n.L.s.

VANSTIPHOUT
H.L.I. VANM ~ Y H U U I '
Groningen
Groningen University
University

THE
THE BANQUET SCENE
SCENE IN THE
THE
MESOPOTAMIAN DEBATE POEMS
POEMS

Post haec omnes bibierunt

bibiemnt
et in
in vestes donnierunt
donniemt
matutinas
matufinasneglexerunt
neglexemnt
usque ad diem
diem c1aria
claria a a a etc.
etc.
(Conc1usion
(Conclusion of the mediaeval
mediaeval
debate poem Quondam
Quondam fuit
factus festus)
festus)

INTRODUCTORY
INTRODUCTORY do show banquets -- which I understand as festive festive
communal meals with some official standing
standing -- in
1. Banquet scenes occur frequently
1. frequently in Mesopotamian different
different contexts
contexts or functions.
functions. There are instances
instances
art and literature. Whether this is indicative of a where a banquet is merely mentioned as an indication
certain 'Lebensgefühl'
'Lebensgefiihl' implying
implying a high appreciation of wealth or well-being,
weH-being, besides other indications.
indications.
of good living,
living, or a mechanism using the display and These occur frequently,
frequently, and rather often with some
sharing of wealth in a social way, not unlike the
sharing moral admonition about the transiency of the good '"
potlatch-idea, or an underlying social structure life.
preferring the communal to the individual1,
prefemng individualI, can no See e.g. from "The Curse of Agade" :
fuHy ascertained.
longer be fully ascertained. But it is certain that at That its people would eat splendidfood,
1'east revolves around festive
Teast divine daily life revolves festive meals2,
meals2, That its people would drink splendid beverages,
and that even the dead are to partake of sumptuous That the bathed ones would be joyful joyful in the
meals3 .
meals3. squares,
2. As is so often the case, it is literature in a rather That the people would throng the festive places,
of what at least
strict sense which gives us an inkling of acquiJintances would dine together ....
That acquaintances ..5'
the more articulate and sophisticated layers of the Destruction of
or from "The Lamentation over the Destruction of
it4. Literary compositions
population thought about it4. Sumer and Ur" ::
Beer, wine and honey ceased (to flow) in the
1 Or all three ? great dining hall,
2 See e.g. the sacred meal of of the gods [R. Frankena,
Tekultu.
Täkultu. De Sacrale Maaltijd
Maaltijd in het Assyrische
Assyrische Ritueel, (1953);
(1953);
A.L. Oppenheim, Ancient
Ancient Mesopotamia, (1964), esp. pp. 183-
198
198 "The Care and Feeding of of the Gods"].
Gods"l. manipulated by the literate; (2) that therefore the literate
manipulated
3 See A. Tsukimoto, Untersuchungen zur Totenpflege tradition can hardly be only a mere notation or deposit ofof non-
(kispum) im alten Mesopotamien, 1983.
(kispum) literate tradion; (3) that also in the majority of of cases the
4 This perhaps requires some elaboration. I do not mean that 'factual' documentation is noted by literates; (4) lastly, that
'factual'
literary texts do not or cannot reflect 'popular'
'popular' sentiments and literary compositions are the only kind of of documents which
understanding, nor that 'factual'
'factual' documentation
documentation should somehow directly show us the Mesopotamian reflecting on the world and
have to give precedence to literary texts. What I do mean is (1) life. That these reflections should not necessarily always be
that in a society permeated by writing - - which incidentally is taken seriously seems besides the point, butbut is interesting in
independent
independent of of the degree or spread
spread of
of literacy
literacy -- as was itself.
undoubtedly the case in Mesopotamia, popular interpretation of of oiAgade (1983),
J.S. Cooper, The Curse of
5 Lines 14-18. See J.S. (1983),
life is bound
bound to be influenced, filtered, structured
structured and pp. 50-51. Note that the city of
of Agade will be destroyed utterly.
uttcrly.

Banquets d'Orienf.
d'Orient.
Res Orientales. Vol. IV. 9
10
10 H.L.
H. L. J.I. V
V AN
A N S TIPHOUT
TIPHOUT T H E BANQUET
THE S C E N E IN
B A N Q U E T SCENE T H E MESOPOTAMIAN
I N THE D E B A T E POEMS
M E S O P O T A M I A N DEBATE POEMS 11
11

The
The butcher'
butcher'ss knife
knife used
used for
for slaying
slaying sheep
sheep and
and 4.1.
4.1. First of all
all there are are instances
instances where aa banquet
banquet is is Lastly, in
Lastly, in the
the relatively late
late Mesopotamian Creed 15
Creed's there. They
there. They will
will accord
accord him
him his
his fIfty
fifty all-encompassing
all-encompassing
oxen
oxen lay
lay hungry6
hungry6 in
in the
the grass,
grass, aa substantial
substantial structural element, element, by which II mean known as as "Enüma
"Endma elis"eliS" we
we find
find two
two instances
instances of aa 'names''* during
'names'18 during thisthis banquet. The
The text has:
Its
Its mighty
mighty oven
oven no
no longer
longer cooked
cooked sheep
sheep andand that the
the narrative slotslot could not very weIl well be filied
filled by banquet scene
banquet scene atat strategically
strategically highly
highly important points.
points. The Lord
Lord from
from hishis high
high place,
place, which
which they
they had
had
The
oxen,
oxen, no longer emitted the aroma (of
no longer emitted the aroma (of another
another occurrence.
occurrence. A A good
good exampie
example is is the
the Sumerian
Sumerian First, there
First, there is is the
the episode
episode inin Tablet
Tablet III where thq~ods
111where thegods builtfor him,
him,
built
roasting)7.
roa~ting)~. story
story about
about "Inanna
"Inanna and and Enki"IO,
Enki"10, in in which
which Inanna
Inanna decide to
decide to make
make Marduk
Marduk literally
literally their
their plenipotentiary Invited the
the gods,
gods, his
his fathers, to
to his
his feast.
The uses
uses aa copious
copious mealmeal and and aa drinking
drinking bout in in order
order to
to as their
as their last
last hope
hope inin the
the fight
fight against Tiamat. The
against Tiamat. The
The list
list of
of quotations
quotations like
like these
these could
could easily
easily be
be 'This is
'This is Babyion
Babylon (he (he said),
said), your
your dwelling
dwelling and and
expanded; put
put the
the god
god Enki
Enki to to sleep
sleep soso that
that she
she can
can steal
steal the
the scene is
scene is described
described as as follows:
follows:
expanded; theythey cannot
cannot be
be regarded
regarded as as marked
marked for
for their
their residence.
residence.
specific contents,since
specific contents, since they
they are
are always
always accompanied
accompanied ME'Ss --the
ME' the quintessences
quintessences by by whose
whose possession
possession the the All
All the
the great
great gods,
gods, they
they who
who decide
decide the fates, .
thefates,
universe
universe is is ruied.
ruled. An An instructiveand
instructive and rather
rather special
special Disport yourselves !!Partake
Disport yourselves Partake ofof its
itsjoys
joys I'!'
by
by other
other notations
notations of
of wealth
wealth from
from different
different spheres
spheres of
of In the
In the presence of of Ansar,
AnSar, were
were overjoyed.
overjoyed.
life. case
case is
is the
the story
story ofof "Adapa"ll.
"Adapa"ll. ThisThis antediluvian
antediluvian sage sage The great
The great gods
gods sat down,
down
life. 12•
They embraced,
They embraced,and and in
inplenary
plenaly session
session
is
is presented
presented to to us
us asas the
the baker
baker (or
(or cook)
cook) of of Eridu
EriduI2. And took
took out
out their
their tankards
tankards for the banquet19.
the banquet I9 •

3. The
The story
story relates
relates how,
how, after having in
after having in his
his fury
fury broken They discussed
They discussed andand sat
sat down
down atat aa banquet.
banquet.
3. The
The airn
aim of
of the
the present
present contribution
contribution is is to
to attempt
attempt toto broken
show
show that, in contrast to occurrences as the above,
that, in contrast to occurrences as the above, in
in the wings of
the wings of the
the South
South Wind,
Wind, hehe has
has toto gogo to
to heaven
heaven They broke
They broke bread
bread and
and drank
drank beer;
beer; 4.3. This
4.3. This makes
makes dearclear that
that the
the function
function ofof the
the banquet
banquet
aa specific 8 Theyfilled their
They their goblets
goblets with
with sweet
sweet drink.
drink. is not
not merely
merely to to provide
provide aa handyhandy nexus
nexus forfor the
the
specific group
group ofof texts,
texts, viz.
viz. thethe Debate
Debate Poems
Poemss,, the
the and
and appear
appear befoIe
before the the assembled gods. The
assembled gods. The godgod Ea
Ea is
banquet
banquet scene
scene plays
plays aa specific
specific röle rB1e on
on atat least
least two
two advises
advises himhim to to wear
wear mourning
mourning garb,
garb, andand to to refuse
refuse They felt relaxed by the heady beverage,
They feit relaxed by the heady beverage, development of
development of the
the story:
story: thethe banquet
banquet itself
itself is
is anan
levels. But
levels. But in
in order
order toto do
do soso itit is
is perhaps
perhaps enlightening
enlightening food and
food and drink,
drink, while
while he he may
may accept
accept aa garment
garment and and They were
They were nownow confident;
confident; their
their heart
heart was
was at
at occasion -- the
occasion the occasion
occasion par par excellence
excellence -- for for
to give an
to give an overview of the treatment and
overview of the treatment and structural
structural ointment.
