The Textual Criticism of Sumerian Literature

by Paul Delnero

Book cover: The Textual Criticism of Sumerian Literature

Extent: 230 pages

Publisher: American Society of Overseas Research

Subjects: Ancient Near East, Literary Studies

Series: Journal of Cuneiform Studies Supplemental Series

Series volume number: 3

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(October 2012)

ISBN: 9780897570886

Price: $89.95

In stock

Drawing from a detailed analysis of the different types of textual variants that occur in the numerous duplicates of a group of ten compositions known collectively as the Decad, this book aims to provide a much needed critical methodology for interpreting textual variation in the Sumerian literary corpus.


The occurrence of textual variation is a significant but frequently neglected aspect of the study of Sumerian literary compositions. The correct evaluation of textual variants and the proper understanding of how and why they occur is essential to producing reliable editions of such texts. Such explorations also provide invaluable evidence for the written transmission of Sumerian literary works and a wealth of data for assessing aspects of Sumerian grammar. Drawing from a detailed analysis of the different types of textual variants that occur in the numerous duplicates of a group of ten compositions known collectively as the Decad, this book aims to provide a much needed critical methodology for interpreting textual variation in the Sumerian literary corpus which can be applied to editing and analyzing these compositions with improved accuracy.

  • By (author) Paul Delnero