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