A praise poem of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma C)

Sumerian literature (ETCSL) · 2 - Royal praise poetry and compositions with a historical background · 115 sections

1
iri me dug3-dug3-ga barag maḫ nam-lugal-la
City of the finest divine powers, lofty royal throne-dais! Shrine Urim, pre-eminent in Sumer, built in a pure place! City, your well-founded great wall has grown out of the abzu! City, beautiful as the sky, endowed with beauty, colourfully decorated in a great place! Shrine Urim, well-founded ĝipar, dwelling of An and Enlil! Your lofty palace is the E-kiš-nu-ĝal, in which the fates are determined! Your pilasters heavy with radiance tower over all the countries! Its terrace like a white cloud is a spectacle in the midst of heaven. Its …… like flashing lightning shines (?) inside a shrine. Like a single bull under the yoke, ……. Suen's beloved pure table; E-kiš-nu-ĝal, Suen's beloved pure table. The king, ornament of the royal offering place, occupies the august courtyard; Ur-Namma the exalted, whom no one dare oppose, ……. Urim, the wide city ……. (1 line unclear)
2
eš3 urim5{ki} gu2-gal ⌈ki⌉-en-gi-ra ki kug-ga du3-a
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iri bad3 gal ki ĝar-ra-! abzu-ta mu2-a
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iri an-gin7 sig7-ga ḫi-li gur3-ru ki gal-la gun3-gun3
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eš3 urim5{ki} ĝi6-par4 ki ĝar-ra ki-tuš an {d}en-lil2-la2
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e2-gal maḫ-! e2-kiš-nu-ĝal2 šag4-ga nam tar-ra
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dub-la2-zu me-lem4 du8-du8-a kur-kur-ra dirig-ga
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gi-gun4-na-bi dungu babbar-gin7 an-šag4-ga u6 di
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{ĝiš}RU-bi nim ĝir2-ĝir2-e-gin7 eš3 šag4-ga kumx(PA)-kumx(PA)-mu
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1 gud {ĝiš}šudul4-a-gin7 ur2 gur-ra X kug da-ra-ga
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{ĝiš}banšur ⌈sikil-la⌉ ki aĝ2 {d}suen-na
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e2-kiš-nu-ĝal2 {ĝiš}banšur ⌈sikil⌉-la ki aĝ2 {d}suen-na
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lugal KI.LUGAL.GUB-la ḫe2-du7-bi ⌈kisal⌉ maḫ-e si-a
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⌈!⌉-{d}namma uru16 a2 nun gi4-a ⌈{d}en⌉-X X X-ma
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[(X)] ⌈urim5⌉{ki} ⌈?⌉ daĝal-⌈? ?⌉ X [(X) X X]
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[…] NAM X X ⌈GA ?⌉ ba-e-ni-a-e3
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[…] X (X) [(X) X] X nir-ĝal2-e
……, 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.
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[ni2-te-a]-ni mi2 zid i-ri in-ga-am3-me
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⌈ur-{d}namma⌉ lugal urim5{ki}-ma nam dug3 tar-ra-ba ĝiri3 si mu-un-da-ab-sa2
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an-e ka ⌈kug⌉-ga-ni mu-un-ba šeĝx(IM.A) ma-u3-tud
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ki-še3 šag4-ga si ba-an-sa2 ḫe2-ĝal2 ma-ra-de6
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{d}en-lil2-le mi2 zid mu-un-dug4 UN mu-ši-in-X
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{d}⌈en⌉-ki-ke4 mi2 zid mu-un-dug4 a-eštub{ku6} {d}ezina2 še gu-nu saĝ-e-eš mu-un-rig7
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⌈{d}nin⌉-tur5-re ĝe26-e mu-un-dim2-dim2-en gaba!(ga)-ri-ĝu10 nu-tuku
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[…] X dug3-bi bi2-in-peš-en lugal kalam-ma-me-en
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[…] ⌈ĝal2⌉ zid-da-me-en tur3 amaš mu-da-⌈daĝal⌉
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{d}utu ka-ĝa2 inim ba-ni-in-ĝal2
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di ku5-ru-ĝu10 ki-en-gi ki-uri gu3 teš2-a bi2-in-sig10
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{d}nin-gublaga-ke4 a2 ma-an-šum2
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me3-ĝu10 an ki šu2-a-bi lu2 la-ba-ra-e3
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ur-{d}namma lugal urim5{ki}-ma {d}lamma iri-ĝa2-me-en
I am Ur-Namma, king of Urim, the protecting genius of my city. I strike against those guilty of capital offences, and make them tremble. The fear I cause ……. My judgments make Sumer and Akkad follow a single path. I place my foot on the necks of thieves and criminals. I clamp down on evildoers, who will be caught like snakes. I …… fugitives, and their intentions will be set right. I make justice apparent; I defeat wickedness. As if I were fire, even my frowning is enough to create concord. My word ……. …… the lands, the foreign countries …… Urim ……. Their food offerings make Nanna rejoice in E-kiš-nu-ĝal.
