Sumerian literature

Sumerian literature is the oldest literature in the world. The Sumerians invented the first writing system, beginning with cunieform logograms, which evolved into a syllabary writing system. 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 influence later Babylonian literature.

Sumerian literature has not been handed down to us directly, rather it has been rediscovered through archaeology. Nevertheless, the Akkadians and Babylonians borrowed much from the Sumerian literary heritage, and spread these traditions throughout the middle east, influencing much of the literature that followed in this region, including the Bible.

Literary Works

Important works include:

• The Sumerian creation and flood myth translation
• 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 Aga translation
  • Gilgamesh and the Bull of Heaven translation
  • The Death of Gilgamesh translation
  • Gilgamesh, Enkidu and the Netherworld translation
  • Gilgamesh and Huwawa version A version B

External links

• The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature
• Catalogue of literary works at the Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature