The Curse of Agade

^1-12In those ancient days, when the good destinies had been decreed, and after An and Enlil had set up the divine rules of heaven and earth, then the third of them, ......, the lord of broad wisdom, Enki, the master of destinies, gathered together ...... and founded dwelling places; he took in his hand waters to encourage and create good seed; he laid out side by side the Tigris and the Euphrates, and caused them to bring water from the mountains; he scoured out the smaller streams, and positioned the other watercourses. ...... Enki made spacious sheepfolds and cattle-pens, and provided shepherds and herdsmen; he founded cities and settlements throughout the earth, and made the black-headed multiply. He provided them with a king as shepherd, elevating him to sovereignty over them; the king rose as the daylight over the foreign countries.

^13-21...... Enki knit together the marshlands, making young and old reeds grow there; he made birds and fish teem in the pools and lagoons ......; he gave ...... all kinds of living creatures as their sustenance, ...... placed them in charge of this abundance of the gods. When Nudimmud, august prince, the lord of broad wisdom, had fashioned ......, he filled the reed-beds and marshes with Fish and Bird, indicated to them their positions and instructed them in their divine rules.

^22-28Then Fish laid its eggs in the lagoons; Bird built its nest in a gap in the reed-beds. But Bird frightened the Fish of the lagoons in its ....... Fish took up a stand and cried out. Grandiosely it initiated hostilities. It roused the street by quarrelling in an overbearing manner. Fish addressed Bird murderously:

^29-40"...... Bird, ...... there is no insult ......! Croaking, ...... noise in the marshes...... squawking! Forever gobbling away greedily, while your heart is dripping with evil! Standing on the plain, you can keep pecking away until they chase you off! The farmer's sons lay lines and nets for you in the furrows. The gardener sets up nets against you in gardens and orchards. He cannot rest his arm from firing his sling; he cannot sit down because of you. You cause damage in the vegetable plots; you are a nuisance. In the damp parts of fields, there are your unpleasing footprints. Bird, you are shameless: you fill the courtyard with your droppings. The courtyard sweeper-boy who cleans the house chases after you with ropes. By your noise the house (1 ms. has instead: palace) is disturbed; your din drives people away.

^41-53"They bring you into the fattening shed. They let you moo like cattle, bleat like sheep. They pour out cool water in jugs for you. They drag you away for the daily sacrifice. The fowler brings you with bound wings. (1 ms. adds: The fisherman brings you into the palace.) They tie up your wings and beak. Your squawking is to no profit; what are you flapping about? With your ugly voice you frighten the night; no one can sleep soundly. Bird, get out of the marshes! Get this noise of yours off my back! Go out of here into a hole on the rubbish heap: that suits you!"

^51-56Thus Fish insulted Bird on that day. But Bird, with multicoloured plumage and multicoloured face, was convinced of its own beauty, and did not take to heart the insults Fish had cast at it. As if it was a nursemaid singing a lullaby, it paid no attention to the speech, despite the ugly words that were being uttered. Then Bird answered Fish: (1 ms. has instead: It ...... insulted Fish; ...... said ......: )

^57-69"How has your heart become so arrogant, while you yourself are so lowly? Your mouth is flabby (?), but although your mouth goes all the way round, you cannot see behind you. You are bereft of hips, as also of arms, hands and feet -- try bending your neck to your feet! Your smell is awful; you make people throw up, they bare their teeth at you! No trough would hold the kind of prepared food you eat. He who has carried you dares not let his hand touch his skin! In the great marshes and the wide lagoons, I am your persecuting demon. You cannot eat the sweet plants there, as my voice harasses you. You cannot travel with confidence in the river, as my storm-cloud covers you. As you slip through the reed-beds you are always beneath my eyes. Some of your little ones are destined to be my daily offering; you give them to me to allay my hunger. Some of your big ones are just as certainly destined for my banqueting hall ...... in the mud.
1 line unclear

^70-79"But I am the beautiful and clever Bird! Fine artistry went into my adornment. But no skill has been expended on your holy shaping! Strutting about in the royal palace is my glory; my warbling is considered a decoration in the courtyard. The sound I produce, in all its sweetness, is a delight for the person of Culgi, son of Enlil. Fruits and produce of gardens and orchards are the enormous daily offerings due to me. Groats, flour malt, hulled barley and emmer (?) are sweet things to my mouth. How do you not recognise my superiority from this? Bow your neck to the ground!"

