ABC 18 (Dynastic Chronicle)

The Dynastic Chronicle (ABC 18) is one of the historiographical texts from ancient Babylonia. Although it is called a chronicle, it is, in fact, a list of Mesopotamian rulers.

The Dynastic Chronicle, although called a chronicle, is in fact a very long king list. Written on six columns, it starts with the antediluvian rulers and continues until at least the eighth century. The beginning is very fragmentary, but the second half is comprehensible. It has come down to us in three fragments (called A, B, and C) which do not join, but appear to belong to one, large tablet.^note Restoration of the missing parts is facilitated by the existence of parallel texts (e.g., the Sumerian King List) and several repetitive formulas.

For a very brief introduction to the literary genre of chronicles, go here. The translation on this webpage was adapted from A.K. Grayson, Assyrian and Babylonian Chronicles (1975). Additions have been published by I. Finkel in the Journal of Cuneiform Studies 32 (1980), 65-80. More information can be found in Jean-Jacques Glassner, Mesopotamian Chronicles (Atlanta, 2004).

Chapter

iii

Section

A6'

A7'

A8'

A9'

A10'

A11'

A12'

A13'

A14'

A15'

A16'

A17'-18'

A19'

B1'

B2'

B3'

A1'

A2'

A3'

A4'

A5'

[i.A6'] One king of the dynasty of Sippar ruled for N years.
[i.A7'] The dynasty of Sippar was terminated, its kingship transferred to to Larak.
[i.A8'] Larak, Ensipazianna ruled for N years.
[i.A9'] One king of the dynasty of Larak ruled for N years.
[i.A10'] The dynasty of Larak was terminated, its kingship transferred to Šuruppak.
[i.A11'] Šuruppak, Ubartutu ruled for N years.
[i.A12'] Ziusudra, son of Ubartutu, ruled for N years.
[i.A13'] Two kings of the dynasty of Šuruppak ruled for N years.
[i.A14'] Five cities, nine kings ruled for N years.
[i.A15'] Enlil [...]^note
[i.A16'] Enlil [...]
[i.A17'-18'] The uproar [...]
[i.A19'] [...] [Lacuna]
Fragment B
[i.B1'] [...]
[i.B2'] [...]
[i.B3'] [...]
[i.A] [lacuna]
Fragment AColumn i
[i.A] [After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridu. Eridu, Alulim became king; he ruled for N years. Alaljar ruled for N years. Two kings of the dynasty of Eridu ruled for N years. They were called Kings from Heaven. Bad-tibira, Enmenluana ruled for N years.]^note
[i.A1'] Enmegalanna ruled for N years.
[i.A2'] Dumuzi, the shepherd, ruled for N years.
[i.A3'] Three kings of the dynasty of Bad-tibira ruled for N years.
[i.A4'] The dynasty of Bad-tibira was terminated, its kingship was transferred to Sippar.
[i.A5'] Sippar, Enmeduranna ruled for N years.

Fragment B

Fragment AColumn i