Program

Preservation and Access: Humanities Collections and Reference Resources

Period of Performance

7/1/2017 - 3/31/2021

Funding Totals

$260,000.00 (approved)
$260,000.00 (awarded)


Completing the Royal Inscriptions of the Neo-Assyrian Period

FAIN: PW-253771-17

University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA 19104-6205)
Grant Frame (Project Director: July 2016 to present)

RINAP, which began in July 2008, has already posted online and published four volumes from the period 744-669 BCE, and will have a fifth posted online and ready for the publisher around the beginning of the proposed grant period. Its aim for the two-year period 2017-19 is to make available online all of the extant sources for Assyria's last kings, publish a sixth volume, complete work on a seventh and final volume, as well as to broaden the scope of the project's web content, making it more accessible to the general public. This will complete the work of the RINAP project.



Media Coverage

Preserving the history of the Assyrian Empire, once the largest in the world (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Jacquie Posey
Publication: Penn Current // Assyrian International News Agency
Date: 5/17/2017
Abstract: Report on award of NEH grant and the Royal Inscriptions of the Neo-Assyrian Period project
URL: https://penncurrent.upenn.edu/features/preserving-the-history-of-the-assyrian-empire-once-the-largest-in-the-world

Review of Frame, Royal Inscriptions of Sargon II (Review)
Author(s): Sarah C. Melville
Publication: Review of Biblical Literature
Date: 9/9/2022
Abstract: First paragraph of review: More than thirty years in the making, Grant Frame’s superb volume represents the first comprehensive treatment of the royal inscriptions from Sargon’s reign, amounting to some 130 text editions, plus a handful with uncertain attribution and those belonging to the king’s wife, brother, and high officials. In layout and general organization, the volume adheres to guidelines first established for the University of Toronto’s Royal Inscriptions of Mesopotamia series and then retained with minor modifications by its successor, the Royal Inscriptions of the Neo-Assyrian Period directed by Frame at the University of Pennsylvania. Like its fellow RINAP volumes, this one is associated with RIAo (Royal Inscriptions of Assyria online), the digital counterpart that offers word-searchable transliterations and translations, as well as an additional twenty-six score transliterations not contained in the book (http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/rinap/scores/).
URL: https://www.sblcentral.org/home/bookDetails/1000668?search=Frame%20Sargon&type=0

Review of Frame, The Royal Inscriptions of Sargon II (Review)
Author(s):
Publication: Revue Biblique vol. 129/2 (2022): 285-6
Date: 4/1/2022
Abstract: Last 2 paragraphs: Frame must be warmly thanked for the present edition, not only because of its quality, but particularly because of its completeness. Thus far, one had to rely on the precious but outdated work of Daniel David Luckenbill (Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. 2, Chicago, IL, University of Chicago Press, 1927) for a survey of Sargon’s inscriptions. This is the first edition, since one century, that again covers all the material of Sargon II. Thanks to RINAP 2, Sargon II’s inscriptions can be studied with all the information that has enriched the field since Luckenbill’s translation. The book is a very welcome tool, not only for Assyriologists, but also for any biblical scholar who is interested in the historical context of the divided kingdom, particularly for those working on the context of the fall of Samaria and the end of the northern kingdom.
URL: https://poj.peeters-leuven.be/content.php?url=issue&journal_code=RBI&issue=2&vol=129

Review of Novotny and Jeffers RINAP 5/1 (Review)
Author(s): Bieke Mahieu
Publication: Revue Biblique volume 129/2 (2022) pp. 441-2
Date: 7/1/2022
Abstract: Last paragraph of review: The edition is of great value for the study of the latter part of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, when the Assyrians managed to conquer Egypt (Esarhaddon in 671 B, and subsequently Ashurbanipal in 667 and 664 BC). ... The book is a precious tool for any scholar interested in the historical contexts of the latter southern kingdom.
URL: https://www.ebaf.edu/publications-2/1144-2/