ointment. He does so, and amidst the gods' laughter
He does so, and amidst the gods' laughter peace;
peace; making far-reaching
making far-reaching decisions.
decisions. At At least
least one
one well-
well-
functioningof
functioning of the
the motif
motif inin narrative
narrativepoetry.
poetry. realizes
realizes that
that he
he has
has lost
lost the
the chance
chance forfor immortalityl3.
immortality13. known feature
known feature of of the
the social
social oror politicalor
political or ideological
ideological
And so
And so they
they decided
decided the
the fate for Marduk,
Marduk, their
their
The
The point is that the whole scene in
point is that the whole scene in Heaven
Heaven isis aa function of
function of "Enüma
"Enlima e1iS"eliS" enables
enables usus to
to reinforce
reinforce this
this
avengerz6.
avenger I6 •
banquet scene, where
banquet scene, where Adapa arrives as aa guest,
Adapa arrives as guest, and
and interpretation. We
interpretation. We know
know thatthat the
the poem
poem was was publidy
publicly
THE
T H E BANQUET
BANQUETAS
AS AA STRUCTURAL
STRUCTURAL ELEMENT
ELEMENT IN
IN that
that this banquet is the occasion where the gods
this banquet is the occasion where the gods in
in As an
As an obviously
obviously intended
intended counterpart
counterpart to to this
this scene,
scene, read at
read at the
the New
New Year Year Festivapo
Festivalz0--whichwhich mustmust have
have
HEROIC
HEROIC NARRATIVE
NARRATIVE assembly
assemblycome cometo toimportant
important decisions.
decisions. we see
we seein
in Tablet VI how
TabletVI how Marduk,
Marduk, having
having crowned
crowned hishis been accompanied by lavish banquets,
been accompanied by lavish banquets, so that one so that one
achievements by
achievements by having
having the
the gods
gods construct
construct the
the holy
hoIy could say that in a way the banquet
could say that in a way the banquet scenes are re- scenes are re-
4.
4. In
In the
the broad
broad field
field of
of heroic
heroic narrative 9 , banquets do
narrativeg, banquets do 17 as
occur 4.2. This
4.2. This second
second röle
r81e ofof the
the banquet,
banquet, as as aa formal
formal city of
city of Babylon
BabylonI7 as the
the centre
centre of of the
the human
human and and enacted, as other parts of the "story" were
enacted, as other parts of the "story" were in one way in one way
number of
occur aa number of times
times with
with aa structural
structuralfunction.
function. nexus, divine worlds,
worlds, now
now invites
invites all
all the
the gods
gods to
to aa banquet
banquet
nexus, in in this
this kind
kind ofof narrative
narrative -- aa point
point where
where divine or another
or anotherzl. 21 . And
And on on aa point
point such
such as as this
this Bottero
BottCro
significant
significant developments
developments in in aa story
story start
start--maymay be
be makes a very interesting suggestion: in
makes a very interesting suggestion: in a footnote to a footnote to aa
further
furtherillustrated:
illustrated: passage from the poem "Enki and
passage from the poem "Enki and the World Order",the World Order",
~."idle"?1.e. "idle" ? In
In "Lugal-e",
"Lugal-e", the the story
story which
which relates
relates how
how the
the whichsays
which saysin ineffect:
effect:
7 P.
P. Michalowski,
Michalowski,The TheLamentation
Lamentationover over the
theDestruction
Destructionof of divine warrior Ninurta
divine warrior Ninurta slew
slew the monstrous Asakku,
the monstrous Asakku,itit (Enki, it is
(Enki, it is you) who numbers
you) who numbers the the days,
days, puts
puts tJ;w
the
Sumer
Sumer and Ur,(1989),
and Ur, (1989), pp.
pp. 54-55, 11. 311-13.
54-55,lI. 311-13. Actuallythis
15ISActually thistext
textcannot
cannotreally
reallybe qualifiedexclusively
bequalified exclusivelyas as
isistold
told that
that months in sequence,
months in sequence,
8 For
For the
the genre
genre inin general
general see
see still basically J.J. van
still basically van Dijk's
Dijk's her8ic narrative,
hertjic narrative, although
although itit isis often
often classified
classified as as such.
such. For
For
masterpiece,
masterpiece,La La sagesesse sumiro-accadienne,Leiden
sagesessesumero-accadienne, Leiden1953,1953,E.I.
E.I. One
Oneday dayNinurta
Ninurta was
wassitting
sittingononhis
hishigh
highthrone,
throne, moredetails
more detailsofof mymy opinion
opinion aboutabout thethemeaning
meaningand and function
functionof of Completes the
Completes the years,
years, and and when
when each each one
one isis
Gordon,"A
Gordon, "A New
NewLook Lookatatthe
theWisdom
Wisdomof of Sumer
SumerandandAkkad"
Akkad" in in thistext
this text--viz. viz. aadidactic
didactictheological
theologicalsumma summa of of Mesopotamian
Mesopotamian
Whence
Whencehe he spread
spread his
hisawful
awfulsplendour,
splendour, concluded,
concluded,
Bibliotheca Orientalis 17
Bibliotheca Orientalis 17 (1960),
(1960), pp.pp. 122-152,
122-152, and and W.G.
W.G. officialreligion
official religionnear nearthe theend
endof of the
thesecond
secondmillennium
millenniumand andever
ever
Lambert,
Lambert, Babylonian
Babylonian Wisdom Literature, Oxford
Wisdom Literature, Oxford 1960 1960 At
At aafeast
feast in
inhis
hishonour;
honour; a f t w a r d s--see
afterwards seemy mystudystudytotoappear OrientaliaLovaniensia
appearinin Orientalia Lovaniensia
[henceforth:
[henceforth : BWL] B W L ] (esp.
(esp. pp.
pp. 150-212,
150-212, under
under the the partial
partial With l4 Periodica(1992).
Periodica (1992).Stated succinctly,IIthink
Statedsuccinctly, thinkthat
thatthe
thecomposition
composition
misnomer WithAn An and
and Enlil
Enlil he
hequaffed
quaffedthethetasty
tastybeer
beerI4 isismeant
meanttotosay: say:
misnomer "Fables
'Tables or or Contest
Contest Literature").
Literature"). More More recent
recent isis
H.L.J.
H.L.J. Vanstiphout,
Vanstiphout, "The "The Mesopotamian
Mesopotamian Debate Debate Poems.
Poems. AA when
when news
news was
was brought
brought that
that in
in the
the East
East aa horrible
horrible II believe
believein.in,and
andpraise.
praise,thethesupremacy
supremacyof ofMarduk.
Marduk, Andconsequently
18l a And consequently functions,
functions,competences,
competences, immanences,
immanences,
General
General Presentation
Presentation (Part (Part I)"
I)" inin Acta
Acta Sumerologica
Sumerologica monster Whoslew
Who slew thethechaos-monster
chaos-monsterTiamat Tiamatand and her
herband
band ofof evil
evil andcult
and cultplaces.
places.
henceforth: monster hadhad arisen,
arisen, which
which threatened
threatened thethe ordered
ordered
henceforth :AS] AS] 12 12(1990),
(1990), pp.
pp.271-318
271-318(part(PartIII1isistoto appear
appear universe.
gods.
gods, VI 11. 70-75.
Tablet VIII.
l 9 Tablet
19 70-75. See
See Bottero
BottCro && KramKramer, op.cif.,
er, op.cit.,
AS 14
ininAS 14 (1992)),
(1992)), which
which contains
contains bibliographical
bibliographical references.
references. universe. Whoordered
Who orderedand andregulated
regulatedthe theuniverse.
universe, p.p. 64l.
641.
Still
Still more
more recent
recent andand more
more general
general isis GJ. Reinink && H.LJ.
G.J. Reinink H.L.J. Whobuilt
Who builtthe
theabode
abodeof of the
thegods
godsininheaven.
heaven,and andgave
gave them
them 20z0 And
And atat some
some other
other occasions.
occasions. AnAn updated
updated study
study ofof the
the
Vanstiphout,
Vanstiphout,Dispute
DisputePoems
Poemsand andDialogues
Dialoguesininthe theAncient
Ancient and and -WSeelo Seenow now most
most conveniently Botttro && S.N.
conveniently J.J. Bottero S.N. Kramer,
Kramer, theircompetences.
their compefences, NewYear
New YearFestival
Festivalshould
shouldperhaps
perhapsbebeundertaken.
undertaken.Provisionally
Provisionally
Mediaeval
MediaevalNear NearEast.
East.Forms
Formsand andTypes
Typesof ofLiterary
LiteraiyDebates
Debatesinin Lorsque
Lorsque les Iesdieux faisaient l'I'homme,
dieuxfaisaient homme, (1989),
(1989),pp.pp.230-56,
230-56,and
and Whofrom the
Whofrom thebody of Tiamatconstructed
bodyofTiamat constructedthe theearth
earthand
andalla61 the reader
the reader isis referred
referred toto H.
H. Zimmern,
Zimmern, Zum Zum babylonischem
babylonischem
Semitic
Semitic and and Related
Related Literatures.
Literatures. [Orientalia
[Orientalia Lovaniensia
Lovaniensia also
alsoS.N. Kramer&&J.J. Maier,
S.N. Kramer Maier,Myths
Mythsof of Enki,
Enki, thethe Crafty
CraftyGod,
God, thatisisininit.it,
that Neujahrsfest, vols.
