Voices in Time

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I am Ur-Nammu, king of Urim, the protecting genius of my city. I strike against those guilty of capital offenses and make them tremble. My judgments make Sumer and Akkad follow a single path. I place my foot on the necks of thieves and criminals. I clamp down on evildoers, who will be caught like snakes. I make justice apparent; I defeat wickedness. As if I were fire, even my frowning is enough to create concord.

As I came forth from the womb of my mother, the goddess Ninsun, a favorable allotted destiny was determined for me.

In me, Ur-Nammu, the lands of Sumer and Akkad have their protecting genius. I am a source of joy for the land; my life indeed creates! In the desert, the roads are made up as for a festival and are passable because of me. I have freed the sons of the poor from their duty of going to fetch firewood.

The people line up in front of me. I am clad in linen in the gipar. I lie down on the splendid bed in its delightful bedchamber. I cause the people to eat splendid food; I am their Enkimdu, the god of farming. I am the good shepherd whose sheep multiply greatly. I am peerless. The joy of my city and the territory of Sumer delights me. I release water into the canals of Sumer, making the trees grow tall on their banks. I have lifted the yoke of its male prostitutes.

I am the creature of Nanna, god of the moon! I am the older brother of Gilgamesh! I am the son borne by Ninsun, a princely seed! For me, kingship came down from heaven! Sweet is the praise of me, the shepherd Ur-Nammu!

©2004 by the ETCSL project, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. Used with permission of Oxford University Faculty of Oriental Studies.

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