Kulaba

Brickwork rising out {from the pristine mountain} {( on the edge of ms. C: ) of the shining plain} -- Kulaba , city which reaches from heaven to earth; Unug , whose fame like the rainbow reaches up to the sky, a multicoloured sheen, as the new moon standing in the heavens.

Enmerkar and En-suḫgir-ana (c.1.8.2.4) ·c.1.8.2.4 ·2 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The king sailed to Unug towards the princely divine powers. Sumer and Akkad marvelled at him as he moored the boat at the quay of Kulaba . With a large wild bull of the mountains with uplifted horns, and with a sheep led by the hand of an en priest at his right side, with a dappled kid and a bearded kid clasped to his breast, he entered before Inana in the shrine of E-ana .

A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi X) (c.2.4.2.24) ·c.2.4.2.24 ·4 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"…… beloved sister of Dumuzid , beloved …… of Durtur , …… seed implanted into the womb by a good bull, my lady, born to ladyship! With her aid the cattle-pen was filled with butter and cream, with her aid the sheepfold was long provided with milk. On the high plain, my ……, you are Ĝeštin-ana . O girl, …… indeed! Your little ones …… indeed! Unug …… indeed! Kulaba …… indeed! …… you are ……."

A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana J) (c.4.08.10) ·c.4.08.10 ·11 ·machine translation (etcsl)

City, majestic bull bearing vigour and great awesome splendour, Kulaba , ……, breast of the storm, where destiny is determined; Unug , great mountain, in the midst of ……. There the evening meal of the great abode of An was set. In those days of yore, when the destinies were determined, the great princes allowed Unug Kulaba's E-ana to lift its head high. Plenty, and carp floods, and the rain which brings forth dappled barley were then increased in Unug Kulaba . Before the land of Dilmun yet existed, the E-ana of Unug Kulaba was well founded, and the holy ĝipar of Inana in brick-built Kulaba shone forth like the silver in the lode. Before …… carried ……, before ……, before …… carried ……, before the commerce was practised; before gold, silver, copper, tin, blocks of lapis lazuli, and mountain stones were brought down together from their mountains, before …… bathed for the festival, ……, …… time passed. 2 lines missing

Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta (c.1.8.2.3) ·c.1.8.2.3 ·11 ·machine translation (etcsl)

When in ancient days heaven was separated from earth, when in ancient days that which was fitting ……, when after the ancient harvests …… barley was eaten (?), when boundaries were laid out and borders were fixed, when boundary-stones were placed and inscribed with names, when dykes and canals were purified, when …… wells were dug straight down; when the bed of the Euphrates , the plenteous river of Unug , was opened up, when ……, when ……, when holy An removed ……, when the offices of en and king were famously exercised at Unug , when the sceptre and staff of Kulaba were held high in battle -- in battle, Inana's game; when the black-headed were blessed with long life, in their settled ways and in their ……, when they presented the mountain goats with pounding hooves and the mountain stags beautiful with their antlers to Enmerkar son of Utu --

Lugalbanda in the mountain cave (c.1.8.2.1) ·c.1.8.2.1 ·13 ·machine translation (etcsl)

City, majestic bull bearing vigour and great awesome splendour, Kulaba , ……, breast of the storm, where destiny is determined; Unug , great mountain, in the midst of ……. There the evening meal of the great abode of An was set. In those days of yore, when the destinies were determined, the great princes allowed Unug Kulaba's E-ana to lift its head high. Plenty, and carp floods, and the rain which brings forth dappled barley were then increased in Unug Kulaba . Before the land of Dilmun yet existed, the E-ana of Unug Kulaba was well founded, and the holy ĝipar of Inana in brick-built Kulaba shone forth like the silver in the lode. Before …… carried ……, before ……, before …… carried ……, before the commerce was practised; before gold, silver, copper, tin, blocks of lapis lazuli, and mountain stones were brought down together from their mountains, before …… bathed for the festival, ……, …… time passed. 2 lines missing

Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta (c.1.8.2.3) ·c.1.8.2.3 ·13 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Gilgameš , the lord of Kulaba , placing his trust in Inana , did not take seriously the advice of his city's elders. Gilgameš {( 1 ms. adds: ) , the lord of Kulaba ,} presented the issue again, this time before the able-bodied men of his city, carefully choosing his words: "There are wells to be finished, many wells of the Land yet to be finished; there are shallow wells of the Land yet to be finished, there are wells to deepen and hoisting gear to be completed. {Never before have you submitted to the house of Kiš . Should you not smite it with weapons?} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) We should not submit to the house of Kiš . We should smite it with weapons!}"

Gilgameš and Aga (c.1.8.1.1) ·c.1.8.1.1 ·15 ·machine translation (etcsl)

