The common worldwide flood story, and the word cluster (MALO / MARO / MALU / MARU / MELU / MERU / MILU / MIRU) for the flood and aftereffects of the flood
(Image: The Deluge, Francis Danby, exhibited 1840; Tate Museum, UK)
Well this is disturbing... I chanced upon a tangible, unifying thread between Polynesians and Mesopotamians. This "thread" is so distinct and consistent across several aspects including semantics, phonological structure, and integrity of sound and meaning even after decomposition into monosyllabic morphemes, that it screams for attention.
In Sumerian of the Early Dynastic IIIb c. 2900 to 2350 BCE—
a-ma-ru (𒀀𒈠𒊒) meant “flood”
mar-uru (𒈥𒋽) meant “flood”
a-me-ru (𒀀𒈨𒂗) meant “flood”
Links to Univ. of Penn. database:
This word appears four times in the Eridu story exclusively in reference to THE Deluge, which was a world-killing cataclysm of water, included in toto in the footnotes below.
I believe the first cuneiform A (𒀀) for “water” should be an unspoken determiner leaving only MARU to convey the sense of “total coverage”. In this case, instead of A.MA.RU we would exalt A (𒀀) with superscript and transliterate it as:
ᴬMA.RU (𒀀𒈠𒊒)
Now, looking closer:
MA (𒈠) “land”
RU (𒊒) “removal; remove from”
...we see it means: “water (which) removes from (the) land”
With mar-uru (𒈥𒋽)...
Looking closer at the ligatures comprising URU (𒋽) we find:
TE (𒋼)
“(to be) cool, become cool; (to make) cool, calm; to extinguish; (to be) appeased"
ZIB (𒍦)
“a mark, token; colour, paint"
ᴬME.RU (𒀀𒈨𒂗)
Then there is MĪLU...
MĪLU (illu) is Akkadian--
illu [WATER]
(Number of literary Occurrences: 103x)
Old Akkadian, Ur III, Old Babylonian, Middle Babylonian, Neo-Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian
Written #illu; ŋeššimillu; illuil-lu "water; source, spring; waterlogging?; flood waters; resin; seasonal flooding"
[1] 𒀀𒆗 illu
[2] 𒄑𒋆𒀀𒆗 [ŋeššim]illu
[3] 𒀀𒆗𒅋𒇻 illu[il-lu]
The oldest known example to date of a text mentioning illu (𒀀𒆗) is described as a field plan portraying a canal lined with tamarisk trees at the top of the tablet, and partitioned fields allocated to the oversight of several kinds of priests (a flood priest, a fish priest, several scribes, etc.), using the word #mīlu (𒀀𒆗) to designate two of the priests. The tablet comes from the Old Akkadian period (2340-2200 BCE), which reads:
o map
o 1 pa₅ geššinig
o 2 i₇-pa₅-mu-silim
o 3 illu gudu₄
o 4 a-ša₃ gudu₄-ke₄-ne
o 5 illu lu₂-[d]ba-⸢ba₆⸣ [dub-sar]
o 6 a-ša₃ lu₂-dba-ba₆ dub-sar
o 7 a-ša₃ lu₂-ka-mar-sa₆-ga
r (blank)
This is the word used by Polynesians in reference to Milu / Miru, a wicked ancestral Chief or goddess who was destroyed in prehistoric times by the Flood according to Oceanic oral traditions. The name means "soft, rotten" which are the descriptive, observational conditions of the state of death.
In Hawaiian milu is synonymous with melu...
This Mesopotamian word cluster of a-ma-ru / mar-uru / a-ma-ru is also a Polynesian / Austronesian word: malu / maru which means “to soak with water”, but also “to cover”, “to shade”. It is related to malo / maro, which, in tattooing relate to both of the male and female body tattoos of Sāmoa, and which cover large sections of the human body from ankle to hips or mid-waist. If the human body is a stand-in for the whole world then the tattoos are the shade of the water covering the world. What if this tattooing tradition begins with the flood story in a forgotten chapter of human prehistory? Malo / Maro also refers to titles of government and symbolically the narrow strip of cloth worn by men during war, the conquerors and the order they establish.
MALU / MARU also means “cool, shade, calm, quiet”.
Picture the world covered in water. Calm. Quiet. The fire of human industries snuffed out. That is MALU / MARU.
MĀLŪLŪ / MARURU are also Polynesian and through reduplicated form diminish / intensify the base meaning of MALU / MARU.