Review of Novotny and Jeffers, RINAP 5/1 (Review)
Author(s): S. Ponchia
Publication: Arhiv für Oriental Forschung volume 55 (2022): 182-189
Date: 10/25/2022
Abstract: One quote: "The authors have thus accomplished a particularly difficult task whose long-awaited results will be completed by Volume 5/2 with the publication of the remaining documents." Final paragraph: "This new volume of Ashurbanipal’s inscriptions, with its ordered, revised, and improved comprehensive presentation of the texts will ease the work of philologists and historians who deal with this crucial documentation and the placement of royal inscriptions within a complex system of communication with which various concordances are retrievable."
URL: https://orientalistik.univie.ac.at/en/publications/afo/



Associated Products

The Royal Inscriptions of Sargon II, King of Assyria (721-705 BC) (Book)
Title: The Royal Inscriptions of Sargon II, King of Assyria (721-705 BC)
Author: Grant Frame
Abstract: The volume contains an introduction to the royal (official) inscriptions of the Neo-Assyrian king Sargon II (721-705 BC) and editions of 151 texts. The texts were originally written in the Akkadian and Sumerian languages.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://www.eisenbrauns.org/books/titles/978-1-64602-109-3.html
Primary URL Description: Publisher's website
Secondary URL: https://www.worldcat.org/title/royal-inscriptions-of-sargon-ii-king-of-assyria-721-705-bc/oclc/1191237339
Secondary URL Description: World cat
Access Model: Available via purchase, but lemmatized editions of the texts available online (free accessible) at http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/rinap/rinap2/
Publisher: Eisenbrauns
Type: Single author monograph
ISBN: 9781646021093
Copy sent to NEH?: Yes

The Royal Inscriptions of Ashurbanipal (668–631 BC), Aššur-etel-ilāni (630–627 BC), and Sîn-šarra-iškun (626–612 BC), Kings of Assyria, Part 1 (Book)
Title: The Royal Inscriptions of Ashurbanipal (668–631 BC), Aššur-etel-ilāni (630–627 BC), and Sîn-šarra-iškun (626–612 BC), Kings of Assyria, Part 1
Author: Joshua Jeffers
Author: Jamie Novotny
Editor: Grant Frame (editor-in-chief of series)
Abstract: The volume includes an introduction to the reign of Ashurbanipal and editions of 71 cuneiform inscriptions (20 on clay prisms; 35 epigraphs on stone wall slabs; and the remainder on various objects, including paving slabs, seals, vessels, etc.). The inscriptions all come from Assyria and are written in the cuneiform writing system.
Year: 2018
Primary URL: https://www.worldcat.org/title/royal-inscriptions-of-ashurbanipal-668-631-bc-assur-etal-ilani-630-627-bc-and-sin-sarra-iskun-626-612-bc-kings-of-assyria/oclc/1050144099
Primary URL Description: World Cat
Secondary URL: https://www.eisenbrauns.org/books/titles/978-1-57506-997-5.html
Secondary URL Description: Publisher website
Access Model: An open access version is available online at http://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/rinap/rinap5/
Publisher: Eissenbrauns
Type: Multi-author monograph
ISBN: 978-1-57506-99
Copy sent to NEH?: Yes

“Neo-Assyrian Scribal Practices: The Editorial History of Ashurbanipal’s Prism F Inscription” (Article)
Title: “Neo-Assyrian Scribal Practices: The Editorial History of Ashurbanipal’s Prism F Inscription”
Author: Joshua Jeffers
Abstract: The article examines the editorial history of Ashurbanipal's prism inscription F
Year: 2018
Access Model: Subscription only
Format: Journal
Periodical Title: Zeitschrift für Assyriologie und Vorderasiatische Archäologie volume A108
Publisher: de Gruyter

“A Previously Unrecognized Version of Esarhaddon’s ‘Annals’” (Article)
Title: “A Previously Unrecognized Version of Esarhaddon’s ‘Annals’”
Author: Jamie Novotny
Abstract: Study of an unrecognized version of the annals of the Assyrian king Esarhaddon
Year: 2018
Access Model: subscription only
Format: Journal
Periodical Title: Zeitschrift für Assyriologie und Vorderasiatische Archäologie volume 108
Publisher: de Gruyter