^80-85Thus Bird insulted Fish on that occasion. Fish became angry, and, trusting in its heroic strength and solidness, swept across the bottom like a heavy rain cloud. It took up the quarrel. It did not take to heart the insults that Bird had cast at it. It could not bring itself to submit, but spoke unrestrainedly. Again Fish replied to Bird:

^86-94"Chopped-off beak and legs, deformed feet, cleft mouth, thin tongue! You clatter away in your ignorance, with never any reflection! Gluttonous, malformed, filling the courtyard with droppings! The little sweeper-boy sets nets in the house and chases you with ropes. The baker, the brewer, the porter, all those who live in the house are annoyed with you. Bird, you have not examined the question of my greatness; you have not taken due account of my nature. You could not understand my weakness and my strength; yet you spoke inflammatory words. Once you have really looked into my achievements, you will be greatly humbled. Your speech contains grave errors; you have not given it due consideration.

^95-101"I am Fish. I am responsibly charged with providing abundance for the pure shrines. For the great offerings at the lustrous E-kur (1 ms. has instead: On the august platform of the great offerings of the gods), I stand proudly with head raised high! Just like Acnan I am here to satisfy the hunger of the Land. I am her helper. Therefore people pay attention to me, and they keep their eyes upon me. As at the harvest festival, they rejoice over me and take care of me. Bird, whatever great deeds you may have achieved, I will teach you their pretentiousness. I shall hand back to you in your turn your haughtiness and mendacious speech."

^102-115Thereupon Fish conceived a plot against Bird. Silently, furtively, it slithered alongside. When Bird rose up from her nest to fetch food for her young, Fish searched for the most discreet of silent places. It turned her well-built nest of brushwood into a haunted house. It destroyed her well-built house, and tore down her storeroom. It smashed the eggs she had laid and threw them into the sea. Thus Fish struck at Bird, and then fled into the waters. Then Bird came, lion-faced and with an eagle's talons, flapping its wings towards its nest. It stopped in mid-flight. Like a hurricane whirling in the midst of heaven, it circled in the sky. Bird, looking about for its nest, spread wide its limbs. It trampled over the broad plain after its well-built nest of brushwood. Its voice shrieked into the interior of heaven like the Mistress's.

^116-121Bird sought for Fish, searching the marshes. Bird peered into the deep water for Fish, watching closely. Extending its claws, it just snatched from the water Fish's tiny fish-spawn, gathering them all together and piling them up in a heap. Thus Bird took its revenge and ...... its heart. Again Bird replied to Fish:

^122-124"You utter fool! Dumb, muddle-headed Fish, you are out of ......! The mouths of those who circle (?) the quay never get enough to eat, and their hunger lasts all day. Swine, rascal, gorging yourself upon your own excrement, you freak!

^125-136"You are like a watchman living on the walls (?), ......! Fish, you kindled fire against me, you planted henbane. In your stupidity you caused devastation; you have spattered your hands with blood! Your arrogant heart will destroy itself by its own deeds! But I am Bird, flying in the heavens and walking on the earth. Wherever I travel to, I am there for the joy of its ...... named. ......, o Fish, ...... bestowed by the Great Princes (a name for the Igigi) . I am of first-class seed, and my young are first-born young! ...... walks with uplifted head ...... to the lustrous E-kur. ...... until distant days. ...... the numerous people say. How can you not recognise my pre-eminence? Bow your neck to the ground."

^137-140Again Bird had hurled insults at Fish. Then Fish shouted at Bird, eyeing it angrily: "Do not puff yourself up from your lying mouth! Our judge shall take this up. Let us take our case to Enki, our judge and adjudicator."

^141-147And so with the two of them jostling and continuing the evil quarrel in order to establish, the one over the other, their grandness and pre-eminence, the litigation was registered within Eridug, and they put forward their argumentation (1 ms. has instead: stood there in dispute). ...... thrashing about (?) amid roaring like that of a bull, ...... crept forward like ....... They requested a verdict ...... from King Culgi, son of Enlil.

^148-157 (Bird speaks:)"You ......, lord of true speech, pay attention to my words! I had put ...... and laid eggs there. ...... had bestowed ...... and had given as their sustenance. After ...... had started ......, ...... he destroyed my house. He turned my nest of brushwood into a haunted house. He destroyed my house, and tore down my storeroom. He smashed my eggs and threw them into the sea. ...... examine what I have said. Return a verdict in my favour." ...... investigating......, she prostrated herself to the ground.

^158-163...... announced (?) the word. ...... august, spoke from the heart: "Your words are sterling words, such as delight the heart." (Culgi speaks:) "For how long are they (1 ms. has instead: you) going to persist (?) in quarrelling?" Like ...... came out supreme. Like butting ......, they jostled each other.

^164-167 (Fish speaks:)"......, let it be favourable to me!" (Culgi speaks:)"I shall instruct you in the divine rules and just ordinances of our dwelling-place. Like (?) Enki, king of the abzu, I am successful in finding solutions, and am wise in words." He answered Bird and Fish:

^168-177"To strut about in the E-kur is a glory for Bird, as its singing is sweet. At Enlil's holy table, Bird ...... precedence over you ......! It shall utter its cries in the temple of the great gods. The Anuna gods rejoice at its voice. It is suitable for banquets in the great dining hall of the gods. It provides good cheer in the king's (1 ms. has instead: Culgi's) palace. ...... with head high, at the table of Culgi, son of Enlil. The king ...... long life.
1 line fragmentary
Fish ...... in splendour .......

