Ezina

Men used to eat grass with their mouths like sheep. In those times, they did not know grain, barley or flax. An brought these down from the interior of heaven. Enlil lifted his gaze around as a stag lifts its horns when climbing the terraced …… hills. He looked southwards and saw the wide sea; he looked northwards and saw the mountain of aromatic cedars. Enlil piled up the barley, gave it to the mountain. He piled up the bounty of the Land, gave the innuḫa barley to the mountain. He closed off access to the wide-open hill. He …… its lock, which heaven and earth shut fast (?), its bolt, which …….

How grain came to Sumer (c.1.7.6) ·c.1.7.6 ·2 ·machine translation (etcsl)

When, upon the hill of heaven and earth, An spawned the Anuna gods, since he neither spawned nor created grain with them, and since in the Land he neither fashioned the yarn of Uttu ( the goddess of weaving ) nor pegged out the loom for Uttu -- with no sheep appearing, there were no numerous lambs, and with no goats, there were no numerous kids, the sheep did not give birth to her twin lambs, and the goat did not give birth to her triplet kids --, the Anuna , the great gods, did not even know the names Ezina-Kusu ( Grain ) or Sheep.

The debate between Grain and Sheep (c.5.3.2) ·c.5.3.2 ·3 ·machine translation (etcsl)

May Enlil , king of heaven and earth, whose utterances are trusty and whose words are ……, …… the shepherd Rīm- Sîn , …… my king ……. May he who gives him life-giving (?) food-offerings in Nibru stand in prayer before him. May Enlil bestow upon him grain, the benefit of mankind. May he pass his time in joy in the …… of his country. They will …… Rīm- Sîn my king. May he strengthen for him his royal throne and extend his reign. May he decree his sceptre for the south and the uplands. May he make the king's inferiors bow down before him. The offerings of Rīm- Sîn my king, small or great, at Nibru in the E-kur ……. Syrup shall drip like ghee from its fingers. I am as the son of one man, honey and ghee. My king, let offerings …… in my joy. They give me silver …….

A prayer to Enlil for Rīm-Sîn (Rīm-Sîn A) (c.2.6.9.1) ·c.2.6.9.1 ·4 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Your attentive youth, your beloved king, the good shepherd Rīm- Sîn , who determines what should be brought as offerings for his life, joyfully pours out offerings for you in the holy royal cultic locations which are perfect for the cultic vessels: sweet-smelling milk and grain, rich produce of the Land, riches of the meadows, unending abundance, alcoholic drink, glistening wine, very sweet emmer beer fermented with pure substances, pure …… powerful beer made doubly strong with wine, a drink for your lordship; double-strength beer, superior beer, befitting your holy hands, pale honey exported from the mountains, which you have specifically requested, butter from holy cows, ghee as is proper for you as prince; pressed oil, best oil of the first pressing, and yellow cream, the pride of the cow-pen, for the holy abode of your godhead.

A prayer to Nanna for Rīm-Sîn (Rīm-Sîn E) (c.2.6.9.5) ·c.2.6.9.5 ·8 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Lady of all the divine powers, resplendent light, righteous woman clothed in radiance, beloved of An and Uraš ! Mistress of heaven, with the great diadem, who loves the good headdress befitting the office of en priestess, who has seized all seven of its divine powers! My lady, you are the guardian of the great divine powers! You have taken up the divine powers, you have hung the divine powers from your hand. You have gathered up the divine powers, you have clasped the divine powers to your breast. Like a dragon you have deposited venom on the foreign lands. When like Iškur you roar at the earth, no vegetation can stand up to you. As a flood descending upon (?) those foreign lands, powerful one of heaven and earth, you are their Inana .

The exaltation of Inana (Inana B) (c.4.07.2) ·c.4.07.2 ·10 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Lord of complex divine powers, who establishes umderstanding, whose intentions are unfathomable, who knows everything! Enki , of broad wisdom, august ruler of the Anuna , wise one who casts spells, who provides words, who attends to decisions, who clarifies verdicts, who dispenses advice from dawn to dusk! Enki , lord of all true words, I will praise you. Your father, An the king, the lord who caused human seed to come forth and who placed all mankind on the earth, has laid upon you the guarding of the divine powers of heaven and earth, and has elevated you to be their prince. An , king of the gods, has instructed you to keep open the holy mouths of the Tigris and Euphrates , to fill them with splendour, to make the dense clouds release plentiful water and make them rain all over the fields, to make Ezina lift her head in the furrows, to make vegetation …… in the desert, and to make orchards and gardens ripe with syrup and vines grow as tall as forests.

