BCT C

Obv.

i  (Missing)

(Lacuna)

ii 1'–3' [. . . in Nisannu, Nabû, the per]former of rites, . . . [. . . and] Nergal did not go. Equlê of the quarter of TE.E [was smashed up]. It is the quarter of [Ni]ppur.

ii 3'–4' Hence, as for Bēlet-Nippuri [in the quarter of Nippu]r, instead of the quarter of Eridu, her house is built as a substitute for Esagil.

ii 5'–8' [. . .] . . . her house Nippur, Equlēa [. . .] of Ekur, the house of Enlil, has gone out. Secondly, Equlēa: its name is "House of the lands." It is [the house of a]ll the gods. It matches up to Esagil. [There]fore, [he (a cultic functionary) built a dais of the Igigi [and] the Anunnaki inside it.

ii 8'–10' As for Nanayītu, who crossed over from Egišḫurankia, where there is an image of Asakku of ḫulamēsu-wood, when she took up [residen]ce in the quarter of TE.E: its (the ritual's) name is "Kīnay[ītu-offering like for Nippur." Urunanam, Nippur = true city.

ii 11'–17' [On] Tašrītu day 6, when a fire was lit on top of a [br]ick and it was thrown into the river, [in]stead of the Elamite or the Subarian who would (otherwise) enter Babylon and destroy the [ci]ty, its brick is burnt with fire and hurled into the water. He (a cultic functionary) performed an [apo]tropaic ritual against destruction. "Nippur, which is destroyed and hurled into the water," is said with reference to (this). The ḫašḫūru-fruitwood and olive-wood were put on top of the brick. As for the brick that is made as a substitute for ravaging the city, it is said regarding (this).

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ii 18'–24' On Tašrītu day 8, when the throne of Marduk's vigil and the Daughters of Esagil went to Dilbat and Borsippa, (and) did not enter Babylon until day 13, instead of the journey that Bēl would (otherwise) make to the land of Elam [or] the land of Subartu, the throne goes away. Tašmētu's words that she speaks in his (Marduk's) presence are instead of the enemy, as in when at the command of the king of the land of Elam Bēl would (otherwise) go to the land of Elam. Hence through Tašmētu's words [. . .]

(Lacuna)

(Lacuna)

iii 1'–5' . . . [. . .] he (a cultic functionary) performed an apotropaic ritual. . . . [. . .] heit gave. The reign was changed. Therefore, [. . .], which changes, he pla[ces] an image of Dumuzi, as in a usurper king, who [sit]s on the throne as a substitute for the (true) king.

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iii 6'–13' In Ṭebētu, when he (a cultic functionary) performed these ritual procedures, because [. . .], they advanced against Marduk, they assembled in the region of Ṭebētu. [. . . and] Qingu. Correspondingly, fathers (abbī) = Ṭebētu (^itiab) = sea (ab.ba, tâmtu), Tiāmat. In the region of the Goat-Fish constellation (Capricorn), Tiāmat of the army, when she [st]ood ready for the war, made war. Tiāmat and Qingu become one, and she divides. They become visible together. Therefore, the She-Goat constellation, which became visible with the Scorpion constellation, is the Goat-Fish constellation. The goat (kizzu) = the She-Goat constellation (enzu, ^múlùz); its name is "Stat of witchcraft" (mul uš₁₁.zu, kakkab kišpī).

iii 13'–19' Rites concerning Tiāmat are observed. Gizzānītu and Buššānītu, which is said with regard to the stars, is said with reference to the She-Goat constellation and the Corpse star/constellation regarding the Goat-Fish constellation. They are Tiāmat and Qingu. Correspondingly, Gizzānītu – its name is "Goat-like female (kizzānītu)," with reference to the Goat-Fish constellation, a goat (kizzu). Correspondingly, as for Buššānītu – its name is "Hye[na-like female] (bu[ṣṣānītu])"; it is said with reference to the Hyena star/constellation. Hyena star/constellation = Corpse star/constellation. Correspondingly, as for Tiāmat, [her name is "Female twin (tuʾāmtu)."] She has two faces. She is male and female.

iii 19'–24' Hence, the omens [of the Scorpion constellation] are (about) the pla[nn]ing of Ninlil and Ereškigal. They (Ninlil and Ereškigal) [are present] in refe[rence to the rites concerning Tiāmat]. Bull (gu₄, alpu) and scorpion (gír.tab, zuqaqīpu) are one: gìr = scorpion, correspondingly, p[irig] (G[ÌR]) meaning ["lion" (lû), ditto meaning "bull."] Therefore, in Ṭebētu, in the region of A[sakku, the She-Goat constellation (is) in the region of the Corpse star/constellation]. She (Tiāmat) [stood in] a crown of splendor and the [L]eopard star (Mars) became [stationary] inside [the Goat-Fish constellation . . .]

