SUMERIAN KING LIST Meaning and
Definition
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The Sumerian King List is a historical artifact that provides a comprehensive listing of the rulers who reigned over ancient Sumer, one of the earliest known civilizations in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) during the third millennium BCE. It is a clay tablet discovered in the early 20th century.
This ancient document serves as a genealogical record of the kings of Sumer, documenting the length of their reigns and other notable facts. It begins with the legendary kings who were believed to have ruled prior to the great flood, and continues with historical rulers. The Sumerian King List contains fascinating details about the lengths of reigns, information about legendary cities, and the relationships between different kings.
The list is divided into two sections: the first is known as the "antediluvian" or pre-flood period, while the second covers the post-flood era. The pre-flood portion includes the names of mythical figures, such as Alulim and Eridu, and assigns them extraordinarily long reigns, in some cases spanning tens of thousands of years. The post-flood part provides information about more historically documented kings, including their predecessors and the cities they governed.
The Sumerian King List is an essential source for understanding the early history and development of Sumerian civilization. It offers insights into the culture, politics, and societal structure of this ancient civilization, helping archaeologists and historians piece together a comprehensive understanding of the early Mesopotamian societies. The document plays a crucial role in tracing the lineage and political power of the Sumerian rulers, contributing to our knowledge of one of the earliest recorded human civilizations.
