Epilogue

The ending of Hammurabi's code

Summary
After validating the authority of his rule and general fairness, Hammurabi invokes deities like Marduk, Adad, Ishtar, Enlil, and others to ask them to curse, stop, or overpower anyone who tries to alter the contents of the artifact (the basalt stele). The Epilogue's poetic and self-praising nature is indicative of language used by prior Mesopotamian rulers, and the Ancient Near East in general.
Law Code
Law Code of Hammurabi
Deities
Adad, Anunnaki, Enlil, Ishtar, Marduk
Note(s)
If you are using eHammurabi for scholarly research on the Epilogue, the following information is important. (1) The transliterations are derived from Harper (1904), which is an outdated source. It was nevertheless selected because of availability constraints as few scholars publish the transliterations for both the Prologue and Epilogue. (2) The column numbers for the cuneiform images use Bergmann's (1953) numbering, which is different from the column numbers used by scholars after Bergmann. The line numbers are still the same, though, except for Harper's (1904) transliteration. (3) As noted by prior scholars, both the Prologue and Epilogue are uniquely difficult to translate. You are thus encouraged to evaluate the translator's useful footnotes in the original source–which is available herein via a direct page link to OMNIKA Library. (4) Unlike the Laws section in eHammurabi, both the Prologue and Epilogue utilize more redaction from the original publication. (5) The designation of 32 "parts" of the Epilogue is not found in the original inscription. It is the organization observed in Richardson (2004), and it is utilized herein eHammurabi to ensure all contents are visually accessible without scrolling.

Epilogue ¶ 1 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 32, col. R XXIV, lns. 1–8)

Transliteration

Di-na-a-at mi-ša-ri-im ša Ḫa-am-mu-ra-bi šar-ru-um li-u-um u-ki-in-nu-ma ma-tam u-sa-am bki-nam u ri-dam bdam-ge-am u-ša-az-bi-tu

Source: Harper (1904, p. 98)

Normalization

dīnāt mīšarim, ša Ḫammurabi šarrum lēʾûm ukinnuma mātam ussam kīnam u rīdam damqam ušaṣbitu.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 118)

Translation

Proper laws established by Hammurabi, the able king, who made the land adopt solid principles and good conduct.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 119)

Epilogue ¶ 2 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 32–33, col. R XXIV, lns. 9–14)

Transliteration

Ḫa-am-mu-ra-bi šar-ru-um gi-it-bma-lum a-na-ku a-na SAG.GIG ša iluBêl biš-ru-kam ri-u-zi-na iluMarduk i-din-nam

Source: Harper (1904, p. 98)

Normalization

Ḫammurabi šarrum gitmālum anāku ana ṣalmāt qaqqadim, ša Ellil išrukam, rē'ûssina Marduk iddinam ul ēgu, aḫi ul addī.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 118)

Translation

I am Hammurabi, the efficient king. I have not been careless with the mass of mankind, which Enlil has entrusted to me and which Marduk has made my flock; I have not been lazy.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 119)

Epilogue ¶ 3 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 33, col. R XXIV, lns. 15–21)

Transliteration

u-ul e-gu a-ḫi u-ul ad-di aš-ri šu-ul-mi-im eš-te-i-ši-na-šim pu-uš-ki bwa-[aš]-tu-tim u-[pi]-it-ti [u]-si-am u-še-zi-bši-na-ši-im

Source: Harper (1904, p. 98)

Normalization

ašrī šulmim ešte'īšināšim pušqī wašṭūtim upetti nūram ušēṣišināšim.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 118)

Translation

I have searched for peaceful places for them. I have solved impossible difficulties. I have made the light shine for them.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 119)

Epilogue ¶ 4 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 33, col. R XXIV, lns. 22–31)

Transliteration

i-na kakkim bda-an-nim ša iluZA.MA(L).MA(L) u iluNanâ u-ša-at-li-mu-nim i-na egigalim ša iluEN.KI bi-ši-ma-am i-na li-u-tim ša iluMarduk bid-di-nam na-ak-ri e-li-iš u ša-ap-li-iš baz-zu-uḫ

Source: Harper (1904, p. 98)

Normalization

ina kakkim dannim ša Zababa u Ištar ušatlimūnim ina igigallim ša Ea išīmam ina lē'ûtim ša Marduk iddinam nakrī eliš u šapliš assuḫ.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 118)

Translation

With the fierce weapon that Zababa and Ishtar have presented to me, with the omniscience that Ea has assigned to me, with the capability that Marduk has granted to me, I have rooted out enemies that are above and those below.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 119)

Epilogue ¶ 5 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 33, col. R XXIV, lns. 32–39)

Transliteration

ga-ab-la-tim bu-bi-el-li ši-ir ma-tim u-ti-ib ni-ši da-ad-mi a-bu-ur-ri u-šar-be-iṣ mu-gal-li-tam u-ul u-šar-ši-bši-na-ti

Source: Harper (1904, p. 98)

Normalization

qablātim ubelli, šīr mātim uṭīb nišī dadmī aburrī ušarbiṣ, mugallitam ul ušaršīšināti.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 120)

Translation

I have made conflicts cease. I have improved the wellbeing of the nation. I have made the people lie down in well-watered pastures. I have let no one disturb their prosperity.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 121)

Epilogue ¶ 6 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 33, col. R XXIV, lns. 40–45)

