Gudea

On that day, in a nocturnal vision Gudea saw his master, Lord Ninĝirsu . Ninĝirsu spoke to him of his house, of its building. He showed him an E-ninnu with full grandeur. Outstanding though his mind was, the message remained to be understood for him.

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·18 ·machine translation (etcsl)

At that time, the water was drained away from the reeds ……, and they were visible at the sheepfold. The aštaltal plant, spreading its seeds from the reedbeds, and the little kumul plants came out of the earth: they are good as little ones. The small enbar reed tighten her headdress: it is good as a young maiden. The ubzal reed goes about the city: it is good as a young man. The pela reed is covered from bottom to top: it is a good daughter-in-law. The pela reed turns from bottom to top: it is a good young son. The gašam reed digs in the ground: it is good as an old man. The zi reed …… on its own: it is good as an old woman. The reedbed lifts its head beautifully: it is a good Gudea . The ildag tree lifts its head in the irrigation ditch: it is good as a king. …… with bright branches: it is a good prince.

The heron and the turtle (c.5.9.2) ·c.5.9.2 ·19 ·machine translation (etcsl)

After you had chosen the shepherd in the assembly for his attractiveness, you recognised him in ……, his lofty place, gave him ……, and ……. Bau , after you had chosen Gudea for his attractiveness in the divine assembly, you recognised him in ……, his lofty place, gave him ……, and …….

A tigi to Bau for Gudea (Gudea A) (c.2.3.2) ·c.2.3.2 ·21 ·machine translation (etcsl)

On that day, in a nocturnal vision Gudea saw his master, Lord Ninĝirsu . Ninĝirsu spoke to him of his house, of its building. He showed him an E-ninnu with full grandeur. Outstanding though his mind was, the message remained to be understood for him.

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·22 ·machine translation (etcsl)

There is perfection in the presence of the lady. Lagaš thrives in abundance in the presence of Nanše . She chose the šennu in her holy heart and seated Ur-Nanše , the beloved lord of Lagaš , on the throne. She gave the lofty sceptre to the shepherd. She adorned Gudea with all her precious divine powers. The shepherd chosen by her in her holy heart, Gudea , the ruler of Lagaš , placed the lyre (?) Cow-of-Abundance among the tigi drums and placed the holy balaĝ drum at its side. While sacred songs and harmonious songs were performed before her, the kintur instrument praised the temple. The chief musician played the ibex horn for her: the song 'The house has been granted powers from the abzu ', the sacred song of the house of Sirara about the princely powers was performed.

A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (c.4.14.1) ·c.4.14.1 ·37 ·machine translation (etcsl)

There is perfection in the presence of the lady. Lagaš thrives in abundance in the presence of Nanše . She chose the šennu in her holy heart and seated Ur-Nanše , the beloved lord of Lagaš , on the throne. She gave the lofty sceptre to the shepherd. She adorned Gudea with all her precious divine powers. The shepherd chosen by her in her holy heart, Gudea , the ruler of Lagaš , placed the lyre (?) Cow-of-Abundance among the tigi drums and placed the holy balaĝ drum at its side. While sacred songs and harmonious songs were performed before her, the kintur instrument praised the temple. The chief musician played the ibex horn for her: the song 'The house has been granted powers from the abzu ', the sacred song of the house of Sirara about the princely powers was performed.

A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (c.4.14.1) ·c.4.14.1 ·39 ·machine translation (etcsl)

My lady, you have looked up in the divine assembly and …… him (?) with charms. You have chosen with your heart a worthy man, the true shepherd Gudea . Mother Bau , he will duly praise you in your city, Lagaš ! Bau , you have looked up in the divine assembly and …… him (?) with charms. You have chosen with your heart a worthy man, the true shepherd, Gudea . Mother Bau , he will duly praise you in your city, Lagaš !

A tigi to Bau for Gudea (Gudea A) (c.2.3.2) ·c.2.3.2 ·41 ·machine translation (etcsl)

My lady, you have looked up in the divine assembly and …… him (?) with charms. You have chosen with your heart a worthy man, the true shepherd Gudea . Mother Bau , he will duly praise you in your city, Lagaš ! Bau , you have looked up in the divine assembly and …… him (?) with charms. You have chosen with your heart a worthy man, the true shepherd, Gudea . Mother Bau , he will duly praise you in your city, Lagaš !

