Esarhaddon 134

(1) For the goddess Ištar of Uruk, sovereign of heaven and netherworld, most valiant of the gods, august, supreme lady, who has gathered to herself (all) divine offices of highest rank, the one into whose hand all purification rites are appointed, empress of the goddesses, whose words are pre-eminent in heaven and netherworld, goddess of war and battle, who goes at the side of the king, her favorite, (and) slays his foes, who dwells in Enirgalana (“House, Prince of Heaven) — which is inside Eanna — lady of Uruk, great lady, his lady:

(6) Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad; respectful king who is assiduous toward the sanctuaries of the great gods; who reveres the lord of lords; the one who (re)constructed the temple of the god Aššur, (re)built Esagil and Babylon, provided for Ezida, renovated Eanna, completed the sanctuaries of cult centers, (and) constantly established appropriate procedures in them; son of Sennacherib, king of the world (and) king of Assyria; descendant of Sargon (II), king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, (and) king of the land of Sumer and Akkad —

(11) Enirgalana (“House, Prince of Heaven”), the cella of the goddess Ištar, my lady, which is inside Eanna, which a previous king had built, became old and dilapidated. I sought its (original) emplacement (and) repaired its dilapidated parts with baked bricks from a (ritually) pure kiln. I grasped the hands of the goddess Ištar of Uruk, great lady, brought (her) inside, (and) caused (her) to take up residence (there) forever. I offered splendid offerings and made her doorbolt extremely fine.

(16) O goddess Ištar of Uruk, august lady, when you are happily dwelling inside that cella, may a good word for me — Esarhaddon, king of Assyria — be set upon your lips! Determine as my fate a long life, fullness of old age, good health, and happiness! Come to my side in war and battle so that I may squash all my enemies like ants!

(20) If at any time in the future, during the reign of some future ruler, this cella falls into disrepair, may (that ruler) repair its dilapidated state! May he write my name with his name! May he anoint with oil an inscription written in my name, make an offering, (and) set (that inscription) with an inscription written in his name! The gods will (then) hear his prayers.

(22b) (But as for) the one who erases my inscribed name by some crafty device, destroys my (royal) inscription, or changes its position, may the goddess Ištar of Uruk glare at him angrily and determine a bad fate for him! May she make his name (and) his descendant(s) disappear from the land and have no pity on him!