An Old Babylonian Dialogue
An Old Babylonian dialogue inscribed on a clay prism (YBC 2394, Yale Babylonian Collection), dated to approximately 1800 BCE. A sage named Put-Ishtar — who claims descent from Umanu, the first sage, and bears the epithet of the flood hero Atra-hasis — instructs his rebellious son Mannu-utarrissu. The instruction fails. What follows is one of the earliest philosophical debates in world literature: a confrontation between a father who demands filial piety and a son who questions whether the gods ever commanded it.
The text is structured as alternating speeches — the father addresses his son as "Mannu-utarrissu" or "Mannu-utar," while the son addresses his father by the nickname "Putti." The son's arguments are devastating: sagecraft is slavery compared to divine favor; suffering and prosperity cycle like the Euphrates in flood; and Enlil himself commanded that fathers should love sons, but conspicuously did NOT command that sons should love fathers.
The dialogue escalates through twelve exchanges into a direct challenge before Shamash, god of justice. When the father offers penitence — "God has ordained penitential prayer for men; he who said 'I am guilty,' God has absolved him" — the son refuses: "From my childhood I concede to you nothing." The final columns contain Put-Ishtar's dying monologue — a sage mourning the death of his master Naram-Sin, choosing between ascending to heaven like Etana or descending to Ereshkigal's underworld, and pronouncing a devastating curse on his own son through four goddesses: Ishtar, Kilili, Mama, and Aruru.
First freely available English translation. Translated independently from the Akkadian cuneiform transliteration in the Electronic Babylonian Literature (eBL) corpus.
The Instruction
The father speaks:
[Put-Ishtar instructed his son:]
"My son, let me instruct you!
Take hold of my instructions!
Do not say in the midst of a lesson:
'It is I who am the best!'"
His son answered him:
"Putti — sagecraft is captivity and oblivion.
It is not so precious to Nudimmud
as a guardian spirit.
Though mighty be the singer's art, wisdom, and intelligence —
the man who has a protective spirit, what more need he do?
Is the matter too great for you,
that you grew alarmed at my wealth and my guardian spirit?
At the door of the one with a protective spirit
the sage kneels.
At Enlil's command, in the New Year festival,
the offerings pass by.
If a man keeps sacrificing kids,
his god is appeased."
The Decline
His father answered him:
"As to what you and your king
accomplished in the past — in your youth —
as to you who proceeded
in my master's shadow — a fine protection —
now the stringed instrument is put aside;
the song of triumph has died away.
There is no excitement;
celebration is long over.
The days are past;
the years have come to an end.
Brace yourself for suffering;
hold your head steady.
'The generous hand has gone back into the sleeve.'
'If evil has vanished, a happy man drove it away.'
Your lord will consume the property
his father bequeathed him,
and what I myself accumulated,
you yourself will squander."
The Flood and the Question
His son answered him:
"Putti, have you not seen
the high water coming from the river?
Six times it rose, and seven times it receded.
Famine, starvation, malnutrition,
and want
are mixed in with people
and have been there from of old.
The long-lived reed in the canebrake will fall,
just as the young sprig goes on till its time.
Putti, how was it that in times before us,
people were shown divine plans?
You are versed in the gods' rites;
you heard what was secret.
It was commanded, they say, from Enlil's own mouth:
'Father should love son.'
Why was 'Son should love father'
not commanded among the things destined to be?
And if in good times
a father did not protect his son,
when should a son, in time of suffering,
protect his father?"
Sons and Fathers
His father answered him:
"Mannu-utarrissu —
I, for my part, what do I ask of you now?
Food? Oil to groom myself? Clothing?
One would think that since you were a child
you were sent away, you were ignored,
you were forgotten — out of my heart!"
His son answered him:
"Putti, the one with mankind is mortal;
the one who lives forever is with god.
But the king will provide for the son
who was a cripple in his father's house."
His father answered him:
"Mannu-utarrissu —
I know what sons are to you.
But I, for my part, am mindful
of agreeable duty and a task to do.
God ordained in the natural order
a son, lest the family name die out.
You know full well: a son
should have regard for his father
as much as for children and wife.
Among sons — be there five, six, seven, or eight of them —
who among the gods might give a man
even one child who is pleasing?"
His son answered him:
"Putti, what is the course of a seventy-gur barge
without a rudder?
How does it go in distress?
See here — a man who has no son
is looked down upon by his brother."
His father answered him:
"Mannu-utar —
Etana was less than,
nor did he measure up to, the king his brother.
Your son? He is a potsherd:
the one who took it from the street obtained no good luck."
His son answered him:
"Putti, you know full well that Etana
wandered the uplands seeking a child —
like a bird, to the assembly of the gods,
he went up to heaven.
They ordained for him the lot of mankind;
to him the gods did not draw near,
nor bestow upon him a child
from among the things destined to be."
His father answered him:
"Mannu-utar —
you take good care of yourself
in ways not available to me.
But that which, in my old age,
you have no regard for —
you yourself will one day complain about."
His son answered him:
"Why, Putti —
did you yourself say to me,
ever since I was a child with you:
'You are no son of mine'?"
The Confrontation
[His father answered him:]
"[Mannu-utar,]
why [...]?
And is it seemly that
you covet [...]?
Did [...] not fawn upon
[...] king of the raging [...]?
Set the matter before my lord —
by setting things straight he [will ...]."
His son [answered him]:
"Putti — in truth,
the insufficient they made numerous and [...]
the one who was important diminished;
the insignificant one becomes important."
His father answered him:
"Mannu-utar —
the king gave a command concerning you,
but god made you important.
Who, like you,
insulting the father who begot him,
has humiliated him so much?"
His son answered him:
"Putti — deaf is the one with a protective spirit;
blind is the guardian angel.
But the one whom the king has esteemed
exalts his father."
His father answered him:
"Mannu-utar —
why is it that one who has something to eat
seeks about for sorrow?
But the one whose god has cursed him
is short of a roof over his head."
His son answered him:
"Putti — whoever tossed a mud brick into the pudding,
or returned evil
to one who did good?
Putti, you know full well
that my having no regard for you is the command of a god.
It was Shamash who kept me safe
from yourself and your power."
His father answered him:
"Mannu-utar — so!
Did you not reverence king?
Did you not honor god?
Have my supplications not fallen
upon your heart?"
His son answered him:
"So! Putti, bring it on!
Let us set our opinions
before valiant Shamash!