^178-190Thereupon Fish ...... Bird.
6 lines missing or fragmentary
...... Enki ...... bestowed.
1 line fragmentary
In the abzu of Eridug ...... Bird ....... Because Bird was victorious over Fish in the dispute between Fish and Bird, Father Enki be praised!

Revision history

10.v.1999-30.vi.1999 : JAB: adapting translation
07.i.2000 : GZ : proofreading
12.i.2000 : GC : tagging
18.ii.2000 : ER : proofreading SGML
18.ii.2000 : ER : converting to HTML 4.0
7.ix.2001 : ER : header and footer reformatted; substantive content of file not changed

¹[ud ul-e-re]-/ta\ nam dug₃ tar-ra-a-ba
²[an ^den-lil₂] an ki jic-hur-bi mu-un-jar-re-ec-a-ba
³[...] en jectug₂ dajal-la-ke₄
⁴[^den-ki lugal nam]-/tar\-ra 3-kam-ma-bi na-nam
⁵[X X]-ni [X] mu-un-ur₄-ur₄ dur₂ ki ba-an-jar
⁶a /zi\-[cag₄]-jal₂ numun zid u₃-tud cu-ce₃ im-ma-ab-la₂
^7id₂/idigna\ ^id₂buranun-na zag-ga ba-an-la₂ a kur-kur-ra mi-ni-in-tum₃-uc
⁸id₂ tur-/tur\-ra cu luh ba-an-ak sur₃-sur₃ mi-ni-jar-jar
⁹[X X] [^d]/en\-ki-ke₄ tur₃ amac cu bi₂-in-dajal sipad udul bi₂-in-tuku
¹⁰/iri\^ki a₂-dam ki-a bi₂-in-jar-jar saj gig₂ mi-ni-in-lu
¹¹lugal-e nam-sipad-bi-ce₃ mu-un-tuku nam-nun-bi-ce₃ mu-un-il₂
¹²lugal ud-dam kur-kur-ra mu-un-ed₂
¹³[X X] [^d]/en\-ki-ke₄ ambar-ambar-ra ka bi₂-in-KEC₂ gi uc₂ gi henbur₂ bi₂-in-mu₂
¹⁴[X] X pu₂ umah^mah ku₆ mucen mi-ni-lu-ug
¹⁵[X X] /ki\ nij₂-zi-pa-an-pa-ne-ne gu₇ naj-bi-ce₃ ba-an-cum₂
¹⁶[X X] he₂-jal₂-la dijir-re-e-ne-ke₄ zag-bi-a ci-in-gub
¹⁷[^dnu]-/dim₂\-mud nun mah en jectug₂ dajal-la-ke₄
¹⁸[...]-bi-ta u₃-mu-un-dim₂-dim₂
¹⁹/ku₆ mucen-bi\ jic-gi ambar-ra im-mi-in-si
²⁰ki-gub-bi in-ne-en-pad₃
²¹jic-hur-bi igi-bi im-mi-in-zu
²²ud-bi-a ku₆-e /ambar-ra\ nunuz ki ba-ni-in-tag
²³mucen-e ka jic-gi-a-/ka\ gud₃ im-ma-ni-ib-us₂
²⁴mucen-e ku₆ engur-ra-ke₄ [...]-bi-ta mi-ni-ib-hu-luh
²⁵ku₆-e im-ma-gub gu₃ im-ma-de₂-e
²⁶ni₂ i₃-buluj₅ ga-ba-al mu-ni-in-du₃
²⁷du₁₄-ce₃ sila ba-/zig₃\ u₃-na-bi ba-an-gub
²⁸ku₆-e mucen-ra bir-ra-bi inim mu-na-ni-ib₂-be₂
²⁹mucen du₈-du₈ KA [...] su-lum-mar nu-jal₂
³⁰ze₂-za engur-ra za-pa-/aj₂\ [(...)] nundun bur₂-re buluj₅-ja₂
³¹mah-bi gu₇-gu₇ ba-zal cag₄-za hul-bi sur-sur
³²edin gub-ba-za zu₂ mu-e-da-ra-ah mi-ni-ib-sar-sar-re-ne
³³ab-sin₂-na dumu engar-ra-ke₄-ne gu₂ sa /nam\-mi-ri-ak
