The Death of Gilgamesh

✦ ─── ⟐ ─── ✦

Fate cannot be taken from its mother's hand.


This text survives in two principal versions — one from Nibru (Nippur), one from Me-Turan — both severely fragmentary. What follows renders the recoverable passages from each, drawing on the more complete text where the versions overlap. Irrecoverable gaps are noted. The poem is ancient, broken, and luminous.


I. The Great Bull Lies Down

Opening lament — from both the Nibru and Me-Turan versions.

The great bull lies down, rises no more.
The lord Gilgamesh lies down, rises no more.

The lord of Kulaba, whose eyes spoke sacred wisdom —
lies down, rises no more.
Who spread the lands wide, who climbed the mountains —
lies down, rises no more.
Who perfected his strength like a mighty tree —
lies down, rises no more.
Who slew the enemy of evil —
lies down, rises no more.

He lies on the fated bed.
He lies on the lullaby-bed.

Standing brings no quiet.
Sitting brings no quiet.
He cries out lament.
Eating brings no quiet.
Drinking brings no quiet.
He cries out lament.

Fate has seized the doorpost:
rising brings no quiet.

Like a great fish taken in a trap,
sick, he hangs.
Like a wild goat caught in a snare,
he lies on his deathbed.

Fate, who has no hand, no foot —
Fate carried him off.

[Several lines missing.]


II. Sisig and the Darkened Land

Fragment — Nibru version, Segment E.

Sisig, son of Utu —
in the dark place below the earth,
let the day shine for him.

Of humanity — what is it that is named?
Who fashioned its image from time immemorial?
Young men and heroes,
as a new crescent, appointed to their fullness —
before them, who directed their full strength?

In the month of the ghosts' festival,
not to be among them —
the day before does not come again.


III. Great Mountain Enlil Speaks

Nibru version, Segment E — the gods address Gilgamesh.

Great Mountain Enlil, father of the gods —

"Gilgamesh, your fate has been brought as kingship.
Eternal life was not brought.

Do not make the heart evil for fate and for life.
Do not die in grief. Do not be stricken at heart.

The abomination of humanity — this was told to you.
Your cut cord — this was told to you.
The dark day of humanity — understand it.
The solitary place of humanity — understand it.
The night that does not give back — understand it.
The battle that cannot be avoided — understand it.
The combat that has no equal — understand it.
The flood that no one escapes — understand it.

Do not enter Irkalla where teeth are bound.
Before Utu, let light be added to you."

[Lines missing.]


IV. The Assembly of the Gods

Me-Turan version, Segment F — the fullest surviving passage.

They spoke of what had been done, the road walked:

"Together we went up to the cedar mountain.
We struck Huwawa down in his forest.
What we built stands for all time.
The me were established and set in the houses of the gods,
in their places, from time immemorial —
life raised its head in its seat.
The me of Sumer were divided in those days,
established forever.
The ordained decrees carried out through all the land.
The purification rites, the mouth-washing rites, arranged."

They spoke to Enlil and Enki.
An, Enlil, Enki answered:

"From those days — from those distant days.
From those nights — from those distant nights.
From those years — from those distant years —
from when the flood swept over the assembly —

The seed of humanity was decreed to be separated.

We in the middle: a single breath — we are life.
Ziusudra alone is the life of humanity.
From that time, the oaths of heaven and earth were sworn.
From that time, humanity has not lived forever.
So it was decreed.

Now, Gilgamesh — look upon it.
Fate cannot be taken from its mother's hand."


V. The Verdict

Me-Turan version, Segment F, continuing.

Gilgamesh — dying below, from his ghost on earth —
may he be the commander of the underworld,
the first among the shades.

At the verdict rendered, the decision given —
his words weighed heavy,
like the words of Ningishzida,
like the words of Dumuzi.

[Approximately fourteen lines missing.]


VI. Counsel Against Grief

Me-Turan version, Segment F, later passage.

"What living thing lies down in life?
Do not die in grief. Do not be stricken at heart.

Go before the assembled great gods —
before the place where the king lies, where the noble lies,
where the high-priest lies, where the priestess lies,
those covered in linen, those who rest there.

