Studia Etanaica: new texts and discussions

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Alter Alter Orient Orientund und Altes Altes Testament Testament VerOffentlichungen Veroffentlichungenzur zurKultur Kulturund und Geschichte Geschichtedes desAlten Alten Orients Orients und und des desAlten AltenTestaments Testaments

Band Band 338 338

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Studia Etanaica Etanaica Studia

New Texts Texts and and Discussions Discussions New

WILSON James James KINNIER WIER WILSON Herausgeber Herausgeber

Manfried Manfried Dietrich Dietrich • Oswald OswaldLoretz Loretz

Beratergremium Beratergremium R. Bretschneider St. St.Maul Maul R.Albertz· Albertz J.J. Bretschneider· K.A. K.A.Metzler· Metzler H. H.Neumann· Neumann U. U.Riitersworden Riiterswijrden W. Sallaberger· G. Selz· W. W. Sallaberger G. Selz W. Zwickel Zwickel

2007 2007 Ugarit-Verlag Ugarit-Verlag Munster Miinster

2007 2007 Ugarit-Verlag Ugarit-Verlag Miinster MUnster

Preface

James Kinnier Wilson: Wilson: Studia Etanaica. Etanaica. New Texts Texts and Discussions Discussions Alter Orient und Altes Testament, Testament, Band 338 .

© O 2007 Ugarit-Verlag, Munster Miinster Alle Rechte vorbehalten All rights preserved. preserved. No part of this publication publication may be reproduced, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, system, or transmitted, transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, photo-copying, recording, recording, or otherwise, electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. publisher.

Herstellung: Herstellung: Druckhaus Druckhaus Folberth, Pfungstadt Pfungstadt Printed in Germany ISBN 978-3-934628-90-8 978-3-934628-90-8

In the academical academical year 1954-55 1954-55 at University College, Toronto, I and a Mr Kelly, a research student in Hebrew Studies Studies who required a brief introduction introduction to Akkadian, read together in transliteration Langdon's Langdon's edition of Etana and the Eagle. I hardly realised at the time that this text, over the ensuing years, was strangely to engage my own research, research, if neither totally nor continuously. continuously. Nevertheless, working later at the British Museum through Bezold's texts, through Bezold's Catalogue of the Kouyunjik texts, unpublished unpublished numbers numbers of the Museum's Babylonian Collection, Collection, through a large section section of 'Geers' 'Geers' copies' at Chicago and many texts in published volumes, volumes, II may claim to have examined over 3,000 pieces in my search search for new material. With the present volume II make known what II have found, found, II lay a last brick in the wall. The work done has been achieved, achieved, and could only have been achieved, with help from gratehlly acknowledged. acknowledged. II name esfrom colleagues colleagues and institutions, institutions, here gratefully pecially Prof. Prof. Manfried Dietrich and Prof. Oswald Loretz for generously accepting the manuscript into the AOAT series, and Dr K. A. Metzler for carefully carefully conducting it through the production stages; Dr Joachim Marzahn of the Vorderasiatisches Vorderasiatisches Museum for his kind responses to my several questions questions on relevant VAT texts and requests Salje, Director of the Museum, for her permission to requests for collations; Dr Beate Salje, reproduce reproduce from its collections collections an impression impression of the Old Akkadian seal, VA 3456, and Keilschrifttexte aus Assur; Assur; the Trustees of copies copies of four VAT texts from from Ebeling's Keilschrifttxte The British Museum for permission to again reproduce the impression impression of the Etana seal, seal, BM 129480, 129480, and copies of thirteen texts from the Kouyunjik collection, eight previously published in my Etana edition; edition; and Prof. W. G. Lambert for kindly previously allowing allowing the inclusion inclusion on Plate 8 of his copy of Sm 365, previously published in fur Orientforschung Bd. XXVII (1980), p. 75. Archiv fur 75. As ever, I have received much advice and practical help from from my colleague, Irving Finkel. Finkel. Dominique Collon has kindly supplied supplied information information on the Etana seals seals in The British Museum. To Claudio Saporetti Saporetti I am grateful for the provision of a offices of Martin photocopy of his out-of-print Etana, achieved through the good offices Worthington, my secretarial and bibliographical bibliographical assistant in many aspects of the work. Had it been possible, possible, I would have liked also to thank my teacher, 0 . R. teacher, Prof. O. Gurney, pis. 8 and 9. Gurney, for permission to reproduce the Sultantepe Sultantepe texts to be seen on pls. 9. I have had to presume upon this courtesy, but he would have been interested interested to know of the likelihood Gilgamesh was represented represented at Suitantepe. Sultantepe. likelihood that Etana as well as Gilgamesh Shortly before he died, died, Oliver Gurney and I had a long correspondence correspondence on the flights flights to heaven described described in Etana III(!). He believed, believed, and indeed with others, that I had presented these wrongly in my edition, an observation observation that, in the following following pages, I do acknowledge acknowledge and accept. Finally, Finally, I would record that the careful styling and production of the work is owed to Dr John Dawson, Dawson, director of the Literary and Linguistic Computing Computing Centre in Cambridge, Cambridge, who, over many years, has unfailingly responded to my several requests requests for his technical help.

J. V. V. K. W. Printed on acid-free acid-free paper

Contents Preface ................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................... 5 .................................................................................................................. 9 Introduction and Sigla .................................................................................................................. Part I:

Additions and corrections to the known story

. Notes on the Introduction Introduction and a new text of of the Old Version. Version, Tablet I ..... ..... 13 13 . At the pit ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. 21 . From the pit to the heaven ofof Anu ............................................................................ .............................................................................. 25

1 1. 2 2. 3 3. 44. 5 5. 66.

. The flights to heaven ................................................................................................ ......................................................................................................... 31 31 . The meeting with Ishtar ............................................................................................. ................................................................................................... 37 . During the pregnancy ....................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................... 43

II: Part 1 1:

Terra incognita

.

7 7. The return of the eagle ...................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................... 47 ........................................................................................................ 55 88. The death of Muanna ...................................................................................................... 9. The death of Etana ....................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. 59 9 10. Completing the story ......................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................... 71 71 10 11. Additional lines from the Middle Assyrian Version ........................................... ........................................... 77 11 12 12. How many Tablets? ...................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... 87

.

. . . .

91 .................................................................................. Appendix: A brief note on K 6845 6845 ...................................................................................... 91 . . Bibliography .................................................................................................................................... 93 .................................................................................................................................... B~bl~ography 93 Index of words discussed .......................................................................................................... 97 ..................................................................................................... Subject Index .................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................. 99 ................................................................................................. Plates Cuneiform Plates .................................................................................................... Plates I-XIII I-XI11 ................................................................................ Plates Etana Seal Impressions ................................................................................. Plates XIV-XV XIV-XV

II I

Introduction Introduction and Sigla Over twenty years have now elapsed since the appearance of my 'new edition' of The The Legend of of Etana published by Aris and Phillips, Warminster, in 1985. 1985. It was a publication that was to disappoint me in many ways: the Introduction lamented that 'what is lost is far more than that which is preserved', and the final manuscript was put forward with several problems preserved', remaining as to the correct placing and identification of individual texts, and even of the length and ending of the story itself. Nevertheless, my search for Etana material has continued intermittently, and with the help of those colleagues who have reviewed the book,' book, l the subsequent translations of Stephanie Dalle/ ~ a l l and e ~ ~Benjamin Foster,3 ~ o s t e r ,the ~ new editions of Claudio 4 Saporetti and Michael Haul,s saporetti4 ~ a u l and , ~ the recent studies of Wayne Horowitz, Novotny,6 Gebhard Selz and J. R. ~ o v o t n many ~ , ~ improvements have resulted to the substance and detail of the work. This new material is presented here, although some reworking and re-assessment of the original texts is also included. To summarize what is provided more exactly, it will be seen that the work as a whole is divided into two Parts and twelve individual studies, these in tum turn being accompanied by twelve cuneiform plates. It has been thought appropriate, and even prudent, to present each study as a 'chapter', 'chapter', and so separated from that which either follows follows or precedes it. Although partly to rest the eye, the main reason for this division is to allow the different aspects of the work or text to be studied independently. No doubt the second part of the work which seeks to bring the story into a new perspective will attract its comments and debate. debate. Indeed, may it be so. so. The importance of the subject in the field of Mesopotamian epic literature requires no less. The further development of this new perspective, already in some degree introduced in 'A Reconstruction of the Story' in Etana pp. 14ff., may be left to its proper place in the relevant chapters of Part II. 11. But new understanding,

'

They include Bendt Alster in JAOS 109 109 (1989),81-86, (1989), 81-86, a review article; D. O. 0.Edzard, ZA 76 (1986), 134-137; JNES 48 (1989), 155-156; 134-137; W. Farber, JIVES 155-156; Claudio Saporetti, OLZ 83 83 (1988),544-546; (1988), 544-546; Marianna Vogelzang, BiOr 43 (1986),436-439. (1986), 436-439. 2 Mythsfrom M y t h s f i m Mesopotamia (Oxford 1989), 189-202. 189-202. Before the Muses II (Bethesda 1993, 2nd. edit. 1996), 1996), 437-457, and From Distant Days 3 (Bethesda 1995), 1995), 102-114. 102-1 14. 4 Etana (Palermo 1990). 1990). 5 Konigs von Kii, Kis, Gottinger Das Etana-Epos: ein Mythos von der Himmelfahrt des Kijnigs ed. B. R. M. Groneberg, Heft I (Gottingen 2000). Arbeitshefte zur altorientalischen Literatur, ed. 6 Respectively, Mesopotamian Cosmic Geography (Winona Lake 1998), 1998), Chap. 3, a study which follows on from "Two notes on Etana's flight to Heaven", Or. Or. 59 (1990), 511-517; 51 1-517; Etana-Erztihlung", ASJ 20 (1998),135-179; (1998), 135-179; and The The Standard Babylonian Etana Epic, "Die Etana-Erziihlung", ASJ20 Epic, SAACT II I1 (Helsinki 2001).

'

Studia Studia Etanaica Etanaica

10 10

Introduction and and Sig\a Sigla Introduction

itit may be claimed, claimed, may be seen seen also also in in Part I.I. Thus Thus in in the the first first chapter chapter we we shall discover the real reason as to why a lawless country required a king. shall discover the as lawless country king. A new text for Tablet I sees Etana on a long search for the plant of birth; for Tablet I sees search for the birth; it is is still still essential essential for for the the story story that that Etana's wife, wife, in in her initial initial dream, dream, 'could not see see where where it was was growing'. growing'. We We may discover discover how, how, at at the the pit, the the hungry hungry eagle 'found his strength again', and we shall find a better place for eagle 'found his strength again', and we shall find a better place for his(?) his(?) and and Etana's dreams dreams than than shortly shortly before before the the first first flight flight to to heaven. heaven. These These flights, flights, as as other other opinion opinion has has indeed indeed supposed, supposed, are are now now reduced reduced from from three three to to two, two, but the the meeting meeting with with Ishtar Ishtar still still stands stands as as the the culminating culminating point point of of Etana's long long search search for for the the plant plant of of birth, birth, and and we we may may now now learn learn something something of what she said to him. The last chapter in Part I reveals of what she said to him. The last chapter in Part I reveals from from new new texts texts something something of of the the measures measures taken taken by by Etana Etana to to protect protect his his wife wife during during her her pregnancy. pregnancy. What What may may further further be be said said at at this this point point concerns concerns the the lay-out lay-out of of the the text. text. Unlike the epic of Gilgamesh where a varied poetic structure is maintained Unlike the epic of Gilgamesh where a varied poetic structure is maintained throughout, throughout, the the legend legend of of Etana Etana has has also also its its 'prose' 'prose' passages, passages, as as so so argued argued in in my my edition, edition, p. p. 128. 128. This This analysis analysis has has been been continued continued for for the the present present study, study, the the poetical poetical lines lines in in their their generally generally twotwo- or or three-line three-line units units being being set set down down with a caesura space-theoretical in some instances-between the two with a caesura space-theoretical in some instances-between the two halves halves of of the the line. line. By By contrast contrast the the longer longer lines lines of of the the prose prose or or narrative narrative sections sections are are presented presentedwithout without divisions, divisions, but but this this isis not not to to imply imply that that they they do do not not also also have have 'form'. 'form'. They They are are invariably invariably complete complete in in one one line line of of text, text, and, and, so so far far as as one one may may judge judge from from the the newly newly accepted accepted texts, texts, appear appear often often to to have have been been composed composedon on the thebasis basis of of seven seven 'beats' 'beats' to to aa line. line. Overall Overall there there isis still still aa considerable considerable loss loss of of original original matter. matter. Accordingly, Accordingly, and as previously, a combination of brackets, as thus [( )], express and as previously, a combination of brackets, as thus [( )I, expressthe the kind kind of of restoration that may suitably be suggested in damaged portions of the text. restoration that may suitably be suggested in damaged portions of the text. A A list list of of the the texts texts used, used, with with their their Museum Museum numbers numbers and andbrief brief pUblication publication details, may next be given. The assigned sigla, where relevant, do details, may next be given. The assigned sigla, where relevant, do not not accord accord with those used in my Etana edition since the scheme adopted has with those used in my Etana edition since the scheme adopted has been been to to letter letter the the texts texts in in the the order order of of their their discussion. discussion. An An asterisk asterisk inserted insertedbefore before aa Museum Museumnumber numberindicates indicatesthat that the thetext text concerned concernedisisused used in inthis thisstudy studyfor forthe the first time. first time. Sigla Sigla Museum Museumnumber number This Thisedition edition

Previous Previouspublication publication

11 11

D

K 3651 365 1+ + 8578 8578 K

pls. 2-3 2-3 pIs.

Etana, pIs. pls. 26-28, 26-28, with with photograph, photograph, pI. pl. 32; 32; Etana, Saporetti,Etana, Etana, Tav. Tav. II (Testo (Testo C C and and G); G); Haul, Haul, Saporetti, Efana,Tf. Tf. XI-XII; XI-XII; Novotny Novotny Etana, Etana, p. p. 9, 9, lines lines 1-38 1-38 Etana, and 133-143; 133-143; aa photograph photograph of of what what is is taken taken to to be be and 105), isis given given by by the obverse obverse (cf. (cf. also also Saporetti, Saporetti,p. p. 105), the Horowitz, Or. Or. NS NS 59, 59, Tab. Tab. XC XC Horowitz,

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F

Rm 2,454 2,454 pIs. pls. 4-5 4-5 K 19530 19530++ Rm K 79-7-8,180 ++79-7-8,180

Etana, pIs. pls. 24-25, 24-25, now now reproduced reproduced with with the· theEtana, correctionof of obverse obverse and and reverse; reverse; Saporetti, Saporetti, Tav. Tav. II correction (Testo F); F); Novotny, Novotny, pp. pp. 9f., 9f., lines lines31-55 3 1-55 and and (Testo 106-144 106-144

G

Rm 2,492 Rm2,492

pl. 66 pI.

Etana, pI. pl. 29, 29, the the copy copy provided provided being being actually actuallythat that Etana, JNES33 33 (1974),245 (1974), 245 first published published in in JNES first

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K 10099 10099 K

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Studia Etanaica Studia Etanaica

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STT I,I, No. No. 24 24 STT

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*81-2-4,391 *81-24,391

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PART I: ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS TO THE

KNOWN STORY 11. Notes Notes on on the the Introduction Introduction and and aa new new text text of of the Old Version, Tablet I

KAR No. No. 332, 332, where where indicated indicated as as the the 'second 'second KAR fragment'

Two matters matters in in the the above above list list may may importantly importantly be be noted. noted. Ilowe to Dr Dr Marzahn Marzahn Two owe to of KAR 332 has now been given the information that the 'second fragment' the information that the 'second fragment' of KAR 332 has now been given its own own number, number, that that is, is, VAT VAT 10566a 10566a as as shown shown above above in in the the final final entry entry of of its 'Za'. Additionally, in Part V of my Etana, p. 149, note 2, I indicated that the 'Za'. Additionally, in Part V of my Etana, p. 149, note 2, I indicated that the of '1 '11653' assigned to to KAR KAR 335 335 was was incorrect, incorrect, but but Marzahn Marzahn VAT number number of VAT 1653' assigned has informed me that this is indeed the number, as clearly so written both on on has informed me that this is indeed the number, as clearly so written both the fragment fragment and and its its label. label. II do do apologize apologize for for the the error, error, however however it it arose. arose. the

The The beginning beginning of of the the legend legend of of Etana Etana is is disappointingly disappointingly fragmentary. fragmentary. There There has ?as already already been been much much argument argument as as to to what what should, should, or or should should not, not, be be included, although the text here discussed and its association with 82-3-23, mcluded, although the text here discussed and its association with 82-3-23 6, may perhaps dispel one problem in this regard. ' But But there there is is an an additional additional problem problem in in the the Introduction. Introduction. This This relates relates to to whether the fragment fragment Sm 1839, 1839, first copied in my Etana, Etana, pl. pI. 11, 11, should be incorporated into the Late Version of Tablet I, and some notes inco~orated into the Late Version of Tablet I, and some notes on on this this may may be given before proceeding with the new text. Of recent editors or Of gIven translators, tra~slators, Dalley, Foster and Saporetti accept the text into the composition while whIle Haul and Novotny omit it. In one respect, however, however, my own Etana was unsatisfactory and, presentation of the piece in ~resentation of the piece in Etana was unsatisfactory and, as as now now revised, revised, 17-28(!) are set down again below. The reason for the changed line lines hnes 17-28(1) numbering is that the Introduction is written in the hymno-epic hymno-epic style with numbering formal quatrains, quatrains, and the fifth fifth quatrain has previously been short of a fourth fourth formal line at line 20. 20. It has now been approximately approximately restored with the aid of the Old Version, Version, line 12, 12, having having supposedly supposedly been omitted omitted by a scribal error.

il-se-bet-tum eli um-ma-ni urn-ma-ni iZ-se-bet-tum da-cid-me uMdi-Zu zi-di-lu eli da-(id-me hu-ru , , su-tasSu-tas-hu-ru J'-gz-gz aif-Zla a ddi-gi-gi

-ra-am li-ip-<Su>-ra-am mu-ti pa-si-t[um(?) pd-Si-t[um(?) ... ... AB [u v

AB AB I The The meaning meaning of of the the phrase phrase ala dla su-tas-hu-ru Su-tas-hu-ru is is difficult. difficult. Dalley Dalley suggests, suggests, 'The 'The Igigi Igigi would would patrol patrol the the city'; city'; Foster Foster has has 'The 'The Igigi-gods Igigi-gods surrounded surrounded the the city city [with [with ramparts?]'; ramparts?]'; Haul Haul offers, offers, 'Die 'Die Igigi Igigi umgaben(?) urngaben(?) die die Stadt Stadt [mit [mit einer einer Mauer(?) Mauer(?) ... . . . ]', ]', and and Saporetti, Saporetti, 'La 'La citta citti gli gli Igigi Igigi circondare? circondare? [[ ... . . . ],' 1,' where where the the infinitive infinitive 'circondare', 'circondare', as as II understand, understand, expresses expresses doubt doubt as as to to the the meaning meaning or or tense tense intended. intended. However, However, Surpu h r p u III1 19, 19, for for which which see see most most recently recently Borger's Borger's Partitur Partitur text text in in the the Lambert Lambert Festschrift, Festschrift, Wisdom, Wisdom, Gods Gods and and Literature Literature (Winona (Winona Lake Lake 2000), 2000), p. p. 18, 18, reads: reads: al-mat-tum al-mat-tum ina ina di-i-ni di-i-ni a/-sa dl-Sci (var.: (var.: -su) -Su) u-sah-he-er, ti-sah-he-er, 'He 'He (the (the mean-spirited, mean-spirited, immoral immoral person) person) forces forces the the (newly)-widow(ed) (newly)-widow(ed) by by aa lawsuit lawsuit to to circle circle her her city' city' (sc., (sc., in in search search of to seek seek out out another another bftu). bitu). It It isis precisely precisely this this situation, situation, the the lack lack of of justice justice of work, work, or, or, in in effect, effect, to for for the the widow widow and and homeless homeless in in the the face face of of oppression, oppression, which which itit isis thought thought isis the the concern concern of of the the text text (see (see further further in in the the accompanying accompanying note). note).