Neujahrsfest, vols. II && II, 1906&& 1918;
Leipzig, 1906
11, Leipzig, 1918; toto S.A.
S.A.
Analecta vol. 421 [Henceforth : DPD],Leuven,
Analecta vol. 42] [Henceforth : DPD], Leuven, 1991,
1991,whichwhich (1989),
(1989), pp.pp.57-68.
57-68. Whothen
Who thencreated
createdman mantotobe bethetheservant
servantof ofthe
thegods.
gods. Pallis, The
Pallis, TheBabylonian
Babylonian AkftuAkitu Festival,
Festival, Copenhagen,
Copenhagen, 1926;1926;toto
contains
contains amongamong otherother things
things aa very
very useful
useful overview
overview and and
pp.
"
11 SeeSeenow
now St.
St.Dalley,
Dalley,Myths
Myths from Mesopotamia, (1989),
from Mesopotamia, (1989), . Whofounded
Who founded Babyion
Babylonas asthe
thereligious
religiouscentre
centreof ofthe
theworld.
world, R.R. Labat,
Labat, Le Le caractere
caractkre religieux
religieux de de lala royaute
royautk assyro-
assyro-
discussion
discussionof of the
thegenre
genreininMesopotamia
Mesopotamiaby byJ.J. Bottero,
Bottkro,entitled
entitled pp. 182-88.
182-88. And who
And whowill.
will,by byhishisinfinite
infinitepower
power andandwisdom
wisdom(and (andthethe babylonienne, Paris
babylonienne, Paris 1939;
1939;totoH.H. Frankfort, Kingship and
Frankfort, Kingship and the
the
"La
"La 'tenson'
'tenson' etetlalareflexion
rCflexionsursurles
leschoses
chosesen MCsopotamie".ItIt
enMesopotamie". 12 St.St.Dalley,
Dalley,op.cit. 1841.10:
op.cif.p.p. 184 1.10: "He
"He does
does thethe food
foodand
and helpof
help ofEnki).
Enki),protect
protect andandsafeguard
safeguardthe theuniverse.
universe,thethe Gods,Chicago
Gods, Chicago19481948[pp.
[pp.313-333];
313-3331;and andtotoW.G.
W.G.Lambert,
Lambert,"The"The
also
alsocontains
containsaaselective
selectivebibliography
bibliography totowhichwhichnownowtwo twovery
very water
waterof ofEridu
Eriduevery
everyday".
day". world,and
wor/d, andmankind
mankindagainst
againstall allevil.
evil. GreatBattle
Great Battleofof the
theMesopotamian
MesopotamianReligious
ReligiousYear:
Year:the
theConflict
Conflict
important,
important, even even basic,
basic, items
items cancan bebe added
added : :M.A.
M.A. Bossy,
Bossy, 13l3Although
Althoughthisthisisisnot
notthe
theplace
placefor
forananinterpretation
interpretationof ofthe
the Thereforehe
Therefore hemust
mustbe bepraised forever!!
praisedforever inin the
the Akitu
Akitu House", Iraq 25
House", inin Iraq 25 (1963),
(1963), pp.pp. 189ff.
189ff. The
The
Medieval
MedievalDebate
DebatePoetry.
Poetry.Vernacular
VernacularWorks,Works,[Garland
[GarlandLibrary
Libraryof of story
storyIIshould
shouldpoint
pointout
outthat
thatAdapa'
Adapa'ss joumey
journey totoHeaven
Heavenhas hasnot
not Thisis,
This is,after
afterall,
all,aarather
rather neat
neatcreed
creed ininany
any sense.
sense.ToTo mymy Birmingham thesis
Birmingham thesis by
by G.G. Cagirgan, Babylonian Festivals
Cagirgan, Babylonian Festivals
Medieval
MedievalLiterature,
Literature, Series
SeriesAA vol.vol. 52],
521,NewNew York
York 1987,
1987,andand been
beenfruitless;
fruitless;hehebrought
broughtback backwisdom
wisdomand, and,ininall
allprobability
probability,, knowledgeititisisalso
knowledge alsothe thefirst
firstone
onemeant
meanttotobebeuniversal.
universal. (1976)was
(1976) wasunavailable
unavailabletotome.me.
J.W.
J.W. Conlee,
Conlee, Middle
Middle English
English Debate
Debate Poetry.
Poetry. AA Critical
Critical the
thearts
artsofofhealing
healingand
andincantation.
incantation. , , Tablet IV,
16l 6Tablet IV,11.11.130-138;
130-138;see Bottkro &&Kramer,
seeBottero opeit.,
Kramer, op.cit., 2121SeeSeefor
forvery
veryuseful
useful hints A.Livingstone,
hints A. Mystical and
Livingstone, Mystical and
Anthology, East
Anthology, EastLansing,
Lansing, 1991.
1991. 14l4 See
SeeJ.J.Van
VanDijk,
Dijk,LUGAL-E
LUGAL-E UD ME- LAM-^^NIR-GAL,
UDME-LAM-bi NIR-GAL, p. 624.
p.624. MythologicalExplanatory
Mythological ExplanatoryWorksWorksof ofAssyrian
Assyrianand andBabylonian
Babylonian
99IIuse
usethis
thisbland
blandterm
termininorder
ordertotoavoid
avoidcharged
chargedand
andprobably
probably Leiden
Leiden 1983,1983, pp.
pp. 52-53,
52-53, and BottCro && Kramer,
and Bottero Kramer, op.cit ..
op.cit., Or more
17l 7 Oe more precisely
precisely the the Esagila,
Esagila, thethe main
main temple
temple of of Scholars, Oxford1986,
Scholars,Oxford 1986,esp.
esp.pp.
pp.115-170,
115-170,with
withearlier
earlierliterature
literature
incorrect
incorrectterms
termssuch
suchasas'epic'
'epic' and
and'myth'.
'myth'. pp.
pp.340-41.
340-41. Babylon.
Babyion. quotedthere.
quoted there.
12 T H E BANQUET
THE B A N Q U E T SCENE
S C E N E IN T H E MESOPOTAMIAN
I N THE D E B A T E POEMS
M E S O P O T A M I A N DEBATE POEMS 13
H.L.J. VANSTIPHOUT 13

Puts forward
forward to c i v i l i ~ a t i 3o appropriate times. For the month
which happen at the appropriate terminus technicus
the terminus technicus is is used here in
in connection
connection with
with
Puts to the Assembly the
the Assembly just re
the just port, and
report, and cuneiform civilization o .n ~And
~ . lastly, which is the used here
announces the verdict22 • probably of the greatest significance,
significance, it can be shown
shown October-November34
October-November this text notes: .
34 this drinking bout
aa drinking bout or or banquet,
banquet, even even if if areal
a real debate
debate
announces the verdict22.
that the basic structure and at least one important The Plough and the
The the Hoe will have a contest in in the
the should not
should not be
be meant40.
meant40.
Bottero
BottCro writes
writes that
that this
this isis an
an 'Allusion probable cld
'Allusion probable
function
function remains unaltered from from the Old Babylonian field. - Be that
Be that as as it
it may,
may, it it requires
requires no no great
great feat
feat of
of
l'1'Assemblee
Assemble'e ge'ne'rale annuelle cense'e rkunir les
generale annuelle censee reunir les dieux
diem period down to Mediaeval
Mediaeval times in Western
times Western Europe 31 •
Europe31. The inference that a kind of Harvest festival, festival, imagination to
imagination to see
see thethe Disputations
Disputations as as performances
performances
duns la "Salle-am-destins" (...),pour de'libe'rer sur
dans la uSalle-aux-destins" ( ...), pour deliberer sur le
le accompanied by a performance of the Dispute having aa function
having function of of entertainment
entertainment at at aa banquet,
banquet, but
but
programme
programme de de l'E'annke
annee cld venir
venir et et enen arreter
arrgter les
les destins
destins 5.l.Now
5.1.Now we we have,
have, firstfirst of all,
all, aa number of between Hoe and Plough,
Hoe and Plough, is is meant
meant lieslies near atat hand
hand35. 35. we would
we would likelike toto know
know for for sure.
sure. InIn any
any case,
case, this
this
"23, and between
pour
pour toustous ...