A tigi to Enki for Ur-Ninurta (Ur-Ninurta B) (c.2.5.6.2) ·c.2.5.6.2 ·10 ·machine translation (etcsl)

May you be …… a bending reed, may you be barley in the furrows, a beautiful ……, may you be Ezina , who beautifies ……, may you be a nursing mother of the womb, may you be your mother's ……, a vine, {my} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) your} beloved, your personal god's ……, acting {grandly} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) humanely}!

A balbale to Inana (Dumuzid-Inana O) (c.4.08.15) ·c.4.08.15 ·10 ·machine translation (etcsl)

In order to make barley and flax grow in the furrows, so that excellent corn can be admired; to provide for the seven great throne-daises by making flax shoot forth and making barley shoot forth at the harvest, the {great} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) august} festival of Enlil -- in her great princely role she has cleansed her body and has {put} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) draped} the holy priestly garment on her torso.

A hymn to Nisaba (Nisaba A) (c.4.16.1) ·c.4.16.1 ·15 ·machine translation (etcsl)

……, the authoritative, praised himself exultantly: Under Ur- Namma , king of Urim , for whom a favorable destiny was determined, the roads have been made passable. An opens his holy mouth, and because of me rain is produced. He directs it downward into the earth, and abundance is brought for me. Enlil treats me kindly, ……. Enki treats me kindly, bestowing early floods, grain and dappled barley. Nintur formed me; I am peerless. …… brought me up well; I am the king of the Land. I am ……; under my rule the cattle-pens and sheepfolds are extended wide. Utu endowed me with eloquence (?); my judgments create concord in Sumer and Akkad . Ningublaga has given me strength. In the whole extent of heaven and earth, no one can escape from a battle with me.

A praise poem of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma C) (c.2.4.1.3) ·c.2.4.1.3 ·23 ·machine translation (etcsl)

In order to establish bread offerings where none existed, and to pour forth great libations of alcohol, so as to appease the god of grandeur, Enlil , and to appease merciful Kusu and Ezina , she will appoint a great en priest, and will appoint a festival; she will appoint a great en priest of the Land.

A hymn to Nisaba (Nisaba A) (c.4.16.1) ·c.4.16.1 ·24 ·machine translation (etcsl)

At that time, at the place of the gods' formation, in their own home, on the Holy Mound, they created Sheep and Grain. Having gathered them in the divine banqueting chamber, the Anuna gods of the Holy Mound partook of the bounty of Sheep and Grain but were not sated; the Anuna gods of the Holy Mound partook of the sweet milk of their holy sheepfold but were not sated. For their own well-being in the holy sheepfold, they gave them to mankind as sustenance.

The debate between Grain and Sheep (c.5.3.2) ·c.5.3.2 ·27 ·machine translation (etcsl)

At that time, at the place of the gods' formation, in their own home, on the Holy Mound, they created Sheep and Grain. Having gathered them in the divine banqueting chamber, the Anuna gods of the Holy Mound partook of the bounty of Sheep and Grain but were not sated; the Anuna gods of the Holy Mound partook of the sweet milk of their holy sheepfold but were not sated. For their own well-being in the holy sheepfold, they gave them to mankind as sustenance.

The debate between Grain and Sheep (c.5.3.2) ·c.5.3.2 ·29 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Enki , lord, firstborn son of An ……, Nudimmud , great bull of the abzu ……, may you …… with your consort, holy Damgalnuna . Father Enki , may you embrace her and soothe your heart with her. …… friendly words on behalf of Išme- Dagan . …… the prayer of the king until distant days. The one blessed by Enlil ……, Išme- Dagan , the shepherd, …… the son of Enlil . May his radiance …… for you to the outer limits of heaven and earth. May he have authority, may he be peerless in all the numerous countries. May Išme- Dagan …… from the south as far as the uplands. …… the god of the Land ……. May the Tigris and Euphrates ……, may they bring abundance for him. May the udders of heaven open for him; may the harvest …… for him. May barley, emmer, wheat, gu-nida grain …… on vast fields for him. May grain heaps be heaped up for him; may Ezina …….

An adab (?) to Enki for Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan D) (c.2.5.4.04) ·c.2.5.4.04 ·27 ·machine translation (etcsl)

If a king issues evil orders concerning this statue, and erases its inscription and writes his own name on it; or, because of this curse, he makes another man raise his hand against it, then may Enlil my lord and Ninlil my lady curse that man! May Enki , Iškur , Ezina , Šakkan , the lords of abundance, …… him cruelly by withholding abundance from heaven and earth under his rule!

A dedication of a statue (Išme-Dagan S) (c.2.5.4.19) ·c.2.5.4.19 ·33 ·machine translation (etcsl)

At that time Enki spoke to Enlil : "Father Enlil, now Sheep and Grain have been created on the Holy Mound, let us send them down from the Holy Mound." Enki and Enlil , having spoken their holy word, sent Sheep and Grain down from the Holy Mound.

