Cylinder A: The Dream and Building of Eninnu
Enlil Ordains the Building of Eninnu
1 When on the day for determining destinies in heaven and earth, 2 Lagash lifted its head toward heaven according to the great divine decrees, 3 Enlil looked with true favor upon Lord Ningirsu: 4 “In our city, what is fitting has not yet appeared! 5 The high waters do not return to their banks; 6 the floodwaters of Enlil do not return to their banks; 7 the high waters do not return to their banks! 8 The rising flood does not gleam in its fullness; 9 the floodwaters of Enlil do not bring sweet water like the Tigris.
10 Let the king of the temple proclaim it; 11 let him make the divine decrees of Eninnu shine forth in heaven and earth!” 12 The ruler, a man of vast understanding, applied his mind as well. 13 Great offerings he presented; 14 faultless oxen and faultless kids he caused to be brought directly. 15 The brick of destiny lifted its head toward him; 16 to build the holy temple, it craned its neck toward him.
Ningirsu Appears to Gudea in a Dream
17 Toward his lord by day and in the middle of the night, 18 Gudea looked toward Lord Ningirsu, 19 who commanded him concerning the building of his temple, 20 and upon Eninnu, whose divine decrees are great, 21 he turned his gaze.
22 Gudea, whose heart is profound, 23 pondered these words with a sigh: 24 “Truly, truly I must speak of it; truly, truly I must speak of it! 25 With this command I will go forward. 26 I am the shepherd, and princely rule has been bestowed upon me. 27 What the middle of the night has brought to me— 28 its meaning I do not understand. 29 To my mother my dream truly I will report;
1 may my dream-interpreter, who knows what is fitting for me, 2 my Nanshe, the sister who is goddess in Sirara, 3 reveal its meaning to me!”
Journey to Bagara and Prayer to Ningirsu
4 He stepped aboard his roofed barge, 5 and toward her city Nina, along the canal flowing to Nina, he steered the boat. 6 Gliding joyfully on the bright canal, he relaxed in the cabin. 7 When he reached Bagara, the house overlooking the canal, 8 he offered bread and poured out cold water. 9 To the lord of Bagara he went and brought him a prayer:
10 “O warrior, rising lion whom none can oppose! 11 O Ningirsu, esteemed in the Abzu, 12 revered in Nippur! 13 O warrior, you have spoken to me—may I carry it out faithfully for you! 14 O Ningirsu, I will build your temple for you; 15 I will fulfill its divine decrees to perfection for you. 16 May your sister, the child born of Eridu, 17 wise in what is fitting, queen and dream-interpreter of the gods, 18 my Nanshe, the sister who is goddess in Sirara, 19 guide my steps upon the way!”
20 His cry was heard; 21 his prayer and supplication, from Gudea, 22 his king, Lord Ningirsu, accepted. 23 In the temple of Bagara he performed the festival rites.
Incubation and Prayer to Gatumdug
24 The ruler then took his bedding to the temple of Gatumdug. 25 He offered bread and poured out cold water; 26 to holy Gatumdug he went 27 and spoke a prayer to her:
28 “O my lady, child born of holy An, 29 wise in what is fitting, standing with head held high in heaven,
1 giving life to the land, 2 foremost in her city— 3 you are the queen, the mother who founded Lagash! 4 When you look upon the people, abundance comes of itself; 5 the faithful youth upon whom you look has life prolonged for him.
6 I have no mother—you are my mother; 7 I have no father—you are my father! 8 You received my father’s seed in the heart and gave birth to me in the sanctuary: 9 O my Gatumdug, how sweet is your holy name!
10 Tonight I lie down here: 11 you are my great protective sword standing at my side; 12 you are a bundle of blazing reeds held high. 13 You place the breath of life within me; 14 you are the broad protection of a mother, and in your shadow 15 I find reverent rest. 16 By your mighty hand, whose true strength lies within, 17 O my lady Gatumdug, may you watch over me! 18 As I go to the city, may my omens be favorable! 19 To Nina, rising above the lands, 20 may your favorable attendant spirit walk before me, 21 and may your favorable guardian spirit walk behind me!
22 Truly, truly I will speak; truly, truly I will speak! 23 With these words I will go forward. 24 To my mother I will take my dream; 25 may my dream-interpreter, wise in what is fitting, 26 my Nanshe, the sister who is goddess in Sirara, 27 reveal its meaning to me 28 and make its heart known!” 29 His cry was heard;
1 his lady, his prayer and supplication, 2 from Gudea, holy Gatumdug accepted.
Journey to Nina and Narration of the Dream to Nanshe
3 He stepped aboard his roofed barge, 4 and at her city Nina, at the quay of Nina, he moored the boat. 5 In the courtyard of the goddess of Sirara, the ruler lifted his head toward heaven. 6 He offered bread and poured out cold water; 7 to Nanshe he went and brought a prayer:
8 “O Nanshe, queen and high priestess, queen of precious decrees, 9 queen who like Enlil determines destinies, 10 O my Nanshe, your word is faithful 11 and excels all others! 12 You are the dream-interpreter of the gods; 13 you are the mistress of the lands! O mother, let me relate now the dream:
14 In the heart of the dream there was a man: like heaven was his stature, 15 like earth was his stature; 16 as to the crown of his head, a god was he; 17 at his side was the storm-bird; 18 at his feet was the hurricane; 19 at his right and at his left a lion lay couched. 20 He commanded me to build his temple, 21 yet I do not understand who he is.
22 Daylight rose for me over the horizon. 23 Then there was a woman—who was she not, who was she? 24 She wore the sheaves of her hair like a crown on her head; 25 she held a sacred stylus of refined silver in her hand; 26 she had set down a tablet of the favorable stars of heaven,
1 and she was consulting it internally.
2 Second, there was a warrior: 3 he flexed his arm; a tablet of lapis lazuli he held in his hand, 4 and for the temple a plan he made. 5 Before me a holy carrying-basket was placed; 6 a holy brick-mold was set in order, 7 and the brick of destiny was placed for me in the mold. 8 In a fine sacred vessel standing before me, 9 bird-men passed the time pouring water ceaselessly; 10 and a donkey stallion at the right hand of my lord kept pawing the ground for me.”
Nanshe’s Interpretation of the Dream
11 To the ruler his mother Nanshe answered: 12 “My shepherd, your dream I will interpret for you: 13 As for the man whose stature was like heaven and whose stature was like earth, 14 who as to his head was a god, at whose side 15 was the storm-bird, at whose feet was the hurricane, 16 and at whose right and left a lion lay couched— 17 he is surely my brother Ningirsu! 18 He has commanded you to build his shrine Eninnu.
19 The daylight that rose for you over the horizon 20 is your personal god Ningishzida: like the sun he rises for you over the horizon. 21 The maiden who wore the sheaves of her hair like a crown on her head, 22 who held a sacred stylus of refined silver in her hand, 23 who had set down the tablet of the favorable stars, 24 and who was consulting it internally— 25 she is surely my sister Nisaba!
1 The pure star for the building of the temple 2 she has announced to you.
3 Second, the warrior who flexed his arm 4 and held a tablet of lapis lazuli in his hand 5 is the god Nindub: he was smoothing out the plan of the temple on the tablet. 6 The holy carrying-basket that stood before you, the holy brick-mold set in order, 7 and the brick of destiny resting in the mold— 8 that is surely the true brick of Eninnu. 9 As for the fine sacred vessel standing before you, 10 in which bird-men passed the time pouring water— 11 sweet sleep will not enter your eyes in your zeal to build the temple! 12 And as for the donkey stallion that pawed the ground for you at the right side of your lord— 13 that is you, pawing the ground for Eninnu like a fiery steed!
