Sumerian literature constitutes the earliest known corpus of recorded literature, including the religious writings and other traditional stories maintained by the Sumerian civilization and largely preserved by the later Akkadian and Babylonian empires. These records were written in the Sumerian language in the 18th and 17th Centuries BC during the Middle Bronze Age.[1]
Based on the categorization work of Miguel Civil, Modern assyriologists have divided the extant corpus of sumerian literature into broad categories[3] including "Literary Catalogs", "Narratives and Mythological Compositions", "Historical Compositions and Praise Poetry", "Letters, Letter Prayers and Laws", "Hymns and Songs", "Heterogenous Compositions" (including Wisdom literature), and "Proverbs".
Most Sumerian literature is written in left-justified lines,[1] 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, although “comparable effects were sometimes exploited.”[1] It did not use syllabo-tonic versification,[5] and the writing system precludes detection of rhythm, metre, rhyme, or alliteration.[1] Quantitative analysis of other possible poetic features seems to be lacking, or has been intentionally hidden by the scribes who recorded the writing[citation needed].
Sumerian scribal education focused on a curriculum called the Decad. Manuscripts of these ten texts are some of the best preserved sumerian literature.
Alster, B. (1972–2005). Zólyomi, G.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Dream of Dumuzid". ETCSL. Translated by Krecher, J.; Black, J. (revised ed.). United Kingdom: Oxford (published 1972–1997). Retrieved 2021-05-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Alster, B. (1974–2005) [c. 2600 BC]. Zólyomi, G.; Black, J.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Instructions of Shuruppak". ETCSL. Translated by Wilcke, C.; Civil, M.; Römer, W.; Krecher, J. (revised ed.). United Kingdom: Oxford (published 1974–1999). Retrieved 2021-05-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Civil, M.; Peterson, J. (1961) [c. 1900—1600 BC]. "(CBS 15365 = N 1610) + N 5166 (+?) CBS 14220". CDLI (in Sumerian). University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA (published 1961–2014). Retrieved 2021-06-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Cohen, S. (1973–2005) [c. 2253–1800 BC]. Zólyomi, G.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Enmerkar and the Lord of Aratta". ETCSL. Translated by Jacobsen, T.; Krecher, J. United Kingdom: Oxford (published 1973–1996). Retrieved 2021-04-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Cohen, S. (1973–2006). Zólyomi, G.; Black, J.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Enmerkar and En-suhgir-ana". ETCSL. Translated by Berlin, A.; Cooper, J.; Krecher, J.; Vanstiphout, W.; Jacobsen, T.; Pettinato, G.; Katz, D.; Tournay, R.; Shaffer, A.; George, A. United Kingdom: Oxford. Retrieved 2021-04-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Cooper, J. (1944–2000). Zólyomi, G.; Black, J.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Sargon legend". ETCSL. Translated by Wolfgang, H. Oxford. Retrieved 2021-05-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Edzard, D. (1990–2005) [c. 2253–1595 BC]. Zólyomi, G.; Black, J.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Gilgamesh and Humbaba". ETCSL. Translated by Pettinato, G.; Tournay, R.; Shaffer, A.; Steiner, G.; George, A. United Kingdom: Oxford (published 1990–1999). Retrieved 2021-05-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Falkenstein, A. (1953–2005). Cunningham, G.; Black, J.; Robson, E.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). Lament for Sumer and Ur (revised ed.). United Kingdom (published 1953–1996). Retrieved 2021-05-29. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
Finkelstein, J. (1963) [c. 1900–1600 BC]. "UCBC 9-1819". CDLI (in Sumerian) (published 1963–2014). Retrieved 2021-06-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Finkelstein, J. (1963) [c. 1900–1600 BC]. "IM 063095". CDLI (in Sumerian). National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq (published 1963–2014). Retrieved 2021-06-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Gadd, C.; Shaffer,, A. (1963) [c. 1900–1600 BC]. "UET 6". CDLI (in Sumerian). Translated by Peterson, J. British Museum, London, UK (published 1963–2014). Retrieved 2021-06-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
Gadd, C.; Shaffer,, A. (1963) [c. 1900–1600 BC]. "UET 6". CDLI (in Sumerian). Translated by Peterson, J. British Museum, London, UK (published 1963–2014). Retrieved 2021-06-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
Hilprecht, H.; Jacobsen, T. (1906) [c. 1900–1600 BC]. "CBS 19797". CDLI (in Sumerian). University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA (published 1906–2014). Retrieved 2021-06-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Jacobsen, T. (1939b) [c. 2025–165 BC]. Zólyomi, G.; Black, J.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Sumerian King List". ETCSL. Translated by Glassner, J.; Römer, W.; Zólyomi, G. (revised ed.). United Kingdom: Oxford. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
Jacobsen, T. (1939) [c. 1900—1600 BC]. "Thorkild Jacobsen's private collection". CDLI (in Sumerian) (published 1939—2014). Retrieved 2021-06-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |publication-date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Jacobsen, T. (1953). Zólyomi, G.; Black, J.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Inanna and Bilulu". ETCSL. Translated by Kramer, S.; Bottéro, J.; Krecher, J. Oxford (published 1953–1999). Retrieved 2021-05-23.
