Inscriptions, Part 1 (Babylonian text nos. 1-12)

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Numerous clay cylinders from Babylon have an Akkadian inscription which records the restoration of Nēmed-Enlil, the outer city wall of Babylon, and its gates by Ashurbanipal. The inscription was composed before the outbreak of his brother Šamaš-šuma-ukīn's rebellion in 652 BC.

Access the composite text [/ribo/babylon6/Q003799] of Ashurbanipal Babylonian 01.

Sources

Bibliography

• Fossey 1905-1906, pp. 371–377 (ex. 1, edition)
• Streck 1916, pp. 234–239 no. 4 (L⁶ [P²]) and 412 (exs. 1–2, edition)
• Koldewey 1925, pp. 149–151 (exs. 3–11, translation [by Delitzsch])
• Luckenbill 1927, §§963–964 (exs. 1–2, translation)
• Al-Rawi 1991, pp. 1 and 3 no. 1 (ex. 17, transliteration)
• George 1992, pp. 345–346 (ex. 1, partial edition)
• Frame 1995, pp. 196–198 B.6.32.1 (edition)

• Lehmann-Haupt 1892, 2 pls. XXX–XXXI no. 11 (P²) (ex. 2, copy)
• King 1900, pls. 6–7 (ex. 1, copy)
• Koldewey 1925, fig. 96 (ex. 11, photo)
• Klengel-Brandt 1970, p. 26 fig. 11 (ex. 10, photo)
• Al-Rawi 1991, p. 2 no. 1, p. 4 pl. 1 (ex. 17, copy; ex. 19, photo)

• Pognon 1880, p. 122 and n. 1 (ex. 2, study)
• Strassmaier 1886, passim (ex. 2, study)
• Lehmann-Haupt 1892, 1 p. 27, and 2 p. 62 (P²) (ex. 2, study)
• Koldewey 1901, p. 4 (ex. 3, study)
• Koldewey 1905, pp. 17–18 (exs. 5, 7–8, provenance)
• Streck 1916, pp. XLIII, XCI, (L⁶ [P²]), and 835–836 (exs. 3–11, study)
• BM Guide 1922, p. 230 no. 37 (ex. 1, study)
• Unger 1924-1925, p. 23 no. 17 (exs. 3–11, study)
• Koldewey 1925, pp. 149–151 (exs. 3–11, provenance)
• Unger in Wetzel 1930, p. 80 (exs. 3–11, study)
• Bauer 1933, 2 p. 50 (exs. 1–11, study)

A cylinder fragment from Babylon preserves part of an Akkadian inscription of Ashurbanipal which would appear to commemorate some action for the god Ea. The inscription was composed at some point before 652 BC.

Access the composite text [/ribo/babylon6/Q003800] of Ashurbanipal Babylonian 02.

Source

Bibliography

• Koldewey 1904, p. 7 (partial translation [by Delitzsch])
• Streck 1916, pp. XC–XCI (partial translation [by Delitzsch])
• Frame 1995, pp. 202–203 B.6.32.3 (edition)

• Koldewey 1904, p. 7 (provenance; study [by Delitzsch])
• Streck 1916, pp. XC–XCI (partial translation, study [by Delitzsch])
• Unger 1931, p. 225 no. 16 (study)
• Wetzel und Weißbach 1938, p. 77 n. 1 (study)

An Akkadian inscription recording the renovation of Eturkalama ("House, Cattle-Pen of the Land"), the temple of the goddess Ištar at Babylon, by Ashurbanipal is found on two or more clay cylinders. The inscription was composed during the first half of the reign of Ashurbanipal (before 652 BC).

Access the composite text [/ribo/babylon6/Q003801] or the score (no link available) of Ashurbanipal Babylonian 03.

Sources

Bibliography

• Strong 1891, pp. 471–475 (ex. 1, edition)
• Streck 1916, pp. XLI and 226–229 no. 1 (L¹) (exs. 1–2, edition)
• Luckenbill 1927, §§953–955 (exs. 1–2, translation)
• Frame 1995, pp. 203–204 B.6.32.4 (edition)

• Strong 1891, pp. 472–473 (ex. 1, copy in type)
• Lehmann-Haupt 1892, 2 pls. XXIII–XXIV no. 8 (L¹) (exs. 1–2, copy)

• Lehmann-Haupt 1885, pp. 360–361 (ex. 1, study)
• Bezold 1886, p. 113 §64.3.b (ex. 1, study)
• Lehmann-Haupt 1892, 1 p. 25 and 2 p. 61 (L¹) (exs. 1–2, study)
• BM Guide 1922, p. 230 no. 35 (ex. 1, study)
• Unger in Wetzel 1930, p. 80 (ex. 3, study)

An Akkadian inscription on two clay cylinders records the restoration of Emaḫ ("Exalted House"), the temple of the goddess Ninmaḫ at Babylon, by Ashurbanipal. The inscription was composed before the year 652 BC and is similar to Babylonian Inscriptions 2–3.

