Nabopolassar’s Inscriptions: 3 (2024-08-17)

Created by: Wang Jinyan

Clay barrel-cylinder with an inscription of the Neo-Babylonian king Nabopolassar; British Museum, London (BM 091104)

This inscription has been known for five examples, one of which is inscribed on a brick (BM 090825). It commemorates the building of the Canal of Šamaš (Nār-Šamaš) in Sippar (for the edition, see Da Riva, The Inscriptions of Nabopolassar, Amēl-Marduk and Neriglissar, [2013] 63–69). The text is inscribed in two columns with ruled lines. It explains that the building of the canal is to benefit Šamaš and Aja, the gods of Sippar (Col. I, lines 10–17 and Col. II, lines 1–14): In those days, (regarding) Sippar, the august cultic centre beloved of Šamaš and Aja, the Euphrates had moved away, and the water was too far off to draw for the purification of their divine (images). (So I) Nabopolassar, (...) had the Euphrates dug out towards Sippar, and I established pure abundant waters for my lord Šamaš. I strengthened the bank of this river with bitumen and baked brick, and I provided my lord Šamaš with a safe embankment. CDLI entry: P480524

credit: jw