Transliteration

ilâni rabûti ib-bu-u-nin-ni-ma a-na-ku-ma rê'um mu-ša-al-bli-mu-um ša ḫaṭṭu-šu i-ša-ra-at

Source: Harper (1904, p. 98)

Normalization

ilū rabûtum ibbûninnima anākuma rē'ûm mušallimum, ša ḫaṭṭašu išarat.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 120)

Translation

It is the great gods that have nominated me so that I am the shepherd who brings peace, with a staff that is straight.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 121)

Epilogue ¶ 7 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 33, col. R XXIV, lns. 46–58)

Transliteration

ṣi-li ṭa-bu-um a-na ali-ia ta-ri-iṣ i-na ut-li-ia ni-ši mât bŠu-me-er-im u Ak-ka-di-im u-ki-il i-na la-ma-zi-ia aḫ-ḫi-ša i-na šu-ul-mi-im at-tab-ba-al-bši-na-ti i-na me-me-ḳi-ia uš-tap-ṣi-ir-bši-na-ti

Source: Harper (1904, p. 98)

Normalization

ṣillī ṭābum ana āliya tariṣ ina utliya nišī māt Šumerim u Akkadîm ukīl ina lamassiya iḫḫiša ina šulmim attabbalšināti ina nēmeqiya uštapziršināti.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 120)

Translation

My protective shadow has been spread over my city, I have set the people of the land of Sumer and Akkad securely on my knees. They have come to prosper under my protection; I have always governed them in peace, I have always guided them by my wisdom.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 121)

Epilogue ¶ 8 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 33, col. R XXIV, lns. 59–78)

Transliteration

dan-nu-um en-ša-am a-na la ḫa-ba-lim NU.TUK NU.MU.SU šu-te-šu-ri-im i-na KA.DINGIR.RA.KI alim ša ilim bu iluBêl ri-ši-šu u-ul-lu-u i-na Esagila bītim ša ki-ma bša-me-e u ir-ṣi-tim bišda-šu ki-na di-in ma-tim a-na di-a-nim pu-ru-zi-e ma-tim a-na pa-ra-si-im ḫa-ab-lim šu-te-šu-ri-im a-wa-ti-ia šu-ku-ra-tim i-na na-ru-ia aš-ṭur-ma i-na ma-ḫar ṣalmi-ia šar mi-ša-ri-im u-ki-in

Source: Harper (1904, p. 98,100)

Normalization

dannum enšam ana la ḫabālim, ekūtam almattam šutēšurim ina Bābilim ālim ša Anum u Ellil rēšīšu ullû ina Esagil bītim ša kīma šamê u erṣetim išdāšu kinā dīn mātim ana diānim purussê mātim ana parāsim ḫablim šutēšurim* awâtiya šūqurātim ina narîya ašṭurma ina maḫar ṣalmiya šar mīšarim ukīn.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 120)

Translation

So that the mighty might not exploit the weak, and so that the orphan and the widow may be treated properly, I have written these very special words of mine on this stone; I have set them together with the image of me, the king of justice, in Babylon, the city whose pinnacles Annu and Enlil have raised up, in Esagila, the temple with foundations as firm as heaven and earth, so that disputes may be settled in the land, so that decisions may be made in the land, so that the oppressed may be treated properly.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 121)

Epilogue ¶ 9 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 33, col. R XXIV, lns. 79-83)

Transliteration

šarrum ša in šar+alim šu-tu-ru a-na-ku a-wa-tu-u-a na-aš-ga li-u-ti ša-ni-nam u-ul i-na(=ša)

Source: Harper (1904, p. 100)

Normalization

šarrum ša in šarrī šūturu anāku awâtūa nasqā lē'ûtī šāninam ul išû

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 122)

Translation

I am the king who is better than other kings. What I say is special; what I do is never outdone.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 123)

Epilogue ¶ 10 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 33, col. R XXIV – R XXV, lns. 84–94, 1–2)

Transliteration

i-na ki-be-it iluŠamaš da-a-a-nim ra-bi-im ša šamê u irṣitim mi-ša-ri i-na mâtim li-iš-te-bi i-na a-wa-at iluMar-duk be-li-ia u-zu-ra-tu-u-a mu-ša-zi-ḳam a ir-ši-a i-na Esagila ša a-ra-am-mu bšu-mi i-na da-mi-iḳ-tim a-na da-ar li-iz-za-ki-ir

Source: Harper (1904, p. 100)

Normalization

ina qibīt Šamaš dayyānim rabîm ša šamê u erṣetim mīšarī ina mātim* lištēpi ina awat Marduk bēliya uṣurātūa mušassikam ay iršia ina Esagil ša arammu šumī ina damiqtim ana dār lizzakir.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 122)

Translation

By the command of Shamash, the almighty judge in heaven and earth, let my justice shine over the land! By the word of Marduk, my lord, let no one bent on taking my engraved image ever remove it! May my name be uttered as a blessing for evermore, in Esagila, the place I love!