Your father, your grandfather —
your mother, your sister —
your beloved friend Enkidu, the young man your equal —
the rulers of the city,
the army commanders who lie in that place.

All of them come to you from your household.
Your beloved wife comes to you.
Your beloved son comes to you.
Your dear friend comes to you.
The elders of your city come to you.

Do not die in grief.
Do not be stricken at heart."

[Lines missing.]


VII. Uruk Rises

Me-Turan version, Segment H — the burial of Gilgamesh.

Uruk arose.
The lord commanded the city to rise.
The herald cried through all the lands.

Uruk arose — as if the flood had come.
Kulaba arose — as if a storm cloud had gathered.

At the middle of the first month —
five days had not passed, ten days had not passed —
the Euphrates was opened.
Its water-plant emerged.
Its iškila-stones were made to shine before Utu.

At the middle of the Euphrates,
the waters drew back.


VIII. The Tomb

Me-Turan version, Segment H, continuing.

The tomb-stone was placed.
The foundation-stone was set.
The door-stone, the gate-stone, were placed.
Its lock was of strong stone.
Its bolt was of strong stone.
Its roof-beam was built of gold.

Black earth pressed above it,
heavy slabs of stone, sealed.
Covered with dark soil — sealed for all time.

[Lines missing.]

His beloved wife.
His beloved son.
His beloved secondary wife.
His beloved musician.
His beloved cup-bearer, his beloved steward.
The palace servants who served at his feet.
His beloved household goods —

who laid them in their place
like treasures in the palace of Uruk?


IX. Gilgamesh Before Ereshkigal

Nibru version — the final section.

Gilgamesh, son of Ninsun,
turned his face toward Ereshkigal.

He presented gifts to Namtar.
He presented admirable gifts to Dimpi-kug.
He presented gifts to Neti, the gatekeeper.
He presented gifts to Ningishzida and Dumuzi.

He presented gifts to Enki and Ninki,
to Enmul and Ninmul,
to Endukuga and Nindukuga,
to Enindashuruma and Ninindashuruma,
to Enmuutula and Enmenshara —
to the mother and father of Enlil —
to Shulpae, lord of the table,
to Sumuqan, to Ninhursag,
to the Anunna of the holy mound,
to the Nungal of the holy mound —

to the fallen lords, the fallen servants,
to the fallen high-priests, the fallen priestesses,
to the linen-clad priests who had fallen.

[Lines missing.]

The people of his city —
not one did not bow.
They prostrated themselves in the dust.


X. Closing Praise

Nibru final section and Me-Turan, Segment K.

At that time — the young lord, the lord Gilgamesh.

No king born was his equal.
Without peer, without equal —
Gilgamesh, son of Ninsun.

His loins fell ruined. His heart was stricken.
In that which humanity calls its own,
his statue was fashioned from time immemorial —
set in the houses of the gods,
its name not to be divided from them.

Aruru, great sister of Enlil,
for the sake of his name
gave him the herb of life.

Whose statue was fashioned from time immemorial —
praised throughout the land.

Gilgamesh, lord of Kulaba —
your praise is sweet.

Ereshkigal, mother of Ninazu —
your praise is sweet.


Colophon

Translated from the Sumerian by Ziusudra (Good Works Translation), 2026. Source text: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature (ETCSL), text c.1.8.1.3, "The Death of Gilgameš." Drawn from two versions: Nibru (Nippur) and Me-Turan. Both versions are severely fragmentary; irrecoverable gaps have been noted throughout. Translation independent from source language; Cavigneaux and Al-Rawi (2000) consulted for disambiguation of the Me-Turan segments. The opening epithet-litany follows the more complete Me-Turan Segment A; the theological speech of the gods follows Me-Turan Segment F; the burial and closing praise draw from both versions. The identification of the dead with Ningishzida and Dumuzi (netherworld officials who also serve as judges) follows ETCSL scholarly apparatus. Sisig (si-si-ig), son of the sun-god Utu, is the god of sweet dreams who brings light to the underworld — hence the prayer that he shine light on Gilgamesh in the dark place below.