..."23, and itit is
is intriguing,
intriguing, to to say
say the
the least,
least, independent
independent or external external witnesses
witnesses für for aa seerningly
seemingly function, probable
function, probable as as it
it is,
is, cannot
cannot be be interpreted
interpreted asas
that (3) Lastly,
(3) Lastly, note
note that there mig m i g ht
h t be aa very
that the very next section is about grain and sheep24,
the very next section is about grain and sheep*, close
close link between festivals or banquets banquets and and (the
(the reference. A A composition known as as being in
being in contradiction
contradiction to to the primary motivation
the primary motivation
leading outspoken reference.
leading up up to
to preparations
preparations for for thethe banqueting
banqueting hall
hall of
of performance
performance of) of) disputations.
disputations. Consider
Consider thethe following
following underlying the the genesis,
genesis, articulation,
articulation, and and even
even format
format
the "Enki's Journey to to Nippur"36 contains contains aa passage
passage underlying
the gods.
gods. attestations:
attestations: could be translated as:
which could as: of the texts - all these place them squarely
of the texts - all these place them squarely within the within the
The which
The image
image is is clear:
clear: the the banquet
banquet is is aa serious
serious (1) An
(1) An ode
ode to to king
king ISme-Dagan
IHme-Dagan also also glorifying
glorifying aa groves of Academe41. 41 The further social function is to
groves of Academe • The further social function is to
occasion,
occasion,at at which
which veryvery important
important decisions
decisions are
are taken.
taken. The Anunna took
The took their
their seats;
seats;
divine
divine Chariot
Chariot and and its
its construction,
construction, which
which hashas aa line
line be regarded
be regarded as as secondary,
secondary, if if not
not inin actual
actual "historicaI"
"historical"
The
The factfact that
that this
this seerningly
seemingly happens happens amidst
amidst good
good saying: They (the
They (the attendants
attendants ?) ?) gave them them beer
beer to to drink,
drink,
25 saying: gladdened themthem with with wine;
wine; time42,
42 then certainly in principle.
time , then certainly in principle.
cheer
cheer25 may may perhaps
perhaps be be interpreted
interpreted as as one
one more
more 7 gladdened
Let
Let the
the hoe
hoe and and the
theplough,
plough, the
the implements
implements of of the
the 5.2. While
5.2. While the the discussion
discussion above above tended
tended to to veer
veer in
in the
the
symbolic
symbolic expression
expression of of the
the Mesopotarnians'
Mesopotamians' basic basic The bronze
The bronze vessels
vessels they theyfilled;
working
working people, hold a contest
hold a contest before be fore directionof
direction of placing
placing aa Disputation
Disputation withinwithin the
the confines
confines
(even
(even if, if, perhaps,
perhaps, only only "official"
"official" or or even
even Over the
Over the bronze
bronze vessels
vessels they they (the
(the guests
guests ?) made
?) made
you
y v u 1:--.
132
3 2•
of aa banquet,
of banquet,the the texts
texts ofof the
the Disputations
Disputations themselves
themselves
"superficial")
"superficial" devotion td a harmony model for
devotion to a harmony model for UraShold
Uras hold aaDispute
D i ~ p u37t•e ~ ~ .
society. ItIt is
is clear
clear from
from the the text
text that
that this
this festival
festival isis indeed
indeed aa offer much
offer much evidence
evidence for for the
the presence
presence of of banquets
banquets
society. Or,
Or, in
in other
other words,
words, the the conviviality
conviviality expresses
expresses This translation,
This translation, however,
however, is is open
open to to doubt,
doubt, within the the confines
confines of of aa Disputation.
Disputation. And And here
here wewe
and festive
festive occasion,
occasion, accompanied
accompaniedby by aa public
public banquet,
banquet, within
and reinforces
reinforces the the collegiality
collegiality which which should
should govern
govern and especially as
especially as regards
regards the the lastlast line,
line, which
which II would
would meet with a specific feature and a specific difficulty.
the gods' decisions.
the gods' decisions. and thatthat thus
thus the performance of
the performance of the
the Disputation
Disputation meet with a specific feature and a specific difficulty.
serves
serves as as dinner
dinnerentertainment.
entertainment. prefer to
prefer to translate as:
translate as:
(2)
(2)Also
Also there
there isis aa text
text known
known as as "Astrolabe
"Astrolabe B"33, Theymade
They made the
the bronze
bronze (drinking)
(drinking)vesselsvesselscompete
compete
listing with heaven
with heavenand and earthearth38.
38 • Minor 10),
Series Minor lo), Rome
Rome 1973,1973, esp.
eso. p.p. 79,
79, who
who interprets
intervrets the the
THE
THEBANQUET
BANQUET SCENE
SCENEIN
IN THE
THEDEBATE
DEBATE POEMS
POEMS listingvarious
various constellations
constellationsaccording
accordingto to the
the months
months Series
crucial line 112 112of "Inanna
of "Inan and Enki"
Eiki" as as "Um
"Umdie die bronzenen
b;onzenen
of Theline
line also
also occurs
occursin in "Inanna
"Inanna and and Enki"
Enki" as 30,
as 1.1.iiii 30, crueialline na and
of the
the year
year and
and giving
giving some
someinformation
information about
about things
things The ( G ~ ~der
(Gefäße) der ura3
J ~ )veran[stalten siel
~ Urasveran{stalten siel einen
einen Wettstreit"
wettstreitn(ibid. (ibid.
5.
5. Yet
Yet in
in the
the group
group ofof texts
texts known
known asasDebate
DebatePoems
Poems where the
where the 8Ontest,
mntest, ifif itit isis to
to be
be taken
taken in in the
the pregnant
pregnant 21), and
p. 21), and our
our line
line as
as "Sie
"Sie (die(die Götter)
Gotter) veranstalten
veranstalten einen einen
p.
we
we meet with a different situation. This genre
meet with a different situation. This genre%isis of
--
26
of sensehere,
sense here. alludes
alludesto to thethe whole
whole storyst01-vwhich
which isis being
beip.- Wettstreit um
Wettstreit um diedie Bronze(gefäße)
Bronze(gefab'eJder der Uras'
Uras"' (p. 79)) does
(p.79» does not
not
overmuch - Ii would
'b
great
greatimportance
importancefor foruniversalliterature.
universal literature.Not onlyisisitit
Notonly ~hus 30 Thus aa comparison
comparison of of the
the Akkadian
Akkadian material
material (basically enlighten us
enlighten us overmuch would suggest
suggest that that (a) (a) the
the
(basically and which
toId, and canbe
which can be seenseen as astrial of ofcleverness and and 'disputation object'
object' (the
(thebronze
bronze vessels)
vessels)isisnot notc1ear
clear inincontext;
context;
relatively
relatively old.
old. The
The unexpectedly
unexpectedly better
better preserved
preserved still
still asas given
given in in Lambert,
Lambert, BBW WL;L ; see
see fn.fn. 8)8) toto the
the older
older subterfuge between
subterfuge between InannaInanna and and Enki
Enki in in much
much the the 'disputation
27 must be dated in the Old Sumerian
Sumerianseems seems toto imply
implythat that the
the genre
genre was was divorced
divorcedfromfrom thethe (b) that there
(b)that there isis no
no mention
mention of of two
two contenders;
contenders;(c) (c) that
thatthethe pair
pair
Sumerian exemplars
Sumerian exemplars27 must be dated in the Old same way as f.i. the contests between
same way as f.i. the contests between the Rulers of the Rulers of an-uraSoccurs
occurs regularly
regularly forfor 'heaven
'heaven and and earth'.
earth'. TheThe Kramer-
Kramer-
Academic
Academicenvironment
environmentininwhich whichititflourished
flourishedininOld OldBabylonian
Babylonian an-uras
Babylonian
Babylonian periodperiod28,, but
28
but they
they contain
contain aa number
number of of times,
times, andand 'descended'
'descended' into into the
the street
streetandand market-place.
market-place. Still,
Still, Uruk and of 39
Aratta39. Still, it remains
Uruk and of Aratta . Still, it remains important that important that Maier interpretation
Maier interpretationwhich which has:
has: "One
"One by by one
one thetheAnunna-gods
Anunna-gods
took their seats/ These
their seats/ Thesefolk
folk drink
drink beer,
beer,joy joy inin the
the wine,/
wine,/ keep
keep
explicit
explicit references to the Royal Court of the
references to the Royal Court of Ur III
the Ur I11 some
some pieces
pieces-- interestingly
interestingly none none with with areal
a real Sumerian
Sumerian took
thebronze aga-vesselsfilled
bronzeaga-vessels
period example
exampleor orforerunner
forerunner--were weredeemed
deemedworthy
worthytotobe includedinin
beincluded the filled toto overjlowing,/
overflowing,/with with the thebronzes
bronzes
period29.• Furthermore,
Furthermore,the thehistory
historyofof the
thegenre
genrecan
canbe
29
be the
the first
first millennium
millennium 'libraries'.
'libraries'. As As toto the
the reach
reach beyond
beyond the the ~ctually
34 Actuallyindicated astro1ogical/astronomicalshorthand
indicatedininastrological/astronomical shorthand challengeeven
challenge evenheaven
heavenand andearth." (Kramer&&Maier,
earth." (Kramer Maier,op.cit.,
op.cit.,p.p.
followed
followedin in some
somedetails
detailsduring
duringand
andbeyond
beyondthe eraof
theera of asasITLAPIN,
ITI.APIN, i.e. i.e."Month
"Month Plough".
Plough". 74) cannot
74) cannot inin my my mind
mind bedismissed.
be dismissed. See See also
also Bottero
Bottkro &&
cuneiform
cuneiformera: era:aavery
veryinteresting
interestingpiece
piecefrom
fromthe the"middle
"middleera"era" isisaa
pahlevi But isis not
3535 But not absolutely
absolutely certain.
certain. The
The reference
reference might
might Kramer, op.cit.,
Kramer, 146:""...
op.cit., p.p. 146: trinquantau
... trinquant terre......"
ciel etetad lala terre
au cie/ "
debate ca11ed
pahlevi debate called "draxt-i
"draxt-i asurig",
aiurig", i.e.i.e. "The
"The Babylönian
Babylonian
Tree". conceivably be
conceivably be toto nothing
nothing more
more than
than the
the supposedly
supposedly frantic
frantic ["Enki's Journey
["Enki's Journey toto Nippur"
Nippur" 1.l12]
1.1121 and and ibid., p. 232: "".....
ibid., p.232: .
Tree". SeeSeeM.S.
M.S. Brunner,
Brunner,"The "TheFable
Fableof of the
theBabylonian
BabylonianTree" Tree" activitiesof ofthe
theimplements
implementsatatthat thattime
timeof ofthe
theyear.
year. Still,
Still,even
even
activities Trinquantadqui quimieux
mieuxmieux
mieuxau auCie/ terre....."."["Inan
Cieletetad lalaterre ["Inanna
22 "Enki
22 "Enki and and the
the World
World Order"
Order" 11.11. 17-19.
