Nebuchadnezzar II 016

(i 1) Nebuchadnezzar (II), king of Babylon, the one who provides for Esagil and Ezida, [so]n of Nabopolassar, king of Babylon, am I.

(i 6) In order to strengthen the protection of Esagil (so that) no evil-doer or murderer can come near Babylon, (I did something) that no king of the past had done: In the outskirts of Babylon, I had Babylon surrounded with a fortified wall on the eastern bank. I dug out its moat and raised its embankment(s) as high as a mountain using bitumen (and) baked brick.

(i 20) I constructed its broad gates, plated immense doors of cedar with bronze, and fixed them (in those gates).

(i 25) I checked the outflow(s) of its water and built its embankments using bitumen and baked brick.

(ii 1) So that no robber (or) sneak thief could enter the outflows of its water, I blocked its outflow(s) with shiny iron. I ...ed (it) with crossbars and gullus of iron and reinforced its joint(s). I strengthened the protection of Esagil and Babylon and (thereby) established the lasting mention of my kingship.

(ii 17) O my lord, Marduk, look with favor upon my handiwork and grant me a long life. Whenever (there are) battle and war, O Marduk, be the helper upon whom I can rely. May your fierce weapons, which cannot be withstood, go at my side to cut down my enemies.