2.2 Development of writing and early literature

Writing in Mesopotamia evolved from simple pictograms to complex cuneiform. This system, used for everything from receipts to epics, shaped how ancient cultures communicated and recorded their history. It's a testament to human ingenuity and the power of the written word.

The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known literary works, showcases the richness of Mesopotamian storytelling. This tale of friendship, mortality, and the search for meaning gives us a window into ancient beliefs and values, highlighting the enduring power of myth and legend.

Development of Writing in Mesopotamia

Evolution of cuneiform writing

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• Cuneiform writing developed in ancient Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE for record-keeping and accounting purposes (inventories, receipts)
• Began as pictograms representing objects and ideas, but over time evolved into a more abstract and phonetic writing system
  • Pictograms became simplified and stylized, losing their pictorial resemblance
  • Signs began to represent syllables and sounds rather than just objects
• Written by pressing a reed stylus into soft clay tablets, creating wedge-shaped impressions that give cuneiform its name, meaning "wedge-shaped"
• First used to write the Sumerian language, later adopted and adapted by other cultures (Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians)
• Used for a variety of purposes: administrative records, legal documents (contracts, treaties), religious texts (hymns, prayers), and literary works (myths, epics)

Significance of Epic of Gilgamesh

• One of the earliest known works of literature, dating back to around 2100 BCE, originally written in Sumerian and later translated into Akkadian
• Tells the story of Gilgamesh, a legendary king of Uruk, exploring themes of friendship, mortality, and the search for meaning in life
• Incorporates elements of Mesopotamian mythology and religion, including interactions with gods and mythical creatures, reflecting beliefs about the afterlife and the role of gods in human affairs
• Features a great flood story similar to flood myths in other cultures (Noah's Ark in the Bible)
• Provides insight into Mesopotamian values and worldviews, emphasizing the importance of leaving a lasting legacy through great deeds and works
• Enduring popularity and influence demonstrate the importance of literature in Mesopotamian culture, copied and studied by scribes for centuries and influencing later works in the region and beyond

Role of Scribes and Legal Codes

Role of scribes in Mesopotamia

• Scribes were the literate class in Mesopotamian society, responsible for writing and record-keeping in various contexts:
  1. Administrative documents
  2. Legal contracts
  3. Religious texts
  4. Literary works
• Underwent rigorous training in schools attached to temples or palaces, learning cuneiform writing, mathematics, and various subjects
• Served as intermediaries between the ruling class and the general population, assisting in state administration and law enforcement, facilitating communication between different regions and cultures
• Essential for the preservation and transmission of knowledge, copying and maintaining important texts, ensuring the survival of Mesopotamian literature, history, and scientific knowledge
• Scribal profession was often hereditary, with skills passed down within families, and scribes enjoyed a relatively high social status and exemption from certain duties (military service)

Importance of Mesopotamian legal codes

• Legal codes, such as the Code of Hammurabi, were important in ancient Mesopotamia for establishing social order and justice by providing a standardized set of laws and punishments, regulating social, economic, and family relationships
• Code of Hammurabi, created by Babylonian king Hammurabi around 1754 BCE, consists of 282 laws inscribed on a large stone stele, covering topics like property rights, marriage and family law, crimes and punishments, and commercial transactions
• Based on the principle of "lex talionis" or "law of retaliation," with punishments often proportional to the crime ("an eye for an eye"), but varying depending on the social status of the offender and victim
• Reflects the values and social hierarchy of Babylonian society, emphasizing social responsibility, protection of the weak, and reinforcing the king's authority as the ultimate source of justice
• Influenced later legal systems in the region (Hittite laws, Hebrew Bible) and serves as one of the earliest examples of a comprehensive written legal system, providing insight into the legal, social, and moral principles of ancient Mesopotamian society