15 15

AB AB

I I

d qa-ba-su Sa-Si-ma a-na (f)]Ser-bi-an-ni (f)]$2r-bi-an-ni sana Sandd qa-ba-Su i-z[ak[E-ta-na a-na sa-si-ma kar-Si] kar-si] [iu-hzip-pla-'a1-[tim S21r-bi bi-lam a-li-ku ibas[si ibaS[iiee wa-si-buJ wa-Si-bu] ]a_ra'-[tim Se]r-bi a-/i-ku [su-hup-p ib-[Si] ul ib-[si]

The wide wide spacing spacing of of the the signs signs at at the the end end of of this this line line suggests suggests that that itit isis aa line line of of 'three 'three units units 2 The ~ a t t e m sof of the the metrical metrical system svstem in in of stress stress without without aa caesura', caesura', such such being being one one of of the the patterns of Gilgamesh discussed discussed further further by by A. A. R. R. George, George, The The Babylonian ~ d b ~ l o n i aGilgamesh Gilgamesh n ~ ~ i(Oxford (Oxford c ' Gilgamesh Epic 162f.with with note note 19. 19. 2003) I,I, 162f. 2003)

1. A new text of the 0Old 1. Id Version

Studia Etanaica

16 16

B [ .. . B IS' [ .. . B [ .. . B [ .. .

1 1 1 1

17 17

[Etana spoke unto her, unto] Sherbi'anni, his second name (for her): boolts, 00 Sherbi, Sherbi, bring me! me! The The traveller comes into into "[(My) boo]ts, be[ing; the city-dweller(?)] is is no mo[re]!" mo[re]!" bering;

[a-na [a-na su-l]u-$i(?)f ~ u - l ] u - ~ i (Mu-an-rnu' Mu-an-'nu' ?)~ ik-su-dam-ma ik-Su-dam-ma [a-n]a [a-n]a pa-ni-su pa-ni-$6 is-kun iS-kun [su-ut-ta]m [Su-ut-ta]m i-pa-sar i-pa-Sar

AB A AB B A B 20'

is-tu -t]um me-e-me-e-ma iS-tu rna-at ma-at *ma-[ti-is(?) *ma-[ti-iS(?) .. .. .. me-e-me-e-ma . . la ip-t]a-ra[s] ip-t]a-ra[s] as-ru-u .... as'-ru-ti GIG a-[ a-[ 'a-ri(?) .. .. .. h g i-pa-li-is-ma ra'-ba-an 'a1-ba-an er$etim er$etimgni[du]te ni[dii]teh ti-Iu ti-lu q[a-ab-ri q[a-ab-ri ip-pa-al]ip-pa-alls[a]m-ma

AB

[dUtar]i [d~Star]'ga-serj-t[u]m ga-S2rJ-t[u]m a-na e-[lat] li-bi-su li-bi-Su i[m-ta-ah-ha-ra-a]m i[m-ta-ah-ha-ra-a]m - .k- [01 iimik-[qa uml Sja

A A

[beltf(?/ [bblti(?)' id-dJi-na id-dli-na su-mi Su-mi [pi-iS-tam(?) zi-su-hi(?)] fpi-is-tam(?) u-su-hi(?)]

b[el]m-rtC b[blIm-'ti1 riddina,n 'iddinal" [ma]-ra-am-[ma(?)] [ild-*di-[n]a [sam-rna [Sam-ma sa Sa a-la-die?)] a-la-di(?)] [i]d-*di-[n]a

C URU, URU,but resembling gur, cf. photograph d MIN MIN f or [e-l]e-si(?) [e-lJe-~i(?) g KI is suggested i' [dINNIN] 'TUKU'-S[~~ KI h Kl.L[AH}-t<e> KI.L[AH]-~ [dINNIN] [NIN] may be suggested j or *se-er *Se-er as discussed below, note to line 21 21 k UD I [NIN] m E[N} E[N] n" rSUM' 'SUM'

MA[S.GE~] b [A.ME}S [A.ME]S

15 15

20

was the desire of Etana's heart(?» heart(?)) to bring] Muannajoy.3 ~ u a n n joy.3 a [(It was [(Everything that she she asked fore?»~] for(?))] he went and got for her. [(Everything find the plant ofbirth(?»] of birth(?))] he set as as his first duty; [(So to find . . . [He [He. . . ] to 'solve' 'solve' the [dre]am. [drelam. sholre of the Great From land to la[nd (he went, advanced) to the sho]re Sea. Sea. Places difficult to g[o to (deterred him not, no barriers?) bl]ocked bllocked [his path]. lands, of He looked around; but the stones of arable and waste lands gr[aves(?), did] he see. see. ruined tells and gr[ aves(?), alone did] '

aa MA[S. GE6}

e rTUKU '-S[11

gasertum to the hei[ght] of his powers he daily im[plore]d, [IStar guiertum (saying): (saying): "[My lady(?), gi]ve gilve me an heir, m[y la]dy, laldy, gi[ve me a s]on! slon! "[My "[Take away the shame (upon me) an]d [g]ive [glive me [the plant of "[Take birth] !" birth]!"

'

Translation Translation (In a dream Etana's wife has seen a male figure holding a plant) maleJigure

Selected Notes

"He held [the plant in his right hand]-so hand]-so the dr[eam] is favour[able] long(?)] he poured water onto it so that [he could "And all day long(?)] plant] it in his house. Then he reached his city and his house."

5

10

[His wife spoke unto him], saying to Etana: "[(I "[(I heard(?) the name(?) of that plant): it] is the 'plant 'plant of of birth'. birth' . "[But my eyes became blurred(?) a]s from the paste of of an eye "[But salve. "[(Although its.. .. .. was clear clearto to me) I could not] see where it "[(Although its was growing. "[Then the flower(?)], upon its blossoming, withered away." away." "[Then [His wife spoke unto him], saying to Etana: "[(People are saying(?) . . . "[(People "[But ifi if] my husband will 'solve' 'solve' [the dream] for me, the "[But )''' reproac[hed one(?) ...... . . . . will be ...... . . . . I."

As a first general observation it may be said that both of the texts used in the above reconstruction are portions of of large tablets, and from this point of view 82-3-23, 82-3-23, 6, is not typical of of the Late Version texts. Its re-ascription re-ascription as a piece of the Old Version in Neo-Assyrian script is assured by the way the two texts accord together over all of their common lines, the genitive E-ta-ni in lines 4 and 9 being also perhaps an indication of the early source. Since in pp. 40f. with plate 4 of my edition I took TIM 49 to be a text of of the Old Version it is strange that it has taken so long to identify TIM 50, the very next number, as also a piece of that version. Both texts come from Tell Harmal Harrnal some 50 miles NNE of of Kish, the central city of of the story.

1. As may already have been suspected, the new restoration in this line of of ina imitti-Su imitti-su 'in 'in his right hand', hand', is based solely on the improved reading of of the end of of the line stating that 'the dream is favourable'. favourable'.

)] >I

3 . The T~e probability ~robabiIit.Y that the end signs of of line 14' provide at last thd(first) the/(first) name of of Etana's Etana's wife Wife is IS discussed in In the notes following. A brief brief historical note on the search for the name is given in my Etana 5, note 5.

StudiaEtanaica Etanaica Studia

1. 1.A A new new text text of of the the Old Old Version Version

5. The The new new restoration restoration of of [lu] [lu] before before sam-mu Sam-mu may may be be noted. noted. ItIt isis based based 5. on the the consideration consideration that, that, as as not uncommonly seen, seen, the the second second halves halves partly on lines 4-6 may may all all have have begun at at the the same same equivalent equivalent point on on the the tablet of lines caesura space. space. after a caesura

$3-bi-an-ni in in our our text, text, aa Sumerian Sumerian etymology, etymology, 'Her 'Her song(s) song(s) (rise?) (rise?) to to Ser-bi-an-ni heaven' -thus reading an-ne-has an-n6-has been considered considered, and and Ser-bi S&r-biwould stand stand heaveny-thus for Ser-a-ni S&r-a-nito to avoid assonance assonance with the the following' following -an-ne. -an-nC. However, if the the for initial initial vowel vowel may may be be seen seen as as either either dialectic dialectic or or Assyrian(?) Assyrian(?) an an Akkadian etymology would be E be possible. possible. Supplying Supplying damqati damqdti or or the the like like after after CAD CAD E 273 273 and and AHw AHw 237 237 (under (under erebu ercbu S3 5, 5, a), a), 'Bring me me good fortune!' would be be the the meaning. meaning. If we we should should think rather of the the story itself, the the understood meaning could be, be, 'Bring me me an an heir!' heir! '

18 18

6. For teqUu 6. tifqitu from from equ eqzi II I1 as as specifically specifically "Augensalbe" "Augensalbe" in medical texts see see AHw 134 134 and and Jeanette Jeanette Fincke, Augenleiden nach keilschriftlichen Quellen (Wlirzburg (Wurzburg 2000) 249 249 and and 275. In KADP KADP 36 36 vi, vi, 17 17 the the plural te-qi-a-te is is found before nap-sal-a-te, nap-Sal-a-te, 'ointments'. As As a paint or paste used in one one found instance to to colour the the reins reins of the the goddess goddess BanItu's Banitu's chariot, chariot, the the term has has been instance discussed by M.-Th. Barrelet in RA 71 71 (1977) 57, 57, and by K. K. Deller, Assur 3/4 314 (1983) 8f. may be [ip-pelt-te(?) er$etu(KI-tu) er~etu(~1-tu) 8f. My previous reading of [ip-pe]t-te(?) disregarded. 11. 11. The first first word in the second half of this line cannot confidently be restored. One might have expected piiti pistzlinnaseh-ma, linnaseh-ma, "(then) the reproach upon me will be dispelled", based on the pil-ti u-suh-ma, zi-suh-ma, "remove the reproach upon me!" of MAV IIC 3 and LV II, pistu or 11, 140-1 140-1 accept that piStu piltu in this phrase is not biltu, 'burden', 'burden', but a word 'insult', 'insult7, 'reproach', 'reproach', from (w)apasu (w)apdSu as first argued by W. L. Moran in Studies Studies... ... Tadmor (1991), 320320331, and esp. p. 328. The signs ba/pa si x cannot produce piStu, pistu, but if we ba/pri Si pasft[um] , 'the reproached one', from a theoretical keep the same root a noun paSit[um], *pawsftu *pawSitu with metathesis of the initial radicals could, as suggested, be considered. considered. As all authorities agree, the reproach concerned would be that alittu in being unable to bear a child-the child-the brought unhappily against the la dlittu "Kinderlosigkeity7 "Kinderlosigkeit" of of Haul's Haul's note in his Etana, p. 156. 12. of the name of of Etana's Etana's wife---or wife--or of of his marhitu marhftu wife: 12. Our ignorance of queen-has long been an embarrassment for our retelling of of she was not the queen-has the story. Intriguingly, we now have two names for her, the Sanzi sanu qabzi qabit being of the present note. If If not by that term which appears to be new, the concern of of royal wives is not unknown. In the collection of of names the double naming of 4 Asher-Greve in her Frauen in altsumerischer altsumerischer 2eit4 Zeit it is seen given by Julia Asher-Greve of Mesannepada-Nin-banda Mesannepada-Nin-banda nin, that two names are listed for the wife of 'the qadiStuY. qadistu'. probably her name and title as queen, and Nu-gig, as it were 'the Sennacherib's queen, and ZakMu, Zakiitu, no doubt From later times there is Naqia, Sennacherib's 'second name'. name'. One of of the Nimrud queens was called Banitu, BanItu, which, as her 'second 'The fair one', and whether or not it may have a West Semitic antecedent, one', 'The been the king's king's name for her. In the Old Testament Testament one could only have been of Esther Esther who was to become the queen of of Ahasuerus, or Xerxes, and thinks of earlier name is given as Hadassah, Esther Esther ii, 7. As to the name whose earlier

4

BibliothecaMesopotamica (Malibu 1985), 146-148. 146-148. Bibliotheca Mesopotmica 18 (Malibu

19 19

14. 14. As As copied, copied, the the last three signs signs in this line line are are mu, an a n and and probably ri2d. nu'. 14, it was said, said, 'the final final sign is is not na nu and In Etana 86, note to line 14, MU.AN.NA MU.AN.NA cannot be read', an observation which still still stands. stands. Granted the possibility of reading mu-an-rnu\ DINGIR.DIN[GIR] being mu-an-'nu1, and my original DINGIR.DIN[GIR] now abandoned, is here abandoned, it is supposed that the 'first' name of Etana's wife is given. If 'Muannu' is that name, it could be a by-form in Akkadian of a Sumerian Muanna (as hereafter used in this study), even as the genitive Etani found in two texts is an Akkadian form form of Etana. Etana. So So interpreted the name would mean 'offspring of heaven', or 'heaven's 'heaven's child'. The somewhat general character of such a name could well be intentional. 16. pani Sakdnu sakanu as 'to give precedence7 precedence' to something, 16. Examples of ana pdni lit., 'to place at the top or front', may be found in CAD S/1 $/I 149,6 149, 6 g, 6'. The texts cited are all Old Babylonian. . 18. 18. The fifth, damaged sign in this line is not ma in van Dijk's Dijk's copy, but could become so by altering the direction of of the initial vertical. For the whole bi-it-bi-ti-is 'from house to house', house', of of BWL 78, 140. 140. phrase cf. perhaps the bi-it-bi-ti-is' The suggestion in the note to Etana 127, 127, line 18, that the new term me-e-mee-ma might mean 'an inland mountain stream' will no longer suffice. In the present context me-e-me-e-ma me-e-me-e-ma appears to have been a large body ooff water of Etana's Etana's journey. Political situated somewhere at the furthest point of geography, as in other stories, being largely avoided, identification would no doubt be a wrong exercise. For further discussion see Saporetti, Etana 101, note 28, Haul, Etana, p. 230, and Horowitz, Cosmic Geography, p. 62.

20. The initial ip(p)alis in this line exemplifies the small point that when naplusu is construed without an object it may mean. 'to look around'. around'. It is naplusu of the serpent in the Late Version, I1 II 55: [ip-pal-s]a-ma [ip-pal-s]a-ma qin-naqin-nasimilarly said of su la-US-Szi, la-as-su, '[he '[he lookled look]ed around; his 'nest' 'nest' was not there!' there!' Sti [dlStar] the signs are ga SBr ser ir t[u]m. initially restored restored [d~Star] 21. Following the initially One could keep the text by reading ga-$2~"-tum, ga_serir_tum, but there being no obvious ga-se!-er'--tum was originally reason for such a writing it is supposed that ga-Se!-er-tum As W. W. G. Lambert Lambert has has informed informed me, me, the the likelihood likelihood is is that that gaSertum gasertum intended. As

20 20

StudiaEtanaica Etanaica Studia

isis simply simply an an adjective, adjective, 'mighty', 'mighty', 'powerful', 'powerful', or or the the like, like, similar similar to to the the qualification qualification of of rabftum rabitum which which isis more more generally generally accorded accorded to to goddesses. goddesses. The The !Star IStar section section in in An An ::Anum Anum IV IV isis still still largely largely missing, missing, nor nor do do we we as as yet yet have have any other other texts texts which which list list the the names names and and titles titles ofIshtar. of Ishtar. any 22-23. 22-23. That That the the final final lines lines of of TIM TIM 50 50 may may be be restored restored in in tenns terms of of the the familiar familiar refrains of of the the Middle Middle and and Late Late Versions-if Versions-if not quite quite identicallyidenticallywill will already already have have been noticed. noticed. The The identification identification of of the the text is is in in large large part 23 the writing [i]d-di-[ n la, 'give me', confinned by the association. In line [ild-di-[nla, me', confirmed the association. In line 23 the seems seems clear, although the the oblique stroke before di di is is not required. required. It It may perhaps be a survival survival of the the first first writing of that sign, sign, begun too far far to to t~eleft. the left. The restored [pi-is-tam(?)] at the beginning of the line could as easIly The [pi-iS-tam(?)] the the line as easily be [pi-iS-ti]. [pi-is-ti].

2. 2. At At the the pit A A point point may may first first be be raised raised concerning concerning aa line line in in the the Late Late Version, Version, LV LV II I1 130 130 in Sd a-sap-pa-rak-ka a-Sap-pa-rak-ka qat(SU)-ka qdt(S~)-kali-i$li-i~in my my edition, edition, which reads: reads: a-lik a-me-la sa bat. bat. The The line line is is part of the the response response of Shamash Shamash to to the the eagle eagle as, as, languishing in in the the pit, pit, he he pleads for for his his life. life. But what is is a-lik? a-lik? Is Is itit an an imperative, imperative, as as so so taken by Haul and and myself, or a stative, stative, "a man is is coming", as as Dalley and and Saporetti? dlik(u), the the writing a-lik-a-me-la a-lik-a-me-la being a Saporetti? Or is is it not rather a noun alik(u), conflation iilika amela? ami?la? The The sense sense would then be, conflation to to avoid the the hiatus of alika 'A traveller, traveller, a man whom I shall send you, you, will rescue you.' In any event, a more certain mistake has has been made in my understanding of Episode liE I/E of the Middle Assyrian Version (MAV), (MAV), lines 9 and 12ff. 12ff. This concerns the actual rescue of the eagle from the pit, and I take the advice of Edzard in his review, ZA 76, 136, 136, and of Dalley, Myths Myths 202, note 25, that this did not involve a ladder with its supposed 'rungs', 'rungs', pa-pa-ni. At the end of line 7 I had uncritically turned Ebeling's pu-[gut-ta], pu-[qut-ta], "Dornen", "Dornen", into bu-[rasa], 'juniper wood', Sa], wood', and speculation as to the use of this and the meaning of the numerals 1 to 6 (as partly restored) found in lines 12, 12, 15 15 and 18, 18, resulted ofaa '[ladder] in the thought of '[ladder] with [six] steps'. In fact the reading bu-[ ...I ... ] in line 7 is probably not right at all. An SE.BA[R] = = uttatu, 'barley'-the 'barley'-the preserved sign alternative would be to read SE.BA[R] complete-and the episode would then concern the feeding of ofthe is not fully complete-and the of his cut or clipped wings. (It may be noted starved eagle and the renovation of IID 6, one must read ut-ta-S8r, ut-ta-ser, from naSdru, nasaru, 'to pare7, pare', or 'to here that, in OV I/D size', so for that version at least the stumps of of the wings must have reduce in size', still remained). New growth, at any rate, being conceived as possible, lines 6-9 as now improved may be set down again as follows: 6-9

6

66

rm'E . ,ina , ] -ta-na an-ni-ta an-m-ta ma S[a-me-e-Su] sV[ a-me-e-su E-ta-na [p ]u-ut burti(~Tj) burti(Pu) um-de-la-a um-de-la-a [plu-ut [i]b-ne-e-su it-ta-di [i]b-ne'-e-Su it-ta-di [a-d]ii pa-ni-Su pa-ni-su it-ta-nu-[ad-di it-ta-na-[ad-di .... [a-dl ..