The debate between Grain and Sheep (c.5.3.2) ·c.5.3.2 ·38 ·machine translation (etcsl)

At that time Enki spoke to Enlil : "Father Enlil, now Sheep and Grain have been created on the Holy Mound, let us send them down from the Holy Mound." Enki and Enlil , having spoken their holy word, sent Sheep and Grain down from the Holy Mound.

The debate between Grain and Sheep (c.5.3.2) ·c.5.3.2 ·42 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Lady supreme over the foreign lands, who can take anything from your province? {Once you have extended your province over the hills} {( 2 mss. have instead: ) If you frown at the mountains}, vegetation there is ruined. Their {great gateways} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) palaces} are set afire. Blood is poured into their rivers because of you, and their people {must drink it} {( 2 mss. have instead: ) could not drink}. They must lead their troops captive before you, all together. They must scatter their élite regiments for you, all together. They must stand their able-bodied young men at your service, all together. Tempests have filled the dancing-places of their cities. They drive their young men before you as prisoners. Your holy command has been spoken over the city which has not declared "The foreign lands are yours!", wherever they have not declared "It is your own father's!"; and it is brought back under your feet. Responsible care is removed from its sheepfolds. Its woman no longer speaks affectionately with her husband; at dead of night she no longer takes counsel with him, and she no longer reveals to him the pure thoughts of her heart. Impetuous wild cow, great daughter of Suen , lady greater than An , who can take anything from your province?

The exaltation of Inana (Inana B) (c.4.07.2) ·c.4.07.2 ·43 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Sheep being fenced in by her sheepfold, they gave her green plants generously. For Grain they made her field and gave her the plough, yoke and team. Sheep standing in her sheepfold was a shepherd of the sheepfolds brimming with charm. Grain standing in her furrow was a beautiful girl radiating charm; lifting her raised head up from the field she was suffused with the bounty of heaven. Sheep and Grain had a radiant appearance.

The debate between Grain and Sheep (c.5.3.2) ·c.5.3.2 ·45 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Sheep being fenced in by her sheepfold, they gave her green plants generously. For Grain they made her field and gave her the plough, yoke and team. Sheep standing in her sheepfold was a shepherd of the sheepfolds brimming with charm. Grain standing in her furrow was a beautiful girl radiating charm; lifting her raised head up from the field she was suffused with the bounty of heaven. Sheep and Grain had a radiant appearance.

The debate between Grain and Sheep (c.5.3.2) ·c.5.3.2 ·49 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Make eight furrows per nindan 6 m of width; the barley will lodge in more closely spaced furrows. When you have to work the field with the seeder-plough, keep your eye on your man who drops the seed. The grain should fall two fingers deep. You should put one giĝ of seed per nindan approx. 3 ml per m . If the barley seed is not being inserted in the hollow of the furrow, change the wedge of your plough share. If the bindings become loose, tighten them.

The farmer's instructions (c.5.6.3) ·c.5.6.3 ·50 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Sheep being fenced in by her sheepfold, they gave her green plants generously. For Grain they made her field and gave her the plough, yoke and team. Sheep standing in her sheepfold was a shepherd of the sheepfolds brimming with charm. Grain standing in her furrow was a beautiful girl radiating charm; lifting her raised head up from the field she was suffused with the bounty of heaven. Sheep and Grain had a radiant appearance.

The debate between Grain and Sheep (c.5.3.2) ·c.5.3.2 ·53 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Winter made the ewe give birth to the lamb, he gave the kid to the goat. He made cows teem together with their calves, he provided butter and milk. On the high plain he made the deer and stag glad of heart. He made the birds of heaven set their nests in the broad spaces. The fish of the lagoons laid eggs in the reedbed. In all the orchards he made honey and wine drip (?) to the ground. He made the trees, wherever planted, bear fruit. He established gardens and provided plants. He made grain abundant in the furrows. He made Ezina appear radiant as a beautiful maiden. The harvest, the great festival of Enlil , rose heavenward.

The debate between Winter and Summer (c.5.3.3) ·c.5.3.3 ·59 ·machine translation (etcsl)

But if …… removes my name from my hymns, and …… his name, and does not call upon my name in brick-built E-kur , and if that man commits enmity and violence against the temple, then whether that man is a king or a governor, Enlil shall curse him ……. May enmity and violence come forth against him from the house of Enlil . Let him be given enmity as his companion. May an asag demon, as causer of the plague, deprive his city of contentment. Because of famine in years of hunger, may he find no favour in the eyes of the Land. May Ezina produce no grain in sheaves. May fair Nanibgal , Nisaba , make no clay covering for his grain piles. …… the troops ……. His chief merchant …… silver ……. May the hunger and the thirst of the gods …… the city during his reign …… grain.

