ABOUT B. c. 2600, a scribe of the temple of Enlil at Nippur who had the training of an historian, compiled on a large 28 column tablet, the inscriptions on the stelae, on the statues and their pedestals, and on other votive monuments erected by the kings of Agade in the courts of the temple to the glory of Enlil, and in memory of their own victorious campaigns from the upper to the lower sea, from the Persian Gulf to the mountains of Asia Minor.
This precious tablet of unbaked clay, that we fain wish had been preserved in its entirety, was excavated by the third Nippur Expedition, about 1894. The main portion was published¹ by A. Poebel in 1914. The large fragment now recovered is a welcome addition to the text that treasures for us the records of 45 centuries ago. It is a portion of the Columns 3 to 26 of Poebel’s text, to which it is linked very exactly by a few lines of the Columns 4 and 25.
Museum Object Number: B13972
The most important and far reaching information concerns Sargon of Agade, the founder of the empire that extended from the upper to the lower sea. Sargon has always been a popular and leading figure of Babylonian and Assyrian history. The gods gave him power and he extended his rule over countries never subject to any of his ancestors. The kings and the ishakkus of the North and of the South stood as servants before him. His empire was a new feature in the land. Its limits were Elam and the Persian Gulf in the South; the Lebanon, the range of the Taurus, the Hittite land in the Northwest. In modern language Sargon controlled the main trading road that linked Asia Minor to the Indian Ocean, he was the master of a Bagdad line, which followed not the Tigris but the Euphrates.
His first drive South across the Sumerian land cleared his access to the sea. He not only defeated the king of Uruk, Lugalzaggisi, and led him as a prisoner through the gate of Enlil, but after a hard and renewed fight, forced the other cities, Ur, Lagash, Umma, and Adab to surrender. Their walls were destroyed. They ceased to be a barrier or a menace. Agade became the head harbour. The boats of Magan, Meluhha and Dilmun lined the quays in front of the city. These old geographical names cover the coasts and countries of Arabia, Ethiopia, and the isles of Bahrein, and prove the importance of the traffic by sea toward Egypt and India. Agade succeeded and replaced the ancient Eridu, probably the most primitive station connecting Sumer with Predynastic Egypt. Sargon’s campaign was thoroughly successful and he could wash his weapons in the sea. He gave honour to Enlil, the master of the Sumerian land, erected monuments to him, and had them engraved with an inscription on record in the temple of Nippur. The neighbouring countries, Elam and Mari, which is perhaps the later land of Ashur, made obeisance.
Sargon’s campaign toward the Northwest along the Euphrates is still more interesting. Here he was to reach the countries of Mari, Iarmuti, Ibla, as far as the cedar forest and the silver mountain, probably the Lebanon and the Taurus, a country of fine timber and rich mining, the upper land, and the upper sea. But the honour of the campaign goes this time not to the Southern Sumerian god Enlil, but to a strange new god Dagan, master of the northern country along the Euphrates, and of a new race, the Amorites. In his own city of Dŭdŭli—or Tutuli, in the Akkadian text—Sargon worships and bends his head unto him, as to the acknowledged lord of Mesopotamia from Sippar to Biredjik.
The location of Tutuli along the river is of great historical import. The shrine of Dagan marks one of the early centres of culture of the Amorites. While the precise site is not yet known, it might be tempting to identify it with the land and city of Hana, south of the Haboras at Tell ‘Ishar near Salhije.
Several monuments and tablets have been discovered at Tirqa and Tell ‘Ishar, which throw an interesting light on the history of Hana and the cult of Dagan. A temple was erected here to Dagan by the Assyrian king Shamshi-Adad. On a contract tablet from Hana, the parties take the oath in the name of Shamash, of Dagan, and of a third indigenous god Idur-me-ir. The tablet is dated in the year when Isharlim son of Ibi-Marduk built the gate of the palace in the city of Kashdab. There was a king of Ḫana, son of Ilushaba, whose name Tukulti-me-ir, means, Me-ir is my protection, and strangely resembles the god Idur-me-ir invoked with Dagan on the contract tablet. Has this god anything in common with the thunder god Immer or Adad, thus establishing a close relationship between Sumer and Amurru? In any case the Euphrates was evidently the line of communication that would unite the two countries. Tablets and monuments date from the Cassites. Before them the retiring Hittite after ruining the first Babylonian dynasty and plundering Babylon left in Ḫana the statues of Marduk and Sarpanit, so as to show the superiority of Dagan over the vanquished Babylonian gods.
