notes contain some of the
different readings of the other Assyrian scholars at that time and give a
few of the principal varieties of reading some of the words. It was
generally considered a very triumphant demonstration of the sound basis on
which the then comparatively recent Assyrian researches were placed and a
confutation of certain opinions then prevalent, that no certain or
accurate advance had been made in the decipherment of Assyrian
inscriptions. On the whole for its extent and historical information
relating to the early history of Assyria this inscription is one of the
most important of the series showing the gradual advance and rise of
Assyria, while as one of the first interpreted it presents considerable
literary interest in respect to the details of the progress of Assyrian
interpretation. It is also nearly the oldest Assyrian text of any length
which has been hitherto discovered and is very interesting from its
account of the construction of the temples and palaces made by the King in
the early part of his reign. S.B.

INSCRIPTION OF TIGLATH PILESER I

THE BEGINNING

_Ashur,_ the great Lord, ruling supreme over the gods; the giver of
sceptres and crowns; the appointer of sovereignty. Bel, the Lord; _King of
the circle of constellations_;[1] Father of the gods; Lord of the world.
Sin;[2] the leader the _Lord of Empire_ the _powerful_ the _auspicious_
god; _Shamas_;[3] the establisher of the heavens and the earth; ...;[4]
the vanquisher of enemies; the dissolver of cold. _Vul_;[5] he who causes
the tempest to rage over hostile lands and _wicked_ countries. _Abnil_[6]
Hercules; the champion who subdues _heretics_ and enemies, and who
strengthens the heart. _Ishtar_, the eldest[7] of the gods; the Queen of
_Victory_; she who arranges battles.

[Footnote 1: Aratnaki. (Fox Talbot.)]

[Footnote 2: The moon.]

[Footnote 3: The sun.]

[Footnote 4: Lacuna.]

[Footnote 5: Ninev. (Fox Talbot.) Ao. (Dr. Oppert.)]

[Footnote 6: Ninip-Sumdan. Dr. Oppert.]

[Footnote 7: Or source.]

II

The great gods, ruling over the heavens and the earth, whose attributes I
have recorded and whom I have _named_; the guardians of the kingdom of
Tiglath Pileser, the Prince inspiring your hearts with _joy_; the proud
Chief whom in the strength of your hearts ye have made firm, (to whom) ye
have confided the supreme crown, (whom) ye have appointed in might to the
sovereignty of the country of Bel, to wh