A tigi to Bau for Gudea (Gudea A) (c.2.3.2) ·c.2.3.2 ·44 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"Warrior, rampant lion, who has no opponent! Ninĝirsu , important in the abzu , respected in Nibru ! Warrior, I want to carry out faithfully what you have commanded me; Ninĝirsu , I want to build up your house for you, I want to make it perfect for you, so I will ask your sister, the child born of Eridug , an authority on her own, the lady, the dream-interpreter among the gods, my divine sister from Sirara , Nanše , to show me the way." His call was heard; his master, Lord Ninĝirsu , accepted from Gudea his prayer and supplication.

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·50 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"Well, I have to tell her about this! Well, I have to tell her about this! I will ask her to stand by me in this matter. I will take my dream to my mother and I will ask my dream-interpreter, an expert on her own, my divine sister from Sirara , Nanše , to reveal its meaning to me." His call was heard; his lady, holy Ĝatumdug , accepted from Gudea his prayer and supplication.

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·89 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The true shepherd Gudea is wise, and able too to realise things. Accepting what Nanše had told him, he opened his storehouse up and took out wood from it. Gudea checked (?) the wood piece by piece, taking great care of the wood. He smoothed meš wood, split ḫalub wood with an axe and built (?) a blue chariot from them for him. He harnessed to it the stallion Piriĝ-kaše-pada. He fashioned for him his beloved standard, wrote his name on it, and then entered before the warrior who loves gifts, before his master Lord Ninĝirsu in E-ninnu-the-white-Anzud-bird , together with his beloved balaĝ drum Ušumgal-kalama , his famous instrument to which he keeps listening. He joyfully brought the drum to him in the temple. Gudea came out of the shrine E-ninnu with a radiant face.

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·173 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The true shepherd Gudea is wise, and able too to realise things. Accepting what Nanše had told him, he opened his storehouse up and took out wood from it. Gudea checked (?) the wood piece by piece, taking great care of the wood. He smoothed meš wood, split ḫalub wood with an axe and built (?) a blue chariot from them for him. He harnessed to it the stallion Piriĝ-kaše-pada. He fashioned for him his beloved standard, wrote his name on it, and then entered before the warrior who loves gifts, before his master Lord Ninĝirsu in E-ninnu-the-white-Anzud-bird , together with his beloved balaĝ drum Ušumgal-kalama , his famous instrument to which he keeps listening. He joyfully brought the drum to him in the temple. Gudea came out of the shrine E-ninnu with a radiant face.

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·179 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The true shepherd Gudea is wise, and able too to realise things. Accepting what Nanše had told him, he opened his storehouse up and took out wood from it. Gudea checked (?) the wood piece by piece, taking great care of the wood. He smoothed meš wood, split ḫalub wood with an axe and built (?) a blue chariot from them for him. He harnessed to it the stallion Piriĝ-kaše-pada. He fashioned for him his beloved standard, wrote his name on it, and then entered before the warrior who loves gifts, before his master Lord Ninĝirsu in E-ninnu-the-white-Anzud-bird , together with his beloved balaĝ drum Ušumgal-kalama , his famous instrument to which he keeps listening. He joyfully brought the drum to him in the temple. Gudea came out of the shrine E-ninnu with a radiant face.

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·195 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Afterwards, Ninĝirsu stepped up to the head of the sleeper, briefly touching him: "You who are going to build it for me, you who are going to build it for me, ruler, you who are going to build my house for me, Gudea , let me tell you the ominous sign for building my house, let me tell you the pure stars of heaven indicating my regulations (?)."

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·230 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"When you, true shepherd Gudea , really set to work for me on my house, the foremost house of all lands, the right arm of Lagaš , the Anzud bird roaring on the horizon, the E-ninnu , my royal house, I will call up to heaven for humid winds so that plenty comes down to you from heaven and the land will thrive under your reign in abundance."

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·281 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Gudea rose -- it was sleep; he shuddered -- it was a dream. Accepting Ninĝirsu's words, he went to perform extispicy on a white kid. He performed it on the kid and his omen was favourable. Ninĝirsu's intention became as clear as daylight to Gudea .

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·315 ·machine translation (etcsl)