17-19. See Bottkro &&
See Bottero ininJournal
Journal of of Near
Near Eastern Studies 39
Eastern Studies 39(1980),
(1980),pp. 191-202&&
pp. 191-202 sothetheuseuseofof thetheterm
term"Disputation",
"Disputation", SumoSum.a-da-min,
a-da-min,remains
remains
Trinquant
andEnki"
Enki"1.1.iiii30].
301.IsIsthe
thereference
referenceperhaps
perhapssimplysimplytotoaadrinking
na
dxinking
so and
Kramer, op.cit., pp.
Kramer, op.cit., pp. 165-188
165-188and Kramer && Maier,
and Kramer Maier, op.cit.,
op.cit., 291-302.
291-302. The Theinfluence
influence of of the
the Mesopotamian
Mesopotamian examples examplesupon upon interesting,and
interesting, andintriguing
intriguingisisthetheinference
inferencethatthat the
theDisputation
Disputation contest??II do donotnotthink
think wewe had
had oneonebefore.
before. See Seenow now M. M. Stol,
Stol,
pp.
pp. 38-56.
38-56. the
thewide
wide spread
spreadof of the
the genre
genreininSyriac
Syriachomiletic
homiletic orordidactic
didactic contest
2323Botrero thenwould
then wouldbe performedatatset
beperformed dam.
setdates. "DeBabyioniers
"De Babylonigrsdronken dronkenbier"
bier"ininPhoenix
Phoenix37.1 37.1(1991),
(1991),pp. pp.24-
24-
Botero&&Kramer, op.cit.,p.p. 166
Kramer,op.cit., 166fn.fn. 1.1. literature
literaturehashasoften
oftenbeen
beenremarked
remarkedupon.upon.See Seee.g.e.g.S.S.Brock,
Brock,"The
"The Unpublished; only
3636 Unpublished; only available
availableinin dissertation
dissertation form:
form: A.A.
A.A. 39,forformany
manyinteresting
interestingobservations
observationson ondrink
drinkand anddrinking.
drinking.
*
24 AApair
ininthe
pairwhich
whichwe wewill
willmeet
meetagain,
again,andandwith withaavengeance,
vengeance, Dispute
DisputePoem:Poem:From From Sumer
Sumertoto Syriac"
Syriac" ininBayn al-Nahrayn77
Bayn al-Nahrayn Al-Fouadi, Enki'
AI-Fouadi, Enki's Journey toto Nippur:
s Journey Nippur: TheThe Journeys
Journeys of of the
the
39,
40 ItItmay
mayweIlwellbe onemore
beone moreinstance
instanceof ofintended
intendedintertextual
intertextual
theultimate
ultimatesection
sectionof ofthis
thiscontribution.
contribution. (1979),
(1979), pp.pp.426-417.
426-417. Gods,U.
Gods, U.Penn.
Penn. diss.,
diss., 1969.
1969.TheThe passage
passage isisH.11. 109-112.
109-112.See See ambiguity--reinforced, perhaps,by bythe
theoccurrence
occurrenceofofthe thesame
same
25Z5 ItItisisimportant
important toto notenote that
thatby by this
thisreasoning
reasoningone onemight
might 31 For
31 For the the basic
basic structure,
structure, see see mostmost conveniently
conveniently ambiguity reinforced, perhaps,
also say that for the Mesopotamians earnest is not equivalent Vanstiphout, nowBottero
now Bottkro&&Kramer,Kramer,op.cit.,
op.cit.,pp.
pp.142-150.
142-150. lineinintwo
line twoindependent
independentcompositions.
compositions.
also say that for the Mesopotamians earnest is not equivalenttoto Vanstiphout, AS AS 12 12 (1990),
(1990), esp.esp. pp. pp. 278-288.
278-288. For For thethe Atleast
leastsuchsuchisisthe
theinterpretation
interpretationgivengivenby by A.J.
A.J. Ferrara,
Ferrara,
doumess, 3737 At SeeC.
4141See C.Wilcke,
Wilcke,"Die "DieEmar-version
Emar-versionvon von"Dattelpalme
"Dattelpalmeund und
dourness,but but quite
quitecompatible
compatiblewith withpleasure
pleasure--aapoint pointwhich
which function,ititisisvery
function, very clear
clearthat
thatthetheSumerian
Sumerianpieces piecesasaswe wehave
have Nanna-Suen's
Nanna-Suen' JourneytotoNippur
s Journey Nippur(Studia
(StudiaPohl
PohlSeries
SeriesMaior
Maior2), 2), Tamariske'- -Ein EinRekonstruktionsversuch"
Rekons~mktionsversuch"ininZeitschrift Zeitschriftfür fur
they
they made quite unequivocally in the debate between"Bird
made quite unequivocally in the debate between "Birdand
and themfulfi11ed
them fulfilledaadidactic
didacticororrhetorical
rhetorical röle
rtileconnected
connectedwith withthe the . Tamariske'
Fish", Rome 1973
Rome 1973pp. pp. 147-148
147-148(see (seenownow M. St01ininPhoenix
M. Stol Phoenix 37.1 37.1 Assyriologie79
Assyriologie 79(1989),
(1989),p.p.169:
169:"Wie
"Wiediese
diese[seil.
[scil.thetheSumerian
Sumerian
Fish",for forwhich
whichsee seebelow.
below. learning
learningof ofSumerian
Sumeriancomparable
comparable totothe theLatin
Latindisputations
disputationsinin (1991)p.p.39
(1991) 39fn.fn.38 .
38. Disputations]breitet breitetunser
unserakkadisches
akkadischesWerk Werkenzyklopädisches
enzyklopadisches
2626For
Forwhich
whichsee seeiningeneral
generalabove,
above,fn. fn.8.8. the
theWestern
WesternEuropean
EuropeanMiddle
MiddleAges.Ages. Disputations]
Which I Iconfess
3838Which confessI Ido donotnotunderstand
understand completely.
completely. See,See, Wissenaus a mundundwurzelt
wurzeltsosoim imSchulbetrieb".
Schulbetrieb".
27 SeeSeeBottero Reinink&&Vanstiphout,
BottkroininReinink Vanstiphout,DPD DPD(see(seefn.
fn.8),
8), 3232M.
M.Civil,
Civil,"ISme-Dagan
"ISme-Daganand andEnlil's
Enlil's Chariot" Journal01of
Chariot"ininJournal however,the thenext
nextfootnote
footnoteforforananingenious
ingenioussolution
solutionby byBotrero
Botero
Wissen
and however, Thisisisnot
42This notaaparadox.
paradox. Literary
Literary history
history isisreplete
replete withwith
andVanstiphout,
Vanstiphout,AS AS 12,12,pp.
pp.272-276,
272-276,for formore
moredetails.
details. the
theAmerican
AmericanOriental Society88
OrientalSociery 88(1968),
(1968),pp. pp.3-14.
3-14.TheTheline
lineisis Kramer.
&&Kramer.
42
examplesofof"schools"
"schools"ororother otherorganized
organizedforms formsofoflearning
learningand and
28 In accordance with so many other Standard Sumerian
28 In accordance with so many other Standard Sumerian 84.
84.ForForthetheDisputation
Disputation ininquestion
question see seeH. H. Vanstiphout,
Vanstiphout,"On "On examples
literary SeeKramer
3939See Kramer&&Maier, Maier,op.cit.
op.cit.(see
(seefn.
fn.10),
lo),p.p.74.
74.While
WhileI I therefore ofof the
therefore the conservation
conservation and and creation
creation ofof literature
literature
literarytexts,
texts,aadatedateduring
duringthethereigns
reignsofofking
kingISme-Dagan
ISme-Daganand and the
theSumerian
SumerianDisputation
Disputationbetween
betweenthe theHoeHoeand andthethePlough"
Plough"inin donot
do notregard
regardthe matterasasc10sed
thematter closed- -indeed,
indeed,the theoccurence
occurenceofof functioningasasproducers
producersofofpieces
piecesforforsociety-at-Iarge,
society-at-large,wherein wherein
Lipit-IStar ofof Isin
Lipit-IStar Isin (1953-1924)
(1953-1924)for forthe
the bulk
bulk ofof our
ourNippur
Nippur Aula Orientalis22(1984),
AulaOrientalis (1984),pp.pp.239-251
239-251[henceforth:
[henceforth:AuOr].AuOrl. functioning
almost the
almost the same
sameline lineinin"Inanna
"Inanna and andEnki"
Enki" (see(see fn.
fn. 10
10and
and thesepieces
these piecesare aretotofulfill
fulfillaasecondary,
secondary,extra-literary,
extra-literary,function.
function.
exemplars
exemplarsseems seemsreasonable.
reasonable. 3333See Reiner&&D.
SeeE.E.Reiner D.Pingree,
Pingree,Enüma
EnlimaAnu Anu Enlil.
Enlil.Tablets
Tablets consult G. G .Farber,
Farber, Der Der Mythos
Mythos 'Inanna
'Inanna und und Enki' unter
Enki' unter
2929Both consult Maecenassupports
Maecenas supportsthe theschoolmaster
schoolmaster- -and andthe student--,, but
thestudent but
BothSulgi$ulgi (2094-2047)
(2094-2047)and andIbbi-Sin
Ibbi-Sin (2028-2004)
(2028-2004) areare 50-51,
50-51,(Bibliotheca Mesopotamica vol.
