“Signet of Steel”

Authors : Jaan PUHVEL

Pages : 61-66

Doi:10.1501/Archv_0000000040

View : 15 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 1996-04-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Ludingirra was a considerable Sumerian-Ianguage poet of Babylon, with a terminus ante quern in the reign of Hammurabi’s successor Samsuiluna, thus ca. 1700 b.c.e. He rates as the author of two dirges or elegies over the deaths of his father and wife respectively, which Kramer insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1963: 208-217); discovered in insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(he Pushkin Museum in Moscow in 1957 and subsequently edited. Ludingirra is also credited with a poem known insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(in Sa nagba imuru or Arma Virumque fashion); as Lii-kas^-e-lugal-la har-ra-an-na gin-na ‘Royal courier, begin the journey!’, preserved entire and edited from several tablet pieces by Civil insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1964);. The poet instructs the messenger to deliver greetings to his mother in Nippur, adding that “if you do not know my mother, I shall give you some signs”. Her name is Sat-Istar; instead of street directions Ludingirra then pours out in 42 lines an exaltation of his mother in extravagant poetic similes insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(grouped into five “signs”);, concluding with a two-line clincher: “When, with the help of the signs I have given, you stand in her luminous presence, say to her: ‘Ludingirra your beloved son greets you’!”
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