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 Shulgi -2100-2000BC- son of Urnammu, He is an important king known from odes in later texts. He was the Maecenas (patron of arts) of the Sumerian language and promoted the canonization of Sumerian literature. King Shulgi:
1. proclaimed himself a god
2. boasted that he was one of the few kings who went to school to become a scribe.
At the schools that taught this difficult skill, students also learned how to debate in public and practiced the refined art of insulting opponents before refuting their arguments.
"He is spawn of a dog, seed of a wolf, a helpless hyena's whelp, and an addlepated mountain monkey whose reasoning is nonsensical!" begins one such preamble.
3. claimed that he once ran 200 miles during a fierce hailstorm..(which he may have done)
4. Who once wrote of himself "I am a powerful man who rejoices in his loins!"
He had his poets and scribes publicize all sorts of stories about his prowess:
he had complete mastery of every weapon of war, could capture gazelles on the run, slay lions unaided, and play every known musical instrument.
A praise poem of Shulgi
Ur III Dynasty (2113-2004)
Ur III Mathematics
ASURBANIPAL
Asurbanipal became King upon the death of his father, Esarhaddon, who died in 669.
His mother was Naqia-Zakutu.
Asurbanipal's brother, Shamash-shum-ukin became the King of Babylon.
During his rule the Assyrian splendour was not only due to its military power but also to the culture and art. Ashurbanipal created a library at Nineveh in which he gathered all cuneiform literature available by that time.
A dictionary from the seventh century BC concludes with this prayer:
"May Ishtar bless the reader who will not alter this tablet nor place it elsewhere in the library, and may She denounce in anger he who dares withdraw it from the building." 
We have a letter in which Asurbanipal, after listing the books he is seeking, insists that the task should be carried out without delay.
"Find them and send them to me.
Nothing should detain them.
And, in the future, if you discover other tablets not herewith mentioned, inspect them and, if you consider them of interest for the library, collect them and send them on to me." 
12 Articles
Ancient Humor, Feb 9, 2006 - 14:17
The ancients did have a sense of humor. We rarely get a glimpse of it.
Princess Adad-guppi, Jan 10, 2006 - 12:39
Daughter of King Assurbanipal ll and Queen Ashursharrat.
Sumeria, May 7, 2004 - 11:24
The Start of time...
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