The following are the chief bibliographical data concerning them:
I. The primitive Accadian text, accompanied by an interlinear Assyrian version published in the "Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia," Vol. IV, pl. 20, No. 2. I put forth a first attempt at a translation in my "Magie chez les Chaldéens" (p. 165), and since then M. Friedrich Delitzsch has given a much better explanation of it ("G. Smith's Chaldäische Genesis," p. 284). Of this hymn we possess only the first five lines.
II. The primitive Accadian text, with an interlinear Assyrian version, is published in the "Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia," Vol. IV, pl. 19, No. 2. M. Delitzsch has given a German translation of it in "G. Smith's Chaldäische Genesis" p. 284, and a revised one in English has just appeared in Prof. Sayce's "Lectures upon Babylonian Literature," p. 43.
III. A similar sacred text, published in the "Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia," Vol. IV, pl. 28, No. I, in which the indications as to the obverse and reverse of the tablet are incorrect and ought to be altered. The two fragments left to us, separated by a gap, the extent of which it is at present impossible to estimate, belong to an incantatory hymn destined to effect the cure of the king's disease. Interpretations have been attempted in my "Premières Civilisations" (Vol. II, p. 165 et seq.), and in the appendices added by M. Friedrich Delitzsch to his German translation of G. Smith's work, already cited.
IV. The primitive Accadian text with an interlinear Assyrian version, published in the "Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia," Vol. IV, pi. 17, col. I. This hymn, like the preceding one, is intended to be recited by the priest of magic in order to cure the invalid king. I gave a very imperfect translation of it in my "Magie chez les Chaldéens" (p. 166).
V. We possess only the Semitic Assyrian version of this text; it was published in the "Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia," Vol. IV, pl. 17, col. 2. As yet, no one has produced a complete translation of this hymn; but a few passages have been quoted by M. Friedrich Delitzsch ("G. Smith's Chaldäische Genesis" p. 284) and myself ("La Magie chez les Chaldéens" p. 164, and pp. 179, 180, of the English edition, 1877).
I refer the reader to the various publications above mentioned for a convincing proof of the entirely revised character of the translations here submitted to him, and I think he will grant that I have made some progress in this branch of knowledge, since my first attempts many years ago.
CHALDEAN HYMNS TO THE SUN
FIRST HYMN
1 Magical incantation. 2 Sun, from the foundations of heaven thou art risen; 3 thou hast unfastened the bolts of the shining skies; 4 thou hast opened the door of heaven. 5 Sun, above the countries thou hast raised thy head. 6 Sun, thou hast covered the immensity of the heavens and the terrestrial countries.