Assyro-Babylonian literature -- Translations into English
I published my translation of the "Great Inscriptions of Khorsabad," in
the "_Annales de Philosophie Chrétienne_," July and August, 1862, tom. V
(New Series), p. 62; then in my "_Inscriptions des Sargonides_," p. 20
(1862). The same text was inserted in the work which I edited in communion
with my friend M. Joachim Ménant, entitled "_La Grande Inscription des
Salles de Khorsabad_," "_Journal Asiatique_," 1863. Some passages have
been since corrected by me in my "_Dur-Sarkayan_," Paris, 1870, in the
great work of M. Victor Place, and these corrections have been totally
admitted by M. Ménant in a translation which he has given in his book,
"_Annales des Rois d'Assyrie_," Paris, 1874, p. 180. As the reader may
easily convince himself in collating it with my previous attempts, this
present translation is now amended according to the exigencies of the
progressing science of Assyriology, as it is now understood.
GREAT INSCRIPTION OF THE PALACE OF KHORSABAD
1 Palace of Sargon, the great King, the powerful King,
King of the legions, King of Assyria, Viceroy of the gods
at Babylon, King of the Sumers and of the Accads, favorite
of the great gods.
2 The gods Assur, Nebo, and Merodach have conferred on
me the royalty of the nations, and they have propagated
the memory of my fortunate name to the ends of the earth.
I have followed the reformed precepts of Sippara, Nipur,
Babylon, and Borsippa; I have amended the imperfections
which the men of all laws had admitted.
3 I have reunited the dominions of Kalu, Ur, Orchoé, Erikhi,
Larsa,[1] Kullab, Kisik, the dwelling-place of the god Laguda;
I have subdued their inhabitants. As to the laws
of Sumer[2] and of the town of Harran, which had fallen
into desuetude from the most ancient times, I have restored
to fresh vigor their forgotten customs.
4 The great gods have made me happy by the constancy of
their affection, they have granted me the exercise of my
sovereignty over all kings; they have re-established obedience
upon them all. From the day of my accession there
existed no princes who were my masters; I have not, in
combats or battles, seen my victor. I have crushed the
territories of the rebels like straws, and I have struck them
with the plagues of the four elements. I have opened innumerable
deep and very extensive forests, I have levelled
their inequalities. I have traversed winding and thick
valleys, which were impenetrable, like a needle, and I
passed in digging tanks dug on my way.
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