CM 8 pl. 1ff. // ZA 110, 63 (Ištar Louvre)

a i 1 My [La]dy, let me recount the valor of your divinity!

a i 2 May the [sin]ger become loud! May the orchestra present be attentive!

a i 3 Ištar, I will praise your skillful wisdom!

a i 4 May it be attentive, may the orchestra present hear your valor!

a i 5 May the voice make itself appear at once,

a i 6 Rejoice, Ištar! May they make your powers exceedingly great.

a i 7 Let them hear the singing in it (the mummu)!

a i 8 Like the strength of your manhood, may it constantly grow like a flood!

a i 9 O unique one, the princes who have not yet perceived your power (lit. arms),

a i 10 will take care of your feet forever.

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a i 11 The unwise man will learn in it (the temple).

a i 12 He will look for your gates, before you will have placed your hands on him.

a i 13 Strange are your deeds. Your behavior is far (from understanding).

a i 14 Unique are your works. No god is like you.

a i 15 Justice, oppression, giving constant favor, changing your face,

a i 16 scattering of a dwelling place and stomping bricks – are yours, Ištar.

a i 17 To overthrow the broad foundation of the mind, well-being of the heart,

a i 18 confusion(?), changing the mind and showing mercy – are yours, Ištar.

a i 19 Quarrel, turmoil, compliance, brotherhood,

a i 20 the torch of battle and extinguishing wars – are yours, Ištar.

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a i 21 Anger, battle, glow and calming down,

a i 22 Cursing, guarding the uttering of the lip – are yours, Ištar.

a i 23 Mixing the confirmation, confusing the reports, making good pronouncements,

a i 24 making the toil excessive and dissolving the possessions – are yours, Ištar.

a i 25 Dignity, prayer, genius and protective spirit,

a i 26 prosperity, abundance and hard soil – are yours, Ištar.

a i 27 The flesh (= kin), the lone one, the stranger, the servant,

a i 28 the enemy, making (them) into brothers forever – are yours, Ištar.

a i 29 (That) the inner part of a house, its god, (and) the (family) who dwells there are in good condition,

a i 30 wherever you want, to furiously split (the house)

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a i 31 Profitable business, building, . . . words of order,

a i 32 partners, wages, . . ., maximizing the profit – are yours, Ištar.

a i 33 Battle, shelter, wakefulness(?) and fear,

a i 34 supremacy, answer and wisdom – are yours, Ištar.

a i 35 Charms, being beautiful(?), silence, making the people (feel) good,

a i 36 a dwelling place, abundance, making firm foundations – are yours, Ištar.

a i 37 Causing one to utter shouts, the gnashing of the stupefied ones,

a i 38 making a hairdo, whirling of locks – are yours, Ištar.

a i 39 Hate, to constantly let the goddess and the prostitute make love (with their lovers),

b i 1' Hate, [. . .]

a i 40 making the women forbidden from marriage enter the status of sekretum – are yours, Ištar.

b i 2' the women forbidden from marriage [. . .]

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a i 41 The opening of the womb, placing the beloved ones in the belly,

b i 3' The opening of the womb, in the belly [. . .]

a i 42 twin babies, bringing about the first-born son and glancing (at him) – are yours, Ištar.

b i 4' the cave of the babies, bringing about the fir[st-born son . . .].

a i 43 Reliable womb, soft lips, the gift of the baby,

b i 5' Reliable womb, lips [. . .]

a i 44 the date spadix of matrimony, the happiness of the chamber – are yours, Ištar.

b i 6' the date spadix of matrimony, the happiness [. . .]

a i 45 (That) a man is like a woman, a maiden is a young man,

b i 7' (That) a man is like a woman, a mai[den is a young man],

a i 46 you put his (the man’s) stool at the ‘loom’ – are yours, Ištar.

b i 8' you pu[t' his (the man’s) stool at the ‘loom’ [. . .]

a i 47 Assembling the strange ones, letting the locks dance, the hair,

b i 9' Assembling the strange ones, letting the l[ocks] dance, [. . .]

a i 48 to wither, to make flourish, to show mercy and to become worried – are yours, Ištar.

b i 10' to wither, to remove, to show mercy and to be[come worried . . .]

a i 49 Weakness, heroism, greatness, incantations, strength(?) (or: strong incantations),

b i 11' Weakness, heroism, eminence, str[ength(?) . . .]

a i 50 sleep, dreams and the well-being of the bed – are yours, Ištar.

b i 12' sleep, dreams and the well-being of the bed [. . .]