“Lost in the Tigris: The Trials and Tribulations in Editing the Royal Inscriptions of Sargon II of Assyria” (Book Section)
Title: “Lost in the Tigris: The Trials and Tribulations in Editing the Royal Inscriptions of Sargon II of Assyria”
Author: Grant Frame
Editor: Shigeo Yamada
Abstract: Description of the problems with editing the official inscriptions of Sargon II due to the loss of the most important ones when the boat carrying them from Iraq to France following their discovery in the mid-1800s sank in the Tigris river.
Year: 2018
Primary URL: https://www.worldcat.org/title/neo-assyrian-sources-in-context-thematic-studies-of-texts-history-and-culture/oclc/1105320229
Primary URL Description: World cat
Secondary URL: https://www.eisenbrauns.org/books/titles/978-952-10-9501-6.html
Secondary URL Description: publisher's website
Access Model: only available via purchase
Publisher: Neo-Assyrian Text Corpus Project
Book Title: Neo-Assyrian Sources in Context: Thematic Studies of Texts, History, and Culture
ISBN: 978-952-10-950

“A History of Research on the Neo-Assyrian Empire” (Book Section)
Title: “A History of Research on the Neo-Assyrian Empire”
Author: Grant Frame
Editor: Robert Rollinger
Editor: Giovanni Battista Lanfranchi
Editor: Raija Mattila
Abstract: History of the study of the ancient Assyrian empire.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: ttps://www.worldcat.org/title/writing-neo-assyrian-history-sources-problems-and-approaches-proceedings/oclc/1129099346?referer=library_profile_recentitems&libraryname=IDS+Basel+Bern+(IDSBB)&returnRegistryId=143157
Primary URL Description: World Cat.
Secondary URL: https://www.eisenbrauns.org/books/titles/978-952-10-9502-3.html
Secondary URL Description: Distributor's website
Access Model: only available by purchase
Publisher: Neo-Assyrian Text Corpus Project
Book Title: Proceedings of the Conference on Writing Neo-Assyrian History: Sources, Problems and Approaches
ISBN: 9789521095023

“The Annals of Sargon II from the Palace at Khorsabad: The First Thirteen Lines” (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: “The Annals of Sargon II from the Palace at Khorsabad: The First Thirteen Lines”
Author: Grant Frame
Abstract: The study argues for rearranging the order of the first 13 lines of the the Annals of Sargon II.
Date: 07/10/2019
Conference Name: Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale

“Late Neo-Assyrian Building Histories. Tradition, Ideology, and Historical Reality” (Book Section)
Title: “Late Neo-Assyrian Building Histories. Tradition, Ideology, and Historical Reality”
Author: Jamie Novotny
Editor: Shigeo Yamada
Abstract: Examination of the building projects recorded in Neo-Assyrian royal inscriptions
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://www.worldcat.org/title/neo-assyrian-sources-in-context-thematic-studies-of-texts-history-and-culture/oclc/1105320229
Primary URL Description: World cat
Secondary URL: https://www.eisenbrauns.org/books/titles/978-952-10-9501-6.html
Secondary URL Description: Website of distributor
Access Model: Available by purchase of book
Publisher: Neo-Assyrian Text Corpus Project
Book Title: Neo-Assyrian Sources in Context: Thematic Studies of Texts, History, and Culture
ISBN: 9789521095016