A striking confirmation of the importance of Dagan of Tutuli is supplied by the Prologue of the Code of Hammurabi. It is a well known fact that the king was an Amorite. Among his many titles of worshipper and protector of many gods and cities, he singles out Dagan as the particular patron of his race and family. In his name he rules over the countries along the banks of the Euphrates and in particular over the inhabitants of Mera and Tutul. Tutul is the Dŭdŭlí, or Tutuli of Sargon, and Mera must be called after the god Idur-me-ir of the Ḫana text.
Three centuries earlier, under the kings of the third Ur Dynasty, we find Dŭdŭlí as a dependent and confederate city sending a body of auxiliary troops like Anshan and Nippur. There was a patesi of Dŭdŭl named Hunibar, and his troops under the command of Ishmeani return to Dŭdŭlí.
The cult of Dagan was not limited to Hana, but extended to neighbouring countries like Mari, Iarmuti and Ibla. Among the proper names on the Drehem tablets we see a man of Ibla called Ili dDagan, Dagan is my god. Not only the kings of Isin, Idin-Dagan, Ishme-Dagan, may have been born Amorites, but many foreigners living in Babylonia would be called servant of the god Ḫani : Ur
The same foreign Amorite origin and influence may be traced in the proper names of Libanuk shabash patesi of Marharshi–Mar’ash?—and of Gimil-Ishhara of Mari, along the military and commercial road that led toward North Syria and Cappadocia. The Sumero-Akkadian colony which existed at Galashu or Ganish¹ in Cappadocia in the days of Sargon, bears witness to the extension of the cult of Dagal or Dagan, and to the spirit of enterprise of the ancient merchants.
Other names of rulers and cities, and details of campaigns and of votive offerings will be found in the recovered text of the missing fragment, which fortunately is connected with and completes the main portion published by A. Poebel.
| Col. 3 | Col. 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| šar-um-GI | [Sar-ru-GI] Unto | Šarru-kin |
| lugal | šà[r] | king |
| kalam-ma-ra | KALAM-MA [ki] | of the land |
| den-lil-li | den-lil | Enlil |
| lù-érim | ma-[hi-ra] | gave |
| nu-na-si | [la i-ti-sum] | no foe (sem. adversary); |
| a[-ab-ba] | [ti-a-am-dam] | from the upper |
| igi-nim-ma-ta | [a-lí-dam] | sea |
| a-ab-ba | [ù] | to the lower |
| sî-šù | [sa-bil-]dam | sea |
| den-lil-[l]i | den-lil | Enlil |
| [mu-na-sì] | i-ti-nu-sum | gave unto him; |
| iš-tùm-ma | and from | |
| [a-ab-]ba | ti-a-am-tim | the lower |
| [si-]ta | sa-bil-tim | sea, |
| [dumu-me?] | marê? | the citizens? |
| [ag-gi-deki] | a-ga-deki | of Agade |
| [pa-te-si . . .] | ISAG gu-a-tim | the išakku of … |
| [ú-ga] | ú-ga lù | Uga the man |
| lù ma[-riki] | ma-ríki | of Mari |
| lù [nimki] | ù ELAMki | and Elam |
| igi šar-um-GI | mah-rí-iš | stand |
| lugal | šar-ru-GI | before |
| kalam-ma-ka-šù | šàr | Šarru-kin |
| (n)ì-làh-gi-èš | KALAM-MAki | king |
| i-za-zu-ni | of the land. |
| Col. 5 | Col. 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| About 4 lines missing | ||
| [šar-um-GI] | šar-ru-GI | Šarru-kin |
| [lugal] | Mr | king |
| [kiški] | kiš[i] | of Kiš |
| [34 . . .] ra | 34 KAS-x | won |