The full extant text of the flood story in cuneiform, transliteration and English is provided below for the curious, with links to their sources…
Meanwhile…Interesting sidebars:
#1 -- In a twist of irony, MARŪ (मरू) in Sanskrit means “a region or soil destitute of water; sands, a desert, a waste; abstinence from drinking; a mountain” and MĀRŪ (मारू) means “Killing. Faseinating. Cutting.”; and AMARU (ಅಮರು) in Kannada-Marathi means “to rebuke severely; to rebuke; to fall upon; to rush upon violently.”
#2 -- The Japanese word MARU (まる / 丸 / ⭕️) refers to a round object, means "all, whole", and relates to completeness, fullness, wholeness, totality, and is often affixed to names of ships…watercraft]
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The Flood Story
Segment A
approx. 36 lines missing
1-10. …… sets up ……. "I will …… the perishing of my mankind; for Nintur, I will stop the annihilation of my creatures, and I will return the people from their dwelling grounds. Let them build many cities so that I can REFRESH MYSELF IN THEIR SHADE. Let them lay the bricks of many cities in pure places, let them establish places of divination in pure places, and when the fire-quenching …… is arranged, the divine rites and exalted powers are perfected and the earth is irrigated, I will establish well-being there."
10-14. After An, Enlil, Enki and Ninḫursaĝa had fashioned the black-headed people, they also made animals multiply everywhere, and made herds of four-legged animals exist on the plains, as is befitting.
approx. 32 lines missing
Segment B
1-3.
3 lines fragmentary
4-5. "I will oversee their labour. Let …… the builder of the Land, dig a solid foundation."
6-18. After the …… of kingship had descended from heaven, after the exalted crown and throne of kingship had descended from heaven, the divine rites and the exalted powers were perfected, the bricks of the cities were laid in holy places, their names were announced and the …… were distributed. The first of the cities, Eridug, was given to Nudimmud [**note: This is Enki, the creator of men**] the leader. The second, Bad-tibira, was given to the Mistress. The third, Larag, was given to Pabilsaĝ. The fourth, Zimbir, was given to the hero Utu [**note: This is the Sun god**]. The fifth, Šuruppag, was given to Sud. And after the names of these cities had been announced and the …… had been distributed, the river ……, …… was watered, and with the cleansing of the small canals …… were established.
approx. 34 lines missing
Segment C
1-27. ……seat in heaven. …… FLOOD. …… mankind. So he made ……. Then Nintur ……. Holy Inana made a lament for its people. Enki took counsel with himself. An, Enlil, Enki and Ninḫursaĝa made all the gods of heaven and earth take an oath by invoking An and Enlil. In those days Zi-ud-sura [note: SURA (सुर) means “god” in Sanskrit**] the king, the gudug priest, ……. He fashioned ……. The humble, committed, reverent ……. Day by day, standing constantly at ……. Something that was not a dream appeared, conversation ……, …… taking an oath by invoking heaven and earth. In the Ki-ur, the gods …… a wall. Zi-ud-sura, standing at its side, heard: "Side-wall standing at my left side, ……. Side-wall, I will speak words to you; take heed of my words, pay attention to my instructions. A FLOOD will sweep over the …… in all the ……. A decision that the seed of mankind is to be destroyed has been made. The verdict, the word of the divine assembly, cannot be revoked. The order announced by An and Enlil cannot be overturned. Their kingship, their term has been cut off; their heart should be rested about this. Now ……. What ……."
approx. 38 lines missing
Segment D
1-11. All the windstorms and gales arose together, and the FLOOD swept over the ……. After the FLOOD had swept over the land, and waves and windstorms had rocked the huge boat for seven days and seven nights, Utu the sun god came out, illuminating heaven and earth. Zi-ud-sura could drill an opening in the huge boat and the hero Utu entered the huge boat with his rays. Zi-ud-sura the king prostrated himself before Utu. The king sacrificed oxen and offered innumerable sheep.
12-17.
six lines fragmentary
approx. 33 lines missing
Segment E
1-2. "They have made you swear by heaven and earth, ……. An and Enlil have made you swear by heaven and earth, ……."
3-11. More and more animals disembarked onto the earth. Zi-ud-sura the king prostrated himself before An and Enlil. An and Enlil treated Zi-ud-sura kindly ……, they granted him life like a god, they brought down to him eternal life. At that time, because of preserving the animals and the seed of mankind, they settled Zi-ud-sura the king in an OVERSEAS COUNTRY, in the land Dilmun, WHERE THE SUN RISES.