(Bibliotheca Mesopotamica vol.22fase.fasc.2),
2),Malibu
Malibu
besonderer Beriicksichfigungder
besondererBerücksichtigung derListe
Liste der
derME, (SfudiaPohl
hlE,(Studia Pohl doesnot notreplace
replacehirn.
him.
mentioned in the texts, apparently as
mentioned in the texts, apparently as referees. referees. 1981,
1981,p.82.
p. 82. does
 a4
14
14 H.L.
H. L.JJ.. VVAANS
N S TTIPHOUT
IPHOUT g8 TTHE
H E BBANQUET
A N Q U E T SSCENE N TTHE
C E N E IIN HE M E S O P O T A M I A N DDEBATE
MESOPOTAMIAN E B A T E PPOEMS
OEMS
15
15

5.2.1. To To take
take the
the latter
latter first:
first: sometimes
sometimes stated stated quite
quite In the
In the Disputation
Disputation between
between "Summer
"Summer and and And
And in in his"
his51 House-of-Life,
House-of-Life, holy holy abode
abode of of and
and no no doubt
doubt the the banqueting
banqueting hall, hall, there
there alsoalso arises
arises
5.2.1.
openly, some some other
other times
times indicated
indicated by by allusion,
allusion, we we Winter"46 -
WinterW46 - thethe first
first instance
instance of of this
this well-nigh
well-nigh kingship
kingshipfounded
founded by by An,
An, . implicitly
implicitly but unmistakabl)' the matter of
but unmistakably the matter of literal
literal
openly,
gather that
gather that generally
generally the the banquet
banquet leads leads to to universal controversy
universal controversy with, with, for
for North-Western
North-Western When
When you you havehaveprepared
prepared at at that
thatplace
plaee of ofheart's
heart' s precedence.
precedence. In In this
this way
way the the banquet
banquet theme theme can can be
be said
said
content a succulent banquet.. .. - to have caused the quarrel and the ensuing dispute.
controversies ifif not
controversies not squabbles,
squabbles, fromfrom which
which situation
situation aa European sensibilities,
European sensibilities, thethe unexpected
unexpected victoryvictory of of content a sueculent banquet .... to have caused the quarrel and the ensuing dispute.
proper or or formal
formal debate
debate arises.
arises. The
The difficulty
difficulty is, is, ofof Winter47 -
WinteI4, the banquet
the banquet theme,
theme, apart
apart from
from some
some less
less Winter There
There is is more.
more. After
After the the debate
debate has has been
been concluded
concluded
proper -
Winter continues
continues his his argument
argument by by stating
stating that
that he,
he,
course, that while in heroic or mythical narrative the important stray
important stray references
references with
with only
only general
general import,
import, Winter, on
on either side, Enlil gives his verdict, which
either side, Enlil gives his verdict, which is is inin
course, that while in heroic or mythical narrative the Winter, is is as
as important
important as as Summer
Summer for for this
this banquet.
banquet.
banquet servesserves as as aa confirmation
confirmation of of harmony
harmony as as much
much is explicitly
is explicitly present
present at
at two
two points
points in
in the
the piece.
piece. But favour of Winter. And here the text
favour of Winter. And here the text has a nice though has a nice though
banquet But the
the point
point is is that
that the
the whole
whole of of the
the argument,
argument, on on
as it creates the occasion for important decision- In aa first
first episode
episode (lines
(lines 6232-235')4x
'232-235')48 the the banquet
banquet both uncommon
uncommon interludeinterlude before
before the traditional ending:
thetraditional ending: the the
as it creates the occasion for important decision- In both sides, derives
derives fromfrom their
their preparations
preparations for for this
this
making, we we seesee here
here that
that the
the banquet
banquet is is seen
seen as as an an motif is used in argument by Winter4 happening contenders are explicitly reconcilied
contenders are explicitly reconcilied - by way - by way of of aa
making, motif is used in argument by Winter@: 9:
happening in in the
the House-of-Life,
House-of-Life, where,where, according
according to to
occasion 43 for dis-harmony, resulting in verbal
occasion43 for dis-harmony, resulting in verbal you have made a pperjeet feast for the gods, the lines quoted, a sumptuous
surnptuous feast is to be held. It is
banquet
banquet which
which Summer
Summ~r presentspresents to Winter!!
to Winter
When you e ~ e cfeast
t for
fighting, and
fighting, and so so in
in aa disputation.
disputation. The The indications
indications are are in this context, while the contenders are bringing their EmeS
Emes bowed
bowed before
before Enten57
Enten57 and and blessed
blessed him; him;
The AnunndO
Anunna50 clothe their bodies with a Cfestive) (festive)
plentiful, and a few quotations
plentiful, and a few quotations may serve as may serve as "offerings"
"offerings" to the House-of-Life, that they fall out. In
In his house he prepared beer and wine
his house he prepared beer and winefor for him;
him;
garment.
garment.
ill ustrations.
illustrations. The text could do with some elucidation, but in With
With those at their side they pass the time at
those at their side they pass the time at aa
In the
In the Akkadian
Akkadian Disputation
Disputation betweenbetween "Ox "Ox and and general it seems to say that: sumptuous
~ee Vanstiphout, AS AS 12 12 (1990),
(1990), p. p. 273
273 withwith fns.
fns. 20-22
20-22
sumptuous banquet.banquet.
Horse" the occasion of the Debate
Horse" the occasion of the Debate is squarely put in is squarely put in 46 See Vanstiphout,
(a) Summer decides to drive the (young ?) cattle
for more information and references to earlier treatments. The EmeS
Emd givesgives gold
gold andand silver
silver to to Enten.
Enten.
terms of a Banquet:
terms of a Banquet: piece seems
piece seems to to be
be the
the longest
longest of of the
the Sumerian
Sumerian Debate Debate poems
poems House-of-Life52;
to the House-of-Life52; In
In brotherly
brotherly love love and and friendship
friendship they they shall
shall
The Ox
The Ox and
and the
the Horse
Horse became
beeame friends,
friends, and surely deserves a provisional edition, since about 250
reasonably preserved
preserved lines lines outout of of aa putative
putative 300-odd
300-odd areare (b) Winter, being tired, grows jealous53; jealous53 ; henc&orth
henceforth alternate,
alternate,
Their bellies were sated with the luscious pasture,
pasture, reasonably
Their bellies were sated with the luscious (c) And
And they
they shall
shall comfort
comfort each eaeh other's
other' s mind mind by
In their pleasure they engaged in a dispute4 4•
available in published form. (c) Winter therefore starts the quarrel quarreion on precisely by
In their pleasure they engaged in a disp~te4~. 47 Well,
47 WeIl, perhaps the North-Westem
North-Western European slant should
this point, sa;r"ng:
sajing: sweet talk and so make each
sweet talk and so make each other glad58 • other glads8.
It should
should be be noted
noted thatthat this
this friendly
friendly startstart of of thethe not be
not be exaggerated
exaggerated in in importance.
importance. See See thethe opening
opening of of the
the
It EmeS It
It would
would probably
probably be be going
going too too far
far to
to assume
assume that that
altercation is on the whole absent from the earlier, partimen between Felip Dalmau de Rocaberti and Jacme J acme March Emd 54, 54, my brother, do not praise yourself yourselj so !!
altercation is on the whole absent from the earlier, (1335 ?-1410),
(1335 ?-1410), in in which
which the the first
first one,
one, the
the viscount,
viscount, challenges
challenges the
the authors
authors of of this
this piece
piece had had seen seen thethe ideological
ideological
Sumerian, material.
material. Moreover
Moreover it it seems
seems belied
belied in in the
the the other
other to take the
to take the part
part ofof either
either summer
summer or or winter:
winter: All
All that you are canying
carrying to the palace as a gift difficulty
Sumerian, the difficulty in in connection
connection with with thethe function
function of of aa banquet
banquet
development of the argument at least
development of the argument at least as far as we can as far as we can Mosen Jacme, si-us si'us plats, vullats triar friar Has not been made through through your effort --do not which, as an instance of good cheer, should make
D' ests dos partits
D'ests partüs qual millor vos parria which, as an instance of good cheer, should make
follow
follow it. it. In
In any
any case,
case, the
the function
function of of the
the debate
debate as as aa brag !
brag! people friends, but which in this instance has led to aa
L' Estiu havets que non podets mudar, mudar, people friends, but which in this instance has led to
piece of entertainment during a banquet
piece of entertainment during a banquet seems to be seems to be Fforts, caloros,
caloros, tal com corn usa mant dia As ifif you yourself (alone ?)
yourselj (alone ?) had done the hard vicious quarrel. But it is unmistakable that the banquet
vicious quarrel. But it is unmistakable that the banquet
confirmed by these lines, which
confirmed by these lines, which at the same time at the same time o
0forts Ivern qui'us
quius tendra'n sa batlia, batlia, workS5;
work 55 ;
as the
as the conclusion
concIusion of of the
the piece
piece is is meant
meant to to reconciliate.
reconciliate.
introduce Car jaja vesets aci com sab sub usar.
introduce the the banquet
banquet into into the
the Debate
Debate -- with with no no Per que,
usar. [ete.] ......................