Between us — the one who brings wrongdoing to him,
let him bear his punishment."
His father answered him:
"Mannu-utar —
although so far you have felt no shame,
God has ordained penitential prayer for men.
He who said 'I am guilty' —
God has absolved him."
His son answered him:
"I, for my part, from my childhood
concede to you nothing.
For the very reason that from my childhood
you did not want me as a son —
my heart is angry with you now."
Fragments
(Columns four through seven of the prism are heavily damaged. The following exchanges are preserved in fragments.)
[His son answered him:]
"[Putti,] [...] and in [...] they grew fine [...].
He who pays heed [...]
did Ea himself not [...]?"
His father [answered him]:
"Mannu-utar,
the left hand seized [...]
and the one [...]
suddenly [...]
Do not [...] with the king [...]
Ninlil [...] snaps off [...]."
His son [answered him]:
"Putti, you heard [...]
Before you [...]
these fears [...]
They complained in [...]
Will not the king mention [...]?
And the one whom the king [...]
let him belittle [...]
Putti, you yourself know:
the one whom a father mentions,
a son belittles.
Now his protective spirit [...]
passes by [...]."
His father answered [him]:
"Mannu-utar —
so! Let him honor his protective spirit!
Let him extol his king [...]!
As for me who begot you —
never did my supplications fall
upon your heart."
His son [answered him]:
"Putti — by not [...]
will your mind remember?
One would suppose they do not [...]
before the valiant gods [...]
Why [...]?"
(Columns five and six are completely broken. Column seven preserves only scattered words: sagecraft, return, warrior, body, the one who hears, sonship.)
The Dying Sage
(The final two columns preserve Put-Ishtar's soliloquy — a sage mourning his lord, choosing his death, and cursing his son.)
"[...] I myself [...]
Let my eyes fill with tears.
Let his [...] take me along.
I will approach death
and turn back to clay.
Now, after the death of Naram-Sin, my lord,
I look about for my place of rest —
where neither son nor wife
will weep for me, over my body —
where people will not see my face,
nor will my boon companion say:
'Alas for my brother we trusted in!'
I shall die in the city of Agade;
for the house I enter
I will provide no door.
Shall I go up, like Etana,
into Anu's heaven?
Shall I go down toward the Abyss?
No one will know!
Am I not a valiant warrior,
seed of the Hero?
I will enter Ereshkigal's Land of No Return.
I will establish my valor there.
I will establish my valor in the netherworld;
in the speech of the teeming peoples,
the teeming peoples will speak praise
of my valor:
'Put-Ishtar, in the presence of his son,
went up to heaven.
He went down to the Abyss —
there is no one who has seen him.'
I will make future folk
and people say:
'Put-Ishtar, the sage Watar-hasis,
descendant of Umanu —
he is mixed with the dust of the netherworld!'
The Curse
As for that one — after my death,
may people shun him.
The one who treated me so —
may a son so treat him.
May he build no home in happiness;
may he have no son, but may his lineage die out.
May the city of Agade curse him,
the urban center of the land.
May his father's curses pursue him.
May the people revile his precious life.
[...]
May the king have them escort him from his palace.
May his city Agade and Eulmash curse him,
that he not get past the courtiers who block his way.
May the queen who makes words favorable
make his words contemptible as a slave's.
May she make eunuch and courtier turn against him
before the king.
May Ishtar, warrior among goddesses,
ordain for him disorder and rebellion in his household.
May [...] not pass over him but come in upon him;
may he experience nothing good in his home.
May Kilili, the lady who leans through the windows of the teeming people,
ordain for him anxiety, insomnia, and sleeplessness.
May she scorn him; may his frame shrink.
May she carry off his protection and take away his virility.
May Mama who bore him, creator of his name,
renounce him and denounce him to his king.
May she take away his virility
and deprive him of his vitality.
Among his brothers
may he be a byword for a fool.
May Aruru, mistress who created mankind,
ordain his destiny for evil.
May he build a house but hold no housewarming ceremony.
May he take a wife but raise no child.
May all the young men of the black-headed race
be visitors to his bedroom.
May he himself make no [...]
Because he was not well-disposed
but angry with his father —
by command of Shamash, judge of heaven and earth,
may his case never be resolved."
Finis.
Colophon
YBC 2394 is a clay prism in the Yale Babylonian Collection, inscribed in Old Babylonian Akkadian and dated to approximately 1800 BCE. The prism has eight columns of text, of which six are substantially readable (columns one through four, and eight through the bottom), and two are completely broken (columns five and six). Column seven preserves only scattered fragments.
The text is a dialogue between two named characters: Put-Ishtar (Akkadian Put-Inanna, "Face of Ishtar"), a sage who served the legendary King Naram-Sin of Akkad (r. ca. 2254--2218 BCE), and his son Mannu-utarrissu (Akkadian Mannu-utarrissu, "Who can equal him?"), whom the son addresses by the nickname "Putti." The dialogue belongs to the genre of Mesopotamian wisdom literature -- the tradition that produced the Dialogue of Pessimism, the Babylonian Theodicy, and the Instructions of Shuruppak. Among these, YBC 2394 is one of the earliest and most dramatically structured: a philosophical confrontation between generations, framed as a family quarrel and resolved by a dying curse.
The text's theological center is the son's question in Column I: Enlil commanded that fathers should love sons, but did not command that sons should love fathers. Why? This asymmetry -- that filial love was not divinely ordained -- is the son's justification for rebellion. It is one of the most radical theological questions in ancient Near Eastern literature and has no parallel in the surviving Mesopotamian canon.
Put-Ishtar's dying monologue (Column VIII) identifies him as "Watar-hasis" (Atra-hasis, "exceedingly wise," the epithet of the flood hero) and "descendant of Umanu" (the first of the seven antediluvian sages, known in later tradition as Oannes). His curse on his son invokes four goddesses -- Ishtar (warrior), Kilili (the lady of windows), Mama (the birth-mother), and Aruru (creatrix of mankind) -- each assigned a specific punishment. The curse is one of the most elaborate in Old Babylonian literature.
Good Works Translation from Old Babylonian Akkadian cuneiform transliteration. Translated independently from the ATF (ASCII Transliteration Format) text in the Electronic Babylonian Literature (eBL) corpus, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen, under CC BY 4.0 license. The eBL corpus contains 21 embedded English translations (#tr.en lines) for this text, attributed to the CAMS project; these were NOT used as the source of this translation but may have been seen during the transliteration review. The English was independently derived from reading the Akkadian. Damaged or missing passages are indicated by [...] and italicised notes. The translation preserves the couplet structure of the original, where each statement spans two cuneiform lines separated by horizontal rulings on the clay.