12. "You ……."
approx. 39 lines missing
Revision history
17.ii.1998-22.ii.1998: GZ, editor: adapting translation
23.ii.1998: JAB, editor: proofreading
22.vi.1999: GZ, editor: minor corrections
22.vi.1999: GZ, editor: SGML tagging
25.vi.1999: ER, editor: proofreading SGML
25.vi.1999: ER, editor: web publication
01.vi.2003: GC/JE, editor/technical developer: XML/TEI conversion
© Copyright 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 The ETCSL project, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of OxfordUpdated 2006-12-19 by JE
============================
Interlinear Cuneiform script:
Segment A
approx. 36 lines missing
[ … ] 𒅎𒂷𒂷ĝarto place [ … ]
𒉆𒇽𒍇𒈬nam-lu2-ulu3humanity 𒄩𒇴𒈠𒁉𒀀ḫa-lamto be lost 𒂵𒁀𒉌𒅁[… ]
𒀭𒎏𒌅𒊏nin-tur5Nintur 𒃻𒁶𒁶𒈠𒈬niĝ2-dim2-macreature 𒋧[𒋧]𒁉[𒀀sig10to place ] 𒂵𒁀𒉌𒅁𒄄𒄄gi4to return
𒌦uĝ3people 𒆠𒃡𒁉𒋫ki-ur3foundation 𒂵𒁀𒉌𒅁𒄥𒊒𒉈gurto turn
𒌷𒆠iritown 𒈨𒀀𒁉meto be 𒃶𒅎𒈪𒅔𒆕du3to erect 𒄑𒈪𒁉ĝissu 𒉎ni2self 𒂵𒁀𒀊𒂀𒁍dub2to tremble
𒌷iritown 𒈨𒀀meto be 𒋞𒁉šeg12brick 𒆠kiplace 𒆬𒂵kugshining 𒃶𒅎𒈪𒅔𒊒šubto fall
𒆠𒌍ki-eš-barplace of 𒈨𒀀meto be 𒆠kiplace 𒆬𒂵kugshining 𒃶𒅎𒈪𒉌𒅁𒊑rito direct
𒆬?KUGKUG 𒀀AA 𒃻niĝ2thing 𒉈izifire 𒋼𒈾tento extinguish 𒋛sihorn 𒈪𒉌𒅔𒋛𒁲si-sa2to make straight
𒉺𒀭ĝarzarite 𒈨meessence 𒄯𒊕maḫto be majestic 𒋗šuhand 𒈪𒉌𒅁𒋗𒌌šu-du7to complete
𒆠kiplace 𒀀awater 𒅎𒈠𒀊𒅗dug4to say 𒁲silimto be healthy 𒂵𒈬𒉌𒅔𒃻ĝarto place
𒀭anAn 𒀭𒂗𒆤en-lil2Enlil 𒀭𒂗𒆠en-kiEnki 𒀭𒊩𒌆𒉺𒂅nin-ḫur-saĝ-ĝa2Ninḫursaĝa
𒊕saĝhead 𒈪𒂵gig2to be black 𒈬𒌦𒁶𒌍𒀀𒁀dim2to create
𒃻gilimniĝ2-gilimsmall animal 𒆠𒋫kiplace 𒆠𒋫kiplace 𒈬𒇻𒇻luto be abundant
𒈧𒀲maš2-anšeanimals 𒃻𒌫𒇹niĝ2-ur2-limmu2four-legged creature 𒂔𒈾edinopen country 𒈨𒋼𒀀𒀸me-te 𒉈𒌈𒅅ĝal2to be
approx. 32 lines missing
Segment B
[ … ] 𒈬𒌦[… ]
[ … ] 𒀀𒀭AM3rain [ … ]
[ … ] X 𒊑𒂵de5to collect 𒂵𒁀𒉌𒅔[… ]
[ 𒁺]𒈝𒁉du-lumtoil 𒅆igieye 𒂵𒁀𒉌𒅁𒂃𒂃[X]du8to spread
X 𒁶šidimbuilder 𒌦𒈠𒆤kalamthe Land 𒍑ušfoundation 𒄀gen6to be firm 𒄩𒁀𒀊𒁀[𒀠ba-alto dig ]
[ 𒌓udday X ] X 𒉆𒈗𒆷nam-lugalkingship 𒀭𒋫anheaven 𒇯𒁺𒉈𒀀𒁀ed3to go down or up
𒃞mendiadem 𒄯𒊕maḫto be majestic 𒄑𒄖𒍝gu-zachair 𒉆𒈗𒆷nam-lugalkingship 𒀭𒋫anheaven 𒇯𒁺𒀀𒁀ed3to go down or up
[ 𒉺𒀭ĝarzarite 𒈨meessence ] 𒄯𒊕maḫto be majestic 𒋗šuhand 𒈪𒉌𒅁𒋗𒌌šu-du7to complete