[etc.] .................... Although the state of preservation
Although the state of preservation of "Tree of "Tree and and
change in function. que, prenets aquell que mills vos par:
change in function. Gran
Gran calt fret, qual
cult 0o fret, qual queque mays
mays vos playria
vos playria You
Y ou are about to to enter the
the palace
palaee inin this
this way with Reed"59 is not such that we can
Reed"59 is not such that we can speak with certainty,speak with certainty,
Somewhat
Somewhat similar similar isis the
the introduction
introduction to to the
the debate
debate Qu' envas mon
Qu'envas
"Sir
mon corfs]
cor[s] eu eu ben
ben say
say qual prendria.
qualprendria. rn efforts
. l11Y.. efforts !56.
P6. the probability
the probability is is great
great thatthat in in this
this composition
composition the the
between "Tamarisk and Palm": "Sir Jacme,
Jacme, if if you
you please
please choose
choose banquet motif is used in a way much like the treatment
between "Tamarisk and Palm": Of
Of these
these two
two parties
parties which
which one one seems
seems best
best to to you:
you: The drift of what is is happening is is clear:
clear: a great banquet motif is used in a way much like the treatment
[The
[The king]
king] planted
planted thethe Palm
Palm in in his
his eourtyard
courtyard ... . .. Have banquet is is to be held. The The contenders
contenders are are the persons in "Winter
in "Winter and and Summer"
Summer" -- with with oneone interesting
interesting
Have summer,
summer, which which you you may
may not not alter,
alter,
[He Mighty
Mighty hot,hot, asas itit will
will be be for
for many
many days, who have to provide for this this feast.
feast. And they are are detail. In "Tree and Reed"
detail. In "Tree and Reed" the matter of the matter of literal
literal
[He planted] the Tamarisk. In the shade of the
planted] the Tamarisk. In the shade of the Or
days, who
Tamarisk Or mighty
mighty winter,
winter, which
which will will hold
hold you
you in in its
its power,
power, about the the other'
other'ss contribution.
contribution. Since
Since they are are precedence is quite explicitly
precedence is quite explicitly put60: pup:
Tamarisk [he [he arranged]
arranged] For
For you
you can
can already
already see what itit will
see what will be
be like.
like.
jealous about
A all thewhile
all the while carrying
carrying the the produce
produce towards
towards the the Palace,
Palace, Then, whenTreeentered
when Tree entered the the Palace
Palace
A banquet;
banquet; in in the
the shade
shade ofthe
of the Palm
Palm [[......I..
] ...?5.
45. So
So take
take whichever
whichever seems seems bestbest toto you:
you: Then,
Great
Great heat
heat oror cold,
cold, whichever
whichever should should please
please you you more,
more, Reed passed before Tree.
Details
Details are are uncertain;
uncertain; but but itit seems
seems reasonable
reasonable to to While
While I,I, for
for mymy part,
part, already
already know
know whatwhat II would
would choose".
choose". ~King King Ibbi-Sin,
Ibbi-Sin, who who waswas mentioned
mentioned in in 1.1. 230,
230, andand
Reed passed before Tree.
suppose
suppose that the ensuing debate, as part
that the ensuing debate, as part of of the the apparently,therefore,
therefore,hashas arranged
arranged the
the festival.
festival. Tree threw
Tree threw ReedReed to to the
the ground,
ground, sent sent him him back
back
[Ed.
[Ed. M.A. Bossy, op.cit.
M.A. Bossy, op.cif.in in fn.
fn. 88 pp.
pp. 16-25].
16-25]. NoteNote that
that this
this apparently,
banquet al
banquet a1fresco,
fresco, hashas also
also been
been arranged
arranged by by the
the king.
king. attitude
attitude of basic irrelevance
of basic irrelevance of of the
the opposition
opposition seems seems aa deep
deep Lines '104-196':
52 Lines
52 '104-196': e-me-es
6-me-eS dumu
dumu ur-sagur-sag den-lil-la-keJe
den-lil-li-ke& where he
where he eame
camefrom from6*. 61 •
structural
structuraland and ideological
ideologicalfeaturefeatureof of the
the genre
genre in in Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia as as nam-ti-la e6 den-lil-Ia-se
nam-ti-la den-lil-l&Sbnidba nidba na-gld-de/mas
na-gid-d&/m5ias-gar-bi
hi-gkr-bi udu bur-
udu bur-
~or the matter of the occasions at which Diputations
43 For the matter of the occasions at which Diputations
weH
well as as in
in Mediaeval
Mediaeval Europe. Europe. Surely
Surely the the partimen
partimen genre genre in in sag-gi. Sources
sag-ga. Sources as as fn.
fn. 49.
49.
arise,
arise, see
see Vanstiphout,
Vanstiphout, AS AS 1212 (1990),
(1990), pp.pp. 281-284
281-284 [section
[section Occitan
Occitan is is very
very clear
clear on on this
this point.
point. See Vanstiphout, AS
See Vanstiphout, AS 12,12, Lines '109-112':
53 Lines
53 ' 109-112': en-te-en
en-te-en a-kus-a
Ck6S-a zag-se kG-a-ni-S&// se
zag-% kus-a-ni-se Se 57 1.e. Winter.
57 I.e. Winter.
2.2.
2.2. locus
locus and
and occasio
occasio litigandi].
litigandi]. pp.
pp. 278-281
278-281 and now id.
and now id. inin Reinink Vanstiphout, DPD
Reinink && Vanstiphout, DPD (n. (n. ab-sin-na gu-pes-a-ni
ab-sin-na gh-peg-a-nigig gig ziz
ziz aa su-ta
Su-ta im-mi-in-dug
im-mi-in-dug,-ga-na
4 -ga-na // nu-
nu- Lines '310-315':
5xLines
58 '310-315': e-me-es
6-me-& en-te-en-ra
en-te-en-ra im-ma-an-si-in-gam
im-ma-an-5-in-gam
44 Lamben, BWL, p. 177,11. A (= K 3456 + DT 43) obv.
44 Lambert, B WL, p. 177, 11. A (= K 3456 + DT 43) obv.
8),
8),passim,
passim, but but esp.
esp. pp.pp. 25-27
25-27 and and 39-41.
39-41. erim2-gin,
erim bar-ta im-ta-gub
2-gin7 bar-ta im-ta-gub da-bi nu-mu-un-tag-ge// bur-sag
&-bi nu-mu-un-tag-ge bur-sag en-en- u-gul mu-na-an-gi-gi // e-a-ni
h-gul mu-na-an-ga-ga 6-a-ni kasulusin
kazuluiin kurun ba-ni-in-s&&I/
kurun sisi ba-ni-in-sa-sa
21-23.
21-23. Despite
Despite thethe fragmentary
fragmentary state state ofof the
the text
text itit seems
seems to to 48
4x The
The line
line count
count isis provisional,
provisional, since since itit can
can bebe based
based only
only te-en-ra udub
te-en-ra udub mu-na-te
mu-na-te e-me-eS-ra
6-me-eS-ra dU d ~14, bf-in-gar.
,bi-in-gar. Sources
Sources as as in
in zag-bi-a subun nig-dug-[geJ U4 mi-ni-in-zaPzal1-[le-esJ // e-me-
zag-bi-a Subun nig-dhg-[gel u4 mi-ni-in-~al-~zd'-[le-el;] C-me-
conform on
on dead
dead reckoning
reckoning from from published
published tab1ets
tablets and
and numbers
numbers given
given to fn. 49.
fn.49. en-te-en-rakug-sig
eSen-te-en-ra kug-sig,,. kug-babbar mu-un-na-ba-ba-e// nam-sei
kug-babbar mu-un-na-ba-ba-e nam-Sel
conform reasonably
reasonably weH well to to the
the Sumerian
Sumerian pattern.
pattern. SeeSee also
also to es 17
M.E.
M.E. Vogelzang,
Vogelzang, "Some "Some Questions
Questions aboutabout thethe Akkadian
Akkadian stray
straylines
linesinin secondary
secondaryliterature.
literature. 54 1.e. Summer.
54 I.e. Summer. nam-dhg-sazal-le-gin7
nam-dug-sa I-im-bal-bal-e-ne// murub
zal-le-gin7i-im-bal-bal-e-ne murub,-ba inim-dhg-
-ba inim-dug-
Disputes",
Disputes", pp.pp. 47-48
47-48 in Reinink &
in Reinink Vanstiphout, DPD
& Vanstiphout, DPD (n. (n. 8).
8). 49
49 The
The lines
lines are:
are: ezen
ezen dingir-re-e-ne-ke4
dingir-re-e-ne-ke4su Su u-mu-si-ib-duT
h-mu-Si-ib-du7- Lines '113-116':
55 Lines
55 ' 113-116': e-me-es
BmseS ses-mu
SeS-mu ni ni silim-se na-an-e-en//
silim-K?na-an-e-en ga ga-ga-ne
ga gi-gi-ne tM-bi
t6S-bi ba-dug-ge-es.
ba-dhg-ge-eS. Sources:
Sources: NiNi44572
4572 ++ 4530
4530
45 Lambea, BWL
45 Lambert, BWL p. p. 155;
155; text
text A A (IM 53946 && IM
(IM 53946 IM 53975)
53975) dU7/
du7/da-nun-na-ke4-ne
da-nun-na-ke4-nebar-kug-babar-kug-ba tug t6g mu-ne-glil/e-nam-ti-la
mu-ne-gil/C-nam-ti-la ki- ki- nig-buml4
nfg- kadra e-gal-se
buru l4 kadra 6 - g a l 4 a-na mu-e-t6m-a-zu // a-kus-a-zu-gin
a-na mu-e-tum-a-zu 8-k6S-a-zu-gin7
7
2 67-7- ++ 65];
[ISET267-7-
[ISET 651; Ni
Ni 2705
2705 [SLTNi 161;Ni
[SLTNi 16]; Ni 4537 [ISET 11
4537 [ISET
obv.ll.
obv. U. 6-8.
