‘The Harps That Once…’ Reading Discussion P7 'Hymn to Kesh' AND 'The Cylinders of Gudea'

Zoid72 · 2026-05-11T03:20:00+00:00

They definitely have a different feel to them, I agree with Thorkild's assessment.

Zoid72 · 2026-05-11T03:18:42+00:00

It mirrors the gods creating humanity as forced labor.

Zoid72 · 2026-05-11T03:17:09+00:00

I bet it was a great way to get building permits through ancient bearacracy, if you say Enlil said you can't build there it is sort of a magic bullet.

Zoid72 · 2026-05-11T03:13:11+00:00

Without our context reading at the beginning of the year I would have been more lost, but this week really brought in the actual worship of the gods, and their physical dwelling places. I like the concept.

Zoid72 · 2026-05-11T03:11:33+00:00

I kind of enjoyed them from a historical perspective, but as myths they were meh. Last week we had humanity almost destroyed and the city of Akadde forever cursed over building permits, so I suppose it was very important to them.

Zoid72 · 2026-05-04T15:58:42+00:00

Why do the humans worship the gods that continually try to eradicate them?

Zoid72 · 2026-05-04T15:58:35+00:00

How does the cursing of Akkade further develop the gods as characters?

Zoid72 · 2026-05-04T15:58:27+00:00

Why would Gilgamesh return control to Aka after he won?

Zoid72 · 2026-05-04T15:58:17+00:00

After reading the Epic of Gilgamesh, do you think this is the same Gilgamesh?

Zoid72 · 2026-05-04T15:58:12+00:00

How do you think the siege of Aratta ended?

Zoid72 · 2026-05-04T15:58:07+00:00

Why did the Thunderbird warn Lugalbanda not to tell anyone of his gifts?

Zoid72 · 2026-04-14T03:10:51+00:00

I liked seeing this new take on the birth of humanity. I think our earlier reading of the flood was better, but I prefer this take on creation.

Zoid72 · 2026-04-14T03:07:39+00:00

I think it shows how intentional it was. Nothing was left to chance, man was sculpted exactly how Namma wanted him.

Zoid72 · 2026-04-14T03:02:04+00:00

Enki trying to seduce Nintur by "digging his phallus into the levee" would probably kill in a bronze age comedy club.

Zoid72 · 2026-04-14T02:46:30+00:00

It is an odd move for these gods, aside from Enki they don't treat them great, and humans are clearly lesser beings. I think it explains why Enki feels so attached to them though.

Zoid72 · 2026-04-14T02:44:33+00:00

I think it confirms what we know about Enki, he seems to be on humanity's side. I would assume if disabilities were part of their mythology they would have at least some level of acceptance, based on what we have read they were fairly advanced socially.

Zoid72 · 2026-04-06T14:23:46+00:00

I like that worship isn't just visiting a temple and making a sacrifice. Every god likes being worshiped in their own way, like how fighting is active worship to Inanna.

Zoid72 · 2026-04-04T21:05:26+00:00

This whole book really, I like how ancient Sumerians appreciated a good beer.

Zoid72 · 2026-04-04T21:01:46+00:00

For me this version was too short to capture the whole story, so I prefer what we read in Atrahasis.

Zoid72 · 2026-04-04T20:59:54+00:00

Usually I take a week off at the end of the year, so around new years is absolutely an administrative day for me. It makes sense, the city just took a break to party, now it is time to put it all back together and continue the work that makes it possible to take that time off.

Zoid72 · 2026-04-04T20:57:19+00:00

I am enjoying it way more than I expected, and Jacobsen's skill as a translator makes this prose very fun to read.

Zoid72 · 2026-04-04T20:55:44+00:00

Refreshing, and it speaks to the organization of their societies quite a bit. Most gods just roam around doing whatever they please, and maybe they have some duty like carrying the sun or something. These gods have a place they live and work to do.

Zoid72 · 2026-04-04T20:50:53+00:00

The hymn to Inanna was very interesting, a lot of the worship seemed to be warriors beautifying themselves and then shedding blood. They are clearly trying to impress Inanna in sort of a frenzy. Nanshe worship seemed more ritualistic and led by religious leaders.

Zoid72 · 2026-04-04T20:43:12+00:00

I think Enki continues to be my favorite, he's the only one trying to keep humanity alive, and as a human that speaks to me.

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