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a i 51 The underwear of the mid-body, (that) the ears are torn out(?) (as customary) in the land,

b i 13' The underwear of the mid-body, (that) the ear is t[orn out(?) . . .]

a i 52 providing a change (of clothes), the path, going back and forth – are yours, Ištar.

b i 14' providing a change (of clothes), the path [. . .]

a i 53 (That) Ea of . . . gave(?)] lying (as) her wisdom,

b i 15' [(That) Ea of . . . gave(?)] lying (as) her wisdom,

a i 54 the behavior of a capable nursemaid [. . . – are yours, Ištar.]

b i 16' the behavior of a capable [. . .]

a i 55 Difficult running courses, speed [. . .],

b i 17' Difficult running courses, speed [. . .],

a i 56 establishing firmly the throne, the humble one and the pro[minent one(?) – are yours, Ištar.]

b i 18' establishing firmly the throne, the humble one and [. . .]

a i 57 (That) a m[an goes] the way of a woman,

b i 19' [(That) a man goes] the way of a woman,

a i 58 a woman [goes] (the way) of a man, [– are yours, Ištar.]

b i 20' a wom[an goes the way of] a man [. . .]

a i 59 As for the man, you hang [on him . . .]

b i 21' [As for the m]an, you ha[ng on him . . .]

a i 60 As for the woman, like on a man, you h[ang(?) . . . on her].

b i 22' As for the woman [. . .]

a ii 1 The (usual) behavior is turned up-side-down, his (the performer’s) face is changed.

a ii 2 For your fun – (you say :) “Yes!”. His (the performer’s) “Yes” is brought back to you, O Ištar!

a ii 3 You make men obey (the rules of) garments (and) wigs.

a ii 4 At night, the women are touched. They are untidy regarding the hairlocks.

a ii 5 The man is carrying a balance in his hand.

a ii 6 The woman, like a man, is equipped with a quiver, she holds a bow.

a ii 7 The man carries a hairpin, a siBtum, an uḫḫu, a harp.

a ii 8 The women are carrying bows, slings, sling-stones.

a ii 9 The man is holding it, their (women’s) t. ornament. His face is changed.

a ii 10 The mat is prepared for him outside. The passer-by raises his hand.

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a ii 11 Verily the woman, like a man, her dress is untidy.

a ii 12 He (the man) stepped in her path, then she was blocked, his mind became different, . . .

a ii 13 The man carrying a dagger has overturned the clothed (women).

a ii 14 Fearful is their glance, a roar of flood is their cry:

a ii 15 “Enter (fem.) (into) the lady! Have intercourse (fem.) with my womb!

a ii 16 He cried: “O assinnum!” He wailed: “My erection is placed, it is growing stronger!”

a ii 17 Different is their way, their activity is strange.

a ii 18 They hold spindles. They have thrown threads in the spread of the evening.

a ii 19 The men are endowed with combs like a woman. Their cloth is multicolored.

a ii 20 Their (head) is covered with multicolored (cloths). As at the renewal of the moon they are gathered around you.

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a ii 21 Your love-charm stands by him (the performer), wrapped in red wool.

a ii 22 In the gate, happily, in its entirety, he pours out a kor (of barley?) in front of you.

a ii 23 A kunāmum is happily placed during the night until morning.

a ii 24 . . . moaning(?). The people make noise at your gate.

a ii 25 Her lute . . . of the sun in order to calm your mood.

a ii 26 . . . You receive the battle.

a ii 27 All weapons . . . They take away in fe[ar].

a ii 28 Like the roar of thunder the singing lute has . . . the young women.

a ii 29 “O you resembling a lion, pray, pray, you of loosened l[ocks],

a ii 30 at the gate of gathering!” They are walking, cry[ing].

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a ii 31 He is moaning with moan and cry. His cry becomes loud.

a ii 32 The offering is divided, the one turning away makes the performance [. . .]

a ii 33 Pure are the offerings. They have been poured in front of you.

a ii 34 They carry bags. They fill your house with . . .

a ii 35 They bring your . . ., your . . ., your . . .

a ii 36 The humble one, the mighty(?) one, the unable man – speak (to them),

a ii 37 (and) at your command they provided them with plenty of barley!

a ii 38 Through your support, it (the grain) is heaped up on their shoulder. (They pray): “Make (fem.) the planets, which are mine, (favorable)!”

a ii 39 The friend, moreover, will wake (the sleepers) in the watch of the night.

a ii 40 For the sleeping ones, whose prayer she heard, she will give bread.

a ----

a ii 41 “You, O great one, have increased (the abundance) while weeping.”

a ii 42 In the midst of your gate may (the performer) make her(sic) name great.

a ii 43 Her word is frightful, she is full of [frightening] comm[ands].

a ii 44 For her being unfavorable Ea, the ad[visor . . .]

a ii 45 At his advice, Ištar, who has e[ntered . . .]

a ii 46 He (the performer) keeps walking to h[er] house [. . .]

a ii 47 He regularly offers (her) libations [. . .]

a ii 48–50 (Missing)

a ii (About 4–6 lines are missing to the end of the tablet)

a iii 1 And prost[rating(?) . . .]

a iii 2 He is calling .[. .]

a iii 3 At his place, outside x [. . .]

a iii 4 His arm on the br[easts . . .]

a iii 5 “I will finish in the mids[t of . . .]

a iii 6 I herewith sacrifice, my god, a li[ttle ...]”

a iii 7 The possessions of [...] are dissolved.

a iii 8 “O old man”, the young men sh[outed . . .]

a iii 9 The advance of your heroism, Ištar, .[. .],

a iii 10 when somebody [...] in front of her.