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Source Text

Sumerian transliteration from the Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature (ETCSL), text c.1.8.1.3 (etcsl.cgi?text=c.1.8.1.3). Two principal versions: Nibru and Me-Turan. Both are highly fragmentary. The ETCSL composite represents the best available scholarly reconstruction.

A version from Nibru

Segment A

  1. [X X (X)] ur?-/saĝ\ [ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-e-da-an-zi-zi]
  2. [...] X [...ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-e-da-an-zi-zi]
  3. /a2?-ur2?\ sag9-[sag9 (...) ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-e-da-an-zi-zi]
  4. X [...ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-e-da-an-zi-zi]
  5. niĝ2-erim2 [...ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-e-da-an-zi-zi]
  6. nitaḫ [...] ba-[nu2 ḫur nu-mu-e-da-an-zi-zi]
  7. /ĝešpu2\ lirum /šu du7-a ba-/nu2\ [ḫur nu-mu-e-da-an-zi-zi]
  8. /lu2?\ UM? X DA /ĝal2?-e ba-/nu2\ [ḫur nu-mu-e-da-an-zi-zi]
  9. en kul-aba4ki-ke4 ba-/nu2\ [ḫur nu-mu-e-da-an-zi-zi]
  10. igi kug-/zu dug4-dug4-ga ba-nu2 ḫur [nu-mu-e-da-an-zi-zi]
  11. lib4-lib4 ma-/da?-e ba-nu2 ḫur nu-[mu-e-da-an-zi-zi]
  12. ḫur-saĝ ed3-de3-de3 ba-nu2 ḫur nu-/mu-[e-da-an-zi-zi]
  13. ĝiš-nu2 nam-tar-ra-ka ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-[e]-da-an-zi-[zi]
  14. ki-nu2 u3-/u8-a-/u8\ ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-e-da-an-zi-zi
  15. gub-ba nu-/ub-sig10-ge tuš-a nu-ub-sig10-ge a-nir im-ĝa2-ĝa2
  16. u2-gu7 nu-[ub-sig10]-ge a naĝ nu-ub-sig10-ge a-nir im-ĝa2-ĝa2
  17. nam-tar-/ra\ [ĝiš]/ig-šu-/ur? ba-an-da-ḫa-za-a? zig3-ga(source: BI) nu-ub-sig10-ge
  18. ku6 /nun\ [X X] /ku6\ keše2 ak-a-gin7 /tur5-[ra ba]-an-la2-la2
  19. maš-da3 ĝiš-[bur2]-ra dab5-ba-a-gin7 ki-nu2 [X] /BA\ X X
  20. /nam-tar šu [nu]-tuku ĝiri3 nu-tuku-a MI? [...]
  21. [nam]-/tar?\ [X X] X UL-UL ZI [...]
  22. [...] X AŠ? DU RU X [...]
    (6 lines missing)
  23. [X X] /GA?-gin7\ [X X] KI [...]
    30–38. (further fragments; unknown lines missing)

Segment E (the gods' speech)

  1. /si-si-[ig] dumu dutu-ke4
  2. kur-ra ki /ku10-ku10-ka ud ḫu-mu-na-an-ĝa2-ĝa2
  3. nam-lu2-ulu3 niĝ2 a-na sa4-a-ba
  4. alan-bi ud ul-le2-a-še3 a-ba-da-an-dim2 KE4
  5. šul ĝuruš igi du8 ud-sakar-gin7 zag-du8 ḫu-mu-ta-an-ak-eš
  6. igi-bi-a ĝešpu2 lirum-ma si a-ba-da-ab-sa2
  7. itid NE-NE-ĝar ezen gidim-ma-ke4-ne
  8. e-ne-da nu-me-a igi-bi-a ud nam-ba-an-ĝa2!-ĝa2
  9. kur gal den-lil2-le a-a diĝir-re-e-ne-ke4
  10. en dgilgameš2 ma-mu2-da [...] X DU bal-da-bi
  11. dgilgameš2 nam-zu nam-lugal-še3 mu-de6 [(X)] /til3\ da-ri2-še3 nu-mu-un-de6
  12. /nam\ [X X]-ke4? ĜAR? ḪI? nam-til3-la-ke4 šag4 ḫul nam-ba-dim2(source: BA)-e
  13. ur5 nam-ba-e-ug7-e šag4 nam-ba-e-sag3-ge
  14. niĝ2-gig ak nam-lu2-u18-lu-ke4 ne-en de6-a ma-ra-dug4
  15. niĝ2 gi-dur kud-da-zu ne-en de6-a ma-ra-dug4
  16. ud ku10-ku10 nam-lu2-ulu3-kam sa2 mi-ri-ib-dug4
  17. ki dili nam-lu2-ulu3-kam sa2 mi-ri-ib-dug4
  18. a-ĝi6 gaba nu-ru-gu2 sa2 mi-ri-ib-dug4
  19. /me3\ ka-re nu-me-a sa2 mi-ri-ib-dug4
  20. šen-šen nu-sa2-a sa2 mi-ri-ib-dug4
  21. ĝiš-ĝiš-la2 šu kar-kar-re nu-me-a sa2 mi-ri-ib-dug4
  22. /iri11?-gal šag4 zu2 keše2-zu nam-ba-du-un
    26–28. (fragmentary; lines missing)