Klein, J. (2005-04-25) [c. 1900–1600 BC]. "BT 14 + CBS 13994". CDLI (in Sumerian) (published 2005–2014). Retrieved 2021-06-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Kramer, S. (1944–2005) [c. 2253–1595 BC]. Zólyomi, G.; Black, J.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Death of Gilgamesh". ETCSL. Translated by van Dijk, J.; Wilcke, C.; Jacobsen, T.; Klein, J.; Pettinato, G.; George, A.; Cavigneaux, A.; Al-Rawi, F. Oxford (published 1944–2000). Retrieved 2021-05-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Kramer, S. (1949–2000). Cunningham, G.; Black, J.; Robson, E. (eds.). "Gilgamesh and Aga". ETCSL. Translated by Römer, W.; Vanstiphout, H.; Krecher, J.; Jacobsen, T.; Pettinato, G.; Katz, D.; Tournay, R.; Shaffer, A.; George, A. Oxford. Retrieved 2021-05-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Kraus, F. (1952) [c. 1900—1600 BC]. "Ist Ni 03195". CDLI (in Sumerian) (published 1952–2014). Retrieved 2021-06-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Krecher, J. (1996). Black, J.; Cunningham, G.; Robson, E. (eds.). "Inanna Prefers the Farmer". ETCSL. Translated by Jagersma, B.; Sefati, Y. (revised ed.). United Kingdom: Oxford (published 1996–1999). Retrieved 2021-05-23.
Legrain, L.; Jacobsen, J.; Kramer, S. (1922) [c. 1900–1600 BC]. "CBS 14220". CDLI (in Sumerian). University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA (published 1922–2014). Retrieved 2021-06-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Lendering, J. (2006–2020) [c. 2000—165 BC]. "Sumerian King List". Livius.org. Netherlands: Livius Onderwijs (published 1939–1973). Retrieved 2021-05-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Lendering, J. (2006–2020) [c. 1816—1794 BC]. Millard, A.; Hallo, W.; Glassner, J. (eds.). "Weidner Chronicle". Livius.org. Translated by Grayson, A. Netherlands: Livius Onderwijs (published 1975–2004). Retrieved 2021-05-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Lendering, J. (2006–2015) [c. 769—201 BC]. Finkel, I.; Glassner, J. (eds.). "ABC 18 (Dynastic Chronicle)". Livius.org. Translated by Grayson, A. Netherlands: Livius Onderwijs (published 1975–2004). Archived from the original on 2019-01-15. Retrieved 2021-05-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Michalowski, P. (1983) [c. 1900–1600 BC]. "UM 29-15-199". CDLI (in Sumerian). University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA (published 1983–2014). Retrieved 2021-06-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Pettinato, G. (1992–2005) [c. 2253–1900 BC]. Zólyomi, G.; Black, J.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Gilgamesh and the Bull of Heaven". ETCSL. Translated by Cavigneaux, A.; Al-Rawi, F.; George, A.; Krecher, J. Oxford (published 1992–1999). Retrieved 2021-05-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Scheil, V. (1934) [c. 1900–1600 BC]. "MDP 28 p. 17ff". CDLI (in Sumerian) (published 1934–2014). Retrieved 2021-06-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Scheil, V. (1934) [c. 1900–1600 BC]. "MDP 28, 024f". CDLI (in Sumerian) (published 1934–2014). Retrieved 2021-06-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Scheil, V. (1934) [c. 1900–1600 BC]. "MDP 28, 026-027". CDLI (in Sumerian) (published 1934–2014). Retrieved 2021-06-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Shaffer, A. (1963–2005) [c. 2253–1200 BC]. Zólyomi, G.; Black, J.