³⁴nu-^jickiri₆-ke₄ pu₂-^jickiri₆-pu₂-^jickiri ₆-a sa na-mu-e-ri-gub
^35kucda-lu-uc₂-ta a₂-ni nu-ja₂-ja₂ dug₃ nu-mu-e-ci-ib-gam-e
³⁶mu₂-sar-ra nij₂ mu-ni-ib-hul-hul su nu-mu-un-da-dug₃-ge
³⁷a-cag₄ ki-duru₅ jal₂-jal₂-la-ba jiri₃-zu nu-zil₂-zil₂-i
³⁸mucen tec₂ nu-zu kisal-e ce₁₀ sud-sud
³⁹kisal-luh tur e₂-a sa la₂-e ec₂ hub^! mi-ni-in-sar-re
⁴⁰za-pa-aj₂-zu-ta /e₂-e\ (1 ms. has instead: e₂-gal) im-suh₃-suh₃ gu₃ mu-e^!-ci-ib-cub-be₂
⁴¹e₂ guructa^!-ka mu-ni-ib-ku₄-ku₄-ne
⁴²gud udu-gin₇ mi-ni-ib-mu₇-e-ne
⁴³a sed₄ ^duga-sig-ga ma-ra-de₂-e-ne
⁴⁴za-e sa₂-dug₄-ce₃ mu-e-da-an-gid₂-i-ne
⁴⁵mucen-du₃-e a₂ la₂-ta mu-ni-ib-tum₂-tum₂-mu
(1 ms. adds the line:
^45Acu-ha-de₃ e₂-gal-am₃ mu-ni-ib-ku₄-ku₄)
⁴⁶pa-zu igi-zu i₃-im-KEC₂.KEC₂-re-ne
⁴⁷gu₃ de₂-de₂-zu ki-ce-er nu-tuku dal-dal-zu a-na-am₃
⁴⁸gu₃ hul-zu-ta ji₆ hu-luh-en u₃ dug₃ nu-mu-un-ku-ku-ne
⁴⁹mucen ambar-ta ed₂-ba-ra za-pa-aj₂-zu ugu-ju₁₀-ta
⁵⁰pu₂-saj sahar-dub-ba-ka ed₂-ni-ib ur₅-ra-am₃ me-te-zu-um
⁵¹ud-bi-a ku₆-e mucen-ra in-ce₃ mu-ni-in-dub₂
⁵²mucen bar gun₃-gun₃ igi gun₃-gun₃ sag₉-ga-ni-ce₃ mu-un-zu
⁵³in ku₆-e a-na mu-ni-ib-dub₂-ba cag₄-ce₃ nu-mu-un-gid₂-de₃
⁵⁴i-gi₄-in-zu umme-da u₅-a-ac mu-ni-in-dug₄
⁵⁵inim-ce₃ gu₂-ni nu-mu-na-ab-cum₂-mu gu₃ hul mu-un-ta-an-ed₂
⁵⁶ud-bi-a mucen-e ku₆-ra mu-na-ni-ib-gi₄-gi₄
(1 ms. has instead the lines:
^Aku₆-ra /im\-[...] DU NE mu-un-na-dub₂-e
^BX X X X [...] ga NE gu₂ mu-na-ni-ib-be₂)
⁵⁷a-gin₇ cag₄-zu cag₄ gur₄-ra im-de₆ ni₂-zu mu-e-sun₅-sun₅
⁵⁸ka-zu dul-dam ka im-ta-ab-nijin₂ ejer-zu-ce₃ igi nu-bar-re
⁵⁹tugul kud a₂-cu-jiri₃ kud jiri₃-zu gu₂ bal-zu-ce₃
⁶⁰ir nu-dug₃-ga a-ha-an ci-du₃-du₃ ugu-za zu₂ kaz-kaz
⁶¹gu₂-a-zu si sa₂-bi ^gibunij_x(A.BUGIN) nu-ub-dab₅-be₂
⁶²lu₂ lah₄-a-zu cu-ni su-ni-ce₃ nu-ub-tag-ge
⁶³engur mah sug dajal-la-ba je₂₆-e gal₅-la₂-zu-me-en
⁶⁴u₂ dug₃-ga-bi nu-mu-e-ci-ib-gu₇-en gu₃-ju₁₀ mu-un-te-te
⁶⁵id₂-da nir-jal₂-la-bi nu-mu-un-DU.DU u₁₈-lu-ju₁₀ mu-e-dul-dul
⁶⁶igi-ju₁₀-ta jic-gi-jic-/gi\-[a] mu-un-gir₅-gir₅-re-de₃-en
⁶⁷di₄-di₄-la₂-zu-ta sa₂-dug₄-ce₃ ma-a-/an\-jar cag₄-gal-ju₁₀-ce₃ mu-e-cum₂
⁶⁸gal-gal-zu ki jicbun-na-ka X /su-bur₂\-ju₁₀ na-nam
⁶⁹pu₂^? ab^? /zu\ X X [... mu]-e-da-BAD-en
⁷⁰je₂₆-e mucen sag₉-ga gal-zu-me-en
