Sumerisches Epos vom Paradies, der Sintflut und dem Fall des Menschen
Stephen Langdons Ausgabe der Nippur-Tafeln CBS 4561 und CBS 4611 (1915)
Stephen Langdons Ausgabe der sumerischen Erzählung von 1915, überliefert auf den Nippur-Tafeln CBS 4561 und CBS 4611. Die moderne Forschung erkennt Langdons „Epos" als ein Kompositum: Die Kolumnen I–VI entsprechen dem, was heute als Enki-und-Ninhursag-/Dilmun-Paradies-Material identifiziert wird, während das kurze Fragment aus CBS 4611 (Kolumne VII) die an Zi-ud-sud-du ergangene Warnung bewahrt, die in ausführlicherer Form in der Eridu-Genesis-/Ziusudra-Sintfluttradition fortlebt. Wir behalten Langdons Titel und Abfolge bei, weil die Ausgabe selbst ein einzelnes, zitierfähiges gemeinfreies Artefakt ist.
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They that slept, they that slept are ye.
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[In mountain of] Dilmun which is an holy place,
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[In the holy place] they that slept are ye.
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[...] the mountain of Dilmun which is an holy place.
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The mountain of Dilmun which is an holy place, the mountain of Dilmun is pure.
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The mountain of Dilmun is pure, the mountain of Dilmun is clean.
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Alone in Dilmun they lay down;
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Where Enki with his consort lay,
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That place is pure, that place is clean.
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Alone in Dilmun they lay down.
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Where Enki with the pure divine queen lay down,
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That place is pure, that place is clean.
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In Dilmun the raven shrieked not.
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The kite shrieked not, kitelike.
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The lion slew not.
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The wolf plundered not the lambs.
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The dog approached not the kids in repose.
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The mother (goat) as it fed on grain he disturbed not.
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The (ewes) impregnate their foetus [...]
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The birds of heaven their young [forsook] not.
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The doves were not put to flight.
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"Oh disease of the eyes thou art the 'Sick Eye,'" one said not.
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"Oh head ache thou art the 'Head Ache,'" one said not.
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As to the old woman, "thou art an old woman" one said not.
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As to the old man, "thou art an old man" one said not.
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A pure place where water was not poured for cleansing in the city one inhabited not.
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"A man has changed a canal," one said not.
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A prince his wisdom withheld not.
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"A deceiver deceives," one said not.
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"The counsellor of a city [...]," one said not.
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Ninella to Enki her father spoke.
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"A city thou hast founded, a city thou hast founded and a fate thou hast given.
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In Dilmun a city thou hast founded, a city (thou hast founded and a fate thou hast given).
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[...] thou hast founded a city (thou hast founded and a fate hast given).
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[...] (which) a canal has not.
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[...] thou hast founded, a city (thou hast founded and a fate thou hast given).
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[...]
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[About seven lines broken away.]
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In thy great [...] may waters flow.
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Thy city may drink water in abundance.
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Dilmun may drink water in abundance.
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Thy pools of bitter waters as a pool of sweet waters may flow.
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Let thy city be the home which assembles the Land of Sumer.
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Let Dilmun be the home which assembles the Land of Sumer.
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Now oh Sun-god shine forth.
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Oh Sun-god in heaven stand.
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He that marches [...] from his place.
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[...] the Moon-god
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From the mouth of the earth walking forth, with sweet waters of the earth he comes unto thee."
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In his great [...] waters went up.
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His city drank water in abundance.
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Dilmun drank water in abundance.
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His pool of bitter waters was (a pool of) sweet water.
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The low-lands [...]
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His city was the home which assembles the Land (of Sumer).
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Dilmun was the home which assembles the Land (of Sumer).
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Now oh Sun-god shine forth. Verily it was so.
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He the renderer of decision, the possessor of wisdom,
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To Nintud the mother of the Land of Sumer,
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Enki the possessor of wisdom,
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Even unto Nintud (the mother of the Land of Sumer)
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His counsel in the temple revealed.
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His revelation in the reed-house as a decision he rendered unto her.
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His counsel in secret grandly and beneficently to her he affirmed.
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He spoke. "Unto me man enters not."