Access the composite text [/ribo/babylon6/Q003802] or the score (no link available) of Ashurbanipal Babylonian 04.

Sources

Bibliography

• Koldewey 1900, pp. 6–7 (ex. 1, translation [by Meissner])
• Weißbach 1903, no. 8 (ex. 1, edition)
• Jastrow 1905, pp. 418–419 (ex. 1, partial translation)
• Koldewey 1911, p. 67 (ex. 1, edition [by Delitzsch])
• Streck 1916, pp. XLIII–XLIV and 238–241 no. 5 (Ê-maḫ) (ex. 1, edition)
• Luckenbill 1927, §§965–967 (ex. 1, partial translation)
• Jakob-Rost and Marzahn 1983, pp. 15 and 17 (ex. 1, translation)
• Frame 1995, pp. 205–206 B.6.32.5 (edition)

• Weißbach 1903, no. 8 (ex. 1, copy)
• Koldewey 1911, p. 14 fig. 17 (ex. 1, photo)
• Koldewey 1925, pp. 59–60 and fig. 41 (ex. 1, copy)

• Koldewey 1900, pp. 6–7 (ex. 1, provenance)
• Koldewey 1911, pp. 4 and 13 (ex. 1, provenance)
• Unger 1924-1925, p. 23 no. 16 (ex. 1, study)

An Akkadian inscription of Ashurbanipal describing work on the platforms and daises of the temple Esagil at Babylon is found on a clay cylinder; the inscription was composed at some point before the year 652 BC.

Access the composite text [/ribo/babylon6/Q003803] of Ashurbanipal Babylonian 05.

Source

Bibliography

• Jensen 1890, pp. 258–261 (edition)
• De Clercq and Menant 1903, pp. 148–154 (edition, study)
• Streck 1916, pp. XLII–XLIII and 232–235 no. 3 (P¹) (edition)
• Luckenbill 1927, §§960–962 (translation)
• Frame 1995, pp. 206–208 B.6.32.6 (edition)

• Rawlinson and Smith 1870, pl. 16 no. 5 (copy in type)
• Lehmann-Haupt 1892 2 pls. XXVIII–XXIX no. 10 (P¹) (copy)
• De Clercq and Menant 1903, figs. A.I–III following p. 116, and pls. XXIV–XXV (photo [heliograph], copy in type)

• Bezold 1886, p. 113 §64.3.a (study)
• De Clercq and Ménant 1903, pp. 148–154 (study)
• Lehmann-Haupt 1892 1 pp. 26–27 and 2 p. 62 (P¹) (study)
• Weißbach 1916, 430 (study)
• Wetzel and Weißbach 1938, pp. 77–78 (study)

This Akkadian inscription of Ashurbanipal found on one or two stone steles commemorates the restoration of Ekarzagina ("House, Quay of Lapis Lazuli" or "House, Pure Quay"), the shrine of the god Ea within the Esagil complex, at Babylon. The inscription dates to the first part of the reign of Ashurbanipal (before 652 BC).

Access the composite text [/ribo/babylon6/Q003804] of Ashurbanipal Babylonian 06.

Sources

Bibliography

• Strong 1891, pp. 469–471 (ex. 1, partial edition)
• Lehmann-Haupt 1892 2 pp. 14–19 (ex. 1, edition)
• Quentin 1895, pp. 553–562 (ex. 1, edition)
• Streck 1916, pp. XLV and 244–249 no. 7 (S3) (ex. 1, edition)
• Luckenbill 1927 §§978–980 (ex. 1, partial translation)
• Reade and Walker 1981-1982, p. 119 (ex. 2, transliteration)
• Frame 1995, pp. 199–202 B.6.32.2 (edition)

