Lagaş

On the day when in heaven and earth the fates had been decided, Lagaš raised its head high in full grandeur, and Enlil looked at Lord Ninĝirsu with approval. In our city there was perfection.

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·2 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Your own father, An , the highest god, clothed you in the ba garment. He gave you the warrior of Enlil , Ninĝirsu , as your husband. He bestowed on you the E-ninnu and Iri-kug , the shrine which brought forth the seeds of mankind. He has set up your lofty throne-dais in Lagaš , in Ĝirsu , the mooring post of the Land, in E-ĝalga-sud , your beloved residence, in Tar-sirsir , the temple of ladyship; and now all the gods of the land of Lagaš bow down before your august residence.

An adab to Bau for Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan B) (c.2.5.4.02) ·c.2.5.4.02 ·23 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Lord who imposes silence, son of Enlil , who in his heroism like a flood demands respect (?)! May the people of Lagaš spread on your pure table everything you need. Nergal , may you stretch forth your arm over the place Lagaš . Nergal , lord who imposes silence, son of Enlil , who in his heroism like a flood demands respect (?)! May the people of Lagaš spread on your pure table everything you need. Nergal , may you stretch forth your arm over the place Lagaš .

A tigi to Nergal (Nergal C) (c.4.15.3) ·c.4.15.3 ·24 ·machine translation (etcsl)

My lady, what you say is firmly grounded; Bau , what you say is firmly grounded. It makes the king ruling in the land of Lagaš , in your holy dwelling place of the pure divine powers, extremely happy; my lady, it makes the king extremely happy. Bau , it makes the king ruling in the land of Lagaš , in your holy dwelling place of the pure divine powers, extremely happy; Bau , it makes Luma extremely happy, he salutes your holy words.

An adab to Bau for Luma (Luma A) (c.2.3.1) ·c.2.3.1 ·24 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Your own father, An , the highest god, clothed you in the ba garment. He gave you the warrior of Enlil , Ninĝirsu , as your husband. He bestowed on you the E-ninnu and Iri-kug , the shrine which brought forth the seeds of mankind. He has set up your lofty throne-dais in Lagaš , in Ĝirsu , the mooring post of the Land, in E-ĝalga-sud , your beloved residence, in Tar-sirsir , the temple of ladyship; and now all the gods of the land of Lagaš bow down before your august residence.

An adab to Bau for Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan B) (c.2.5.4.02) ·c.2.5.4.02 ·26 ·machine translation (etcsl)

My lady, what you say is firmly grounded; Bau , what you say is firmly grounded. It makes the king ruling in the land of Lagaš , in your holy dwelling place of the pure divine powers, extremely happy; my lady, it makes the king extremely happy. Bau , it makes the king ruling in the land of Lagaš , in your holy dwelling place of the pure divine powers, extremely happy; Bau , it makes Luma extremely happy, he salutes your holy words.

An adab to Bau for Luma (Luma A) (c.2.3.1) ·c.2.3.1 ·27 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The protective goddess has abandoned E-tar-sirsir and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. The mother of Lagaš has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. Ĝatumdug has abandoned that house Lagaš and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. She of Niĝin has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. The great queen has abandoned that house Sirara and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. She of Kinirša has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. Dumuzid-abzu has abandoned that house Kinirša and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. She of Gu-aba has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. Ninmarki has abandoned the shrine Gu-aba and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold.

The lament for Urim (c.2.2.2) ·c.2.2.2 ·27 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Lord who imposes silence, son of Enlil , who in his heroism like a flood demands respect (?)! May the people of Lagaš spread on your pure table everything you need. Nergal , may you stretch forth your arm over the place Lagaš . Nergal , lord who imposes silence, son of Enlil , who in his heroism like a flood demands respect (?)! May the people of Lagaš spread on your pure table everything you need. Nergal , may you stretch forth your arm over the place Lagaš .

A tigi to Nergal (Nergal C) (c.4.15.3) ·c.4.15.3 ·29 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The protective goddess has abandoned E-tar-sirsir and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. The mother of Lagaš has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. Ĝatumdug has abandoned that house Lagaš and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. She of Niĝin has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. The great queen has abandoned that house Sirara and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. She of Kinirša has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. Dumuzid-abzu has abandoned that house Kinirša and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. She of Gu-aba has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. Ninmarki has abandoned the shrine Gu-aba and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold.