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 123)

Epilogue ¶ 11 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 33–34, col. R XXV, lns. 3–19)

Transliteration

a-wi-lum ḫa-ab-lum ša a-wa-tam i-ra-aš-šu-u a-na ma-ḫa-ar ṣalmi-ia bšar mi-ša-ri-im li-il-ik-ma na-ru-i ša-aṭ-ra-am li-is-ta-baš-si-ma a-wa-ti-ia šu-ku-ra-tim li-iš-me-ma na-ru-i a-wa-tam li-kal-lim-šu di-in-šu bli-mu-ur li-ib-ba-šu li-na-ab-bi-iš-ma

Source: Harper (1904, p. 100)

Normalization

awīlum hablum, ša awatam iraššû ana maḫar ṣalmīya šar mīšarim lillikma, narî šaṭram lištassima awātiya šūqurātim lišmēma, narî awatam likallimšu dīnšu līmur, libbašu linappišma.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 122)

Translation

Let any man oppressed, anyone who has a complaint, come before this statue of the king of justice and let him have the message on the stone read aloud, and let him listen to the treasured words I have written, and may my stela resolve his complaint, and may he understand his problem, and may he be content in his heart.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 123)

Epilogue ¶ 12 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 34, col. R XXV, lns. 20–47)

Transliteration

Ḫa-am-mu-ra-bi-mi be-lum ša ki-ma ba-bi-im wa-li-di-im a-na ni-ši i-ba-aš-šu-u a-na a-wa-at iluMarduk be-li-šu uš-ta-ak-ti-bit-ma ir-ni-ti iluMarduk e-li-iš u ša-ap-li-iš ik-šu-ud li-ib-bi iluMarduk be-li-šu u-ti-ib u ši-ra-am ṭa-ba-am a-na ni-ši a-na da-ar bi-ši-im u ma-tam uš-te-še-ir da-ni-tam li-iḳ-bi-ma i-na ma-ḫar iluMarduk be-li-ia iluZar-pa-ni-tum be-el-ti-ia i-na li-ib-bi-šu ga-am-rim li-ik-ru-ba-am

Source: Harper (1904, p. 100)

Normalization

'Ḫammurabimi bēlum ša kīma abim wālidim ana niši ibaššû ana awat Marduk bēlišu uštaktitma irnitti Marduk eliš u šapliš ikšud libbi Marduk bēlišu uṭib u šīram ṭābam ana nišī ana dār išim u mātam uštēšer' annitam liqbīma ina maḫar Marduk bēliya Zarpānītum bēltiya ina libbišu gamrim likrubam.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 122)

Translation

And let him say these words: 'It is the lord Hammurabi, who like a father gave his people their birth, who has been obedient to the command of his lord Marduk and who both above and below has achieved success for Marduk, who has brought pleasure to Marduk his lord, by ensuring health and prosperity for his people for evermore, and by maintaining justice in the land.' Let him bless me with all his heart, in the presence of my lord Marduk and of my lady Zarpanitu.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 123)

Epilogue ¶ 13 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 34, col. R XXV, lns. 48–58)

Transliteration

še-du-um bla-ma-zum ilâni e-ri-bu-ut Esagila libit Esagila i-gi-ir-ri-e ûmi-ša-am i-na ma-ḫar iluMarduk be-li-ia ilu Zar-pa-ni-tum be-el-ti-ia li-dam-mi-ku

Source: Harper (1904, p. 100)

Normalization

šēdum, lamassum, ilū ēribūt Esagil, libitti esagil, igirrê ūmišam ina mahar Marduk bēliya Zarpānītum bēltiya lidammiqū

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 124)

Translation

May the Guardian and the Protector, the deities who go into Esagila, and the brickwork of Esagila, look kindly on the daily petitions made in the presence of my lord Marduk and my lady Zarpanitu.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 125)

Epilogue ¶ 14 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 34, col. R XXV, lns. 59–74)

Transliteration

a-na wa-ar-ki a(=ṣa)-at ûmi a-na ma-ti-ma šarrum ša i-na mâtim ib-ba-aš-šu-u a-wa-a-at mi-ša-ri-im ša i-na na-ru-ia aš-tu-ru li-ṣur di-in ma-tim ša a-di-nu pu-ru-zi-e mâtim ša ap-ru-su a u-na-ak-ki-ir u-zu-ra-ti-ia a u-ša-zi-iḳ

Source: Harper (1904, p. 100,102)

Normalization

ana warkiāt ūmī ana mātima šarrum ša ina mātim ibbaššû awât mīšarim ša ina narîya ašṭuru liṣṣur dīn mātim ša adīnu, purussē mātim ša aprusu, ay unakkir, uṣurātiya ay ušassik.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 124)

Translation

May any king who appears in this land at any time at all in the future heed the righteous commands that I have inscribed on this stone. May no one change the justice for the land which I have ordained and the verdicts for the land which I have rendered. May no one remove my graven image.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 125)

Epilogue ¶ 15 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 33, col. R XXV, lns. 75–85)

Transliteration

šum-ma a-wi-lum šu-u ta-ši-im-tam i-šu-ma ma-zu šu-te-šu-ra-am bi-li-i a-na a-wa-a-tim ša i-na na-ru-ia baš-tu-ru li-gul-ma ki-ib-sa-am ri-dam di-in mâtim ša a-di-nu pu-ru-zi-e mâtim ša ap-ru-su na-ru-um šu-u li-kal-lim-šu-ma

Source: Harper (1904, p. 102)

Normalization

šumma awīlum šû tašīmtam išūma māssu šutēšuram ile'i, ana awātim ša* ina narîya ašṭuru liqūlma, kibsam rīdam dīn mātim ša adīnu, purussē mātim ša aprusu, narûm šû likallimšuma

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 124)

Translation

If he is a man of intelligence, who is able to direct his land aright, let him adhere to the commands I have written on this stela, and let this stela explain to him the customs and traditions, the social problems I have encountered and the decisions I have taken for the community.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 125)

