Jump to:
1 = Narrative and Mythological Compositions
2 = Compositions with a Historical Background & Royal Praise Poetry
3 = Literary Letters, Letter-Prayers, and Laws
4 = Hymns & Cult Songs
5 = Other Literature
6 = Proverbs & Proverb Collections

1 = Narrative and Mythological Compositions

These texts tell the myths, adventures, and divine dramas of the Sumerian world. They include creation stories, epic journeys, netherworld descents, and legendary heroes like Gilgamesh and Lugalbanda, offering insight into early Mesopotamian beliefs and values.

Narratives Featuring Deities

Narratives Featuring Heroes

Gilgameš / Gilgamesh

1.8.1.1 Gilgamesh and Aga

1.8.1.2 Gilgamesh and the Bull of Heaven

1.8.1.3 The death of Gilgamesh

1.8.1.4 Gilgamesh, Enkidu and the nether world

1.8.1.5 Gilgamesh and Huwawa, version A

1.8.1.5.1 Gilgamesh and Huwawa, version B

Lugalbanda and Enmerkar

1.8.2.1 Lugalbanda in the mountain cave

1.8.2.2 Lugalbanda

1.8.2.3 Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta

1.8.2.4 Enmerkar and En-suhgir-ana

2 = Compositions with a Historical Background & Royal Praise Poetry

Blending myth and history, these works document kingship, political events, and city laments, often cast in poetic form. Many are hymns glorifying rulers or recounting their deeds, providing a unique lens on royal ideology and early historiography.

Compositions with a Historical Background

King Lists and Other Compositions

2.1.1 The Sumerian king list

2.1.2 Rulers of Lagash

2.1.3 The history of the Tummal

2.1.4 The Sargon legend

2.1.5 The cursing of Agade

2.1.6 The poem of Utu-hengal (update)

2.1.7 The building of Ningirsu's temple (Gudea cylinders A and B)

City Laments

2.2.2 The lament for Urim

2.2.3 The lament for Sumer and Urim

2.2.4 The lament for Nibru

2.2.5 The lament for Unug

2.2.6 The lament for Eridug

Royal Praise Poetry and Hymns to Deities on Behalf of Rulers

Lagaš

Luma

2.3.1 An adab to Bau for Luma

Gudea

2.3.2 A tigi to Bau for Gudea (Gudea A)

Third Dynasty of Ur

Ur-Namma

2.4.1.1 The death of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma A)

2.4.1.2 A tigi to Enlil for Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma B)

2.4.1.3 A praise poem of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma C)

2.4.1.4 Ur-Namma the canal-digger (Ur-Namma D)

2.4.1.5 A shirnamshub to Nanna for Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma E)

2.4.1.6 A shir-namshub to Nanna for Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma F)

2.4.1.7 A balbale to Enlil for Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma G)

2.4.1.8 A praise poem of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma H)

2.4.1.a A hymn to Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma I)