⁷¹kij₂ sag₉-ga ugun tag-ga-ju₁₀-ce₃
⁷²lal₃-har kug-zu kij₂ li-bi₂-ib-sig₁₀-ga
⁷³e₂-gal lugal-la-ka DU.DU he₂-du₇-me-en
⁷⁴kisal-a mu₇-mu₇-ju₁₀ me-te-ac im-mi-in-jar
⁷⁵akkil jar-ra-ja₂ nij₂-ku₇-ku₇-da-bi^?
76su-bar cul-gi dumu ^den-lil₂-la₂-ra dug₃-ge-ec im-mi-jal₂
⁷⁷gurun nij₂-duh-hum ^jickiri₆-^jickiri₆ pu₂-^jickiri₆-a sa₂-dug₄ gal-gal-ju₁₀-ce₃
⁷⁸ba-ba zid₂-munu₄ gu₂-nida imgaga nij₂ ka dug₃-ge-ja₂
⁷⁹ur₅-ta nam-mah-ju₁₀ a-gin₇ nu-e-zu gu₂ ki-ce₃ la₂-a-ni
⁸⁰ud-bi-a mucen-e ku₆-ra in-ce₃ mu-ni-in-dub₂
⁸¹ku₆ lipic tuku a₂ nam-ur-saj-ja₂ gur₄-ra nir-jal₂
⁸²muru₉ dugud-gin₇ ni₂ ki nam-mi-in-us₂ a-da-min₃-e ba-an-gub
⁸³in mucen-e a-na-am₃ mu-ni-in-dub₂-ba cag₄-ce₃ nu-mu-un-na-an-gid₂
⁸⁴gu₂ ki-ce₃ <la>-ba-an-da-an-jar inim bur₂-bi im-me
⁸⁵2-kam-ma-ce₃ ku₆-e mucen-ra mu-na-ni-ib-gi₄-gi₄
⁸⁶ka ur₂ gu₂-gur₅ jiri₃ su-ul-su-ul ka ha-la eme sal-sal
⁸⁷nam-nu-zu-a-ta gu₃ e-da-ra-ah ni₂-zu ad li-bi₂-gi₄
⁸⁸mah gu₇-gu₇ saj cu zig₃ bi₂-ib₂-dug₄-ga kisal-e ce₁₀ si-si
⁸⁹kisal-luh tur e₂-e sa la₂-e ec₂ mu-ri-ib₂-sar-re
⁹⁰muhaldim lu₂-bappir-e i₃-du₈ e₂-a til₃-la zi mu-e-da-an-ni-re-ec
⁹¹mucen nam-mah-ju₁₀ ejer-bi nu-e-zukum-zukum bar-ja₂ en₃ li-bi₂-in-tar
⁹²sig₉-ga kalag-ga-ja₂ nu-mu-e-de₃-zu inim u₃-bu-bu-ul i₃-bal
⁹³nij₂-ak-ja₂ ki-bi u₃-mu-e-kij₂ dirig-ce₃ ni₂ sun₅-ni-ib
⁹⁴inim-zu nam-tag dugud im-ma-ab-tum₃ ni₂-zu ad li-bi₂-gi₄
⁹⁵je₂₆-e ku₆-me-en he₂-jal₂ ec₃ sikil-la tec₂-ba jar-a-me-en
⁹⁶nidba gal-gal e₂-kur za-gin₃-ce₃ (1 ms. has instead: du₈ mah nidba gal-gal dijir-re-e-ne-ka) saj il₂-la gub-me-en
^97dacnan-gin₇ cag₄-jar kalam-ma-ce₃ ba-jal₂-le-en a₂-tah-ni je₂₆-e-me-en
⁹⁸uj₃-e jectug₂-ga ma-an-du₃-du₃ igi-bi mu-ci-jal₂
⁹⁹buru₁₄ ezen-gin₇ mu-da-hul₂-le-ec en₃-tar-ju₁₀ i₃-jal₂
¹⁰⁰mucen nij₂-gal-gal a-na mu-e-dim₂-ma-zu gur₄-ra-ba ga-ri-ib-zu
¹⁰¹sun₇-na ka lul-la bal-e-zu cu-za ga-ba-ni-ib-si
¹⁰²ud-bi-a ku₆-e mucen-ra sa₂ im-sig₁₀-sig₁₀-ge ^{u₂-ßa-mar
103}sig₉-ga lul-ba ^{ca-qum-mi-ic sa-ri-<ic>} a₂-ba mu-un-DU.DU
¹⁰⁴ud mucen gud₃ ba-zig₃-ga-gin₇ amar-bi-ce₃ nij₂-gu₇-bi tum₃-de₃
¹⁰⁵ku₆-e ki sig₉-ga ^{ac-ra-am ca-qum-mi-ic} a₂-ba mu-un-kij₂-kij₂
¹⁰⁶gud₃ jar-ra u₂ sig₁₀-sig₁₀-ga-ni ec₃ lil₂-la₂ mu-un-sig₃
¹⁰⁷e₂ du₃-du₃-a-ni mu-un-gul-gul erim₃-ma-ni mu-un-bu
