Sargon II Babylonian 3

(i 1) [For] the goddess Ištar, mistress of the lands, (most) eminent of the gods, [(most) valiant] of the goddesses, [...] fierce, terrifying flood, [(...) who] is endowed with [...] ... majestic, [...] awe, [...] ... the firmament (of the heavens), [...] ... [...] humble, [... who give]s judgment and decision, [...] purification rites, [...] which is inside Uruk, [the great lady], his lady:

(i 14) [Sargon (II), king of Assy]ria, king of the world, viceroy of Babylon, [king of (the land of) Sume]r and Akkad, prince who provides for her,

(i 16) [In order to ensure] his [good health], to prolong his days, to lengthen his reign, [to ...] his [...], (and) to overthrow his enemy,

(i 18) [(With regard to) Ean]na, which Šulgi, a previous king, had had built and which had become old, (with regard to) this temple, whose walls had buckled, whose bondings had disintegrated, whose parapet had become ruined, whose foundation had collapsed, (and) whose reconstruction had not occurred to (any of) the kings, (his) predecessors —

(i 26) At that time, the great lord, the god Marduk, gave excellent judgment to Sargon (II), king of Assyria, king of the world, viceroy of Babylon, one who was chosen by the god Asari, and increased his understanding.

(i 30) He (Sargon) directed his attention [to] renovating the abandoned cult centers and sanctuaries of all the gods of the land Akkad. He was assiduous toward the sanctuaries of Eanna, the abode of the goddess Ištar, mistress of the lands, his lady. (With regard to) the outer enclosure wall of Eanna in the lower courtyard, he tore down its parapet and laid bare its foundation.

(i 37) With fervent entreaties, prayers, and expressions of humility he (Sargon) laid its foundations (anew) and he fixed its foundation on the breast of the netherworld (as secure) as a mountain. With the work of the god Kulla, the chief builder, and (with the help of) artisans who know (their) craft, he raised its top with (ritually) pure bricks and completed its construction. He made (it) superior to what had been there before and carried out the plans correctly.

(ii 7) On account of this, may the goddess Ištar, mistress of the lands, look upon this work with pleasure and may she bestow a (long) life on Sargon, king of Assyria, king of the world, viceroy of Babylon, the king who provides for her! May she say good things about him before the god Marduk, king of the gods! May she go (with him) as his helper in strife and battle!

(ii 16) May he smash the weapons of his enemies and may he achieve whatever he wants! May he subjugate at his feet all rulers who are not submissive to him! By the command of the goddess Ištar, beloved of the lord of the gods, may he increase (his) good fortune! May long life, happiness, and gladness be bestowed on him and may his reign be long! May he make the foundation of his throne secure for future days and may he control (all) regions (of the world)!

(ii 28) May he exercise the rule over the people who are of privileged status (and) freed from taxation by the great gods! During his reign may those ones freed from taxation not be in disorder! May he decrease their negligence and may he remove their sin! Let turmoil be unknown to them (and) may he make their heart(s) rejoice! Like the foundations of Uruk and Eanna, may their foundations be firm!

(ii 39) Copy of the inscription, dispatch to/of the palace of Assyria; copied and collated.