Explore Babylonian Akkadian and its written traditions
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AI cannot certify a translation or determine ancient pronunciation from a glyph alone. Use the sign library and linked references to verify.
Babylonian is a major geographical and historical variety of Akkadian, not a third unrelated language. Old Babylonian writing may mix syllabic spellings with Sumerian logograms.
In the examples below, the glyph is a logographic writing option, not an assertion that the Akkadian pronunciation has the same sounds as the Sumerian sign name.
𒈗 (LUGAL) may be read as Akkadian šarrum / šarru, “king,” depending on case and context.
𒂍 (E₂) may represent Akkadian bītum / bītu, “house.”
𒀭 (AN/DINGIR) may represent ilum / ilu, “god.”
Real texts may instead spell these words syllabically; transliteration and translational interpretation require context.
| Cuneiform Sumerogram | Common Akkadian word (nominative) | English | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 𒈗 LUGAL | šarrum | king | Written sign name ≠ Akkadian pronunciation |
| 𒂍 E₂ | bītum | house | Also appears in syllabic spellings |
| 𒀭 AN / DINGIR | ilum | god | Can serve as a determinative |
| 𒌉 DUMU / TUR | mārum | son | Reading depends on the linguistic context |