¹⁰⁸nunuz jar-jar-ra-ni bi₂-in-gaz-gaz ab-ba im-mi-in-cu₂
¹⁰⁹ku₆-e mucen-ra mu-ni-in-sig₁₀-sig₁₀ ^i-ce-er-ma a-e ba-da-an-kar
¹¹⁰ud-bi-a mucen igi pirij-ja₂ umbin hu-ri₂-in^mucen-na
¹¹¹gud₃-bi-ce₃ a₂ dub₂ i₃-ak-e dal-le-bi saj im-gi₄ ^{a-na qi₂-ni u₂-/ur₂-ri₂\ car-hi-/ic\ ip-pa-/ra₂\-ac
112}tum₉-mar-uru₅ an-cag₄-ga-ce₃ bu₄-bu₄-gin₇ ^i-ca-a an-na mu-un-ninni₂ ^{u₂-na-ra-¡ic?
113}mucen-e gud₃-bi-ce₃ igi tab-ba a₂-ur₂ ba-bur₂-bur₂ ^{uc-ta-pa-ri-ir
114}gud₃ jar-ra u₂ sig₁₀-sig₁₀-ga-ni edin dajal i₃-zukum-e
¹¹⁵ka-bi nu-gig-gin₇ an-cag₄-ga gu₃ mu-un-dub₂-dub₂-be₂ ^{i-ca-gu-um
116}mucen-e ku₆-ra mu-un-ninni₂ ambar i₃-kij₂-kij₂
¹¹⁷mucen-e ku₆-ra engur-ra igi im-ma-an-du₈ jectug₂ ba-ci-in-gub
¹¹⁸i-gi₄-in-zu a-e ba-da-kar umbin mu-ni-in-la₂
¹¹⁹agargara tur-tur-bi tec₂-bi bi₂-in-jar-jar zar-re-ec mu-un-du₈-du₈
¹²⁰mucen-e cu-jar-bi im-mi-in-gi₄ cag₄-bi /mu\-[...]
¹²¹2-kam-ma-ce₃ mucen-e ku₆-ra mu-un-na-ni-/ib\-[gi₄-gi₄]
¹²²galam-ma hu-ru u₂-hub₂ jalga suh₃ ku₆ nam-ta-ed₂-[X]
¹²³kar [(X)] ninni₂ ka-ka-bi nu-gu₇ cag₄-gal ud cu₂-uc-e
¹²⁴cah₂ is-hab₂ ce₁₀ ni₂-bi gu₇-gu₇ saj cu bi₂-in-dug₄-ga
¹²⁵lu₂ en-nu-uj₃ ja₂-ja₂ bad₃-da (ms: ucbar) til₃-la ni₂-bi-ta sur-ra
¹²⁶ku₆ ja₂-ra izi-gin₇ mu-un-bar₇ ki cakir₃ mu-un-jar
¹²⁷nu-zu-a-zu saj cu-bal ba-ab-gid₂ cu uc₂-a i-ni-sud
¹²⁸cag₄ gur₄-ra ni₂-bi ak-a-ba ni₂-bi mu-un-gul-gul
¹²⁹je₂₆-e mucen an-na dal-dal-me-en ki-a du-du-me-en
¹³⁰DU.DU-ju₁₀-ce₃ an mu-sa₄-a-ba a-la mu-un-ci-jal₂-le-me-en
¹³¹[...] ku₆-e nun gal-e-ne ba-cum₂-mu-uc
¹³²numun saj-[ja₂-me-en] /amar\-ju₁₀ amar saj-ja₂-am₃
¹³³X [...] [e₂]-/kur\ /za-gin₃-ce₃\ X saj il₂-la mu-un-DU
¹³⁴[...] ki X [...] ud ul-li₂-a-ce₃
¹³⁵X in-bi /sig₉^?\-ga-gin₇ uj₃ car₃-re im-me
¹³⁶[ur₅]-ta^! nam-mah-ju₁₀ ejer-bi nu-zu gu₂ ki-ce₃ la₂-a-ni
¹³⁷2-kam-ma-ce₃ mucen-e ku₆-e in-ce₃ mu-ni-in-dub₂
¹³⁸ud-bi-a ku₆-e mucen-ra ka ba-ab-du₈ igi huc um-mi-in-ci-il₂
¹³⁹ka /lul-la\-ta ni₂ na-an-sukud-de₃ di-kud-me i₃-dab₅
¹⁴⁰di-kud /ka\-ac-bar-me ^den-ki-ke₄ di-me ga-ba-an-na-gub
¹⁴¹2-na-/ne-ne\ zag sag₁₁-be₂-ec du₁₄ hul mu₂-be₂-ec
¹⁴²gur₄-ra nam-mah-bi zu-zu-u₃-de₃
¹⁴³/murub₄\ eridug^ki-ga du₁₄ ki ba-ni-ib₂-us₂ a-da-min₃ i₃-ak-e-ne (1 ms. has instead: a-da-<min₃>-na ba-gub)
¹⁴⁴[X]-ne-e za-/pa\-aj₂ gud-gin₇ lum-lum-e
