Akkadian Archive
March 10, 2010
A Disconnected Ramble On God And King
Do two lines found together only in SST 60 and SST 61 from Sultantepe refer to gods, people, or both? Here are those two lines, 25a and b, with their immediate context (Line numbers refer the position of the lines...Read all of "A Disconnected Ramble On God And King"
Posted by Duane Smith at 10:15 AM
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March 8, 2010
Specialized Interests Indeed
After summarizing the contents of several of the Sultantepe tablets, the Wikipedia article on Sultantepe ends with this curious sentence, “Other texts were of more specialised interest to the Assyriologist: rituals, incantations, omen readings, contracts and vocabulary lists.” Among the...Read all of "Specialized Interests Indeed"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:09 AM
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March 2, 2010
Lambert On A Divine Ambiguity
Related to an issue I discussed a few weeks ago, here is a quotation from a paper by Wilfred George Lambert on ancient Mesopotamian gods. Lambert’s paper is online. . . . these ancients were surrounded by forces of nature,...Read all of "Lambert On A Divine Ambiguity"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:16 PM
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March 1, 2010
Deuteronomy 32:43a In Context
Daniel O. McClellan shared a paper proposal for the upcoming annual SBL meeting. His proposal ends as follows: This paper proposes the threshold of monotheism is found not at the rejection of the existence of other deities, but at the...Read all of "Deuteronomy 32:43a In Context"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:23 AM
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February 6, 2010
Crazy Thoughts On Blindness And Reading Clay Tablets
Caution: this is another of my wildly speculative posts. Don’t take it too seriously. I’m constructing thoughts not conclusions. Some of these thoughts are unsupportable; some are little more than free associations; some, like the last one, are surely wrong....Read all of "Crazy Thoughts On Blindness And Reading Clay Tablets"
Posted by Duane Smith at 2:55 PM
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February 2, 2010
The Latest ZA
The December 2009 edition of the Zeitschrift für Assyriologie und vorderasiatische Archäologie is now available. There are a couple of papers that I think will prove to be of abnormally interesting. Jeremiah Peterson’s “Two New Sumerian Texts Involving The Netherworld...Posted by Duane Smith at 11:14 AM
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January 23, 2010
Akkadian And Being Wrong About Making A Mistake
With apologies to Lucy Van Pelt, I thought I made a mistake but I was wrong. The borrowed writing system that scribes used for Akkadian can be very vexing. It alternatively provides less information than one would like and more...Read all of "Akkadian And Being Wrong About Making A Mistake"
Posted by Duane Smith at 3:44 PM
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January 7, 2010
Two New Books On Abnormal Interests
Over the last couple of weeks, I've written speculative posts on two topics that I now see have whole books devoted to them. My ignorance of these volumes illustrates one of the problems with posting what often amounts to little...Read all of "Two New Books On Abnormal Interests"
Posted by Duane Smith at 10:20 AM
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January 4, 2010
On Ghosts, Demons, Gods And Contagious Diseases
Tomorrow I need to return a couple of books I have on interlibrary loan. One is Scurlock and Anderson's Diagnoses in Assyrian and Babylonian Medicine. This is an abnormally interesting work that exposes the amazing knowledge, the amazing ignorance, and...Read all of "On Ghosts, Demons, Gods And Contagious Diseases"
Posted by Duane Smith at 2:56 PM
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December 22, 2009
A New Idiot's Guide to KAL DILI
If the logogram string KAL DILI in an Akkadian prayer is not within your normal abnormal interests, don't read any more of this post. But I do feel that I owe my truly abnormal readers follow-ups on the important issues...Read all of "A New Idiot's Guide to KAL DILI"
Posted by Duane Smith at 10:25 AM
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December 19, 2009
A Somewhat Different Light On The Sun
While I'm on the subject of Shamash/Utu, there's a Sumerian poem (BM 23631) that sings of a rather strange set of divine attributes. Among other things, Utu enjoys beer. Who would have guessed? Inana, his sister, asks if she can...Read all of "A Somewhat Different Light On The Sun"
Posted by Duane Smith at 10:04 AM
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December 18, 2009
It Seems Simple Enough
I'm trying to write a couple of paragraphs on dšamaš (dUTU) - Shamash. Here's what I have so far, Shamash was the solar deity sun sun god sun Am I trying to resolve a distinction without a difference? Did the...Read all of "It Seems Simple Enough"
Posted by Duane Smith at 2:01 PM
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December 15, 2009
When Gods And Ghosts Were Not Supernatural
While discussing the role of gods, ghosts, and demons as causes of disease, Jo Ann Scurlock makes the following abnormally interesting observation, Ironically, it does not follow that ancient Mesopotamians attributed diseases to "supernatural" causes. Although ancient Mesopotamian gods made...Read all of "When Gods And Ghosts Were Not Supernatural"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:22 PM
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December 8, 2009
One Elephant Got Up
An old friend once said that he felt like he had two elephants on him and one of them got up. Well, I've had four elephants on me and it feels like one of them just got up. Don't get...Read all of "One Elephant Got Up"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:05 PM
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November 27, 2009
Plural Verbs
When we think of plural verbs, (I'm using the awkward expression on purpose), we tend to think of them in terms of multiple actors, "they seize" as opposed to "he seizes," for example. But there is another way to think...Posted by Duane Smith at 8:19 PM
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November 18, 2009
Who Is "You"
I'm still worrying over an Akkadian ritual intended to rid a patient of the pernicious effects of a ghosts, BAM 323:1-38. In addition to multiple instructions, the ritual has two prayers, one for an exorcist (āšipu) and one for the...Posted by Duane Smith at 1:19 PM
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November 12, 2009
A Rant About A Tablet And It's Text
Please note these three designations. VAT 8242 KAR 184 BAM 323 These letter number combinations all designate the same Akkadian tablet. Well, VAT 8242 designates the physical tablet; KAR 184 designates an early publication of the tablet; BAM 323 designates...Read all of "A Rant About A Tablet And It's Text"
Posted by Duane Smith at 3:13 PM
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November 1, 2009
Is Ludlul Wisdom Literature?