Instructions to Build Ningirsu’s Chariot
14 Now heed my counsel and instruction! 15 In Girsu, in the sanctuary of the land of Lagash, you shall set your foot. 16 In your treasure-house break the seal and remove wood from it. 17 For your king prepare a chariot, 18 and harness donkey stallions to it. 19 Adorn that sacred chariot with silver and lapis lazuli; 20 let the arrows come forth from the quiver like daylight! 21 Lavish care upon the sacred battle-mace of heroism, 22 fashion his beloved emblem, 23 and inscribe your name upon it. 24 Accompanied by his beloved balag-lyre, Ushumgal-kalamma (‘Great Dragon of the Land’), 25 the renowned instrument that gives him counsel, 26 to the warrior who loves gifts—
1 to your king, Lord Ningirsu— 2 bring them into Eninnu, the White Storm-Bird!
3 Your small words he will accept as great words. 4 Then the lord whose heart is as profound as heaven, 5 Ningirsu, the son of Enlil, will be appeased toward you; 6 he will reveal to you the full plan of his temple, 7 and the warrior whose divine decrees are great 8 will bless you!”
Construction and Presentation of the Chariot
9 The faithful shepherd Gudea— 10 since he knows great things, he is also able to accomplish great things— 11 at the words that Nanshe spoke to him, 12 bowed his head low. 13 On his treasure-house he broke the seal and brought out wood from it; 14 Gudea carefully prepared the timber. 15 He set the adze to mes-wood, 16 smoothed fine fruit-wood and boxwood planks, 17 and split halub-oak with the axe 18 to fashion the chariot. 19 He adorned the chariot with lapis lazuli, 20 and the span of donkey stallions named Pirig-kase-pada (‘Lion Chosen for Its Speed’) 21 he harnessed to it. 22 He fashioned his beloved emblem 23 and inscribed his name upon it. 24 Together with his beloved balag-lyre, Ushumgal-kalamma, 25 the renowned instrument that gives him counsel, 26 to the warrior who loves gifts— 27 to his king, Lord Ningirsu— 28 into Eninnu, the White Storm-Bird, 29 he brought them in; 30 with joy he brought them into the temple.
Incubation Ritual and Prayer at Eninnu
1 Gudea came out from the inner cella of the shrine Eninnu; 2 for a second time he stationed watchmen at the temple 3 and spent the days and nights in vigil. 4 He cleared debris from the street, turned back noisy crowds, 5 and swept spittle from the path.
6 At the Shugalam gate, the awesome place of judgment 7 from which Ningirsu keeps watch over all lands, 8 the ruler offered a fat-tailed sheep, a milk-fed lamb, 9 and a kid that had known no mate. 10 Juniper, the pure plant of the mountains, he heaped upon the fire, 11 and aromatic cedar, the fragrance of the gods, 12 he sent up in clouds of smoke. 13 To his lord he went by day and brought him a prayer; 14 into the Ubshukinna court he entered and prostrated himself before him:
15 “O my lord Ningirsu, lord who turns back the fierce waters, 16 true lord, seed cast by the Great Mountain, 17 heroic youth who has no rival! 18 O Ningirsu, I would build your temple for you, 19 yet I have received no clear sign for it! 20 O warrior, you have called for what is fitting, 21 yet, O son of Enlil, Lord Ningirsu, 22 the heart of the matter I do not know! 23 Your heart rises like the open sea; 24 it crashes down like a collapsing wall; 25 it roars like surging floodwaters; 26 it devastates rebel cities like a deluge; 27 it charges against the enemy land like a storm!
1 O my lord, your heart is an outpouring flood that cannot be stemmed; 2 O warrior, your heart is as profound as heaven! 3 O son of Enlil, Lord Ningirsu, 4 how can I know your mind?”
The Second Dream: Ningirsu’s Oracle and Promise
5 As he lay sleeping, as he lay sleeping a second time, 6 the god stood at his head, lightly touching him: 7 “O you who will build for me, O you who will build for me! 8 O ruler who will build my temple for me! 9 Gudea, I will give you the sign for building my temple, 10 and by the pure stars of heaven I will proclaim my rites to you!
11 My temple Eninnu, founded by An upon the earth, 12 whose divine decrees are great decrees surpassing all other decrees— 13 the temple whose lord lifts his gaze afar— 14 when it roars like the storm-bird, 15 heaven trembles before it, 16 and its awesome radiance reaches the sky! 17 The great renown of my temple spreads over all lands; 18 at its name, all lands from the horizon of heaven gather together, 19 and Magan and Meluhha come down from their mountains!
20 I, Ningirsu, who turns back the fierce waters, 21 the great warrior of the realm of Enlil, 22 the lord who has no rival— 23 my temple Eninnu is a royal house that strikes terror! 24 My weapon is Sharur, which subdues the rebel lands; 25 no foreign land can endure my fierce gaze, 26 and no man can escape my outstretched arm!
1 The father who begot me, out of love for my greatness— 2 King Enlil, the hurricane— 3 ‘He Whose Fierce Gaze the Rebel Lands Cannot Endure, 4 Ningirsu, Warrior of Enlil,’ 5 by this name he named me. 6 With fifty divine decrees he invested it: 7 my banquet table is set up, 8 its lustration rites are kept in order, 9 and my high priest, chosen in the heart by holy An, performs the food offerings; 10 it is my goodly possession, 11 and my ‘Goodly Dwelling’ it shall be called! 12 And An, the king of the gods, 13 ‘Ningirsu, King and Steward of An,’ 14 by this name he named me.
15 My Tirash shrine he founded like the Abzu 16 in princely majesty; 17 within it, at the new moon each month, 18 my great decrees of the Festival of An are grandly celebrated.
19 Like a fierce house is my Ehush, 20 which he built in a fearsome place like a fierce serpent, 21 so that no rebel land can speak insolently against me; 22 when my heart grows angry, 23 I make it spit venom at the foe like a horned viper!
24 My Ebabbar (‘Shining House’), the place where I issue commands, 25 shines brightly like the sun god Utu; 26 there, like Ishtaran, I render just verdicts for my city. 27 And at my Ebagara, the place of my banquet table, 28 the great gods of Lagash 29 gather around me.
Promise of Rain, Abundance, and Materials for Eninnu
1 When to my temple, the foremost house of all lands, 2 the right arm of Lagash, 3 over which the storm-bird spreads its wings across the broad sky— 4 to Eninnu, my royal house— 5 O faithful shepherd Gudea, 6 you set your faithful hand, 7 I will call toward heaven for wind and rain; 8 from heaven abundance shall come down to you, 9 and the people shall spread out in abundance alongside you!
10 With the laying of the foundations of my temple, 11 abundance itself shall come! 12 The great fields will raise their hands to you; 13 dikes and canals will crane their necks for you; 14 high mounds where water never reached 15 will bring forth water for you! 16 In Sumer oil will be poured out in abundance, 17 and wool will be weighed out in abundance!
18 When you drive in my foundation pegs, 19 when you set your faithful hand to my temple, 20 upon the mountain range where the storm wind dwells 21 I will set my foot! 22 From the high peak, the pure mountain, the house of the wind, 23 the north wind will blow straight toward you: 24 it will grant the breath of life to the land, 25 so that one man will do the work of two! 26 By night the moonlight will shine forth for you, 27 and by day the sun will send forth abundant light for you;
1 the day will build the temple for you, 2 and the night will make it grow for you! 3 From the lowlands, halub-oak 4 and nehan-wood will be brought up to you; 5 from the highlands, cedar, cypress, and zabalum-wood will be brought to you together; 6 from the ebony mountains, 7 ebony will be brought to you; 8 and from the stone mountains, great stones of the mountain ranges 9 will be quarried into blocks for you! 10 On that day, fire will touch your arm: 11 by that you shall recognize my sign!”