Another version from Nibru (probably the final section)

  1. dam ki aĝ2-ĝa2-ni dumu ki /aĝ2-[ĝa2-ni]
  2. dam tam dam ban3-da ki [aĝ2-ĝa2-ni]
  3. nar-a-ni sagix(ŠU.SILA3.DU8) /šu?\ [...ki aĝ2-ĝa2-ni]
  4. kindagal ki aĝ2-ĝa2-[ni] ĜAR X [...ki aĝ2-ĝa2-ni]
  5. ĝiri3-sig10-ga e2-gal DU.DU [ki aĝ2-ĝa2-ni]
  6. niĝ2 šu dug4-ga ki aĝ2-ĝa2-ni
  7. e2-gal na rig7-ga šag4 unugki-ga X [X]-/gin7?\ ki-bi-a a-ba-da-an-nu2
  8. dgilgameš2 dumu dnin-sumun2-ka
  9. dereš-ki-gal-la-še3 igi-du8-bi ba-an-la2
  10. dnam-tar-ra kadra-bi ba-an-la2
  11. ddim3-pi?-kug u6 /di\ ba-an-la2
  12. dne-/et-ti niĝ2-ba-bi ba-an-la2
  13. dnin-ĝiš-zid-da u3 ddumu-zid-/ra?\ niĝ2-ba-bi ba-an-la2
  14. den-ki dnin-ki den-mul dnin-mul
  15. den-du6-kug-ga dnin-du6-kug-ga
  16. den-inda-šurum!-ma dnin-/da-šurum!-ma
  17. den-mu-utu-la2 den-me-/en-šar2-ra
  18. ama a-a den-lil2-la2-ra
  19. dšul-pa-e3 en ĝiš/banšur-ke4
  20. dsu-mu-gan2(source: DAG) dnin-ḫur-/saĝ-ĝa2-ke4
  21. da-nun-na du6 kug-ga-/ke4-[ne]
  22. dnun-gal-e-ne du6 kug-ga-/ke4-[ne]
  23. [en] /ug5-ga-ra lagar /ug5-[ga-ra]
  24. lu2-maḫ /nin-diĝir [ug5-ga-ra]
  25. gudug šag4-gada-la2 X [...ug5-ga-ra]
    26–33. (fragmentary)
  26. /nam-lu2-ulu3\ [X X] /iri?\ki-[na]-ke4
    35–36. (fragmentary — the people bow, prostrate in dust)
  27. ud-bi-a [en] /tur-re\ en dgilgameš2-e
    38–41. (fragmentary)
  28. d/gilgameš2\ [en] kul-aba4ki-/ka?\ /za3-mi2-zu dug3-ga-am3

A version from Me-Turan

Segment A (opening lament)