Šulgi / Shulgi

2.4.2.01 Self-Praise of Shulgi (Shulgi A)

2.4.2.02 A praise poem of Shulgi (Shulgi B)

2.4.2.03 A praise poem of Shulgi (Shulgi C)

2.4.2.04 Self-praise of Shulgi (Shulgi D)

2.4.2.05 A praise poem of Shulgi (Shulgi E)

2.4.2.07 An adab of Enlil for Shulgi (Shulgi G)

2.4.2.12 A praise poem of Shulgi (Shulgi L)

2.4.2.14 Lullaby for a son of Shulgi (Shulgi N)

2.4.2.15 A praise poem of Shulgi (Shulgi O)

2.4.2.16 A praise poem of Shulgi (Shulgi P)

2.4.2.17 An adab to Utu for Shulgi (Shulgi Q)

2.4.2.18 Shulgi and Ninlil's boat (Shulgi R)

2.4.2.20 A tigi to Ninurta for Shulgi (Shulgi T)

2.4.2.21 A hymn to Nergal for Shulgi (Shulgi U)

2.4.2.22 Self-Praise of Shulgi (Shulgi V)

2.4.2.23 A praise poem of Shulgi (Shulgi W)

2.4.2.24 A praise poem of Shulgi (Shulgi X)

2.4.2.25 A praise poem of Shulgi (Shulgi Y)

2.4.2.26 A love song of Shulgi (Shulgi Z)

2.4.2.a A song of Shulgi

2.4.2.b A praise poem of Shulgi

Amar-Suena

2.4.3.1 Amar-Suena and Enki's temple (Amar-Suena A)

Šu-Suen / Shu-Suen

2.4.4.1 A love-song of Shu-Suen (Shu-Suen A)

2.4.4.2 A love-song of Shu-Suen (Shu-Suen B)

2.4.4.3 A love-song of Shu-Suen (Shu-Suen C)

2.4.4.4 A tigi to Ninurta for Shu-Suen (Shu-Suen D)

2.4.4.5 An adab to An for Shu-Suen (Shu-Suen E)

2.4.4.6 An adab to Suen for Shu-Suen (Shu-Suen F)

2.4.4.9 A praise poem of Shu-Suen (?) (Shu-Suen I)

2.4.4.a A hymn to Shu-Suen

Ibbi-Suen

2.4.5.1 A tigi to Suen for Ibbi-Suen (Ibbi-Suen A)

2.4.5.2 A shir-namgala to Meshlamta-eda and Lugal-era for Ibbi-Suen (Ibbi-Suen B)

2.4.5.3 An adab to Suen for Ibbi-Suen (Ibbi-Suen C)

2.4.5.4 An ululumama to Suen for Ibbi-Suen (Ibbi-Suen D)

2.4.5.5 A hymn to Suen for Ibbi-Suen (Ibbi-Suen E)

Isin Dynasty

Išbi-Erra

2.5.1.2 Ishbi-Erra and Kindattu (Ishbi-Erra B)

2.5.1.3 A tigi to Nanaya for Ishbi-Erra (Ishbi-Erra C)

2.5.1.4 A hymn to Nininsina for Ishbi-Erra (Ishbi-Erra D)

Šu-ilīšu

2.5.2.1 An adab to Nergal for Shu-ilishu (Shu-ilishu A)

2.5.2.3 An adab for Shu-ilishu (Shu-ilishu C)

Iddin-Dagan

2.5.3.1 Inana and Iddin-Dagan (Iddin-Dagan A)

2.5.3.2 A praise poem of Iddin-Dagan (Iddin-Dagan B)

2.5.3.3 An adab to Ningublaga for Iddin-Dagan (Iddin-Dagan C)

2.5.3.4 A namerima for Iddin-Dagan (Iddin-Dagan D)

Išme-Dagan

2.5.4.01 Self-Praise of Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan A)

2.5.4.02 An adab to Bau for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan B)

2.5.4.03 A hymn to Nibru and Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan C)

2.5.4.04 An adab to Enki for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan D)

2.5.4.05 A balbale to Enki for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan E)

2.5.4.08 An adab to Enlil for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan H)

2.5.4.09 Ishme-Dagan and Enlil's Chariot (Ishme-Dagan I)

2.5.4.10 A song of Inana for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan J)

2.5.4.11 Inana and Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan K)

2.5.4.13 An adab to Nanna for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan M)

2.5.4.15 An adab (?) to Ninurta for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan O)

2.5.4.16 An adab (?) to Ninurta (?) for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan P)

2.5.4.17 An adab to Nuska for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan Q)