Gudea Awakens and Confirms the Omen
12 Gudea awoke—it was sleep; 13 he shuddered—it was a dream! 14 To the commands of Ningirsu 15 he bowed his head. 16 He stretched out his hand to a white omen-kid; 17 he examined the kid, and his omen was favorable: 18 the intention of Ningirsu 19 became as clear as daylight to Gudea.
Gudea Mobilizes Lagash for the Work
20 With rising spirit he carried out the word efficiently. 21 Gudea, though wise of heart, found the matter still beyond his grasp, 22 so he set out to mobilize his land. 23 Upon his province of Gu-edina 24 he laid a levy on that day; 25 into his built-up cities and the territories of Lagash 26 he sent out word under Ningirsu's great emblem.
Purification of the City and Making of the Brick Mold
1 He set up the emblem Lugalkurdub before him, 2 and the emblem Igalim marched before him. 3 Upon his beloved son, the ensi Gudea, 4 his god Ningishzida looked with favor. 5 Every impure person who inspired aversion, 6 the sorcerer, and the worker of baneful magic 7 he drove out from the city; 8 for the woman in childbirth 9 he kindled a pure fire in a separate dwelling. 10 The ensi, the builder of the temple, established peace; 11 none struck with the whip,
12 none smote with the lash, 13 no mother struck her child. 14 Of the prefect, the inspector, the overseer, 15 and the taskmaster driving on the work, the harsh garments were laid aside;
16 in the hand of the city no complaint was brought, 17 and in the whole land of Lagash no litigant took another to court, 18 nor did any debt collector enter a man's house. 19 For Ningirsu in his holy sanctuary, 20 that the brick mold might be set up under an auspicious omen, 21 the priest raised his hand to heaven; 22 he performed the purification rites inside the city, 23 and offered expiation on the city walls.
24 Toward the pure brick mold that had been fashioned, 25 he brought a goat and a dappled kid; 26 into the brick shed he brought the pure mold, 27 and set beside it the copper mixing basket. 28 The holy platter of the sanctuary 29 was set up with abundance in its midst.
1 For the lord whose word takes precedence, 2 the warrior Ningirsu, the great storehouse went forth; 3 to the ancient temple, his dwelling place, 4 Gudea presented lavish offerings. 5 Since his lord's command stood over him, 6 he poured out fresh water in greeting.
The Conscription of the Clans of Lagash
7 In his land overflowing with splendor, 8 Gudea held a levy of the people: 9 in the district of the Nanshe canal, 10 through those broad fields he called up the levy; 11 the clan of Ningirsu, the clan of Inanna, 12 and the plain beloved of Ningirsu, 13 Gu-edina, he enrolled into the levy.
14 Inside the city of Girsu 15 he set up the standard of Lugalkurdub; 16 in his beloved city of Nina, 17 within its precincts he enrolled the levy, 18 and set up the holy ship-standard of Nanshe. 19 The raging lion that subdues the foreign lands, 20 the terror of the battle front, 21 the radiant standard of Inanna, the Venus-star, 22 he set up at the head of the column; 23 inside the White City, in the shadow of the great sanctuary,
24 he enrolled the levy of the goddess Gatumdug, 25 and set up before them the holy silver vulture-standard. 26 Over the wide plain and the great marshes 27 he set up the standard of Dumuzi-abzu, 28 the emblem of the bright waters.
1 In the district of the boundary canal of Ningirsu, 2 he called up the levy for the temple, 3 and set up the falcon-standard before them. 4 All the districts of the land of Lagash 5 marched forth at the call of Gudea.
6 The Elamite came from Elam, 7 the Susian came from Susa; 8 Magan and Meluhha 9 gathered timber upon their shoulders from their mountains; 10 to build the temple of Ningirsu, they assembled for Gudea in his city of Girsu.
11 Ninzaga was given command, 12 so that copper was brought to Gudea 13 like great heaps of grain; 14 Ninsikila was given command, 15 so that great willow timbers, ebony, and sea-wood 16 were placed in the hands of the ensi, 17 the builder of Eninnu. 18 Into the inaccessible mountains of cedar, where no man had entered,
Timber and Stone Brought from the Mountains
19 for Gudea the lord Ningirsu 20 opened up the roads! 21 Its cedars with a great axe he felled; 22 in the mountain of cedar, the mountain of cypress and zabalum-wood, 23 great logs were cut for him: 24 logs of cedar, 25 logs of cypress, 26 and logs of zabalum-wood 27 like giant serpents 28 floated down upon the water; 29 from the cedar mountains into the great rafts, 30 from the cypress mountains into the timber-rafts he bound them.
Precious Metals, Gems, and Bitumen Shipped to Lagash
1 At the pure harbor Wall of the Holy City, 2 the mooring place of Gudea, the logs were brought ashore. 3 Into the stone mountains where no man had entered, 4 for Gudea the lord Ningirsu 5 opened up the roads! 6 Great blocks of stone they quarried there; 7 along with pitch, dry bitumen, and gypsum, 8 like boats bringing grain from the fields, 9 they loaded them into cargo ships, 10 which sailed joyfully toward the quay of Girsu. 11 What every heart desired was brought in abundance; 12 great stones were set down before the temple.
13 From the copper mountain of Kimash 14 the hidden ore was mined for him; 15 copper in great baskets was dug out for him. 16 For the lord, the ensi who built his temple, 17 gold was brought in dust from its mountain; 18 for Gudea, refined silver 19 was brought down from its highland mines; 20 carnelian from Meluhha was poured out before him,
21 and from the mountain of alabaster, alabaster was brought down. 22 From the mountain of boxwood, boxwood was brought; 23 from the mountain of lapis lazuli, bright lapis lazuli was brought; 24 from the Magda mountains, bitumen was brought up like water from a ditch; 25 from the river crevices, black earth and pitch were brought, 26 and white gypsum was gathered like heaps of barley; 27 the stone-cutters and wood-carvers 28 came from the cities where they dwelt, 29 together with the goldsmiths and silversmiths, 30 to fashion the ornaments of Eninnu.
1 With eskala-stone and hauna-stone they worked; 2 the roar of the copper-smiths' hammers 3 resounded like storm clouds; 4 the wood-workers shaped the great timbers.
Divination and Preparation for the Sacred Brick
5 Gudea walked into the sanctuary; 6 with water he cleansed his hands, 7 and set the pure tiara upon his head. 8 For the building of Eninnu he stepped forward; 9 An and Enlil looked upon him with favor. 10 Gudea, the wise ensi, 11 born in a favorable month, walked in uprightness: 12 his personal god Ningishzida walked before him; 13 in the holy sanctuary he offered prayer, 14 and the goddess Nanshe rejoiced over him.
15 The sister of Ningirsu, the counselor of the gods, 16 Nanshe who knows the meaning of lofty matters, 17 fixed the propitious time for the temple; 18 upon its brick she cast a favorable gaze. 19 Enki from the Abzu 20 traced out the ground plan of the house. 21 Gudea entered the temple of Gatumdug;
22 before her feet he bowed down, 23 so that the terrifying radiance of the sanctuary rested upon him. 24 After he had offered supplication and prayer, 25 Gudea came forth in joy. 26 The goddess Baba spoke a word of life for him, 27 and the Anunnaki of Lagash stood beside him in counsel; 28 for building the temple of his lord, day and night 29 they joined him in unceasing prayer.
Procession to the Brick Pit
1 At dawn he bathed his body; 2 in pure clothing he arrayed himself. 3 Like the sun-god Utu rising over the land, 4 Gudea stepped forth from the gate. 5 A pure bull and a pure kid for the omen 6 he led before him; 7 into the brick shed he entered with lifted head. 8 During that night the temple was purified; 9 over the city and its dwellings peace was spread.