City, majestic bull bearing vigour and great awesome splendour, Kulaba , ……, breast of the storm, where destiny is determined; Unug , great mountain, in the midst of ……. There the evening meal of the great abode of An was set. In those days of yore, when the destinies were determined, the great princes allowed Unug Kulaba's E-ana to lift its head high. Plenty, and carp floods, and the rain which brings forth dappled barley were then increased in Unug Kulaba . Before the land of Dilmun yet existed, the E-ana of Unug Kulaba was well founded, and the holy ĝipar of Inana in brick-built Kulaba shone forth like the silver in the lode. Before …… carried ……, before ……, before …… carried ……, before the commerce was practised; before gold, silver, copper, tin, blocks of lapis lazuli, and mountain stones were brought down together from their mountains, before …… bathed for the festival, ……, …… time passed. 2 lines missing

Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta (c.1.8.2.3) ·c.1.8.2.3 ·15 ·machine translation (etcsl)

At that time the day was lord, the night was sovereign, and Utu was king. Now the name of the lord of Aratta's minister was minister Ansiga-ria . The name of the minister of Enmerkar , the lord of Kulaba , was Namena-tuma . He with the …… lord, he with the …… prince; he with the …… lord, he with the …… prince; he with the …… lord, he with the …… prince; he with the man born to be a god; he with a man manifest as a god, with the lord of Unug , the lord of Kulaba -- En-suḫgir-ana , the lord of Aratta , is to make a contest with him, saying first to the messenger concerning Unug :

Enmerkar and En-suḫgir-ana (c.1.8.2.4) ·c.1.8.2.4 ·16 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Gilgameš , the lord of Kulaba , placing his trust in Inana , did not take seriously the advice of his city's elders. Gilgameš {( 1 ms. adds: ) , the lord of Kulaba ,} presented the issue again, this time before the able-bodied men of his city, carefully choosing his words: "There are wells to be finished, many wells of the Land yet to be finished; there are shallow wells of the Land yet to be finished, there are wells to deepen and hoisting gear to be completed. {Never before have you submitted to the house of Kiš . Should you not smite it with weapons?} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) We should not submit to the house of Kiš . We should smite it with weapons!}"

Gilgameš and Aga (c.1.8.1.1) ·c.1.8.1.1 ·18 ·machine translation (etcsl)

At that time the day was lord, the night was sovereign, and Utu was king. Now the name of the lord of Aratta's minister was minister Ansiga-ria . The name of the minister of Enmerkar , the lord of Kulaba , was Namena-tuma . He with the …… lord, he with the …… prince; he with the …… lord, he with the …… prince; he with the …… lord, he with the …… prince; he with the man born to be a god; he with a man manifest as a god, with the lord of Unug , the lord of Kulaba -- En-suḫgir-ana , the lord of Aratta , is to make a contest with him, saying first to the messenger concerning Unug :

Enmerkar and En-suḫgir-ana (c.1.8.2.4) ·c.1.8.2.4 ·22 ·machine translation (etcsl)

-- now at that time the king set his mace towards the city, Enmerkar son of Utu prepared an …… expedition against Aratta , the mountain of the holy divine powers. He was going to set off to destroy the rebel land; the lord began a mobilization of his city. The herald made the horn signal sound in all the lands. Now levied Unug took the field with the wise king, indeed levied Kulaba followed Enmerkar . Unug's levy was a flood, Kulaba's levy was a clouded sky. As they covered the ground like heavy fog, the dense dust whirled up by them reached up to heaven. As if to rooks on the best seed, rising up, he called to the people. Each one gave his fellow the sign.

Lugalbanda in the mountain cave (c.1.8.2.1) ·c.1.8.2.1 ·27 ·machine translation (etcsl)

-- now at that time the king set his mace towards the city, Enmerkar son of Utu prepared an …… expedition against Aratta , the mountain of the holy divine powers. He was going to set off to destroy the rebel land; the lord began a mobilization of his city. The herald made the horn signal sound in all the lands. Now levied Unug took the field with the wise king, indeed levied Kulaba followed Enmerkar . Unug's levy was a flood, Kulaba's levy was a clouded sky. As they covered the ground like heavy fog, the dense dust whirled up by them reached up to heaven. As if to rooks on the best seed, rising up, he called to the people. Each one gave his fellow the sign.

Lugalbanda in the mountain cave (c.1.8.2.1) ·c.1.8.2.1 ·29 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Utu of heaven put on his lapis-lazuli diadem and came forward with head high. In his hand Gilgameš , the lord of Kulaba , held a holy staff before his nose: " Utu , I want to set off into the mountains! May you be my helper! I want to set off into the mountains of Cedar-felling! May you be my helper!"