¹⁴⁵[...] X [...]-gin₇ kucum i₃-tag-tag-ge
¹⁴⁶[lugal] [^d]cul-gi dumu ^den-lil₂-la₂-ra
¹⁴⁷[...] /saj^?\ il₂^? ni₂ mu^?-te-en di-da-am₃ i₃-kij₂-kij₂
¹⁴⁸[...] en dug₄-ga zid-da inim-ju₁₀-uc jectug₂-zu
¹⁴⁹[...] X mu-e-/re^?\-sig₁₀ nunuz ki ba-ni-in-tag
¹⁵⁰[(X) X X saj]-e-ec mu-/un\-rig₇ /gu₇-naj\-bi-ce₃ ba-an-cum₂
¹⁵¹[...] mu-e-ni-jar-ra
¹⁵²[...] e₂-ju₁₀ ba-gul-gul
¹⁵³[gud₃ u₂] /sig₁₀\-sig₁₀-ga-ju_{1 0} ec₃ lil₂-e bi₂-in-sig₃
¹⁵⁴[e₂-ju₁₀ mu-un-gul]-gul erim₃-ma-ju₁₀ mu-un-bu
¹⁵⁵[nunuz-ju₁₀ mu-ni]-in-gaz-gaz ab-e um-mi-ib^!-cu₂
¹⁵⁶[...] /dug₄\-ga-ju₁₀ en₃ tar-re di-ju₁₀ gur^?-a-ni
¹⁵⁷[...] igi-tab-ba ni₂ ki-ce₃ ba-ab-la₂
¹⁵⁸[...]-/bi\ inim mu-un-dab₅-ba-e
¹⁵⁹[...] mah-am₃ cag₄-ta im-mi-ib₂-dug₄
¹⁶⁰inim-zu inim kug-ga-am₃ nij₂ cag₄ dug₃-ge-dam
¹⁶¹/en\-na-me-ce₃ du₁₄-da mu₂-mu₂-de₃ ba-an-dab₅-dab₅-be₂-ec (1 ms. has instead: ba-an-da-dab₅-be₂-de₃-en-ze₂-en)
¹⁶²[...] X dab₅-ba-gin₇ dalla mu-na-ta-ed₂
¹⁶³[...] /ud\ du₇-du₇-gin₇ tec₂-bi mu-un-du₇-du₇
¹⁶⁴[...] /si-sa₂ ba^?-na^?\-X-am₃ dug₃-ge-ec ha-ma-ja₂-ja₂
¹⁶⁵jic-hur me si-sa₂ ki-ur₃-me ga-ba-e-zu ^{du-ru-ci-ni KI [...]
166d}en-ki lugal abzu-[ke₄] sa₂ pad₃-de₃ inim-ma gal-zu-me-en ^{ka-ac-du wa-tu-u₂ mu-di
167}ku₆ mucen-bi-da im-ma-ni-ib₂-/gi₄\-[gi₄]
¹⁶⁸mucen e₂-kur-ra DU.DU-bi he₂-du₇ mu₇-mu₇-bi dug₃-[ga-am₃]
^169jicbancur kug ^den-lil₂-la₂-ta mucen palil-zu X [...]
¹⁷⁰e₂ dijir gal-gal-e-ne-ka za-pa-aj₂ mu-un-na-/ja₂-ja₂\ [...]
¹⁷¹za-pa-aj₂-bi-ce₃ dijir ^da-nun-na im-ci-hul₂-hul₂-[le-ec]
¹⁷²kij₂-sig unu₂ gal dijir-re-e-ne-ke₄ me-te-ac im-mi-[ib-jal₂]
¹⁷³e₂-gal lugal-la-ke₄ (1 ms. has instead: [^d]cul-gi-ra) ur₅-ca₄-bi dug₃-ga [...]
^174jicbancur cul-gi dumu ^den-lil₂-la₂-ka saj an-/ce₃\ [... -il₂]
¹⁷⁵lugal zi /su₃-ud\-[jal₂ ...] X X X [...]
¹⁷⁶X /pirij\-bi /PAD^?\ [...]-ge-ec [...]
¹⁷⁷ku₆ /nam-nun-na\ X [...] X X
¹⁷⁸ud-bi-a ku₆ mucen [...] X X [X]
1 line missing
¹⁸⁰[...] /dub₂^?\
1 line missing
¹⁸²[...] i-ni-in-[X]
¹⁸³[...] /kalam\-ma mu-/un\-X X
¹⁸⁴[...] he₂-jal₂ ab sikil [...]
¹⁸⁵[...]-na ^den-/ki\ [...] /saj\-e-ec mu-/un-rig₇\
¹⁸⁶[...]-/dab₅^?\-be₂-en X [...]-ninni₂
¹⁸⁷/abzu^?\ eridug^ki-ga [...] mucen IGI X [X]
¹⁸⁸ku₆ mucen-bi-da a-da-min₃ dug₄-/ga\
¹⁸⁹mucen-e ku₆-e dirig-ga-a-ba
¹⁹⁰a-a ^den-ki za₃-mi₂