10 The righteous shepherd Gudea, 11 accompanied by the clangor of cymbals and trumpets, 12 walked with Lugalkurdub going before him 13 and Igalim following behind him. 14 Ningishzida took him by the hand; 15 the water of the pure clay pit he sprinkled, 16 and with cedar perfume and aromatic herbs he censed the pit. 17 With the bronze hoe he dug the clay; 18 in the pure carrying-basket he placed it.
19 Like honey, butter, and precious oil 20 he kneaded the clay together; 21 resin, cedar oil, and aromatic essence 22 he mixed into the mortar. 23 The ushumgal-kalamma drum resounded before him, 24 and the sweet-voiced instruments played in harmony. 25 He placed the carrying-basket upon his head, 26 and bore it like a pure crown; 27 he stepped up to the brick mold, 28 set the clay into the mold, 29 and struck off the first brick in the box.
Molding and Drying the First Brick of Eninnu
1 While he sprinkled oil and cedar essence round about, 2 the city of Girsu and the land of Lagash 3 rejoiced together with him. 4 He lifted the brick mold from the brick, 5 and left the brick to dry like a crown lifted to heaven. 6 He looked upon the brick with joy; 7 with cypress oil and cedar perfume he anointed it. 8 The sun-god Utu rejoiced over the brick laid out to dry; 9 King Enki pronounced a decree over its clay, 10 and the mountain winds blew gently upon it. 11 He raised the brick from its frame; 12 like a shining tiara of An it gleamed.
13 Into the temple he carried the brick, 14 like a pure calf brought to its mother cow. 15 Like the rising sun it shone over the land; 16 like a wild bull lifting its horns it stood firm. 17 Gudea set the brick in its foundation place, 18 and laid out the lines of the temple. 19 Like Nisaba who knows the meaning of numbers,
20 he calculated the measurements with wisdom; 21 like a young man building a new house, 22 sleep did not enter his eyes by night, 23 nor did his head rest at midday. 24 As a cow turns its eyes toward its calf, 25 in overflowing devotion for the temple 26 his heart never grew weary; 27 to build Eninnu for his king, 28 he labored with joyful zeal.
1 Of the temple he laid the deep foundations; 2 its brickwork he raised on high. 3 With purified oil and aromatic essence 4 he anointed its foundation pegs.
5 For the omen of the building he stretched out his hand to a white kid; 6 he inspected the kid, and his omen was favorable. 7 A second time he consulted the oracle for the temple: 8 he poured barley upon the pure brick, 9 and its sign came forth bright and clear; 10 the heart of Gudea 11 overflowed with gladness. 12 Enki fixed its foundation terrace,
Laying the Foundations and Confirming the Omens
13 and Nanshe cared for its brickwork. 14 Gudea, the builder of the temple, 15 placed the brick basket upon his head as a pure crown; 16 he laid the foundation walls, 17 set the brick courses in order, 18 and stretched the measuring cord straight. 19 A third time he rose for the temple, 20 and like an omen-priest he examined its signs;
21 with a sacrificial lamb he confirmed the oracle of the house. 22 The pure foundation pegs of copper and cedar 23 he drove into the ground; 24 the great warriors of the temple 25 stood guard around its terrace. 26 Gudea, the ensi of Lagash, 27 made the foundations of Eninnu as firm as the Abzu.
Raising the Terraces of Eninnu to Heaven
1 Of the temple he set the lower terrace in place; 2 above it he raised the second terrace; 3 the third terrace he built like a diadem; 4 the fourth terrace he made like a wild bull resting its horns; 5 the fifth terrace he raised like a lush green mountain; 6 the sixth terrace he built to the delight of the gods; 7 and the seventh terrace he crowned with splendor, 8 filling the space between heaven and earth! 9 At its doorway he set up the great pillars, 10 and laid the massive cedar beams across its roof. 11 The brickwork of Eninnu 12 shone like the sun rising from the clouds.
13 They raised its walls like a mountain range; 14 like a cedar forest they made its roof timbers grow high. 15 Over the house they spread a fragrance of cedar and cypress; 16 the great sanctuary of Ningirsu 17 they made to gleam like heaven and earth. 18 Its upper chambers they fashioned with skill; 19 like the sanctuary of the Abzu, 20 its holy places were clothed with awesome radiance.
21 Like a crescent moon in the upper sky, 22 its horn shone over the land; 23 like the mid-day sun, its brilliance 24 filled the lands from horizon to horizon. 25 The temple of Ningirsu 26 stood forth as a wonder to behold; 27 Eninnu lifted its head 28 among the sanctuaries of Sumer.
1 For the temple, they cut great beams of cedar, 2 and fashioned massive doors of boxwood and cypress; 3 with shining copper and silver 4 they plated its door leaves. 5 Before the temple where the fates are decreed, 6 beside the Shu-galam gate, 7 he set up the standards of its weapons, 8 the emblems of Ningirsu's might.
Monoliths, Stelae, and Emblems of the Temple
9 Great blocks of stone brought from the highlands 10 he dressed on every side; 11 within a single year they were brought down, 12 and within a single year they were carved. 13 On the first day and the seventh day they were set in place; 14 in the courtyard of Eninnu 15 he erected the great stone stelae. 16 Great copper vessels and bronze basins
17 he set up in the forecourt; 18 at the gate where the king enters, 19 he placed the crouching lions of stone. 20 For his lord Ningirsu, 21 Gudea adorned the sanctuary 22 with gold, silver, carnelian, and lapis lazuli; 23 he made the dwelling of the warrior 24 shine like the starry heavens.
1 The great stones of the mountain range 2 he fashioned into stelae; 3 with favorable omens he anointed them, 4 and erected them in the sacred precinct. 5 Within a single year he brought them in, 6 and within seven days he set them up in their places; 7 to each stele he gave an illustrious name.
The Seven Named Stelae of Eninnu
8 The stele set up in the forecourt of Kasurra, 9 the king Gudea named: 10 “The King Who Floods the Enemy Land from Kasurra.” 11 By the chapel of Ningirsu toward the rising sun, 12 the stele that was erected there 13 the king Gudea named: 14 “The King, Beloved Son of Enlil, Has Looked with Favor.” 15 The stele erected at the Shu-galam gate, 16 the king Gudea named: 17 “The King Whose Roar Is the Storm-Bird Anzu.” 18 The stele erected facing the city, 19 the king Gudea named: 20 “The Lord Enki Has Fixed Its Foundation.” 21 The stele erected facing the Abzu, 22 the king Gudea named: 23 “Nanshe, Lady of Sirara, Has Spoken Faithfully.” 24 The stele erected by the bedchamber of Baba, 25 the king Gudea named: 26 “Lady Baba Has Granted Life to the Shepherd.” 27 The stele erected at the Gate of Battle, 28 the king Gudea named: 29 “Ningirsu, the Warrior of Enlil, 30 Subdues the Rebellious Lands.”
1 Thus Gudea, the ensi 2 of Lagash, 3 built the temple of his lord Ningirsu 4 in Girsu. 5 What had been revealed to him by word, 6 he brought to completion in deed; 7 he built the house of his master exactly as he had been commanded.
The Architecture and Splendor of the New Temple
8 The faithful shepherd Gudea 9 made the temple grow so high as to fill the space between heaven and earth; 10 he crowned it with a tiara like the new moon, 11 and caused its renown to reach the heart of the highlands. 12 Gudea made the house of Ningirsu 13 shine forth like the sun breaking through the clouds; 14 he made it rise like a mountain of lapis lazuli, 15 and stand to be marveled at like a hill of white alabaster. 16 Its door sockets he made to crouch like wild bulls, 17 and flanked them with lion-dragons resting on their paws.