| [tún-]KÁR ne-sì | LAM-KUR-ar | 34 battles. |
| BÁD-BÁD | he destroyed | |
| nì-gul-gul | (N)Ì-GUL-GUL | the walls |
| zag a-ab-ba- | a-ti-ma pu-ti | as far as the front |
| ka-šù | ti-a-am-tim | of the sea. |
| má me-luh-ha | má me-luh-ha | The ships of Meluhh.a |
| má má-gánki | má má-gánki | the ships of Magan |
| má ni-tukki | má dilmunki | the ships of Dihnun |
| kár ag-gi-diki | in ga-ri-im | he collected. |
| -ka | mahar a-ga-deki | unto the quay |
| (n)ì kešda | uš-ku-lì | in front of Agade |
| šar-um-GI | šar-ru-GI | Šarru-kin |
| lugal | šarni | the king |
| dŭ-dŭ-liki a | in tu-tu-liki | in Tutuli |
| dda-gán-ra | a-na | unto |
| ki-a-mu-na-za | ada-gán | Dagan |
| KA (+?)mu . . . | uš-ga-en | he worshipped |
| kalam igi-nim | . . . .gi? si | . . . . and |
| mu-na-sì | ma-dam | he gave unto him |
| a-lí-dam | the upper land, | |
| i-(tím)ti-sum | Mari | |
| Iarrnuti | ||
| The lower part in PBS. IV, p 177 | and Ibla | |
| as far as | ||
| the cedar forest | ||
| and the silver | ||
| mountains. | ||
| Col. 7 | |
|---|---|
| ù | and |
| 50 ISAG | 50 išakku |
| ù | and |
| šarrani | kings |
| sù-ma | his hand then |
| ŠU-DŬ-A | captured |
| ù | and |
| in na-gúr-za-amki | with Nagurzam |
| KAS-x | he battled |
| iš-ni-a-ma | he repeated it |
| iš-gu-na-ma | and insisted |
| LAM +KUR-ar | and vanquished |
| ù | and |
| in uríki | in Ur |
| i-ni | he returned |
| ig-sa-ma | and seized it |
| di-da-ah- | and had it |
| hi? za-ma | in his power |
| da-wa-ar | for ever |
| ù | and |
| ub-meki | Umma |
| in KAS-x | in a battle |
| LAM-FKUR-ar | he vanquished |
| ù | and |
| URUki | he smote |
| SAG-GIŠ-RA | the city |
| ù | and |
| la-BUR-ŠIRki | with Lagaš |
| in KAS-x | he battled |
| ù | and |
| giš TUKUL-gi-su | he washed |
| in ti-a-am-tim | his weapons |
| [N]Ì-LAH | in the sea |
| The lower part in PBS. IV, p. 179. | |
| Col. 8 | |
|---|---|
| ù | and |
| lugal-zag-gi-si | with Lugalzaggisi |
| Šar | king |
| urukk | of Uruk |
| in KAS-x | he battled, |
| ŠU-DŬ-A | he captured him, |
| in SI-GAR-NE-RU | in fetters |
| a-na KA | through the gate |
| dden-lil | of Enlil |
| ú-ru-uš | he led him |
| šar-ru-GI | Sarru-kin |
| šàr | king |
| a-ga-deki | of Agade |
| in KAS-x | battled |
| uríki | with Ur |
| LAM +KUR-ar | he vanquished |
| ù | and |
| URUki | he smote |
| SAG-GIŠ-RA | the city |
| ù | and |
| BÁD-su | destroyed |
| [N]Ì-GUL-GUL | his wall. |
| The lower part in PBS. IV, p. 180. | |
| Col. 9 | |
|---|---|
| [iš-tùm-ma] | and from |
| [ti-a-am}-tim | the lower |
| [sa-bil]-tim | sea |
| [mar]ê? | the citizens? |
| a-ga-deki | of Agade |
| ISAG gu-a-tim | the išakku of … |
| ú-ga lù | Uga the man |
| ma-ríki | of Mari |
| ù ELAki | and of Elam |
| mah-rí-iš | stand |
| šar-ru-GI | before |
| šàr | Sarru-kin |
| KALAM-MAki | king |
| i-za-zu-ni | of the land |
| šar-ru-GI | Šarru-kin |
| šàr | king |
| KALAM-MAki | of the land, |
| [kiš]ki | restored |
| [a]-ša-rí-su | Kiš |
| i-ni | in its place |
| ù | and |
| URUki LAM+KUR | the destroyed city |
| ú-di-hi-su-ni | he possessed again |
| [ša] DUB | whoever |
| [sù]-a | shall destroy |
| ù-sa-za-ku-ni | this inscription … |
| The lower part in PBS. IV, p. 181. | |
td>
td>… which
td>
td>. . Aratta?
