viii 6'6' | ||
viii 7'7' | ||
viii 8'8' | (viii 8'b) For the expansion of orchards, I subdivided the meadowland upstream of the city into plots of two pānu each for the citizens of Nineveh and I handed (them) over to them. To make (those) [plan]ted areas luxuriant, (viii 15´) [I cut with] iron [pi]cks [a] canal [straight through] mountain and valley, from the border of the city Kisiri [to the] plain of Nineveh. [I caused an inexhaustible supply of water to f]low [there for a distance of one and a half leagues from the Ḫu]sur [River ...] ... | |
viii 9'9' | ||
viii 10'10' | ||
viii 11'11' | ||
viii 12'12' | ||
viii 13'13' | ||
viii 14'14' | ||
viii 15'15' | ||
viii 16'16' | ||
viii 17'17' | [1 1/2 KASKAL.GÍD qaq-qa-ru ul-tu qé-reb ÍD.ḫu]-⸢su⸣-ur | |
viii 18'18' | ||
viii 19'19' | [...] x | |
Lacuna | ||
viii 1''1'' | [...] x [...] | (viii 1'') [...] ... [...] Wi[ld] boars (and) [roe deer] ga[ve birth in abun]dance. |
viii 2''2'' | ||
viii 3''3'' | ||
viii 4''4'' | (viii 4'') I cut down musukkan[nu]-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 5''5'' | ||
viii 6''6'' | ||
viii 7''7'' | ||
viii 8''8'' | (viii 8'') After I had finished the work on my palace, (viii 10´´) I invited inside it the god Aššur, the great lord, (and) the gods and goddesses living in Assyria, then I made splendid offerings and presented my gift(s). (viii 15´´) I made fine oil from olives and aromatics from the orchards (planted) on newly tilled soil. At the inauguration of the palace, I had the heads of the subjects of my land drenched (and) I watered their insides with sweet wine. | |
viii 9''9'' | ||
viii 10''10'' | ||
viii 11''11'' | ||
viii 12''12'' | ||
viii 13''13'' | ||
viii 14''14'' | ||
viii 15''15'' | ||
viii 16''16'' | ||
viii 17''17'' | ||
viii 18''18'' | ||
viii 19''19'' | (viii 19'') In the future, may one of the kings, my descendants, whom the god Aššur names for shepherding the land and people, renovate its dilapidated section(s) when that wall becomes old and dilapidated. May he find an inscribed object bearing my name, (viii 25´´) anoint (it) with oil, make an offering, (and) return (it) to its place. The god Aššur and the goddess Ištar will (then) hear his prayers. | |
viii 20''20'' | ||
viii 21''21'' | ||
viii 22''22'' | ||
viii 23''23'' | ||
viii 24''24'' | ||
viii 25''25'' | ||
viii 26''26'' | ||
viii 27''27'' | ||
viii 28''28'' | ||
Date ex. 1 | Date ex. 1 | |
viii 29A''29A'' | [ITI.x (x x) UD.x]+8.KAM* | (viii 29A'') [The month ..., the ...]-eighth [day, eponymy of Nabû-dūru]-uṣur, [governor of the city Tam]nūnu (697). |
viii 30A''30A'' | ||
viii 31A''31A'' | ||
Date ex. 2 | Date ex. 2 | |
viii 29B''29B'' | [ITI.x (x x)] UD.23.KAM | (viii 29B'') [The month ...], the twenty-third day, [eponymy of Nabû]-dūru-uṣur, [governor of] the city [Tam]nūnu (697). |
viii 30B''30B'' | ||
viii 31B''31B'' | ||
Date ex. 3 | Date ex. 3 | |
viii 29C''29C'' | ITI.BÁRA UD.27.KÁM li-mu mdAG-BÀD-PAP | (viii 29C'') Nisannu (I), the twenty-seventh day, eponymy of Nabû-dūru-uṣur, governor of the city Tamnūnu (697). |
viii 30C''30C'' | ||
Date ex. 4 | Date ex. 4 | |
viii 29D''29D'' | ITI.ŠU UD.⸢12.KAM li⸣-[mu mdAG-BÀD-PAP] | (viii 29D'') Duʾūzu (IV), the twelfth day, epo[nymy of Nabû-dūru-uṣur, governor of the city Tamnūnu] (697). |
viii 30D''30D'' | ||
Date ex. 17 | Date ex. 17 | |
viii 29E''29E'' | (traces) [...] | |
viii 30E''30E'' | (traces) [...] |
1LUGAL kiš-šá-ti “king of the world”: This title is first used in Sennacherib’s royal inscriptions in text no. 4 line 1.
