Ki-ur

He has abandoned his cow-pen and has let the breezes haunt his sheepfold. The wild bull has abandoned his cow-pen and has let the breezes haunt his sheepfold. The lord of all the lands has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt his sheepfold. Enlil has abandoned the shrine Nibru and has let the breezes haunt his sheepfold. His wife Ninlil has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. Ninlil has abandoned that house, the Ki-ur , and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. The queen of Keš has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. Ninmaḫ has abandoned that house Keš and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold.

The lament for Urim (c.2.2.2) ·c.2.2.2 ·6 ·machine translation (etcsl)

After the cattle pen had been built for the foremost divine powers -- how did it become a haunted place? When will it be restored? Where once the brick of fate had been laid -- who scattered its divine powers? The lamentation is reprised: how did the storeroom of Nibru , the shrine Dur-an-ki , become a haunted place? When will it be restored? After Ki-ur , the great place, had been built, after the brickwork of E-kur had been built, after Ubšu-unkena had been built, after the shrine Egal-maḫ had been built -- how did they become haunted? When will they be restored?

The lament for Nibru (c.2.2.4) ·c.2.2.4 ·7 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The mighty lord, the greatest in heaven and earth, the knowledgeable judge, the wise one of wide-ranging wisdom, has taken his seat in the Dur-an-ki , and made the Ki-ur , the great place, resplendent with majesty. He has taken up residence in Nibru , the lofty bond (?) between heaven and earth. The front of the city is laden with terrible fearsomeness and radiance, its back is such that even the mightiest god dare not attack, and its interior is the blade of a sharp dagger, a blade of catastrophe. For the rebel lands it is a snare, a trap set with a net.

Enlil in the E-kur (Enlil A) (c.4.05.1) ·c.4.05.1 ·12 ·machine translation (etcsl)

For Father Enlil , lord of all the lands; for Ninlil , lady of Ki-ur , the majestic place; for Enki , the bull of Eridug ; for the good woman, …… Damgalnuna ; for Ašimbabbar in Urim ; for Ningal in her Agrun-kug ; …… the Great Mountain Enlil ; for ……, Ninurta , for …… Ninḫursaĝa , for youthful Utu in the shrine of E-babbar ……, for …… Ninirigal , for Inana in Zabalam , Enlil …… the great gods …….

A hymn to Ninšubur (Ninšubur B) (c.4.25.2) ·c.4.25.2 ·12 ·machine translation (etcsl)

…… the prince of gods …… seated upon all the divine powers, Nunamnir , the lord of just decrees, who possesses fully the great divine powers, Father Enlil , made your fearsomeness manifest in heaven and on the earth. He made the gods of heaven stand by in heaven (?), and gave them (?) auspicious names. …… its king ……. 1 line fragmentary The Anuna , its great gods, line up before you. Enlil , they pay attention to your holy words and august statements. Nunamnir , you alone are elevated in the entirety of heaven and earth. …… of the Anuna gods, august shackle on all the lands, your …… is unfathomable. Everything this lord has is surpassing, and his orders are not to be changed. …… your divine powers surpass all others, your ways are ingenious, …… you are the trustworthy shepherd even of far-away foreign countries. Father Enlil , your beloved …… E-kur , has been built in Ki-ur , in Dur-an-ki , the place chosen by you; your august dais has been set up there. The divine powers of your shrine are precious, its true purification rites are august, and its cultic ordinances are pure and ineffable. The interior of E-kur is artfully fashioned, and no one may come to know it. Let Išme- Dagan care properly for its true divine plans and powers!

An adab to Enlil for Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan H) (c.2.5.4.08) ·c.2.5.4.08 ·13 ·machine translation (etcsl)

…… equal to the great gods, 1 line fragmentary approx. 6 lines missing 1 line fragmentary Mother Ninlil , righteous woman of Enlil , you dwell in the Ki-ur . In his heart filled with pleasure at your joyous divine powers, he has embraced you. The Enki and Ninki deities have perfected their divine powers throughout all countries for you. My lady, your speech is majestic -- take pleasure in your E-kur !

An adab to Ninlil (Ninlil A) (c.4.24.1) ·c.4.24.1 ·23 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Ninazu , born in Urim , may Nanna rejoice over you. Lord Ninazu , born in Urim , may Nanna rejoice over you. The father who engendered you, the Great Mountain Enlil , has made your name glorious. Your own mother, the august lady, has decided your destiny in the Ki-ur . May you take your seat in your house, in your city -- the mountain, the pure place! May you take your seat in Enegir , in your city -- the mountain, the pure place! My lord Ninazu , may you take your seat there, may you take your seat there!