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and the Netherworld". ETCSL. Translated by Alster, B.; Römer, W.; Civil, M.; Pettinato, G.; Attinger, P.; Tournay, R.; Krecher, J.; Cavigneaux, A.; Al-Rawi, F. Oxford. Retrieved 2021-05-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Sladek, W. (1974–2003). Zólyomi, G.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Inanna's Descent into the Underworld". ETCSL. Translated by Kramer, S.; Jacobsen, T.; Bottéro, J.; Römer, W.; Krecher, J.; Black, J. United Kingdom: Oxford (published 1974–1997).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Sladek, W. (1974–2005). Zólyomi, G.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Dumuzid and Geshtinanna". ETCSL. Translated by Krecher, J.; Black, J. Oxford (published 1974–1997). Retrieved 2021-05-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Sollberger, E. (1967–2003) [c. 1900–1600 BC]. Zólyomi, G.; Black, J.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Rulers of Lagash". ETCSL (in Sumerian). Translated by Glassner, J.; Alster, B.; Krecher, J. United Kingdom: Oxford. Retrieved 2021-05-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Thureau-Dangin, F. (1912–2005) [c. 2350–1595 BC]. Zólyomi, G.; Black, J.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Victory Stele of Utu-hengal". ETCSL (in Akkadian). Translated by Sollberger, E.; Kupper, J.; Römer, W.; Frayne, D. (revised ed.). United Kingdom: Oxford (published 1912–1993). Retrieved 2021-05-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Thureau-Dangin, F. (1912–2005) [c. 2350–1595 BC]. "Victory Stele of Utu-hengal". CDLI (in Akkadian). Translated by Sollberger, E.; Kupper, J.; Römer, W.; Frayne, D. (published 1912–1993). Retrieved 2021-05-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
van Dijk, J. (1976) [c. 1900–1600 BC]. "IM 011053,099". CDLI (in Sumerian). National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq (published 1976–2014). Retrieved 2021-06-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Wilcke, C. (1969–1998) [c. 2253–1908 BC]. Zólyomi, G.; Black, J.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Lugalbanda in the Mountain Cave". ETCSL. Translated by Hallo, W.; Alster, B.; Black, J. United Kingdom: Oxford. Retrieved 2021-04-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Wilcke, C. (1969–2006) [c. 2253–1642 BC]. Zólyomi, G.; Black, J.; Robson, E.; Cunningham, G.; Ebeling, J. (eds.). "Lugalbanda and the Anzud Bird". ETCSL. Translated by Falkowitz, R.; Römer, W.; Black, J. United Kingdom: Oxford. Retrieved 2021-04-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Wilcke, C. (1987) [c. 1900–1600 BC]. "IB 1546+1565". CDLI (in Sumerian) (published 1987–2014). Retrieved 2021-06-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Piotr Michalowski (1996). "Ancient Poetics". In M. E. Vogelzang; H. L. J. Vanstiphout (eds.). Mesopotamian Poetic Language: Sumerian and Akkadian. Styx.
Jeremy Black (1998). Reading Sumerian Poetry. Cornell University Press. ISBN978-0801435980.
Shin Shifra (2008). Words as Magic and the Magic in Words. Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, The Israeli Ministry of Defence Press (in Hebrew). These are transcriptions of Shifra's discourses on literature of the Ancient Near East, first broadcast as a "University on the Air" course on the Israeli Army Radio.
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