Sumerian Lugalbanda & Enmerkar Cycle (Early Mesopotamian heroic sagas, c. 3rd–2nd millennium BCE)

1. Uruk’s legendary kings placed in tradition

   Jan 1, 2100 BCELabels: Uruk, Enmerkar, Lugalbanda

   • SKL
   • Lugalbanda

2. Aratta becomes Uruk’s rival in epic

   Jan 1, 2100 BCELabels: Aratta, Uruk

   • Aratta
   • WHE Aratta

3. Ur III period likely composition horizon

   Jan 1, 2100 BCELabels: Ur III, scribal tradition

   • Matter Aratta
   • Lugalbanda Cave

4. Enmerkar demands tribute for Inanna’s temple

   Jan 1, 2050 BCELabels: Enmerkar, Inanna

   • Enmerkar Aratta
   • Britannica

5. The long-message episode links rule to writing

   Jan 1, 2050 BCELabels: writing, messenger

   • Enmerkar Aratta
   • Matter Aratta

6. En-suhgir-ana named as Aratta’s lord

   Jan 1, 2000 BCELabels: En-suhgir-ana, Aratta

   • En suhgir ana
   • Aratta

7. Sorcery contest ends with Aratta’s submission

   Jan 1, 2000 BCELabels: sorcery contest, wise woman

   • En suhgir ana

8. Lugalbanda falls ill on the Aratta campaign

   Jan 1, 2000 BCELabels: Lugalbanda, mountains

   • Lugalbanda Cave
   • Matter Aratta

9. Lugalbanda receives divine help and healing

   Jan 1, 2000 BCELabels: Lugalbanda, prayer

   • Lugalbanda Cave

10. Lugalbanda aids Anzud’s chick and is rewarded

    Jan 1, 2000 BCELabels: Anzud, Lugalbanda

    • Lugalbanda Anzud
    • ETCSL Gloss

11. The hero returns to Uruk’s army as emissary

    Jan 1, 2000 BCELabels: Lugalbanda, messenger

    • Lugalbanda Anzud
    • Matter Aratta

12. Old Babylonian school copies preserve the cycle

    Jan 1, 1800 BCELabels: Old Babylonian, scribal school

    • Lugalbanda Cave
    • ETCSL Home
    • Tablet image