Where & How Do I Start Reading Sumerian Literature?

Sumerian literature can look very intimidating at first. The texts are ancient, sometimes damaged or fragmentary, the catalogue is enormous, and most begin with the common knowledge of gods and rituals of the time--knowledge that you don’t have!

So the one thing you do NOT want to do is try to read everything “in order” of the catalogue.

A much better way to start is by sampling a few different texts that show the range of what Sumer has to offer. I’ll give you some of the best selections across the board of divine myths, hero stories, wisdom, comedy, and religious song.

The first couple are going to feel hard no matter what. You’re starting something new and unfamiliar, and that’s to be expected. Don’t beat yourself up about it. Trust me, you get used to it, and they become a ton of fun to read.

I’ll provide links here both to the Easy Reader versions (by clicking on the title of the work) and to the Scholarly Reader versions right after. It’s the same story, just different views.

The Best First Five

I recommend starting with Inana's Descent To The Nether World (Scholarly View). This will quickly show you a major story of a leading goddess, and gives you a window into what these divine cosmological order stories are going to be like. It’s a much different tone than Greek or Roman or Norse god stories.

(If you're confused about the gods and goddesses, I wrote a guide.)

You may also want to check out a familiar name: Gilgamesh. The version of Gilgamesh in the Sumerian stories is actually probably earlier than the one you’re most familiar with, but the origins are very clear. Check out a monster-battle story called Gilgamesh And Huwawa, Version A (Scholarly View) for a good example.

One of my personal favorite pieces is about the man who would become Gilgamesh’s father. His name is Lugalbanda, and he’s the star of what’s basically the first wilderness survival epic. His heroic tale is in two parts: Lugalbanda In The Mountain Cave (Scholarly View) and then Lugalbanda and the Anzud Bird (Scholarly View).

After that, change the mood completely with The Debate Between Sheep And Grain (Scholarly View). Sumerian debate poems are really friendly for beginners because the premise is very simple: two personified things argue about which one matters the most, and in the end, a god decides who’s right. This one is my favorite one. Before you read it, who do you think is more valuable--Sheep or Grain?

Finally, check out one of the oldest known pieces of literature in the collection--and one of the oldest known in general. It’s called The Instructions Of Shuruppag (Scholarly View). Some of it feels like friendly advice from a very old world, but other parts are still highly relevant. One part (line 18) basically says “don’t build your house too close to the town center, it’s too crowded there”--I feel that! It shows how much we’ve changed, AND how much we’ve stayed the same.

Next Steps

Once you’ve finished with those, you’re probably getting an idea of what Sumerian literature is like--although you’ve still just barely scratched the surface.

If you want, you can poke around the catalogue (or the Scholar catalogue) to find other pieces that are nearby the ones you liked from above. Branch out on your own!

If you’re looking for more suggestions first, don’t worry, I’ve got ‘em:

Start with The Flood Story (Scholarly View). You’re probably familiar with Noah’s Ark, but did you know what came before it? You can find out for yourself right here.

If the divine drama is what grabs you, follow Inana for a little while. Read Inana And Enki (Scholarly View) after her descent. You can also try Inana And Ebih (Scholarly View), which gives her a more violent, cosmic scale. Then return to the underworld with Dumuzid's Dream (Scholarly View), a short, ominous piece about doom.

The debate poems are the safest place to go next, too. Try The Debate Between Bird And Fish (Scholarly View) or The Debate Between The Hoe And The Plough (Scholarly View). Some of these get pretty rough!

For something smaller, read Three Ox-Drivers From Adab (Scholarly View) or The Heron And The Turtle (Scholarly View). These pieces help break the assumption that ancient literature has to be stuffy or solemn.

Once you have a few myths behind you, try The Cursing Of Agade (Scholarly View). It is one of the strongest ways into the mindset of an ancient Sumerian. A city rises, things go wrong, the gods turn away, and disaster follows.

Hymns can be harder at first because they often repeat and repeat some parts. That's just normal for the time. If you want a beginner-friendly hymn, start with A Hymn To Ninkasi (Scholarly View), the beer goddess. It connects the praise of the divine with beer brewing and daily life.

My last rec before you’re on your own: try The Kesh Temple Hymn (Scholarly View). This may be a tough one, but it’s another one of the oldest pieces ever, and describes a fanciful, awe-inspiring religious temple.

After that? You get to choose the adventures for yourself. Enjoy!