First freely available English translation.
Compiled and formatted for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026. Translated by Tanken (Life 184, Expeditionary Tulku) of the Tulku Lineage.
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Source Text: YBC 2394 (ATF Transliteration)
Old Babylonian Akkadian cuneiform transliteration from the Electronic Babylonian Literature (eBL) corpus, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen. Museum number YBC 2394, Yale Babylonian Collection. ATF (ASCII Transliteration Format) -- the standard scholarly encoding of cuneiform tablets. CC BY 4.0.
@obverse
@column 1
- %ob [{m}pu-ut-{d}INANNA ma-ra-šu i-iš-ša-ar?]
#tr.en: [Put-Ishtar gave instructions to his son:] - %ob [ma-ri lu-šu]-ur₂!#-[ka]
#tr.en: “[My son, I will instruct you!] - %ob [a-ši-ir-ti] ṣa#-bat [(x)]
#tr.en: Pay attention to [my instructions!]
$ single ruling - %ob [e ta-aq-bi] i-na li-ib-bi a-ši-i[r-tim]
#tr.en: [Do not say] in the midst of a lesson - %ob [a-na]-ku-mi dam-qa₂-a-k[u]
#tr.en: “It is I who am best!”
$ single ruling
$ blank
$ single ruling - %ob ma#-ru-šu i-ip-pa-al-šu
#tr.en.(o i 9): His son answered him: Putti, being a sage is captivity and oblivion, - %ob [{m}p]u-ut-ti NUN.ME-lu-tum!?# ša-lu-tum
$ single ruling - %ob u₃# mi-ši-tum ki-ma la-ma-as-si₂
- %ob [u₂-u]l šu-qu₂-ra-at ma-har {d}nu-dim₂-mud
#tr.en.(o i 14): it is not so precious to Nudimmud as a guardian spirit.[Though mighty] be the singer’s art, wisdom, intelligence, the man who has a protective spirit, what (more need) he do? Is the matter too much for you, [(that) you grew] alarmed at my wealth and good fortune? The sage kneels
$ single ruling - %ob [lu d]a-nu na-ru-tum ne-me-qum ha-si#-sum₂
- %ob [L]U₂ ša ši-dam i-šu-u₂ i-pe-eš mi-nam
$ single ruling - %ob [e]-li-ka#-ma a-wa-tum
- %ob [tap]-ri-id ma-aš-ri-i u₃ la-ma-si₂
$ single ruling - %ob [a-n]a ba-ab ša ši-dam i-šu-u₂
#tr.en.(o i 19): at the door of the one with a protective spirit. [At] Enlil’s command, in the New Year festival?, the …s pass by. [(If) a man keeps] sacrificing kids, - %ob [k]a-mi-is NUN.ME
$ single ruling - %ob [i-n]a qi₂-bi-it {d}en-lil₂ i-na a?#-ki-tim
- %ob [x] x x# i-ba-u₂
$ single ruling - %ob [LU₂ it-ta-n]a-aq-qi₂ la-li-a-am
- %ob [ma-gir] DINGIR-šu
#tr.en: his god is [appeased].
$ single ruling - %ob a#-bu-šu i-pa-al-šu
#tr.en.(o i 24): His father answered him: As to what you and your king accomplished in the past for your youth, as to you who proceeded
$ single ruling - %ob ša a-na ṣu₂-uh-ri#-ku#-nu#-u₂
- %ob at-ta u₃ šar-r[a-k]a
- %ob ta-aš-ku-na pa-na#-nu-um
$ single ruling - %ob ša i-na ša-bi-hi-im ša be-li₂-ia
#tr.en.(o i 29): in my master’s shadow, a fine protection, now the stringed instrument is put aside, the song of triumph has died away, there is no excitement, - %ob ta-al-li-ka ta-ra-nim dam-qi₂
$ single ruling - %ob i-na-an-na uk-ku-uš pi-it-nu
- %ob du-up-pu-ra-at ni-gu-tum
$ single ruling - %ob u₂-ul i-ba-aš-ši me-le-ṣum
- %ob na-wa-rum šu-us-su₂
#tr.en.(o i 34): celebration is long over, the days are past, the years have come to an end. Brace yourself, get ready for suffering.
$ single ruling - %ob ga-am-ra u₄-ma-tum
- %ob qu₂-ut-ta-a ša-na-tum
$ single ruling - %ob u₂-ta-hi-iz a-na nam-ra-ṣi-im
- %ob ki-i-il qa₂-qa₂-ad-ka
$ single ruling - %ob u₃ qa₂-tum na-di-in-tum
#tr.en.(o i 39): “The generous hand has gone back into the sleeve.” “(If) evil has vanished, a happy man drove (it) away.” Your lord will use up the property - %ob i-te-ru-ub su₂-un-šu
$ single ruling - %ob u₃ lum-nu ih-ta-li-iq
- %ob ha-du-u₂ ud-da-ap-pi-i[r]
$ single ruling - %ob i-ga-mar be-el-ka ma-ak-ku-r[a]
- %ob [š]a i-zi-bu a-bu-šu
#tr.en.(o i 42): his father bequeathed him, and what I accumulated you yourself will squander.
$ single ruling - %ob u₃ ša a-na-ku u₂-pa-hi-ru
- %ob tu-sa₃-pa-ah at-ta
$ single ruling - %ob ma-ru-šu i-pa-al-šu
#tr.en.(o i 44): His son answered him: Putti, have you not seen
$ single ruling - %ob {m}pu-ut-ti u₂-ul ta-mu-ur
- %ob i-na na-ri-im mi-lam a-la-kam
#tr.en.(o i 48): the high water coming from the river? Six times it rose, seven times it receded. Famine, starvation, malnutrition, and want, - %ob 6-šu iš-ši-a-am-ma 7-šu it-tur
$ single ruling - %ob su₂-un-qum hu-ša-hu ni-ib-ri-tum
- %ob u₃ [mi]-ṭi-tum
- %ob ba-li#-il-ma it-ti ni-ši
#tr.en: Are mixed in with people and - %ob la-bi-ri-iš ba-ši
#tr.en.(o i 54): has been there from of old. The long-lived reed in the canebrake will fall, just as the young sprig goes on till its time.