A balbale to Ninazu (Ninazu A) (c.4.17.1) ·c.4.17.1 ·19 ·machine translation (etcsl)

O king named with a name by Enlil , the destiny of whose reign is abundance, a time of richness and years of happiness! May a destiny of stability and a destiny of abundance be your lot. O king, day and night, even at dead of night, time shall pass for you in endless abundance, and be agreeable and stable for you. O king, since you have offered your food offerings first offered in the abzu ; O king, since you have offered your food offerings afterwards in the great courtyard, there shall be no end to the abundance. O king, the temple shall be well-organised for you. Rīm- Sîn , king of Urim , has restored the august divine powers of the Ki-ur .

A prayer to Nanna for Rīm-Sîn (Rīm-Sîn G) (c.2.6.9.7) ·c.2.6.9.7 ·20 ·machine translation (etcsl)

On a day that dawned for prosperity, that was destined for rain-clouds, he ran from the Ki-ur of Nibru to the shrine of Urim , the E-temen-ni-guru ; and provided the princely bowls of Nanna , set up in the morning dining-hall, with a copious ration. On that day, prosperity was decreed for him. In a violent storm, a whirlwind that broke out, Utu ……; Šulgi returned to the lustrous E-kur .

A dedication of a statue (Šulgi V) (c.2.4.2.22) ·c.2.4.2.22 ·23 ·machine translation (etcsl)

I am An's purification priest with purified hands. An placed the great and good crown firmly on my head. Enlil gave the sceptre to me, his beloved son, in the Ki-ur . I am what makes Ninlil happy: she determined a good fate in the Ĝa-ĝiš-šua . I have been made excellently beautiful by Nintur , the joyful woman, in brick-built Keš . I am one looked on favourably by Nanna : he spoke to me affirmatively in Urim .

A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar A) (c.2.5.5.1) ·c.2.5.5.1 ·26 ·machine translation (etcsl)

May Nanna , the king of heaven and earth, fit perfectly onto your head the legitimate august headdress of kingship. May the august queen Ningal , who has saved you from famine thanks to her benignity, let you live (?) an agreeable life for these days. As you receive from her holy hands the great splendour of kingship, may she place the august sceptre of heaven and earth in your hands like a ceremonial robe. Rīm- Sîn , king of the Ki-ur , endowed with abundance, constant attendant! O king, may the Tigris bring you abundance, and may the upper (?) Nun canal be filled for you with flowing water in its full flood. May the Nun canal, the good Nun canal, the life-bringing canal of the Land, bring you fish and fowl; from the ocean, the wide sea, from the standing reservoirs, may it bring an unending supply of creatures for your kingship. In the wide open spaces of the wide desert, the four-footed animals ……. May water levels rise for you in the irrigation ditches, with their levees, and the water-channels.

A prayer to Nanna for Rīm-Sîn (Rīm-Sîn G) (c.2.6.9.7) ·c.2.6.9.7 ·29 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The heart of the wise lord pounded. He called for Nuska . "What is your wish?" He gave the following instructions to him: "I want you to go back to Ereš , the city of Nisaba , the city whose foundations are august. Do not delay! Repeat to her what I am going to tell you: "I am a young man, I have sent this message to you because of my wish: I want to take your daughter as wife. Give me your consent. I will send you presents in my name, …… my marriage gifts. I am Enlil , the descendant and offspring of Anšar , the noble, the lord of heaven and earth. The name of your daughter shall become Ninlil , and all the foreign countries shall …… it. I will present her with the Ĝa-ĝiš-šua as her storehouse. I will give her the Ki-ur to be her beloved private quarters. She shall {sit} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) live} with me in the E-kur , {my} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) the} august dais. She shall determine fates. She shall apportion the divine powers among the Anuna , the great gods. And as for you, I will place in your hands the lives of the black-headed people." When you get there, let the woman I have chosen for her beauty …… her mother. Do not go to her empty-handed, but take her some jewellery in your left hand. Waste no time. Return with her answer quickly."

Enlil and Sud (c.1.2.2) ·c.1.2.2 ·37 ·machine translation (etcsl)

O Tummal , exceedingly worthy of the princely divine powers, inspiring awe and dread! Foundation, your pure lustration extends over the abzu . Primeval city, reedbed green with old reeds and new shoots, your interior is a mountain of abundance built in plenitude. At your feast held in the month of the New Year, you are wondrously adorned as the great lady of Ki-ur rivals Enlil . Your princess, Mother Ninlil , the beloved wife of Nunamnir , has erected a house in your precinct, O E-Tummal (Tummal House), and taken a place upon your dais.

