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, historical Hebrew grammar, and comparative Semitics.

Semester in Review: Fall 2023 at JHU 7 min read

Semester in Review: Fall 2023 at JHU

Matthew Saunders January 2, 2024

As 2023 comes to a close and a new year begins, I spent quite a bit of time reflecting on the previous semester at Johns... Read More

A copper nail inscription of Ur-Nanše (E1.9.1.7) 2 min read

A copper nail inscription of Ur-Nanše (E1.9.1.7)

Matthew Saunders December 13, 2023

Introduction The following text is an inscription that records Ur-Nanše’s construction of the shrine of G̃irsu. It is known from about 20 copies including nails,... Read More

A royal stone tablet inscription of Gudea (E3/1.1.7.4; P232332; IM 18647) 3 min read

A royal stone tablet inscription of Gudea (E3/1.1.7.4; P232332; IM 18647)

Matthew Saunders December 12, 2023

Introduction The following text is a royal stone tablet inscription of Gudea, a ruler of the city-state of Lagaš in the second half of the... Read More

A royal inscription of Gudea (E3/1.1.7.31) 2 min read

A royal inscription of Gudea (E3/1.1.7.31)

Matthew Saunders December 12, 2023

Introduction The following text is a royal inscription with over 150 exemplars on brick and clay cones known from G̃irsu, Uruk, and of unknown provenance.... Read More

A royal brick inscription of Gudea (E3/1.1.7.44) 3 min read

A royal brick inscription of Gudea (E3/1.1.7.44)

Matthew Saunders December 12, 2023

Introduction This post presents my translation of a royal brick inscription of Gudea wherein he documents his achievement of the construction of Ning̃irsu’s É-ánzu-bábbar temple... Read More

The most abundant royal inscription of Gudea (E3/1.1.7.37) 3 min read

The most abundant royal inscription of Gudea (E3/1.1.7.37)

Matthew Saunders December 11, 2023

Introduction This post presents my translation of a royal inscription of Gudea wherein he documents the achievement of his construction and restoration of Ning̃irsu’s É-ninnu-ánzu-bábbar... Read More

A royal clay cone inscription of Ur-Nammu (E3/2.1.1.11; P226926; Ashm 1935-0774) 2 min read

A royal clay cone inscription of Ur-Nammu (E3/2.1.1.11; P226926; Ashm 1935-0774)

Matthew Saunders December 10, 2023

Introduction The post presents my translation of a royal clay cone inscription of Ur-Nammu wherein he documents his achievement of the construction of Nanna’s E-temen-ni-guru... Read More

A royal brick inscription of Gudea (E3/1.1.7.18; BM No. 90288) 2 min read

A royal brick inscription of Gudea (E3/1.1.7.18; BM No. 90288)

Matthew Saunders December 10, 2023

Introduction This post presents my translation of a royal brick inscription of Gudea wherein he documents his achievement of the construction of Inanna’s E-girsu temple.... Read More