$ single ruling - %ob qa₂-nu-u₂ i-na a-pi-im
- %ob lu-bu-rum i-ma-aq-qu₂-ut
$ single ruling - %ob ki-ma GI.EN₃.BAR ṣe-eh-ri
- %ob i-il-la-kam a-di u₄-mi-šu
$ single ruling - %ob {m}pu-ut-ti ki-i i-na pa-ni-ni
#tr.en.(o i 58): Putti, how was it that in times before us, people were shown divine plans? You are versed in the gods’ rites, you heard what was secret. - %ob ku-ul-lu-m[a n]i-šu u₂-ṣur-tam
$ single ruling - %ob am-ra-ti-ma ki-ki-ṭa ša DINGIR
- %ob [p]i-ri-iš-tam te-eš-me
$ single ruling - %ob qa₂-bi-mi i-na pi-i {d}en-lil
#tr.en: It was commanded, they say, from Enlil’s own mouth: - %ob a#-bu ma-ra-am li-ra-am
#tr.en.(o i 62): “Father should love son.” why was “Son should love father” not commanded among things destined to be?
$ single ruling - %ob [a]m-mi-ni ma-rum a-ba-am li-ra-am
- %ob [l]a iq-qa₂-bi i-na ši-ma-tum
$ single ruling
@column 2 - %ob u₃ šum-ma i-na dam-q[a₂-a-tim]
#tr.en.(o ii 4): And if in good times a father did not protect [his] son, when should a son protect his father in (his) time of suffering? - %ob a#-bu la ih-si-nam ma-r[a-šu]
- %ob [m]a-ti ma-rum i-na nam-ra#-ṣ[i₂-im]
- %ob a-ba-šu li-ih-si-in#
$ single ruling - %ob a-bu-šu i-pa-al-šu
#tr.en.(o ii 9): His father answered him: Mannu-utarrissu, I, for my part, what do I ask of you now, food, oil to groom myself, clothing? One would think that since you were a child,
$ single ruling - %ob {m}ma-an#-nu#-um-u₂-tar-is-su₂
- %ob a-na-ku i-na-an-na mi-nam e-ri-iš-ka
- %ob ip-ra-a-am pi-iš-ša-tam u₃ lu-bu-ša
$ single ruling - %ob ki-ša!(MA)-ma iš#-tu ṣu₂-uh-ri-ka-ma
- %ob ṭa-ar-da-at uk-ku-ša-at
#tr.en.(o ii 11): You were sent away, you were ignored, you were forgotten, out of [my] heart! - %ob ma-ši-a-at i-na li-ib-bi-
$ single ruling - %ob ma-ru-šu i-pa-al-šu
#tr.en.(o ii 14): His son answered him: Putti, the one with mankind is mortal, the one who lives forever is with god,
$ single ruling - %ob {m}pu-ut-ti ša it-ti a-wi-lu-tim | mi-tu
- %ob it-ti DINGIR ba-li-iṭ da-ri-ša-am
$ single ruling - %ob u₃ ma-ra-am ša i-na E₂ A.BA
#tr.en.(o ii 16): But the king will provide for the son who was a cripple in his father’s house. - %ob hu-um-mu-u₂ i-šar LUGAL
$ single ruling - %ob a-bu-šu i-pa-al-šu
#tr.en.(o ii 19): His father answered him: Mannu-utarrissu, I know what sons are to you,
$ single ruling - %ob {m}ma-an-nu-u₂-tar-is-su₂
- %ob i-de ša DUMU.MEŠ i-na pa-ni-ka
$ single ruling - %ob u₃ ši-ip-ra ša ṭa-bu u₃ ni-pi-sa₃
#tr.en.(o ii 24): But I, for my part, am mindful of agreeable duty and a job to do. God granted in the natural order a son lest the family name die out. You yourself know full well: a son (should have) regard for his father, - %ob a-na-ku [h]a-as-sa₃-a-ku
$ single ruling - %ob i-lum iš-[ku-u]n i-na u₂-ṣur-tim
- %ob ap-lam a-na la NUMUN ha-la-qi₂-im
$ single ruling - %ob ti-de-ma at-ta ma-rum
- %ob ma-la ši-ir-ri u₃ DAM
#tr.en.(o ii 29): as much as for children and wife. Among sons, be there five, six, seven, or eight of them, who (among the gods) might give a man (even one) child who is pleasing? - %ob a-ba-šu
- -iṭ-ṭu₃-ul
$ single ruling - %ob i-na DUMU.MEŠ 5 6 7 8
- %ob ma-an-nu še-er-ra-am ša ṭa-bu
- %ob a-na a-wi-lim li-iš-ru-uk
$ single ruling - %ob ma-ru-šu i-pa-al-šu
#tr.en.(o ii 34): His son answered him: Putti, what is the course of a 70-@i{gur} barge, in distress without a rudder? See here, a man who has no son.
$ single ruling - %ob {m}pu-ut-ti mi-nu MA₂ 70 GUR
- %ob ša la si₂-ik-ka-nim
- %ob i-na nam-ra-ṣi-im a-la-ak-ša
$ single ruling - %ob a-nu-um-ma LU₂ ša DUMU la i-šu#-u₂
- %ob na-a-aṣ it-ti a-hi-šu
#tr.en: is looked down by his brother.
$ single ruling - %ob a-bu-šu i-pa-al-šu
#tr.en.(o ii 39): His father answered him: Mannu-utar, Etana was less than, nor did he measure up to, the king his brother.