Over at Feeling Finite . . ., Alan Lenzi provides an engaging discussion of "Ludlul and 'Wisdom'." From a very strictly "indigenous perspective," Alan concludes that it isn't wisdom. But as Alan points out there is more to wisdom than...Read all of "Is Ludlul Wisdom Literature?"
Posted by Duane Smith at 9:39 AM
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October 31, 2009
Just In Case
In case Halloween doesn't turn out all that happy, you might need this. If a ghost has seized a man, coral, sulfur, yellow sulfur, cedar resin and mandrake: five plants, you mix in blood of a black snake and then...Posted by Duane Smith at 11:00 AM
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October 26, 2009
Division Of Labor In Healing Rituals
I've been thinking about who gets addressed by whom in Mesopotamia medical rituals like BAM 323:1-38. Here's my translation of the practitioner's incantation, Oh Ghost (or) anything evil, from this day you are expelled from the body of so and...Read all of "Division Of Labor In Healing Rituals"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:54 AM
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October 19, 2009
Fair Warning
I will not be attending the Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature this year. Anyone who has delayed a decision until this announcement should now feel safe to attend next month's mega affair in New Orleans. However, I...Posted by Duane Smith at 9:05 AM
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October 13, 2009
A Wild Idea About Cuneiform Literacy
and some numbers that may support it. And then again, they may not. In fact, my numbers may support something quite different or nothing at all. Like many of my more abnormal posts, this one is only a thought experiment....Read all of "A Wild Idea About Cuneiform Literacy"
Posted by Duane Smith at 10:39 AM
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September 22, 2009
A Rhetorical Orthographic Pun
I was reviewing some work I did a week or so ago on an Akkadian ritual text when I ran across something that I hadn't thought about the first time through. I had seen it but I didn't consider its...Read all of "A Rhetorical Orthographic Pun"
Posted by Duane Smith at 4:29 PM
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September 9, 2009
More Likely Irresponsible Speculation
Except for the last word which is mine, the JPS translates Leviticus 17:13, And if any Israelite or any stranger who resides among them hunts down an animal or a bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its...Read all of "More Likely Irresponsible Speculation"
Posted by Duane Smith at 3:27 PM
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September 6, 2009
What The Heck Is Wrong With This Guy
Do these two lists describe the same disease? a ghost, a Rabiṣu-demon, a Eṭemmu-spirit, a Lilû-spirit, goose bumps, dizziness, paralysis of the flesh, vertigo, stiffness (and), confusion weigh on me and leave me mourning(?) every day. a Eṭemmu man seized...Read all of "What The Heck Is Wrong With This Guy"
Posted by Duane Smith at 6:57 PM
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August 25, 2009
Sick? Maybe Shamash Can Help
Over the last week or so I've been bothering you with some thoughts on details of a prayer to Shamash, a prayer of a sick person. Today I thought I'd provide my complete translation for those who may need to...Read all of "Sick? Maybe Shamash Can Help"
Posted by Duane Smith at 2:39 PM
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August 22, 2009
Micromanaging The Gods
While working on Akkadian prayers, I often come across things that strike me as odder than the general oddity. These folks wanted to make sure that their gods looked after them in an expeditious manner and they weren't above giving...Read all of "Micromanaging The Gods"
Posted by Duane Smith at 3:07 PM
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August 11, 2009
The July 2009 JNES Is Online
The July 2009 issue of the Journal of Near Eastern Studies is now online. Here is a list of the papers. Jack Cheng, "A Review of Early Dynastic III Music: Man’s Animal Call" Isaac Kalimi, "Placing the Chronicler in His...Read all of "The July 2009 JNES Is Online"
Posted by Duane Smith at 4:35 PM
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August 7, 2009
Another Case Of A Cuneiform Literate Professional (?)
