Sumerian literature

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Sumerian inscription on a ceramic stone plaque.

Sumerian literature is the literature written in the Sumerian language during the Middle Bronze Age. Most Sumerian literature is preserved indirectly, via Assyrian or Babylonian copies.

The Sumerians invented the first writing system, developing Sumerian cuneiform writing out of earlier proto-writing systems by about the 30th century BC. The earliest literary texts appear from about the 27th century BC.

The Sumerian language remained in official and literary use in the Akkadian and Babylonian empires, even after the spoken language disappeared from the population; literacy was widespread, and the Sumerian texts that students copied heavily influenced later Babylonian literature.

Poetry

Most Sumerian literature is apparently poetry, ^[1]^[2] as it is written in left-justified lines,^[3] and could contain line-based organization such as the couplet or the stanza,^[4] but the Sumerian definition of poetry is unknown. It is not rhymed,^[5]^[6] although “comparable effects were sometimes exploited.”^[7] It did not use syllabo-tonic versification,^[8] and the writing system precludes detection of rhythm, metre, rhyme,^[9]^[10] or alliteration.^[11] Quantitative analysis of other possible poetic features seems to be lacking.

Literary works

Important works include:

A Creation and Flood Myth (translation)
Three epic cycles:
- Two Enmerkar legends:
  - Enmerkar and the Lord of Aratta (translation)
  - Enmerkar and En-suhgir-ana (translation)
- Two tales of Lugalbanda during Enmerkar's campaign against Aratta:
  - Lugalbanda in the Mountain Cave (translation)
  - Lugalbanda and the Anzud Bird (translation)
- Five stories in the Gilgamesh epic cycle:
  - Gilgamesh and Huwawa (version A, version B)
  - Gilgamesh and the Bull of Heaven (translation)
  - Gilgamesh and Aga (translation)
  - Gilgamesh, Enkidu and the Netherworld (translation)
  - The Death of Gilgamesh (translation)
The Lament for Ur (translation)

References

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↑ Michalowski p. 146
↑ Black p. 5
↑ Black et al., Introduction
↑ Michalowski p. 144
↑ Jacobsen p. xiv
↑ Black et al., Introduction
↑ Black p. 8
↑ Michalowski p. 146
↑ Jacobsen p. xiv
↑ Black et al., Introduction
↑ Black et al., Introduction

External links

[1] Michalowski p. 146

[2] Black p. 5

[3] Black et al., Introduction

[4] Michalowski p. 144

[5] Jacobsen p. xiv

[6] Black et al., Introduction

[7] Black p. 8

[8] Michalowski p. 146

[9] Jacobsen p. xiv

[10] Black et al., Introduction

[11] Black et al., Introduction

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[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

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[9]

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[11]

Sumerian literature

Contents

Poetry

Literary works

References

See also

External links

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