THE SCENE: When you’re living in the ancient world, getting updates on the daily doings of living gods (in this case Nabu god of wisdom and Tasmetu goddess of sex), was just another matter of correspondence.
THE TEXT: To the king, my lord, from your servant Nergal-sarrani.
Good health to You Majesty! May the gods Nabu and Marduk bless Your Majesty.
The images of Nabu and (his spouse) Tasmetu enter tomorrow, the fourth day, toward evening, the bed chamber of the temple. On the fifth day one serves them a royal meal; the hazannu-official (in charge of the temple) will be present; they bring the lion-headed (object) on a bier to the palace. From the fifth to the tenth day the gods stay in their bed chamber and the hazannu-official remains as guard (at its door). On the eleventh Nabu comes out to have some exercise; he goes to the park, and kills there wild bulls. He then returns and tales his (usual) place. He then blesses the king.
I am writing this to Your Majesty so that Your Majesty will know about it.
– Letters From Mesopotamia, edited & translated by A. Leo Oppenheimer, 7th Century BC
