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.

LTR Ancient Akkadian: Caplice, Lesson One 4 min read

LTR Ancient Akkadian: Caplice, Lesson One

Matthew Saunders June 28, 2024

Introduction As part of our “Learn to Read Ancient Akkadian” series, this blog reviews the contents of Lesson One in Caplice’s Introduction to Akkadian. Previously... Read More

Oxford University’s Anatolian Languages and Linguistics Summer School (June 17-22) 5 min read

Oxford University’s Anatolian Languages and Linguistics Summer School (June 17-22)

Matthew Saunders June 23, 2024

Over the past week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Anatolian Languages and Linguistics Summer School at Oxford University in (obviously) Oxford, England.... Read More

Travelogue: Iberian Peninsula (May 24-June 1, 2024) 5 min read

Travelogue: Iberian Peninsula (May 24-June 1, 2024)

Matthew Saunders June 11, 2024

Introduction Traveling to Portugal and Spain a couple weeks ago was a blend of historical exploration, culinary delights, and cultural immersion, offering a rich tapestry... Read More

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