05
Time and Again - Part 1: In The Beginning
Temple of Inanna, Uruk, Kienger – Autumn 2533 BCE
- For more information on Sumer and the Sumerian language visit http://www.sumerian.org/.
Of particular interest to us Buffy fans is the translation of the spell used against Adam in Primeval - http://www.sumerian.org/sumerfaq.htm#s38 - Hymn To Inana (Inana C) is from the The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature
(ETCSL) at http://www-etcsl.orient.ox.ac.uk/
(Copyright © J.A. Black, G. Cunningham, E. Robson, and G. Zólyomi 1998, 1999, 2000; J.A. Black, G. Cunningham, E. Flückiger-hawker, E. Robson, J. Taylor, and G. Zólyomi 2001.) - Translation:
< My lady, let me proclaim your magnificence in all lands, and your glory! Let me praise your ways and greatness! Who rivals you in divinity? Who can compare with your divine rites? May great An, whom you love, say for you "It is enough!". May the great gods calm your mood. May the lapis lazuli dais, fit for ladyship, … >
- Translation:
< Your great deeds are unparallelled, your magnificence is praised! Young woman, Inana, your praise is sweet! >
- All Sumerian character names are taken from actual names found on various tablets.
- I've tried to make my descriptions of ancient Sumer as accurate as I can based on research carried out on the Internet and through books. I hope I haven't made too many mistakes.
< nin-ju nam-mah-zu kur-kur-ra ka-tar-zu ga-si-il
(4)
(5)
a-ra nam-gur-ra-zu me-tec hu-mu-i-i
za-e nam-dijir-zu a-ba e-da-sa
jarza-zu-ce a-ba-a mu-un-na-sig-ge
an gal ki-aj-zu muc-am-zu he-eb-be
dijir gal-gal-e-ne ur-zu he-bi-ib-huj-je-ne
barag za-gin nam-nin-a tum-ma tu-tu-zu >
Despite the familiar sounds of the hymn drifting in through the open doorway, Ibbi-Nansh (7) was troubled. In all the thirty-two years he had lived within the temple, there had never been so many signs and omens, so quickly, all centred around the same person. And he had no idea who this woman might be. It would have been bad enough at any other time, but now with his father's recent death and his subsequent assumption of the role and duties of En (high priest), he was finding it difficult to think straight.
< nij gal-gal-zu nij zag nu-sa
(6)
nam-mah-zu me-tec hu-mu-i-i
ki-sikil inana za-mi-zu dug-ga-am >
A polite cough from one of the senior priests dragged him out of a momentary daze. Gathering his scattered thoughts he scanned the small gathering of the temple elite. "We must be vigilant. All the signs tell us this stranger will play an important role in future events, but beyond suggestions of sorrow and a long journey they give us no details."
"These omens could be connected to the misfortunes that accompanied the New Year festivities last month," Anepada suggested, rubbing his shaven head pensively as he watched his younger cousin in sidelong glances. "Your father's seizure following the sacred marriage ceremony suggests ill for the coming year."
A few grunts of agreement from the other priests greeted Anepada's suggestion, but Ibbi-Nansh frowned. He missed his father, it had been painful watching his father's health fade while he could do nothing but pray to the gods to lend strength to the old man. And indeed watching Ibbi-Sin's performance at the ceremonies it had seemed his prayers had been answered. For the first time in years his father had mounted the priestess-avatar with an almost youthful vigour, but it had been the last of his strength and mere days later he had passed into the shadows.
But, no, it did not feel right. Despite Anepada's talk of misfortunes at New Year, everyone had agreed – at the time – that the ceremonies had gone more perfectly this year than at any time in living memory. It seemed unlikely that his father's death could be connected with such a successful celebration. The more Ibbi-Nansh considered it, the more he thought that perhaps the goddess had decided to honour his father for his long devotion by allowing his final service to her, to be a truly memorable one.
"Perhaps," Ibbi-Nansh said finally, his scepticism causing the word to drag slowly from his mouth. "But whatever her destiny may be, we would not get so many signs if the goddess did not want us to search for her, or to prepare us for her coming. We must gather all the information we can. Ask at the other temples if they have had similar signs. Send novices to Ur and Eridu; Larsa and Bad-tibira; Lagash and Isin; Shuruppak and Umma; Adab and Nippur; Kish and Sippar to ask at the temples for further news." Pausing for a moment, he swept the room with a decisive gaze. "We must be ready for whatever is coming."
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