2Sennacherib first uses this titulary in text no. 5 line 1.
3It is uncertain if this passage was first introduced in this text or in text no. 14.
4Earlier accounts of the first campaign include Marduk-apla-iddina II’s wife among the booty removed from Babylon. See, for example, text no. 1 line 32 and text no. 4 line 8.
5Male and female singers are also listed among the booty removed from Babylon in text no. 1 line 32. See text no. 3 line 9 and text no. 4 line 8, where they are not included.
6⸢75⸣ URU.MEŠ-šú “75 of his cities”: The number of cities is eighty-eight in text no. 1 line 50, and eighty-nine in text no. 2 line 11, text no. 3 line 11, and text no. 4 line 9. See also the on-page note to text no. 1 line 50.
74 ME 20 URU.MEŠ TUR.MEŠ “420 small(er) settlements”: The number of small cities is 820 in text no. 1 line 50, text no. 2 line 11, and text no. 3 line 11. The number is 620 in text no. 4 line 9.
8LÚ.úr-bi “auxiliary forces”: See the on-page note to text no. 1 line 52.
9Earlier inscriptions include a passage here stating that Sennacherib installed Bēl-ibni as king of Babylon. See, for example, text no. 4 line 11.
10LÚ.ú-bu-lu “the Ubulu”: Ex. 1 has LÚ.ú-bu-ru.
11Cf. text no. 4 line 14, where the number of horses, mules, donkeys, camels, oxen, and sheep and goats plundered is recorded. The phrase ša la ni-bi “which were without number” appears here in lieu of the numbers.
12si-ḫir-ti “around”: Ex. 1 has si-ḫir-<ti>.
13⸢GU₄⸣.GIŠ “yoke ox”: For the reading, see CAD A/1 p. 368 sub alpu 1b-3´.
14Based on parallels, the translation assumes that the now-missing ii 12´ began with ina ŠÀ ú-še-šib “I settled therein.”
15KUR.ma-da-a-a “the Medes”: Ex. 1 has KUR.<ma-da>-a-a.
16[LUGAL]-⸢ú-ti⸣ “[royal]”: Text no. 4 line 35 has LUGAL-ti-šú “his royal (throne).”
17LUGAL.MEŠ-ni KUR.mu-ṣu-ri “the kings of Egypt”: See the on-page note to text no. 4 line 43.
18This statement about Hezekiah is first attested in inscriptions written on cylinders in 699; see the commentary to text no. 6.
19The translation assumes that the now-missing iv 26 began with ad-din-ma “I gave and.”
20The list of payment sent by Hezekiah to Nineveh was first shortened in inscriptions written in 699. The expression mim-ma šum-šú ni-ṣir-tu ka-bit-tu “every kind of valuable treasure” replaced lu-bul-ti bir-me TÚG.GADA SÍG.ta-kil-tú SÍG.ar-ga-man-nu ú-nu-ut ZABAR AN.BAR URUDU AN.NA AN.BAR GIŠ.GIGIR.MEŠ ga-ba-bi az-ma-re-e si-ri-ia-am GÍR.MEŠ AN.BAR šib-bi til-pa-ni u uṣ-ṣi til-li ú-nu-ut ta-ḫa-zi šá ni-ba la i-šu-ú “garments with multi-colored trim, linen garments, blue-purple wool, red-purple wool, utensils of bronze, iron, copper, tin, (and) iron, chariots, shields, lances, armor, iron belt-daggers, bows and uṣṣu-arrows, equipment, (and) implements of war, (all of) which were without number.” The full list appears in text no. 4 lines 56b–57.
21ù “as well as”: Text no. 4 line 58 has it-ti “together with.” DUMU.MUNUS.MEŠ-šú “his daughters”: See the on-page note to text no. 4 line 58.
22Cf. text no. 19 i´ 15´–16´: [i-na 4-e ger-ri-ia a-na KUR.É-m]⸢ia⸣-kin₇ [lu al-li-ik] “[On my fourth campaign, I marched to the land Bīt]-Yakīn.” That inscription has the same account of the fourth campaign as Smith Bull 4 (3 R pls. 12–13).
