Assyro-Babylonian literature -- Translations into English
In the beginning of my reign, Anu and Vul, the great gods, my Lords,
guardians of my steps, they invited me to repair this their shrine. So I
made bricks; I levelled the earth, I took its _dimensions_; I laid down
its foundations upon a mass of strong rock. This place throughout its
whole extent I paved with bricks in _set order_, 50 feet deep I prepared
the ground, and upon this substructure I laid the lower foundations of the
temple of Anu and Vul. From its foundations to its roofs I built it up,
better than it was before. I also built two lofty cupolas in honor of
their noble godships, and the holy place, a spacious hall, I consecrated
for the convenience of their worshippers, and to accommodate their
votaries, who were numerous as the stars of heaven, and in quantity poured
forth like flights of arrows.[1] I repaired, and built, and completed my
work. Outside the temple I fashioned (everything with the same care) as
inside. The mound of earth (on which it was built) I enlarged like the
firmament of the rising stars, and I beautified the entire building. Its
cupolas I raised up to heaven, and its roofs I built entirely of brick. An
inviolable shrine for their noble godships I laid down near at hand. Anu
and Vul, the great gods, I glorified inside,[2] I set them up on their
honored purity, and the hearts of their noble godships I delighted.
[Footnote 1: Very doubtful.]
[Footnote 2: The shrine.]
XLVII
Bit-Khamri, the temple of my Lord Vul, which Shansi-Vul, High-priest of
Ashur, son of Ismi-Dagan, High-priest of Ashur, had founded, became
ruined. I levelled its site, and from its foundation to its roofs I built
it up of brick, I enlarged it beyond its former state, and I adorned it.
Inside of it I sacrificed precious victims to my Lord Vul.
XLVIII
At this time I found various sorts of stone[1] in the countries of Nairi
which I had taken by the help of Ashur, my Lord, and I placed them in the
temple of Bit-Khamri, belonging to my Lord, Vul, to remain there forever.
[Footnote 1: The particular sorts cannot be identified.]
XLIX
Since a holy place, a noble hall, I have thus consecrated for the use of
the great gods, my Lords Anu and Vul, and have laid down an adytum for
their special worship, and have finished it successfully, and have
delighted the hearts of their noble godships, may Anu and Vul preserve me
in power. May they support the men of my Government. May they establish
the authority of my officers. May they bring the rain, the joy of the
year, on the cultivated land and the desert during my time. In war and in
battle may they preserve me victorious. Many foreign countries, turbulent
nations, and hostile Kings I have reduced under my yoke; to my children
and descendants may they keep them in firm allegiance. I will lead my
steps, firm as the mountains, to the last days before Ashur and their
noble godships.
L
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account