Love Poem Tablet from Nippur

Illustration

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
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published on 15 July 2014
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A terracotta tablet with cuneiform inscriptions that narrates a love poem. This is the oldest love poem ever known. The poem was probably written by an unknown woman who was chosen as a bride for Shu-Sin, King of Ur, III dynasty. The poem was supposed to be sung at the New Year festival.

The tablet was found at Nippur (modern Nuffar, Al-Qadisiyah Governorate, Iraq), southern Mesopotamia. Neo-Sumerian era, Ur III dynasty, 2037-2029 BCE. (Istanbul Archeological Museums/Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul, Turkey).

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About the Author

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2014, July 15). Love Poem Tablet from Nippur. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2791/love-poem-tablet-from-nippur/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Love Poem Tablet from Nippur." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified July 15, 2014. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2791/love-poem-tablet-from-nippur/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Love Poem Tablet from Nippur." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 15 Jul 2014, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2791/love-poem-tablet-from-nippur/. Web. 24 Apr 2025.

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