23Cf. text no. 21 ii´ 4´, which omits ú-par-ri-ru el-lat-su “whose forces I had scattered.”
24Cf. text no. 21 ii´ 5´, which omits ù ti-ib ta-ḫa-zi-ia ez-zi “and my fierce battle array.”
25Exs. 2 and 11 omit the reference to the gods being dislodged from their abodes. Text no. 16, text no. 17, and text no. 21 also 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.”
26na-gi-ti-ra-aq-qí “Nagīte-raqqi”: For further information on the city, see Frame, RLA 9/1–2 (1998) p. 80. The name means “Turtle Island.”
27Ex. 2 omits DAGAL-tum “wide.”
2820 LIM “20,000”: Text no. 4 line 59 has 10 LIM “10,000,” text no. 17 v 16 has 30 LIM “30,000,” and text no. 19 ii´ 14´ has 20 LIM 4 ME “20,400.” 15 LIM “15,000”: Text no. 4 line 59 has 10 LIM “10,000,” text no. 17 v 16 has 20 LIM “20,000,” and text no. 19 ii´ 14´ has 20 LIM 2 ME “20,200.”
29Cf. text no. 4 line 65, which adds ù šat-ti-šam la na-par-ka-a e-reb nar-ba-a-ti GUN mal-ki kib-rat ar-ba-ʾi im-da-na-ḫa-ru qé-reb-šu “and wherein annually, without interruption, they received an enormous income, the tribute of the rulers of the four quarters (of the world).”
30Text no. 4 lines 66–67 have a-a-um-ma ina lìb-bi-šú-nu a-na É.GAL qer-bi-šu kúm-mu ri-mit be-lu-ti ša ṣu-uḫ-ḫu-ru šu-bat-su le-e-su ul id-da-a lib-bu-uš ul iḫ-su-us a-na šu-te-šur SILA URU ù šum-dul₆ re-ba-a-ti ḫa-re-e ÍD za-qa-ap ṣip-pa-a-ti ú-zu-un-šú ul ib-ši-ma ul uš-ta-bil ka-ras-su “(but) not one among them had paid heed to (or) shown interest in the palace inside it, the seat of lordly dwelling whose site had become too small; nor had anyone (of them) conceived of and put his mind towards the straightening of the city’s street(s) and the widening of (its) squares, the dredging of the river, (and) the planting of orchards.”
31LUGAL kiš-šá-ti “king of the world”: This title is not included in text no. 4 line 68.
32GIŠ.a-ra-me “Aramean (tribes)”: Ex. 1 has GIŠ for LÚ. This passage is not preserved in the other exemplars.
33After il-bi-nu SIG₄ “they made bricks,” text no. 4 line 70 adds a-pe ku-pe-e ša qé-reb KUR.kal-di ak-šiṭ-ma ap-pa-ri-šú-un šam-ḫu-ti i-na ba-ḫu-la-ti na-ki-ri ki-šit-ti ŠU.II-ia ú-šal-di-da a-na e-peš šip-ri-šá “I cut down canebrakes in Chaldea and I had their splendid reeds hauled (to Nineveh) for its (the palace’s) construction by enemy soldiers whom I had defeated.”
34Cf. text no. 4 line 71: É.GAL maḫ-ri-tu ša 3 ME 60 ina 1.KÙŠ UŠ tar-ṣi za-me-e É ziq-qur-rat 80 ina 1.KÙŠ DAGAL i-na tar-ṣi É.na-ma-ri É diš-tar 1 ME 34 ina 1.KÙŠ DAGAL i-na tar-ṣi É.na-ma-ri É-kid₉-mu-ri 95 ina 1.KÙŠ DAGAL “the former palace, which was 360 cubits long opposite the zamû-wall of the ziggurrat, 80 cubits wide opposite the tower of the temple of the goddess Ištar, 134 cubits wide opposite the tower of the Bīt-Kidmuri, (and) 95 cubits wide (on the other side).”
35This inscription is the earliest known text in which this passage appears. It is uncertain if the description of former kings depleting resources, transporting bull colossi at flood time, and exhausting work crews was composed anew for this text or for text no. 14.
36After šit-mu-ru “tempestuous,” text no. 4 line 73 adds ša i-na na-ši-šá ge-gu-né-e qa-bal-ti URU ú-ab-bi-tu-ma ki-maḫ-ḫi-šú-un pa-az-ru-ti ú-kal-li-mu dUTU-šú “which when it rose had destroyed sacred buildings inside the city and exposed their hidden tombs to the sun.”