The temple hymns (c.4.80.1) ·c.4.80.1 ·44 ·machine translation (etcsl)

O brick-built Urim , the lament is bitter, the lament made for you. O E-kiš-nu-ĝal , your lament is bitter, the lament made for you. O shrine Agrun-kug , the lament is bitter, the lament made for you. O great place Ki-ur , the lament is bitter, the lament made for you. O shrine Nibru , city, the lament is bitter, the lament made for you. O brick-built E-kur , the lament is bitter, the lament made for you. O Ĝa-ĝiš-šua , the lament is bitter, the lament made for you. O Ubšu-unkena , the lament is bitter, the lament made for you. O brick-built Iri-kug , the lament is bitter, the lament made for you.

The lament for Urim (c.2.2.2) ·c.2.2.2 ·50 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Enlil was walking in the Ki-ur . As Enlil was going about in the Ki-ur , the fifty great gods and the seven gods who decide destinies had Enlil arrested in the Ki-ur . { Enlil , the ritually impure, left the city. Nunamnir , the ritually impure, left the city.} {( 2 mss. have instead: ) " Enlil , ritually impure, leave the city! Nunamnir , ritually impure, leave the city!"} Enlil , in accordance with what had been decided, Nunamnir , in accordance with what had been decided, Enlil went. Ninlil followed. Nunamnir went, the maiden chased him.

Enlil and Ninlil (c.1.2.1) ·c.1.2.1 ·54 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Enlil was walking in the Ki-ur . As Enlil was going about in the Ki-ur , the fifty great gods and the seven gods who decide destinies had Enlil arrested in the Ki-ur . { Enlil , the ritually impure, left the city. Nunamnir , the ritually impure, left the city.} {( 2 mss. have instead: ) " Enlil , ritually impure, leave the city! Nunamnir , ritually impure, leave the city!"} Enlil , in accordance with what had been decided, Nunamnir , in accordance with what had been decided, Enlil went. Ninlil followed. Nunamnir went, the maiden chased him.

Enlil and Ninlil (c.1.2.1) ·c.1.2.1 ·55 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Enlil was walking in the Ki-ur . As Enlil was going about in the Ki-ur , the fifty great gods and the seven gods who decide destinies had Enlil arrested in the Ki-ur . { Enlil , the ritually impure, left the city. Nunamnir , the ritually impure, left the city.} {( 2 mss. have instead: ) " Enlil , ritually impure, leave the city! Nunamnir , ritually impure, leave the city!"} Enlil , in accordance with what had been decided, Nunamnir , in accordance with what had been decided, Enlil went. Ninlil followed. Nunamnir went, the maiden chased him.

Enlil and Ninlil (c.1.2.1) ·c.1.2.1 ·58 ·machine translation (etcsl)

I am the provider of the gods. I am he who cares unceasingly for the E-kur . I am the king clutching a kid to the breast as a gift. I pray in all humility. I am a king standing in prayer. I am he who speaks friendly words to appease Enlil . I am he whose prayers make Ninlil happy. I am he who serves Nuska indefatigably. I am he who is ever praying (?) at the Ki-ur . Bestowing many things, I am perfect for the {foundation} {( 1 ms. has: ) city (?)}. I am one who always hurries, but whose knees never tire.

A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar A) (c.2.5.5.1) ·c.2.5.5.1 ·59 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Prince, you place justice in every mouth, and make propriety resplendent. Daily (?) you make hearts content, daily (?) you determine fates appropriately, daily (?) your refulgence ……. You brighten the night sky in the broad firmament, and illuminate the darkness. The Anuna gods stand by with prayers and supplications at your rising. The sweet sight of your resplendent crescent, full of loveliness, brings joy to the great lady of the Ki-ur , Mother Ninlil , in ……, and the true and august lady, the good cow, the leader …… prays …… in the E-ĝa-ĝiš-šua , her delightful residence, the awesome palace.