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Enki spoke,
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By heaven he swore.
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"Cause him to sleep for me, cause him to sleep for me," was his word.
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Enki the father of Damgalnunna uttered his word.
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Ninharsag the fields [...]
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The fields received the waters of Enki.
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It was the first day whose month is the first.
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It was the second day whose month is the second.
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It was the third day whose month is the third.
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It was the fourth day whose month is the fourth.
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It was the fifth day [whose month is the fifth].
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It was the sixth day [whose month is the sixth].
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It was the seventh day [whose month is the seventh].
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It was the eighth day [whose month is the eighth].
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It was the ninth day whose month is the ninth; month of the cessation of the waters.
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Like fat, like fat, like tallow.
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Nintud mother of the Land,
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[Even Ninkurra],
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had created them.
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Nintud to the bank of the river summoned.
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"Enki (for me) they are reckoned, yea are reckoned."
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Her herald the divine anointed ones called.
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The sons of men who were pious she was not wroth against.
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Nintud against the pious was not wroth.
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Her herald the divine anointed ones caused to return.
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The sons of men who were pious she was not wroth against.
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Nintud against the pious [was not wroth].
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My king, who was filled with fear, yea was filled with fear,
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His foot alone upon the boat set.
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Two "humbles," as watchmen he placed on guard.
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Doubly he caulked the ship; torches he lighted,
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Enki devastated the fields.
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The fields received the waters of Enki.
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It was the first day, whose month is the first.
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It was the second day, whose month is the second.
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It was the ninth day, whose month is the ninth; the month of the cessation of the waters.
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Like fat, like fat, like tallow,
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Ninkurra (like) fat,
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Nintud [mother of the Land] had created them.
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Ninkurra [to the shore of the river had summoned].
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"Enki, for me they are reckoned, yea they are reckoned."
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Her herald the divine anointed ones had called.
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The pious sons of men she was not wroth against.
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Ninkurra against the pious sons of men was not wroth.
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Her herald caused the divine anointed ones to turn unto her.
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The pious sons of men [...] she [...]
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Ninkurra the pious [...]
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My king the terror filled, the terror filled,
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His foot alone on the ship had set.
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Two "humbles" as watchmen on guard he had placed.
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Doubly he had caulked the ship; torches he had lighted.
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Enki devastated the fields.
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The fields received the waters of Enki.
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It was the first day whose month is the first.
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It was the ninth day whose month is the ninth; the month of the cessation of the waters.
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Like fat, like fat, like tallow,
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Ninkurra (like) fat [had created them].
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To the divine Tagtug she revealed secrets [...]
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Nintud to the divine Tagtug spoke.
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"Verily I will purge thee; my purging [...]
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I will tell thee; my words [...]"
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"Oh thou one man, for me [they were reckoned, yea were reckoned],
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Enki, for me has reckoned [has reckoned],
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[...]
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[...]
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[...]
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[One line broken from the end of this column.]
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[About twelve lines broken away before the first traces of lines in this column.]
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[...] revealed secrets [caused] to see [...]
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[...] in the garden
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[In Ebaraguldu] stand.
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In Erabgaran stand.
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In the temple may my guide dwell,
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May Enki my guide dwell.
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Two "humbles" who fill with water,
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The water course filled with water.
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The canal they filled with water.
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The barren land they irrigated(?) [...]
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The gardener [...]
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A secret [...]
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Who art thou? the garden [...]
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Enki to the gardener [...]
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[Here four lines broken away.]
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[...]
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In E-baraguldu he stood.
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In E-rabgaran he stood. His seat he took.
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Enki beheld him. A scepter in his hand he grasped.
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Enki for Tagtug waited [...]
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In his temple he cried, "Open the door, open the door.
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Who is it that thou art?"
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"I am a gardener joyful [...]"
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[...] I will cause to be given unto thee.
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The divine Tagtug with glad heart opened the temple's door.
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Enki unto the divine Tagtug revealed secrets.
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[...] he gave unto him joyously.
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In E-baraguldu he gave unto him.
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In Erabgaran he gave unto him.
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The divine Tagtug was confided; the left hand he raised; the (right) hand he composed.
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[Here about six lines are obliterated.]
