Titre du document / Document title

Me's in old Sumerian and Sargonic texts

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

EMELIANOV V. V. ;

Résumé / Abstract

This article presents an almost complete list of quotations of the Sumerian religious category ME in archaic texts of Sumer. The author describes and analyzes hymns for gods, royal inscriptions, wisdom literature, as wellas the lists of personal names where one can meet ME (noun). The archaic inscriptions contain rather scanty information on our subject, and it is possible to do cautious and preliminary conclusions only. Firstly, we see that the word me can be used here in several meanins which have not been taken into account by latest cuneiform vocabularies: a) «light, the effect of flame»; b) «authority over a territory»; c) «contents of temples, people and gods»; d) «everything necessary for life of a temple». Thus, it is a certain internal force or energy due to which both life and authority are possible. But when it leaves, everything comes to its end. Secondly, from cryptographic UB = ME we can draw a conclusion about understanding ME as «glories» (UB as ar²), i.e. the charismatic distinction of a person from others. «The glory»of the person requires glorification which is the only response of people to his brightness. Thirdly, from the lists of personal names we can see that ME are connected to the heavenly sphere of An and underground waters of Enki, and this fact confirms a version of the hymn «Enki and the World Order». Fourthly, Inanna, owning 50 ME's, reminds Ningirsu from Gudea Cylinders: she is a deity of war to whom her father Enlil gives 50 ME's. It is curious that Inanna of the Old Sumerian texts has a sufficient number of ME's to win and unite neighbouring countries. Such state of affairs contradicts sharply the data of later written hymns in which Inanna complains about the shortage of ME's and even takes them from her father («Enki and the World Order», «Inanna and Enki»). Also we do not find here any mention of travels with ME's or journeys for them. Finally, there is a very interesting problem with the epithets of ME in Sumerian personal names. In Old Sumerian texts one can find me-nu-e³-e³, me-nu-hal-hal, me-buzur⁵. But in Ur III lists there are me-hal-hal, me-e3-e3, me-igi-zal, me-pa-e³, etc. What is the reason for such a transformation (and the role of nu-) is still unknown.

Revue / Journal Title

Vestnik drevnej istorii   ISSN 0321-0391 

Source / Source

2003, n^o1, pp. 71-84 [14 page(s) (article)]

Langue / Language

Russe

Editeur / Publisher

Nauka, Moskva, RUSSIE, FEDERATION DE  (1937) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Terminology ; Akkad ; Ur III dynasty ; Priest ; Literature ; Inscription ; God ; Office ; Text ; Sumerian ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Sargon ; Agadé ; Mot ; Sumer ; Ecriture cunéiforme ; Terminologie ; Akkad ; Dynastie d'Ur III ; Prêtre ; Littérature ; Inscription ; Dieu ; Fonction ; Texte ; Sumérien ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 23417, 35400011950855.0060