A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi E) (c.2.4.2.05) ·c.2.4.2.05 ·85 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The dark time was roasted by hailstones and flames. The bright time was wiped out by a shadow. {( 2 mss. add 2 lines: ) In the darkness, noses were heaped up, heads were smashed. The storm was a harrow coming from above, the city was struck by a hoe.} On that day, heaven rumbled, the earth trembled, the storm worked without respite. Heaven was darkened, it was covered by a shadow; the mountains roared. Utu lay down at the horizon, dust passed over the mountains. Nanna lay at the zenith, the people were afraid. The city's god left his dwelling and stood aside. The foreigners in the city even chased away its dead. Large trees were uprooted, the forest growth was ripped out. The orchards were stripped of their fruit, they were cleaned of their offshoots. The crop drowned while it was still on the stalk, the yield of the grain diminished. 3 lines fragmentary

The lament for Sumer and Urim (c.2.2.3) ·c.2.2.3 ·89 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Thereupon Sheep answered Grain: "My sister, whatever are you saying? An , king of the gods, made me descend from the holy place, my most precious place. All the yarns of Uttu , the splendour of kingship, belong to me. Šakkan , king of the mountain, embosses the king's emblems and puts his implements in order. He twists a giant rope against the great peaks of the rebel land. He …… the sling, the quiver and the longbows."

The debate between Grain and Sheep (c.5.3.2) ·c.5.3.2 ·92 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Ezina …… august dais ……. Iškur who roars from the sky ……. His thick clouds ……. When …… the great divine powers of heaven and earth, Inana , your victory is terrifying ……. The Anuna gods bow down in prostration, they abase themselves. You ride on seven great beasts as you come forth from heaven. Great An feared your precinct and was frightened of your dwelling-place. He let you take a seat in the dwelling-place of great An and then feared you no more, saying: "I will hand over to you the august royal rites and the great divine rites."

A hymn to Inana (Inana C) (c.4.07.3) ·c.4.07.3 ·99 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"I am Fish. I am responsibly charged with providing abundance for the pure shrines. {To the great offerings at the lustrous E-kur } {( 1 ms. has instead: ) To the august platform of the great offerings of the gods}, I go proudly with head raised high! Just like Ezina I am here to satisfy the hunger of the Land. I am her helper. Therefore people pay attention to me, and they keep their eyes upon me. As at the harvest festival, they rejoice over me and take care of me. Bird, whatever great deeds you may have achieved, I will teach you their pretentiousness. I shall hand back to you in your turn your haughtiness and mendacious speech."

The debate between Bird and Fish (c.5.3.5) ·c.5.3.5 ·97 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Again Grain addressed Sheep: "When the beer dough has been carefully prepared in the oven, and the mash tended in the oven, Ninkasi ( the goddess of beer ) mixes them for me while your big billy-goats and rams are despatched for my banquets. On their thick legs they are made to stand separate from my produce."

The debate between Grain and Sheep (c.5.3.2) ·c.5.3.2 ·116 ·machine translation (etcsl)

{ Nanibgal , the mother-in-law of Enlil , the woman who had been slandered, was treated kindly by Nuska (?)} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) …… the mother-in-law of Enlil , the woman …… Ezina ……} -- but the lady disregarded the flatterer, and spoke to her daughter: "May you be { Enlil's favourite wife} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) the wife of Enlil's heart}, and may he speak to you sweetly. May he embrace you, the most beautiful of all, and tell you: "Beloved, open wide!" {May the two of you never lose the pleasure (?) of excitement; make it last (?) a long time.} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) May it be that the pleasure (?) of excitement will never be lost.} You two …… on the hill, and have children afterwards! When you enter the house to live there, may abundance precede you, and may joy follow you. May the people line up for you wherever you go, and may all the people …… for you. The fate I have determined for you {should be fulfilled} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) cannot be altered}! Go with head held high into the E-maḫ ."

Enlil and Sud (c.1.2.2) ·c.1.2.2 ·137 ·machine translation (etcsl)

His master Ašimbabbar looked at him with joy and decreed a fate for Šulgi , the good shepherd of Sumer : "Hero, lord, mighty one of the foreign lands, the right arm of the Land, you have achieved victory for me, have carried out what I have commanded you. You have reduced to ruins the houses of the rebel land that I have cursed. May you never grow weary of perfecting the divine powers for me every month at the new moon! May your name be as sweet as that of Ezina in the mouth of the Land and in the mouths of all the countries! May holy Ningal , the lady of the shrine, spread out her lap for you, like the wooden frame of a waterskin!" Thus Suen decreed a good fate for him.

A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi X) (c.2.4.2.24) ·c.2.4.2.24 ·138 ·machine translation (etcsl)