Sargon II 125

(i 1) [For] the goddess Ištar, mistress of the lands, (most) eminent of the gods, [(most) valiant] of the goddesses, [...] fierce, terrifying deluge, [(...) who] is endowed with [...] (i 5) [...] ... majestic, [...] awe, [...] ... the firmament (of the heavens), [...] ... [...] humble, (i 10) [... 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, governor of Babylon, [king of (the land of) Sume]r and Akkad, prince who provides for her,

(i 16) [For the sake of ensuring] his [good health], prolonging his days, lengthening his reign, [...ing] his [...], (and) overthrowing his enemy,

(i 18) [(With regard to) Ean]na, which Šulgi, a previous king, had had built and which had become old, (i 20) (with regard to) this temple, whose walls had buckled, whose bondings had disintegrated, <who>se parapet had become ruined, whose foundation had collapsed, (and) whose (re)construction had not occurred to (any of) the kings, (his) predecessors —

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

(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 wall of Eanna in the lower courtyard, he tore down its parapet and laid bare its foundation.

(i 37) With entreaties, prayers, and expressions of humility he (Sargon) laid its foundations (anew) and he made its foundation as secure as a mountain on the breast of the netherworld. (ii 1) With the craft of the god Kulla, the master builder, and (with the help of) craftsmen who know (their) trade, 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 happily and may she bestow a (long) life on Sargon, king of Assyria, (ii 10) king of the world, governor of Babylon, the king who provides for her. May she say good thing(s) 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 shatter the weapons of his enemies and may he achieve whatever he wants. May he make all the rulers who are not submissive to him bow down at his feet. (ii 20) 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 govern (all) regions (of the world).

(ii 28) May he constantly exercise the rule over the people who are of privileged status (and have) šubarrû-privileges (granted) by the great gods. (ii 30) During his reign may those ones with šubarrû-privileges not become disordered. May he take away their negligence and erase their sin. Let turmoil be anathema to them (ii 35) (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; written and collated.