2.5.4.19 Dedication of a statue (of Shulgi?) by Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan S)

2.5.4.21 An adab to Dagan (?) for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan U)

2.5.4.23 A hymn to Nibru and Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan W)

2.5.4.24 A hymn to Enki for Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan X)

2.5.4.27 A praise poem of Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan AA)

2.5.4.29 A praise poem of Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan AC)

2.5.4.a A a praise-poem of Ishme-Dagan

2.5.4.b A hymn to Enki for Ishme-Dagan

Lipit-Eštar

2.5.5.1 Self-Praise of Lipit-Eshtar (Lipit-Eshtar A)

2.5.5.2 Praise of Lipit-Eshtar (Lipit-Eshtar B)

2.5.5.3 An adab of An for Lipit-Eshtar (Lipit-Eshtar C)

2.5.5.4 An adab to Ninurta for Lipit-Eshtar (Lipit-Eshtar D)

2.5.5.5 A shir-namgala to Nininsina for Lipit-Eshtar (Lipit-Eshtar E)

2.5.5.8 Inana and Lipit-Eshtar (Lipit-Eshtar H)

Ur-Ninurta

2.5.6.1 A hymn of Inana for Ur-Ninurta (Ur-Ninurta A)

2.5.6.2 A tigi of Enki for Ur-Ninurta (Ur-Ninurta B)

2.5.6.3 An adab of Ninurta for Ur-Ninurta (Ur-Ninurta C)

2.5.6.4 An adab of Inana for Ur-Ninurta (Ur-Ninurta D)

2.5.6.5 An adab of An for Ur-Ninurta (Ur-Ninurta E)

2.5.6.6 A hymn to Ishkur for Ur-Ninurta (Ur-Ninurta F)

Būr-Suen

2.5.7.1 An adab to Ninurta for Bur-Sîn (Bur-Sîn A)

2.5.7.2 An adab to Enlil for Bur-Sîn (Bur-Sîn B)

Enlil-bāni

2.5.8.1 A praise poem of Enlil-bani (Enlil-bani A)

Larsa Dynasty

Gungunum

2.6.2.1 An adab to Nanna for Gungunum (Gungunum A)

2.6.2.a A hymn to Nanna for Gungunum (Gungunum B)

Sîn-iddinam

2.6.6.1 A praise poem of Sîn-iddinam (Sîn-iddinam A)

2.6.6.5 Sîn-iddinam and Ishkur (Sîn-iddinam E)

Sîn-iqīšam

2.6.7.1 A hymn to Numushda for Sîn-iqisham (Sîn-iqisham A)

Rīm-Sîn

2.6.9.1 A prayer (?) to Rim-Sin (Rim-Sin A)

2.6.9.2 A hymn to Haia for Rim-Sin (Rim-Sin B)

2.6.9.3 A prayer to An for Rim-Sin (Rim-Sin C)

2.6.9.4 A prayer for Rim-Sin entering the gate (Rim-Sin D)

2.6.9.5 A prayer for Rim-Sin (Rim-Sin E)

2.6.9.6 A prayer for Rim-Sîn (Rim-Sîn F)

2.6.9.7 A prayer for Rim-Sin (Rim-Sin G)

2.6.9.8 An adab of Inana for Rim-Sin (Rim-Sin H)

2.6.9.a Excerpt from a praise poem of Rim-Sîn

Uruk

Anam

2.7.1.1 A praise-poem of Anam

First Dynasty of Babylon

Hammu-rābi

2.8.2.1 A praise-poem of Hammu-rabi (Hammu-rabi A)

2.8.2.2 A prayer to Marduk (?) for Hammu-rabi (Hammu-rabi B)

2.8.2.3 A praise-poem of Hammu-rabi (Hammu-rabi C)

2.8.2.4 A prayer for Hammu-rabi (Hammu-rabi D)

2.8.2.5 A prayer for Hammu-rabi (Hammu-rabi E)

2.8.2.6 A praise poem of Hammu-rabi (Hammu-rabi F)

Samsu-iluna

2.8.3.1 A praise poem of Samsu-iluna (Samsu-iluna A)

2.8.3.2 A prayer for Samsu-iluna (Samsu-iluna B)

2.8.3.3 A prayer for Samsu-iluna (Samsu-iluna C)

2.8.3.4 A prayer for Samsu-iluna (Samsu-iluna D)

2.8.3.5 A prayer for Samsu-iluna (Samsu-iluna E)

2.8.3.6 A hymn to Enlil for Samsu-iluna (Samsu-iluna F)

2.8.3.7 A prayer for Samsu-iluna (Samsu-iluna G)

2.8.3.8 A hymn to Enlil for Samsu-iluna (Samsu-iluna H)

Abī-Ešuḫ

2.8.5.1 A praise poem of Abi-Eshuh (Abi-Eshuh A)

2.8.5.a A praise poem of Abi-Eshuh (Abi-Eshuh B)

Praise Poetry and Hymns for Unknown Rulers

Hymns

2.8.5.b A hymn to Marduk for a king

Fragmentary Compositions

2.99.b Fragment of royal praise poetry

2.99.c Fragment of royal praise poetry

2.99.d Excerpt of a royal praise poem (?)

