Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-11
By NEBUCHADNEzzAR.
\ Translation of tho BabylOnian g

a Translation of tho Babylonian Cysin-
der in the New York Museum of Art.
The following translation Of the recent
| ~ discovered Babylonian cylinder, now
! in the New York museum of art, says the
! New York Sun, was made by Mr.. J. FL
! O'COnor, 5. j., a pupil in Assvrian Cnnef-
! form of Prof. Haupt. AS the text was
somewhat obliterated and presented con-
| siderable difficulty on account of the
dou btlul form of some of the characters.
| these were restored by j. N. Strassmaier.
S. j., who, according to Prof Haupt, il
| the greatest BabylOnian authority in
Europe.
This inscription, on the authority Of the
two great cuneifOrm scholars mentioned.
has never before been translated, and the
full text could not be gathered from this
cylinder alone without cOllating with the
other cylinders in the British museum.
The inscription refers to the rebuilding
and restoration by NebuchadneZZaT of the
temple Of the Sun at Sippara, sister city
to LaTsa. where there was also temple of
the SIN god Sanas. The translation mere
given is provisional, and keeps to the
crude form common in BabylOnian texts.
The inscription viii be published with
u PlC lCAbs L1C al Cu0tC OdUN 1OAllatt NuuGA-
form of the original, the BabylOniaR
cuneiform of the sixth century B. c., and
the Assyrian of the seventh century.
The details of translation and the mOdiG
cation of the wording viii appear in fun
in the work now in press, as the transla-
tor has cOllated it with the B2byIonian
texts hitherto published:
''NebuchadneZZar, King of Righteous
ness, who knOweth the fear OF the GODS
tho bQlOWnd of inGfIRn and riUht
ruler of life and the one causing the fear
of the great God to dwell in the heart OF
the people; rebuilder of the temple of the
god, RestOrer Of the temple Saggil and
the temple Zida, mighty Son of Na3Opo-
lassar, King of Babylon, am.
THE God Mer0dach, the great lord, in
mighty power raised me up for the restor-
alton of the city and the renewing OF his
temples. A lofty name he proclaimed.
''Ihe temple of Para, the temple Of the
Sun at Suppara, which long before me
was in decay and needed repair 4
/ rebuilt.
1.-The Sun God Samas, the great Lord, not
to any former King has he done this
thing. Nor has he given commands TO do
this; ], his servant, whom the fear OF his
divinity urged to the building of his
temples, l turned my heart 4 to
this work.
'Ihe God oamas encouraged my hands,
he received my prayers for the building
OF that temple of the God Samas.
''Samas, Ramana,an Merodach caused
power to be in my prayer unto Samas, for
the building Ofthe temple, the temple OF the
sun, Samas my Lord, the lofty judge OF
heaven and earth, the great, the elevated
yF''Lord ruler, arbiter OF right, the great
Lord, my Lord. His temple, the temple
of the sun, which is at Sippara, in JOY
and gladncss p built.
''Samas, great Lord, upon thy joyful
entering INTO the temple of Parra, Thy
glorious temple, into the works Of my
hands truly be favorable, and may thy
assistance complete my glory.
In thy word Of justice, grant me y
fulness of glory life unto remote day.
and the establishment of my throne for
eternity.
Lord, for all eternity, the sceptre OF
rule, true power. x / made the
sceptre Of my royalty forever
with mighty weapons, give the blow
that will make glorious my warriors.
The God Samas thou in might and bond,
bind me by thy word.
LII Il the deed. May they my enemies
draw near; make my weapons strong, and
let my arms scatter mine enemies"