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[The plant] grew.
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[The plant] grew.
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[The plant] grew.
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[The plant] grew.
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[The plant] grew.
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[The plant] grew.
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The plant [...] grew.
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"Enki, for me they are reckoned, they are reckoned."
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Her herald the divine anointed ones called.
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"As for the plants, their fates I have determined forever.
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Something it is; something it is."
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Her herald caused the divine anointed ones to return unto her.
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My king as to the woody plants she commanded:
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"He shall cut off; he shall eat."
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My king as to the fruit bearing plants, she commanded:
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"He shall pluck; he shall eat."
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My king as to the [...] plants, she commanded:
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"He shall cut off; he shall eat."
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My king as to the prickly plants, she commanded:
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"He shall pluck; he shall eat."
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My king as to the [...] plants she commanded:
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"[He shall cut off;] he shall eat."
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[My king as to the plants...] she commanded:
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"[He shall pluck; he shall eat]."
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[My king as to the plants ... she commanded]:
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"[He shall cut off; he shall eat.]"
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[My king] the cassia plant approached.
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He plucked; he ate.
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[...] the plant, its fate she had determined; therein she came upon it.
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Ninharsag in the name of Enki uttered a curse.
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"The face of life until he dies not shall he see."
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The Anunnaki in the dust sat down (to weep).
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Angrily unto Enlil she spoke.
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"I Ninharsag begat thee children and what is my reward?"
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Enlil the begetter angrily replied;
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"Thou oh Ninharsag hast begotten children, (therefore)
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'In my city two creatures I will make for thee,' shall thy name be called."
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The renowned — his head as a prototype she had moulded.
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His foot as a prototype she had designed.
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His eyes as a prototype she had made luminous.
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[About five lines are broken away.]
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[...] the lord Enlil
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[...] the lord
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To [...] they went, the lord, god
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To [...] they went, the lord of the gods
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Ninharsag [...]
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Ninharsag [...]
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Of Enlil, in his [...] they reposed.
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Fates they declared.
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Destiny they fixed.
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Ninharsag in her [...] reposed.
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"My brother, what of thee is ill?" "My pastures are distressed."
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"Abu I have created for thee."
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"My brother, what of thee is ill?" "My flocks are distressed."
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"The queen of the flocks I have created for thee."
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"My brother, what of thee is ill?" "My [...] is ill."
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"Nin-KA-u-tud I have created for thee."
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"My brother, what of thee is ill?" "My mouth is distressed."
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"The queen who fills the mouth (with wine) I have created for thee."
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"My brother, what of thee is ill?" "My [...] is ill."
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"The goddess Nazi I have created for thee."
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"My brother, what of thee is ill?" "My [...] is ill."
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"The goddess Dazima I have created for thee."
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"My brother, what of thee is ill?" "My health is ill."
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"The queen of life I have created for thee."
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"My brother, what of thee is ill?" "My understanding is distressed."
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"The Lord who renders the understanding good I have created for thee."
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Since grandly were they born, (grandly) they do.
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Abu, lord of vegetation, let be.
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Nintulla, lord of Magan, let be.
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May Nin-KA-u-tud Ninazu possess.
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May Ninkasi be she that fills the heart.
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May Nazi the lord of [...] possess.
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May Dazima [...] possess.
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May Nintil be the mistress of the month.
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May Ensagme be lord of Dilmun.
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Praise!
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[Obverse]
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"Oh Zi-ud-sud-du, a command [I will speak to thee].
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My purification faithfully [will I accomplish]."
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Words to him she spoke.
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[Reverse]
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"In [...] not shall be sacrificed; beside the [...]
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In [...] not shall be sacrificed; beside the brick wall shalt thou [sacrifice].
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In [...] of the palace not shall be sacrificed; beside the [...] [shalt thou sacrifice].
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The slave from a strange land, to his land thou shalt [cause to return].
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Him that knows no place (home) shalt thou cause to [...].
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My son, where the sun goes up,
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shall he be thy water libator; before thee [...] shall he [...].
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Of him that has no house, his house enlarge.
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Of him that has no city, his city enlarge.
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Him that is not happy, with joy [enthuse].
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My [son], where the sun goes up, [...]