Epilogue ¶ 16 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 33, col. R XXV, lns. 86–97)

Transliteration

ṣa-al-ma-at ga-ga-di-šu li-iš-te-še-ir di-in-ši-na li-di-in pu-ru-za-ši-na li-ip-ru-uš i-na ma-ti-šu ra-ga-am u si-nam li-zu-uh ši-ir ni-ši-šu li-ṭi-ib

Source: Harper (1904, p. 102)

Normalization

ṣalmāt qaqqadišu lištēšer, dīnšina lidīn, purussāšina liprus, ina mātišu raggam u ṣēnam lissuḫ, šīr nišīšu liṭib.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 124)

Translation

So then may he direct the mass of humanity aright, let him consider their problems, let him take decisions for them. Let him weed out evil and wickedness from his land, let him improve the condition of his people.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 125)

Epilogue ¶ 17 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 33, col. R XXVI–R XXVI, lns. 95–105, 1)

Transliteration

Ḫa-am-mu-ra-bi šar mi-ša-ri-im ša iluŠamaš ki-na-tim iš-ru-ku-šum a-na-ku a-wa-tu-u-a na-aš-ga ip-še-tu-u-a ša-ni-nam u-ul i-ša-a e-la a-na la-ḫa ZI.IM.RI.GA a-na im-ki-im a-na ta-na-da-btim šu-ṣa-a

Source: Harper (1904, p. 102)

Normalization

Ḫammurabi šar mīšarim, ša Šamaš kīnātim išrukušum, anāku awâtūa nasqā epšētūa šāninam ul išâ ela ana la ḫassim rēqa ana emqim ana tanādātim šūṣâ.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 124)

Translation

I am Hammurabi the king of righteousness, to whom Shamash has entrusted the truth. My words are special. My deeds cannot be surpassed. It is only to the senseless they are meaningless; To the wise they are a cause for praise.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 125)

Epilogue ¶ 18 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 34–35, col. R XXVI, lns. 2–17)

Transliteration

šum-ma a-wi-lum bšu-u a-na a-wa-ti-ia ša i-na na-ru-ia baš-tu-ru i-gul-ma di-ni la u-bša-az-zi-iḳ a-wa-ti-ia la uš-te-pi-el u-zu-ra-ti-ia la u-na-ki-ir a-wi-lum šu-u ki-ma ia-ti šar mi-ša-ri-im iluŠamaš ḫaṭṭi-šu li-ir-ri-ik ni-ši-šu i-na mi-ša-ri-im bli-ri

Source: Harper (1904, p. 102)

Normalization

šumma awīlum šû ana awâtiya ša ina narîya ašṭuru iqūlma dīnī la ušassik, awâtiya la uštepēl, uṣurātiya la unakkir, awīlum šû kīma īâti šar mīšarim Šamaš ḫaṭṭašu lirrik nišīšu ina mīšarim lirē.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 124, 126)

Translation

If that man has paid attention to the commandments that I have inscribed on this stone and has not cast aside my rules, if he has not changed my commandments or emended what I have written, Shamash will surely make that man's rule last for as long as he has made mine last, the rule of the king of righteousness. He shall feed his flock in pastures of righteousness.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 125, 127)

Epilogue ¶ 19 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 35, col. R XXVI, lns. 18-52)

Transliteration

šum-ma a-wi-lum bšu-u a-wa-ti-ia ša i-na na-ru-ia as-tu-ru la i-gul-ma ir-ri-ti-ia i-me-eš-ma ir-ri-it ili la i-dur-ma di-in a-di-nu up-ta-az-zi-is a-wa-ti-ia uš-te-pi-el u-zu-ra-ti-ia ut-ta-ak-ki-ir šu-mi ša-aṭ-ra-am ip-ši-iṭ-ma šum-šu iš-ta-dar aš-sum ir-ri-tim bši-na-ti ša-ni-a-am-ma uš-ta-ḫi-iz a-wi-lum šu-u lu šarrum lu bêlum lu pa-te-si u lu a-wi-lu-tum ša šu-ma-am● bna-bi-a-at ilum ra-bu-um a-bu ili na-bu-u palî-ia melam šar-ru-tim li-te-ir-šu ḫaṭṭi-šu li-iš-bi-ir ši-ma-ti-šu bli-ru-ur

Source: Harper (1904, p. 102)

Normalization

šumma awīlum šû ana awâtiya ša ina narîya ašṭuru la iqūlma errētiya imēšma, errēt ilī la īdurma, dīn adīnu uptassis, awâtiya uštepēl, uṣurātiya uttakkir šumī šaṭram ipšiṭma, šumšu ištaṭar aššum errētim(!) šināti šaniamma uštāḫiz awīlum šû lu šarrum lu bēlum lu iššiakkum u lu awīlūtum ša šumam nabiat Anum rabûm abu ilī nābû palêya, melemmī šarrūtim liṭeršu, ḫaṭṭašu lišbir, šīmātišu līrur.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 126)

Translation

If that man has not paid attention to the commandments that I have inscribed on this stone and if he has forgotten my threatened curses and has shown no fear for the curses threatened by god, and if he has destroyed the rules I ordained and changed my commandments and emended what I have written, and if he has removed my name from the inscription and inscribed his own or has forced someone else to do it because of these threatened curses, almighty Anu, the father of the gods, the one who designated me to rule, will surely remove from him the splendour of sovereignty, whether that man is a king or a lord or a governor or a person appointed to some other function, and he will smash his staff and curse his destiny.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 127)