An adab to Nanna for Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan M) (c.2.5.4.13) ·c.2.5.4.13 ·28 ·machine translation (etcsl)

When Nuska , the head of the assembly, had received Enlil's instructions, he wasted no time ……; he directed his steps to Ereš . He entered E-zagin , the residence of Nanibgal ( a name of Nisaba ) and prostrated himself before Nanibgal on her dais. …… of Enlil ……, and she (?) asked him ……: "…… what ……?" 7 lines missing 1 line fragmentary ( Nuska speaks:) "…… Sud ……. What you have told me ……." Then Nanibgal went on speaking flatteringly to the minister: "Adviser, fit for his (?) king, ever observant (?)! Who like you could give counsel daily to the Great Mountain? How could I contest the king's message which his slave has received? If there is truth in what you have told me -- and may there be no falsehood -- who could reject one who bestows such exceedingly great favours? …… makes our mood and hearts happy. Let us consider that amends have been made. By bringing the marriage gifts and the presents in his name the insult is wiped away. Tell him: "You shall become my son-in-law; do as you wish!" Tell Enlil , the Great Mountain: "Do as you wish!" Let his sister come from her side, and she shall accompany Sud from here. Aruru shall become Sud's sister-in-law: let her be shown the household. Inform your lord thus in his august Ki-ur . Repeat this to Enlil in the privacy of his holy bedchamber."

Enlil and Sud (c.1.2.2) ·c.1.2.2 ·72 ·machine translation (etcsl)

In E-ana the linen-clad priests prepare an altar for him. Water is placed there for the lord; they address him. Bread is placed there; they address him. He is refreshed in the palace; they address him as follows: " Dumuzid , radiant in the temple (?) and on earth! Mother Inana , Mother Inana , your mounds, your mounds (?)! Mother Inana , Inana of heaven, your garments, your garments, your black garment, your white garment!" ( Inana (?) speaks:) "Oh my man who has come to the house: approach (?)!" (The priests (?) speak:) "Bring forward a chant, a melody of the heart! Bring forward their ……, as they seat the ……! Approach their place, where they are stationing, where they are stationing, where they are stationing, where they are stationing Enlil in the Ki-ur !"

A šir-namšub to Inana (Inana G) (c.4.07.7) ·c.4.07.7 ·65 ·machine translation (etcsl)

His splendour …… the mountains, and his roar reaches beyond heaven and earth. He selected me from my people, and announced me to the Land. Enlil , king of the gods, gave me lordship over the south and over the uplands. At Nunamnir's instigation, An spoke encouragingly to me, and placed crook and staff in my hands. Uraš nursed me on her holy knees. In the Ki-ur , the great place, Ninlil in her radiant heart determined as my destiny that I should sit on an exalted dais until distant days, to enjoy in favour the reign which is my lot; that I should delight Enlil , and that I should daily attend to the E-kur . Enki , the great lord of Eridug , confirmed for me the good and great crown, …… everything, and richly conferred on me seven wisdoms. Suen , the firstborn son of Enlil , …… for me a royal throne that gathers together the divine powers, established an excellent lordly dais, and made my crown shine brilliantly until distant days.

A praise poem of Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan A + V) (c.2.5.4.01) ·c.2.5.4.01 ·67 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Enlil , when you marked out the holy settlements, you also built Nibru , your own city. You (?) …… the Ki-ur , the mountain, your pure place. You founded it in the Dur-an-ki , in the middle of the four quarters of the earth. Its soil is the life of the Land, and the life of all the foreign countries. Its brickwork is red gold, its foundation is lapis lazuli. You {made it glisten on high} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) raised its glistening top} in Sumer as if it were the horns of a wild bull. It makes all the foreign countries tremble with fear. At its great festivals, the people pass their time in abundance.

Enlil in the E-kur (Enlil A) (c.4.05.1) ·c.4.05.1 ·67 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Your prince, Nunamnir , the steer who has engendered (?) the divine powers, and Mother Ninlil , the great lady of your Ki-ur , the lady who has borne the divine powers -- what god is there living in the Land like these two? They have cultically purified (?) ……. They have settled ……, and taken their seats upon the good, great and praiseworthy divine powers. The Anuna gaze at them as if at their own father and mother, listening attentively when they speak holy and most precious words in the correct manner. Enlil and Ninlil looked at the heavens, while on earth they set bounds (?); and then, once their intention became clear in the great heavens and on the broad earth, the Anuna gods of heaven and earth set to work. The mattock and the earth-basket, tools for founding cities, 2 lines unclear unknown no. of lines missing

A hymn to Nibru and Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan W) (c.2.5.4.23) ·c.2.5.4.23 ·76 ·machine translation (etcsl)