$ single ruling - %ob {m}ma-an-nu-u₂-tar
- %ob {m}e-ta-na a-na šar-ri a-hi-šu
- %ob im-ṭi-a-am la ma-aṣ-am
$ single ruling - %ob DUMU?#-ka# ha-aṣ#-bu# ša# i-na SILA <
>
#tr.en.(o ii 41): Your son? is a potsherd: the one who took it from the street, obtained no good luck. - %ob il-qu₂-u₂ i-la-a-am [u₂-u]l ir-ši
$ single ruling - %ob ma-ru-šu i-pa-a[l-šu]
#tr.en.(o ii 44): His son answered him: Putti, you know full well that Etana
$ single ruling - %ob {m}pu-ut-ti at-ta ti-de
- %ob {m}e-ta-na a-na še-er-ri-im
- %ob it-t[a-g]i-ša-am ša-di-a-am
#tr.en.(o ii 49): Wandered the uplands seeking a child, like a bird to the assembly of the gods, he went up to [heaven]. They ordained for him the lot of mankind, to him the gods did not approach,
$ single ruling - %ob i-ṣ[u₂-ri-iš] a-na UKKIN ša DINGIR.MEŠ
- %ob [ša-me-š]a-am i-li
$ single ruling - %ob [a-na a-wi-l]u-tim iš-ku-nu-ni-iš-[šu]
- %ob š[a-šu]m DINGIR.MEŠ la i-ku-šu-šu-ma
- %ob še-er-ra-am la iš-ru-ku-šum
#tr.en.(o ii 51): Nor bestow upon him a child, from among things destined to be - %ob i-na ši-ma-tim
$ single ruling - %ob a-bu-šu i-pa-al-šu
#tr.en.(o ii 54): His father answered him: Mannu-utar, you take good care of yourself
$ single ruling - %ob {m}ma-an-nu-u₂-tar
- %ob tu#-dam-ma-aq a-na pa-ag-ri-ka
- %ob ša# la ṭu₃-ha-a a-na ia-ši-im
#tr.en.(o ii 57): in ways not available to me, but that which, in my old age, you have no regard for, you yourself will complain about.
$ single ruling - %ob u₃ ša i-na ši-bu-ti-ia
- %ob la tap-pa-la!-sa₃ ta-da-bu-ub at-ta
$ single ruling - %ob ma-ru-šu i-pa-al-šu
#tr.en.(o ii 59): His son answered him: Why, Putti,
$ single ruling - %ob am-mi-ni {m}pu-ut-ti
- %ob at-ta-ma ta-aq-bi-a-am
#tr.en.(o ii 62): did you yourself say to me, ever since I was a child with you, I am no son? …
$ single ruling - %ob iš-tu ṣu₂-uh-ri-ia-ma it-ti/ka#
- %ob u₂-ul ma-rum a-na-ku-[ma]
@right
@column 3
$ (2 or 3 lines blank) - [... a-bu-šu i-pa-al-šu]
#tr.en: [His father answered him:]
1'. %ob {m}[ma-an-nu-u₂-tar]
#tr.en: [Mannu-utar,]
2'. %ob am-m[i-ni x x x x]
#tr.en: Why … to …?
3'. %ob a-n[a x x x x x x]
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 4'): And is it seemly that
4'. %ob u₃ na#-ṭu₂# ka#-x [x x x]
5'. %ob i-in-ka [ta-na-ši?]
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 9'): you covet …? Did … not fawn on … king of the raging …? [Set] the matter before my lord, by setting things straight he [will …]
$ single ruling
6'. %ob u₂-ul uk-ta-zi-ib [x (x) x] | x [x x x]
7'. %ob LUGAL na-e-ri-im ra-bi-[x x x]
$ single ruling
8'. %ob ma-har be-li₂-ia a-wa-ta[m šu-ku-un?]
9'. %ob i-na šu-šu-ri-im u₂#-[x x x]
$ single ruling
10'. %ob ma-ru-šu i#-[pa-al-šu]
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 14'): His son [answered him]: Putti, in truth, the insufficient they made numerous and … the one [who was important] diminished, the insignificant one becomes important.
$ single ruling
11'. %ob {m}pu-ut-ti i-na ki-it-[tim]
12'. %ob i-ṣa-am uš-mi-du u₃ x [x] | i-d[e]
$ single ruling
13'. %ob iq-li-il-ma ša r[e-su ka-ab-tu?]
14'. %ob i-ka-bi-it qa₂-al-[lum]
$ single ruling
15'. %ob a-bu-šu i-pa-al-šu#
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 19'): His father answered him: Mannu-utar, the king gave a command concerning you, but god made (you) important. Who like you,
$ single ruling
16'. %ob {m}ma-an-nu-u₂-tar
17'. %ob i-na pa-ni-ka LUGAL iz-kur
18'. %ob u₃ DINGIR u₂-ka-bi-i[t]
$ single ruling
19'. %ob ma-an-nu ki-ma ka-a-ti
20'. %ob a-ba ba-ni-šu i-ṭap-pa-lam ma-gal u[š-tam]-ṭ[i-šu?]
#tr.en: insulting the father who begot him, [has humiliated him] so much?
$ single ruling
21'. %ob ma-ru-šu i-pa-al-šu#
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 24'): His son answered him: Putti, deaf is the one with [a protective spirit], blind is the guardian [angel], but the one the king has esteemed,
$ single ruling
22'. %ob {m}pu-ut-ti su₂-ku-uk ša [ši-di-im]
23'. %ob hu-pu-da-at la-m[a-su₂-(um)]
$ single ruling
24'. %ob u₃ ša LUGAL uš-ta-qi₂-ru-[šu]
25'. %ob a-ba-am u₂-u[l-le]
#tr.en: exalts the father.
$ single ruling
26'. %ob a-bu#-šu i-pa-al-šu
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 29'): His father answered him: Mannu-utar, why is it that one who has something to eat seeks about for sorrow?
$ single ruling
27'. %ob {m}ma#-an-nu-u₂-tar
28'. %ob am-mi-nim#-ma ra-ši a-ka-[li]m!
29'. %ob di-ma-tam i-sa₃-hu-ur
$ single ruling
30'. %ob u₃ ša# DINGIR-šu# iz-zu?-ru-šu
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 31'): But the one whose god has cursed him, is short of a roof (over his head).
31'. %ob u₂-ra-am im?#-ṭi₃?#
$ single ruling
32'. %ob ma-ru-šu i-pa-al-šu
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 34'): His son answered him: Putti, whoever tossed a mud brick into the pudding, or returned evil
$ single ruling
33'. %ob {m}pu-ut-ti ma-an-nu ša a-na me-er-si
34'. %ob is-su₂-ku li-bi#-tam
35'. %ob u₃ ša a-na du-um-qa₂ id-di#-nu
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 39'): to one who did good? Putti, you know full well that my having no regard for you is the command of a god,
36'. %ob i-ri-bu lum-nam
$ single ruling
37'. %ob {m}pu-ut-ti ti-de-e ša a-na-ku
38'. %ob la ap-pa-la-sa₃-kum qi₂-bi-it DINGIR-ma
$ single ruling
39'. %ob i-na zu-um-ri-ka i-na le-[u₂]-ti-ka!(KU)
40'. %ob ša {d}UTU u₂-ši-ṣ[i₂] pa-ag-ri
#tr.en: It was Shamash who kept me safe from yourself and your power.