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šer7-da mu-dub2 su mu-un-sag3-sag3
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ni2 su-e bi2-us2-sa-ĝu10 X X-a i-na mu X X ri-ia-aš
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di ku5-ru-ĝu10 ki-en-gi ki-uri us2 dili-a mi-ni-ib-dab5
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ni2-zuḫ lu2 i-{d}utu-ka gu2-ba ĝiri3 bi2-gub
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erim2-du muš-gin7 šu gid2-gid2-da šu im-da-an-šu2-šu2
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lu2-kar-da gur5-ru-uš im-da-ab-be2 šag4-bi si bi2-ib-sa2
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niĝ2-si-sa2-e pa e3 bi2-ak niĝ2-erim2 sa2 bi2-dug4
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{d}gibil6-gin7 saĝ-ki gid2-da-ĝu10 ⌈gu3⌉ teš2-a bi2-⌈sig10⌉
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inim-ĝu10 me-me DU8-ba gub-bi UN X A […] X (X) E
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DAG X (X)-la ma-da kur-⌈kur⌉-[ra …] urim5⌈{ki}-?⌉ X ⌈kur⌉ […]
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nidba-bi e2-kiš-nu-⌈ĝal2-la-na⌉ {d}nanna-ar mi-ni-in-ḫul2-le
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!-ĝu10 šag4 kug-ge ba-ri-a-ta
After my seed had been poured into the holy womb, Suen, loving its appearance (?), made it partake of Nanna's attractiveness. Coming forth over the Land like Utu, Enlil called me by an auspicious name, and Nintur assisted at my birth. As I came forth from the womb of my mother Ninsumun, a favorable allotted destiny was determined for me.
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{d}suen-e u6-e ki aĝ2-ni
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{d}nanna-ar ḫi-li-na ba-ni-in-kur9-re
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{d}en-lil2-le {d}utu-gin7 kalam-ma ed2-de3 mu dug3 mu-un-⌈sa4⌉
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{d}nin!(nin9)-tur5 tud-⌈tud⌉-a mu-un-gub-!
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šag4 ama-ĝu10 {d}nin-sumun2-ka-ta
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nam tar-ra sag9-ga ma-ta-e3
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ur-{d}namma-me-en ma-da ki-en-gi ki-⌈uri⌉ {d}lamma mu-un-da-an-tuku
In me, Ur-Namma, the lands of Sumer and Akkad have their protecting genius. I am a source of joy for the Land; my life indeed creates! ……, the fields are resplendent (?) under my rule. In the fields growing with ……, …… did not multiply under my rule. In the desert, the roads are made up as for a festival, and are passable because of me. The owner of the fields ……; it rises (?) up to his chest. I have freed the sons of the poor from their duty of going to fetch firewood.
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kalam-ma ki ur5 sag9-ge-bi ĝe26-e-me-en zi-ĝu10 ḫe2-u3-tud
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ug ušumgal X A KA IGI (X) LA2 a-šag4 mu-da-dadag
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⌈?⌉ gi ḫul mu2-a šuba2 nu-mu-u8-da-lu
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edimx(EDIN)-ma ezen-gin7 du3-a-ba ĝiri3 si mu-un-da-ab-sa2
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lu2 a-šag4-ga nir-ĝal2-bi mu-un-DU gaba-na ib2-ta-an-zig3
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dumu ukur3-ra u2 il2-i-de3 ĝen-na ama-ni-ir mu-un-gi4-gi4
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⌈?⌉-ma-ru ⌈?⌉-ba i-tiX ma-gi4X-a-ba
After the storm ……, and the month had been completed (?) for me, Enlil chose me by extispicy on a day very auspicious for him. He spoke fairly to Sumer, and caused me to arise (?) from my family (?). Because of my broad understanding and wisdom, An the king entrusted …… into my hands. I am the cosmic bond of Sumer. I am …… good ……. I am ……. I am …… of the Land. (3 lines fragmentary) I, the lord, …….