(Lacuna of 1 line)

Rev.

(Lacuna)

iv 1'–5' [. . .] numerous [. . .] were seen. [. . . its] name is "Ninurta." [It (the Arrow star) descends to the Apsû and they defeat him (an enemy)]. The enemy whom [they] de[feat becomes visible. It (the Arrow star) is Ninurta.]

iv 6' Bēl [i]s the flood wea[pon]. [As for Marduk (^damar.utu), "The weapon of the flood" (kakku abūbu) is said in his name.]

iv 7'–13' "Bēl raised the flood, [his great] wea[pon," concerning when Ninurta has gone out]. Therefore the region of war . . . [they say]. The place of a festival of musical skill of day <1>7 in [the late afternoon . . .] thus: "Bēl, the hero, wh[o in his angry heart [. . .] Asakku."] Encore: "Anzû, insubordinate [to him, rebels"; "Battle] of Ninurta"; "Marduk, who [hung] the weapon, the bow, [at his side";] Encore: "Ekur, the house of Enlil."

iv 13'–15' To the region of A[sakku(?) . . .], the place of secret knowledge of the moon, set . . . [. . .]. "In the Field (constellation) it is placed" is said with reference to (this). [. . .]

iv 16'–19' [. . .] up to the region of Asakku who stood the enemy . . . [. . .] "He counted him with the Dead Gods." Therefore, the region of A[sakku(?) . . .] It is the star of vanquishing by Marduk. It turned around, like when Bēl . . . [. . .] Until Bēl vanquished the enemy whom he counted, he (the enemy) did not become visible. Marduk . . . [. . .]

iv 20'–25' "Vengeance for your city [. . .]" is said with reference to (this). As many as not [. . .] of Ninurta . . . It does not become visible. Without sixty years, which [. . .] Lul[al . . .] . . . and it does not become visible. Ninurta . . . [. . .] the star of Ninurta is the [. . .] . . . of Marduk. For the vanquishing of the enemy [. . .] and an arrow [. . .] . . . [. . .]

(Lacuna)

(Lacuna of 1 line)

v 1'–4' (Traces)

v 5'–11' [. . .] . . . His head is that of a [bur]billatu-insect(?), of . . . [. . .]. His neck muscles(?) are . . . His(?) [. . .] . . . is/are (that/those) of an owl. His ears are cymbals(?). His eyes are . . . His [ey]elids are open. His nose is (a) strong [. . .] . . . The tip of his nose is a pickaxe. His mouth is (that) of an eel-like fish. His teeth are (those) of a donkey. The crowns(?) of his teeth are seed(?) of an aromatic plant(?). His tongue is a snake. His lips are a (those) of a donkey mare. His chin is . . . His face is a combed sheepskin.

v 12'–16' His neck is (that) of a ḫāzû-bird. His stomach is a waterskin. His shoulder blades are a pottery bowl. His armpit is like a groin fold. His arms are reeds. His forearms are white barley. His hands are (those) of a monkey. His fingers are a bunch(?) of herbs(?). His finger[ails] are gazelles' horn(s). His chest is wool. His pectorals are (those) of a young man.

v 17'–18' His ribcage is a circle. His waist is oil and milk. His hi[ps] are pegs. His navel is Nippur.

v 19'–25' The t[op(?)] of the area of his kidneys is the t[op(?)] of an owl's spur. His [abdomen] is that of a bird of . . . His kidney-stone is bone. The top of his kidney-stone is a suḫattu-garment. His groin is bitumen. His seminal residues(?) are salt. His buttocks are (those) of a pašanu-bird. His thighs are cl[ay]. His [lower] legs are ḫusāru-stone. His [heel bo]nes(?) are . . . His [. . .] are a cauldron. [. . .] . . . [. . .] His foot [. . .]

(Lacuna)

(Lacuna)

vi 1' [. . .] counted [lines]. It is complete.

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vi 2'–6' [. . . from] day 3 to day 6 of Duʾūzu [. . .] . . . the holding of an overnight ritual. [. . . they] say: "May Zarpanītu [. . .] curse you (m. sg.)." "Where you (f. sg.) go." "[Where should] they (f.) see you (m. sg.)?" Its original is written according to dictation.

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vi 7'–11' [It is written according to its original], collated, checked. Tablet of [. . ., son of] Marduk-šāpik-zēri, [descendant of Mušēzib. Handwriting] of Itti-Marduk-balāṭu, his brother. [He who reveres Šamaš] must [not] erase [the handwriting]. Babylon, [. . .] . . . [. . .]

(Lacuna)