Epilogue ¶ 20 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 35, col. R XXVI, lns. 53–80)

Transliteration

iluBêl be-lum mu-ši-im bši-ma-tim ša ki-be-zu la u-ta-ka-ru mu-šar-bu-u šar-ru-ti-ia te-ši la šu-ub-bbi-im ga-zu ra-aḫ ḫa-la-ḳi-šu i-na šu-ub-ti-šu li-ša-ab-bi-bḫa-aš-šum palî ta-ne-ḫi-im ûmi i-zu-tim ša-na-a-at ḫu-ša-aḫ-ḫi-im ik-li-it la na-wa-ri-im mu-ut ni-ṭi-il bi-nim a-na ši-im-tim li-ši-im-šum ḫa-la-aḳ ali-šu na-aš-pu-uḫ bni-ši-šu šar-ru-zu šu-bi-lam šum-šu u zi-kir-šu i-na ma-tim la šu-ub-ša-a-am i-na pī-šu kab-tim li-iḳ-bi

Source: Harper (1904, p. 102, 104)

Normalization

Ellil bēlum mušīm šīmātim ša qibīssu la uttakkaru mušarbû šarrūtiya, tēšî la šubbîm, gabaraḫ ḫalāqišu, ina šubtišu lišappiḫaššum palê tānēḫim ūmī īṣūtim, šanāt ḫušaḫḫim iklet la nawārim, mūt niṭil īnim ana šīmtim lišīmšum ḫalāq ālišu, naspuḫ nišīšu šarrūssu šupēlam šumšu u zikiršu ina mātim la šubšâm ina pīšu kabtim liqbi

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 126)

Translation

O Enlil, the lord who decides destinies, whose commands cannot be altered, who makes my sovereignty magnificent, bring into his home turmoil which cannot be suppressed, upheaval which will bring him to an end, make his destiny a reign of depression, not enough days, years of hunger, no light in the darkness, death in the flash of an eye; command with your grave tones the loss of his city, the exile of his people, the overthrow of his kingdom, the extinction of his name and reputation from the land.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 127)

Epilogue ¶ 21 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 35, col. R XXVI, lns. 81–97)

Transliteration

iluBêlit ummum ra-be-tum ša ki-be-za i-na E.KUR kab-ta-at bêltum mu-dam-mi-ga-at i-gi-ir-ri-ia a-šar ši-ip-di-im u pu-ru-zi-im i-na ma-ḫar iluBêl a-wa-zu li-li-mi-in šu-ul-pu-ut ma-ti-šu ḫa-la-aḳ ni-ši-šu ta-ba-ak na-piš-ti-šu ki-ma me-e i-na pî iluBêl šar-ri-im li-ša-aš-ki-in

Source: Harper (1904, p. 104)

Normalization

Ninlil ummum rabītum, ša gibīssa ina Ekur kabtat, bēltum mudammiqat igirrēya ašar šipṭim u purussêm, ina maḫar Ellil awassu lilemmin šulput mātišu, ḫalāq nišīšu, tabāk napištišu kīma mê ina pī Ellil šarrim lišaškin.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 128)

Translation

O Ninlil, almighty mother, whose voice is honoured in Ekur, the lady who ensures acceptability for my requests, make his words stink in the presence of Enlil where judgment is to be decided; make king Enlil decree that his land be plagued, that his people be lost, that his life ebb away like a stream.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 129)

Epilogue ¶ 22 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 35–36, col. R XXVI – R XXVII, lns. 98–103, 1–13)

Transliteration

iluEN.KI rubûm ra-bi-um ša ši-ma-tu-šu i-na maḫ-ra i-la-ka abkal ili mu-di mi-im-ma šum-šu mu-ša-ri-ku û-um ba-la-ṭi-ia uz-nam u ne-me-ga-am li-te-ir-šu-ma i-na mi-ši-tim li-it-ta-ar-ru-šu nârâti-šu i-na na-ak-bi-im li-is-ki-ir i-na ir-ši-ti-šu iluAšnan na-bi-iš-ti bni-ši a u-ša-ab-ši

Source: Harper (1904, p. 104)

Normalization

Ea rubûm rabium ša šīmātušu ina maḫra illakā apkal ilī mudē mimma šumšu mušāriku ūm balāṭiya uznam u nēmeqam līṭeršuma ina mīšītim littarrušu nārātišu ina nagbim liskir ina erṣetišu ašnān napišti nišī ay ušabši.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 128)

Translation

O Ea, almighty prince, whose opinions gain precedence, the counsellor of the gods, who knows about everything, who lengthens the days of my life, take from him wisdom and understanding and turn him into someone confused; stop up the springs of his rivers, banish from his land the grain to feed the people.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 129)

Epilogue ¶ 23 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 36, col. R XXVII, lns. 14–40)

Transliteration

iluŠamaš da-a-a-nu-um bra-bi-um ša ša-me-e u ir-ṣi-tim mu-uš-te-še-ir ša-ak-na-at bna-bi-iš-tim be-lum tu-kul-ti šar-ru-zu bli-is-ki-ip di-in-šu a i-di-in u-ru-uḫ-šu bli-ši išid um-ma-ni-šu li-iš-ḫi-[el]-zi i-na bi-ri-šu šîram lim-nam ša na-sa-aḫ išid šar-ru-ti-šu u ḫa-la-aḳ ma-ti-šu bli-iš-ku-un-šum a-wa-tum ma-ru-uš-tum ša iluŠamaš ar-ḫi-iš li-ik-šu-zu eli-iš i-na ba-al-tu-tim li-iz-zu-uḫ-šu ša-ap-li-iš i-na ir-ṣi-tim ekimmê-šu me-e li-ša-az-mi

