Some Literary Observations on the Šitti-Marduk Kudurru (BBSt. 6)

The titulary and narrative portions of BBSt. 6 are divided by topic and mechani- cal literary devices into three segments plus a brief coda. Each segment displays a concentric structure framing a reference to the sun. This structure emphasizeshow Šitti-Marduk saves Nebuchadrezzar and earns the debt of both Šama Š, and his human counterpart, the king. He is rewarded by restoration of a royal grant, the record of which was deposited in the temple of the sun-god. The narrative may also attempt through literary allusion to rectify an image of the king as an “Un- as reflected in the narû K. 2660.