[ 𒌷𒁉𒂊]𒉈iritown [ 𒋞𒁉šeg12brick 𒆠kiplace 𒆬𒂵kugshining 𒅎]𒈠𒀭𒁕𒊒šubto fall
𒈬𒁉muname 𒁀𒀭𒄷𒈿sa4to call 𒆏kab2gauge 𒅗𒂵dug4to say [ 𒁀𒄬]𒄬𒆷ḫalto divide out
𒉠nesaĝ 𒌷𒁉𒂊𒉈iritown 𒉣𒆠eridugEridug 𒈧𒊕maš2-saĝleader 𒀭𒉡𒁶𒄷𒄭nu-dim2-mudNudimmud 𒈪𒉌𒅔𒋧šum2to give
2𒄰𒈠𒂠2-kam-ma2nd 𒉡𒍼𒊏nu-u8-gighigh-status woman 𒂦𒁾𒉄𒆠bad3-tibiraBad-tibira 𒈪𒉌𒅔𒋧šum2to give
3𒄰𒈠3-kam-ma3rd 𒆷𒊏𒀝la-ra-agLarag 𒀭𒉺𒉋-«𒄯»-𒊕pa-bil2-saĝPabilsaĝ 𒈪𒉌𒅔𒋧šum2to give
4𒄰𒈠4-kam-ma4th 𒌓𒄒𒉣𒆠zimbirZimbir 𒂄šulyoung man 𒀭𒌓utuUtu 𒈪𒉌𒅔𒋧šum2to give
5𒄰𒈠5-kam-ma5th šuruppagšuruppagŠuruppag 𒀭𒋢𒆳𒊒𒆠𒊏sud3Sud 𒈪𒉌𒅔𒋧šum2to give
𒌷𒁉𒂊𒉈iritown 𒈬𒁉muname 𒁀𒀭𒄷𒈿𒀀sa4to call 𒆏kab2gauge 𒅗𒂵dug4to say 𒁀𒄬𒄬𒆷ḫalto divide out
𒀀𒇉id2watercourse 𒅎IMIM 𒄘?GUN2GUN2 𒈠𒀭𒌋𒀀𒀭šu2to cover 𒅎𒈠𒀠𒆷im-ma-almeaning unknown 𒀀awater 𒅎𒈠𒀭𒁺de6to carry
𒀀𒇉id2watercourse 𒌉𒌉𒉘turto be small 𒋗šuhand 𒈛𒁉luḫto clean 𒃻ĜARĜAR 𒄯𒄯ḪARḪAR 𒈪𒉌𒌈𒃻𒃻ĝarto place
approx. 34 lines missing
Segment C
𒆠𒂉ki-tušdwelling place 𒀭𒈾anheaven X [ … ]
𒂊[… ]
𒀀𒈠𒊒a-ma-ruflood [ … ]
𒉆𒇽𒍇nam-lu2-ulu3humanity [ … ]
𒄯𒁶ur5that 𒉈𒅔𒀝akto do [ … ]
𒌓𒁉𒀀udday 𒀭𒎏𒌅nin-tur5Nintur [ … ] 𒁶DIM2DIM2 𒀀AA [ … ]
𒆬kugshining 𒀭𒈹𒆤inanaInana 𒌦𒁉𒂠uĝ3people 𒀀𒉪a-nirlament 𒈬[𒌦𒂷𒂷ĝarto place ]
𒀭𒂗𒆠en-kiEnki 𒊮šag4heart 𒉎𒋼𒈾𒆤ni2-te-a-nihimself, herself 𒀜advoice 𒄿𒉌𒅔[𒄄𒄄gi4to return ]
𒀭anAn 𒀭𒂗𒆤en-lil2Enlil 𒀭𒂗𒆠en-kiEnki 𒀭𒊩𒌆𒉺𒂅[𒆤]nin-ḫur-saĝ-ĝa2Ninḫursaĝa
𒀭diĝirdeity 𒀭anheaven 𒆠𒆤kiplace 𒈬muname 𒀭anAn 𒀭𒂗𒆤en-lil2Enlil 𒈬X[𒅆𒊒pad3to find ]
𒌓𒁀udday 𒍣𒌓𒋤𒁺zi-ud-su3-ra2Zi-ud-sura 𒈗𒀀𒀭lugalking 𒄴𒈨gudugtype of priest X [ … ]
𒀭anheaven 𒊕saĝhead 𒇔NIĜINNIĜIN 𒈬𒌦𒁶𒁶dim2to create 𒂗ENEN [ … ]
𒉆𒁔𒈾nam-sun5-nahumility 𒅗inimword 𒋧𒋧𒄀sig10to place 𒉎ni2fear 𒋼𒂷teto approach [ … ]
𒌓udday 𒋙𒍑𒂊šu2to cover 𒊕saĝhead 𒍑us2to be adjacent 𒁺𒁀gubto stand [ … ]
𒈠𒊬ma-mu2dream 𒉡𒈨𒀀meto be 𒌓𒁺𒉈e3to go out or in 𒅗inimword 𒁄balto turn over [ … ]
𒈬muname 𒀭anheaven 𒆠𒁉𒋫kiplace 𒅆𒊒𒅆𒊒𒉈pad3to find [ … ]
𒆠?-𒃡𒂠ki-ur3Ki-ur 𒀭𒉘𒂊𒉈diĝirdeity 𒂍𒋞e2-ĝar8wall [ … ]
𒍣𒌓𒋤𒁺zi-ud-su3-ra2Zi-ud-sura 𒁕𒁉daside 𒁺𒁀gubto stand 𒄑ĝištree 𒈬[𒌦𒌇tukuto have ]
𒄑𒍣𒁕iz-zi-daside wall 𒀉a2arm 𒆏𒁍𒈬gabu2left 𒁺𒁀gubto stand [ … ]
𒄑𒍣𒁕iz-zi-daside wall 𒅗inimword 𒂵𒊏𒀊𒅗dug4to say 𒅗[𒈬inimword 𒃶𒆪dab5to seize ]
𒈾naadvice 𒊑𒂵𒈬de5to collect 𒄑𒌆𒉿𒋓𒋡ĝizzalhearing [ 𒃶𒅎𒅆𒀝akto do ]
