Akkadian Literature: The Classical Period 1850-1500 B.C. (from Before the Muses by Benjamin R. Foster)

(Book Review--Blogging the Canon, The Classics)

Akkadian Literature: The Classical Period 1850-1500 B.C. (from Before the Muses by Benjamin Foster)

These are the works contained within this section:

--To Ishtar

--To Nany

--To Papulegarra

--Self-Praise of Ishtar

--The Agushaya Poem

--Sargon, King of Battle

--The Sargon Letter

--The Siege of Apishal

--The Great Revolt

--Sin-Kashid, King of Uruk

--Naram-Sin, King of Eshnunna

--Hammurabi, King of Justice (i.e. prologue and epilogue to Hammurabi's Code of Laws)

--Hammurabi, for Whom Do You Wait?

--Will Hammurabi Be Victorious

--Samsuiluna, King of Babylon

--To Zimri-lim, King of Mari

--To Ibalpiel II, King of Eshnunna

--Dialogue Between a Man and His God

--At the Cleaners

--Lament for a City

--The Faithful Lover

--Nany and Muati

--Nany and Rim-Sin

--Where Has My Lover Gone

--A Lover's Riddle

--Come in, Shepherd

--Your Heartbeat Is My Reveille

--She Has Never Given Birth

--The Child's Arms Are Bound

--To Calm a Baby

--Anu Begot Her

--She is Fierce

--A Demon

--Against the Evil Eye

--Various Diseases

--All Diseases

--Against an Infant Illness

--Against a Mote in the Eye

--Against Joint Pain

--Against a Disease of Sheep and Goats

--Against Gas Pains

--Against Stomach Ache

--Against Arousal

--Against Hunger and Thirst

--Against Witchcraft

--Against a Noxious Herb

--Against Dogs

--Against Snakes

--Against Flies

--Against Scorpions

--Against a Water Monster

--Against a Bleating Goat

--Horns of Gold

--Look at Me!

--To the Gods of Night

--To Shamash and God of the Night

--The Cedar

--The Lamb

--Will Ur-Utu be Alive and Well

--Kussulu to the Moon-god

--Ur-Nanshe to Ninsianna

--Apil-Adad to "God My Father"

--Ninurta-qarrad to Ninmug

--Ahushunu to the Guardian of Life

--To Zimri-Rim, King of Mari

--A Ghost's Entreaty

--A Letter Writing Exercise

--A Declaration of War

--Atrahasis

--Ishtar, Harasser of Men

--To a Passer-by

--Priestly Abuse of Office

Links to Stuff mentioned: 

* Starting: Before the Muses: An Anthology of Akkadian Literature Edited by Benjamin R. Foster: https://youtu.be/GntFy0nIRPA

* Akkadian Literature: The Archaic Period 2300-1850 B.C.: https://youtu.be/YfRJgsPRqJE

* The Agushaya Poem: https://youtu.be/RA8H520uNtE

* Dialogue between a Man and His God: https://youtu.be/ixGBIp3b8No

* Atra-Hasis: The Babylonian Story of the Flood: https://youtu.be/tyH93pDKr3k

* The Code of Hammurabi King of Babylon: https://youtu.be/sKRdvH2J8I8

* Currently reading Gilgamesh the King by Robert Silverberg: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2025/05/started-gilgamesh-king-by-robert.html

Related Playlists

* Classic Books Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x53EsuWSZ-z0uFGL_0Jl6F1&si=giDKwvKMzCWtXvzl

* Book Review Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7dao6py7ODX_PkUvrAEch7&si=kiFeTonJJ3Ux5H1T

* Books I read in 2025: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7Fev7Uv6_tzuSf84LtYwQu&si=Im1rdozRXrgGnr99

* Babylonian / Akkadian Literature Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5BtyzrSv3NMPA3VpzLIuq8&si=x0yeQPCkXyxtPCr4

* Before the Muses: An Anthology of Akkadian Literature Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4Cvg1Yw4LQyKEXIwDwo1m0&si=X6OZ7Ectw-fzHbCn

* Akkadian Literature: The Classical Period: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5e7RM-4ea82msdIfPoQljq&si=I9QfshsNQ90-EFCx

I was able to read this book thanks to the Michigan statewide state-wide interlibrary loan service called MeLCat, which may be in danger thanks to a Presidential executive order.  If you, like me, enjoy using MeLCat, contact your local representatives and let them know. 

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