| Col. 10 | |
|---|---|
| [ ]-ni | |
| den-lil | Enlil |
| DI-KUD-su | his judge |
| i-ti-nu-ma | gave unto him |
| ù | and |
| urukki | he smote |
| SAG-GIŠ-RA | Uruk |
| 6 lines missing | |
| [ ] | ….. |
| [ kur?-]ru | |
| ù nibruki | and Nippur |
| a-na | unto |
| den-lil | Enlil |
| ù-li-il | he prayed |
| šar-ru-GI | unto Sarru-kin |
| šàr | king |
| KALAM-MAki | of the land |
| SU den-lil | the hand of Enlil |
| ma-hi-ra | has given |
| la i-ti-nu-sum | no adversary |
| [ ] | …. |
| The lower part in PBS. IV p. 183. | |
| Col. 11 | |
|---|---|
| …. | |
| uruk [ki] | Uruk |
| [ ] | [ ] |
| about 6 lines missing | |
| [50 IS]AG | 50 išakku |
| ù | and |
| šarrani | kings |
| sù-ma | his hand then |
| ŠU-DŬ-A | captured. |
| ša DUB sù-a | Whoever shall destroy |
| ú-sa-za-ku | this inscription |
| den-lil | may Enlil |
| ù | and |
| dŠamaš | Sama. |
| SUHUS-su | tear out |
| li-zu-ha | his foundation |
| ù | and |
| ŠE-NUMUN-su | destroy |
| li-íl-gu-da | his seed |
| ma-ma-na | whoever |
| DÙL | shall hide |
| sù-a | this |
| [ú]-a-ha-ru | statue |
| Lower part in PBS. IV, p. 184. | |
| Col. 12 | |
|---|---|
| [ELAM]ki | of Elam |
| ù | and |
| ba-ra-ah-siki | of Barahsi |
| zag-mah ?a gub-ba | Standing in front of the …. |
| nig-dún | Tribute? |
| URU+Aki | of Uru+a |
| sa-nam-si-mu-tam | Sanamsimutam |
| ISAG | išakku |
| ELAMki | of Elam |
| lu-uh-iš-ilum | Luhišilum |
| mâr hi-si-ib-ra-si-ni | son of Hisibrasini |
| šàr | king |
| ELAMki | of Elam |
| nig-dún | Tribute |
| sa-li-a-muki | of Saliamu |
| nig-dún | Tribute |
| kàr-ne-[ne?]ki | of Karnene |
| ul-[ ] | Ul… |
| šakanak | šakanakku |
| ba-ra-ah-sì[ki] | of Barahsi |
| Lower part in PBS. IV, p. 186. | |
| Col. 13 | |
|---|---|
| ….. | ….. |
| da-an | the judge? |
| den-lil | . . . Enlil |
| ú-gal-lim | subjected it? |
| ma-ma-na | None |
| ba-ni-su | of his ancestors |
| ù-la | ever |
| ú-ba-al | ruled it. |
| ti-a-am-dam | The upper |
| a-lí-dam | and the lower |
| ù sa-bil-dam | sea |
| i-ti-sum | he gave unto him |
| šar-ru-GI | Šarru-kin |
| šàr | king |
| kiš[i] | of Kiš |
| [ ] | …… |
| Lower part in PBS. IV, p. 187. | |
| Col. 14 | |
|---|---|
| ….. | |
| má[ ] | |
| in[ ] | |
| ù[ ] | |
| uš[ ] | |
| šar-[ru-GI ] | Šarru-kin |
| šàr | king. |
| 4 lines missing | |
| [ ]-dam | the upper |
| a-lí-dam | [ ] |
| i-ti-sum | he gave unto him |
| ni? [ ] | [ ] |
| Col. 15 | |
|---|---|
| The upper part in PBS. IV, p. 187. | |
| d[en-lil] | . . Enlil |
| ú-gal-[lim] | subjected it |
| ma-ma-na | none |
| ba-ni-su | of his ancestors |
| ù-la | ever |
| ú-ba-al | ruled it. |
| du[ ] | [ ] |
| Col. 16 | |
|---|---|
| The upper part in PBS. IV, p. 188. | |
| 8 lù [ ] | 8 men |
| 3 an? šah [ ] | 3…. |
| 71 giš-KU giš-erin? | 71 logs?. . |
| hi-si-ib-ra-si-ri | Hisibrasini |
| šàr | king |
| ELAMki | of Elam |
| ENGUR-RA-NE-NE-a-al-ku | along the rivers |
| ŠU hi-ba-a-ab-ri | by the hands of Hibâbri |
| ib-ba-li | he returns. |
| ša(g)-bi-an . . | In the middle of … |
| ki-gal-gal . . . | on the pedestal … |
| rí-mu-[uš] | Unto Rimuš |
| šàr | king |
| [kiški] | of Kiš |
| [] | …. |
| šar | Enlil |
| den-[lil] | gave |
| i-ti-nu-[sum] | the royalty? |
| The lower part in PBS. IV, p. 189. | |
| Col. 17 | |
|---|---|
| The upper part in PBS. IV, pp. 189-191. | |
| KALAM-[MAki] | the land |
| ka-za-luki | of Kazalu |
| 12051 GURUŠ-GURUŠ | 12051 men |
| ú-sa-am-gí-it | he cast down |
| 5862 LÙ+ŠU | 5862 prison – |
| ŠU-DŬ-A | he captured |
| ù | and |
| a-ša-rí-id | Ašarid |
| ISAG | išakku |
| ka-za-luki | of Kazalu |
| ŠU-DŬ-A | he captured |
| ù | and |
| BÁD-su | his wall |
| [N]Ì-GUL-GUL | he destroyed |
| naphar 54000 | a total of 54000. |
| [ ] 16 GURUŠ-GURUŠ | . . . 16 men |
| [ ] gí | he … |
| [ ] tim | …… |