  1. am gal-e ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-un-/da-an-/zi-zi\
  2. en dgilgameš2 ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-un-da-an-zi-zi
  3. ĜIŠ šag4 1(AŠ)-ša4 DU ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-un-da-an-zi-zi
  4. ur-saĝ zag da-ra ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-un-da-an-zi-zi
  5. usu šag4 1(AŠ)-ša4 ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-un-da-an-zi-zi
  6. niĝ2-erim2 tur-tur-ra ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-un-da-an-zi-zi
  7. igi kug-zu dug4-dug4-ga ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-un-da-an-zi-zi
  8. lib4-lib4-bi ma-da ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-un-da-an-zi-zi
  9. ḫur-saĝ ed2-de zu ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-un-da-an-zi-zi
  10. en kul-aba-ke4 ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-un-da-an-zi-zi
  11. ĝiš-nu2 nam-tar-ra-ke4 ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-un-da-an-zi-zi
  12. ki-nu2 u3-u8-a-u8 ba-nu2 ḫur nu-mu-un-da-an-zi-zi
  13. gub-ba nu-ub-sig9-ga tuš nu-ub-sig9-ga a-nir ib-ĝa2-ĝa2
  14. u2-gu7 nu-ub-sig9-ga a naĝ nu-ub-sig9-ga a-nir ib-ĝa2-ĝa2
  15. nam-tar-ra ig-šu-ur2 ba-/ḫa-za zi-zi nu-ub-sig9-ga
  16. ku6 NUN-gin7 pu2 ḪAR ak-a MA /tur5?-ra ba-la2-la2
  17. /maš2-nitaḫ dab-ba-gin7 ki-nu2 GABA UGU-UGU [(X)] ba-X-[(X)]
  18. [nam-tar]-/ra\ šu nu-tuku ĝiri3 nu-tuku lu2 ĝe26-e mu-X [...]
  19. [...] X DU.DU zid-/da\ [...]
    (unknown lines missing)

Segment F (the assembly of the gods — fullest surviving passage)

  1. inim-zu(source: BA) ḫar-ra-an di-id-bi-a a-na-am3 me-a-bi
  2. ĝišerin ĝiš dili kur-bi ga-an-/e-de3\
  3. dḫu-wa-wa tir-bi-ta saĝ ĝiš ra-ra-za
  4. na-du3-a ud ul-la2-še3 me-gub-bu-uš me-da ud-še3
  5. e2 diĝir-re-e-ne ki ĝar-ĝar-ra-a-ba
  6. zi-ud-su3-ta!-aš {ki-tuš-bi-a} saĝ im-ma-ni-/ti\
  7. me ki-en-gi-ra-ke4 ki ud-ba ḫa-la-me-eš ud ul-le-še3
  8. a2 aĝ2-ĝa2 bi-lu-da10 kalam-ma-aš im-ta-/a?-ni\
  9. šu-/luḫ\ ka-/luḫ\ X (X) / si mu-un-si-sa2-e
  10. a-/ta\ X [...] X
    (3 lines missing)
  11. [a-ra2 den-lil2 den-ki-ra] /im-ma-ab-ba-e-ne
  12. [an den-lil2 den-ki] /im-ma-ni-ib-gi4-gi4
  13. [ud re-ta] /ud\ sud-da re-ta
  14. [ĝi6 re-ta] /ĝi6\ sud-/da\ re-ta
  15. [mu re-ta] mu sud-da re-ta
  16. [pu-uḫ-ru-um] a-ma-ru ba-ur3(source: NIR)-ra-ta
  17. numun /nam-lu2-ulu3 /ḫa-la?-me-de3-e-ed-nam
  18. murub4-me-a [zi saĝ-dili]-/me?-en\ nam-til3-am3
  19. zi-ud--ra2 /mu?\ [nam]-lu2-ulu3 nam-til3-am3
  20. /ud-bi-ta /zi\ [an]-/na\ zi ki-a mu-/un-pad3-da-nam
  21. [ud-bi-ta nam]-/lu2-ulu3-ur2 nu-mu-til3-/am3\ [(…)] /KA?\ BI-e-ed-nam
  22. /e-ne-eš2\ [d]/gilgameš2\ igi-bi ba-ni-ib-tu
  23. /šu nam\ ama-a-[ni nu]-/mu-un-da-kar-kar-re-ed-nam
  24. /d\gilgameš2 /gidim-bi-ta ki-ta ug5-ga
  25. šagina kur-ra ḫe2-ak-/e\ palil gidim ḫe2-nam
  26. di-da mu-un-kud-da ka-/aš bar\ [X] /bar-re
  27. dug4-ga-a-ni(source: ZU) inim dnin-ĝiš-zid-/da\ ddumu-/zid-da-gin7\ ba-e-dugud
    42–45. (fragmentary)
    (14 lines missing)
  28. igi ĝen ki-sig10-ga a-/nun-[na-ke4-ne diĝir gal-gal-ne dur2-ru-na-ba]
  29. /ki en nu2-[a]-še3 /lagar\ [nu2-a-še3]
  30. /lu2-maḫ nin-diĝir nu2-/a-še3
  31. gu-da2 mu-un-na gada mu-un-na-še3
  32. nin-diĝir [mu]-/un-na-a gen6-/na mu-un-na-še3
  33. ki a-a-zu /pap-bi-ga-a-zu
  34. ama-zu /nin9-zu lu2-ga-a-zu
  35. gu-li kal-la-/zu\ du2-us2-sa-a-zu
  36. gu-li den-/ki-[du] /ĝuruš\ an-ta-a-zu
  37. ensi2 /lugal-e?\ [iri-gal al-pad3?-de3-eš]
  38. ki /ugula ugnim\ [nu2-a-še3]
  39. /nu?-[ban3-da erin2-na nu2-a-še3]
    (3 lines missing)
  40. e2 [lu2-ga-a-ta lu2-ga me-ši-du-un]
  41. za!-/zu\ [mu-ši-du-un kal-la-zu mu-ši-du-un]
  42. ab-ba iriki-/za!-a-kam\ mu-ši-/du-un\
  43. ur5 /nam-u2-ga šag4 nam-ba-sag3-ge