18 Its terraced tower he caused to grow on a place as pure as the Abzu; 19 the metal tops of its standards he made to gleam 20 like the horns of the holy stags of the Abzu. 21 Gudea made the house of Ningirsu 22 stand to be marveled at like the crescent moon in the sky. 23 The built-in door sockets of the temple 24 are lahama-guardians standing by the Abzu; 25 its timber storehouse is like the waves of a vast lagoon 26 where serpents glide through the waters; 27 its sanctuary is clothed in awesome majesty.
Gates, Lintels, Hall, and Bedchamber
1 At the Gate Where the King Enters, 2 an eagle lifts its eyes toward a wild bull; 3 its curved cedar posts joining above the gate 4 are like a rainbow stretching across the sky. 5 Its upper lintel above the gate 6 stands like Eninnu amid rumbling, roaring storms; 7 its awe-inspiring eyebrow-arch 8 meets the admiring gaze of the gods. 9 Its shining dais within the house 10 is a firmly founded mountain of lapis lazuli 11 linking heaven and earth; 12 its pure foundation platform 13 rests securely upon the Abzu.
14 They established its great banquet hall for the evening meal, 15 as though An himself were setting out golden bowls 16 filled with honey and wine. 17 They built its bedchamber, 18 which is like a fruit-bearing mes-tree of the Abzu 19 rising among the mountains.
20 He completed the building of the temple, 21 making the hearts of the gods overflow with joy. 22 The faithful shepherd Gudea, 23 wise in counsel and skilled in deed, 24 in the inner chamber where the weapons hang, 25 at the Gate of Battle, 26 stationed the slain warriors: the Six-Headed Wild Ram 27 and the Seven-Headed Lion; 28 facing the city, a place laden with awe,
The Slain Trophy Monsters Stationed at the Gates
1 he stationed the Seven-Headed Serpent. 2 In Shu-galam, its awesome gate, 3 he stationed the Dragon and the Date-Palm; 4 facing the sunrise, where the fates are decreed, 5 he erected the standard of Utu and the Bison-Head. 6 At the Kasurra gate, at its watchtower, 7 he stationed the Lion, the terror of the gods; 8 in Tar-sirsir, where commands are issued, 9 he stationed the Fish-Man and the Copper Hero; 10 in Baba's inner room, where the heart is soothed, 11 he stationed the Magilum-Boat and the Wild Bull. 12 Because these were warriors slain by Ningirsu, 13 he set their mouths toward the libation places; 14 Gudea, the ensi of Lagash,
15 made their names famous among the gods. 16 The cedar doors installed in the temple 17 are like Ishkur thundering in the sky; 18 the locks of Eninnu are wild bulls, 19 and its door pivots are lions;
Doors, Locks, Bolts, and Pivots
20 from its bolts, horned vipers and fierce serpents 21 hiss at the wild bulls; 22 its doorjambs, against which the leaves close, 23 are young lions and panthers crouching on their paws. 24 The shining roof-beam nails driven into the house 25 are dragons gripping their prey; 26 the gleaming ropes fastened to the doors 27 are like the holy serpent Nirah parting the Abzu. 28 Its threshold is as pure as Kesh and Aratta; 29 its watch-post is a fierce lion guarding the land, 30 past which no wicked man can walk alone.
1 The awesome radiance of Eninnu 2 covers all lands like a garment! 3 The temple, founded by An upon refined silver, 4 is adorned with antimony, 5 and shines forth like moonlight with heavenly splendor.
The Cosmic Radiance and Outer Walls of Eninnu
6 The temple! Its front is a great mountain firmly grounded; 7 its interior resounds with incantations and harmonious hymns; 8 its exterior is the sky, a great house rising in abundance; 9 its outer assembly hall is the place where the Anunnaki render judgment, 10 and from its shrine words of prayer ascend; 11 its food offerings are the abundance of the gods, 12 and its standards erected around the house 13 are the Anzu-bird spreading its wings over the bright mountain. 14 The clay plaster of Eninnu, 15 smoothly blended clay taken from the Edin canal, 16 was chosen by its master, the lord Ningirsu, in his holy heart, 17 and painted by Gudea with the splendors of heaven,
18 as though precious kohl had been poured over it. 19 From its cattle pen, butter and milk are brought in; 20 from its great oven come large loaves and crescent cakes; 21 its storehouse feeds sleek cattle and fat sheep; 22 its pantry is like a pure uzga-shrine; 23 its wine cellar is a mountain dripping with wine, 24 and from its brewery flows beer like the Tigris at high water.
Dairies, Ovens, Breweries, Courtyards, and Stairs
1 Its treasury is filled with gems, silver, and tin; 2 its chariot house is a mountain set upon the ground; 3 its drum hall is a bellowing wild bull; 4 its courtyard resounds with holy prayers, cymbals, and ala-drums. 5 Its stone stairs laid before the house 6 are like a mountain range reposing in princely joy; 7 its upper stairs leading to the roof 8 are like a beacon shining as far as the highlands. 9 Its vineyard, “Lush Garden in the Steppe,”
10 planted beside the temple, 11 is a mountain dripping with wine, 12 growing in a place clothed with awe and radiance. 13 Its bird-house is a broad marsh 14 teeming with wildfowl and fishes; 15 its sheepfolds and cattle pens 16 multiply the flocks of Ningirsu. 17 Its great courtyard is a pure mountain, 18 where the gods of Lagash gather in council.
19 Its lofty gates stand open like the heavens, 20 receiving the tribute of all lands; 21 its waterways bring flowing abundance 22 to the fields of Gu-edina; 23 its granaries are great hills of grain 24 heaped up for the lord Ningirsu.
The Stone Basins, Shade Trees, and Awesomeness of Eninnu
1 The seven stelae set up around the temple 2 stand ready to take counsel with its lord. 3 Its funerary chapel is a pure place, 4 as clean as the Abzu. 5 The stone basins set up in the temple 6 are like the holy chamber of the purification priest, where water never ceases to flow. 7 Its lofty battlements, where the doves rest, 8 are like Eridu upon its terrace, 9 where the princess sits.
10 Eninnu offers rest to the doves: 11 it is a sheltering tree of wide branches and pleasant shade, 12 where swallows and other birds chirp loudly; 13 it is like Enlil's Ekur 14 when a festival is celebrated within it. 15 The temple's great awesomeness settles upon the land, 16 and its praise reaches to the highlands; 17 the awesomeness of Eninnu 18 covers all lands like a garment.
1 The temple has been built most sumptuously by its lord; 2 it was set upon its pedestal by Ningishzida, 3 and its foundation pegs were driven in 4 by Gudea, the ensi 5 of Lagash.
Doxology and Colophon of Cylinder A
6 For the restoration of Eninnu, 7 the temple that rises like the sun over the land, 8 that stands like a great wild bull on the plain, 9 that illuminates the assembly like delightful moonlight, 10 that is as sumptuous as lush green foothills, 11 and that stands to be marveled at— 12 for this house of his lord, 13 which Gudea built in glory, 14 praise be to Ningirsu!
