Ancient Sumerian literature is the collection of writings originating in ancient Mesopotamia, now known as Iraq The literature, written in the Sumerian language, is among the oldest known writtenlanguage in human history. It reflects the culture and values of the ancient Sumerian people and demonstrates how, even in early civilization, people sought to express their thoughts and feelings through literature.
The most impressive feature of this literature is its variety. Ancient Sumerian literature encompasses a wide range of topics, from praise of kings to hymns of worship, stories about epic battles and mythology, laments for the dead, and even humorous tales.
Some of the finest and most important works of Ancient Sumerian literature include:
1. Epic of Gilgamesh: The Epic of Gilgamesh is widely considered to be the oldest known epic poem and the first great work of literature. It is the story of a hero-king’s quest for immortality and his struggles against adversity.
2. Enuma Elish: The Enuma Elish is an ancient Babylonian creation myth. It recounts the creation of the universe by the god Marduk, and his battle with the primordial sea goddess Tiamat.
3. Instructions of Shuruppak: This poetic composition is one of the oldest known works of wisdom literature. It is written in the form of fatherly advice from an elderly sage to his son, imparting moral and ethical teachings intended to guide the son to a successful and lasting life.
4. The Epic of Atrahasis: This epic tells the story of a great flood that wiped out humanity, and the efforts of the god Enki to save Atrahasis, the last human.
5. The Cursing of Agade: This mythical poem tells the tale of how Sargon of Akkad and his city of Agade conquered all of Mesopotamia, and how their overreach angered the gods, who cursed Agade and destroyed the city.
These five works together represent the best of Ancient Sumerian literature and provide insight into the values and beliefs of the Ancient Sumerian people. Through these works, we can gain a greater understanding of the history and culture of the ancient Sumerian people and what life was like during their time.