𒁖𒈨𒀀DAGDAG 𒀀𒈠𒊒a-ma-ruflood 𒌋𒅗uguskull 𒆏kab2gauge 𒅗[𒂵dug4to say … ] 𒁀𒃡ur3to drag [ … ]
𒆰numunseed 𒉆𒇽𒍇nam-lu2-ulu3humanity 𒄩𒇴𒂊𒉈ḫa-lamto be lost [ 𒉆𒁉namdestiny 𒁀𒋻tarto cut ]
𒁲𒌀𒆷di-til-lacompleted court case 𒅗inimword 𒁍uḫ2𒊒[𒌝𒈠𒅗pu-uḫ2-ru-umassembly 𒋗šuhand 𒄄𒄄gi4to return 𒉡𒅅ĝal2to be ]
𒅗inimword 𒅗𒂵dug4to say 𒀭anAn 𒀭-𒂗[𒆤𒇲𒅗]en-lil2Enlil [ 𒋗šuhand 𒁄𒂊balto turn over 𒉡𒍪zuto know ]
𒉆𒈗𒁉nam-lugalkingship 𒁄𒁉balterm 𒁀[𒁍bur12to tear out 𒂊𒉈e-nehe, she 𒊮šag4heart 𒊨𒅇𒉈kuš2to be tired ]
𒂊𒉈𒂠i3-ne-eš2now [ … ]
𒀀𒈾a-nawhat 𒈬𒈬MUMU [ … ]
approx. 38 lines missing
Segment D
𒅎𒅆𒌨𒅎𒅆𒌨im-ḫuldestructive storm 𒅎𒋛𒋛𒅅si-si-igbreeze 𒆕𒀀𒁉du3-aentirety 𒌨𒁉teš2unity 𒉌𒁻𒄀𒌍gubto stand
𒀀𒈠𒊒a-ma-ruflood 𒌋𒅗uguskull 𒆏kab2gauge 𒅗𒂵dug4to say 𒁀𒀭𒁕𒀊𒃡𒂊ur3to drag
𒌓udday 7𒀀𒀭77 𒈪ĝi6night 7𒀀𒀭77
𒀀𒈠𒊒a-ma-ruflood 𒌦𒈠kalamthe Land 𒁀𒃡𒊏𒋫ur3to drag
𒄑𒈣ma2boat 𒆸𒆸gur4to be thick 𒀀awater 𒃲𒆷galto be big 𒅎𒅆𒌨im-ḫuldestructive storm tuku4tuku4𒀀𒋫tuku4to shake
𒀭𒌓utuUtu 𒄿𒅎𒈠𒊏𒌓𒁺e3to go out or in 𒀭anheaven 𒆠𒀀kiplace 𒌓udday 𒂷𒂷ĝarto place
𒍣𒌓𒋤𒁺zi-ud-su3-ra2Zi-ud-sura 𒄑𒈣ma2boat 𒆸𒆸gur4to be thick 𒀊𒁔ab-BUR2opening 𒈬𒌦𒁕𒌋buru3to penetrate
𒂄šulyoung man 𒀭𒌓utuUtu 𒄑𒉢𒉌𒁕ĝiš-nu11light 𒄑𒈣ma2boat 𒆸𒆸𒂠gur4to be thick 𒁀𒀭𒆭𒉘𒂗kur9to enter
𒍣𒌓𒋤𒁺zi-ud-su3-ra2Zi-ud-sura 𒈗𒀀𒀭lugalking
𒅆igieye 𒀭𒌓𒂠utuUtu 𒅗giri17nose 𒆠kiplace 𒋢𒌒su-ubto rub 𒁀𒁺gubto stand
𒈗𒂊lugalking 𒄞gudbull 𒅎𒈠𒀊gaz𒂊gazto strike 𒇻udusheep 𒅎𒈠𒀊𒄭𒉘šar2to be numerous
[ … ] X 𒋛sihorn 𒃲galto be big [ … ] 𒂖𒆷𒁕sikilto be pure
[ … ] X 𒈬𒌦𒈾XX𒁀bato allot
[ … ]
[ … ] 𒉈𒅔𒋛sito fill
[ … ] X 𒋰𒁀tabto be parallel
[ … ] 𒀀AA X
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Segment E
𒍣zilife 𒀭𒈾anheaven 𒍣zilife 𒆠𒀀kiplace 𒉌𒅆𒊒𒉈𒂗𒍢𒂗pad3to find 𒍝𒍪𒁕za-e-ne-neyou 𒃶𒅎𒁕𒇲la2to hang
𒀭anAn 𒀭𒂗𒆤en-lil2Enlil 𒍣zilife 𒀭𒈾anheaven 𒍣zilife 𒆠𒀀kiplace 𒉌𒅆𒊒𒉈𒍢𒂗pad3to find 𒍝𒁕𒉈𒉈za-e-ne-neyou 𒅎𒁕𒇲la2to hang
𒃻gilim𒈠niĝ2-gilimsmall animal 𒆠𒋫kiplace 𒇯𒁺𒉈ed3to go down or up 𒅎𒈠𒊏𒇯𒁺𒉈ed3to go down or up
𒍣𒌓𒋤𒁺zi-ud-su3-ra2Zi-ud-sura 𒈗𒀀𒀭lugalking
𒅆igieye 𒀭anAn 𒀭𒂗𒆤𒇲𒂠en-lil2Enlil 𒅗giri17nose 𒆠kiplace 𒋢𒌒su-ubto rub 𒁀𒁺!gubto stand
𒀭anAn 𒀭𒂗𒆤en-lil2Enlil 𒍣𒌓𒋤𒁺zi-ud-su3-ra2Zi-ud-sura 𒊩𒂊𒂠?mi2 [ …-𒅗-…dug4to say ]
𒋾til3to live 𒀭𒁶diĝirdeity 𒈬𒌦𒈾𒋧𒈬šum2to give
