Mesopotamian Texts

1. Creation Myths & Cosmology

  1. Enuma Elish – The Babylonian creation myth describing the rise of Marduk and the formation of the universe.
  2. Atra-Hasis – A flood myth detailing the creation of humanity, their near destruction by the gods, and their survival.
  3. The Eridu Genesis – One of the earliest known creation and flood myths.
  4. The Sumerian King List – A record of Sumerian rulers, blending history with mythology, including pre-flood and post-flood dynasties.

2. Epic & Mythological Texts

  1. The Epic of Gilgamesh – The famous epic about King Gilgamesh’s quest for immortality, including a great flood story.
    The Epic of Gilgamesh PDF
    Epic of Gilgamesh vs the Flood
  2. The Descent of Inanna (or Ishtar) Into the Underworld – A myth about the goddess Inanna/Ishtar traveling to the underworld.
  3. The Return of Inanna – The continuation of Inanna’s journey and her revival.
  4. Adapa and the Food of Life – The story of Adapa, a sage who is offered the food of immortality but refuses it unknowingly.
  5. The Seven Evil Spirits (The Seven Evils) – A mythological account of chaotic and destructive spirits released into the world.
  6. The Myth of Etana – The story of a legendary king who seeks the plant of birth to secure an heir and ascends to the heavens on an eagle.
  7. The Myth of Lugalbanda – A prequel to the Gilgamesh epic, describing the adventures of Gilgamesh’s father.

3. Law Codes & Legal Texts

  1. The Code of Ur-Nammu – The earliest known law code, attributed to Ur-Nammu of Ur (c. 2100 BCE).
  2. The Code of Lipit-Ishtar – A law code from the Isin dynasty, predating Hammurabi’s laws.
  3. The Code of Hammurabi – The most famous Mesopotamian law code, containing detailed laws and punishments.
    Code of Hammurabi PDF
  4. The Laws of Eshnunna – Another law code with regulations similar to Hammurabi’s, from an earlier period.

4. Wisdom & Didactic Literature

  1. The Instructions of Shuruppak – A Sumerian wisdom text with moral and practical advice.
  2. The Counsels of Wisdom – A Babylonian collection of proverbs and ethical teachings.
  3. The Dialogue of Pessimism – A philosophical text reflecting on the nature of fate and human action.
  4. Ludlul-Bel-Nemeqi (The Babylonian Job) – A wisdom text about a righteous sufferer questioning divine justice.

5. Rituals, Prayers, & Divination

  1. The Maqlû Texts – A series of incantations against witchcraft.
  2. The Šurpu Texts – A collection of purification prayers and rituals.
  3. The Kutha Legend – A story about the underworld and its ruler, Nergal.
  4. The Assyrian Dream Book – A guide to interpreting dreams.
  5. The Namburbi Texts – Rituals to avert bad omens.
  6. The Lamentations for Ur – A sorrowful poem about the destruction of the Sumerian city of Ur.
  7. The Lament for Nippur – A similar poetic text mourning the devastation of Nippur.

6. Historical & Royal Inscriptions

  1. The Stele of Naram-Sin – An inscription commemorating the Akkadian king’s victory.
  2. The Annals of Sargon II – Records of Assyrian king Sargon II’s military campaigns.
  3. The Cyrus Cylinder – A decree by the Persian king Cyrus the Great, often seen as an early declaration of human rights.
  4. The Nabonidus Cylinder – A record of King Nabonidus’ religious and political activities.
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