After …… had instructed ……, …… and Nuska took his seat on it. 1 line missing Nanibgal called …… and gave her advice: "My little one, asleep indoors (?) …… your pure ……, the pleasant private quarters ……. …… leave the House of Nisaba's Wisdom. ……, Nuska is knowing and wise. …… to his presence and pour him beer." According to the instructions of her mother, she washed his hands and placed a tankard in his hands. The minister opened his left hand and gave her the jewellery, …… everything …… and set it before her. She received the gifts ……. He …… directed his steps to Nibru . …… kissed the ground before Enlil . …… the great Lady had said ……, as she had instructed him, he repeated (?) ……: "(She said:) "Adviser, fit for his (?) king, ever observant (?)! Who like you could give counsel daily to the Great Mountain? How could I contest the king's message which his slave has received? If there is truth in what you have told me -- and may there be no falsehood -- who could reject one who bestows such exceedingly great favours? …… makes our mood and hearts happy. Let us consider that amends have been made. By bringing the marriage gifts and the presents in his name the insult is wiped away. Tell him: "You shall become my son-in-law; do as you wish!" Tell Enlil , the Great Mountain: "Do as you wish!" Let his sister come from her side, and she shall accompany Sud from here. Aruru shall become Sud's sister-in-law: let her be shown the household. Inform your lord thus in his august Ki-ur . Repeat this to Enlil in the privacy of his holy bedchamber.""

Enlil and Sud (c.1.2.2) ·c.1.2.2 ·101 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The great mother Ninlil , from within her Ki-ur , spoke admiringly to Lord Ninurta : "O wild bull, with fierce horns raised, son of Enlil , you have struck blows in the mountains. Warrior, Lord Ninurta , you have ……. You have …… the rebellious land."

Ninurta's return to Nibru: a šir-gida to Ninurta (c.1.6.1) ·c.1.6.1 ·108 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Lugal-Marda stepped outside his city. Ninzuana took an unfamiliar path away from her beloved dwelling. "Alas, the destroyed city, my destroyed house," she cried bitterly. Isin , the shrine that was not a quay, was split by onrushing waters. Ninisina , the mother of the Land, wept bitter tears. "Alas, the destroyed city, my destroyed house," she cried bitterly. Enlil smote Dur-an-ki with a mace. Enlil made lamentation in his city, the shrine Nibru . Mother Ninlil , the lady of the Ki-ur shrine, wept bitter tears. "Alas, the destroyed city, my destroyed house," she cried bitterly.

The lament for Sumer and Urim (c.2.2.3) ·c.2.2.3 ·141 ·machine translation (etcsl)

…… It distorted its appearance. …… It distorted its appearance. It circled its …… wall. It overturned its foundations. Throughout his city, the pure, radiant (?) place, the foundations were filled with dust. It cast down its ziggurat, the shrine which reaches up to heaven, into a heap of debris. The loftiness of its elevated door-ornament, befitting a house, was stripped down (?). It cut down the gate, its Great-Ziggurat-of-Heaven-and-Earth-Covered-with-Terrible-Awesomeness, its shining door, and it broke through its bolt. It ripped out its doorframe. The house was defaced.

The lament for Eridug (c.2.2.6) ·c.2.2.6 ·39 ·machine translation (etcsl)

In those days, oil for one shekel was only half a litre, grain for one shekel was only half a litre, wool for one shekel was only one mina, fish for one shekel filled only one ban measure -- these sold at such prices in the markets of the cities! Those who lay down on the roof, died on the roof; those who lay down in the house were not buried. People were flailing at themselves from hunger. By the Ki-ur , Enlil's great place, dogs were packed together in the silent streets; if two men walked there they would be devoured by them, and if three men walked there they would be devoured by them. Noses were punched (?), heads were smashed (?), noses (?) were piled up, heads were sown like seeds. Honest people were confounded with traitors, heroes lay dead on top of heroes, the blood of traitors ran upon the blood of honest men.

The cursing of Agade (c.2.1.5) ·c.2.1.5 ·184 ·machine translation (etcsl)

4 lines missing The roaring storm covered it like a cloak, was spread over it like a sheet. It covered Eridug like a cloak, was spread over it like a sheet. In the city, the furious storm resounded ……. In Eridug , the furious storm resounded ……. Its voice was smothered with silence as by a gale. Its people ……. Eridug was smothered with silence as by a gale. Its people …….

The lament for Eridug (c.2.2.6) ·c.2.2.6 ·5 ·machine translation (etcsl)