\

r m ~

utta[ta .. .... utta[ta sa $ a [ .... ..

When Etana Etana he[ard] her ard] this, this, When [He said(?): "The fr]ont ofthe the pit pit is is covered covered with with (wild) (wild) barl[ey barI[ey [He said(?): "The frlont of grain] !" !" grain] He made(?) made(?) for for him him and and threw threw down down .... [[ .... He .. He kept throwing do[wn the. . . stra]ight in front front of ofhim. him. He kept throwing do[wn the . . . stralight in

With the the above above rendering rendering both both Haul's Haul's and and my my own own copy, copy, as as well well as as the the With

Studia Etanaica

2. At the pit

pI. 32, may be consulted for the new reading of of photograph in Etana pl. SE.B[AR]. It is not, however, clear what noun beginning Sa sa [...I [... ] would be SE.B[AR]. banil. Sa-[kul-ta] sa-[kul-ta] or Sa-[ku-lat sa-[ku-lat ...I ... ] has been appropriate for the verb banzi. 'make' a meal, and Sa sa [a-ka-li] would be no considered, but one does not 'make' [i]b-ne-e-su (see Haul, note 445) was better. To suppose that the collated [ilb-ne'-e-Su originally ib-NE-e-su ib-NE-e-Su which was meant to be read as ip-pe5-e-su ip-pe5-e-Su from epu, epzi, thus 'he began to bake for him', him', would be suitable perhaps, but speculative. More certain is line 9 as so restored by Saporetti, OLZ 83, 546, and still maintained in his Etana, p. 90. Haul has [p]a [pla = = [ar]ta?, [arlta?, "[Ge]zweig(?)", "[Ge]zweig(?)", at the beginning ofthis of this line, discussed in his note, p. 157. 157. In any event from the given food it seems clear that the dying eagle became strong and grew new wings again. It would remain, however, to clarify the point of the numerals 1 to 6 in the following lines. As mentioned, I had suggested 'rungs', 'rungs', Haul and Foster thought of 'times', 'times', and Dalley has 'months', 'months', this being ingeniously related to the 'seven 'seven months' of the Old Version in the first line ofI/E. of I/E. But another idea would be to see the numerals as 'cubits', [Sul-zi-ma of lines 11, 11, 'cubits', the cue for this being the previously read [su]-u-ma 14 14 and 17, 17, which now read as as [ammat] [ammat] ammat-ma ([KOS] ([KuS] KOS-ma), KUS-ma),or 'cubit by cubit', would refer to the span of the eagle's eagle's wings as they grow large again. Based on this proposal, lines 11 and 12 II 12 as a representative text could now be read and restored as follows: follows:

did the same for the stricken eagle is not known, but honey, or date syrup, was was the the necessary necessary binding binding agent agent for for 'cakes' 'cakes' in in former former times, times, and and these these would would have been more palatable, and manageable, than grain alone. But another, and a neglected, matter concerns the slaking of of the eagle's thirst, for it was the serpent's intention-as one learns from the LV at I1 serpent's intention-as II 86 miit bubiiti 2 and 119-that 119-that he should die 'the death of hunger and thirst', of mut bubuti u siim(m)i. The episode is in fact missing from the extant text of both OV and $um(m)i. Shamash who who came came to to the the eagle's eagle's aid aid at at this this LV, but almost almost certainly certainly it it was was Shamash LV, point. The argument rests on the supposition that there were three three appeals to Shamash by the eagle, namely at II I1 12Iff., 121ff, III I11 Iff., and lower down on Tablet 111, in which case the quenching of the eagle's thirst thirst. would have been III, these-the currently prevailing 'view view that a text for described in the second of these-the K 3651 3651 + 8578, should be placed here sends the eagle up to the first flight, flight, K heaven without water, food or new wings. Exactly what Shamash did to save, indirectly(?), the condemned eagle is not preserved, but Haul's copy of 10291 (Tf. (Tf. I) from the Middle Assyrian Version could be obv. 3' of VAT 10291 [&J]B.&JB-rna[UD.ME]S? [uD.ME]$?[ma]-'a-rda-te' [ma]-'a-'da-te' [[ ... . . . ],1, restored, for the final event: [SU]B.SUB-ma flell [onto it (the pit)?] pit)?] for man[y day]s'. dayls'. '[Rain? f]ell I/D 9 of my The chapter may be concluded with a comment on line lID address to Etana edition of the Middle Assyrian Version which is part of an address by the eagle shortly after his rescue. This line, together with that which as: immediately precedes it, I had read and translated as:

22

11 11

11 11

[ammat] i-$a-ab-bu-ba [ammat] ammat-ma i-$a-ab-bu-ba [a-gap-pa-su] [a-gap-pa-Su] [1 ammat] U [2 u-rab-ba-a-ma(?)] [I ammat] & [2 zi-rab-ba-a-ma(?)]

[Cubit] [Cubit] by cubit spread spread out [his [his two two wings]; [By [By one one cubit] cubit] and and then [two [two they grew grew large large (again)?]. (again)?].

Of the the several several uncertainties uncertainties in in these lines lines I include the the precise meaning of i-$a-ab-bu-ba. i-ja-ab-bu-ba. If the the basic meaning of the the verb is is both 'to spread spread (wings)' and 'to spread (of wings)', thus both transitive and intransitive, the and thus and the final final -a -a of i$abbuba i~abbubdmay be the the dual dual ending. ending. If in general, general, however, however, the the scheme scheme is is right the mu-ne'the text would continue continue thus to to line line 18, 18, but there there my original original [ki-i] [ki-i] r'mu-nile '-ri, '-ri, 'like 'like aa murderer', can can no no longer longer stand. stand. In In fact fact the the line line has has neatly, and and no doubt correctly, been restored by Haul as [eru(ti8mu~en) ki-ma neFse' ne-'iki-ma nil-'Se1 ne'- 'ino doubt correctly, been Haul as [erzi(tismusen) ri 'el-[mu-qa i-su] i-Su],, '[So '[So the the eagle eagle like] like] aa roaring [li]on [lilon [has] [has] st[rength st[rength r i re'-[mu-qa (again)]', (again)]', based based on on the the text text of of the the Old Old Version, Version, lIE I/E 3. 3. On On the the scheme scheme suggested the eagle had a wing-span overall of twelve cubits. suggested the eagle had a overall of twelve cubits. Additionally itit will 11, 53, 53, will be be recalled that in in the the Lugalbanda Lugalbanda epic epic at at LB LB II, that hero with honey cakes: cakes: ninda gi-zi-es-ta-ba gi-zi-e9-ta-ba Uti la1 hero fed fed the the young of of Anzu(d) with ba-an-dus-dus, 'Into the the barley dough(?) dough(?) he he kneaded honey,.5 honey'.5 Whether Etana Etana ba-an-dus-dug, 'Into See Aratta, in Seenow now H. H. L. L. 1.J. Vanstiphout, Vanstiphout, The The matter matter 0/ ofAratta, in the the series seriesEpics Epics o/Sumerian of Sumerian kings, kings, ed.1. 2003), p. ed. J. S. S.Cooper Cooper (Atlanta (Atlanta2003), p. 138. 138.

[a]t-ta-ma [alt-ta-ma mE_rta'_na mE-rta'-na [a ]t-ta-ma m E-ta-rna' [alt-ta-ma mE-ta-rna'

23 23

Sar4 bu-/i bu-li sar4 [bd] i$-$[u]-ra-a-tu ij-.y[u]-ra-a-tu [bel]

Etana, king king of animals! animals! "Thou art Etana, Etana, [lord] [lord] of the the birds!" "Thou art Etana, Haul, however, in in his Etana, Etana, p. p. 142, 142, points out that i$-$[u]-ra-a-tu, i$-s[u]-ra-a-tu, 'birds', 'birds', is is Haul, 'Su-a'-tu as as the the end signs. signs. On the the other since collation collation establishes establishes rsu-a'-tu incorrect since Sudtu, "jeder", hand, his own understanding of this as as (a somewhat somewhat prosaic) suatu, is not easy easy to to incorporate incorporate satisfactorily satisfactorily into into the the sentence as as a whole. whole. is Su-a-tu, '[the one reads reads [re]-*e-['i] su-a-tu, Accordingly, I would propose now that one shepJhe[rd of] ofl the the sheep', sheep', su'atu Su 'atu being aa feminine feminine collective collective ofSu'u, of Su 'u, 'sheep', 'sheep', shep]he[rd Su 'ati. As to the the and desonance being the explanation of why the form is not and desonance the why the form is SU 'ati. As to [re]-*e-['i], note 439 439 is is here here of of relevance; relevance; itit suggests suggests that that aa reading [re]-*e-[ 'i], Haul's note flake of of clay clay has has fallen fallen off off from from aa medial medial point of of the the tablet since since itit was was flake copied by Ebeling Ebeling and and (from (from aa photograph) photograph) by myself. myself. Whether, Whether, finally, finally, itit is is copied "Bist du du Etana... ...?" ?" or or as as aa right to to see see the the eagle's remark remark as as aa question, question, "Bist "You must be be Etana", isis aa difficult difficult point positive recognition recognition of of his his identity, identity, "You positive to decide. decide. The The matter is is left left open. open. to

3. From the pit to the heaven of Ann Anu The discovery, as seen in chapter 1, 1, that the fragment 82-3-23, 82-3-23, 6, is not a piece of the Late Version but rather a fragment of the Old Version written in the Neo-Assyrian script, raises the question: may there be other texts in the known material which belong equally to that recension? As I now believe there are certainly two such pieces, the most important being K 3651 365 1 + 8578, a copy of which is available in Haul, pis. pIs. XI-XII, pI. 1, XI-XII, Saporetti, Saporetti, pl. 1, texts eC and G, and in my edition, pls. pIs. 26-28, pI. 32. 26-28, with a photograph on pl. The photograph was included to show that the unexpected join join is indeed correct, for being made at a time when my MS was already well advanced it was a total embarrassment for the reconstruction. It appeared not to fit at all, and in the end was forced unnaturally into the story as may be read on p. 136, 136, in the first note under 'lVIC'. 'IVIC'. Other readers, and not unexpectedly, sensed ZA 76, 135, regarded the the awkwardness of the proposal made. Edzard in 24 reconstruction of the IIIIA and IVle IVIC episodes as "ganz unsicher". Dalley in her Myths Myths pp. pp. 196f. 196f. with note 23, saw my IVle IVIC 'as a better-preserved variant of IIII A', and offers a re-arrangement involving the three versions. IIIIA', In a sense, the problem was of my own making, in that I blindly followed Langdon's three-flight belief that 'three' three-flight scheme in the belief 'three' was the number of flights flights to be expected in a literary text. Nevertheless, several phrases in the L V's 'first flight' do not accord with their equivalents in the second-for LV's second-for examples see in my edition, p. 11, and (with another purpose), Haul, Etana, 11, 3651 + 8578 be removed from the Late p. 28-and 28-and it is now proposed that K 3651 Version and placed in the Old Version with episode lIE. I/E. Indeed, it may well follow that text without any break at all, and to show how this is possible, and to introduce at the same time a consequential new element into the Etana story, story, a text of 31 31 lines with running numbers is set down below. The reconstruction has the assistance of 79-7-8, 79-7-8, 43, which is the second of the C, D and E of the new 'OV' 'OV' pieces as mentioned above. above. The sources are thus e, sigla being now used. Transliteration Transliteration ' ' ba-rta, -am q a-as-su l$[qld-as-su ij-ba-'tal-am eC []

eC eC

sa-am-na-am wa-ar-ha-am wa-ar-ha-am e-ru-u e-ru-zi ma-he-er ma-he-er u-ku-ul-ta-am zi-ku-ul-ta-am e-mu-qa-am e-mu-96-am i-su i-Su

se-be-re-et' w[arhfa se-be'-'e-et' w[arhia is-suuh-ma(?)] u-se2o-te-qa su-ut-ta-as-su zi-Se20-te-qcjSu-ut-ta-as-su ki-ma ne-si-im ne'-s'i-im na-e-ri nu-e-ri

26

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3. From the pit to the heaven of Anu

Translation

e-ru-um 'pa-a'-Su pa-a'-su i-pu-sa-am-ma E-ta-na-ma iz-[z]a-ka-ar-su i-pu-Sa-am-ma a-na E-ta-nu-ma iz-[zla-ka-ar-Su C a-na C 5 ib-ri lu-u lu-zi it-ba-ra-nu a-nu66 itzi at-ta qi-bi-a-am-ma sa te-e-er-ri-sa-an-ni qi-bi-a-am-ma Sa te-e-er-ri-Sa-an-ni lu-ud-di-ik-ku C C C

'seized his hand' hand' seven months [had passed by]. When (Etana) 'seized In the eighth month he caused him to pass out of his pit. Receiving the food like a roaring lion, the eagle had (his) strength again.

E-ta-na 'pa-a'-Su pa-a'-su i-pu-sa-am-ma E-ta-na i-pu-Sa-am-ma a-na e-ri-im-ma iz-za-ka-ar-su iz-za-ka-ar-Su i-ni-ma re'-mi-is6 [pe-t]i 'el-mi-iS6 be-t]i ka-ti-im-ti

I

[er]u(m) pi-i-su' [i-pu-sa-am-ma i-zak-kar-su] [er]fi(m) 'pi-i-Su' [i-pu-Sa-am-ma a-na dSamsi dSam~i i-zak-kar-Su] D [ul [ul i-di a-na-ku] a-nu-ku] D 10 [a-wi-lu-tim(?)] 10 [at-m]i [a-wi-Iu-tim(?)] [at-m]i i$-$u-ri [ul i-di su-u-ma] D is-su-ri Su-zi-ma] D D D

[i-bi-r ]a-ku-ma(?) [i-bi-r]a-ku-ma(?) [mim]-mu-u [miml-mu-zi su-u Su-zi i-qab-b[u-u] i-qab-b[u-zi] [mi]m-mu-u [-u] [milm-mu-zi a-na-ku a-nu-ku a-qab-b a-qab-b[-zi]

D E D E

D D D D D

[zi ib-ru? su-u-ma] [it Su-zi-ma] [ .. .. .. a-na-ku-ma] a-nu-ku-ma] [. su-u-ma] [ . .. .. Su-zi-ma] [[ .. ... [[ .. . ..

D 15 Samsi qu-r[ a-di] 15 ina pi-i dd$amSi qu-r[a-di] D at-mi i$-$u-ri D is-~u-ri

eru pi-i-su i-pu-sa[ m-ma a-na ddE-t]a-na i-zak-ka[r-s]u erfipi-i-Su i-pu-Sa[m-ma i-zak-ka[r-$]ti [mi]-na-a [qi-biFa'-am [mil-nu-a tal-li-ka [qi-bi]-'a1-am at-ta

I

E rd'E_ta_na pi-i-su i-pu-s[ am-ma a-na eelrim ]rfm i-zak-kar-su E-ta-na pi-i-Su i-pu-.?[am-ma i-zak-kar-izi E 20 rib'-ri [sa]m-ma [Salm-ma sa $6 a-Ia-di a-la-di 'ibl-ri id-nam-rma' id-nam-'ma1 E rkul-li-man ' -n [i-ma] [Slam-ma 'kul-li-man1-n[i-ma] [qam-ma sa $6 a-la-di E pi/-ta [s]u-ma pil-ta [u-suh-ma] [zi-suh-ma] [Slu-ma suk-na-an-ni Suk-nu-an-ni [Sam-m]a sa Sci a-la-di E re'-zi-ib-ma [sam-m]a 'el-zi-ib-ma [ ...... . . . . . . ]1

5

[e-d]en-nu-ia-a-ma [e-den-nu-ia-a-ma l[u- ... ... ]

DE D E D

[l]u-bi-Ia-ku-um-ma [llu-bi-la-ku-um-ma [ .. . . .. [i]l-lik-ma e-[du-u(?) .. [ill-lik-ma e-[du-u(?) . . ..

]

eru(m) am-ma(?) ... erfi(m) i$-$u-da-[ is-su-da-[am-ma(?) .. . D D D 30 30 ul i-ba-as-si i-ba-hi-Si [ .. . . .. al-ka ib-ri [luD D [lu- .. . . .. 1

[ ... ...

sada Sad6d v, a ] - rla-d"I sam-ma sa [Sam-ma Sci a]-'la-dil

10 10

is I[TU.MES] is suggested

b

rMUSEN' 'MUSEN'

c

1

20

V

[

rsA" '$A', as as now suggested

d

KUR-a KUR-a

6 For ana as as a shortened shortened fonn form of aniiku in OB OB literary texts see see M. M. Haul, Etana, Etana, p. 131, 13 1, and, as as Irving Finkel Finkel informs informs me, me, W. W. G. G. Lambert Larnbert in in Studies Studies ... ... Reiner, Reiner, p. p. 199, 199, note to to line line 58. 58. This This reading improves upon my previous a-nu-. previous a-na-.

qurddu [(verily it came to pass)]: By the command of Shamash quriidu [(became as the speech of a man)]. The speech of a bird [(became The Etlana: The eagle eagle (then) opened his mouth, mouth, saying [to [to Et]ana: "(So) why have you come come to me? Tell Tell me!"g me!"'

I

25

Etana opened his mouth, mouth, saying [to [to the ea]gle: ealgle: friend, give give me the plant of birth! birth! "My friend, birth! "Reveal to me the plant of birth! "[Remove the s]hame slhame (upon me) and stablish me with an heir! heir! planlt ofbirth.,,9 of birth."9 "Leave behind [ .. .. .. .. .. the plan]t (Now), (Now), for for a bird in in [its] [its] setting fo[rth, fo[rth, ..... . . . . . ] ...... . . . . . . .. [Acco]rdingly [Accolrdingly [did [did the the eagle] eagle] thus [reply [reply to to Et]ana: Etlana:

25

'

interpreted, the phrase will involve involve a new meaning for for emu, emii,which, which, as as a loanword As now interpreted, from from Sum. Sum. erne, eme, 'tongue', 'tongue', 'language', 'language', has hitherto been only found found in the sense sense of 156 and AHw 215. 2 15. 'ploughshare', cf. cf. CAD CAD E 156 'ploughshare', this point has an an additional at-ta, at-ta, properly 'you'. The urgency, urgency, for for the eagle, eagle, of 8 The text at this a reply reply to to the long long pressing question of why Etana had come to him is is thought indicated accordingly. 97, line line 83, 83, was was accordingly. Not dissimilarly, and for for reasons there explained, atta in Etana 97, translated 'quickly'. 'quickly '. the line line see see below in in the the 'Selected Notes'. Notes' 9 For a possible completion of the 7

aa I[TU.MES]

(So) the eagle [opened] his mouth [and spoke unto Shamash, Shamash, (So) (saying)]: (saying)] : spelech of [a man I do do not understand], "[The spe]ech spelech [he does not understand]. "[(And) the spe ]ech of a bird [he frielnd (of his), [and he is a friend (of mine)]; "I am [a frie]nd "[So I must know] what he says, "[(And) he must know] know] what I say."

15 15

[a-na same Sam&sa $6 dA-nim] ~-nim]

The eagle opened his mouth and said to Etana: friend, we are partners, you and I. "My friend, "Tell me what you require of me and I will give it to you."

Etana opened his mouth and said to the eagle: language!7 [Reve]al [Revelal what is hidden speech) into a language!7 "Change (your speech) from me!"