𒍣zilife 𒁕𒌷da-ri2eternal 𒀭𒁶diĝirdeity 𒈬𒌦𒀊𒇯𒁺𒉈ed3to go down or up
𒌓𒁀udday 𒍣𒌓𒋤𒁺zi-ud-su3-ra2Zi-ud-sura 𒈗𒀀𒀭lugalking
𒈬muname 𒃻gilim𒈠niĝ2-gilimsmall animal 𒆰numunseed 𒉆𒇽𒍇nam-lu2-ulu3humanity uru3uru3to be vigilant 𒀝akto do
𒆳𒁄kur-baloverseas country 𒆳kur 𒉌𒌇𒆠𒈾dilmunDilmun 𒆠kiplace 𒀭𒌓utuUtu 𒌓𒁺𒂠e3to go out or in 𒈬𒌦𒋾𒌍til3to live
𒍝𒂊?zayou X [ … ] 𒁀BABA X𒁉 𒋾𒌍til3to live X
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============================
The Flood story
Segment A
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1. […] im-ĝa₂-/ĝa₂\ […]
2. nam-lu₂-ulu₃-ĝu₁₀ ḫa-lam-ma-bi-a ga-ba-/ni-ib\-[…]
3. [diĝir]nin-tur₅-ra niĝ₂-dim₂-dim₂-ma-ĝu₁₀ sig₁₀-[sig₁₀]-/bi\-[a] ga-ba-ni-ib-gi₄-gi₄
4. uĝ₃ ki-ur₃-bi-ta ga-ba-ni-ib-gur-ru-ne
5. iri[ki] me-a-bi ḫe₂-em-mi-in-du₃ ĝissu-bi ni₂ ga-ba-ab-dub₂-bu
6. iri me-a šeg₁₂-bi ki kug-ga ḫe₂-em-mi-in-šub
7. ki-eš-<bar> me-a ki kug-ga ḫe₂-em-mi-ni-ib-ri
8. KUG[?] A niĝ₂ izi ten-na si mi-ni-in-si-sa₂
9. ĝarza me maḫ šu mi-ni-ib-šu-du₇
10. ki a im-ma-ab-dug₄ silim ga-mu-ni-in-ĝar
11. an [diĝir]en-lil₂ [diĝir]en-ki dnin-ḫur-saĝ-ĝa₂-ke₄
12. saĝ gig₂-ga mu-un-dim₂-eš-a-ba
13. niĝ₂-gilim ki-ta ki-ta mu-lu-lu
14. maš₂-anše niĝ₂-ur₂-4 edin-na me-te-a-aš bi₂-ib₂-ĝal₂
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Segment B
1. […] /mu-un\-[…]
2. […] AM₃ […]
3. […] X de₅-/ga\ ga-ba-ni-in-[…]
4. [du]-/lum\-bi igi ga-ba-ni-ib-du₈-/du₈\-[X]
5. X šidim kalam-ma-ke₄ uš gen₆ /ḫa\-ba-ab-ba-[al]
6. [ud X] X nam-lugal-la an-ta ed₃-de₃-a-ba
7. men maḫ ĝišgu-za nam-lugal-la an-ta ed₃-a-ba
8. [ĝarza me] /maḫ\ šu mi-ni-ib-šu-du₇
9. [iri-bi-e]-/ne\ [šeg₁₂-bi ki kug-ga im]-/ma\-an-da-šub
10. mu-bi ba-an-sa₄ kab dug₄-/ga\ [ba-ḫal]-/ḫal\-la
11. nesaĝ iri-be₂-e-ne eridug[ki] maš₂-saĝ [diĝir]nu-dim₂-mud mi-ni-in-šum₂
12. 2-kam-ma-še₃ nu-gig-ra bad₃-tibira[ki] mi-ni-in-šum₂
13. 3-kam-ma la-ra-ag [dingir]pa-bil₂-«ḫur»-saĝ mi-ni-in-šum₂
14. 4-kam-ma zimbir[ki] šul [dingir]utu mi-ni-in-šum₂
15. 5-kam-ma šuruppag [diĝir]sud₃[ki]-ra mi-ni-in-šum₂
16. iri-be₂-e-ne mu-bi ba-an-sa₄-a kab dug₄-ga ba-ḫal-ḫal-la
