CDLI Literary 000380, ex. 020 (P346217)
Literary tablet excavated in Ur (mod. Tell Muqayyar), dated to the Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC) period and now kept in British Museum, London, UKMetadata / catalogue
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British Museum, London, UKMuseum Number
BM —Provenience
Ur (mod. Tell Muqayyar)Artifact Type
TabletMaterial(s)
ClayGenre / Subgenre(s)
Literary (ETCSL 2.02.03 Lament for Sumer and Ur (witness))Language(s)
SumerianMeasurements
-Witness
obverse
1. [...] dumu-ni {d}suen-ra mu-un-na-ni-ib-gi4-gi4
en: Enlil was replying to his son Suen
2. [...]-x x-bi a-sze-ra gi er2-ra ba-am3-mu2
en: In the ... of of the windswept city(?), the reed of mourning grows in lamentation
3. [...]-bi# a-sze-ra gi er2-ra ba-am-mu2
en: In the ..., the reed of mourning grows in lamentation
4. [...]-x-bi a-sze-ra u4 mi-ni-ib-zal-zal-e
en: In the ..., he spends time in lamentation
5. [...]-gu10# dumu-gir15 ni2-za he2-me-en er2-ra-na-bi-me-en
en: My son, if you yourself are a native son, then it is you who is the one whose tears (they are)
6. [{d}]nanna# dumu-gir15 ni2-za he2-me-en er2-ra-na-bi-me-en
en: Nanna, if you yourself are a native son, then it is you who is the one whose tears (they are)
7. di#-til-la inim pu-uh2-ru-ma-ka szu gi4-gi4 nu-gal2
en: There is no revocation of a final verdict, the word of the assembly
8. inim du11-ga an {d}en-lil2-la2-ka szu bala-e nu-zu
en: The uttered word of An and Enlil knows no change
9. uri2{ki} nam-lugal ha-ba-szum2 bala da-ri2 la-ba-an-szum2
en: If Ur was given kingship, ... did not give an eternal term of office
10. u4 ul kalam ki gar-ra-ta za3 ug lu-a-sze3
en: From the distant day when the land was founded to the (current) limit of teeming people
11. bala nam-lugal-la sag-bi-sze3 e3 a-ba-a igi im-mi-in-duh-a
en: Who has seen a reign of kingship taking precedence (forever)
12. nam-lugal-bi bala-bi ba-gid2-e-de3 sza3 kuszx(SAG)-u3#-de3
en: In order to lengthen the term of kingship(?), in order to take counsel (to that effect?)
13. {d}nanna-gu10 na-an-kuszx(SAG)-kuszx(SAG)-u3-de3 iri#{ki}-zux(SU) e3-bar-ra-ab
en: My Nanna, do not become exhausted (doing this), leave your city
14. u4-ba lugal-gu10 dumu-gir15-ra UR5#-ra-ni ba-an-til
en: At that time, my king, the native son, quit/killed his liver/lungs
15. en {d}dil-im2-babbar dumu-gir15-ra sza3 hul-lu im#-ma-an-dim2
en: Lord Dilimbabbar “fashioned a destroyed/evil heart”
16. {d}nanna lu2 iri{ki}-ni ki ag2#-ga2 iri#{ki}-ni ba-ra-e3
en: Nanna, who loved his city, left his city
17. {d}nin-gal-e gir5# iri{ki}-ni-ta ki kur2-sze3 du-u3-de3
en: Ningal, in order to go (as a) stranger(?) of her city to a strange place
18. SZE3 ul4-ul4-la-bi ba-ra-an-SAR#? iri#{ki#}-ta ba-ra-e3
en: Hurriedly she got dressed/braided a rope (for escape?) and left the city
19. uri2{ki}-ma {d}a-nun-na-bi bar#?-ra#? ba-sug2-ge-esz
en: The Anuna of Ur stood outside
20. uri2{ki} izi ni2-bi x x DU#? x-a ba-a-te
en: In Ur fire(?) that ... by itself was extinguished(?)