D ri$$uru,b [[ .. .. .. ] x a-$U-U D E 'issiirulb ina $i-t[i-su] si-t[i-Szi] a-su-u D E 25 su ki-a-am [ip-pa-Ia(?) 25 rina 'ina libbi'clibbile-Szi [ip-pa-la(?) eru(m) erfi(m) a-na C)E-fa-a]n-ni (")E-ta-a]n-ni

DE D E

27

28 28

and ..... . . . . . ] the mountainland? "But alone shall I [rise up(?) arid own(?)] shall I bring to you [the [the plant ofb of blirth? "[On my own(?)] ]irth? . . . . [(but two together(?) ...... . . . . . . )]. )I. "The sin[gle man(?)] .... lO

30

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Studia Etanaica

"An eagle moves about about1' [and. .. .. "An ]; 1; [ a . . .. "There is not [a which/where whichlwhere ....... . . . . . . . ].1. friend, [let me bear you up (even) to the heaven of "Come, my friend, Anu]!" Anu] !" The The passage continues with the details of of the first flight to heaven

Selected Notes

In the above reconstruction it has not been possible to harmonize all of the conflicting details-as pa-a-su, 'his mouth', in C which gives way to pi-i-s'u pi-i-su details-as pa-a-s'u, E. The presence or otherwise of mimation further separates the in D and E. different texts. But structurally considered, it is claimed that the narrative as a whole moves smoothly forwards forwards across its adjoining lines, the new interpretation of line 8 being of much importance in this regard. On specific points, I have firstly, Myths, 197, firstly, in line 1, 1, followed Dalley, Myths, 197, in supposing that it was not the serpent (as in my edition) but Etana that 'seized the hand' of the eagle-less eagle-less plausibly it has been taken to be the l'aquila a prendere la mano di other way round: 'preferiamo pensare che sia l'aquila Etana', Saporetti, JAOS 109, 86, Alster for line 85, 545. In his review in JAOS Saporetti, OLZ 85,545. 12 [i.~-$u-r]a-ku-ma, 'I am a bird'. bird'. In my Etana, p. 136, 136, 12 would restore [is-su-r]a-ku-ma, (discussed by Haul, p. 223), I had considered that the initial space was not sufficient for this restoration, but also such a reading might seem unlikely after the [at-m]i i$-$u-ri is-su-ri of the previous line. The [i-bi-r]a-ku-ma that is now proposed could meet both these objections. Line 23 I had misunderstood. misunderstood. It is now considered that the accusative samma s'a sa aliidi at the end of the line is probably the object of ezib-ma at the Summa beginning, but in the break between these words some word or phrase is missing. If it was possibly ki (or, a-na) zi-it-ti-ia zi-it-ti-ia or the like, yielding, "Leave behind as my inheritance share the plant of birth", birth", the meaning would be, 'Even if you have to die for it, find for me the plant of birth!' birth!' In his Etana, 109, sad a-la-di, 'el-zi-ib-ma [sam]-ma [Sam]-ma s' 109, line 15, 15, Saporetti gives the line as re'-zi-ib-ma translating, "consegna(mi) [la pialnta pia]nta del procreare". procreare". The thought is in general alignment with the above proposal, but without some medial term as suggested the line is out of balance with those preceding it and is considered metrically short. In my line 25 which has been reconstructed on the reasoning

that a speech by the eagle follows, follows, the restored [a-na (m)E-ta-a]n-ni (*)E-ta-a]n-ni is regarded as a desonant form to avoid the assonance of ana Etana. But a· a longer discussion may be devoted to the closing lines of the passage, where a major problem of of interpretation can no longer be avoided. avoided. The enquiry will largely centre on the question: Why, in the first instance, did the companions fly up to heaven? Now, for Langdon and myself, as also later for Foster and Saporetti, there was an obvious answer to this question: a 'message dream' to one of them had told of a confrontation in heaven involving a goddess and her lions and so the direction of flight was determined accordingly. In fact to Stephanie Dalley in her Myths from Mesopotamia belongs the credit of first exposing the fallacy of this argument. II that Langdon and I had wrongly argument. She explained explained1' assigned the two faces faces of the relevant text so that the dream in question precedes the second flight, flight, not the first. first. Haul and Novotny accept this position. So, what prompted the first flight? Some thoughts on the matter may be found in Haul's section on "Weshalb zwei Himmelfliige?" (see his Etana, 27-29), 27-29), which approaches the matter with the help of parallels from the later 'folklore' 'folklore' tradition although arguing nevertheless (p. 29) for the primacy of the Mesopotamian story. However, no answer, I think, has yet been given to the question as I have formulated it, so that the following following thought may be submitted despite the fragmentary nature of the text. I suggest that the object of the first flight was not to find the plant of birth. It was to prove what, from the Etana seals, we have rather taken for granted, namely, that the eagle was indeed able to carry Etana with him as they searched for the plant together. He was confident that he might take him anywhere, even (say) to the heaven of Anu. It would be a subtle twist of the composition that the second flight took them to no less a destination. The chapter may be ended with a note on the last line of Tablet II, 11, a line whose meaning, one may suggest, has not yet been fully apprehended. apprehended. The context is that, following directions given to him by Shamash, Shamash, Etana has arrived at the pit into which, as predicted, the wingless eagle had been thrown. The following line I had read as ul-la-nu-um-ma us-ta-qa-as-su US-ta-qa-as'-s'zi (var.: (var.: ul-taq-qa-as-su) ul-tag-qa-as'-%) [erumUSen], [er6"""~, translating 'There waiting for him was [the eagle]' eagle] '.. Subsequent alternatives offered against this rendering have all taken the saqu not (w)aqu. verb involved to be Sag6 (w)aq6. Thus Edzard in ZA 76, 136, suggested, "(Etana) lieB lieB ihn (= (= den Adler) zu sich heraufkommen", but arguably such a thought comes too soon in the narrative and removes the necessary ingredient of suspense. suspense. Dalley has 'The eagle raised itself itself up at once', Haul, "Sogleich .. ", and Saporetti, not completing the line, 'subito la hob er ihn empor. empor ...", [I ' aquila] sollevo', IW witness against [l'aquila] sollevb', but lines 1-2 1-2 of the Old Version at lIE

'O

Here accepting Dalley's Dalley's i$-$u-da, is-su-da, as also Haul, p. 194, 194, line 21, as a better reading than my i$-$u is-su ta-[a-bu], fa-[a-buj, Etana 114, 114, line 21.

29

10

11

Myths, p. 201, last sentence of note 23.

30 30

Studia StudiaEtanaica Etanaica

these translations translations since since itit was was aa month month before before the the eagle eagle could could rise rise from from the the these pit pit (mathematically, (mathematically, eight eight months months minus minus seven). seven). Foster Foster suggests, suggests, 'There 'There he he was was for for him him to to bring bring up', up', but but only only doubtfully doubtfully can can this this meaning meaning be be wrested wrested from the the Akkadian. Akkadian. from In us'tiiqaSSu, or or ultaqqassu, ultaqqas's'u, isis the the 3rd. 3rd. pers. pers. sing. sing. pres. pres. 8t St In my my judgment judgment ustiiqassu, (cf. (cf. GAG GAG §tj 94, 94, c) c) of of (w)aqu, (w)aqG, 'to 'to wait', wait', with with dative dative suffix. suffix. II had had chosen chosen the the wrong St form form isis here here passive-but passive-but as as now now rendered, rendered, and and with with aa wrong tense-the tense-the 8t new 149f.reads: reads: new suggestion suggestion for for the the end end of of the the line, line, Etana Etana III1 149f. ina lib-[bi-s'd na-di-(ma) nu-di-(ma) erumUSen] er DmUgen] ina lib-[bi-sa [7 ul-la-nu-um-ma us-ta-qa-as-su us'-ta-qa-as'-s'u [7 ITU.MES] ITU.ME$] ul-la-nu-um-ma

Into itit (the (the pit) pit) [had [had been been cast cast the the eagle]; eagle]; Into 12 There him.'* There [for [for seven seven months] months] he he has has had had to to wait wait for for him. ItIt should should be be said said that, that, in in his his Etana, Etana, p. p. 223, 223, Haul Haul comments comments that that waqu waqD isis not not elsewhere St form, form, but but this this of of itself itself isis not not an an argument argument against against itit elsewhere found found in in the the 8t since since tense tense forms forms which which only only occur occur in in aa single single text text are are not not rare rare in in our our studies. studies. The supposed 7 ITU.MES, 'for seven months', would be in a position of The supposed 7 ITU.MES,'for seven months', would be in a position of emphasis emphasis at at the the end end of of the the line, line, and and may may have have been been written written as as suggested. suggested. To To judge judge from from my my copy copy on on pI. pl. 19 19the the space space available available would would neatly neatly accommodate accommodate the three three signs. signs. the

l2 12 For For the the interest interest of of the the matter matter II would would suggest suggest here here aa new new interpretation interpretation of of en. en. el. el. VII, VII, 126, 126, which which concerns concerns the the Nebiru-planet. NEbiru-planet. Supposing Supposing that that the the four four signs signs in in angled angled brackets brackets have have fallen fallen out out by by haplography, haplography, II read read the the text text as: as: e-lis e-liS u ti sap-liS Sap-liSla-<pa-ni-su la-<pa-ni-Su fa> la> ib-bi-ru ib-bi-ru li-qeli-q6-'u-su 'u-S~sa-a-su Sa-a-Su 'Neither 'Neither above above nor nor below below may may they they (the (the stars) stars) cross cross ; they they must must wait wait for for him.' It It may be added added that II regard ibbira ibbid in in this this line line as as a jussive. For two two other suggested suggested examples of this 11, section section 5, 5, assemme, aSSemme, 'may II be obeyed', and and ibid., ibid., this tense tense cf. cf. in in chapter chapter 11, section 6, 6, irtanahha~a, irtanahhaszi, 'may they wash away'.

4. The The flights flights to to heaven heaven 4. There isis one one serious serious lacuna lacuna in in the the reconstruction reconstruction presented presented below, below, but but my my There acceptance in in the the previous previous chapter chapter that that the the ascription ascription of of obverse obverse and and reverse reverse acceptance IS 119530+ was incorrect-the incorrect-the sides sides are are now now correctly correctly on .the the pl~tes plates of of K ?n ~530+ was indicated m in the the republished republished copies copies on on pIs. pls. 4-5-makes 4-5-makes new statement statement mdlcated aa new necessary. The The problem problem of of where, where, if if anywhere, anywhere, Etana Etana and and the the eagle eagle may may necessary. have gone gone when when they they had had their their dreams dreams between between the the flights flights will will also also be be have discussed. discussed. In the the previous previous section section we we left left the the companions companions on on their their first first flight flight to to the the In JAOS heaven of of Anu. Anu. This This flight flight almost almost certainly certainly failed. failed. Alster Alster in in his his review, review, JAOS heaven 109, 83, 83, isis surely surely right right in in saying saying that that we we expect expect the the flight flight to to fail. fail. The The 109, AnzQ,against against Tiamat, Tiamat, or or Huwawa Huwawa and and the the Bull Bull expeditions against against Asag Asag and and Anzu, expeditions of of Heaven, Heaven, all all begin begin with with their their reverses reverses and and succeed succeed only only in in the the end. end. II have have no a-na iilf-ia dli-ia at at the the no additional additional comment comment to to make make for for the the phrase phrase lu-ut-tal-lak lu-ut-tal-lak a-na end of of the the flight, flight, but but the the fall. fall to to earth, earth, as as II would would think, think, has has its its uncertainties uncertainties end also. also. The The current current interpretation interpretation isis that that the the eagle eagle 'threw 'threw down', down', or or 'dropped', 'dropped', or 'shrugged off' Etana, then catching him again as he fell, which or 'shrugged off' Etana, then catching him again as he fell, which he he did did three three times times overall. overall. Another Another possibility, possibility, however, however, would would be be to to translate translate issukassum-ma issukas'.fum-ma as as '(although) '(although) he he tried tried to to thrust thrust him him off', o f f , then then understanding understanding the im-da-har-su ~ ~ ~ ~ ( T I ~ . Mim-qu-ut-ma im-qu-ut-ma uSEN) im-da-har-s'u ina ina kap-pi-su kap-pi-s'u as as 'the 'the the following following eru(TI8.MUSEN) eagle eagle fell, fell, for for he he lay lay squarely squarely across across his his wings'. wings'. This This translation translation as as now now proposed proposed may may improve improve upon upon 'he 'he caught caught him' him' as as the the meaning meaning of of imdahar-su, imdahar-s'u, for of for inherent inherent in in the the 'twofold' 'twofold' aspect aspect of mithuru mithuru isis the the idea idea of of 'to 'to meet meet,' match match,, , correspond', correspond', etc., etc., so so that that the the thought thought would would be be that that Etana Etana lay lay at at full full length length 13 across flying.13Thus Thus interpreted interpreted across the the wings wings and and so so prevented prevented the the eagle eagle from from flying. there there isis still still aa case-I case-I believe believe aa valid valid one-for one-for accepting accepting TIM TIM IX, IX, 49, 49, into into the the composition, composition, and and for for supposing supposing that, that, at at the the eagle's eagle's cry cry to to Ishtar, Ishtar, '[his '[his outstretched outstretched wings(?)] wings(?)] became became embedded embedded in in aa brushwood brushwood pile pile of of poplar poplar wood' . . . ]] ru-um-mU-$a ru-um-mu-$a ab-ru-um ab-ru-um $e-er-[ba-t]i-im, $6-er-[ba-t]i-im, which which saved saved wood' [kap-pa-su [kap-pa-s'u ... their lives. lives. The The piece piece has has not been accepted into into the the story story by other editors, editors, but there there isis no no better place for for the the fragment fragment as as I understand understand it. it. It It is is at at this this point that the the 'serious 'serious lacuna' as as mentioned mentioned above above sets sets in in,, and and one one may may wonder what happens happens next. next. The The problem has has been appreciated appreciated and and isis discussed by Haul Haul in in his his section section "Die "Die LUcke Lucke zwischen Etanas Etanas HimmelflUgen Himmelflugen und Etanas Etanas Traume", see see his his edition, edition, p. p. 29. 29. The The dreams dreams themselves, including V, Haul including those those of the the MA MAV, Haul would place in in the the betweenflights position-a position-a conclusion I would now now also also accept-but accept-but the the more more flights difficult difficult question question is is what happens happens before before this. this. Dalley's suggestion, suggestion, as as given l3

13

For similar examples examples involving the the Gt Gt form form see see now H. H. Hirsch, Hirsch, "Die "Die Verbalstamme Verbalsthme mit mit

AfO 50 50 (2003/4), (2003/4), 80-94. 80-94. fa-Infix", ta-Infix", AjD

4. 4. The The flights flights to to heaven heaven

Studia Studia Etanaica Etanaica

32 32

p. 198, 198, isis that that Etana Etana and and the the eagle eagle 'go 'go back back [presumably [presumably fly fly in in her her Myths, Myths, p. back] back] to to Kish Kish [where] [where] Etana Etana has has aa series series of of three three dreams dreams which encourage encourage him to to make make aa second second attempt attempt to to reach heaven'. What could could be be seen seen as as aa him in this this theory is is that to to give give up up so so soon soon after after aa first first reversal reversal of weakness in fortune fortune is is not very very heroic, heroic, or, or, indeed, indeed, characteristic characteristic of the the old old stories. stories. However, my my own own proposal that there there was was aa flight flight to to aa mountainside mountainside (on (on on the the argument that which see see the the 'Reconstruction' on p.9), p. 9), based on Gilgamesh, as as described in Gilg. Gilg. IV, IV, had his dreams dreams in in such a place, was was Gilgamesh, alternative, not yet considered, considered, would be that, that, doubtless also also in in error. error. An alternative, doubtless dazed by their fall fall from from the the heights heights of heaven, the the sleep sleep of the the companions companions dreams was was the the 'sleep' of unconsciousness. unconsciousness. In this case case the the before their dreams dreams will have been conveyed to them in the place where they fell, fell, and indeed, there is is one text, as as newly seen, which could support this proposal. proposal. The text in question is is LKA 14, 14, rev. rev. vi, the copy, from Franz Kocher's Etana, pI. pl. 6. 6. Its Its general character may ~e be seen hand, being reproduced in my Etana, in Haul's edition, ivy), and in Saporettl, Saporetti, p.96 p. 96 edition, p. 146 146 (there given as 'Kol. iv'), (where described erroneously as a 'col. iii'). What I myself made of it as given in Etana, pp. 64f. 64f. was but a desperate attempt to wr.est wrest some semblance of meaning from a mere fragment of text. A new attempt IS is made below. Three lines fragmentary fragmentary B . . . . . (saying)]: [The eagle's] wife [ ..... as's'asa-[su(?) . .. assas -[sue?) ... "Yo[ur] father [ . . .. .. .. 5' AD-k[a? AD-k[a? . .. "Lift up [his] [his] he[ he[ad(?) ... ad(?) ... i-Si qa[qqad-su(?)b] qa[qqad-~u(?)~] . . . "Lift i-si x [ ... r i ] 'mgs. "[ .. ., . . .. . .h his IS 'wlings. W a '-[ga]p-pe-[su(?) -[glib-pe-[s'u(?) .. . . .. ra "If . . ] ..... . . . . . [ ... ... "If he [ .. [l]@?C-pu-ul . . .. [l]ipt-pu-ul [ .. "If the 'state of being' is confu[sed(?) ... ... "If e-5.'2t1? . . .. e-rset'? ba-s'i-tu ba-si-tu [ .. . , [t? "(then) "(then) if if [his head(?)] does not fall1 fal[l (he is ia ... za im-qu[t? Im-qu .... 10' alive?)]; alive?)]', 14 "(But) he does not hea[r ...... . . . . ]I4 "(But) if ifhe ] ia is'-me-[(e)-ma .. is-me-[(e)-ma .... (and) if he does not .... [ .... . . (he is ifhe ia ih-[ .... .. dead)]." dead)]."

dd[ zi-mar .. u-mar s'itta Sl tta [ .... a-na it-ti [ .... .. 15' aa-na - n a ba b a x [[ .... .. ,

v'

Two fledglings [(flew down(?) ...... . . . . I].. For a sign [of life . . . . . they looked?]. [of ..... ..... . . . [ .... .. Two lines fragmentary fragmentary

DAM-[SU?], cf. comment following aB DAM-[su?],

b

earlier copy, cf. also Haul, note 448

d 11-to II-fa

l4 14

S[AG.DU-SU(?)] S[AG.DU-su(?)] Following Ebeling's

33 33

Notes Notes

As will will be be already already clear, clear, the the above above passage, passage, in in general general terms, terms, is is thought to to As concern the the 'state 'state of of being(?)' of of the the eagle eagle after after the the fall, fall, itit being uncertain, one one may may suppose, suppose, as as to to whether he he is is alive alive or or dead. dead. Necessarily Necessarily this this conjectured meaning bas'itu would need to to be be separated separated from from its its familiar familiar meaning for for basftu sense sense as as 'property', 'property', 'possessions' 'possessions' (the (the proposal of 'the 'the present time' given in Etana, Etana, 75, 75, may be disregarded). In line 6' the the restoration of qaqqad-su, 'his head', is is based solely, solely, though not unsuitably, on the the familar familar drooping drooping head of a dead bird, a sight made made the the more obvious from from their generally long necks. necks. The 13', is is probably new. new. Left untranslated by Haul, Haul, p. p. 146, 146, The word u-mar, zi-mar, line line 13', by Saporetti, p. 96, 96, and by myself, the emerging context suggests suggests that its resemblance resemblance to the Sum. Sum. amar == atmu, atmu, 'fledgling', 'fledgling', may not be accidental. It is is presumed in fact that, occurring before the numeral sitta, Sitta, 'two', 'two', umar is is the uninflected form form of a Sum. Sum. loanword *umaru, at one stage perhaps **amaru, amaru, the change of the initial vowel being of a kind known from the shift of (w)ardu to urdu, 'slave'. 'slave'. Arguing back from this position, the initial DAM of line 4' has been taken as the logogram for assatu, as'iatu, 'wife', 'wife', that is, the eagle's wife, who, having witnessed the fall, will have been the speaker for the direct speech of line 5ff. AD-k[a?] of line 5', if correctly so so read, 5ff. The AD-k[a?] could support the proposal. Additionally, a line from the compilation of literary quotations edited by W. G. Lambert Larnbert in a still intriguing text,15 text,15 may be relevant here. It reads (rev. (rev. 7): NAM?]'TAR. ina mi-le-e Sadi(KUR-i) sadf(KUR-i) it-ta-lad ~ eru(TI8.MUSEN) [ ... . . . NAM?].TAR. ~~~(TI~.MU$EN) ru-mas'-sil rzi-maS'-Sil

Reasonably (p. 155) Lambert considered that the line could refer to the of a poplar tree, not on I1 (except that this was at the top of eagle's nest in Etana II mountain) , but with our new insights into the a mountain), matter the line could 16 also begotten offspring on a translate: '[(Now) by fa]te(?) the eagle had also16 height in the mountainland'. The text would then be referring to a second of the eagle, from which his new family will have observed his nest, or aerie, of fall. Of the dreams which follow, that provided provided by K 14788, published published in my Of edition on pl. pI. 22, is the most difficult to place with certainty in the justification Haul presents it amongst "Text"Textcomposition. With much justification of his book (p. 208). More will be unklarer Einordnung" Einordnung" at the end of fragmente unklarer paragraph of of chap. 8, and the familiar said about it below, in the second paragraph dream that precedes the second flight will be left for discussion to chap. 5.