3 = Literary Letters, Letter-Prayers, and Laws

These compositions reflect administrative life and emotional appeals, ranging from royal correspondence to heartfelt prayers framed as letters. Some are early legal texts or didactic instructions, revealing both personal voices and institutional structures.

Royal Correspondence

Third Dynasty of Ur

3.1.01 Letter from Aradngu to Shulgi about Apillasha

3.1.02 Letter from Shulgi to Aradngu about Apillasha

3.1.03 Letter from Aradngu to Shulgi about irrigation work

3.1.04 Letter from Aradngu to Shulgi about attentive citizens

3.1.05 Letter from Aradngu to Shulgi about Aba-indasa's missing troops

3.1.06.1 Letter from Shulgi to Aradngu about Aba-indasa

3.1.06 Letter from Aradngu to Shulgi about the fortress Igi-hursanga

3.1.07 Letter from Puzur-Shulgi to Shulgi about the advance of the enemy

3.1.08 Letter from Shulgi to Puzur-Shulgi about work on the fortress Igi-hursanga

3.1.10 Letter from Shulgi to Puzur-Shulgi about waterways

3.1.11.1 Letter from Ur-dun to Shulgi about the purchase of cedar resin

3.1.11 Letter to Shulgi about bandits and brigands

3.1.13.1 Letter from Shulgi (?) to Aradngu about troops

3.1.13.2 Letter from Shulgi to Ishbi-Erra about the purchase of grain

3.1.15 Letter from Sharrum-bani to Shu-Suen about keeping the Martu at bay

3.1.16 Letter from Shu-Suen to Sharrum-bani about digging a trench

3.1.17 Letter from Ishbi-Erra to Ibbi-Suen about the purchase of grain

3.1.18 Letter from Ibbi-Suen to Ishbi-Erra about his bad conduct

3.1.19 Letter from Puzur-Shulgi to Ibbi-Suen about Ishbi-Erra's claim on Isin

3.1.20 Letter from Ibbi-Suen to Puzur-Shulgi hoping for Ishbi-Erra's downfall

3.1.21 Letter from Aba-indasa to Shulgi about his neglect

Isin, Larsa, and Other Dynasties

3.2.01 Letter from Suen-illat to Iddin-Dagan about confronting the Martu

3.2.02 Letter from Iddin-Dagan to Suen-illat about the troops

3.2.03 Letter from Nanna-kiang to Lipit-Eshtar about Gungunum's troops

3.2.04 Letter from Lipit-Eshtar to Nanna-kiang driving away the enemy

3.2.05 Letter from Sîn-iddinam to the god Utu about the distress of Larsa

Other Letters and Letter-Prayers

3.3.01 Letter from Ur-saga to a king fearing the loss of his father's household

3.3.02 Letter from Lugal-nesage to a king radiant as the moon

3.3.03 Letter from Lugal-nesage to a king radiant as the sun

3.3.04 Letter from Ur-Enlila to a governor and temple administrator

3.3.05 Letter from a governor and temple administrator to a king

3.3.06 Letter from Aba-tah-lugala to his brothers

3.3.07 Letter from Ugubi to his mother

3.3.08 Letter from Čamač-ṭāb to Ilak-niʾid

3.3.09 Letter from Lugal-nesage to Enlil-massu

3.3.10 Letter from Inanaka to the goddess Nintinuga

3.3.11 Letter from Inim-Inana to Enlil-massu

3.3.12 Letter from Inim-Inana to Lugal-ibila

3.3.20 Letter from Gudea to his God imploring support

3.3.21 Letter from Nanna-manshum to the goddess Nininsina about his unsuccessful medical treatment

3.3.22 Letter from X to the god Nanna

3.3.27 Letter from Inim-Enlila to a king

3.3.39 Letter from Kug-Nanna to Ninshubur

4 = Hymns & Cult Songs

Liturgical and devotional in nature, these hymns honor gods, goddesses, and temples through elaborate praise and ritual song. They formed part of the religious life of Sumer and often show deep theological and poetic sophistication.