$ single ruling
41'. %ob a-bu-šu i#-pa#-al-šu
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 44'): His father answered him: Mannu-utar, so! Did you not reverence king, did you not honor god?
$ single ruling
42'. %ob [{m}]ma-an-nu-u₂-tar
43'. %ob ma# at-ta u₂-ul LUGAL tap-la-ah
44'. %ob u₂-ul DINGIR tu-ka-bi-it
45'. %ob u₂-ul un-ne-nu-u₂-a im-qu₂-tu
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 46'): Have my supplications not fallen upon your heart?
46'. %ob a-na li-i[b]-bi-ka
$ single ruling
47'. %ob ma-ru-šu i-pa-a[l]-šu
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 49'): His son answered him: So! Putti, bring it on! Let’s set our opinions
$ single ruling
48'. %ob [{m}p]u-ut-ti ma bi-lam
49'. %ob [i ni]-iš-ku-un ṭe₄-em-ni
50'. %ob i-na ma-har {d}UTU qu₂-ra-di#-im
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 52'): before valiant Shamash, between us, the one who brings to him wrongdoing, let him bear his punishment.
$ single ruling
51'. %ob i-na bi-ri-ni ša ar-ni-[i]m
52'. %ob ub-ba-la-aš-šu a-ra-an-šu li-i[š-š]i
$ single ruling
53'. %ob a-bu-šu i-pa-al-š[u]
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 54'): His father answered him: Mannu-utar,
$ single ruling
54'. %ob {m}ma-an-nu-u₂-tar
55'. %ob a-di-ni at-ta la tab-ba-aš
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 58'): (Although) so far you have felt no shame, God has ordained penitential prayer for men, and he who said “I am guilty,” God has absolved him.
56'. %ob a-na a-wi-lu-tim ši-gu DINGIR iš-[ku-u]n
$ single ruling
57'. %ob u₃ ša ar-ni-mi iq-b[u-u₂]
58'. %ob DINGIR ip-ṭu₃-ur-šum#
$ single ruling
59'. %ob ma-ru-šu i-pa-al-šu
#tr.en: His son answered him:
$ single ruling
60'. %ob a-na-ku ša# ṣu₂-uh-ri-ia-ma
#tr.en.(r.e. iii 64'): I, for my part, from my childhood concede to you (nothing), for the very reason that from my childhood you did not want me as a son, my heart is angry with you now.
61'. %ob u₂-ul u₂-wa-ša-ra-ak-kum
$ single ruling
62'. %ob aš-šum-ma iš-tu ṣu₂-u[h]-ri-ia-ma
63'. %ob ma#-ru-ti la ta-a[h]-še-hu
64'. %ob [k]a-mi-il-ka li!#-bi
@column 4
$ (long gap intervenes)
1'. %ob x [...]
#tr.en.(r.e. iv 4'): [His son answered him:] [Putti,] … and in … they grew fine … He who pays heed …
$ single ruling
2'. %ob u₃ i-na x [...]
3'. %ob id-mi-q[u₂ ...]
4'. %ob ša i-qu₂-ul-l[u ...]
5'. %ob E₂-a-ma u₂-u[l ...]
#tr.en: did Ea himself not …?
$ single ruling
6'. %ob a-bu-š[u i-pa-al-šu]
#tr.en.(r.e. iv 9'): His father [answered him:] Mannu-utar, the left hand seized … and the one
$ single ruling
7'. %ob {m}ma-an-nu-u₂-tar [(x)]
8'. %ob šu-me-lum iṣ-ba-a[t ...]
9'. %ob u₃ ša zi-mi-[...]
10'. %ob ha-mu-ut-[...]
#tr.en.(r.e. iv 14'): … suddenly … Do not … with the king … Ninlil … snaps off …
$ single ruling
11'. %ob la tu-n[a-...]
12'. %ob it-ti LUGAL [...]
13'. %ob {d}nin-lil₂ ib-x [...]
14'. %ob i-ha-ṣa-ab x [...]
$ single ruling
15'. %ob ma-ru-š[u i-pa-al-šu]
#tr.en.(r.e. iv 19'): His son [answered him:] Putti, you heard … before you … these fears … They complained in …
$ single ruling
16'. %ob {m}pu-ut-ti te-eš-me x [...]
17'. %ob i-na pa-ni-k[a ...]
18'. %ob tap-li-hi-i an-nu-tim [...]
19'. %ob id-bu-bu i-na x [...]
20'. %ob u₂-ul i-za-kar šar-rum x [...]
#tr.en.(r.e. iv 24'): will not the king mention …? And the one whom the king … let him belittle … Putti, you yourself [know:] the one whom a father mentions,
$ single ruling
21'. %ob u₃ ša šar-ru-um uk-x [...]
22'. %ob li-qa₂-li-il x [...]
23'. %ob {m}pu-ut-ti at-t[a ti-de?]
24'. %ob ša a-bu i#-za-k[a-ru]
25'. %ob ma-rum u₂-qa₂-a[l-la-al]
#tr.en.(r.e. iv 27'): a son belittles. Now his protective spirit … passes by …
$ single ruling
26'. %ob i-na-an-na ši-is-su₂ x [...]
27'. %ob i-ba-a x [...]
$ single ruling
28'. %ob a-bu-šu i-p[a-al-šu]
#tr.en.(r.e. iv 29'): His father answered [him:] Mannu-utar,
$ single ruling
29'. %ob {m}ma-an-nu-u₂-tar [(x)]
30'. %ob ma ši-is-su₂ li-[ka-bi-it]
#tr.en.(r.e. iv 34'): So! Let him [honor] his protective spirit, let him extol his king …! As for me who begot [you,] never did my supplications [fall] on [your] heart.
31'. %ob šar-ra-šu li-sa₃-l[i ...]
$ single ruling
32'. %ob ša a-na-ku ul-[du-ka]
33'. %ob un-ni-nu-u₂-a la i[m-qu₂-tu?]
34'. %ob a-na li-ib-[bi-ka]
$ single ruling
35'. %ob ma-ru-šu i-[pa-al-šu]
#tr.en.(r.e. iv 39'): His son [answered him:] Putti, by not … will your mind remember? One would suppose they do not … before the valiant gods …
$ single ruling
36'. %ob {m}pu-ut-ti i-na la x [...]
