A new interpretation of the playing objects in the Gilgamesh epic
The article deals with the nature of the so-called "Oppression of Uruk" in the Gilgamesh versions. The interpretation of the words gišellag and gišeke4/kè-ma in the Sumerian versions and their equivalents, the pukku and mekkû in the Akkadian versions form the focus of this discussion. Alth...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2011
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| In: |
Journal for semitics
Year: 2011, Volume: 20, Issue: 1, Pages: 109-138 |
| Further subjects: | B
University of South Africa
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| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | The article deals with the nature of the so-called "Oppression of Uruk" in the Gilgamesh versions. The interpretation of the words gišellag and gišeke4/kè-ma in the Sumerian versions and their equivalents, the pukku and mekkû in the Akkadian versions form the focus of this discussion. Although scholars currently agree that the general meaning is to be found in some type of sporting or games context, it has never been considered as part of the board game scenario, which seems most probable. This discussion connects the gišellag/pukku with a "game board" and giše-ke4-ma/mekkû with "gaming/games pieces". Although the iconographic evidence has been discussed previously in relation to the mother/fertility goddess, the textual evidence will form the core of this article, given the scenario that Inanna and Ištar have been generally connected with playing contexts previously. |
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| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal for semitics
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| Persistent identifiers: | HDL: 10520/EJC101178 |