C

One might might reasonably reasonably expect expect in in this this position position as as aa parallel parallel phrase, phrase, 'and 'and ififhe does not not see' see'. One he does

IS 15 16 16

"A piece piece of of esoteric Babylonian Babylonian learning", learning", RA RA 68 (1984), (1984),149-156. "A 149-156. Uncertain, Uncertain, the the translation translation being being an an attempt attempt to to bring bring umaiiil, umassil, lit., lit., 'he 'he made made equal', equal', or or the the

regarded by by Lambert, it stands outside it, ittal(1)ad ittal(l)ad the sentence as a whole. whole. If, It: as so regarded like, into the could be be rendered rendered '(the '(the eagle) eagle) had had (again) (again) begotten begotten offspring'. offspring'. could

Studia Etanaica

4. The flights flights to heaven

What may, however, be presented here, and for its relevance to chap. 9, is a new transliteration transliteration and translation of the second of the 'symbolic' 'symbolic' dreams as found in the MA V. The basic texts are MAl MA, and MA3 MA3 which are brought MAV. together in my Etana, pp. pp. 66f., and more clearly differentiated in Haul's Partitur presentation as given in his edition, p. 148. What should first, first, however, be explained is that an idealized text is provided for the initial lines 16-17, u] being taken back from the el-pe-t[u] 16-17, with the important term el-pe-t[ beginning of line 17' and placed at the end of line 16'. The translation may best indicate why this new suggestion for the lay-out is now proposed.

supposed; to an extent this relieves the difficulty of the 'evil snakes', snakes', well supposed; possibly "Feinde" as supposed by Haul, p. 159, 159, note on v, 6'-12'. 6'-12'. In line 22' i-ka-nu-Su is a present tense; my previous '(they) bowed down', as if iknusii, iknuizi, i-ka-nu-su is not suitable. suitable. But further fkrther discussion of the dream, and a suggestion as to the elpitu-grass, is withheld to the later arguments of significance of the heaped elpftu-grass, 10. Discussion otherwise would be premature, it being still chapter 10. maintained that the meaning of the dream cannot be resolved within the compass of a three-Tablet work. flights. These The dreams, then, in summary, separate the two (only) flights. flights were motivated by different events and were single in their objectives, flights but their structural details were much the same and their literary merit has been rightly praised. And, be it said, there was never a flight extending bCru into the heavens. As I should have realised, at 3 beru bZru from the earth 6 beru it-I do apologise to Wayne the heaven of Anu has no cosmic space above it-I Horowitz 'for misleading his initial research in this respect. The two-flight scheme requires also a further humility: it completes the demise of 'the spirit 113ff. of my Adventure(?)' which, for a time, had its uneasy life on pp. 113ff. of Adventure(?), edition. But on one matter there will be no compromise: quite certainly, and indeed, inevitably, the climax of the second flight was the meeting with Ishtar in her heavenly temple.

34

20'

ina Su-ti-ia su-ti-ia pa-ah-rat pa-ah-rat el-pe-t[ut el-pe-t[uIa [a-ta-am-mur(?)b e ]l-pe-ta [a-ta-am-rn~r(?)~ ell-pe-ta i+na rbiti'c 'bitilC d i+na kis:"'sat kii-Sat miiti miitid ki gu-ru-ni ig-ta-n[ a ]-tu-nu e biliit/ ig-ta-n[a]-ru-nue biliite g . . . . . ] x $a-ru Su-nu $Criig [ ..... su-nu $erii lem-nu-tu h piinC-ia [ ..... . . . . . il-l]a-ku-ni-ma ana anapiinii-ia sa ana] sap-Iu-ia k [ ..... . . . . . Sa anal rzagmukki'(?)i rzagmukkil(?)Ji-ka-nu-su i-ka-nu-Su Sap-lu-ia"

aa Word taken back from beginning of line 117' T b Free restoration erE' d KUR 'E' e" conflating the ig-ta-n[a-ru-nu] ig-ta-n[a-ru-nu] ofMA of MA3 ig--ru-nu, as probably, of 3 with the ig--ru-nu, MAl g MUS.MES MA, f GUN.MES GUN.MES MUS.MEShh although a reading [im-tal-lJa-ku-ni-ma [im-tal-l]a-ku-ni-ma is not i' IGI j uncertain, but based on the possibility of reading the signs as [Z]A[G.M]U [z]A[G.M]u(usually ZAG.MUK) ZAG.MUK) kk word preceded by ana which is not required

excluded

New Translation Translation

20'

"In my dream haIfa-grass halfa-grass was being gathered; "[I saw(?)] haIfa-grass saw(?)] halfa-grass in [every] house. "Men everywhere throughout the land "were piling quantities (of it) into heaps. 17 heaps.17 "(Then) $iirii ~iirii(villains) [confronted me(?)]; me(?)]; as evil $erii ~Crii(snakes) were they (portrayed). "[Like(?) ..... . . . . . they c]ame clame towards me, "[Men(?) who, at the New] Year(?), Year(?), had been bowing down before me."

Relevant to the above is the point that the el-pe-t[u] of line 16' and the [e]l-pe-ta OLZ 83, 546, [ell-pe-ta of line 17' have been kept distinct. distinct. Saporetti in VLZ followed by Haul, Etana, 161, take them to be the same word; their case 161, endings, however, are different and they occur at different positions on their respective tablets. In line 17' the translation 'in [every] [every] house' will only be correct if the previous verb is a distributive tan-form, but this could well have been the case. In line 20' a play on the words $iirii jiirii and $erii ~Criiis now " Foster's translation here is 'They heaped up loads (of them) in piles', where 'loads' rather 17 translation loads neatly renders bilfte. renders bitiite.

35

5. The The meeting meeting with with Ishtar Ishtar 5. In In Iraq Iraq 64 64 (2002), (2002), Fig. Fig. 41, 41, Julian Julian Reade Reade reproduced reproduced aa watercolour watercolour by by F. Cooper Cooper of of the the entrance entrance to to the the Bet BEt IStar IStar sarrat Sarrat niphi niphi at at Nimrud Nimrud as as itit could could F. once once be be seen. seen.''18 On On either either side side of of the the entrance entrance stands stands aa large large open-mouthed open-mouthed labbu, monuments monuments which which of of themselves themselves would would identify identify the the temple temple even even if if the the labbu, writing writing on on their their flanks flanks was was not not otherwise otherwise available. available. There There isis much much additional additional reason reason to to associate associate the the mythological mythological labbu labbu with with 19 Ishtar. With 1shtar.19 With no no other other goddess, goddess, indeed indeed with with no no other other deity, deity, are are the the labba labbzi associated, and and in in fact fact they they provide provide an an essential essential clue clue for for the the meaning meaning of of the the associated, dream dream which which preceded preceded the the second second flight flight in in Etana. Etana. That That dream, dream, against against current opinion, opinion, II would would still still think think to to be be that that of the the eagle. eagle. Haul Haul in in his his Etana, Etana, current 226, as as also also Alster Alster in in JAOS 226, JAOS 109, 109, 62, 62, argued argued that that the the address address formula formula after after the the dream dream necessarily necessarily involves involves aa change change of of speaker. speaker. That, That, however, however, isis not not the the case case in in LV LV I,I, where where as as seen seen in in chap. chap. 11of of the the present present study study (lines (lines 4' 4' and and 9' 9' of of text text B), B), aa repeated repeated address address formula formula occurs occurs without without change change of of speaker speaker in in the the long address address to to him him of of Etana's long Etana's wife. wife. Moreover, Moreover, and and although although admittedly admittedly from from different V do different versions, versions, the the two. two 'symbolic' 'symbolic' dreams dreams of of the the MA MAV do not not harmonize harmonize well, well, or or at at all, all, with with the the long long 'message' 'message' dream dream of of the the LV. LV. The The dissimilarity, dissimilarity,to to 20 my mind, mind, suggests suggests that that two two dreamers dreamerswere were involved. involved.20 my In the the text text itself one one improvement improvement may may be be suggested. suggested. In In line line 11 11 of the the In dream, dream, and and following following Haul's Haul's collation collation at at the the break break although although departing departing from from his s-su i]t-tak-ba-[ as], 'the his own own proposal proposal (p. (p. 202), 202), one one could could read read (i-i[ ti-i[s-su i]t-tak-ba-[as], 'the clay clay [around [around itit (the (the throne)] throne)] had had been been trodden trodden do[wn]', do[wn]', that that is, is, by by the the labba labba mentioned mentioned in in the the following following line. line. II had had previously previously suggested suggested *qaq-qa-[ru *gag-qa-[ru i]ti]ttak-ba-[as], tak-ba-[as], 'the 'the ground ground (around (around it) it) had had been been trodden trodden down'. down'. II pass pass now now to to the the question question of of whether whether or or not not the the fragmentary fragmentary text text Rm Rm 2,492, 2,492, republished republished here here on on pI. pl. 6, 6, represents represents an an episode episode in in the the working working out out of of the the original original dream. dream. No No editor editor as as yet yet has has so so accepted accepted it; it; indeed, indeed, Foster Foster and and Saporetti Saporetti believe believe in in the the failure failure of the the mission mission altogether. altogether. Nevertheless Nevertheless with with several improvements improvements the the text text is is here here brought brought forward forward again, again, but this this time time several with the the association association ofK of K 10099 with 10099 which which isis also also reproduced reproduced on on pI. pl. 6. 6. The The latter latter text text was was first first presented presented on on pI. pl. 21 21 of of my my edition edition where where II had had certainly certainly The plate plate appears appears on on p. p. 183 183of of Reade's Reade's study, study,"The "The ziggurat ziggurat and and temples temples ofNimrud", of Nimrud", the the 18 The temple itself itself being being discussed discussedon on pp. pp. 18lff. 181ff. temple 19 19 See See accordingly accordinglyWayne Wayne Horowitz, Horowitz,Mesopotamian Mesopotamian Cosmic Cosmic Geography, Geography,p.p. 58 58 with with note note 19. 19. 20 20 An An additional additionalpoint point isis that that the the word word su-pa-a iu-pa-ainin line line 16 16after after the the dream dreamcan can unexceptionally unexceptionally be be taken taken to to mean mean '(now) '(now) has has been been made made manifest manifest to to me', me', the the eagle eagle being being the the speaker. speaker. Haul Haul reads, reads, su-pa-a Su-pa-asut[ta-ka], Sut[ta-ka], translating, translating, "[dein] "[dein] rTraum' 'Traum1 ist ist offensichtlich!", offensichtlich!", but but the the suffix suffix -ka -ka isis not not certain. certain. Dalley Dalley has, has, 'My 'My friend, friend, [the [the significance significanceof of the the dreams] dreams] isis quite quite clear!', clear!', but but only only one dream dream isis of of concern concern so so that that [sunatu] [SunEtu] isis not not the the subject. subject. one

,

5. The meeting with Ishtar

Studia Etanaica

38

misunderstood it. It was considered to relate to the making of of new wings for misunderstood 'with every weapon', weapon', of of line 5, as may be ka-la ka-ak-ka, ka-ak-ka, 'with the eagle, and the ka-la seen further on pp. 106f., was brought into the solution. Thought out anew and restored in a different way, it is set down below with Rm 2,492, necessarily as a separate text since the two pieces are from different tablets 'G' and 'H' 'H' respectively in the list of of join. They are given as 'G' and do not join. texts.

Unclear bpreceded by an erased sign, probably the beginning of of us U$ C f[u] t[u] or l[d /[1] e [K]I [K]I f [G]I$ [O]IS TASKARIN, discussed in the following note g SEM h considered to represent represent the third element of of a 2:2:2 line, concluding the speech i lines thought to be prose 1 lines thought to be prose aa

d DINGIR.MES DINGIR.MES

Translation Translation

2

Transliteration Transliteration ] r MES '?3

[ ...

G G G

[. . . ] qud-mis [u-tar-ri-is-su-nu(?) d)i-ra-a-ta

is b-sa-[am-da(?) ... ir-bi-s[u . ..

G G

[ .... .. [ .... ..

. v, xC [ .. Zl-mu-sa xC[ . . . zi-mu-Sci na-mir-tu k[i .. nu-mir-tu ...

[ . . .

5' 5'

la? in-nalm-ru in-na ]m-ru 1]xx

G G

[ ... [ ...

G G

[dE-ta-na . .. [ ...

G 10' G

[ ... [ ...

i-q]is-su i-q] is-szi id-d)in-su id-d] in-Szi

G G

[ [

... ...

]/i ]-nun

5

1] 1]

10

ka-a-a-an ]1 ka-a-a-an [ .. .. .. tuh-du ta-mi[ -ir-tu lih-nuta-mi[-ir-tu ub(?)] ub(?)l

H

H H

H 5' H

H

H

[ .. [ .. [ ..

. . .

] ] ]

[[ .. . . .. I [[ .. . . .. I [[ .. . . ]I h [sa-ni-ta-am-ma(?)] [Sa-ni-ta-am-ma(?)] ul i-pat-tar i-pat-tar

.. .. a-an-tu Slp-ra . . h] h]a-an-& Sip-ra' ] x ul i-qab-bi i-qab-bi'i

[klma(?) .. . [dE-ta-na . . . Break

1

"[(With this plant) .. .. .. "[(With I(?) have] pass.. brought to pass "[(It . . . . . of all the plant life(?» life(?)) that is cul]tivated culltivated in the "[(It is the ..... earth, fragrant...... . . . . thane?)] than(?)] the box tree whose scent is as as "[More fragrant fragrant herbs. fragrant

[ana qi-bi-t]i-ka(?) a-na-rku' a-nu-'kul [li-in-na-s ]er ka-la ka-ak-ka [li-in-nu-~]er [i-na qa-t]i-ia ul e-li

i

[The goddess] presented him [with the plant, reciting (over it)] a pra[yer]:: pra[yer] [Ishtar ga]ve galve to him [the [the plant, reciting (over it)] a pra[yer, (saying)]:

Short break

[... u-S)ab-s[i] zi-qab-S[i] [sa ina e ]rsitie sur-sa-tu [Sa e]r$itie Sur-sa-tzi [ x ] taskarinni sa riqqu taskarinniff Sa riqqugg nar ... " p j-'. ;zi1 pl-SU

v.

1

] she was filled with fearhl fearful light. more(?) ofi of] the fearful light than (other)

... "Continually [may Adad(?) ... "Continually ralin down and the mead[ows "[May. .. .. .. .. ra]in bloom(?)] with abundant growth!"

Short break H H

[But not yet(?) could her face be sleen, .. s]een, her countenance .[ .... veiled(?)]. [... ] radiance li[ke .... ..

was parallysed [Etana. para]lysed with fright. [Etana . .. . [And he could not(?) note?) see(?) that a plant(?)] plante?)] was being held in her hand. .

[si]m-ma-tu i-.?[am-ma-am] i-s[am-ma-am] [Silm-ma-tu q ]a-ti-sa ta-m[i-ih] ta-m[i-ih] [ina q]a-ti-Sci

tu- '[a ' [a i-man-ni(?)] imanni(SID-ni)(?)] tu-[ 'a imanni(S1~-ni)(?)]

[(But the lions)] she had aforetime harnes[sed (to her yoke?)]; [She drove them off(?)] with a whiplash and they lay do[wn (at her side)]. side )].

[ .... . [ .... . gods radiate.

[m]a-la-at pu-ul-[ha-ti] pu-ul-[ha-ti] [mla-la-at [ip]-pal-hu iilu [@I-pal-hu l ~d7pu-l[uh-ta] ~~u-l[uh-ta]

] ]

339 9

5

. . . . . as a com]mand comlmand to you: "[(But this do you remember(?)], remember(?))], I [ ..... "[(But protelcted with every weapon. weapon. "[(Let a guard be set over it), be it prote]cted [from] my "[(For another plant of this kind)] cannot go forth [from] [halnd, or be released [a second time]." [ha]nd,

Studia Etanaica Studia

5. 5. The The meeting meeting with with Ishtar Ishtar

[As a man to to whom] whom] a swift swift [runner(?) [runner(?) has has just delivered] delivered] an an [As (urgent) message, (urgent) . . . . .the the plant(?))], plant(?))], could not speak. speak. [Etana, (when (when he .....