• Strong 1891, pp. 469–470 (ex. 1, partial copy in type)
• Lehmann-Haupt 1892 1, frontpiece and 2, pls. XVII–XXII no. 7 (S3) (ex. 1, photo, copy)
• Quentin 1895, pp. 554–562 (ex. 1, copy in type)
• Babelon 1906, p. 89 fig. 64 (ex. 1, photo)
• Curtius 1913, fig. 6 (ex. 1, photo)
• King 1915, pl. following p. 272 (ex. 1, photo)
• Meissner 1915, p. 74 fig. 131 (ex. 1, photo)
• Meissner 1920, pl. 38 fig. 40 (ex. 1, photo)
• BM Guide 1922, pl. XXVIII (ex. 1, photo)
• Bezold 1926, fig. 126 (ex. 1, photo)
• Unger 1926, pl. 267c (ex. 1, photo)
• Jeremias 1929, p. 18 fig. 8 (ex. 1, photo)
• Contenau 1931,fig. 822 (ex. 1, photo)
• Champdor 1958, p. 137 fig. 89 (ex. 1, photo)
• Parrot 1961, p. 35 fig. 40A (ex. 1, photo)
• Potratz 1961, pl. I fig. 3 (ex. 1, photo)
• Beek 1962, p. 28 fig. 39 (ex. 1, photo)
• Strommenger and Hirmer 1962, pl. 262 (ex. 1, photo)
• Ellis 1966, pl. VIII fig. 3 (ex. 1, photo)
• Margueron 1965, fig. 58 (ex. 1, photo)
• Moortgat 1967, pl. 282 (ex. 1, photo)
• Pritchard 1969, no. 450 (ex. 1, photo)
• Salonen 1972, pl. XIII (ex. 1, photo)
• Oates 1979, p. 122 (ex. 1, photo)
• Reade and Walker 1981-1982, p. 119 (ex. 2, photo)
• Börker-Klähn 1982, no. 224 (ex. 1, photo)
• Parpola and Watanabe 1988, p. 60 fig. 19 (ex. 1, photo)
• Frame 1992, cover (ex. 1, photo)
• Novotny 2014, front cover (ex. 1, photo)

• Bezold 1886, pp. 113–114 §64.3.d (ex. 1, study)
• Evetts 1891, p. 158 (ex. 1, study)
• Curtius 1913, pp. 11–12 (ex. 1, study [of relief])
• BM Guide 1922, p. 74 no. 300 (ex. 1, study)
• Unger 1924-1925, p. 23 no. 10 (ex. 1, study)
• Contenau 1931, p. 1299 (ex. 1, study)
• Unger 1931, p. 225 no. 12 (ex. 1, study)
• Potratz 1961, pp. 14–15 (ex. 1, study [of relief]
• Ellis 1966, pp. 47–48 (ex. 1, study)
• Moortgat 1967, p. 157 (ex. 1, study)
• Ellis 1968, pp. 24–25 (ex. 1, study)
• Börker-Klähn 1982, no. 224 (ex. 1, study)
• Galter 1983, pp. 199–200 (ex. 1, study)

A large number of bricks from Babylon have an Akkadian inscription of Ashurbanipal stamped upon them which states that the Assyrian king had had bricks made for Esagil ("House Whose Top Is High") and for the ziggurat Etemenanki ("House, Foundation of Heaven and Netherworld").

Access the composite text [/ribo/babylon6/Q003805] of Ashurbanipal Babylonian 07.

Sources

Bibliography

• Koldewey 1900-1901, pp. 22–23 (ex. 5, translation)
• Koldewey 1911, p. 72 no. 10 (ex. 5, edition)
• Streck 1916, pp. LXIII and 350–51 no. 3.a.β (ex. 5, edition)
• Luckenbill 1927, §§1119–1120 (ex. 5, translation)
• Unger 1931, p. 280 no. 22 (exs. 1, 5, translation)
• Wetzel and Weißbach 1938, p. 39 no. A.II.a (exs. 1–2, 5–26, edition)
• Marzahn 1989, p. 58 no. VIII (transliteration)
• Frame 1995, pp. 208–209 B.6.32.7 (edition)

• Koldewey 1925, p. 203 fig. 125 (ex. 1, photo)
• Marzahn 1989, p. 58 fig. 7 (ex. 2, copy)

• Koldewey 1900-1901, pp. 22–23 (ex. 5, provenance)
• Koldewey 1911, p. 44 (ex. 5, provenance)
• Unger 1924-1925, p. 23 no. 12 (exs. 1, 5, study)
• Koldewey 1925, p. 202 (ex. 1, study)
• Wetzel and Weißbach 1938, pp. 86–87 (exs. 1–2, 5–26, provenance)
• Marzahn 1989, p. 58 nos. 14–16 (exs. 2–4, study)

Several bricks from Babylon have an Akkadian inscription stamped upon them which states that Ashurbanipal had had bricks made for the ziggurat Etemenanki.

Access the composite text [/ribo/babylon6/Q003806] of Ashurbanipal Babylonian 08.