17. id₂ IM GUN₂[?] ma-an-šu₄-am₃ im-ma-al-la a im-ma-an-de6
18. id₂ tur-tur-re šu luḫ-bi ĜAR ḪAR-ḪAR mi-ni-ib₂-ĝar-ĝar
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Segment C
1. ki-tuš an-na X […]
2. e-[…]
3. a-ma-ru […]
4. nam-lu₂-[ulu₃ …]
5. /ur₅-gin₇\ bi₂-in-ak […]
6. ud-bi-a [diĝir]nin-/tur₅\ […] DIM₂ A […]
7. kug [diĝir]inana-ke₄ uĝ₃-bi-še₃ a-nir mu-[un-ĝa₂-ĝa₂]
8. [diĝir]en-ki šag4 ni₂-te-na-ke₄ ad i-ni-/in\-[gi₄-gi₄]
9. an [diĝir]en-lil₂ [diĝir]en-ki dnin-ḫur-saĝ-ĝa₂-[ke₄]
10. diĝir an ki-ke₄ mu an [diĝir]en-lil₂ mu-X-[pad₃]
11. ud-ba zi-ud-su₃-ra₂ lugal-am₃ gudug X […]
12. an saĝ NIĜIN mu-un-dim₂-dim₂ EN […]
13. nam-sun₅-na inim sig₁₀-sig₁₀-ge ni₂ teĝ₃-ĝe₂₆ […]
14. ud šu₂-uš-e saĝ us₂ gub-ba […]
15. ma-mu₂ nu-me-a ed₂-de₃ inim /bal\ […]
16. mu an ki-bi-ta pad₃-pad₃-de₃ […]
17. /ki?\-ur₃-še₃ diĝir-re-e-ne e₂-ĝar₈ […]
18. zi-ud-su₃-ra₂ da-bi gub-ba ĝiš mu-[un-tuku]
19. iz-zi-da a₂ gab₂-bu-ĝu₁₀ gub-ba […]
20. iz-zi-da inim ga-ra-ab-dug₄ inim-[ĝu₁₀ ḫe₂-dab₅]
21. na de₅-ga-ĝu₁₀ ĝizzal [ḫe₂-em-ši-ak]
22. DAG-me-a a-ma-ru ugu kab /dug₄\-[ga …] ba-/ur₃\ […]
23. numun nam-lu₂-ulu₃ ḫa-lam-e-/de₃\ [nam-bi ba-tar]
24. di-til-la inim pu-uḫ₂-ru-[um-ma-ka šu gi₄-gi₄ nu-ĝal₂]
25. inim dug4-ga an [diĝir]en-[lil₂-la₂-ka] [šu bal-e nu-zu]
26. nam-lugal-bi bal-bi /ba\-[bur₁₂ e-ne šag4 kuš₂-u₃-de₃]
27. /e\-ne-eš₂ […]
28. /a\-na MU-/MU\ […]
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Segment D
1. im-ḫul-im-ḫul tum₉si-si-ig du3-a-bi teš₂-bi i₃-sug₂-ge-eš
2. a-ma-ru ugu kab dug₄-ga ba-an-da-ab-ur₃-e
3. ud 7-am₃ ĝi6 7-am₃
4. a-ma-ru kalam-ma ba-ur₃-ra-ta
5. ĝišma₂ gur₄-gur₄ a gal-la im-ḫul tuku₄-tuku₄-a-ta
6. dutu i-im-ma-ra-e₃ an ki-a ud ĝa₂-ĝa₂
7. zi-ud-su₃-ra₂ ĝišma₂ gur₄-gur₄ ab-BUR₂ mu-un-da-buru₃
8. šul dutu ĝiš-nu₁₁-ni-da ĝišma₂ gur₄-gur₄-še₃ ba-an-kur₉-re-en
9. zi-ud-su₃-ra₂ lugal-am₃
10. igi [diĝir]utu-še₃ giri₁₇ ki su-ub ba-gub
11. lugal-e gud im-ma-ab-gaz-e udu im-ma-ab-šar₂-re
12. […] X si gal […] sikil-la-da
13. […] X mu-un-na-X-X-ba
14. […]
15. […] bi₂-in-si
16. […] X tab-ba
17. […] A X
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Segment E
