Book

The Sumerians: their history, culture, and character

University of Chicago PressChicago • Published In 1963 • Pages:

By: Kramer, Samuel Noah.

Abstract
This book is a good overview of the Sumerians from about 5000 B.P. to the start of the Babylonian Period in 3750 B.P. (3000 B.C. to 1750 B.C.). Kramer discusses, translates, and presents many original Sumerian texts. Included are texts of myths, laments, disputations, the Sumerian King List, a farmer's almanac, records of court judgements, votive inscriptions, etc. Most Sumerian documents were written after the end of the Early Dynastic Period. The sections of the book that are outside the time period were indexed with Outline of Cultural Materials (OCM) codes that pertained to subjects that might have occurred during the Early Dynastic Mesopotamia Period. Kramer also covers Sumerian history (which consists mainly of kings and a list of their battles and what cities they ruled); their society (dress, available occupations, family relationships, how a city was arranged, land tenure and ownership, etc.) and religion; their education system or the EDUBBA; what drives motivated the Sumerians; and what were their values and ethical ideals. Indeed, the first reform movement in recorded history occurred under the leadership of king Urukagina of Lagash around 4350 B.P. (2350 B.C.). The tablets record abuses by the king and the rich and powerful and how the balance of power was restored in favor of the temple and the ordinary citizen.
Subjects
Traditional history
Acculturation and culture contact
Vocabulary
Writing
Verbal arts
Ethics
Chief executive
External relations
Mythology
Spirits and gods
Prayers and sacrifices
Liberal arts education
Texts translated into english
tradition
Early Dynastic Mesopotamia
HRAF PubDate
2003
Region
Middle East
Sub Region
Middle East
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry ; 2001
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
5th millenium BP or 5000 BP-4000 BP (3rd millennium B.C. or 3000 B.C.-2000 B.C.)
Coverage Place
Sumer; Iran and Iraq
Notes
Samuel N. Kramer
Includes bibliographical references (p. 343-346)
LCCN
63011398
LCSH
Iraq--Civilization--To 634