The third stage differs widely from the lower ones, and commences a regular progressive series of stages, all of equal height. It was 10 gar in length and breadth, and 1 gar in height (200 feet square, 20 feet high).
The fourth stage was 8½ gar in length and breadth, and 1 gar in height (170 feet square, 20 feet high).
The fifth stage was 7 gar in length and breadth, and 1 gar in height (140 feet square, 20 feet high).
Probably by accident, the dimensions of the sixth stage of the tower are omitted in the inscription, but they can be easily restored in accordance with the others. This stage must have been 5½ gar in length and breadth, and 1 gar in height (110 feet square, 20 feet high).
On this was raised the seventh stage, which was the upper temple or sanctuary of the god Bel. This building had a length of 4 gar, a breadth of 3½ gar, and a height of 2½ gar (80 feet long, 70 feet broad, and 50 feet high).
Thus the whole height of this tower above its foundation was 15 gar or 300 feet, exactly equal to the breadth of the base; and, as the foundation was most probably raised above the level of the ground, it would give a height of over 300 feet above the plain for this grandest of Babylonian temples ... (see App. p. [327]).
[4]. Oriental Literaturzeitung, 1911, No. 7:—
Ungnad translates the inscription: 1. (iṣu) ṣupur iṣṣuri(?) li (?)-in-ti-ka (?) 2. paan ... -šù(?)-du abulli-šu 3. l-ni’-irat-su 4. mit-gar-śu u(?) ki-bi-su(?) li-in-na(?)[...]. “May the claw of the bird (?) tear to pieces (?) the countenance of him, who ... his gate, and may it hold back his breast; him who is favourable to him and (?) ... may he....”
Peiser translates: 1. ṣupur iṣṣuri lintikā 2. pān nakri šudu abullim 3. linī’ iratsu 4. nuḳarśu u kibīsu linnasiḫ. “May the bird’s claw press down the countenance of the foe before the door, and check his breast, may his devastating step be turned away.”
[5]. Αὐτὸς δὲ τοὺς ἀρχιτέκτονας ἀθροίσας καὶ λεπτουργῶν πλῆθος, τοῦ μὲν τείχους καθεῖλεν ἐπὶ δέκα σταδίους, τὴν δ’ ὀπτὴν πλίνθον ἀναλεξάμενος, καὶ τὸν δεχόμενον τὴν πυρὰν τόπον ὁμαλὸν κατασκευάσας, ὠκοδόμησε τετράπλευρον πυράν, σταδιαίας οὔσης ἑκάστης πλευρᾶς. (2) εἰς τριάκοντα δὲ δόμους διελόμενος τὸν τόπον, καὶ καταστρώσας τὰς ὀροφὰς φοινίκων στελέχεσι, τετράγωνον ἐποίησε πᾶν τὸ κατασκεύασμα.