15 Middle of the hymn: “The Building of Ningirsu's Temple.” 16 Praise!
Cylinder B: The Induction of Ningirsu and Dedication of Eninnu
Hymn to Eninnu and Gudea's Petition to the Anunnaki
1 O temple, mooring post of the land, 2 grown so high as to fill the space between heaven and earth, 3 Eninnu, the true brickwork, 4 for which Enlil decreed a glorious destiny, 5 lush mountain standing to be marveled at, 6 rising above all the lands! 7 The temple is a great mountain reaching up to the sky; 8 it is like Utu filling the midst of heaven; 9 Eninnu is the white Anzu-bird 10 spreading its talons upon the mountain land. 11 All the people stood before it, and the whole land was assigned to it,
12 while the Anunnaki gods stood there in admiration. 13 The ensi, wise in counsel and skilled in deed, 14 kissed the ground before that divine assembly; 15 he touched the ground in prostration, with supplications and prayers, 16 as the ruler on behalf of his city offered petition. 17 For the bread-consuming house he multiplied the loaves; 18 for the evening meals requiring mutton he added sheep; 19 before the temple he arrayed bowls in abundance. 20 He stepped before the Anunnaki gods and prayed to them: 21 “O all you Anunnaki gods, revered by the land of Lagash,
1 protectors of all the lands, 2 whose command, like a mighty breach in a dike, 3 sweeps away whoever tries to hold it back: 4 the faithful man upon whom you look with favor 5 shall enjoy a long life! 6 I, the shepherd, have built the temple, 7 and now I would bring my lord into his house. 8 O Anunnaki gods, pray on my behalf!”
Gudea Invites Ningirsu and Bau to Enter Their New Home
9 The faithful shepherd Gudea, wise and capable, 10 had his kindly guardian spirit walk before him 11 and his kindly protecting genius follow behind him. 12 For his master, the lord Ningirsu, 13 he brought rich gifts to the ancient house, his former dwelling; 14 he entered Eninnu before the lord, 15 and offered prayer to him:
16 “O my king Ningirsu, lord who turns back the fierce waters, 17 lord whose word takes precedence, 18 son of Enlil, warrior who commands, 19 I have faithfully carried out what you ordered me to do! 20 O Ningirsu, I have built your temple for you: 21 now let me bring you into it in joy! 22 And for my goddess Bau I have prepared her quarters: 23 may she take up her residence at your side
1 in a pleasant dwelling!” 2 From Gudea his cry was heard; 3 his supplication reached the warrior, 4 and the lord Ningirsu accepted Gudea's prayer for the temple.
The New Year Dawns and Gudea Prepares the Offerings
5 The year ended and the months were completed; 6 a new year dawned in the heavens, 7 the month of the temple began, 8 and the third day of that month shone bright. 9 As Ningirsu arrived from Eridu, 10 radiant moonlight illuminated the land; 11 daylight rose over the country, 12 and Eninnu vied in splendor with the new-born moon-god Suen.
13 Gudea ground carnelian and lapis lazuli into paste, 14 and applied it to the corners as an offering of honor. 15 He sprinkled the ground with a rich abundance of oil, 16 and sent forth the workmen who had labored 17 out of the temple. 18 Honey, clarified butter, wine, sour milk, grain, 19 olive oil, and figs he brought in as offerings; 20 fig-cakes topped with cheese he piled up high; 21 dates and clusters of small grapes, 22 food untouched by fire, 23 food fit for the table of the gods, 24 he prepared with honey and clarified butter. 25 On the day when the righteous god was to arrive, 26 Gudea from early morning 27 busied himself with the evening meal;
The Gods Purify the Temple and the City Hushes by Night
1 the god Asaru put the temple in order; 2 Ninmada performed the lustration; 3 King Enki issued oracular decrees concerning it; 4 Nindub, the chief purification priest of Eridu, 5 filled the sanctuary with the smoke of incense; 6 the lady of precious rites, Nanshe, skilled in holy song, 7 sang hymns within the temple. 8 They sheared the black ewes, and milked the cow of heaven 9 within the fold; 10 with tamarisk and soapwort, the plants of heaven, 11 they purified Eninnu 12 and made it shine.
13 The ensi made the whole city kneel, 14 and made the whole land prostrate itself; 15 all were bowed down, disputes were reconciled, 16 and the sorcerer's spittle was cleared from the roads. 17 In the city, only the mother of a sick man administered a potion; 18 the wild beasts that roam the steppe 19 crouched down together, 20 and the mighty lion and the dragon of the plain 21 lay fast asleep. 22 By day there were supplications; by night there were prayers; 23 at the glow of morning dawn, 24 its king arrived!
Ningirsu and Bau Enter Eninnu in Triumph
1 The warrior Ningirsu entered the temple: 2 the lord of the temple had arrived! 3 Like an eagle lifting its eyes toward a wild bull, 4 the warrior's entry into his temple 5 was like a storm roaring into battle. 6 Ningirsu stepped into his temple, 7 and it became the shrine of the Abzu when a festival is held; 8 the lord came forth from his temple 9 like Utu rising over the land of Lagash.
10 Bau's going to her quarters 11 was like a faithful wife taking her home in hand; 12 her entry into her bedchamber 13 was like the Tigris at high water; 14 when she sat down beside her couch, 15 she was the lady, the daughter of holy An, a lush garden bearing fruit. 16 Daylight came forth, and destiny was decreed; 17 Bau entered her quarters, 18 and there was abundance for the land of Lagash. 19 The day dawned, and Utu of Lagash lifted his head over the land.
20 Fattened oxen and fat sheep were offered in the temple; 21 bowls were set up and filled with wine, 22 and the Anunnaki gods of Lagash feasted there with the lord Ningirsu. 23 In the temple the purification rites were completed, 24 and favorable oracles were pronounced.
1 Wine was poured from great vessels, 2 while in joyous Eninnu the priests 3 and the shrine of Nindub resounded with song. 4 Fresh white bread and milk of hinds 5 were brought in day and night; 6 the prince, the beloved son of Enlil, the warrior Ningirsu, 7 was awakened with praise; 8 with all the great divine powers he lifted his head, 9 and took his exalted seat 10 in the sanctuary of Eninnu.
Induction of the Divine Court: Igalim and Shulshaga
11 To guide the hand of the righteous, 12 to clamp the neck of the evildoer in the stock, 13 to keep the temple safe and pleasant, 14 to give instruction to his city and the shrines of Girsu, 15 to set up the throne of destiny, 16 to place the scepter of distant days in his hand, 17 and to raise high the head of Gudea, the shepherd of Ningirsu, 18 as with a radiant diadem; 19 to appoint to their offices in the courtyard of Eninnu 20 the skin-clad priests, the linen-clad priests, and those with covered heads— 21 the Great Door, the Pillar of Girnun, the chief bailiff of Girsu, 22 Igalim, his beloved son, 23 Gudea introduced to the lord Ningirsu with his divine duties.
24 To keep the temple pure, to provide the water of hand-washing, 25 to serve water to the lord with holy hands, 26 to pour beer into bowls and wine into jars,
1 in the brewery, the house of pure strength, 2 to make the emmer beer fizz like the waters of the Papsir canal; 3 to see that unblemished oxen, kids, and grain-fed sheep, 4 fresh white bread, and milk of hinds 5 are provided day and night, 6 so that the prince, the beloved son of 7 Enlil, the warrior Ningirsu, 8 eating food and drinking beer, is refreshed— 9 the lord of the pure hand-washing basin, the firstborn son of Eninnu, 10 Shulshaga, 11 Gudea introduced to Ningirsu with his divine duties.
Lugalkurdub, General of Eninnu
12 To grasp in his hand the seven-headed mace, 13 to open the door of the armory, the Gate of Battle, 14 to wield the double-edged dagger, the mitum-mace, the Flood-Storm weapon, 15 and the marratum-club, his battle weapons, 16 and to inundate like water 17 all the lands hostile to Enlil— 18 the warrior Sharur, who subdues the foreign lands in battle, 19 the mighty general of Eninnu, 20 the falcon against the rebellious lands, 21 Lugalkurdub, his general, 22 Gudea introduced to the lord Ningirsu 23 with his divine duties. 24 After the heavenly mitum-mace had roared like a storm
1 against the foreign lands— 2 the weapon Sharur, the deluge of battle, 3 the club that crushes the rebellious land— 4 after the lord had frowned upon the hostile mountain land, 5 hurled against it the voice of his wrath, 6 and put its strength to flight, 7 the lord's second general, 8 Kurshunaburuam, 9 Gudea introduced to the son of Enlil with his divine duties.