Sources

Bibliography

• Smith 1875, p. 380 (ex. 1, translation)
• Streck 1916, pp. LXIII and 350–351 no. 3.a.α (ex. 1, edition)
• Luckenbill 1927, §1118 (ex. 1, translation)
• Wetzel and Weißbach 1938, pp. 86–87 (exs. 2–5, edition)
• Walker 1981, no. 78 (ex. 1, transliteration)
• Marzahn 1989, p. 59 no. IX (transliteration)
• Frame 1995, pp. 209–210 B.6.32.8 (edition)

• Marzahn 1989, p. 59 fig. 8 (ex. 5, copy)

• Bezold 1886, p. 116 §65.4.m (ex. 1, study)
• BM Guide 1922, p. 74 no. 302 (ex. 1, study)
• Unger 1924-1925, p. 23 nos. 13–14 (ex. 1, study)
• Wetzel and Weißbach 1938, p. 40 no. A.II.d (exs. 2–5, provenance)
• Marzahn 1989, p. 59 nos. 17–19 (exs. 2, 4, 5, study)

A number of bricks from Babylon bear a stamped inscription in Sumerian which records the renovation of Etemenanki, the ziggurat at Babylon, by Ashurbanipal.

Access the composite text [/ribo/babylon6/Q003807] of Ashurbanipal Babylonian 09.

Sources

Bibliography

• Wetzel and Weißbach 1938, pp. 86–87 (exs. 2–8, edition)
• Walker 1981, no. 79 (ex. 1, transliteration)
• Marzahn 1989, pp. 57–58 no. VII (transliteration)
• Frame 1995, pp. 210–211 B.6.32.9 (edition)

• Marzahn 1989, pp. 57–58 fig. 6 (ex. 3, copy)

• Wetzel and Weißbach 1938, p. 40 no. A.II.e (exs. 2–8, provenance)
• Marzahn 1989, pp. 57–58 nos. 11–13 (exs. 3–5, study)

This Akkadian inscription of Ashurbanipal is stamped upon a brick fragment found at Babylon and records the making of bricks for Etemenanki.

Access the composite text [/ribo/babylon6/Q003808] of Ashurbanipal Babylonian 10.

Source

Bibliography

• Wetzel and Weißbach 1938, p. 86 (edition)
• Frame 1995, pp. 211–212 B.6.32.10 (edition)

• Wetzel and Weißbach 1938, p. 40 no. A.II.b (provenance)

Another Akkadian inscription stamped on a brick from Babylon records the making of bricks for Etemenanki by Ashurbanipal.

Access the composite text [/ribo/babylon6/Q003809] of Ashurbanipal Babylonian 11.

Source

Bibliography

• Streck 1916, pp. LXIII and 837 no. 8 (edition)
• Wetzel and Weißbach 1938, pp. 86–87 (edition)
• Marzahn 1989, p. 57 no. VI (transliteration)
• Frame 1995 pp. 212 B.6.32.11 (edition)

• Koldewey 1925 p. 183 fig. 117 (photo)
• Marzahn 1989, p. 57 fig. 5 (copy)

• Wetzel 1910, p. 23 (provenance)
• Unger 1924-1925, p. 23 no. 15 (study)
• Wetzel and Weißbach 1938, p. 40 no. A.II.c (provenance)
• Marzahn 1989, p. 57 no. 10 (study)

This partially preserved inscription is written in Akkadian upon fragments of two clay cylinders and records the restoration of the city wall of Borsippa, Ṭābi-supūršu ("Its Fold Is Pleasant"), and its gates by Ashurbanipal. The inscription was composed at some point before the commencement of his brother Šamaš-šuma-ukīn's rebellion in 652 BC.

Access the composite text [/ribo/babylon6/Q003810] or the score (no link available) of Ashurbanipal Babylonian 12.

Sources

Bibliography

• Weidner 1939-1941, pp. 217–218 (ex. 1, edition)
• Frame 1991-1993, pp. 119–120 (ex. 2, copy, edition)
• Frame 1995, pp. 215–216 B.6.32.13 (edition)

• Weidner 1939-1941, pl. XVI (ex. 1, copy)
• Frame 1991-1993, pp. 119–120 (ex. 2, copy, edition)

Grant Frame & Jamie Novotny

Grant Frame & Jamie Novotny, 'Inscriptions, Part 1 (Babylonian text nos. 1-12)', RIBo, Babylon 6: The Inscriptions of the Period of the Uncertain Dynasties, The RIBo Project, a sub-project of MOCCI, 2025 [http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ribo/babylon6/PeriodofAssyrianDomination/Ashurbanipal/Inscriptions,Part1/]