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a iii 11 Let me add, let me tell the deed[s of Ištar!]

a iii 12 [She is exceeding] the great Igigi.

a iii 13 And to let the people cast off the toils [. . .]

a iii 14 . . .

a iii 15 Towards the (place) where she constantly flashed [. . .]

a iii 16 there she [. . .] everything.

a iii 17 A second time he lean[ed]

a iii 18 Let [. . .] shine.

a iii 19 Your aura [. . .]

a iii 20 Ištar like a lioness [. . .]

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a iii (About 29 lines missing)

a iv (About 32 lines missing)

a iv 1' . . .

a -----*

a iv 2' She is wi[se . . .]

a iv 3' The qadištu-priestess [. . .]

a iv 4' Bestow, O exal[ted one . . .]

a iv 5' Among the people the sacrifices(?) [. . .]

a iv 6' Your heart has driven you to [. . .],

a iv 7' then you have wished from him in [. . .]

a iv 8' Has he not heard your commands [. . .],

a iv 9' you stand aggressively [. . .]

a iv 10' You rose in the morning, he, however, [. . .]

a iv 11' The orchestra, at its place, [makes . . .] the peo[ple].

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a iv 12' And the goddess – her bi[g] hand [. . .]

a iv 13' She guards the dawn [. . .]

a iv 14' When worrying fear [. . .]

a iv 15' He (Dumuzi?) leads the herds [of . . .]

a iv 16' He (Dumuzi?) leads the animals(?) [of . . .]

a iv 17' Dumuzi [. . .]

a iv 18' Dumuzi [. . .]

a iv 19' . . .

a v (1 line missing)

a v 1' . . .

a v 2' The divinity of [Ištar? . . .]

a v 3' In her hand . . .

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a v (6 lines missing)

a v 10' . . .

a v 11' [. . .] me.

a v 12' . . . me(?) immediately.

a v 13' [. . .] the fire spread(?).

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a v 14' [. . .] and she presented(!) to him.

a v 15' . . . he g[ave(?)] . . ., instruction and profit through the oil of my mouth.

a v 16' [. . .] and what you love.

a v 17' With . . . you clothed(?) your breast.

a v 18' [. . .] in it the ca[ring(?)] shepherd (Dumuzi(?)).

a v 19' [. . .] he to[ok(?)] the [h]and of the lord.

a v 20' You/She caused her to brin[g] her [. . .]

a v 21' . . .

a v 22' [. . .] stature [. . .]

a v 23' [. . .] the beaten ones(?) [. . .]

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a v 24' . . .

a v 25' [. . .] in [his(?)] hunger, he (Dumuzi?) constantly roams outside.

a v 26' She (Ištar) was very [fu]rious and in the anger of her heart, he/she . . . her fury.

a v 27' You have become beautiful like a god. You rise above in the morning, O Ištar.

a v 28' You (Ištar) wailed with him (Dumuzi?), made your mouth weary.

a v 29' You (Ištar) heard his (Dumuzi’s?) prayer, his supplication at the days of [you]r praise.

a v 30' You (Ištar) presented a copious house for her (Geštin-ana’s?) living.

a v 31' When you (Ištar) went out through the gate, he (Dumuzi?) got angry with you.

a v 32' You (Ištar) made the winds carry her (Geštin-ana’s?) well-founded abode.

a v 33' [Y]ou (Ištar), as in your Anu-state(?), established her (Geštin-ana’s?) slavery in front of the rivers.

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a v 34' The parapet is shouting her (Ištar’s) name: “With riches they led caravans to you!

a v 35' She is triumphant! She does not have grace! My (the parapet’s) provisions are present.”

a v 36' All the settlements have made known her stature in the lands.

a v 37' She has piled up (grain?) in the just harbor. As for the people – there is joy (?).

a v 38' [She (Ištar) hea]rd “The parapet is praising her name”.

a v 39' [Al]l the settlements are at her (Ištar’s) side. It is you who have placed the darling.

a v 40' You pursue [the enem]y(?). You watch the people, the caravans, the wagons.

a v 41' [The lint]el(?) of your gate is firm. Her dwelling – the parapet (of it) is shining.

a v 42' . . . Your appearance is a sun-disc.

a v 43' You (fem.) make rejoicing) its ... You put its (the sun-disc’s) ..., like the moon, on the parapet of the wall.

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a v 44' [Where]ver(?) the two men were walking on the path through the mountains,

a v 45' they were attentive to you above(?), and they(!) called for you.

a v 46' You were favorable and took (them) into a shelter, O the power of the evening!

a v 47' You saved him on his way, (by) your heroism, you saved his companion.

a vi 1 . . .

a vi 2 . . .

a vi 3 . . .

a Up. ed. [2(?) songs(?)] of praise for Ištar.

b vi' 1 Joyfully you sit [. . .]

b vi' 2 Look at the king with a [. . .] e[ye . . .] / [. . .] his land!

b ----

b vi' 3 [This is] its refrain.

b vi' 4 The praise of your heroism [. . .]

b vi' 5 Ta[ke your place] in the sanctuary [. . .]

b ====

b vi' 6 (This is) [its] ref[rain].