Lugalsisa and Shakanshabar
10 To present the petitions of the land of Lagash, 11 to offer its prayers and supplications, 12 to bid farewell to the warrior when he sets out for Eridu, 13 and when Ningirsu returns from Eridu, 14 to keep firm the throne of the built-up city, 15 and to pray together with Gudea 16 for the life of the faithful shepherd— 17 with hand raised in entreaty, 18 his counselor, 19 Lugalsisa, 20 Gudea introduced to the lord Ningirsu 21 with his divine duties. 22 To speak the quiet word and the exalted word,
23 to uphold upright and binding speech, 24 to restrain the evil word, 25 and into Eninnu 26 to bring reports
1 to the warrior seated upon the holy dais, 2 to Ningirsu in his sanctuary— 3 Shakanshabar, the minister of the bedchamber, 4 Gudea introduced to the lord Ningirsu 5 with his divine duties.
Kindazid and Ensignun
6 To purify the water, to consecrate the soapwort, 7 to mix oil from white bowls with the soap, 8 to spread the couch adorned with lapis lazuli and fresh herbs, 9 to lead him in according to ancient rite, 10 into his bedchamber and inner quarters 11 to bring him, so that he never wishes to depart— 12 Kindazid, the chamberlain of the bedchamber, 13 Gudea introduced to the lord Ningirsu 14 with his divine duties.
15 To yoke the bright chariot adorned with stars, 16 to harness before it the stallion Pirig-kashe-pada, the “Galloping Lion,” 17 to train the team, 18 along with the slender donkey of Eridu, 19 so that morning and evening they come forth at the temple 20 to bear their king Ningirsu with joy— 21 he who roars like a lion, 22 who rises like a tempest, 23 the swift courier of Ningirsu,
1 Ensignun, the herdsman of his donkeys, 2 Gudea introduced to the lord Ningirsu with his divine duties.
Enlulim, Ushumgalkalamma, and the Balag-Drum
3 To multiply the clarified butter, to multiply the cream, 4 so that from the holy goats, the milking goats, and the hind, 5 the mother of Ningirsu, 6 butter and milk never cease to flow in the sanctuary of Eninnu— 7 Enlulim, the herdsman of the hinds, 8 Gudea introduced to the lord Ningirsu with his divine duties.
9 To tune aright the sweet-sounding tigi-harp, 10 to make the courtyard of Eninnu overflow with joy, 11 to make the algar-lyre and miritum-harp of the inner chamber 12 sound forth their best in Eninnu 13 for the warrior of the listening ear, Ningirsu— 14 his beloved musician, Ushumgalkalamma, 15 Gudea introduced to the lord Ningirsu with his divine duties.
16 To soothe the heart, to calm the spirit, 17 to dry the tears of weeping eyes, 18 to banish lamentation from the grieving heart, 19 and to appease the heart of the lord that rises like the sea, 20 that sweeps along like the Euphrates, 21 that roars like a flood-storm, 22 after it has overwhelmed the enemy land of Enlil 23 and driven the foe afar—
1 his balag-drum, Lugal-igi-hush, 2 Gudea introduced to the lord Ningirsu with his divine duties.
The Seven Daughters of Bau and Gishbare, Farmer of Gu-edina
3 The devoted lukur-priestesses, who bring plenty to the multitude— 4 Zazaru, 5 Impae, 6 Urenuntaea, 7 Hegirnunna, 8 Heshagga, 9 Zurmu, 10 and Zarmu, 11 the seven daughters of Bau, 12 the offspring of the lord Ningirsu— 13 to utter favorable intercessions on behalf of Gudea, 14 stepped forward before the lord Ningirsu.
15 To make the great fields yield abundantly, 16 to fill the canals and ditches of Lagash 17 to the brim, 18 across the plain worthy of its king, 19 in Gu-edina, to make the holy grain-goddess Ezinu raise her head high in the furrows, 20 to lift the irrigation beams toward heaven, 21 so that after the fertile fields have yielded wheat, emmer, and pulses, 22 the great grain-heaps of the land of Lagash 23 are piled up like mountains— 24 Enlil's surveyor, the farmer of Gu-edina, 25 the god Gishbare, 26 Gudea introduced to the lord Ningirsu with his divine duties.
Lama, Dimgalabzu, and Lugalennu
1 To make its marshes teem with carp and perch, 2 to make the green reed-beds bring forth fresh shoots of reed, 3 and to have Imin-shatam, the messenger of Gu-edina, 4 bring the catch to Ningirsu in Eninnu— 5 the guardian deity, inspector of the fisheries of Gu-edina, 6 Gudea introduced to the lord Ningirsu with his divine duties.
7 To watch over the open country, the pleasant place, 8 to give directions for Gu-edina, the good plain, 9 to make its birds multiply, 10 to have them lay their eggs in safe nests 11 and rear their young in peace, 12 to foster their broods, 13 and to make the cattle, sheep, and wild beasts 14 of the steppe beloved of Ningirsu 15 never cease from increasing— 16 Dimgalabzu, the herald of Gu-edina, 17 Gudea introduced to the lord Ningirsu 18 with his divine duties.
19 To build up the city, to establish settlements, 20 to erect watchtowers upon the wall of the Holy City, 21 and to have its divine constable 22 wield the great-headed mace of white cedar 23 on patrol around the temple— 24 Lugalennu, guardian of the Holy City, 25 Gudea introduced to the lord Ningirsu with his divine duties. 26 Holy An made the site auspicious;
The Great Gods Bless Eninnu and Gudea Presents Dedicatory Gifts
1 Enlil bound a crown upon its summit; 2 Ninhursag looked upon it with favor; 3 Enki, king of Eridu, drove in its foundation pegs; 4 the true lord of pure heart, 5 Suen, made its divine powers excel in heaven and earth; 6 Ningirsu chose the shrine in his heart; 7 Mother Nanshe cared for the brickwork of Lagash 8 with unfailing devotion; 9 and the god of faithful seed 10 built the temple and made its name glorious!
11 The mighty steward of Nanshe, 12 the obedient shepherd of Ningirsu, 13 wise in counsel and noble in bearing, 14 the builder of the temple, 15 Gudea, the ensi 16 of Lagash, 17 presented dedicatory gifts to the house:
18 the chariot “Subduer of the Mountains,” 19 clothed in awesome radiance and riding in great terror, 20 together with its stallion Ud-gu-dugdugga, the “Roaring Storm,” 21 and the seven-headed mace, the fierce weapon of battle, 22 unbearable to the four quarters, 23 the battle-cudgel, the mitum-mace, and the lion-headed weapon of precious stone,
1 before which no highland enemy can stand; 2 the double-edged dagger, the nine battle-standards, 3 the “Might of Heroism,” 4 his bow that twangs like a mes-forest, 5 his fierce arrows that flash like lightning in battle, 6 and his quiver emblazoned with lions and fierce serpents 7 darting their tongues— 8 weapons of battle endowed with the power of kingship— 9 the ensi who built the temple, 10 Gudea, the ensi 11 of Lagash, 12 solemnly presented.
