RITUAL OF THE PRIESTS' DIALOGUE WITH THE GODS

MS 2401
MS Short Title RITUAL OF THE PRIESTS' DIALOGUE WITH THE GODS
Text RITUAL OF THE PRIESTS' DIALOGUE WITH THE GODS CONCERNING INCANTATIONS AGAINST MIGRAINE, DRAWING ON MYTHOLOGICAL SOURCES
Description MS in Neo Sumerian on clay, probably Larsa Babylonia, 2000-1800 BC, 1 tablet, 9, 3x5, 5x2, 5 cm, 15+21 lines in cuneiform script.
Binding Barking, Essex, 1998, blue quarter morocco gilt folding case by Aquarius.
Commentary All incantation texts begin with an outline of some complaint, physical or psychic, experienced by somebody. There is then a magical part that usually has the priest going off to "consult" with Inanna or another god. Finally the text ends with the gods' revealed advice for action which will lead to the resolution of the problem. The incantation texts used by the priest were something he knew and would probably be the same in each case; so this rite was an unwritten part of all incantation texts. The present text is this rite, possibly written down to assist novice priests. The text is possibly unique.
See also See also MS 2367/1, Enhedu'Anna: Hymn to Inanna, Babylonia, 20th – 17th BC See also MS 5108, Atra-Hasis Epic, Babylonia, 1900-1700 BC
Place of origin Babylonia
Dates 2000-1800 BC