21. uri2{ki}-ma gesz-bi tur5#-ra#-am3 gi#-bi# tur5#-ra-am3
en: In Ur its trees were sick, its reeds were sick
22. bad3#-bi en-na! nigin2-na-a-bi-da a-nir ba#-da-sa2
en: A lament was competing with the wall up to its circuit (in terms of completeness)
23. u4#-szu2#-usz-e {gesz}tukul-e# igi-bi-sze3 sag i3-sag3-sag3-ge
en: Daily weapons were smashing heads before it
24. uri2{ki}-ma {uruda}ha-zi-in gal-gal-e igi-bi-sze3 u4-sar i3-ak-e
en: In Ur great hazin axes were sharpened before it
25. {gesz}gid2-da a2 me3-ke4 si# bi2-ib2-sa2-sa2-e-ne
en: They were setting the spears, the arms of battle, in order
26. {gesz}pana gal-gal {gesz}illar {kusz}gur21{+ur3}-ra tesz2 im-da-gu7-e
en: Great bows, throw sticks, and shields were consuming together
27. {gesz}ti zu-ke4 muru9 szeg3-gin7 bar-ba am3-mi-ib2-si
en: Barbed(?) arrows filled its outside like a rainstorm
28. na4 gal-gal-e ni2-bi-a pu-u4-pa-ad im-mi-ib2-za
en: Great stones made a thudding pudpad noise by themselves
29. u4-szu2-usz uru17{ki}-ta tu15 hul-e mu-un-da-an-gi4-gi4
en: Daily an evil wind returns among the city
reverse
1. uri2{ki}-ma usu-bi-ta nir-gal2 gab2-gaz-e ba-a-gub
en: In Ur the noble one, divested of his(?) strength, stood among the murderer(s)
2. ug3 lu2-erim2 a2 bi2-ib2-gar {gesz}tukul-e ba-sug2-ge-esz
en: The enemy defeated the people, (those who?) stood among the weapons
3. uru17{ki} {gesz}tukul-e sag nu-szum2-ma-szum2-ma-am3 sza3-gar-e ba-e-tusz!?
en: (In?) the city the ones who did not advance against the weapons dwelled/sat in hunger
4. sza3-gar-e iri{ki} a-gin7 ba-e-si ga2-la nu-um-ta-dag-ge
en: Starvation thus filled the city, it was not ceasing
5. sza3-gar-e igi-bi im-gurum-me-e sa-bi im-lug-gu2-ne
en: In hunger they were bowing their heads and twisting their muscles
6. ug3-bi a-nigin2-na ba-e-si zi HAR i-ak-e
en: Its people filled the ponds, they were ...
7. lugal-bi e2 ni2-te-na-ka zi gig mu-un-pa-an-pa-an
en: Its king breathed painfully in his own(?) house
8. nam-lu2-lux(URU)-bi szu-bi ba-e-szub {gesz}tukul ki bi2-ib2-tag
en: Its humanity dropped their hands, (their) weapons touched the ground
9. szu-bi gu2-bi-sze3 ba-szi-ib-de5-de5 er2 mu-un-szesz2-szesz2-ne
en: They gathered/clasped their hands to their necks(?), they were weeping
10. tesz2-bi-a ad mi-ni-ib-gi4-gi4 inim im-szar2-szar2-e-ne
en: Together they advised, they discussed
11. me-li-e-a du11-ga-me nam-mu tah-me nam-mu
en: Alas, what is it that we will say, what is it that we will add?
12. en3-sze3-am3 ka garasz2-a-ka im-til-la-de3-en-de3-en
en: How long until we are to be finished in the mouth of catastrophe?
13. uri2{ki}-ma sza3-bi nam-usz2-am3 bar-bi nam-usz2-am3
en: The inside of Ur is death, the outside is death
14. sza3-bi-a nig2 sza3-gar-ra-ka im-mi-ni-ib-til-e-de3-<en-de3-en>
en: (How long until) we are to be finished within that of starvation inside (the city)?
15. bar-bi-a {gesz}tukul elam{ki}-ma-ka i-im-til-e-de3-en-de3-en
en: (How long until) we are to be finished among the weapon(s) of Elam outside (the city)?
16. uri2{ki}-ma lu2-erim2-e im-ma-gub ga!?-nam-ba-til-e-de3-<en>-de3-en
en: The enemy stands in Ur, we must come to an end(?)
17. zi-bi murgu2-bi-sze3 i3-ak-e gu3 tesz2-a bi2-ib2-si-ge-esz
en: Acting on behalf of their life and their back(?) they spoke together
18. abul-la-bi {gesz}si-gar bi2-in-duh-duh-usz# {gesz}ig-bi u4 bi2-gub-bu
en: They opened the bolt of the gate, the storm was making its door stand (in the street)
19. elam{ki}-e a mah e3-a-gin7 giri3 im-ma-ni-ib2-gar
en: Elam set foot there like a great onrushing flood
20. uri2{ki}-ma {gesz}tukul-e {dug}sahar2-gin7 sag gaz i3-ak-e
en: In Ur (they) were crushing their heads with weapons like a porous pot(?)
21. lu2-kar-ra-bi dub3 nu-um-zil-e bad3 za3-ga im-tab
en: (They) could not sprint away(?) as fugitives, (they) were seized(?) within the wall's limits
22. ku6 a-nigin2-na# lug-ga-gin7 zi-bi in-tum3-tum3-mu
en: Like fish living in a pond, they were seeking refuge
23. e2-kisz-nu-gal2 {d}nanna-ka lu2-erim2-e ba-e-tusz
en: The enemy dwelled in the Ekišnugal temple of Nanna
24. ku3? {d}nig2-gur11?-dugud-gal2-la-a{muszen} im-zi-ir-zi-re-ne
en: They were breaking the holy “having heavy possessions” bird(!?)