37Ex. 2 has 3 ME 40 ina 1.KÙŠ ⸢UŠ⸣ “340 cubits long” in lieu of A.ŠÀ ⸢ul-tu⸣ [ma-a-me] ú-⸢še-lam⸣-[ma na-ba-liš ú]-⸢ter⸣ “I raised (that) area out of [the water and co]nverted (it) [to dry land].” Ex. 12, although poorly preserved, follows ex. 2 rather than ex. 1. Cf. text no. 16 vi 21–25, which has 3 ME 40 ina 1.KÙŠ UŠ 2 ME 88 ina 1.KÙŠ SAG.⸢KI⸣ qaq-qa-ru ul-tu qé-[reb ÍD.ḫu-su-ur? ú-še-lam-ma] na-ba-liš ú-ter ṣe-[er] ⸢me-ši-iḫ-ti⸣ tam-le-e maḫ-re-e ⸢lu⸣ [ú-rad-di]-ma “[I raised] a plot of land that was 340 cubits long (and) 288 cubits wide out [of the Ḫusur River and] converted (it) to dry land. [I added (it) to] the dimensions of the former terrace and.” Deviation in this passage cannot be used to help identify whether an exemplar belonging to this inscription or text no. 16. UGU ... ú-rad-di-ma “I added ... to and”: This passage is not included in earlier inscriptions; see, for example, text no. 4 line 76.
38nap-ḫar “in total”: This word is not included in earlier inscriptions; see text no. 4 line 77.
394 ME 43 “443”: Text no. 4 line 78 has 3 ME 83 “383.”
40Cf. text no. 16 vi 38, which has i-na 1 ME 90 ti-ib-ki ul-la-a re-ši-šu “I raised its superstructure 190 courses of brick” in lieu of am-šu-uḫ me-ši-iḫ-ta “I measured (its) dimensions.”
41This inscription is the earliest known text in which this passage appears. It is uncertain if the description of Aššur and Ištar revealing limestone in Balāṭāya was composed anew for this text or for text no. 14.
42ina KÁ.MEŠ É.GAL be-lu-ti-ia “for the gates of my lordly palace”: Text no. 16 vi 47 has [a-na] šip-ri É.GAL be-lu-ti-ia “[for] the construction of my lordly palace.”
43tem-me-en tam-le-e “the foundation of the terrace”: Text no. 4 line 80 has tem-me-en-šú “its foundation.”
44The passage recording the depositing of foundation documents and the expansion of the terrace is not included in text no. 16 and therefore the restorations are generally based on text no. 4 lines 81–83.
4530 “30”: E. Frahm (Sanherib p. 75 Baub. line 89) correctly points out that 30, not 20, must be read here since the height of the terrace is 190 layers of bricks in this inscription, not 180 as it is in text no. 4 line 82.
461 ME 90 “190”: Text no. 4 line 82 has 1 ME 80 “180.”
47This inscription adds breccia (NA₄.DÚR.MI.NA.BÀN.DA) to the list of materials used in the construction of the palace; cf. text no. 4 line 84.
48Cf. text no. 1 lines 80–81 and text no. 2 lines 57-58, which served as the model for these lines. In this text, Sennacherib records that he used cedar and cypress (from Mount Amanus and Mount Sirāra) to roof the palace and that he hung doors of cedar, cypress, and juniper in its gates. In earlier texts, he states that cedar from Mount Amanus was used for the roofing and that the palace’s doors were made from cypress.
49KUR.si-ra-ra “Mount Sirāra”: This mountain in Neo-Assyrian inscriptions not only refers to Mount Hermon, but also to the southern Anti-Lebanon; it is also identical with Sirion, the “Amorite” name of Mount Hermon. See Bagg, SAAB 15 (2006) pp. 190–191.
50KI.SAG “silver”: For the identification of KI.SAG as a type of silver, see Frahm, Sanherib p. 85 (commentary to T 10 and T 11 Baub. line 104) and Borger, MZ p. 412 (with references to previous literature).
51This passage was composed anew for this text or text no. 14.
52Cf. text no. 1 lines 82–84 and text no. 2 lines 59-61, which served as the model for these lines.
