Introduction

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. List of Illustrations ix
4. Acknowledgments xi
5. Abbreviations xiii
6. Prologue xix
7. Introduction
8. Akkadian: Linguistic, Geographical, and Chronological Parameters 1
9. An Overview of the Textual Record 5
10. Chapter 1. Prolegomena to the Study of Akkadian Literature
11. Introduction 8
12. Tablets: From Excavation to Translation 9
13. Scribes: Contextualizing Literary Production 21
14. Compositions: General Issues 33
15. Audiences: Who Read These Texts? 67
16. Chapter 2. Survey of Selected Text Groups
17. Introduction 77
18. Mythological and Heroic Epics 78
19. Legends of Akkadian Kings 123
20. Historiographical Texts 132
21. Legal and Political Documents 149
22. Divination: Deductive and Intuitive 154
23. Other Scholarly Texts 160
24. Prayers, Incantations, Incantation- Prayers, Laments, and Hymns 161
25. Meditations on Human Suffering and the Divine 172
26. Proverbs, Advice, Dialogues, and Debates 179
27. Satire, Parody, and Humor 187
28. Conclusion: The Future of Akkadian Literature 193
29. Bibliography 197
30. Index 235