Hymns Addressed to Deities

Asarluhi

4.01.1 A hymn to Asarluhi (Asarluhi XA)

Bau

4.02.1 A hymn to Bau's Beneficent Protective Goddess (Bau A)

Damgalnuna

4.03.1 A shir-shag-hula to Damgalnuna (Damgalnuna A)

Enlil

4.05.1 Enlil in the E-kur (Enlil A)

Ḫendursaĝa

4.06.1 A hymn to Hendursanga (Hendursanga A)

Inana

4.07.1 A balbale to Inana (Inana A)

4.07.2 The exaltation of Inana (Inana B)

4.07.3 A hymn to Inana (Inana C)

4.07.4 A hymn to Inana as Ninegal (Inana D)

4.07.5 A tigi to Inana (Inana E)

4.07.6 A hymn to Inana (Inana F)

4.07.7 A shir-namshub to Inana (Inana G)

4.07.8 A balbale to Inana as Nanaya (Inana H)

4.07.9 A shir-namshub to Inana (Inana I)

4.07.a A hymn to Inana

Inana and Dumuzid

4.08.01 A balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana A)

4.08.02 A balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana B)

4.08.03 A balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana C)

4.08.04 A balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana D)

4.08.05 The song of the lettuce: a balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana E)

4.08.06 A balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana F)

4.08.07 A balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana G)

4.08.08 A tigi to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana H)

4.08.09 A kungar to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana I)

4.08.10 A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana J)

4.08.12 A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana L)

4.08.13 A shirnamshub of Inana (Dumuzid-Inana M)

4.08.15 A balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana O)

4.08.16 A balbale (?) to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana P)

4.08.18 A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana R)

4.08.20 A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana T)

4.08.22 A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana V)

4.08.23 A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana W)

4.08.25 A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana Y)

4.08.26 A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana Z)

4.08.28 A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana B1)

4.08.29 A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana C1)

4.08.30 A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana D1)

4.08.31 A balbale to Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana E1)

4.08.32 A song of Inana and Dumuzid (Dumuzid-Inana F1)

4.08.33 Dumuzid and Enkimdu

4.08.a A balbale to Inana and Dumuzid

Martu

4.12.1 A shir-gida to Martu (Martu A)

4.12.2 A hymn to Martu (Martu B)

Nanna-Suen

4.13.01 A balbale to Nanna (Nanna A)

4.13.02 A balbale to Nanna (Nanna B)

4.13.03 A balbale to Nanna (Nanna C)

4.13.04 A balbale to Nanna (Nanna D)

4.13.05 A hymn to Nanna (Nanna E)

4.13.06 The herds of Nanna (Nanna F)

4.13.07 A hymn to Nanna (Nanna G)

4.13.08 An adab to Nanna (Nanna H)

4.13.09 A tigi to Nanna (Nanna I)

4.13.10 An ululumama to Nanna (Nanna J)

4.13.11 A shir-namshub to Nanna (Nanna K)

4.13.12 A shir-namgala to Nanna (Nanna L)

4.13.13 A hymn to Nanna (Nanna M)

4.13.14 A hymn to Nanna (Nanna N)

4.13.15 A hymn to Nanna (Nanna O)

4.13.a A hymn to Nanna

4.13.b A fragment of a hymn to Nanna

4.13.c An excerpt from a hymn to Nanna

4.13.d A fragment of a hymn to Nanna

Nanše

4.14.1 A hymn to Nanshe (Nanshe A)

4.14.2 A balbale to Nanshe (Nanshe B)

4.14.3 Nanshe and the birds (Nanshe C)

Nergal

4.15.2 A hymn to Nergal (Nergal B)

4.15.3 A tigi to Nergal (Nergal C)