One One further further text is is considered relevant to to the the theme of this section. section. It It is is VAT 12998 12998 which was was published by Ebeling Ebeling in KAR 302 302 and and reproduced in Etana, pI. pl. 29; 29; i~it is is now further further repeated in pI. pl. 6. 6. There There is is much damage, damage, but ~tana, Its its three final final lInes, lines, the the first first two two in poetry, the the third, third, a catch-line, in prose, may be partly read. read. Testifying, Testifying, it is is thought, to to the the last words words of Ishtar before Etana's departure from from her presence, presence, the the three lines read possibly as: as:

40 40

Break

41 41

Notes Selected Notes The and The first first of the the above above texts texts was first first published in a previous study,21 and indeed I have taken over from qud-mii and and i$-$ais-safrom this this the the readings of both qud-mis [am-da] [am-da] in line 2. 2. Additionally, Additionally, the the copy as as there given (on p. 245) 245) showed showed the mda] as issa[mda] as an an erasure, erasure, and and this this has has been preferred to to the the the traces before i$$a[ completed completed sign sign as as it was was later shown shown in Etana, Etana, pI. pl. 29. The The suitability suitability of the the verb verb $amadu samddu in association association with Ishtar's lions lions is is seen seen in the the cited dIstar d ~ i t a... ... r sa id $a-an-da-ti and 7 la-ab-ba (sic) (sic) ... ... i$-mi-id-su ij-mi-id-su of respectively VAB VAB sa-an-da-ti 7 la-ab-bu and 4 274, 274, 15 15 and and 276, 276, 31. 3 122. The ~The ~ new restoration of u-tar-ri-is-su-nu zi-tar-ri-is-su-nu is is based solely on the tarddu would be the the expected verb verb for for 'to the consideration consideration that taradu drive rabdju in the the same same line line is is used typically typically of drive off' of animals; animals; the the verb raba$u animals. (Etana, p. p. 12) 12) that what animals. As As to to my comment in the the 'Reconstruction' (Etana, was given to Etana in lines 10 10 and 11 11 'will not so so immediately have been the plant of birth', I believe that this opinion badly underestimated the speed of Mesopotamian stories. 'pectoral' by stories. With the replacing of tu-[di-it-tu(?)], 'pectoral' tu-[ 'u], 'prayer formula', the way is open to suggest that we do tu-['u], do at last have a splinter of a text that witnesses to the dramatic climax of Etana's mission. mission. Source H, in its way, supports this conclusion. Perhaps only a line or two supports conclusion. Source H, its is is missing between the two pieces. It is is conceded that, as as before, the tell-tale sammu, Sammu, 'plant', 'plant', does does not appear in the text, but it is is thought that the lines as as restored would suit, suit, and are are convincing, convincing, as as comments comments by Ishtar on the nature and uniqueness of the plant. In line 2, iur-sa-tti for for sur-sa-tu iur-ia-tzi is taken to be 2, sur-sa-tu the stative subj. idruiu, 'to put under cultivation',23 c ~ l t i v a t i o n ' the , ~ ~ feminin~ feminine subject subj. of surusu, being perhaps napistu, napiitu, 'life', 'life', or siknat iiknat napisti, napiiti, or some some other term of a like kind. GI$ TASKARIN, 'box', 'box', in line 3, 3, the end of the top kind. As to the reading of GIS in my copy resembles ma-is· now thought to belong stroke of gis-which gii-which resembles ma-is properly to the sign before, the signs signs in general running close close together at this point. In line 6', i-pat-tar is is thought to stand for ip-pat-tar, passive.

''

"Further contributions to the Legend of Etana", JNES 33 33 (1974),237-249. (1974), 237-249. full, the second reference translates approximately as, 'He (Nabonidus) However, in full, harnessed to himself [not 'for her', her', as Hildegard Lewy in AS 16, 16, 281] 2811 the seven labbii, labbl, symbols of his divinity' (si-mat i-lu-ti-su). i-lu-ti-Su). Arguments advanced in The The Rebel Lands (Cambridge 1979), 1979), 101-106, 101-106, explain that the divine Weapons and powers which subdued 'mythological' 'mythological' enemies in the earlier times were passed down to, or could be assumed by, the later kings who might then use them in their own battles. It is supposed that, in 'reharnessing' 'reharnessing' the Lions, N abonidus was drawing divine power to himself Nabonidus himself in a similar way. 23 285, under eresu erZu B. 23 As thus CAD E 285,

21

22

22

[[ .. ... [[ .. . . ..

] x ki-[t]um ki-[tlum .] -r·, ta-m 1t -t1. . ta-nil-'it1-ti

[[ ... ...

za-mi(?) z&-mi(?)dlnnin]-a-kam d~nnin]-a-kcimi-na bab bdb dA~-nim - n i m[ ... ...

sukun iukun (GAR-un) (GAR-un) [mi-sa-ra(?)] [mi-ia-ra(?)] pa-ni-ka [lu-us-nam-mer(?)] [lu-ui-nam-mer(?)]

1

"[(In the the land?) land?) be] be] law [imposed], [justice] Ijustice] do do thou establish; establish; plraise, and and I will will [brighten] your face face (with joy)!" joy)!" sing(?) my p]raise, "[Ever sing(?) [Saying "Praise(?)] to to [Inanna]!" [Etana [Etana and and the the eagle(?) eagle(?) passed] passed] through the Kish(?)]. the gate gate of Anu [and [and returned safely(?) safely(?) to to Kish(?)]. The The above above piece, already suggested as as part of Etana Etana by R. R. Borger in his HKL HKL II, 57, and III, 111, 62, 62, was incorrectly incorrectly restored as as to its third line in my previous 11, 57, edition, edition, p. 12. 12. As now identified, the text, in terms of the LV, will represent the end of 'Tablet III'. 111'. In Tn the first first line the restoration of mfsaru miiaru is is supported kittu and its well-known use with both by its common association with kittu sakanu--even twice in one line in the 'Akkadian Prophecies' edited by iakdnu-ven Grayson and Lambert, JCS 18 18 (1964), p.16, p. 16, 7. 7. In line 2 the restored l~snam,!!er panu than the luinammer is is a SD form, form, which is is more commonly found with withpiind sImple simple S form form... If the identification identification is is correct, the question arises as as to which version of Etana the fragment fragment belongs. belongs. Since Since there are are no examples, examples, as as presently known, of Late Version texts in the Berlin collections, it may possibly have been a piece of the Middle Assyrian Version written in Neo-Assyrian script, script, such as MA2). It is not clear what is the precise meaning of as VAT 10291 10291 (or MA2)' kam-mu, khm-mu, 'text', 'text', 'tablet?', 'tablet?', which is seen in the first first line of the colophon. colophon.

6. During the pregnancy There is as yet no textual evidence for the birth of a son to Etana. Three new texts, however, given as sources 'J' 'J' to 'L' 'L' in the initial list, may suitably, as they are set down below, speak for the close imminence of that event. pI. 6. It was first The main piece is K 10096, presented in copy on pl. published in the 'Texts and Fragments' section of JCS 42 (1990) 92, and at the time II had no thought as to its possible relevance for the legend of Etana. sequence, I had noticed that in line 7' the signs Sd sa uzi id sa are found together in sequence, and that one possibility would be to read Sd sa Sammi sammi Sd, sa, 'of 'of the plant which'. which'. However, not every plant is the plant of birth. Nevertheless, and in the course of time, continuing research has suggested that two small fragments 0. R. R. Gurney's fragments from the Sultantepe texts, copied in O. second volume as Nos. 346 and 351, may support the text ofK of K 10096. They are reproduced in the present study on pl. pI. 8, 8, and have been positioned in what is thought to be their approximate place in relation to each other. Since both of the texts come from the top edge of their tablet and presumably its obverse, they have the additional importance of suggesting that the episode as a whole belongs to the very beginning of Tablet IV. As elsewhere in this account proposed restorations are provisional but may serve to give added substance to a poorly preserved text. Transliteration Transliteration JK JK JK KL KL

[mu-sa-r]u-u [mu-sa-r]u-zialW iil[iax x x (ma) (ma) m?E-ta-n]a "'E-ta-n]a ina [lib-hie?) [lib-bi(?)... ... [x Z[I-hu? ... [ x (x) u]-sar-ru-[u-si(?) zil-Sar-ru-[u-Si(?)it& arah]b arahlb 3 u 4 Z[I-hu? ... [a-a [a-a u-mas]-ser zi-mail-SBr [ki-rim-ma [ki-rim-ma t]a-ri-is-rsu' t]a-ri-is-'sd [ ... ... [a-a. m]u-se-*rniq'-te [a-a . . .. m]u-Se-*'niql-te [tu-leFe'-a [tu-le]-'el-a [ ... ... 5 [... ki-i(?)] re'-ri-tu lib-ba [i-$ab-ba-tu(?)] [... ki-i(?)]'el-ri-tzi Sd [i-sab-ba-tu(?)] [it? [h? mu-sad-dJu-u(?) mu-Sad-d)u-ti(?)la qe[r-bu-(u)-ni(m)] qe[r-bu-(u)-ni(m)]

KL KL L L L 10 LlO

sa

·· an-nu-u'[]' l-l t u SAL. ]]kki-i an-nu-zi-[tlzi S A L r.MURUB4 ' M U R U ,ck· B ~ki-m[a ~I-m [a ... ... [ .. .. .. [ ..... ip-t]i a-ku-lu a-na [s]a-l[i-im-ti ... . . . . . ip-t]i [Sla-l[i-im-ti. . . [e-li(?) sa e-pu-su [e-li(?)mim-muFu'(?) mim-mu]-'zil(?)Sd e-pu-Szi ma-ti[-ma ma-ti[-ma ... ... r ,d [[ .... ] - e id sa Sammie samml·e Sd sa i-tu--da I-tu--da a [[ ... . . . . me me]-'eld ... [a-di sa ib-ba-nu-u [a-di ma-l]a(?) ma-l]a(?)U4-me u4-me id ib-ba-nu-zi [ ... ... v,

v

v

,

•

1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1

Two fragmentary Two lines fragmentary URU b [ITI] C for a possible reading see in following Notes but considered less likely e U u

a

d or [IU':']U [ILL]U= =

[hll]u, [hiflu,

Translation Translation

S5

10 10

6. 6.During Duringthe thepregnancy pregnancy

StudiaEtanaica Etanaica Studia

44 44

[A garden] garden] bed bed in in the the cit(y cit[y was was opened opened up, up, and and Etan]a Etanlathere(in there[in (A planted the plant of birth]. planted the plant of birth]. pregna[nt and and months] months] three three and and four four [(And)after after he] he] had had made made her her pregna[nt [(And) pas[sed by, by, (his (his wife wife said said to to him)]: him)]: had pas[sed had rellax [her [her hold hold on on him, him, (my (my own own "[So that] that] his his nurse nurse [shall [shall not not re]lax "[So arms shall shall hold hold him)]; him)]; arms . . . . .],j, with with my my "[So that that the the breasts(?)] breasts(?)] of of aa wet wet nurse nurse [shall [shallnot not ..... "[So [breaslts [I[I shall shall suckle suckle him]." him]." own [breas]ts own [Etana also also had had assured(?) assured(?) that], that], being being pregnant, pregnant, the the (demons) (demons) who who [Etana womb(s) [and cause miscarlriage should not draw ne[ar [seize] [seize] womb(s) [and cause miscar]riage should not draw ne[ar her]. her]. [(So [(So when when she she told told him)] him)] that that these these [were [were indeed indeed assailing(?)] assailing(?)] (her) (her) womb(?) as as [previously], [previously], womb(?) [He [He at at once(?) once(?) op]ened oplened up up the the rest rest room room (which) (which) [he [he had had built] built] for for [her] sa[fe sa[fe delivery]. delivery]. [her] more than than anyth]ing(?) anyth]ing(?) that that he he [Its. more [Its ..... had ever ever made. made. had [Now jui]ce(?) of of the the plant plant which which had had been been growing growing [Now also(?) also(?) the the jui]ce(?) . . . . .],1, profusely [he [he ..... profusely [And up up to to the the e]nd e]nd of of the the days days when when [her [her child] child] had had been been (fully) (fully) [And formed [he [he gave gave itit to to her her to to drink]. drink]. formed

Two Two lines linesfragmentary fragmentary

Explanatory Notes Notes Explanatory 1Iff. ff. It It will will be be seen seen that that the the passage passage as as aa whole whole isis written written in in prose, prose, and and even even Muanna's Muanna's two-line two-line declaration declaration in in lines lines 33 and and 44 has has been been set set down down without without aa caesural caesura1 space space in in the the belief belief that that they they are are too too long long to to be be poetry. poetry. In In line line 11 itself itself the the restored restored 'was 'was opened opened up' up' has has probably probably found found the the right right verb-petu verb-petzi isis often often used to to express express the the beginning of of new new enterprise-although enterprise-although the the transitive ip-tu-u-(ma), '''they'' '"they" opened opened up', may may possibly have have transitive and and indefinite indefinite ip-tu-u-(ma), been written. written. The The Akkadian for for 'to 'to plant' is is zaqiipu zaqdpu for for trees trees and and sakiinu Sakdnu for for plants, is'-kun or or perhaps perhaps is-tak-na is'-tak-na may may have have featured featured in in plants, whence whence the the simple simple is-kun the text. text. the 3-4. 3-4. The The suggested suggested restorations restorations in in line line 33 stem stem from from the the consideration consideration that kirimmu, kirimmu, the the strong strong 'armhold' 'armhold' of of aa nurse nurse (probably (probably in in part needed to to prevent baby-snatching as as an an implicit implicit evil evil of of the the times) times) isis the the noun most most associated associated with wlmus's'uru, 'to 'to release' or or 'relax' 'relax' such such hold, hold, is is suggestive suggestive with tiirltu, tdritu, while while wlmu§Suru, as as the the associated verb. verb. In line line 4, 4, and and allowing that the the negative negative precative aya is is the the correct initial restoration, restoration, I would expect that 'with my own breasts

45 45

shall suckle suckle him' him' should should be be tu-le-e-a tu-le-e-a lu-se-niq-su lu-s'e-niq-s'u in in Akkadian, Akkadian, the the end end verb verb II shall being equally equally expressed expressed as as aa precative precative tense. tense. A A line line that that isis somewhat somewhat similar similar being occurs IIC 1:1: occurs in in the the Old Old Version Version of ofEtana Etana at at IIC li-ih-li-iq-su a-ia li-ih-li-iq-s'u rtu'-ii-du '#ul-ti-du a-ia ii-ta ti-ta harriinam harrdnam "May the the path path disappear disappear for for him him so so that that he he cannot cannot find find the the road." road." "May

It may may be be mentioned mentioned that that the the lexical lexical texts texts uphold uphold the the point point of of there there being being aa It close tzritu, 'nurse', 'nurse', and and ummu, ummu, 'mother', 'mother', as as in in close association association between between the the tiirltu, um-me-da um-me-da u-um c-um

DUB.ME DUB.ME UM UM

[u-um DUB] [u-um DUB] [um-me-da [um-me-da DUB.ME] DUB.ME]

ta-ri-tum ta-ri-turn um-mu um-mu Aa 27-28 (MSL III/5,27-28 (MSL XIV XIV 344) 344) Aa HIlS, du-ub-bu *um-*mu du-ub-bu *um-*mu MIN ta-ri-tum MIN me-mu-ii me-mu-ti ta-ri-tum Ea 209-210 111,209-2 10(MSL (MSL XIV XIV 312). 3 12). Ea III,

Additionally, Additionally, the the Sum. Sum. ummeda, ummeda, 'nurse', 'nurse', seems seems doubtless doubtless to to mean mean 'she 'she who who (stands) (= accompanies) accompanies) the the (stands) beside beside the the mother', mother', or or else else 'who 'who (goes) (goes) with with (= mother'. mother'.

5. As As restored, restored, itit isis considered considered that that two two demons demons might might oppose oppose Muanna Muanna in in S. her her pregnancy, pregnancy, the the first first being being doubtless doubtless responsible responsible for for the the condition condition of of sa-dib-ba, Sh-dib-ba, or or 'womb 'womb seizure'. 24 In In modern modem terms terms this this condition condition would would probably probably have have been been that that of of eclampsia, eclampsia, medically medically defined defined as as 'a 'a convulsive convulsive or or epileptiform epileptiform seizure seizure occurring occurring in in women women during during pregnancy, pregnancy, labor labor or or the the puerperium.' 25 The puerperium.'25 The name name of of the the second second demon, demon, the the musaddu(?), mus'addzi(?), is is reconstructed, nadzi as as 'to 'to suffer suffer aa miscarriage', miscarriage', and and suddu s'uddzi as as to to reconstructed, but but the the verb verb nadu cause cause that that event,. event, isis well-known well-known from from occurrences occurrences in in ritual ritual and and legal legal texts texts (cf. (cf. CAD CAD Nil Nl1 79 79 and and 97; 97; AHw AHw 708, 708, under under S 11,, c). c). A A basic basic study study isis that that of of R. R. D. D. Biggs, Biggs, 'Conception, 'Conception, Contraception Contraception and and Abortion Abortion in in Ancient Ancient Mesopotamia', Mesopotamia', published published in in Studies Studies... ... inin honour honour of of W W. G. G. Lambert Lambert (Winona (Winona Lake, Lake, 2000), 2000), 1-l3. 1-13. If the the concept concept of of two two demons demons is is correct, correct, the the possibility may be be considered should be be rather qe[r-ba-(a)qe[r-ba-(a)considered that that the the restored qe[r-bu-(u)-nim] should nim], that is, is, with the the dual dual eQding, ending, but the the stated stated conditions conditions are are not related. related. r 6. The The ideogram ideogram SAL. SAL.'MURUB~', with the the second second sign sign being internally 6. MURUB4" with damaged damaged but otherwise otherwise certain, certain, is is apparently apparently new. new. While While murub murub44 by itself itself isis

24 24

This This term term written written as as sa-di[b-ba] Sa-di[b-ba] occurs occurs in in line line 33 of of Rm Rm 398 398 published published in in JNES JiVES 33, 33, 238. 238. This This piece piece could could still still perhaps perhaps be be aa fragment fragment of of the the very beginning beginning of of the the story story in in the the Late Late Version. Version. 25 25 Cited Cited from from Gould's GouldS Medical Dictionary, ed. ed. C. C. V. V. Brownlow (Philadelphia, 5th 5th edit. edit. 1941),445. 1941), 445.

46

Studia Etanaica Etanaica

well-known as the Sum. Sum. equivalent of qablu A, meaning 'hips' 'hips' or 'waist', 'waist', it does not seem likely that this is also the meaning of SAL.MURUB4. SAL.MURUB4. Based on [uzu.murub,x the model of Hh XV, 24d (text in MSL 9, 7) which has [uzu.murub (SAL.LAGAB)] :: u-ru sa sin-niS-tum, sin-nis-tum, a possible reading qablu Sa sa sinniSti sinnisti could zi-ru Sa (SAL.LAGAB)] be considered as a corresponding phrase. Nevertheless, as the site of a demonic seizure, uru Eru (or also, uru) urzi) might seem a better choice than qablu for early pregnancy. pregnancy. In Ea V, 232 (text in MSL XIV, 402), there is a restored u-ru] entry [mu-ru-u]b SAL SAL [[ 6-ru] which could possibly favour a reading uru. Eru. 7ff. The word a-ku-lu in line 7 is not in this form to be found in the 7ff. dictionaries. dictionaries. It is taken, however, to be the same word as the NA akullu, A11 285 285 and CDA 10), lo), some kind of special room or building (as thus CAD All and in the present context not unsuitably a 'rest room' or 'private room'. In line lOa Sa libbi-sa libbi-Sd would be suitable for 'the child (of her 10 a restoration of sa womb)'. further gain for for the story-as story-as the matter is is understood--concerns understood--concerns the A further administration administration of the plant of birth, the juice(?) of which was was evidently given to Etana's wife from from the beginning of her trouble up to the very end of the gestation period. A note on the plant of birth with reference to Etana is given by Marten Stol St01 in his Birth in Babylonia and the Bible (Groningen, (Groningen, 2000), 2000)' pp. pp. 55f. 55f. In his note 51 51 Stol St01 writes that he cannot agree with J. Bottero, Annuaire de des ' ~ c o l pratique e des Hautes Etudes, ~ t u d e sIV IVe , e Section (1969/70), (1 969170)' 117, 1 17, de I1'Ecole who believed 'that the plant of birth in the myth facilitates facilitates the delivery and that it is not a stimulant for fertility'. From what we may glean from our new text the better argument lies with Bottero; BottCro; the implication of line lOis 10 is that a daily draught was was administered. administered.