Segment H (the burial of Gilgamesh)

  1. kul-aba4ki /zig3\ [...]
  2. unugki zig3-ga-bi [...]
  3. kul-aba4ki zig3-ga-bi X [...]
  4. murub4 itid 1-a-kam [...]
  5. ud nu-5-am3 ud [nu-10-am3]
  6. id2buranuna ĝiš bi2-/in?-[…]
  7. na4iškila-bi [...]
  8. ud-bi-a murub4 id2/buranun-na-ka ki bi2-in-dar
  9. [...] na4 ba-da-an-du3
  10. [...] na4-a? ba-da-an-du3
  11. [...] na4esi kalag-ga-kam
  12. [...] /suḫub4-bi na4 kalag-ga-kam
  13. [...] X kug-sig17 niĝ2 de2-a-kam
  14. [...] /na4\šu-u dugud im-ta-/an-ur3?\
  15. [...] /na4\šu-u dugud /im-[ta]-/an-ur3?
    16–22. (fragmentary)
    (unknown lines missing)
  16. /dam ki\ aĝ2-a-ni dumu tur ki aĝ2-a-ni
  17. dam tam dam ban3-da ki aĝ2-ĝa2-a-ni

Segment K (closing praise)

  1. /ur2-ra-a-ni\ ba-ḫul šag4-ga-a-ni ba-sag3
  2. nam-lu2-ulu3 niĝ2-ĝa2-a mu-un-sa4-a-ba
  3. alan-bi ud ul-la-ta ba-dim2-dim2
  4. e2 diĝir-re-e-ne zag-še3 ĝar-ĝar-ra
  5. mu-bi dug4-dug4-ga nam-ba-e-da-ḫa-la-me-eš
  6. da-ru-ru nin9(source: nin) gal den-lil2-la2
  7. nam-mu!-še3 isimu2sar mu-un-na-an-šum2
  8. alan-bi ud ul-le-ta ba-dim2-dim2 kalam-ma bi2-ib-dug4-ga
  9. dereš-ki-gal ama dnin-a-/zu-ke4 /za3-mi2-zu dug3-ga-am3

Sumerian transliteration from the Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature (ETCSL), text c.1.8.1.3. The ETCSL transliterations are freely available for scholarly use at etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk. Both the Nibru and Me-Turan versions are severely fragmentary and no complete text of this composition has survived. Angle brackets / \ indicate reconstructed readings; [X] indicates unclear signs; parenthetical gaps are noted with approximate line counts where known.

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