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Reading akkadian PRayeRs & Hymns An Introduction

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282<br />

TRANSLATION:<br />

READING AKKADIAN PRAYERS AND HYMNS: AN INTRODUCTION<br />

1. Text to be recited: I pray to you, lady of ladies, goddess of goddesses!<br />

2. Ishtar, queen of the entire inhabited world, guiding mankind aright,<br />

3. Irnini, you are noble, greatest of the Igigi.<br />

4. You are the strong one, you are sovereign, your names are exalted!<br />

5. You indeed are the luminary of heaven and earth, valiant daughter of Sin!<br />

6. Wielding weapons, arranging battle,<br />

7. Concentrating / gathering the entirety of ordinances, wearing the crown of<br />

domination,<br />

8. Lady, resplendent are your great deeds, exalted over all gods!<br />

9. Star of the battle-cry, making harmonious brothers fight each other,<br />

10. Always giving a friend,<br />

11. Mighty one, lady of the battlefield, knocking down mountains!<br />

12. Gushea, clad in battle, clothed with terror!<br />

13. You bring to conclusion judgment and decision, the commands for earth and<br />

heaven.<br />

14. Shrines, chapels, socles, and daises are attentive to you.<br />

15. Where is not your name? Where are not your ordinances?<br />

16. Where are your plans not implemented? Where are your daises not set up?<br />

17. Where are you not great? Where are you not exalted?<br />

18. <strong>An</strong>u, Ellil and Ea have elevated you among the gods, they have made your<br />

domination great.<br />

19. They have exalted you among the entirety of the Igigi, they have made your<br />

rank outstanding.<br />

20. At the mention of your name, heaven and earth shake,<br />

21. The gods quake, the <strong>An</strong>unnakku tremble,<br />

22. Humanity praises your terrifying name.<br />

23. You indeed are great and exalted!<br />

24. The entirety of the black-headed ones, the “herds” of mankind, they praise<br />

your heroic acts.<br />

25. You render the verdict for subject peoples in righteousness and justice.<br />

26. You look upon the wronged and afflicted, you guide (them) aright every day.<br />

27. Your aḫulap, Lady of heaven and earth, shepherdess of the numerous people!<br />

28. Your aḫulap, Lady of holy Eana, the pure treasury!<br />

29. Your aḫulap, Lady—your feet do not tire, your knees are swift!<br />

30. Your aḫulap, Lady of all battles (and) combats!<br />

31. Resplendent one, lioness of the Igigi, making submissive the angry gods!<br />

32. Most powerful of all princes, holding the leading rope of kings!<br />

33. Opening the veil of all young women!<br />

34. Rising (or) “laying”, valiant Ishtar, great are your heroic acts!<br />

35. Brightness, torch of heaven and earth, brilliance of the entire inhabited<br />

world!<br />

36. Furious one in irresistible onslaught, powerful one in combat!

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