11: TERRA INCOGNITA PART II: 7. The return of the eagle furrow. As yet there is no general agreement that, after the I plough a lonely furrow. flights flights to heaven and the return of Etana to Kish, the story must go on. That position, however, I still maintain. To suppose, suppose, originally with Langdon but with much support from today's writers, that a son, son, Balih, is born to Etana since the Sumerian King list declares it to be so so and thereafter no more need be said, is both unsatisfactory as a story and disrespectful disrespecthl of the evidence which points directly to its continuation. That evidence is twofold, and one line of it is new. new. If one accepts the texts presented in chap. as belonging to Etana, then the fact fact that they derive derive chap. ·66 as from from the top edge of a new Tablet (supposedly now Tablet IV) IV) means that not yet is is the story ended. ended. There is, is, secondly, secondly, the evidence of the dreams. dreams. Of the two that are are considered relevant Etana's 'haifa-grass' 'halfa-grass' dream from from the MAV will be examined as to its meaning in chap. 10. 10. But more significant, significant, as I believe, is the second(?) dream of his wife which has an explicit reference to Etana's death as also to her own. own. The important lines are K 8563, 8563, rev.(!) rev.(!) 4-8, 4-8, copied in my Etana, pI. pl. 30. 30. They are also now available available in Haul, Etana, Tf. 11, p. 3, lines 60-64. Tf. IX, and type-set in Novotny, SAACT II, With some new restorations which are naturally uncertain, they read: read: kfma kima E-ta-ni mu-ti ku-u[n-ma(?) ... .. . 5' kfma ka-a-si m[utf(US) kun(GI.NA)-ma(?) kima ka-a-Si m[uti(~g)kcn(G1.N~)-ma(?)... ... rdi rd'E_[t]a_na E-[tla-na sar-ru Sar-ru a [rki?(EGIR)26 [ r k i ? ( ~ ~-ia ~ ~i-mat-ma(?)] i-mat-ma(?)] )~~-ia e-tim-mu-su e-tim-mu-Su ana [pa]nf([IG]I)-[ia(?) [pZ]ni([IG]I)-[ia(?) in-na-mer-ma(?)] in-nu-mer-ma(?)] itt la [n]a-rmer' ina rekalli(E.GAL?Y [L]U.US [n]~-~mer' 'ekalli(~.G~L?)' [L]u.u$ (?)x x [ ... ...

The suggested translation is: is:

5'

26 26

"As (that (that of) of) Etana, Etana, so so has has my own death death been det[ermined(?) det[ermined(?) ... ... "As (that of) yourself, [so has my own] de[ath been determined(?) of) yourself, [so has own] determined(?) ... ... "[Although] Etana, Etana, the the king, king, [will [will die] die] a[fter me(?)], "His ghost-body [appeared(?)] [me(?)]; [appeared(?)] be[fo]re [me(?)]; "Yet not in the paJ[ace] pal[ace] will it be [s]een,27 [ ~ ] e e n , [for *[for ~ the? bo]dy(?) bo]dy(?) ...... . . . . . . ""

So SOreading after Haul's copy in Tf. Tf. IX, which shows shows that the head of a horizontal stroke, stroke, not included in my own copy, copy, is is visible at this this point. point. 27 27 Or, Or, alternatively, 'was 'was it seen', that is, is, in the dream. dream. The restoration of[innamer] of [innamer] in line line 7' has n ]a-' mer' in has been suggested by the the new reading of[ of [nla-'mer' in line line 8'. 8'.

Studia Etanaica

7. The return of of the eagle

The actual placing of this dream is in some dispute. Farber in JNES 48, 155, 155, note 2, suggested that it should be placed in Tablet I. Since the other side of the fragment carries the eagle's(?) dream of Tablet 111, III, he thought it conceivable that K 8563 might be part of a large tablet 'which originally 8563 of..... Etana'. In a long and careful study the contained the complete text of. proposal is developed by Haul, pp. 29ff., and in his edition of the text on p. 168 168 the dream is placed immediately after the Introduction. This idea in tum Muanna's first turn is followed by Novotny, with the added complexity that Muanna's dream of 82-3-23, first , , that is, in my reconstruction: it was discussed 82-3-23, 6-' 6-'first', above in chap. 111. Dalley also (Myths, (Myths, I98f.) 198f.) would chap. I-is 1-is placed in Tablet III. place the dream in Tablet III; 111; Saporetti, Saporetti, Etana, Etana, p. 93, 93, places both dreams of Etana's wife in the text of his 'Part III'; 111'; and Foster in his translations omits omits the dream in question altogether. All is not well here. I also on pI. 8563 pl. 30 of Etana copied that face face of K 8563 which, despite its flatness, I regard as a reverse, under the designation of despite flatness, as 'Tablet V', which is not correct. Nevertheless, my continuing feeling that this is correct. feeling new dream dream of Muanna derives from from a late point in the story, story, that our author is is now dramatically turning his narrative narrative towards a new series series of events, events, is is not, I think, in error. Are we to believe that a dream which concerns the death not, error. to concerns death of both Etana and Muanna-and Muanna-and mu-ti in line 4' means indisputably "my death"-is death"-is to to be placed at a point in the composition when the story has hardly begun? Indeed, Indeed, the dream of Etana's wife concerning the plant of birth, a dream dream which is is arguably locked in position in Tablet I with the association association of TIM IX, IX, 50, 50, is is already divided into into three parts and must surely surely stand stand alone. alone. Misunderstandings, II suggest, suggest, all all hinge hinge on on the the premise premise that Etana is is complete in three Tablets. If the number is rather six, a different picture complete in three Tablets. the is six, a different picture emerges I1 to to defend emerges altogether. It It will will require the the whole whole of the the current Part II this this thesis, thesis, and and where where actually in in the the composition composition this this 'death-dream' should be be placed placed will will be be suggested suggested in in chapter chapter 8. 8. However, However, one one constructional constructional mistake that I have made may be corrected before we proceed. mistake that I have made may be corrected before we proceed. In In 'A 'A reconstruction have reconstruction of of the the story', story', p. p. 16, 16, itit was was supposed supposed that that 'there 'there must... must ... have been been committed committed some some sin sin or or crime crime by by Etana, Etana, both both to to satisfy satisfy the the Gilgamesh Gilgamesh reference VII, iv. iv. 45ff.]28 45ff.12' and and also also the the requirement requirement of of the the unburied unburied 'ghost'ghostreference [of [of VII, body' (of Etana) mentioned in his wife's dream'. A 'sin or crime', however, body' (of Etana) mentioned in his wife's dream'. A 'sin or crime', however, there there need need not not have have been been (correctly (correctly challenged challenged by by Selz, Selz, ASJ ASJ 20, 20, 146). 146). Sudden Sudden death death on on aa .field field of of battle battle orin or in tragic tragic circumstances circumstances could could more more convincingly, convincingly, and and more more realistically, realistically, have have released released Etana's Etana's ghost. ghost. We We shall shall return return to to this this matter in chapter 9. matter in chapter 9. In In fact, fact, for for the the new new 'reconstruction', 'reconstruction', the the theme theme of of Etana's Etana's death death will will form form the VI. Much Much action action has has the climax climax of of the the story; story; itit isis told, told, as as I1 believe, believe, in in Tablet Tablet VI.

thus to precede it, and, as already surmised on p. 13 13 of of my book, the most probable next event is the return of the eagle. It is the Middle Assyrian of Version which provides the evidence for this, one of of the texts being VAT 11653 11653 which was reproduced on pl. pI. 10 from KAR 335 and is now repeated for the present study on pl. pI. 7. I had said of of this text that it 'appears 'appears to concern the eagle as he ruminates over his former friendship with Etana, there being a (h'-par URUDU) reference to the 'copper wings' (a'-par URUDU) which had been made for fqr him in line 4'. Based on the new readings in chap. 2, the situation now is that no new wings were made for the eagle, but the piece has nevertheless been retained for the story with the copper wings being interpreted differently. With the addition and support of KAR 327, obverse(!), now also reproduced pl. 7, a new picture is presented which is set down below. The sources are on pI. 'M' 'N'. 'M' and 'N'.

48

As ASthus thus cited cited in in Etana, Etana, p.p. 14, 14,but but following following George, George, Gilgamesh Gilgamesh I,I, 644, 644, to to be be now now given given as as VII VII 202. 202. The The allusion allusion isis to to the the presence presence of of Etana Etana post post mortem mortem in in the the 'House 'House of of Dust', Dust', or or Irkalla. Irkalla.

28

Transliteration Transliteration Three lines lines fragmentary Three M M M M M

... ki-i x [ ... 5' iteruba fterub a su-u[ n-qu .. szi-u[n-qu . . .. la-ber la-Iu-ru'-[su la-l~-~zi'-[Su.. . ..

M M M M M M

Ab, [d'(?) erzib zi-a[-di(?) ... eru u-a - I . ••• ... ib-ru-su [ ... it-ba-ru-su ki-ma [[ ... ... it-ba-ru-su

[is-sa-pi]-ih(?) ib-[ru]-tam[-ma(?) ib-[rul-tam[-ma(?) .. .. .. MN 10' [is-sa-pi]-ih(?) N [a-na ra]miini(?)c-su x [[ ... N ra]mi~ni(?)~-Su ... N N N

[,m/-m]u sa su-pu[ -u kfma(?) ... .?dk' ene. am-ma- ( at ... A(?)e sam [ -ta.? . .. t1'l - I'I mes U [qn ] a. ra, -par

N 15' 15' u-sa-qi-su zi-Sa-qi-s'u eli eli [[ ... ... N N a-rna' N a-'nal rzik?'-ri-ia iik?'-ri-ia is-[ iS-[ ... . .. N N

um-da-h[i-r]a-an-ni [su-u-ma(?) ... it-tas-[ ...

N Hna pa-n[i ... N 20' e-/[i .. . N lu ru [ .. . N i+na ri [ ...

49

Studia Studia Etanaica Etanaica

50 50

collation: TI~.MUSEN, collation: Marzahn Marzahn

aa KU4-ub K U ~ - U ~b TIg.MUSEN, e N[ N[&At

C

[N]i, [N]i, if correctly correctly interpreted interpreted

7. The The return return of the the eagle eagle 7. dURUDU URUDu

zA.Gi]N(?) ZA.G~]N(?)

Translation Translation Three Three lines lines fragmentary

5' 5'

When. ... When. [[ ... Hun[ger] Hun[ger] had come come upon [him [him ... ... Grown Grown old old was was [his] [his] youthful youthful vigour vigour [[ ... ... The wn(?) ....... The eagle eagle made made kno[ kno[wn(?) . . . . . . . toto his his heart(?), heart(?), saying]: saying]: "His ... "His friendship friendship [[ ... "His "His partnership partnership .. . . [[ ... ...

10' 10'

"[He "[He has has set set at] at] nought the the friend[ship friend[ship ... .. "[He. for "[He... .. for h]imself(?) h]imself(?) .. [[ ... ...

[a-di u]l-la-ma ni-i-[nu it-ba-ru], '[For elver we we [shall [shall be friends]'. The The more [a-di poignant, therefore, therefore, and and the the more more justifiable, would have have been the the eagle's eagle's poignant, grief. A A further further indignity, indignity, as as the the story story conceives conceives it, it, would have have been the the grief. making by Etana of an elaborate statue of him. As in the epic of Gilgamesh, making an elaborate statue him. As in the epic Gilgamesh, VIII, where where Gilgamesh Gilgamesh erects erects aa golden golden statue statue to to his his friend, friend, Enkidu, Enkidu, the the Tablet VIII, Tablet making of a statue statue was was essentially, essentially, or could be seen seen as, as, a post-mortem event. event. making What happens happens next, next, if if the the direction direction we we are are taking taking is is still still correct, may may be be What K 1578, here listed as source 'O', which was followed in part from the text of followed in from the ofK 1578, here as source '0', was originally published with with the the 'uncertain 'uncertain pieces' in in Etana, Etana, pI. pl. 31. 31. Two Two lines lines originally from this this piece piece were were cited cited in in the the 'Reconstruction' 'Reconstruction' on on p. p. 15, 15, but adding adding now from the previous previous line, line, and and then then linking linking the the second second and and third lines lines together as as aa the '2:2:2' line, line, the the text text of of lines lines 4-6 4-6 may may be be set set down down as as follows: follows: three-part or or "2:2:2' three-part

o0

o0 5'5 '

o0

"Higher(?) ]] has has he he raised raised it, it, "Higher(?) than than [[ .... .. 29 "(And) [memlorial ofme of me2' he he has has set set [it [it up(?) up(?) in in his his "(And) as as aa [mem]orial palace(?) ]. palace(?)]. "He against me, me, [(and [(and II will will go go against against him(?»)]! him(?))] ! "He has has g[on]e g [onle against "He and ]!" "He has has tak[en tak[en away30 away3' .. .. .. and II (?) (?).. .... I!" Remainder Remainder fragmentary

Discussion Discussion What What obtains obtains from from the the above above passage passage isis that, that, more more completely completely than than before, before, itit shows shows the the eagle eagle in in great great distress. distress. As As was was suggested suggested in in the the 'Reconstruction' 'Reconstruction' (p. 15), 'he 'he has has been been neglected neglected by by his his friend, friend, and and has has become become resentful resentful and and (p. 15), spiteful(?),. I owe gratefully gratefully to to Dr Dr spiteful(?)'. What What isis important important for for the the offered offered text, text, as as lowe Marzahn, is that 'M' and 'N' are from different tablets and do not join. Marzahn, is that 'M' and 'N' are from different tablets and do not join. Nevertheless, Nevertheless, the the association association of of ibrutu ibrzitu and and itbarutu itbarzitu over over the the three three lines lines of of 8-10 8-10 has has suggested suggested that that they they do do come come together, together, if if not not physically, physically, at at that that point. think correctly, correctly, that that the the last last point. Saporetti Saporetti in in his his review review (p. (p. 546) 546) indicated, indicated, II think line I/D in in Etana, Etana, p.p. 60, 60, should, should, with with Ebeling, Ebeling, have have been been read read as as line of of episode episode liD 29 29

Literally, Literally, ifif correctly correctly restored, restored, 'to 'to my my name'. name'. Uncertain, Uncertain, although although an an obvious obvious choice choice for for the the initial initial verb verb would would be be the the common common nasiihu, nasdhu, 'to 'to remove', remove', 'take 'take away'. away '.

30 30

[i-ka/kaj-sa-as] sin-na-ti Sin-nu-ti [i-ka/ka~-~a-a~] [e-li E-hur-sa E-hur-salg-ka [lam-m]a(?) [e-li ]g-ka[lam-m laC?) [it-ta-up-r]aS-ma er[6 . . . . .] [it-ta-ap-r ]as-ma er[ a.....

dap-pa-n [u ni-islni-tili"ne-su(?)] n i-iSln i-ti1 inZ-hi(?)] dap-pa-n[u Sur-ru-hu par[~u-su] par[jzi-Su] sur-ru-hu

[Gnashing] with with (his) (his) teeth, teeth, warlike warlike [the [the glance glance of of his his eyes(?)], eyes(?)], [Gnashing] E-hursag-kallama when when the the ceremo[nies] ceremo[nies] were were at at their their 5' [Above [Above E-hursag-ka]lama 5' height(?), height(?), [the raging?] raging?] eagle eagle [flew [flew back back and] and] forth. forth. [the

"[A "[A stat]ue statlue (of (of me) me) which which shine[s shine[s like like the the day(?) day(?) (has (has he he made)]; made)]; "Copper ]1 dowel[ss of of bronze(?) bronze(?) has has he he .. .. .. "Copper wings wings with with dowel[ '''Blades' apis lazu]li nelian(?) .. .. .. ]1 "'Blades' of of l[l[apis lazulli and and car[ car[nelian(?) 15' 15'

51 51

The above above rendering rendering derives derives from from aa damaged damaged text, text, but but might might seem seem The nevertheless nevertheless to to represent represent the the beginning beginning of of the the eagle's eagle's action action against against Etana. Etana. The 'zil-ba-ni in in line line 3', 3', perhaps perhaps in in association association with with some some form form of of The word word rll'-ba-ni jupru, could could also also be be relevant relevant if if referring referring to to the the outstretched outstretched 'claws' 'claws' or or ~upru, 'talons' 'talons' of of the the menacing menacing eagle. eagle. But But of of much much importance importance if if correct correct would would be be the E-hursang-kalama, the the main main temple temple complex complex and and the mention mention in in line line 5' 5' of of E-hursang-kalama, ziggurat ziggurat in in Kish. Kish. The The point point here here isis that, that, in in its its origins, origins, that that ziggurat ziggurat could could have have been ~ e l i a n ,the ~ the ' been the the 'citadel' 'citadel' or or 'tower' 'tower' from from which, which, in in aa story story told told by by Aelian,31 infant infant Gilgamos Gilgamos was was once once thrown, thrown, to to be be caught caught as as he he fell fell by by an an eagle eagle who who took took him him (far (far away) away) to to aa 'garden'. 'garden'. That That for for 'Gilgamos' 'Gilgamos' or or Gilgamesh Gilgamesh we we Etana's son, son, was was argued argued in in my my should think think rather rather of of 'Balih', 'Balih', or or Etana's should Aelian's Reconstruction on on pp. pp. 15f. 15f. But But aa longer longer and and better better statement statement on on Aelian's Reconstruction story story isis given given by by A. A. R. R. George George in in The The Babylonian Babylonian Gilgamesh Gilgamesh Epic Epic I,I, 61, 61, and and this this may may be be consulted consulted in in some some support support of of the the present present argument. argument. ItIt isis recognised by by George George that that the the Greek Greek account account may may have have been been contaminated contaminated recognised from aa number number of of different different sources, sources, including including from from Babylon Babylon 'the 'the flight flight of of from Etana'. Etana'. unfortunate that that the the lateral lateral breaks breaks forbid forbid aa further further understanding understanding of of ItIt isis unfortunate source '0'. ' 0 ' .What What supposedly supposedly happened happened on on the the heights heights ofthe of the ziggurat(?), ziggurat(?),and, and, source more intriguingly, intriguingly, why why Etana Etana took took his his son son there there in in the the first first place(?), place(?), we we more ,o~ASN4j. 'q31 31

In his his De De natura naturaanimalium, animalium,or orOn On the tlzenature nature of ofrlnimals, XII. 21. 21. In Animals, XII.

.

g ~~l -~~ ~',

Studia Etanaica Studia

52

7. 7. The return of the eagle

'P', fits closely in behind '0'. '0'. cannot as yet know. But a new text, source 'P', This is Sm 365 which was first published by W. G. Lambert in his "New 75. Lambert AIO XXVII (1980), p. p.75. Fragments of Babylonian Epics", AfO considered that it might possibly belong to the Flood episode of Atra-hasis, and at the time he wrote there was little other choice. In presenting it here as a piece of the Etana story the proposed restorations are my own, and I present the text as initially in verse but from line 10 10 onwards in prose. It thus reads: Traces

P P

[d E-ta-na(?) ......... [d~-ta-na(?) . . . . . . . . .]1 [. .. .. [ . .. .. .. ] x

P P 5' P

[it same" ina e-be-r ]i-su(?)b ik-ta-tam pa-ni-s'zi [& dSamas(?) d$ama~(?)s'amZa e-be-r~i-s'zi(?)~ pa-ni-su [ . . .. u4/u-ma-ak-k]al(?)b ~4/zi-ma-ak-k]al(?)~ ad-ris ad-ris' ir-bi [ .. .. .. la i$-r]u-ur kakkab c Si-me'-ti si-me-ti i,~-r]u-ur

P P P

[ . . .. nu-uh-]ha-su(?) nu-uh-]ha-s'zi(?) [alu(ki) Kisiki [ i f l ~ ( ~~ ' i) s ' ii-bak-ki]d i-bak-kild ~' [ina lib-bi-s'u /ib-bi-su na-si-is(?) et-Iu]d et-luld

P 10' P P

[[ .... . [[ .... . [[ .... .