Gilgameš and Ḫuwawa (Version B) (c.1.8.1.5.1) ·c.1.8.1.5.1 ·31 ·machine translation (etcsl)

…… was colourfully adorned, and ……, the holy place, was …… with flawless lapis lazuli, its interior beautifully formed like a white meš tree bearing fruit. The lord of Aratta placed on his head the golden crown for Inana . But he did not please her like the lord of Kulaba . Aratta did not build for holy Inana -- unlike the Shrine E-ana , the ĝipar , the holy place, unlike brick-built Kulaba .

Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta (c.1.8.2.3) ·c.1.8.2.3 ·30 ·machine translation (etcsl)

But the king, endowed with power by Enlil , chosen by Inana with her {( 1 ms. adds: ) holy} heart -- Utu -ḫeĝal , the mighty man, came out from Unug to face him and set up camp (?) at the temple of Iškur . He addressed a speech to the citizens of his city: " Enlil has given Gutium to me and my lady Inana will be my help! Dumuzid-ama-ušumgal-ana has declared "It is a matter for me!" and assigned Gilgameš , the son of Ninsumun , to me as a constable!" The citizens of Unug and Kulaba rejoiced and followed him with one accord. He lined up his élite troops.

The victory of Utu-ḫeĝal (c.2.1.6) ·c.2.1.6 ·32 ·machine translation (etcsl)

…… was colourfully adorned, and ……, the holy place, was …… with flawless lapis lazuli, its interior beautifully formed like a white meš tree bearing fruit. The lord of Aratta placed on his head the golden crown for Inana . But he did not please her like the lord of Kulaba . Aratta did not build for holy Inana -- unlike the Shrine E-ana , the ĝipar , the holy place, unlike brick-built Kulaba .

Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta (c.1.8.2.3) ·c.1.8.2.3 ·32 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Great lady, worthy source of inspiration, counselled (?) by the Mistress: luxurious divine powers have been generously given to you by the Mistress. Nanaya , great lady, worthy source of inspiration, counselled (?) by the Mistress! Išbi- Erra , you are the king and shepherd of the people! Nanaya , by the command of An you are the queen of all the countries. In the shrine, in Kulaba , …… he declares it, and the people turn their hearts towards you as you address them. Nanaya , good woman, you are the favourable (?) name of the black-headed! O youth chosen in beauty by the Mistress, son of Enlil , your wise word is brightly made good for the goddess Inana ! O Nanaya , the goddess has created your holy powers …… for you. You have …… turned the favourable eye of life onto the bedchamber, and Išbi- Erra is the youth chosen for his beauty.

A tigi to Nanaya for Išbi-Erra (Išbi-Erra C) (c.2.5.1.3) ·c.2.5.1.3 ·34 ·machine translation (etcsl)

en gal me gur3-ru kul-abaki

OB catalogue in the Louvre (L) (c.0.2.02) ·c.0.2.02 ·41

Then Gilgameš , the lord of Kulaba , rejoiced at the advice of his city's able-bodied men and his spirit brightened. He addressed his servant Enkidu : "On this account let the weaponry and arms of battle be made ready. Let the battle mace return to your side. May they create a great terror and radiance. When he comes, my great fearsomeness will overwhelm him. His reasoning will become confused and his judgment disarrayed."

Gilgameš and Aga (c.1.8.1.1) ·c.1.8.1.1 ·40 ·machine translation (etcsl)

On the day when the destiny of the Land was determined, when the seed of all living beings was originally brought forth, when the king appeared radiantly to his comrade -- on that day, Gilgameš , the lord of Kulaba , conversed with Šulgi , the good shepherd of Sumer , at his shining feet. So that their praise would be sung forever, so that it be would handed down to distant days, so that it should be not forgotten in remote years, they looked (?) at each other favourably in their mighty heroism.

A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi O) (c.2.4.2.15) ·c.2.4.2.15 ·41 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Their king went at their head, to go at the …… of the army. Enmerkar went at their head, to go at the …… of the army. 2 lines unclear …… gu-nida emmer-grain to grow abundantly. When the righteous one who takes counsel with Enlil ( i.e. Enmerkar ) took away the whole of Kulaba , like sheep they bent over at the slope of the mountains, …… at the edge of the hills they ran forward like wild bulls. He sought …… at the side -- they recognised the way. He sought …….

Lugalbanda in the mountain cave (c.1.8.2.1) ·c.1.8.2.1 ·43 ·machine translation (etcsl)

en gal men gur3-ru kul-abaki

OB catalogue from Nibru (N2) (c.0.2.01) ·c.0.2.01 ·46

Gilgameš organised a levy in his city. In …… Kulaba he had the horn sounded. "Citizens! You who have a wife, go to your wife! You who have children, go to your children! Warriors, whether experienced or inexperienced, who have no wife, who have no children -- let such people join me at my side as the companions of Gilgameš ."