A recently annoiunced tablet contains a desperate plea for help from an Assyrian leader. Mannu-ki-Libbali was a city treasurer at Tushan when the ancient city was overran by forces allied with Babylon. Check out the report in Times On Line....Read all of "Another Case Of A Cuneiform Literate Professional (?)"
Posted by Duane Smith at 12:44 PM
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August 6, 2009
I Heart This Post
In general, when faced with an idiom of uncertain meaning, I favor a literal translation. If I'm not sure what something means, I think it best to pass that uncertainty along to the reader of my translation. But this can...Read all of "I Heart This Post"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:10 PM
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Titles Only From Here On
August 4, 2009
Is There A Doctor In The House?
July 30, 2009
July 2009 ZA Online
July 28, 2009
Their Life Is, Ah, Err, Excrement
July 15, 2009
Good Enough For Me
July 12, 2009
Be Careful
July 10, 2009
Have A Snake Problem? Try Prayer
June 22, 2009
The Idiot's Guide To KAL DILI
June 7, 2009
The Latest Journal Of Near Eastern Studies
June 5, 2009
Playing With Signs And Signs
June 2, 2009
On Translations, Background Knowledge, And Acknowledgement
May 28, 2009
Like Shamash?
May 25, 2009
Dickless Or Just Impotent?
May 24, 2009
Virtually Taking Apart and Physically Putting Together
May 16, 2009
A Long Time Passing
May 7, 2009
Divining A Prayer
April 28, 2009
Attempted Identity Theft?
April 2, 2009
Something Else That Doesn't Mean Wine
March 3, 2009
Another Irresponsible Post On Bodily Fluids
February 21, 2009
The Power of the Big House
February 19, 2009
Floating Akkadian Prayers
February 3, 2009
Why Do Lacuna Always Come at the Wrong Place?
December 15, 2008
The Latest Zeitschrift für Assyriologie
November 23, 2008
The Latest JNES Is Out
November 19, 2008
Cuneiform Digital Library Update
October 31, 2008
Friday Loanword: uḫḫuru
September 24, 2008
What Does It Say and How Does It Say It?
August 13, 2008
Reflections on a Few Caveats
August 11, 2008
A Small Rant About the Book that Wasn't There
August 2, 2008
3D Printing and Clay Polymer Tablets
July 28, 2008
Tel Beit Shemesh and fNIN UR.MAḪMEŠ
July 24, 2008
Free Sumerian Teaching and Learning Material
July 16, 2008
There's Nothing Like a Schlüsselszene
July 8, 2008
I'm a Citation Already
July 6, 2008
Filling in the Blank
June 29, 2008
The Letter of Gilgamesh: A Translation
June 21, 2008
I Should Have Known Better
June 17, 2008
The Story in a Colophon, Part I
June 10, 2008
An Ambiguous Post on the Gilgamesh Letter
June 3, 2008
That Was Fast
June 1, 2008
3D Imaging and the Problem with Photos and Casts
May 30, 2008
Sheep Omens, Akkadian in Greek Letters and Other Mysteries
April 30, 2008
Sumerian, Akkadian, Hebrew, Oh, My!
April 29, 2008
The Chicago Assyrian Dictionary Online
April 12, 2008
Could He Have Been All That Certain?
March 22, 2008
When Is a Pun Not Punny?
December 29, 2007
Please, Send One Scribe ASAP
December 21, 2007
To Jean Bottéro and Lawrence Toombs
September 3, 2007
Another Inscribed Liver Model from Hazor
August 31, 2007
Playing Around With Akkadian, Sumerian and Egyptian
July 27, 2007
More Tablets from Alalakh
July 20, 2007
In Preparation for Something Unimportant
July 18, 2007
What's a ŠA Among Friends?
July 13, 2007
Nabu-šarrussu-ukin on a Tablet
July 5, 2007
Akkadian Is So Easy
June 20, 2007
Notes on the Taanach Letters
June 16, 2007
Translations of Akkadian Cuneiform Texts Online
April 24, 2007
Taanach 6: A letter from Amanhatpa to Talwashur
April 23, 2007
Taanach 5: A letter from Amanhatpa to Talwashur
April 22, 2007
Taanach 2: A letter from Ahiami to Talwashur
April 21, 2007
Taanach 1: A letter from Ehli-Tešub to Talwashur