Source: Harper (1904, p. 104)

Normalization

Šamaš dayyānum rabium ša šamê u erṣetim muštēšer šaknat napištim bēlum tukultī šarrūssu liskip, dīnšu ay idīn uruḫšu līši, išdī ummānišu lišḫelṣi ina bīrišu šīram lemnam ša nasāḫ išdī šarrūtišu u ḫalāq mātišu liškunšum awatum maruštum ša Šamaš arḫīš likšussu eliš ina balṭūtim lissuḫšu šapliš ina erṣetim eṭemmašu mê lišaṣmi.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 128)

Translation

O Shamash, almighty judge of heaven and earth who directs the lives of all living creatures, the lord in whom I trust, overthrow his kingdom, do not judge his cause, confuse him on his path, cause the foundations of his military power to crumble, when he seeks divination send an inauspicious portent, so that the foundations of his kingdom will be torn up and he will lose his land; let the bitter words of Shamash quickly overpower him; cut him off from those who live above, in the land below make his shadow thirst for water.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 129)

Epilogue ¶ 24 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 36, col. R XXVII, lns. 41–63)

Transliteration

iluŠin be-el ša-me-e ilum ba-ni-i ša še-ri-zu i-na ili šu-pa-a-at agâm kussām bša šar-ru-tim li-te-ir-šu ar-nam kab-tam še-ri-zu ra-bi-tam ša i-na zu-um-ri-šu la i-ḫal-li-ḳu li-mu-zu-ma ûmi arḫi arḫi ša-na-a-at palî-šu i-na ta-ne-ḫi-im u di-im-ma-tim li-ša-aḳ-ti kam-ma-al šar-ru-tim li-ša-ad-di-bil-šu ba-la-ṭam ša it-ti mu-tim ši-ta-an-nu a-na ši-im-tim li-ši-im-šum

Source: Harper (1904, p. 104, 106)

Normalization

Sîn bēl šamê ilum bānî ša têressu(!) ina ilī šūpât agâm kussiam ša šarrūtim liṭeršu arnam kabtam šēressu rabītam ša ina zumrišu la iḫalliqu limussuma ūmī warḫī šanāt palēšu ina tānēḫim u dimmatim lišaqti kammāl šarrūtim lišaṭṭilšu balāṭam ša itti mūtim šitannu ana šimtim lišīmšum.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 128, 130)

Translation

O Sin, lord of heaven, creator god, whose brilliance outshines all other gods, remove his kingly crown and throne; impose on him a harsh punishment and severe condemnation from which his body will not recover; bring each day, each month, each year of his rule to a close with weeping and wailing; bring him face to face with a rival of his kingdom, make his destiny a life that vies all the time with death.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 129, 131)

Epilogue ¶ 25 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 36, col. R XXVII, lns. 64–80)

Transliteration

iluAdad be-el ḫêgallim gu-gal ša-me-e u ir-ṣi-tim ri-zu-u-a zu-ni i-na ša-me-e mi-lam i-na na-ak-bi-im li-te-ir-šu ma-zu i-na ḫu-ša-aḫ-ḫi-im u bu-bu-tim li-ḫal-li-iḳ e-li ali-šu iz-zi-iš li-is-si-ma ma-zu a-na til ba-bu-bi-im li-te-ir

Source: Harper (1904, p. 106)

Normalization

Adad bēl ḫegallim gugal šamê u urṣetim, rēṣūa zunnī ina šamê mīlam ina nagbim liṭeršu māssu ina ḫušaḫḫim u bubūtim liḫalliq eli ālišu ezziš lissīma māssu ana til abūbim litēr.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 130)

Translation

O Adad, lord of plenty, who looks after the water channels in heaven and earth, my helper, deprive him of showers from heaven and spring water from the ground; destroy his land by famine and pestilence; thunder angrily over his city; turn his land into the ruin left after the flood.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 131)

Epilogue ¶ 26 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 36, col. R XXVII, lns. 81–91)

Transliteration

iluZA.MA(L).MA(L) gar-ra-du-um ra-bi-um mar+ri-eš-tu-um ša E.KUR a-li-ku im-ni-ia a-šar tam-ḫa-ri-im kakka-šu li-iš-bi-ir û-ma-am a-na mu-ši-im li-te-ir-šum-ma na-ki-ir-šu eli-šu li-iš-zi-iz

Source: Harper (1904, p. 106)

Normalization

Zababa qarrādum rabium mārum rēštûm ša Ekur āliku imniya ašar tamḫārim kakkašu lišbir ūmam ana mūšim litēršumma nakiršu elišu lišziz.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 130)

Translation

O Zababa, almighty warrior the first son born in Ekur, the companion at my right hand shatter his weapon on the battlefield; turn his day into night; let his enemy stand victorious over him.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 131)

Epilogue ¶ 27 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 36–37, col. R XXVII – R XXVIII, lns. 92–106, 1–23)