Gilgameš and Ḫuwawa (Version B) (c.1.8.1.5.1) ·c.1.8.1.5.1 ·52 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Not five, not 10 days had passed when Aga , the son of En-me-barage-si , laid siege to Unug with his men. Unug's reasoning became confused. Gilgameš , the lord of Kulaba , addressed its warriors: " {My warriors shall have the choice.} {( 2 mss. have instead: ) My warriors, choose!} Let someone with courage volunteer {"I shall go to Aga "} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) , and I will send him to Aga }."

Gilgameš and Aga (c.1.8.1.1) ·c.1.8.1.1 ·51 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The king left the city. Gilgameš left Kulaba , to follow the route to the Mountains of Cedar-felling . He crossed the first mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there. He crossed the second mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there. He crossed the third mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there. He crossed the fourth mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there. He crossed the fifth mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there. He crossed the sixth mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there. When he had crossed the seventh mountain range, there his intuition led him to find the cedars.

Gilgameš and Ḫuwawa (Version B) (c.1.8.1.5.1) ·c.1.8.1.5.1 ·58 ·machine translation (etcsl)

At that time there were seven, there were seven -- the young ones, born in Kulaba , were seven. The goddess Uraš had borne these seven, the Wild Cow had nourished them with milk. They were heroes, living in Sumer , they were princely in their prime. They had been brought up eating at the god An's table. These seven were the overseers for those that are subordinate to overseers, were the captains for those that are subordinate to captains were the generals for those that are subordinate to generals. They were overseers of 300 men, 300 men each; they were captains of 600 men, 600 men each; they were generals of seven šar (25,200) of soldiers, 25,200 soldiers each. They stood at the service of the lord as his élite troops.

Lugalbanda in the mountain cave (c.1.8.2.1) ·c.1.8.2.1 ·60 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Thus he eulogised him who was born …… in Kulaba . 1 line unclear Gilgameš , lord of Kulaba , seed of lordship, righteous hero …… 5 lines fragmentary or unclear approx. 4 lines missing ( Gilgameš continues speaking:) "Like ……, falsely (?) ……, you trampled underfoot ……, …… as if in a mighty clamp. You gathered its …… like swallows rising into the air. You entered with them into the presence of Enlil in the shrine of Nibru . Even those …… who escaped from the ……, wail bitterly ……. …… a copper (?) statue fashioned (?) in Urim , …… the seven gods, stationed beside, wielding battle-axes. Fearsome (?) hero ……, king of Sumer , you stand firm in your strength (?)."

A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi O) (c.2.4.2.15) ·c.2.4.2.15 ·61 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"My sister, let Aratta fashion gold and silver skilfully on my behalf for Unug . Let them cut the flawless lapis lazuli from the blocks, let them …… the translucence of the flawless lapis lazuli ……. …… build a holy mountain in Unug . Let Aratta build a temple brought down from heaven -- your place of worship, the Shrine E-ana ; let Aratta skilfully fashion the interior of the holy ĝipar , your abode; may I, the radiant youth, may I be embraced there by you. Let Aratta submit beneath the yoke for Unug on my behalf. Let the people of Aratta bring down for me the mountain stones from their mountain, build the great shrine for me, erect the great abode for me, make the great abode, the abode of the gods, famous for me, make my me prosper in Kulaba , make the abzu grow for me like a holy mountain, make Eridug gleam for me like the mountain range, cause the abzu shrine to shine forth for me like the silver in the lode. When in the abzu I utter praise, when I bring the me from Eridug , when, in lordship, I am adorned with the crown like a purified shrine, when I place on my head the holy crown in Unug Kulaba , then may the …… of the great shrine bring me into the ĝipar , and may the …… of the ĝipar bring me into the great shrine. May the people marvel admiringly, and may Utu witness it in joy."

Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta (c.1.8.2.3) ·c.1.8.2.3 ·60 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Thus he eulogised him who was born …… in Kulaba . 1 line unclear Gilgameš , lord of Kulaba , seed of lordship, righteous hero …… 5 lines fragmentary or unclear approx. 4 lines missing ( Gilgameš continues speaking:) "Like ……, falsely (?) ……, you trampled underfoot ……, …… as if in a mighty clamp. You gathered its …… like swallows rising into the air. You entered with them into the presence of Enlil in the shrine of Nibru . Even those …… who escaped from the ……, wail bitterly ……. …… a copper (?) statue fashioned (?) in Urim , …… the seven gods, stationed beside, wielding battle-axes. Fearsome (?) hero ……, king of Sumer , you stand firm in your strength (?)."

A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi O) (c.2.4.2.15) ·c.2.4.2.15 ·63 ·machine translation (etcsl)