Matthew Saunders

Matthew Saunders is a PhD student in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Johns Hopkins University. He researches the languages and literatures of the ancient Near East, especially Aramaic Studies, Ugaritic Studies, and Comparative Semitics.

Gilgameš and Agga (Lines 1-17) 5 min read

Gilgameš and Agga (Lines 1-17)

Matthew Saunders May 8, 2024

Introduction The Sumerian epic poem called “Gilgameš and Agga” (also spelled Aga or Akka) describes a conflict between two Mesopotamian cities, Uruk (ruled by Gilgameš)... Read More

Law Code of Lipit-Ištar (Laws 8-18; CBS8284) 9 min read

Law Code of Lipit-Ištar (Laws 8-18; CBS8284)

Matthew Saunders May 8, 2024

Introduction The Law Code of Lipit-Ištar is a collection of laws dating back to the reign of Lipit-Ištar of the First Dynasty of Isin (r.... Read More

Gudea Cylinder A xviii 1-28 (E3/1.1.7.CylA) 15 min read

Gudea Cylinder A xviii 1-28 (E3/1.1.7.CylA)

Matthew Saunders May 8, 2024

Introduction In three previous posts (here and here and here), I’ve introduced and translated the first three columns of the Gudea Cylinders which tell of... Read More

Gudea Cylinder A iii 1-29 (E3/1.1.7.CylA) 14 min read

Gudea Cylinder A iii 1-29 (E3/1.1.7.CylA)

Matthew Saunders May 7, 2024

Introduction In two previous posts (here and here) I’ve introduced and translated the first two columns of the Gudea Cylinders which tell of the construction... Read More

Gudea Cylinder A ii 1-29 (E3/1.1.7.CylA) 13 min read

Gudea Cylinder A ii 1-29 (E3/1.1.7.CylA)

Matthew Saunders May 6, 2024

Introduction In a previous post, I introduced you to the Gudea Cylinders which tell of the construction of Ning̃irsu’s É-ninnu Temple. Gudea was the ruler... Read More

Gudea Cylinder A i 1-29 (RIME E3/1.1.7.CylA) 13 min read

Gudea Cylinder A i 1-29 (RIME E3/1.1.7.CylA)

Matthew Saunders May 5, 2024

Introduction The Gudea Cylinders (A and B) are cylindrical clay tablets which tell of the construction of Ning̃irsu’s É-ninnu Temple (É-ninnu = ‘House of the... Read More

A (Humorous) Model Court Case about Adultery (IM 28051; Volk #39) 8 min read

A (Humorous) Model Court Case about Adultery (IM 28051; Volk #39)

Matthew Saunders May 3, 2024

Introduction The following unprovenanced and undated text records what appears to be a legal case about adultery. J. van Dijk (1962) called it an Ehescheidungsprozeß... Read More

Sumerian Legal Case (ditila): A Lawsuit for Breach of Betrothal Promise (Volk #37) 5 min read

Sumerian Legal Case (ditila): A Lawsuit for Breach of Betrothal Promise (Volk #37)

Matthew Saunders May 1, 2024

Introduction The following text is a Sumerian legal case, called a ditila, about a breach of betrothal promise (so Neumann), or possibly a case of... Read More

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