Transliteration

iluNanâ be-li-it taḫazim u ḳablê pa-ti-a-at kakki-ia la-ma-zi da-mi-iḳ-tum ra-i-ma-ạt palî-ia i-na li-ib-bi-ša ag-gi-im i-na uz-za-ti-ša ra-be-a-tim šar-ru-zu li-ru-ur dam-ga-ti-šu a-na li-im-ne-tim li-te-ir li-te-ir a-šar taḫazim bu ḳablê kakka-šu li-iš-bi-ir i-ši-tam za-aḫ-ma-aš-tam li-iš-ku-un-šum ḳar-ra-di-šu li-ša-am-ki-it da-mi-šu-nu ir-ṣi-tam li-iš-ki gu-ru-un ša-al-ma-at um-ma-na-ti-šu i-na ṣi-ri-im li-it-ta-ad-di ṣab-šu . . . . . am a-i u-šar-ši šu-a-ti a-na ga-at bna-ak-ri-šu li-ma-al-li-šu-ma a-na ma-at nu-ku-bur-ti-šu ka-mi-iš li-ru-šu

Source: Harper (1904, p. 106)

Normalization

Ištar bēlet tāḫazim u qablim, pātiat kakkiya lamassī damiqtum, rā'imat palêya ina libbiša aggim, ina uzzātiša rabiātim šarrūssu līrur damqātišu ana lemnētim litēr ašar tāḫazim u qablim kakkašu lišbir išītam saḫmaštam liškunšum qarrādīšu lišamqit damīšunu erṣetam lišqi gurun šalmāt ummānātišu ina ṣērim littaddi ummānšuma(!) rēmam ay ušarši šuāti ana qāt nakrīšu limallīšuma ana māt nukurtišu kamîš līrûšu.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 130, 132)

Translation

O Ishtar, lady of war and conflict, the one who draws out my weapons, my gracious Protecting Spirit, who loves me to rule, curse his kingship with unsurpassable anger and rage in your heart; turn his blessings into troubles; shatter his weapons wherever he struggles and fights; ensure that he has revolts and insurrections; bring down his heroes, let the earth drink their blood; keep on piling up his soldiers on to the heap of corpses in the desert, and show them no mercy; hand over that man himself into the hand of his enemy; they will take him off bound into a hostile land.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 131, 133)

Epilogue ¶ 28 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 37, col. R XXVIII, lns. 24–39)

Transliteration

bNER.URU.GAL dan-nu-um i-na ili ga-ba-al bla ma-ḫa-ar mu-ša-ak-ši-du ir-ni-ti-ia i-na ka-šu-ši-šu ra-bi-im ki-ma i-ša-tim iz-zi-tim bša a-bi-im ni-ši-šu li-ik-me in kakki-šu bdan-nim li-ša-ti-šu-ma bi-ni-a-ti-šu ki-ma ṣalam bdi-di-im li-iḫ-pu-uš

Source: Harper (1904, p. 106, 108)

Normalization

Nergal dannum ina ilī qabal la maḫār* mušakšidu irnittiya ina kašūšišu rabîm kīma išātim ezzetim ša appim nišīšu liqmi in kakkišu dannim lišaṭṭišuma biniātišu kīma ṣalam ṭiddim liḫbuš

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 132)

Translation

O Nergal, fighter for the gods, unrivalled in the battle, who sees me through to victory, you shall burn up his people with a massive holocaust, like flames blazing through the reeds; you shall beat him with a violent weapon, you shall crush his limbs like those of a clay doll.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 133)

Epilogue ¶ 29 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 37, col. R XXVIII, lns. 40–49)

Transliteration

iluNIN.TU bêltum ṣi-ir-tum ša ma-ta-tim ummum ba-ni-ti mâram bli-te-ir-šu-ma šu-ma-am a u-šar-bši-šu i-na kir-bi-it bni-ši-šu zêr a-wi-lu-tim a ib-ni

Source: Harper (1904, p. 108)

Normalization

Nintu bēltum ṣirtum ša mātātim ummum bānītī aplam līṭeršuma šumam ay ušaršīšu ina qerbīt nišīšu zēr awīlūtim ay ibni.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 132)

Translation

O Nintu, noble lady of the nations, the mother who has created me, let him have no heir, deprive him of posterity, let him not raise a family amidst his people.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 133)

Epilogue ¶ 30 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 37, col. R XXVIII, lns. 50–69)

Transliteration

iluNIN.KAR.RA.AK mârat AN.NIM ga-bi-a-at dum-ki-ia i-na Ê.KUR mur-ṣa-am bkab-tam ašakkam li-im-nam zi-im-ma-am bmar-ṣa-am ša la i-pa-aš-še-ḫu ȧ-su ki-ri-ib-šu la i-lam-ma-du i-na zi-im-di la u-na-baḫ-ḫu-šu ki-ma ni-ši-iḳ mu-tim bla in-na-za-ḫu i-na bi-ni-a-bti-šu li-ša-ṣi-a-baš-šum-ma a-di na-bi-iš-bta-šu i-bi-el-lu-u a-na id-lu-ti-šu li-id-dam-ma-am

Source: Harper (1904, p. 108)

Normalization

Ninkarrak mārat Anim qābiat dumqiya ina Ekur murṣam kabtam, asakkam lemnam, simmam marṣam, ša la ipaššeḫū ašum qerebšu la ilammadu ina ṣimdi la unaḫḫušu kīma nišik mūtim la innassaḫu ina biniātišu lišāṣiaššumma adi napištašu ibellû ana eṭlūtišu liddammam.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 132. 134)