[@I-pa-li-is [ip ]-pa-li-is id-ma-mi sa-ma-mi as'-ru-US-s'zi i-bak-ki as-ru-us-su

mu-sa h] mu-id us-ta-ni-i[ us'-ta-ni-i[h] [i-dJa-mu-ma u] [i-dla-mu-ma re-ba-tu-s[ re-ba-tu-s'[zi] [ne-e ]s-sa-at ar-da-a[s-su] [nk-e]s-sa-at ar-da-a[s-su] v, d'1- [V'] I -na k a-sasu . . . ] r·, 'il-na ka-id-di-[s'zi]

• ..

... ]-tu it-tu-[ ma] . . . 1-tu it-tu-[ma] ... '-[til . . . t]ub-qa-ra tlzib-qa-'a1-[ti]

a [AN-e], [AN-el,if correctly correctly restored following following discussion discussion

b Free restoration

C

MUL bfuL

Discussion To a large extent, as it is presently seen, the above passage speaks for itself. There is an evident stress laid on the cloudiness of the skies at the time of the abduction(?), lines 4'-6'. 4 ' 4 ' . We suppose that this is preparing the way for an important element in the unfolding story: the fact that Etana had no idea where the eagle had taken his son and perhaps even believed that he would never see him again. Of much importance are lines 8'-9', 8'-9', describing the lamentation in the city. They have been restored from the 'dream' 'dream' text of K 14788, lines 1-2-my copy in Etana, pl. pI. 22, may be consulted on t?is 1-2-my this point-although if line 2 of that text began i-na li-ib-bi-su n e [ ~ ~ ~ - s a - aWIth with t], point-although li-ib-bi-s'u ne[s32-sa-at], nessat standing for nassat by differentiation(?) from the parallel [nasis], then the two clauses in the dream are given in the opposite order to that of Sm 365. A short note would also be appropriate on the ittu, or 'sign', 'sign', of line 11'. 11'. the described ev~nt, event, It possibly refers to some sign or significant aspect of t?e being missed or misinterpreted by Etana before the event Itself, itself, but becommg becoming ominously clear at a later time. We may recall in this connection the 'sign' 'sign' missed by Gilgamesh-see 316ff.-which Gilgamesh-see now George, Gilgamesh I, XI, 316ff.-which foreshadowed the theft by the serpent of the 'plant 'plant of youth'. It is difficult to take the matter further at the present time. Altogether, however, it is submitted that the three 'episodes' 'episodes' of this t~en chapter, coupled with the witness of Aelian's Aelian's narrative if this is rightly taken to concern Etana, provide together a convincing new topos for the emergmg emerging story. It will be the task of the following chapters to take that story forward to its tragic conclusions.

d For the restoration see

Translation Translation Traces

[[ .... . [[ .... .

5'

Etana] gazed at the heavens. .. ... . . ] he wept where (his son) had been.

[(And Shamash, as he crossed the heavens)], had veiled his face. face. [He. .. .. . . all day l]ong(?), l]ong(?), and set in darkness. [He . . . [... ] the evening star [did not] shine. [Etana .. .. .. . .. . . ] .. ,, all night he was distressed. [Kish, the city, wept], its squares [mo]aned [molaned in lament; [Around its citadel(?) the young men grieved], its maidens grieved. The translated The remainder is left un untranslated

53

32

32

A sign not well copied in my edition.

8. The death of Muanna The episodes of the previous chapter have, over many lines, concerned the eagle and Etana, at least as we have so argued. It is now with the practised skill of a story-teller--or so it would seem-that story-teller-r seem-that the author turns the focus of attention onto the third person of his dramatis dramatis personae, namely, Etana's of Balih. wife, Muanna,33 ~ u a n n athe , ~mother ~ In fact, fact, it is at this point in the composition that I would place the reverse (as still so regarded) of K 8563, the controversial 'dream' 'dream' fragment discussed in pages 47-48 of chap. 7. There is no physical join join with the supposed preceding text, Sm 365. But it seems logical to my reconstruction that Muanna's second dream, perhaps again presented in more than one part, should be placed shortly after the abduction. abduction. The loss of her son would have been a troubled time for our heroine; it might suitably, and understandably, have led to troubled dreams. How, textually, this suggestion may be accommodated into a two-column edition of the whole work is discussed below in chapter 12, 'How many Tablets?' parte?) tells of the As we have seen in chap. 7, the dream in its second part(?) death of both Etana and his wife. The important line is rev. 4': 4': kima E-ta-ni mu-ti ku-u[n-ma(?) ku-u[n-ma(?) ... ... "As (that of) Etana, so has my own death been det[ermined(?) ... ..

This sentence is challenging. If the line has been correctly read there can be no disregarding it for the working out of our story. If it has been wrongly read or misunderstood, the exercise of seeking new texts in a considerably extended story will be largely in vain. In accepting the first of these alternatives, it would be fair to say that neither the present chapter nor those following following could in any sense have been written without the witness and authority of VAT 10566 10566 and 10566a, texts first published by Ebeling as KAR 332. They are reproduced in the present study on pls. pis. 10-12, 10-12, the reduced size of the main piece revealing much of its general character and surface damage. The text was first mentioned in my "Further contributions to the Legend of Etana", JNES 33 (1974), pp. 248f., where the theme of the death of Etana was tentatively advanced as an element of a continuing story. story. It was not, however, included in my edition of 1985 1985 mainly from a lack of conviction that the text was truly relevant. As will be seen from the following chapter and chap. 11, 11, there are references in

33 33 On this name of Etana's (marhftu)-wife, justify its (marhitu)-wife, regarded as sufficiently certain to justify general adoption in the monograph, see page 19, 19, note to line 14' of the main text.

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Studia Etanaica

8. The death of o f Muanna

campaign-matters, as one might think, the smaller piece to an army and a campaign-matters, not very suited to Etana. Etana. Nevertheless, the opening lines of VAT 10566, obverse, tell of a situation 1'-lo', in some quite other than this, and a first transliteration of lines 1'-10', defiance of the damage, is set down below. . ,. [ .. [[ .... .

ah]u a[ha(?t a [ h ~ ( ?... ) .~. . , u ] - ru" ru- ' ru-'u]-'zi' 'u-[a ... ruu-[a ...

Two lines fragmentary Two

5'

10'

im-ma-n]a-a im-ma-n]a-a rsinipu,b 'iinipu' ia b[a-si b[a-Si .. . . .. ] rGAZ'.MESc-su /ib-bu x x x [ .. 'GAZ'.ME~~-SU lib-bu . . .. t]a-nb-hi-Sa i-na di-im-[a]-te x [ .. . . .. ina t]a-ne-hi-sa v , d [ki-i(?) [ki-i(?) .. . . .. ]]hha-iu-zi [ ... ... a-su-u na-as-su uL, xd[ er " r ..[l-$l-lS .. v [ki-i(?) .. . . .. [ki-i(?) ]XLIBIR ] x LIBIR~ '6U' $a$a->a-re-etTf iS-hi-i[l-ji-is' pa-re-et,f.vh lSl-l ka-bat-tu(m)] ka-bat-tu(m )] [ki-i(?) if-bu-u-m]a il-bu-zi-m]a le-e-su 'la' '1flgg itL if-be il-b[aa ... ...

[ .... . [ .... . [ .... .

I I I I 1

aa [SE]S.S[ES], [[SE]S.S[ES],suggested reading b rSANABI' 'SANABI' C Probably ittehpi or o r ittenehpi should bbee read d Probably either n[a-si-is] or n[u-us-su-us] n[u-us-su-us] should bbee read e In the light [sa-up-rat kar-pa-t]u kar-pa-t]zi (or OUG-t]u) DUG-tlti)labertu could bbee o f the second half half of o f the line [$a-ap-rat of Saprat, cf. previous note restored f Supposedly differentiated from an earlier $aprat,

'

g r'GUD' GUO '

Translation Translation [ .. . [ .. .

one m]an [consuited(?)] [consulted(?)] ano[ther]; fri]end [enquired(?)] offrie[nd]. of friernd]. frilend [enquired(?)] Two Two lines fragmentary

5'

10'

coulnted [(it was declared)]: [When. . . [When. had been cou]nted "Two thirds (are) 'let it not [be', and one third (are) 'let it be']." be']." [When .... . . . . heard this (his)] heart broke within him,34 him,34.. . . [ ... ... [ . . .. .. .. . . in g]rief glrief for her, in tears. tears . [ ... ... [As loudly as(?)] as(?)] lungs can wail, so w[ailed ... ... [As] an old p[ot ~ h a t t e r e d ]so , ~ ~into sher[ds] was (his) [spirit] [As] prot is shattered]/5 shattered. shattered. moulrns the bull for its (dying) cow, so mour[ned ....... . . . . . . . for [As mou]rns ....... . . . . . . . ].I.

57

Discussion As is seen especially in line 10', lo', and so as not to prejudice the enquiry, the above translation declines to identify the two persons who are brought together in the text. What we appear to learn is that a central figure who might reasonably have been a king is lamenting grievously over a female person condemned to death by a court of Assembly. Jacobsen in two well6 known studies/ explained that the Sumerian he-am be' , was. the term studies,36 he-dm,, 'let it be', baii, as restored in line used for assenting votes in the early Assemblies; ia basi, 5', 5', would need to be the Akkadian equivalent of a negative vote. Not cited in the passage, but clear in the. pI. 10), lo), is the the following line 11' (see thus in pl. word le-re'-a-rtu', boards', which, with the preceding phrase [ x x x le-'el-a-'tu', 'writing boards', mi]-nu-ti, '[the Aclcounting [scribes(?)]', [scribes(?)]', might seem usefully to confirm the '[the Ac]counting picture that is being suggested. suggested. The most serious failing of the text is that it carries no clue as to what crime, or in what situation, an Assembly should require the supreme sacrifice of a woman or wife(?) standing perhaps in a position of close relationship to the king. An answer to that problem can be supplied only by other texts, and so this aspect of the matter is held over to chap. 10. 10. Accordingly, it is only in theory that the persons mentioned in the discussed text can be taken, at the present time, to be Etana and Muanna, and it will take many more pages of further argument to complete the case for this belief. However, the theory of Muanna's Muanna's death as an element of of the Etana story is not confined alone to cuneiform texts. There is evidence for it on the Etana seals, the impressions of two which are particularly relevant being given in the photographic plate at the end of the volume. It would be reasonable to believe that all the motifs on such seals, and not merely that which depicts Etana astride the eagle, relate intrinsically to the Etana story. In this case the seated figure on the Old Iranian 'seal-see pl. pI. 14, Iranianseal-see 14, (a)-'with (a)-'with snakes issuing from her shoulders and a bull's bull's head above her head, ... a deity',37 deity',37 was suitablyEreshkigal, suitably Ereshkigal, queen of the Netherworld. presumably ... On this explanation the kneeling figure beside her could be Muanna as now descended to the netherworld, while the figure above her could be again Muanna, the snake in her hand perhaps representing the poison(?) that ended her life. To the right of this figure is a lyre, too large a symbol to be simply a 'space-filler', 'space-filler', and suitably conveying the idea of 'lamentation'. 'lamentation'. A similar interpretation may be suggested for the familiar Etana seal, BM 129480, pI. 15, 129480, reproduced on pl. 15, (e), and previously on the front cover of

-

36

-Su is presumably dative, but its precise meaning in the line will Uncertain. The suffix -su require a longer text. 35 35 For this restoration see the suggested text as given in the apparatus criticus. criticus. 34

34

"Primitive JNES 2 (1943), 159-172, 'LPrimiti~eDemocracy in Ancient Mesopotamia", JNES 159-172, and "Early ZA political development in Mesopotamia", Z A 18 18 (1957), esp. p. 101. 101. 37 37 Thus Edith Porada in the English version of her Alt-Iran: A It-Iran: die Kunst in vorislamischer Zeit (Baden-Baden 1962), l962), p. 41.

36

58 58

StudiaEtanaica Etanaica Studia

38 my Etana Etana edition, edition, 1985. 1985.~' Here the the kneeling kneeling female female figure figure to to the the left left of of Etana Etana my Here and the the eagle eagle holds holds aa flask(?) flask(?) rather rather than than aa snake; snake; but but attention, attention, more more and particularly, may may be be directed directed to to the the same same figure figure (as (as probably) probably) depicted depicted particularly, centrally on on the the seal. seal. She She appears appears to to be be kneeling kneeling beside beside aa rectangular-shaped rectangular-shaped centrally object which which has has not not yet, yet, II think, think, been been satisfactorily satisfactorily explained. explained. II suggest suggest that that object her grave, grave, and and that that she she isis not not kneeling kneeling but but in in fact fact dead, dead, the the flexed flexed itit isis her position of of the the knees knees being being an an attitude attitude already already known known from from many many burials, burials, and and position the arms arms which which appear appear to to touch touch the the tomb tomb being being folded folded back back at at her her side side or or the across her her chest. chest. across In In thus thus proposing proposing that that there there were were 'pan-Etana' 'pan-Etana' seals seals which which illustrate illustrate several aspects aspects of of the the Etana Etana story, story, itit will will be be suggested suggested on on aa later later page page that that several even the the two two male male figures figures shown shown fighting fighting each each other other on on the the last last of of the the seal seal even impressions of of pI. pl. 14-the 14-the one one bearded bearded and and an an older older man, man, the the other other beardless beardless impressions and young-are young-are not not to to be be excluded excluded from from the the typology. typology. and

''

Principal Principal earlier earlier publications publications include include H. H. Frankfort, Frankfort, -ri[s-ti], <e>-ri[S-ti], as as suggested in the the apparatus apparatus criticus, may be correct without the emendation if rest! res'ti was written to avoid the hiatus between the two e-vowels. e-vowels. Concerning other matters matters in this important text, the only person in line 8' who who could have carried Etana's sceptre sceptre would indeed have been his 'macebearer', and perhaps na-as nu-aS hatti(?) should be restored in the first lacuna of the line. line. In line 12' the logic of the restoration [sum-ka] [Sum-ka],, 'your name' name7 before sutur, narii in any other name but his Sutur, 'write', 'write', is that no king would erect a naru own, so Etana's name own, but in giving his title as as 'son of Etana, Etana, king of Kish', so would be mentioned if somewhat modestly in such a context. As will have been noticed, this last line has been regarded as a '2:2:2' '2:2:2' line, and has been set down accordingly. accordingly. It has been already mentioned that speeches in Etana are commonly ended with this stylistic device. device. 6) The last line of Balih's instructions to the muqabber minati, mindti, 'the burier of the limbs', here called 'the burier of (Etana's) (Etana's) limbs', is brought forward in this section. The line'in question is rev. 13' of text 'z' pI. 11. 'Z' on pl. 11. Because of its length and uncertainty it was not included in the previous excerpt in chap. 9, and indeed there is doubt also as to whether the text should be conveyed in one line or two. Accepting the latter option, and keying in the text with the previous line 12' (placed in brackets), the suggested reading and follows: translation run as follows:

Z 13'

a NLGA

12' 13' 13'

1 1. Additional lines from the Middle Assyrian Version 11.

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82

[ ...... . . . . . . I] me-ris-ta me-rii-ta na[ru]h nii[ru] ag[utkar[u]d ag[ziIc kiir [uld [... ...] [... ... ] b f[D]

C

A.GE6.[A]

d KA[R]

makkura makkiir a e-pis-*ti e-piS- *ti [mlit-ha-r[iS] irtanah[ha~ii]" [m ]it-ha-r[is] irtanah[ha$ut

It will be seen from the above arrangement that the second half of line 13' has again been deployed in three parts as befits the last line of a speech, speech, cf. further in the previous section. Strangely also, if correctly so read, it is section. considered that irtanahha$u jussive, the point being irtanahha~iiis another example of the jussive, that we have no authority to transcribe any logogram, and here RA.R[A], as a makkziru as 'property' 'property' when referring to land and precative tense. For makkuru specifically fields, see AHw 590, 7, b), which cites one example of a king's field described as makkur sarri. If, at the end of the line, one had to guess rnakkzir Sarri. what it was that 'river, flood and quay' were asked to wash away, a possible answer would be the fetid smell from the decaying limbs. 7) The account of the erecting of a memorial to Etana on Mt Shilanu-it ShilFmu-it was far more than the requested naru, narzi, an interesting detail-is detail-is told in the MAV in ten lines (rev. (rev. (iv), 14-23). 14-23). Of these I transliterated and translated the first four in the initial statement towards the end of chap. 9, and a fifth, fifth, line 19', in the following discussion. discussion. The previous line 18' reads [ ... . . . ] x ti abi(AD)-ia sa tu-ta-q[i-nu(?) x x x [ ... abi(~D)-iaSa . . . ], 1, which reading has been much assisted by Ebeling's Ebeling7s gloss of 'qin-nu?' 'gin-nu?' above the verb. The latter, tutaqinu, tutaqinii, could be parsed as the 2nd. pers. plur., pret., subj., D of taqanu, which, in this taqiinu, form, 1323, means "ordnen, in Ordnung halten, in Ordnung form, after AHw 1323, bringen". However, it is difficult to go beyond this point without the initial words. The final lines of the passage are poorly preserved. Omitting the much damaged line 20, the best interpretation I can give to lines 21-23, 21-23, which seem possibly to describe a practice that was once prevalent in the . district, I set down as follows: follows: Z 21' 21 ' Z z Z

a M[ar]-ra(sic)-su-u uqnu b aba[s]mu C [ultu ul-la-nu-um-m]a(?) $urru jurrua war]-ra(sic)-Su-zi uqnzib aba[S]mzic [ ...... . . . . . . I] [a-di hu-pe-e(?)d sa h ~ - ~ e - e (Sa ? ) kab kabl-Sar-ru ~ ]-sar-ru ultu ultuee m}-me-ti nk-mi-ti dNidaba d ~ i d a b [a...... . . . . . .] _v~] a-patu r''it-ta-nu1-ba-la . [matI - . ff ..... It- ta-na ' -b a-Ia 'l-na [ ..... . . . . . nzsu niizi] a-pa-tu i-na enm erim[miiti . . . . . . ]1

a NA4.zU b [N]~.ZA.GiN f NUN[UZ.MES]

C

Translation Translation

21 ' 21'

e RA.R[A-$U(?)]

"([Let "([Let the limbs not be bu]ried bulried in [ground] whereon people, male or female female [may [may walk]). "[(Let "[(Let the men pass by)] the ploughland and properti(es) of farming work; "May river, flood and quay together wash [away ... . . . ]." I."

NA4.AMAS.'PA '.f: d or [hu-(up)-pa-ti?]

eTA

83

[(And) from that tim]e(?), M[ar]hashian obsidian (and) lapis lazuli, . . . . . . ], 1, bezoar stones(?) stones(?) [and ...... enlgraver [had let fall] from the [together with stone chips which the en]graver (stone face of the) nemetti Nidaba, . . . . . the] common [people] used to take away and [make] into [ ..... neck[laces]. .

Notes Three notes are considered relevant to the above passage as it is understood. Surru, 'flint' 'flint' or 'obsidian', 'obsidian', Firstly, the adjective M[ar]raSzi M[ar]rasu which qualifies $urru, incorrect, or locally dialectal(?), form of MarhaSzi. must surely be an incorrect, Marhasu. There 'MarhaSi lapis lazuli' and 'Marhasi 'MarhaSi carnelian' in the series are references to 'Marhasi MarhaSi, lying east of Elam,72 lam,'^ would well abnu Sikin-Su, sikin-su, and the country of Marhasi, abaimzi suit the geographical setting of our story at this point. As to the stone abasmu arnaSpD (as no doubt more originally), the Sum. Sum. equivalent n