53Text no. 1 line 83 and text no. 2 line 60 have 8 UR.MAḪ.MEŠ pe-tan bir-ki šu-ta-tu-ti ša i-na ŠÁR ŠÁR ŠÁR GÉŠ.U GUN URUDU nam-ru pi-ti-iq dnin-á-gal šu-pu-šu “eight striding lions, standing opposite one another, which were made from 11,400 talents of shining copper, cast by the god Ninagal.”
54Between šu-ta-ḫu-ti “identical” and pi-ti-iq “cast,” text no. 1 line 84 and text no. 2 line 61 add ša ŠÁR GÉŠ.U GÉŠ.U GÉŠ.U GÉŠ.U GUN “from 6,000 talents.”
554 “four”: The number is 2 “two” in text no. 1 line 84 and text no. 2 line 61.
56Cf. text no. 1 line 85 and text no. 2 line 62.
57⸢GU.AN.NA⸣ “...”: Possibly a logographic writing for ešmarû, as suggested by W. von Soden (AHw p. 257) and the CAD (E p. 367). B. Meissner and P. Rost (BiS p. 36) suggest that GU.AN.NA is a composite of copper and tin, while A. Heidel (Sumer 9 [1953] p. 185) thinks that it could be decorative cord or thread made of tin.
58⸢SI.GAR⸣ “door bolt(s)”: See the on-page note to text no. 1 line 85.
59Cf. text no. 1 line 86 and text no. 2 line 63, which served as the model for these lines.
60Cf. text no. 16 vii 20, which adds a-di iṣ-ṣu na-áš ši-pa-a-ti “together with cotton trees” between GIŠ.MEŠ tuk-lat KUR-i ù KUR.kal-di “trees that are the mainstay of the mountains and Chaldea” and qé-reb-šú ḫur-ru-šú i-ta-a-šá az-qu-up “I planted alongside it ... were collected inside it.”
61Text no. 8 is the earliest known inscription in which this passage is preserved. It was incorporated into the building report of this text without changes. Note that text no. 8 does not list any gates.
62A list of the gates of Nineveh appears for the first time in inscriptions written on prisms in either 698 or 697; see the commentary of text no. 14. Work on the walls must have still been in the early stages in 699 because text no. 8 records the construction of Nineveh’s inner and outer walls, but not its gates. Cf. text no. 17 vii 70–viii 5 and text no. 18 vii 10´–40´ which state that there were fifteen and then eighteen gates. Text no. 16 vii 34–69 also lists fourteen gates. For details, see the chart on p. 18.
63[dIGI].⸢SIG₇⸣.SIG₇: Igisigsig (or Amurriqānu, “jaundice”) is the chief gardener of Anu.
64Text no. 8 is the earliest known inscription in which this passage is preserved. It was incorporated into the building report of this text without changes.
65Based on the building report of text no. 16, the translation assumes that two now-missing lines immediately before viii 1´ contained i-na mé-eḫ-ret KÁ.GAL MURUB₄ URU i-na a-gúr-ri NA₄.pi-i-li pe-ṣe-e “opposite the Citadel Gate with paving stones of white limestone.”
66This inscription is the earliest known text in which this passage appears. It is uncertain if it was composed anew for this text or text no. 14.
67áš-šú šur-pu-šú ṣip-pa-a-⸢ti⸣ “for the expansion of orchards”: This passage is not included in earlier inscriptions; see text no. 4 line 86.
68bi-ru-tú “valley”: The interpretation follows Frahm, Sanherib p. 45; see also Borger, JCS 18 (1964) pp. 54–55; and A. Westenholz, AfO 23 (1970) pp. 27–31.
69Cf. text no. 16 viii 50–51, which adds iṣ-ṣu na-áš ši-pa-a-ti ib-qu-mu im-ḫa-ṣu ṣu-ba-ti-iš “they picked cotton and wove it into clothing” after e-pu-uš “I used.” The inclusion or exclusion of this passage has been used to determine whether a prism fragment belongs to this text or text no. 16.
70Cf. text no. 1 lines 91–92, text no. 2 lines 68–69, and text no. 8 line 8´, all of which are earlier versions of this passage.
71DUMU.MEŠ-ia “my descendants”: Ex. 1 has AD.MEŠ-ia “my ancestors.” According to M. Worthington (Textual Criticism p. 108), this is one of several polar errors in the inscriptions of Sennacherib.
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/Q003489/.