Mesopotamian Literature: The Earliest Works of the Imagination

Q: When was ancient Mesopotamian literature first written?

Ancient Mesopotamian literature dates from c. 2600 BCE.

Q: What it the most famous Mesopotamian literature?

The Epic of Gilgamesh is the most famous work of ancient Mesopotamian literature.

Q: What is the oldest work of literature in the world?

The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest work of literature in the world, dated to c. 2100 BCE. The Instructions of Shuruppag is the oldest philosophical work in the world and possibly the oldest written work, dated to c. 2600 or 2000 BCE.

Q: What are the contributions of Mesopotamian literature?

The Mesopotamians invented not only writing but also the genres of poetry, drama, historical fiction, wisdom literature, poetic dialogue, epic poem, satire, religious poetry, and many others. World literature would not exist as it does without ancient Mesopotamian literature.

Joshua J. Mark

Definition

Ancient Mesopotamian literature developed circa 2600 BCE after scribes, who had formerly been record-keepers, began composing original works in the region of Sumer. The Sumerians invented writing circa 3600/3500 BCE, refined the script circa 3200 BCE, and scribes may have begun composing their own works prior to circa 2600 BCE, but this is unclear.

More about: Mesopotamian Literature

Timeline

2900 BCE - 2334 BCE
Scribal schools have been established in Sumer.
c. 2600 BCE
Ancient Mesopotamian literature is first written in Sumer
c. 2600 BCE - c. 2000 BCE
Instructions of Shuruppag is written.
c. 2334 BCE
Akkadian replaces Sumerian as a living language; scribes begin writing in Akkadian.
c. 2150 BCE - 1400 BCE
Earliest versions of Epic of Gilgamesh are written.
c. 2112 BCE - c. 2004 BCE
Ur III Period of the Sumerian Renaissance; a rebirth of Sumerian literature and culture.
2094 BCE - c. 2046 BCE
The Death of Ur-Nammu is written during the reign of Shulgi of Ur.
c. 2000 BCE
Debate Between Sheep and Grain is written.
c. 2000 BCE
Mesopotamian naru literature genre is invented; precursor of modern historical fiction.
c. 1900 BCE - 1600 BCE
Inanna's Descent is written.
c. 1800 BCE
Hymn to Ninkasi, Goddess of Beer is written.
c. 1700 BCE
Ludlul-Bel-Nimeqi ("Poem of the Righteous Sufferer") is written; influences the biblical Book of Job.
c. 1307 BCE - 1282 BCE
Babylonian version of Ludlul-Bel-Nimeqi is written; greatly expands upon the earlier Sumerian piece.
1307 BCE - 1275 BCE
Assyrian literature is written during the reign of Adad Nirari I.
c. 1300 BCE - 1000 BCE
Babylonian standard version of The Epic of Gilgamesh is written.
c. 1200 BCE
Assyrian Tukulti-Ninurta Epic is written.
722 BCE - 705 BCE
Assyrian Epic of Izdubar is written; a revision of the Epic of Gilgamesh.