The lament for Urim (c.2.2.2) ·c.2.2.2 ·28 ·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 ·33 ·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 ·35 ·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 ·42 ·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 ·45 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The dream interpreteter went into the sacristy and made glittering silver ešde cups ready for her. The temple cook ……, and prepared hot and cold food for her. He …… of the oven for her (?) and …… made the great shovel bellow for her. After the meat had arrived in large bowls and cool water had been brought from the Sirara -canal , after the festival trappings had arrived from Lagaš and wine had been brought from the countryside, her great oven which vies with the great dining hall, Nanše's shrine of food offerings, was humming.

A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (c.4.14.1) ·c.4.14.1 ·55 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Gudea celebrated the ešeš festival in the house of Bagara . The ruler set up his bed near to Ĝatumdug . He offered bread and poured cold water and went to holy Ĝatumdug to pray to her: "My lady, child begotten by holy An , an authority on her own, proud goddess, living in the Land, …… of her city! Lady, mother, you who founded Lagaš , if you but look upon your people, it brings abundance; the worthy young man on whom you look will enjoy a long life."

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·61 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Puzur- Mama , the scribe of Ninki : his personal god was Zazaru ; he acted for …… years. Lamku-niĝgena (?), the administrator of Puzur- Mama , who built the wall of Ĝirsu , his ……, and the Tiraš palace in Lagaš : he acted for 280 years. Ḫenĝal , the son of Lamku-niĝgena (?): his god was Pabilsaĝ (?), he acted for 140 years. ……, the son of Ḫenĝal : he acted for 144 years.

The rulers of Lagaš (c.2.1.2) ·c.2.1.2 ·187 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"Let me advise you and may my advice be taken. Direct your steps to Ĝirsu , the foremost house of the land of Lagaš , open your storehouse up and take out wood from it; build (?) a chariot for your master and harness a donkey stallion to it; decorate this chariot with refined silver and lapis lazuli and equip it with arrows that will fly out from the quiver like sunbeams, and with the an-kar weapon, the strength of heroism; fashion for him his beloved standard and write your name on it, and then enter before the warrior who loves gifts, before your 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. Your requests will then be taken as if they were commands; and the drum will make the inclination of the lord -- which is as inconceivable as the heavens -- will make the inclination of Ninĝirsu , the son of Enlil , favourable for you so that he will reveal the design of his house to you in every detail. With his powers, which are the greatest, the warrior will make the house thrive (?) for you."

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·153 ·machine translation (etcsl)

You are the accountant of Nindara , king of Niĝin in its spacious location. Nanše has placed a mighty symbol in your hand, Ḫendursaĝa . The mistress, Mother Nanše , speaks confidentially with you. She has made …… crook and sceptre for its plans flourish in a pure place; she …… her gaze to your …… raised in the quiet streets. Your holy ……, the straight harbour-wall, the pure barge -- all is shining. When the mistress, Mother Nanše , floats her holy barge to visit you, sweet and noble singers perform for her on board. Your well laid-out fields have wheat, emmer and chick peas. The places where you have laid up supplies lie amid (?) cedars and poplars. The holy cow delivers butter and delivers milk to your older brother, the lord (?) of the holy sea, the cock ( dar ) Nindara , the king of Lagaš . Also with her help, monthly and at the New Year on the days of regular offerings, in your house Nindara makes the wedding-gifts on your behalf for the mistress, Mother Nanše .

A hymn to Ḫendursaĝa (Ḫendursaĝa A) (c.4.06.1) ·c.4.06.1 ·26 ·machine translation (etcsl)

On that day the word of Enlil was an attacking storm. Who could fathom it? The word of Enlil was destruction on the right, was …… on the left. This is what Enlil , the one who determines destinies, did: Enlil brought down the Elamites , the enemy, from the highlands. Nanše , the noble daughter, was settled outside the city. Fire approached Ninmarki in the shrine Gu-aba . Large boats were carrying off its silver and lapis lazuli. The lady, sacred Ninmarki , was despondent because of her perished goods. On that day he decreed a storm blazing like the mouth of a fire. The province of Lagaš was handed over to Elam . And then the queen also reached the end of her time.