1. zi an-na zi ki-a i₃-pad₃-de₃-en-ze₂-en za-zu-da ḫe₂-em-da-la₂
2. an den-lil₂ zi an-na zi ki-a i₃-pad₃-de₃-ze₂-en za-da-ne-ne im-da-la₂
3. niĝ₂-gilim-ma ki-ta ed₃-de₃ im-ma-ra-ed₃-de₃
4. zi-ud-su₃-ra₂ lugal-am₃
5. igi an [diĝir]en-lil₂-la₂-še₃ giri₁₇ ki su-ub ba-/gub!\
6. an [diĝir]en-lil₂ zi-ud-su₃-ra₂ mi₂-e-/eš₂?\ […-dug₄-…]
7. til₃ diĝir-gin₇ mu-un-na-šum₂-mu
8. zi da-ri₂ diĝir-gin₇ mu-un-<na>-ab-ed₃-de₃
9. ud-ba zi-ud-su₃-ra₂ lugal-am₃
10. mu niĝ₂-gilim-ma numun nam-lu₂-ulu₃ uru₃ ak
11. kur-bal kur dilmun-na ki [diĝir]utu e₃-še₃ mu-un-til₃-eš
12. za-e? X […] /BA\ X-bi til₃-eš X
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Print sources
Jacobsen 1981: composite text, translation, commentary
Jacobsen 1987, p. 145-150: translation, commentary
Kramer 1983: translation, commentary
Lambert and Millard 1969, p. 138-145: translation, commentary, score transliteration (by M. Civil)
Pettinato 1971: translation, commentary, composite text (ll. 37-50; 84-100)
Römer 1993a, p. 448-458: translation, commentary
Electronic sources
Krecher 1996a: composite text, translation
Cuneiform sources
CBS 10673; provenance: Nippur; lines in composite: 37-50, 84-100, 135-162, 201-217, 251-261 (Civil 1969: 138 suggests that bilingual CT 46, 5 may belong to missing part of col iii; STVC 87 B may also belong -- based only on similar content. Kramer 1983 follows Civil 1969's numbering; TUAT follows Jacobsen 1981's.)
Revision history
02.ii.1998-22.ii.1998: GZ, editor: standardisation
23.ix.1998: JAB, editor: proofreading
22.vi.1999: GZ, editor: minor corrections
22.vi.1999: GZ, editor: SGML tagging
25.vi.1999: ER, editor: proofreading SGML
25.vi.1999: ER, editor: web publication
01.vi.2003: GC/JE, editor/technical developer: XML/TEI conversion
30.iii.2005: GC/JE, senior editor/technical developer: lemmatised version published
© Copyright 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 The ETCSL project, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford
Updated 2006-12-19 by JE
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