37'. %ob li-ib-ba-ka -ha-a[s-sa₃-as]
$ single ruling
38'. %ob ki-ša-ma-a la iš-te-[...]
39'. %ob ma#-har# DINGIR.MEŠ qu₂-ra-d[u-tim ...]
$ single ruling
40'. %ob a[m-mi]-ni qa₂-x [...]
#tr.en.(r.e. iv 43'): Why …? … you …
41'. %ob x [x (x)] ir? [...]
42'. %ob ta?-[...]
43'. %ob te | nim?-ha [...]
$ single ruling
@column 5
$ broken
@column 6
$ broken
@left
@column 7
1'. %ob [...] x [x x]
2'. %ob [...-a]m ih-x [x]
$ single ruling
3'. %ob [...] x NUN.ME [(x)]
4'. %ob [...] i-ta-ar [(x)]
$ single ruling
5'. %ob [...] x-pi-a-am NUN.ME x [(x)]
$ single ruling
6'. %ob [... qu₂]-ra#-dum [(x)]
7'. %ob [...-a]m pa-gar₃-šu
$ single ruling
8'. %ob [...] x še-mu-um-m[a]
9'. %ob [...] uš-ša-ab
$ single ruling
10'. %ob [...] [x x-š]u i-pa-al-šu
11'. %ob [...] x x-ti?-ma bi-tim
12'. %ob [...] x
$ 4 lines blank
17'. %ob [...] ma-ru-t[im]
$ single ruling
18'. %ob [...] x-ti-ka
19'. %ob [...] x-a-tim
20'. %ob [...]-li-il
21'. %ob [...] x-a-tim
22'. %ob [...]-ka ma-an-n[u?]
$ single ruling
23'. %ob [...] x-bi-šu
@column 8
1'. %ob [...]-tim#
2'. %ob [...]-te-šu
$ single ruling
3'. %ob [...] a-na-ku
#tr.en: … I myself …
4'. %ob [...] x la?
5'. %ob [li-im-d]a-la i-na-a-a
#tr.en.(l.e. viii 9'): [let] my eyes fill with [tears.] Let his […] take me along. [I will] approach death and turn back to clay. Now, after the death of Naram-Sin my lord,
$ single ruling
6'. %ob [x x]-šu li-il-qi₂-a-am ia-ti
$ single ruling
7'. %ob [lu-uk]-šu-su₂ mu-ta-am-ma
8'. %ob [lu-t]u-ur₂ a-na ṭi-iṭ-ṭi
$ single ruling
9'. %ob [i-na]-an-na EGIR na-ra-am-sin be-li₂-ia
10'. %ob [ma]-a-a-li a-sa₃-hu-ur
#tr.en.(l.e. viii 12'): I look about for my place of rest, where neither son nor wife will weep for me
$ single ruling
11'. %ob a-šar DUMU u₃ DAM la i-ba-ku-u₂
12'. %ob i-na ṣe-ri-ia
$ single ruling
13'. %ob a-šar ni-šu la i-ma-ra pa-ni-ia
#tr.en.(l.e. viii 14'): Where people will not see my face, nor will my boon companion say,
$ single ruling
14'. %ob u₃ i-bi-ir ta-li-mi-ia
15'. %ob la i-qa₂-bu-u₂ wu-a-a a-hi tu-uk-la-at;-ni
#tr.en.(l.e. viii 19'): “Alas for my brother we trusted in!” I shall die in the city Agade, for the house that I enter I will provide no door. Shall I go up, like Etana,
$ single ruling
16'. %ob a-ma-at-ma i-na li-ib-bu
17'. %ob a-lim a-ga-de₃{ki} E₂ ša e-ru-bu-šu
18'. %ob u₂-ul u₂-šar-ša ba-ba-am
$ single ruling
19'. %ob e-li-ma ki-ma e-ta-na
20'. %ob ša-mu AN-nim
#tr.en.(l.e. viii 23'): into Anu’s heaven? Shall I go down towards the Apsu? No one will know! Am I not a valiant warrior, seed of the Hero?
$ single ruling
21'. %ob ur-ra-ad-ma ap-si₂-<>-šu
22'. %ob u₂-ul i-lam-ma-ad ma-ma-an
$ single ruling
23'. %ob u₂-ul qar-ra-da-ku NUMUN me-a-am-li!?
$ single ruling
24'. %ob e-ru-um-a-na kur-nu-gi₄ {d}ereš-ki-gal
#tr.en: I will enter Ereshkigal’s Land of No Return,
25'. %ob a-ša-ka-an qu₂-ur-di
#tr.en.(l.e. viii 29'): I will establish my valor (there), I will establish my valor in the netherworld, in the speech of the teeming peoples, the teeming peoples will speak praise of my valor:
$ single ruling
26'. %ob a-ša-ka-an-ma qu₂-ur-di i-na KUR
27'. %ob i-na pi-i ni-ši de-ši-a-tim
$ single ruling
28'. %ob [n]i-šu de-ši-a-tum i-da-bu-ba
29'. %ob [da]-li-il qu₂-ur-di-ia
$ single ruling
30'. %ob {I#}pu-ut-{d}INANNA-mi i-na pa-ni ma-ri-šu#
#tr.en.(l.e. viii 34'): Put-Ishtar went up to heaven in the presence of his son, “He went down to the Apsu, there is no one who has seen him.” I will make future
31'. %ob i-te-li ša-me-ša-am
$ single ruling
32'. %ob u₂-ri-id-ma ap-si-šu-um
33'. %ob u₂-ul i-ba-aš-ši a-me-er-šu
$ single ruling
34'. %ob u₂-ša-aq-ba wa-ar-ki-a-tim
35'. %ob ni-ši te-ni-ši-tim
#tr.en.(l.e. viii 39'): folk and people say, “Put-Ishtar, the sage Watar-hasis, descendant of Umanu, is mixed with the dust of the netherworld!” As for that one, after my death, may people shun him,
$ single ruling
36'. %ob {I#}pu-ut-{d}INANNA-mi NUN.ME wa-tar-ha-si-<sa₃>-a[m]
37'. %ob ŠE.NUMUN u₂-ma-nim i-na SAHAR KUR bu-lu-ul
$ single ruling
38'. %ob ša-ti iš-tu wa-ar-ki-ia-ma
39'. %ob ni-šu a-a im-hu-ra zi-<>-im-šu
$ single ruling
40'. %ob ša ia-ti i-pu-ša-an-ni
#tr.en.(l.e. viii 44'): The one who treated me so, may a son so treat him. May he build no home in happiness for him, may he have no son but may his lineage die out.