“Esarhaddon’s Babylon E Once Again” (Book Section)
Title: “Esarhaddon’s Babylon E Once Again”
Author: Jamie Novotny
Editor: J. Tigay
Editor: A. Baruchi-Unna
Editor: T. Amitai
Editor: S. Ahituv
Editor: I. Eph‘al
Abstract: Study of royal inscription of the Neo-Assyrian king Esarhaddon from Babylon
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://www.worldcat.org/title/now-it-happened-in-those-days-studies-in-biblical-assyrian-and-other-ancient-near-eastern-historiography-presented-to-mordechai-cogan-on-his-75th-birthday/oclc/999308921
Primary URL Description: World cat
Secondary URL: https://www.eisenbrauns.org/books/titles/978-1-57506-760-5.html
Secondary URL Description: Publisher website
Access Model: Available by purchase of book
Publisher: Eisenbrauns
Book Title: "Now It Happened in Those Days" : Studies in Biblical, Assyrian, and Other Ancient Near Eastern Historiography Presented to Mordechai Cogan on his 75th Birthday
ISBN: 9781575067605

“Ashurbanipal's Campaigns” (Book Section)
Title: “Ashurbanipal's Campaigns”
Author: Jamie Novotny
Editor: G. Brereton
Abstract: Description of the military campaigns of Ashurbanipal in catalogue for an exhibition at the British Museum
Year: 2018
Primary URL: https://www.worldcat.org/title/i-am-ashurbanipal-king-of-the-world-king-of-assyria/oclc/1060596415
Primary URL Description: World cat
Secondary URL: https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/books/i-am-ashurbanipal-king-of-the-world-king-of-assyria-softcover
Secondary URL Description: Publisher website
Access Model: Available by purchase of book
Publisher: Thames and Hudson
Book Title: I am Ashurbanipal: King of the World, King of Assyria
ISBN: 10-0500480443

“Contextualizing the Last Days of the Kingdom of Israel. What Can Assyrian Official Inscriptions Actually Tell Us?” (Book Section)
Title: “Contextualizing the Last Days of the Kingdom of Israel. What Can Assyrian Official Inscriptions Actually Tell Us?”
Author: Jamie Novotny
Editor: K. Radner
Editor: S. Hasegawa
Editor: C. Levin
Abstract: The article deals with the information that Neo-Assyrian royal inscriptions can tell us about the end of the kingdom of Israel.
Year: 2018
Primary URL: https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Beihefte-Zeitschrift-Alttestamentliche-Wissenschaft/dp/3110564165
Primary URL Description: Amazon
Secondary URL: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110566604/html
Secondary URL Description: Publisher website
Access Model: Available by purchase of book or electronic version
Publisher: de Gruyter
Book Title: The Last Days of the Kingdom of Israel,
ISBN: 9783110564167

“Official Inscriptions of the Middle East in Antiquity. Online Text Corpora and Map Interface” (Book Section)
Title: “Official Inscriptions of the Middle East in Antiquity. Online Text Corpora and Map Interface”
Author: Jamie Novotny
Editor: A. De Santis
Editor: I. Rossi
Abstract: Discussion of official inscriptions (including Neo-Assyrian ones) and their presentation online.
Year: 2018
Primary URL: https://www.worldcat.org/title/crossing-experiences-in-digital-epigraphy-from-practice-to-discipline/oclc/1105852105
Secondary URL: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110607208/html
Secondary URL Description: Publisher website
Access Model: Available by purchase of book or electronic version
Publisher: de Gruyter
Book Title: Crossing Experiences in Digital Epigraphy: From Practice to Discipline
ISBN: 9783110607208

“Royal Assyrian Building Activities in the Northwestern Provincial Center of Ḫarrān” (Book Section)
Title: “Royal Assyrian Building Activities in the Northwestern Provincial Center of Ḫarrān”
Author: Jamie Novotny
Editor: K. Radner
Editor: S. Hasegawa
Abstract: Examination of Neo-Assyrian building activities at the site of Harran in southern Turkey making use of the royal inscriptions, in particular those of Ashurbanipal
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://www.amazon.com/Reach-Assyrian-Babylonian-Empires-Peripheries/dp/3447114770
Primary URL Description: amazon website
Secondary URL: https://www.harrassowitz-verlag.de/title_6624.ahtml
Secondary URL Description: Publisher website
Access Model: Available by purchase of book
Publisher: Harrassowitz
Book Title: The Reach of the Assyrian and Babylonian Empires: Case studies in Eastern and Western Peripheries
ISBN: 9783447114776