Revision history

10.v.1999-30.vi.1999 : JAB : standardisation
07.i.2000 : GZ : proofreading
12.i.2000 : GC : tagging
18.ii.2000 : ER : proofreading SGML
18.ii.2000 : ER : converting to HTML 4.0
7.ix.2001 : ER : header and footer reformatted; substantive content of file not changed

Print sources used

Bottéro, J., "La "tenson" et la réflexion sur les choses en Mésopotamie", in Reinink, G. and Vanstiphout, Herman L.J. (ed.), Dispute Poems and Dialogues in the Ancient and Medieval Near East (Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta, 42) Peeters: Leuven, 1991, 7-22: commentary

Kramer, Samuel Noah, "Sumerische Litteraire Teksten uit Ur", Phoenix 10 (1964), 99-108: translation, commentary

Krispijn, Th.J.H., "Dierenfabels in het oude Mesopotamië", in Idema, E.L. et al. (ed.), Mijn naam is haas. Dierenverhalen in verschillende culturen Ambo: Baarn, 1993,131-148: translation, commentary

Vanstiphout, Herman L.J., "A Note on the Format of "Bird and Fish"", NABU (1991) No. 104: commentary

Vanstiphout, Herman L.J., "Lore, Learning and Levity in the Sumerian Disputations: A Matter of Form, or Substance?", in Reinink, G. and Vanstiphout, Herman L.J. (ed.), Dispute Poems and Dialogues in the Ancient and Medieval Near East (Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta, 42) Peeters: Leuven, 1991, 23-46: commentary

Vanstiphout, Herman L.J., "Sumerian Canonical Compositions. C. Individual Focus. 5. Disputations", in Hallo, William W. (ed.), The Context of Scripture, I: Canonical Compositions from the Biblical World Brill: Leiden/New York/Köln, 1997, 575-588. Pp. 581-584: translation, commentary

Vanstiphout, Herman L.J., "The Mesopotamian Debate Poems. A General Presentation (Part I)", Acta Sumerologica 12 (1990), 271-318: commentary

Vanstiphout, Herman L.J., "The Mesopotamian Debate Poems. A General Presentation. Part II. The Subject", Acta Sumerologica 14 (1992), 339-367. Pp. 347-348: commentary

Vanstiphout, Herman L.J., and Alster, Bendt, "Bird and Fish. A Sumerian Debate and Fable, or: The Importance of Being Pleasant", unpublished ms., Groningen/Philadelphia/Copenhagen 1988-96 (edition prepared for PSD): composite text, score transliteration, translation, commentary

Electronic sources used

Electronic legacy material kindly supplied by:

• Civil, Miguel (BF.HW, 1994: composite text)
• Civil, Miguel (COR6.SPI, 1989: composite text)
• Krecher, Joachim (EXEMP007.XMP, 1998: score transliteration)
• Krecher, Joachim (LIT44.TXT, 1998: composite text)
• Krecher, Joachim and Jagersma, B., (LIT3.TXT, 1996: composite text, translation)
• Vanstiphout, Herman L.J. and Alster, Bendt, (B&F (also B&F/ECSL), 1997: composite text, score transliteration, translation)

Cuneiform sources

• AO 5396 (TRS 31)
• BM 65147 (CT 42 42) + BM 68049 (CT 58 62)
• CBS 4822
• CBS 4915 (PBS 10/2 21) + N 1317 (+) N 3736
• IB 1127
• N 1750 + N 1784 + N 4514 + N 7071
• N 2192 + N 4116 + Ni 4472 (ISET 2 76) (+) N 3474
• N 3219
• N 4156 + N 6995 + Ni 4579 (ISET 1 89) (+) Ni 4234 (ISET 1 82)
• NBC 7912
• Ni 4379 (ISET 1 86)
• Ni 9622A (!) (ISET 1 117)
• Ni 9673 (ISET 2 72)
• Ni 9803 (ISET 2 74f.)
• Ni 9987 (3-39) ***.
• U 16879D (UET 6 39, obv. only)
• U 16886 (UET 6 41)
• UET 6 *472
• UET 6 38
• UET 6 40 + U 5641 = UET 6 *394
• VAT 6977 + 6978 i-ii (VAS 10 204)
• 3N-T904, 146 (SLFN 55)
• 3N-T927, 521 (SLFN 55)