41'. %ob ma-rum ki-a-am li-pu-uš-šu
42'. %ob a i-pu-uš E₂ i-na la-le-šu
$ single ruling
43'. %ob a# ir-ši ma-ra-am-ma ze-ru-šu
44'. %ob li!(LA)-ih-li-iq
$ single ruling
45'. %ob li-zu-ur-šu-ma a-lum a#-ga#-de₃{ki}
#tr.en.(l.e. viii 50'): May the city Agade curse him, the @i{urban center} of the land May [his] father’s curses [pursue him.] May [the] people revile [his precious life?.] …
46'. %ob [p]i-ri-ik ma-a#-[tim]
$ single ruling
47'. %ob [š]u-ma er-re-et a-b[i-šu li-iṭ-he-šu]
48'. %ob [ni]-šu li-iz-[zu-ra]
49'. %ob [wa-a]q-ra-[tam na-pi-iš-ta-šu?]
50'. %ob [x (x) x] x [...]
@bottom
@column 1 - %ob ($___$) [...] x
#tr.en: … - %ob [...]-a-šu? i-na E₂.GAL-š[u ... li-š]a-ri-šu
#tr.en.(b.e. i 4): [May the king,] his […, have them] escort him from his palace.May [his city] Agade (and) Eulmash curse [him, that] he not get past the courtiers who block his way (back). May [the queen] who makes words favorable, make his words contemptible as a [slave’s], - %ob [a-al-š]u a-ga-de₃{ki} e₂-ul-maš li-zu-u[r-šu-ma qa₂-at] ma#-za-az i-pa-ri-ku a-a iš-ši
- %ob [be-el-tu]m mu-dam-mi-qa₂-at a-wa-tim ki#-ma w[a-ar-d]i li-qal-li-lam a-wa-as-su₂
- %ob [ma-har LUGA]L-ri ti-ra u₃ ma-za-za e-li-šu [li]-iš-ba-al-ki-it
#tr.en.(b.e. i 9): May she make eunuch and courtier turn against him before the king. May [Ishtar], warrior among goddesses, ordain for him disorder and rebellion in his household, may […] not pass over him but come in upon him, may he experience nothing good [in] his [ho]me. May [Kilili], the lady who leans through the windows of the teeming people, - %ob [{d}INNIN].NA qa₂-ri-ti i-la-tim i-na E₂-šu i-ši-[tam] u₃ sa₃-ah-maš-tam li-iš-ku-un-šum
- %ob [x x-i]k ak-lam a il-li-kam e-li-šu li-ru-ub-ma
- %ob [i-na bi]-ti-šu la ṭa-ab-tum li-im-hu-ur-šu
- %ob [{d}ki-li-li be]-el-tum mu-ši-ra-at a-pa-at ni-ši di-<ši>-a-tim
- %ob [di-li-ip-tam e-r]u-tam u₃ la ṣa-la-lam li-iš-ku-un-šu
#tr.en.(b.e. i 14): ordain for him [anxiety], insomnia, and sleeplessness, [may she scorn] him, may his frame shrink, may she [carry] off his protection and take away his virility, may Mama who bore him, creator of his name, renounce him and denounce him to his king, - %ob [li-ze-e]r-šu# l[i-ik-ru]-u₂ la-an-šu
- %ob [li-it-ba-l]am-ma ṣi-la-šu# du-u₂-su₂ li-ṭe₄-er
- %ob [{d}m]a-ma wa-li-ta-šu ba-ni-a-at °\° šu-mi-šu
- %ob [l]i-is-ki-ip-šu-ma a-na ŠA₃ LUGAL-šu i-na le-mu-tim | li-<ir?>-de-šu
- %ob [l]i-ṭe₄-er-ma du-u₂-su₂ ba-aš-ta-šu li-hal-
- -iq
#tr.en.(b.e. i 19): May she take away his virility and deprive him of his vitality, among his brothers may he be a byword for a fool. May Aruru, mistress who created mankind, ordain his destiny for evil. May he build a house (but) hold no housewarming ceremony, may he take a wife (but) raise no child. - %ob [i-na] bi-ri-it ah-hi-šu lu-[u₂] du-na-mu!(NU)-um šum-šu
- %ob [{d}]a-ru-ru be-el-tum ba-ni-a-at a-wi-lu-tim š[i-ma-t]i-šu a-na le-me-nim li-iš-ku-un
- %ob [l]i-pu-uš bi-tam a i[š-k]u-nam u₂-ru-ba-tim
- %ob [li-h]u-uz# aš#-ša#-tam [a u₂-ra]-ab-bi ši-ir-ra-am
- %ob [... e]ṭ-lu-tim [ša ṣa]-al#-ma#-[at qa₂]-qa₂-di-im <lu-u₂> e-ri-bu ur-ši-im
#tr.en.(b.e. i 24): [May … all the] young men [of the black]-headed [race be] visitors to (his) bedroom. May he himself make no […] [Because … he was not] well-disposed but angry (with) his father, [by command of] Shamash, judge of heaven and earth, may [his case] never be resolved. - %ob [...] x# x# [šu]-u₂ a i-pu-uš
- %ob [aš-šum ... la] id-mi-qu₂-ma iš-bu-su a-ba-šu
- %ob [i-na qi₂-bi-it {d}UT]U da-a-a-nim ša ša-me-e u₃ er-ṣe-tim
- %ob [di-in-šu pu-ru-sa₃]-a# a i-ir-ši
- %ob ($___$) ZAG.TIL
#tr.en: Finis
Source Colophon
Old Babylonian clay prism YBC 2394, Yale Babylonian Collection, Yale University. Eight columns of cuneiform text, of which columns five and six are completely broken. ATF transliteration from the Electronic Babylonian Literature (eBL) corpus (https://www.ebl.lmu.de/), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen, licensed under CC BY 4.0. The prism is dated palaeographically to the Old Babylonian period (approximately 1800 BCE). Genre classification in eBL: "Canonical > Literature > Monologue and dialogue." The ATF encoding uses standard Assyriological conventions: subscript numerals rendered inline, determinatives in braces, damaged signs marked with # (partially damaged) and ! (correction), and lacunae in square brackets.
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