Nisaba

4.16.1 A hymn to Nisaba (Nisaba A)

4.16.2 A shir-namshub to Nisaba (Nisaba B)

Ninazu

4.17.1 A balbale to Ninazu (Ninazu A)

Ninĝišzida

4.19.1 A balbale to Ningishzida (Ningishzida A)

4.19.2 A balbale to Ningishzida (Ningishzida B)

4.19.3 A hymn to Ningishzida (Ningishzida C)

4.19.4 A song of Ningishzida (Ningishzida D)

Ninimma

4.21.1 A song of Ninimma (Ninimma A)

Ninisina

4.22.1 A shir-gida to Nininsina (Nininsina A)

4.22.2 A shir-namshub to Nininsina (Nininsina B)

4.22.3 Nininsina's journey to Nibru: a shir-namshub to Nininsina (Nininsina C)

4.22.4 A hymn to Nininsina (Nininsina D)

4.22.5 An adab to Nininsina (Nininsina E)

4.22.6 Nininsina and the gods (Nininsina F)

Ninkasi

4.23.1 A hymn to Ninkasi (Ninkasi A)

Ninlil

4.24.1 An adab to Ninlil (Ninlil A)

Ninšubur

4.25.1 A hymn to Ninshubur (Ninshubur A)

4.25.2 A hymn to Ninshubur (Ninshubur B)

Nintur / Nintud

4.26.1 A tigi to Nintud-Aruru (Nintud A)

Ninurta

4.27.01 A shirgida to Ninurta (Ninurta A)

4.27.02 Ninurta's journey to Eridug: a shirgida to Ninurta (Ninurta B)

4.27.03 A hymn to Ninurta (Ninurta C)

4.27.04 A tigi to Ninurta (Ninurta D)

4.27.06 A balbale to Ninurta (Ninurta F)

4.27.07 A shir-namshub to Ninurta (Ninurta G)

4.27.a A hymn to Ninurta

Nungal

4.28.1 A hymn to Nungal (Nungal A)

Nuska

4.29.1 A shirgida to Nuska (Nuska A)

4.29.2 A shir-gida to Nuska (Nuska B)

Šara

4.30.1 A balbale to Shara (Shara A)

Šul-pa-e

4.31.1 A hymn to Shul-pa-ed (Shul-pa-ed A)

Utu

4.32.2 A hymn to Utu (Utu B)

4.32.e A shir-namshub to Utu (Utu E)

4.32.f A shir-namshub to Utu (Utu F)

Other Deities

4.33.1 A hymn to Sadarnuna (Sadarnuna A)

4.33.2 A hymn to Kusu

Hymns Addressed to, or Concerning, Temples

4.80.1 The temple hymns

4.80.2 The Kesh temple hymn

4.80.4 A hymn to the E-kur

5 = Other Literature

This diverse group includes school texts, philosophical debates, satirical dialogues, and didactic instructions. Together they showcase the range of Sumerian literary genres beyond myth and ritual, often with wit, insight, or moral reflection.

School Stories

5.1.3 The advice of a supervisor to a younger scribe (E-duba C)

Personal Laments

5.2.4 A man and his god

Reflective Compositions

5.2.5 The poem of early rulers

Debate Poems

5.3.1 The Debate between the Hoe and the Plough

5.3.2 The Debate between Sheep and Grain - (my favorite!!)

5.3.3 The Debate between Winter and Summer

5.3.5 The Debate between Bird and Fish

5.3.6 The Debate between Silver and Copper

5.3.7 The Debate between the Date Palm and the Tamarisk

Dialogues and Diatribes

5.4.11 A diatribe against Engar-dug (Diatribe B)

5.4.12 He is a good seed of a dog (Diatribe C)

Lu-diĝira compositions

5.5.1 The message of Lu-dingira to his mother

5.5.2 An elegy on the death of Nannaya (Elegy 1)

5.5.3 An elegy on the death of Nawirtum (Elegy 2)

Types of Song

5.5.4 The song of the hoe

5.5.5 The song of the ploughing oxen

5.5.a A drinking song

Didactic Compositions

5.6.1 The Instructions of Shuruppag

5.6.3 The Farmer's Instructions

Short Tales

5.6.5 Three ox-drivers from Adab

5.7.1 Enlil and Nam-zid-tara

Offering Compositions

5.7.2 Nintinuga's dog

5.7.3 The dedication of an axe to Nergal

Other

5.7.a Public announcement of the loss of a seal

Lexical Compositions

5.9.1 The home of the fish

Animal Fables

5.9.2 The heron and the turtle

6 = Proverbs & Proverb Collections

These compact sayings offer timeless advice, cultural observations, and glimpses of daily life. Collected in scribal schools or local traditions, they reflect the humor, wisdom, and worldview of ancient Sumer.