Precious Vessels and the Resting Place of Ningirsu
13 Along with copper, tin, blocks of bright lapis lazuli, refined silver, and carnelian from Meluhha, 14 huge copper cauldrons, great copper basins, 15 shining copper jars, and pure copper bowls worthy of An 16 he set up before the divine storm-bird Anzu, 17 to spread a holy table under the heavens 18 at the place of regular offerings.
19 Ningirsu gave rest to his city of Lagash; 20 in the bedchamber, the resting place of the house, 21 he set up his couch, 22 so that the people rested like birds in the streets 23 together with the son of Enlil. 24 To fill the canals with flowing water, 25 and to make carp and perch abound in the marshes,
Gudea's Stewardship of Prosperity for Lagash
1 to station the inspector of fisheries and the overseer of dikes at their posts, 2 to fill the wide waters with grain-barges, 3 so that the rich granaries of the land of Lagash 4 overflow with heaps of grain; 5 to build cattle pens and sheepfolds, 6 that healthy ewes may bring forth lambs, 7 that rams may mount their ewes, 8 that healthy cows may bring forth calves, 9 and that among them the breeding bull may lift its bellow; 10 that oxen may be yoked to the plow, 11 with the plowman and ox-driver standing beside them; 12 that donkeys may bear their pack-saddles, 13 with their drivers following behind them; 14 that strong jackasses may carry heavy loads, 15 and that the great mill-house may grind grain; 16 that the quarters of the handmaidens and children of Ningirsu 17 may flourish in peace, 18 and the storehouses provide abundant rations;
19 that the courtyard of Eninnu may be filled with joy, 20 with cymbals, ala-drums, and the balag-drum resounding in concert, 21 and his beloved drum Ushumgalkalamma 22 marching at the head of the procession— 23 the ensi who built Eninnu,
1 Gudea himself, before the lord Ningirsu, 2 entered the temple!
Splendor of the Sanctuary and the Sacred Marriage Chamber
3 The temple lifted its head in priestly majesty, 4 clothed in awesome terror and radiance; 5 like a royal barge moored at the quay, 6 it was adorned in splendor. 7 Its king, upon the dais of Girnun, 8 the warrior Ningirsu, shone forth like the daylight; 9 its baldachin resting upon pillars 10 gleamed like the blue heavens; 11 its standards crowned with emblems 12 were Ningirsu himself radiating majesty, 13 and their straps stretched out before them 14 were like green serpents bathing in water. 15 In his chariot adorned with bright lapis lazuli, 16 its king, the warrior Ningirsu, stood like the sun-god Utu; 17 its throne set up in the assembly hall 18 was An's holy seat, where he sits in joy; 19 its bed standing in the bedchamber 20 was like a young cow kneeling in its resting place;
Ningirsu and Bau in the Bedchamber and the Seven-Day Jubilee
1 upon its holy coverlet strewn with fresh herbs like lapis-lazuli flowers, 2 Mother Bau with the lord Ningirsu 3 rejoiced in the marriage chamber. 4 Great bronze platters offered every kind of food; 5 in the pure temple, shining bronze vessels 6 cooked the sacred meal; 7 its pure bowls standing in the great banquet hall 8 were like wide troughs that never lack water, 9 and the goblets set beside them 10 were like the Tigris and the Euphrates 11 continually bearing abundance.
12 He set everything in order within his city: 13 Gudea, the builder of Eninnu, 14 perfected its rites; 15 he brought butter and cream into its dairy, 16 provided loaves for the holy table of the gods, 17 remitted debts, and cleared all hands of obligation.
18 When his king entered the temple, 19 for seven days 20 the slave girl was made equal to her mistress, 21 and the slave walked side by side with his master;
Justice for the Orphan, the Widow, and the Daughter
1 in his city the ritually unclean lay down only outside the border; 2 he silenced the evil-speaking tongue, 3 and banished wickedness from the house. 4 To the laws of Nanshe and Ningirsu 5 he paid strict heed: 6 he did not deliver the orphan to the rich man, 7 nor did he deliver the widow to the powerful man; 8 in the house that had no son, 9 he installed its daughter as the heir 10 and let her tend the family hearth. 11 A day of justice dawned for him,
12 and he set his foot upon the neck of the wicked and the malcontent. 13 Like the sun-god Utu, he rose over the horizon for the city; 14 he bound the royal turban upon his head, 15 and before the eyes of holy An 16 he lifted up his pledge. 17 Like a bull with lifted head he entered, 18 and in the sanctuary of Eninnu 19 he sacrificed unblemished oxen and kids; 20 he brought a ritual bowl, 21 poured a libation of wine upon the terrace, 22 while the drum Ushumgalkalamma resounded with tigi-music;
1 the ala-drums roared for him like a storm. 2 The ensi stepped out by the temple wall, 3 and his city looked up to him in wonder; 4 before the temple he offered prayer for his city: 5 Gudea [...] 6 [Lines 6–11 are broken away.]
12 [...] brought forth abundance for him; 13 the earth produced mottled barley for him, 14 and with the ensi, Lagash 15 flourished in plenty.
The Great Banquet of the Gods in Eninnu
16 For the warrior who had entered his new house, 17 for the lord Ningirsu, he prepared a sumptuous banquet: 18 An sat in the place of honor; 19 next to An, Enlil was seated; 20 and next to Enlil, 21 Ninmah took her seat, 22 while all the great gods feasted together.
1 [Lines 1–12 are broken away.] 13 [...]
Blessings Decreed for the Brickwork of Eninnu
14 Over the temple the king rejoiced; 15 for the brickwork of Eninnu he decreed its destiny: 16 “O brickwork of Eninnu, 17 may a good destiny be decreed for you! 18 O brickwork of Eninnu, may a destiny be decreed, 19 may a glorious destiny be decreed for you! 20 O temple, mountain founded by An, 21 built with great divine powers,
1 [Lines 1–16 are broken away.] 17 For the brickwork of Eninnu he decreed its destiny: 18 ‘O brickwork, may a destiny be decreed for you! 19 O brickwork of Eninnu, may a good destiny be decreed for you! 20 O temple renewed like glowing embers, embracing the foundation of heaven,
1 [...] holy [...] 2 [Lines 2–16 are broken away.] 17 “At your command cow-pens shall be built, 18 and sheepfolds shall be renewed! 19 Across the broad land, the people shall lie down in safe pastures and abundance, 20 and all the lands shall lift their eyes toward Sumer;
1 and An shall exalt your temple of the Anzu-bird for you!” 2 [Lines 2–12 are broken away.] 13 [...] divine powers [...] 14 [...] the shrine built [...] 15 [...] built [...]
Ningirsu's Final Blessing upon Gudea
16 “... renewed and grown as tall as Gilgamesh: 17 the throne set up there no one shall overturn! 18 Your personal god is the lord Ningishzida, the grandson of An; 19 your divine mother is Ninsun, the mother who bears noble seed, 20 who loves her offspring; 21 you are a child born of the true wild cow, 22 a righteous prince raised high in the land of Lagash
1 by Ningirsu; 2 from the lowlands to the highlands your name is established! 3 O Gudea, your glory 4 shall abide on high; 5 you are a man cherished in the heart of An; 6 you are my ensi, for whom the temple has decreed a good destiny. 7 O Gudea, son of Ningishzida, 8 long life shall be granted to you!”
Concluding Doxology and Colophon of Cylinder B
9 The temple, rising to heaven like a great mountain, 10 whose awesome radiance settles upon the land, 11 where An and Enlil decree the fate of Lagash, 12 makes the lordship of Ningirsu 13 known to all the lands! 14 For Eninnu, grown so high as to fill heaven and earth, 15 praise be to Ningirsu!
16 End of the hymn: “The Building of Ningirsu's Temple.” 17 Praise!
Intertextual Commentary on the Gudea Cylinders
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