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{d}en-lil2-le ⌈ud⌉ dug3-dug3-ga-na maš2-e ⌈bi2-in⌉-pad3-de3-en
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ki-en-gi-⌈ra⌉ gu3 zid mu-un-de2 !-a in-da-an-zig3-ge-en
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⌈ĝeštug2 daĝal⌉ igi-ĝal2-tuku-ĝu10-še3
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X [an] ⌈lugal⌉-e šu-ĝu10-še3 ba-an-šum2
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[ki-en]-⌈gi⌉-ra uz3-saĝ-bi ĝe26-e-me-en
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[…] X [(X)] X X sag9-ga-me-en
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[…]-⌈?⌉-me-en
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[…] X […] X kalam-ma-me-en
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[…] X tum2-mu
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X X X […]
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X ⌈?⌉ X […]
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en-me-⌈en ?⌉ X X X […] X X […]
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ur-{d}namma an-še3 tud-⌈da⌉ kug-ge-eš X […]
I, Ur-Namma, born on high, …… shining. The people line up in front of me. Enlil has given me the task of keeping the Land secure, with unscathed (?) troops. I am clad in linen in the ĝipar. I lie down on the splendid bed in its delightful bedchamber. I cause the people to eat splendid food; I am their . I am the good shepherd whose sheep multiply greatly. I open the …… of the cattle-pens and sheepfolds. I am peerless. …… the pastures and watering-places of shepherds (?).
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⌈?⌉ igi-ĝu10-še3 si im-sa2
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erin2 silim-ma kalam šu-a gi4-gi4 {d}en-lil2-le ma-ra-an-⌈šum2⌉
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ĝi6-par4-ra ⌈?⌉gada nam-mi-la2
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ĝiš-nu2 gi-rin-na ki-nu2 dug3-ba mu-nu2
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uĝ3-e u2 nir-ĝal2 bi2-ib2-⌈?⌉-en {d}en-ki-im-du-bi-me-en
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sipad zid udu-ni dirig ĝal2-la-me-en
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tur3 amaš daĝal KA×MAŠ-bi ĝal2 bi2-taka4 gaba-ri-ĝu10 nu-tuku
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sipad u2 naĝ-ĝa2-bi šuba2X-X ma-šar2?-ni-šar2
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nam-en-na-bi u3-me-ni-tag
Since I have been adorned (?) with their rulership, no one imposes taxes on my abundant crops which grow tall. My commands bring about (?) joy in the great fortresses of the mountains. The joy of my city and the territory (?) of Sumer delights me. I release water into the canals of Sumer, making the trees grow tall on their banks. I have lifted the yoke of its male prostitutes. (1 line unclear)
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buru14 maḫ-ĝu10 ni2-bi il2-il2-i niĝ2-kud nu-ak-e
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a2 aĝ2-ĝa2-ĝu10 bad3 gal kur-ra-ka a-ne ḫul2-la mu-e
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iri-ĝa2 ki-sur-ra ki-en-gi-ra giri17-zal-bi ma-dug3
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ki-en-gi id2-ba a šu bi2-ba ĝiš gu2-ba mu-zig3
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saĝ-ur-saĝ-bi {ĝiš}šudul4-bi mu-zig3
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[…] ⌈kur⌉-ra-ka zag-la2-⌈?⌉ mu-⌈?⌉
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⌈urim5{ki} šu⌉-ba im-mi-gi4
I returned …… to Urim. I made …… return (?) to his country …… like ……. I loaded its grain on barges, I delivered it to its storehouses. I returned its …… citizens to their (?) homes. I …… their earth-baskets. I …… the savage hands of the Gutians, the ……. After I had made the evil-doers return (?) to their ……, I restored (?) the walls that had been torn down; my outstanding mind ……. …… the shrine of Urim ……. I am the foremost workman (?) of Enlil; I am the one who …… food offerings. (7 lines fragmentary or missing)
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X-ba ?-gin7 kur-⌈ra⌉-na bi2-gi4
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še-bi ma2-gur8-ra-ke4 bi2-la2 ĝa2-nun-bi ⌈bi2⌉-gi4
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dumu ⌈?⌉-bi e2-a-ni!(IR) im-mi-gi4 dusu-bi mu-gi4
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gu-ti-um{ki} lu2-?-a-ke4 šu sis-na mu-du8
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i-{d}utu ka-ba um-mi-gi4
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? bi2-⌈?⌉-ba bi2-gi4 šag4 su3-ra-ĝu10 X
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? gu2-⌈tuku⌉ {d}en-lil2-la2-me-en nidba X (X) X-me-⌈en⌉
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X ⌈uĝ3⌉ (X) ⌈daĝal⌉-bi AN DA X X (X)
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[…] X-bi an-da ⌈?⌉ X (X)
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[…] X [(X)] X X […] ⌈?⌉
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[…] X […] X
gap
(1 line missing)
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[…] X […]
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⌈?⌉ X {ĝiš}? ⌈ĜIŠ⌉ […]

The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature (ETCSL), Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. Copyright holders: Jeremy Black, Graham Cunningham, Jarle Ebeling, Esther Flückiger-Hawker, Eleanor Robson, Jon Taylor and Gábor Zólyomi. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. Source.