Translation

Ninkarrak, daughter of Anu, interceding for my blessings in Ekur, summon up a terrible illness in his body, with demonic pain, and fever, and weeping sores, one which cannot be relieved, one which no physician understands, one which cannot be soothed by bandaging, one which, like the sting of death, cannot be removed; may he groan among his fellow men, until his spirit is exhausted.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 133, 135)

Epilogue ¶ 31 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 37, col. R XXVIII, lns. 70–83)

Transliteration

ilâni rabûti ša ša-me-e u ir-ṣi-tim iluA.NUN.NA i-na puḫri-šu-nu še-it bi-tim libit Ebabbara šu-a-ti zêr-šu ma-zu ṣab-šu ni-ši-šu u um-ma-an-šu ir-ri-tam ma-ru-uš-tam bli-ru-ru

Source: Harper (1904, p. 108)

Normalization

ilū rabûtum ša šamê u erṣetim Anunnakū ina napḫarišunu šēd bītim, libitti Ebabbara šuāti zērašu māssu ṣābašu nišīšu u ummānšu errētam maruštam līrurū.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 134)

Translation

O almighty gods of heaven and earth, all you Anunnaku assembled together, protectors of the shrine, brickwork of E-babbar, curse him and his family and his land and his army and his people and his workmen with an appaling curse.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 135)

Epilogue ¶ 32 / 32

Cuneiform

Epilogue Part 1 - Cuneiform - Law Code of Hammurabi

Source: Bergmann (1953, p. 37, col. R XXVIII, lns. 84–91)

Transliteration

ir-ri-tim da-ni-a-tim iluBêl i-na pî-šu ša la ut-ta-bak-ka-rụ li-ru-ur-šu-ma ar-ḫi-iš li-ik-šu-da-šu

Source: Harper (1904, p. 108)

Normalization

errētim anniātim(!) Ellil, ina pīšu ša la uttakkaru līruršuma arḫiš likšudašu.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 134)

Translation

May Enlil, the word of whose mouth can never be changed, curse him, and immediately come and overpower him.

Source: Richardson (2004, p. 135)

Citation

Dedović, B. "Epilogue - eHammurabi." OMNIKA Foundation, 29 May. 2024, ehlaw.org/epilogue. [Accessed 3 Nov. 2024]

MLA 9

Dedović, B. (2024, May 29). Epilogue - eHammurabi. OMNIKA Foundation. https://ehlaw.org/epilogue

APA 7

Dedović, Boban. "Epilogue - eHammurabi." Las Vegas, NV: OMNIKA Foundation. Created May 29, 2024. Modified September 15, 2024. Accessed November 3, 2024. https://ehlaw.org/epilogue.

CMS 16

Bibliography

Abulhab, Saad D. The Law Code of Hammurabi: Transliterated and Literally Translated from its Early Classical Arabic Language. New York, NY: Blautopf, 2017.

ACH

Bergmann, Eugen. Codex Ḫammurabi: Textus Primigenius. Rome, Italy: Pontificium Institutum Biblicum, 1953.

CHTP

Harper, Robert F. The Code of Hammurabi, King of Babylon, about 2250 B.C.: Autographed Text, Transliteration, Translation, Glossary, Index of Subjects, Lists of Proper Names, Signs, Numerals, Corrections and Erasures, with Map, Frontispiece and Photograph of Text. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1904.

CHKB

Huehnergard, John. A Grammar of Akkadian (Third Edition). Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2011.

HAG3

Huehnergard, John. Key to a Grammar of Akkadian (Third Edition). Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2013.

HKEY3

Richardson, Mervyn E.J. A Comprehensive Grammar to Hammurabi's Stele. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2014.

CGHS

Richardson, Mervyn E.J. Hammurabi's Laws: Text, Translation and Glossary. New York, NY: T & T Clark International, 2004.

RHL

Roth, Martha T., and Harry A. Hoffner. Law Collections from Mesopotamia and Asia Minor. Edited by Piotr Michalowski. Atlanta, GA: Scholars Press: 1995.

LCFM

Sound of Text Contributors. "Sound of Text: AI Text-to-Speech." Accessed November 14, 2023. https://soundoftext.app. [Visit]

SoT

eHammurabi Glossary

The term Adad commonly means "an ancient Mesopotamian deity associated with rain and storms."

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eHammurabi Glossary

The term Anunnaki commonly means "a powerful group of seven ancient Mesopotamian deities: An, Enlil, Enki, Nanna, Utu, Ninhursag, and Inanna."

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eHammurabi Glossary

The term Cuneiform commonly means "an ancient writing system used by various cultures around Mesopotamia."

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eHammurabi Glossary

The term Enlil commonly means "an ancient Mesopotamian deity associated with air, wind, and storms."

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eHammurabi Glossary

The term Ishtar commonly means "an ancient Mesopotamian deity associated with war, sexuality, and conquest that is thought to be the Akkadian version of Inanna, a Sumerian deity."

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eHammurabi Glossary

The term Marduk commonly means "an ancient Mesopotamian deity associated with the city of Babylon."

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eHammurabi Glossary

The term Normalization commonly means "the application of grammatical rules unto transliterated sound values."

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eHammurabi Glossary

The term Translation commonly means "the conversion of linguistic contents and their meanings from one language into another."

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eHammurabi Glossary

The term Transliteration commonly means "the conversion of sound values from one writing system into another."

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