25. alan |AN.ZAG|-gi4 si-a-bi!? gu2-gur5-ru ba-ni-in-ak-asz
en: They cut down the statue that occupied(?) the uzga shrine
26. {d#}nin-e2-i3-gar9 agrig mah erimx(|IRIxKAR2|)-ma szu bi2-in-dag
en: Nine'igara, the supreme steward, abandoned the storehouse(!?)
27. [{gesz}]gu-za-bi igi-bi-ta ba-e-szu2 sahar-ra ba-da-tusz
en: Its throne was covered over from the front(?), she(?) could(?) (only) sit in the dust (instead?)
28. [...] mah-bi si-musz3-bi-ta ba-an-dab5-be2-esz si-bi ba-ra-an-ku5
en: They seized the great(?) cows at/by(?) their ... horns, ... cut their horns off
29. [...] du7#-du7-e udu u2 gu7-gin7 {gesz}tukul-e ba-an-sag3-sag3
en: ... smote goring bulls with the weapon like (they were) grazing sheep
30. [{gesz}]geszimmar-gin7 gu2-gur7-ru ba-ab-du11 tesz2-bi ba-ra-an-kad4
en: ... was cut down and bound together like a date palm
31. {gesz#}geszimmar uruda kal-ga a2 nam-ur-sag-ga2
en: The date palm (of? like?) strong copper, the arm of heroism
32. {u2#}numun2-gin7 ba-bur12 {u2}numun2 ba-zi2 ur2-ba ti mi-ni-ib-bala
en: It was torn out like a rush, it was cut like a rush, it was turned sideways(?) in its roots
33. sag# sahar-ra ki ba-ni-ib-us2 lu2 zi-zi# la-ba-tuku
en: Its top was lodged in the ground, a person to raise it was not available
34. {gesz#}ze2#-na-bi gu2 ba-an-[...]-gur5#-usz sag szu bi2-in-hu-hu-az!?
en: ... trimmed its midribs and set its top on fire
35. [...]-a2#? zu2-lum-ma-bi pu2 du7-du7 ba-<<x>>-ra-an-BU-BU-de3-esz
en: ... its spadix with ripe dates, ... the well
36. [...]-zi# x ku3#-ge mu2-a szu ba-e-lal-lal
en: The gizi reed that grew in the holy ... were actively diminished(?)
double ruling
37. ($ blank space $) 1(disz) szu-szi n x x x
en: (Total:) Sixty+ (lines ...)
Consult previous versions and their differences
Consult sign list of Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)
Consult word list of Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)
- Artifact type: Tablet
- Material: Clay
- Measurements (mm):
- Weight:
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- Condition Description:
- Join Information:
- Seal no.:
- Seal information:
- Artifact comments:
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history: UET 6, 0132
[Gadd1963] Gadd, Cyril J., and Aaron Shaffer. 1963, 1966.
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history: LSU, p.33
[Michalowski1989LamentationSumer] Michalowski, Piotr. 1989. The Lamentation over the Destruction of Sumer and Ur. Vol. 1. Mesopotamian Civilizations. Winona Lake, Ind : Eisenbrauns.
- Composite No.:
- Museum No.: BM —
- Accession No.:
- Provenience: Ur (mod. Tell Muqayyar)
- Elevation:
- Stratigraphic Level:
- Excavation No: U 16900h
- Findspot Square:
- Findspot Comments:
- Period: Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)
- Dates Referenced:
- Alternative Years:
- Date Comments:
- Accounting Period: 0
Created | Creator | Type | Authors | Project | Reviewer | Status | Action |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024-07-19 at 13:59:15 | Firth, Richard | Artifact, Other Entity | Firth, Richard | Firth, Richard | approved | ||
2024-07-12 at 18:14:13 | Firth, Richard | Artifact, Other Entity | Firth, Richard | Firth, Richard | approved | ||
2023-06-15 at 20:34:30 | Rattenborg, Rune | Artifact | Rattenborg, Rune | Geomapping Landscapes of Writing | Rattenborg, Rune | approved | |
2019-06-11 at 10:26:24 | Englund, Robert K. | Atf | Englund, Robert K. | CDLI | approved | ||
2019-05-29 at 21:01:58 | Englund, Robert K. | Atf | Englund, Robert K. | CDLI | approved | ||
2006-11-02 at 00:00:00 | CDLI | Artifact | Foxvog, Daniel A.; Guerra, Dylan; Peterson, Jeremiah; Veldhuis, Niek; Wolfe, Jared N. | CDLI | approved |
Consult this artifact as presented on the website of collections and projects:
This artifact is a witness to the following composite(s):
Composite | Score |
---|---|
CDLI Literary 000380 (Lament for Sumer and Ur) composite (P469682) | View the score |