The lament for Sumer and Urim (c.2.2.3) ·c.2.2.3 ·172 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The guarantor of boundaries, the expert in (?) righteous words, lady, wise woman who founded Lagaš …… with Ĝatumdug . …… righteous words for (?) Nanše . The exalted lady whose commands are ……, the lady who like Enlil determines fates, who is seated on the throne of Sirara -- she, the pure one, looks at her powers.

A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (c.4.14.1) ·c.4.14.1 ·225 ·machine translation (etcsl)

An and Enlil have looked with their beneficent gaze on Lagaš , the mooring-pole of heaven, and the shrine Ĝirsu , established long ago. They have removed the treacherous Tidnum from that temple in Umma , Šeg-kuršaga , which had been ill treated! It is the great gods who have commanded that the foundations of Kiš should be secured, at the edge of Sumer and Akkad , its dominion superlative! Marda , the city in whose river water flows, in whose fields is fine grain -- the Anuna who took those things away from it returned them to it again!

The lament for Nibru (c.2.2.4) ·c.2.2.4 ·228 ·machine translation (etcsl)

At the house which has been granted powers from the abzu , in Sirara , the gods of Lagaš gather around her. To weigh silver with standard weights, to standardise the size of reed baskets, they establish an agreed ban measure throughout the countries. The shepherd, the expert of the Land, the wise one (?) of the countries, Ištaran , who decides lawsuits justly, who lives in the Land …… Ninĝišzida ……. 2 lines unclear

A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (c.4.14.1) ·c.4.14.1 ·233 ·machine translation (etcsl)

22 lines: the house of Ninĝirsu in Lagaš .

The temple hymns (c.4.80.1) ·c.4.80.1 ·262 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"In the E-babbar , where I issue orders, where I shine like Utu , there I justly decide the lawsuits of my city like Ištaran . In the E-bagara , my dining place, the great gods of Lagaš gather around me."

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·275 ·machine translation (etcsl)

He is wise, and able too to realise things. The ruler gave instructions to his city as to one man. The land of Lagaš became of one accord for him, like children of one mother. He opened manacles, removed fetters; established ……, rejected legal complaints, and locked up (?) those guilty of capital offences (instead of executing them).

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·326 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The citizens were purifying an area of 24 iku for him, they were cleansing that area for him. He put juniper, the mountains' pure plant, onto the fire and raised smoke with cedar resin, the scent of gods. For him the day was for praying, and the night passed for him in supplications. In order to build the house of Ninĝirsu , the Anuna gods of the land of Lagaš stood by Gudea in prayer and supplication, and all this made the true shepherd Gudea extremely happy.

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·359 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Lord Ninĝirsu directed Gudea into the impenetrable mountain of cedars and he cut down its cedars with great axes and carved the Šar-ur, the right arm of Lagaš , his master's flood-storm weapon, out of it.

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·409 ·machine translation (etcsl)

He poured clear water into the …… of the brick mould -- adab , sim and ala drums were playing for the ruler. He prepared the excavated earth for making (?) the brick, and hoed honey, ghee and precious oil into it. He worked balsam (?) and essences from all kinds of trees into the paste. He lifted up the holy carrying-basket and put it next to the brick mould. Gudea placed the clay into the brick mould and acted exactly as prescribed, bringing the first brick of the house into existence in it, while all the bystanders sprinkled oil or cedar perfume. His city and the land of Lagaš spent the day with him in joy.

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·511 ·machine translation (etcsl)

He stretched out lines in the most perfect way; he set up (?) a sanctuary in the holy uzga . In the house, Enki drove in the foundation pegs, while Nanše , the daughter of Eridug , took care of the oracular messages. The mother of Lagaš , holy Ĝatumdug , gave birth to its bricks amid cries (?), and Bau , the lady, first-born daughter of An , sprinkled them with oil and cedar essence. En and lagar priests were detailed to the house to provide maintenance for it. The Anuna gods stood there full of admiration.

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·555 ·machine translation (etcsl)