6-8. Note
Note that
that the
the form
form ofof the
the fragments
fragmentsas as weIl
well as as their tus-kug
tuS-kug nam-Iugal-Ia
nam-lugal-la an-ne an-n6 gar-ra-na/ki-ur5-saä-ge
gar-ra-natki-ur5-Sag-gesubun Subun nig- na-ra-dim ni
na-ra-dim na-an-b6r-bh-en // lu
ni na-an-bUr-blir-en 16 du-Ium-bi
du-lum-bi mu-e-il-[a-gin
mu-e-8-[a-gin7]. 1931;Ni Ni 9845
9845 [ISET
[ISET11199];1991;UET
UET6.16.1 37.
37.
their nig- 7]. 193];
relationships
relationships tend
tend to
to indicate
indicate that
that this
this debate
debatecame
came to
to belong
belong to to dhg-ge sisi um-mi-sa-sa.
dug-ge um-mi-si-d. Sources: Sources: Ni 4572 ++ NI
Ni 4572 NI 4530
4530 [ISET2
[ISET 2 Sourcesas
Sources as in
in gn.
gn. 49.
49. See Vanstiphout,
5959 See Vanstiphout, AS AS 12,
12,pp.
pp. 273-274.
273-274.
popular,
popular,notnot learned
learned oror Academic,
Academic, literature.
literature.See Lambert, ibid.
SeeLambert, ibid. 67-70 + 651; CBS
67-70 +65]; CBS 8310 [MBI 71 ++ Ni
8310 [MBI7] Ni 9724
9724 [ISET2
[ISET 2 66]661++Ni Ni Line '120':
56Line
56 '120': a-kus-a-mu-ta
8-k6l-a-mu-ta e-gal-a
6-gal-aa-gin
a-gin,7 irn-da-ku4-re-en.
im-cia-ku4-re-en. See provisionaHy
60 See provisionally Vanstiphout,
Vanstiphout, ASAS 12,
12,pp.
pp. 282
282 with
with fn.
fn.
pp.
pp. 151-152.
151-152. See See also
also Vogelzang
Vogelzang in in Reinink
Reinink && Vanstiphout,
Vanstiphout, 3167
3167 [SLTNi
[SLWi 18J 181++Ni Ni 9782
9782 [/SET
[ISET1173].1 1731. Source: CBS
Source: CBS 8310 [MBI 71++Ni
8310 [MBI7J Ni 9724
9724 [ISET2
[ISET266) 661++Ni Ni 3167
3167 76.
76.
DPD
DPD (n. (n. 8).
8). 5050I.e.
1.e.the
thegreat
greatgods.
gods. [SLTNi 18J
[SLTNi 181++NiNi9782
9782 [ISET
[ISET 11173].
1731. Literally"to
61 Literally "to his
hisabode".
abode".
16 H.L.J. VANSTlPHOUT THE B A N Q U E T S C E N E I N THE M E S O P O T A M I A N DEBATE POEMS
THE BANQUET SCENE IN THE MESOPOTAMIAN DEBATE POEMS 17
17

But there is still another way in which a banquet conscious awareness

awareness of ofthe
the r6le
röle of
ofthe
thebanquet
banquet motifmotif may
conscious may substantially,
substantially, i.e. Le. by by and
and during
during its its course,
course, (b) Banquets, or allusions to feasts and banquets,
canBut therea is
cause still another
dispute way inInwhich
or a quarrel. a banquet
the Disputation in such a context in "regular" debates. cause a quarrel (or drunken brawl ?), (b) Banquets, or allusions to feasts and banquets,
can cause a dispute or a quarrel. In the Disputation in such a context in "regular" debates. cause a quarrel (or drunken brawl ?), which then which then are rather frequently used in argument, either as
between "Ewe and Grain"62, to which we will becomes are rather frequently used in argument, either as
between The second
The second case case is is that
that ofof "Bird
"Bird and and FisV67.
Fish"67. In In becomes the the Disputation72;
Disputation72; or or again
again aa Disputation
Disputation substance or as occasion. The most striking
presently "Ewe return, andwe findGrainV62,
as part to of thewhich we will
introduction may substance or as occasion. The most striking
presently return, we find as part of the introduction this exciting
this exciting tale-cum-debate
tale-cum-debate the the banquet
banquet is is only
only may bebe commanded
commanded at at the
the occasion
occasion of ofaa banqiiet73.
banquet73. instance is, of course, "Ewe and Wheat"79, but the
the verses: II would instance is, of course, "Ewe and Wheat"79, but the
the verses: present in
present in the
the background.
background. Both Both contenders
contenders now ~o~ and and would insist that at least ostensibly the
insist that at least ostensibly the last
last case,
case, motif is used in almost every one of the better
They drank sweet wine, then make
make use use of of the
the motif.
motif. But,
But, although
although this thIS islS not
not viz.
viz. the express command of a Disputation as
the express command of a Disputation as motif is used in almost every one of the better
They drank sweet wine, then preserved pieces, as we have shown in the
They drank tasty beer; really elaborated in a systematic way, the general drift entertainment
entertainment during
during aa banquet,
banquet, is is actually
actually rare
rare preserved pieces, as we have shown in the
They drank tasty beer; really elaborated in a systematic way, the general drift previous section. The main difference with the use
And when they had drunk sweet wine is that
that Fish
Fish mentions
mentions its its own
own importance
importance as as aastapie late74 . Since
and late74.
and Since we we do
do have
have independent
independent evidence
evidence previous section. The main c;lifference with the use
is staple of banquets in 'serious' narratives0 seems to be
And when they had drunk sweet wine food at these banquets 68 , to which Bird retorts by
for theperfomance
for the perfonnance of of Disputations
Disputations at at communal
communal of banquets in 'serious' narrative80 seems to be
And sated themselves on tasty beer, food at these banquets68, to which Bird retorts by twofold: on the one hand an insistence on down-
And sated themselves on tasty beer, pointing out out that
that this
this isis certainly
certainly true,
true, since ~lso Bird
since also B~d occasions
occasions and and festivals75,
festivals 75, since
since aa highly
highly probable
probable twofold: on the one hand an insistence on down-
They started a quarrel in the midst of the watered pointing to-earth, factual, aspects of a feast (good and
They started a quarrel in the midst of the watered eats Fish 69 , and furthermore by 0ppOSlllg thiS reason
reason for
for performance
performance of of the dispute^^^
the Disputes 76 would
would to-earth, factual,aspects of a feast (good and
fields, eats Fish69, and furthermore by opposing this plentiful food and drink); on the other hand a
fields, utilitarian value
value of of Fish
Fish forfor the
the festivities
festivities by by Bird's
Bird's seem
seem toto be
be their
their entertainment
entertainment value value anyway,
anyway, and and plentiful food and drink); on the other hand a
They held a wrangle in the Dining Hall. 63 utilitarian realistic approach consisting in the awareness that
They held a wrangle in the Dining Hall.63 nobler calling: that of adorning the banquets and other since
since the
the banquet
banquet themetheme is is never
never far
far away,
away, either
either realistic approach consisting in the awareness that
nobler calling: that of adorning the banquets and other such occasions can get out of hand, and cause
Here a new slant is given to the motif of the debate as festivities by its beauty and its song 70 . Incidentally, it directly or indirectly,
indirectly, it it seems
seems to to me
me that
that atat least
least aa such occasions can get out of hand, and cause
Here a new slant is given toThe the text
motifsurelyof themeansdebatethat
as festivities by its beauty and its song70.Incidentally, it directly or 'vulgar squabbles' instead of the ponderous and
after-dinner entertainment. possible way out oui of of this
this conundrum
conundrum would would 'vulgar squabbles' instead of the ponderous and
after-dinner entertainment. The text surely
the contenders are somewhat inebriate, and that this is means that is
is on
to
on this
this argument
Bird.
argument that that the
the verdict
verdict ultimately
ultimately will will gogo possible way
consist in
consist in ascribing
ascribing to
...
to the
the composers
composers of of these
these
earnest 'deliberations' of the great gods. Here too,
eamest 'deliberations ' of the great gods. Here too,
the reason
contenders to Bird. irony, even satire, is obviously presents1.
the whyare somewhat
a quarrel breaksinebriate,
out. and that this is 5.2.2. pieces, certainly
certainly the the earlier
earlier onesones77, more irony, even satire, is obviously present81.
the reason why a quarrel breaks out. 5.2.2. Summing
Summing up, up, one
one may may roughly
roughly discern
discern the the pieces, 77 , more
(c) A third general feature consists in the apparent
The better preserved Debates provide us with two following as characteristic and somewhat
following as characteristic and somewhat interlocking interlocking sophistication, subtlety
sophistication, subtlety and and irony
irony than
than would
would be be (c) A third general feature consists in the apparent
more Thecases
betterwhich,
preservedwhileDebates provide
of rninor us with still
importance, two features apparent at first
first sighC
sight78.8. structural fuzziness of the banquet theme as used
more cases which, while of minor importance, still features of of thethe use
use of of the
the banquet
banquet motif motif in in the
the apparent structural fuzziness of the banquet theme as used
in the Disputations. This works on two levels.
are not without interest. First there is the "Hoe and Disputations:
Disputations: in the Disputations. This. works on two levels.
Plough"64 from which the banquet motifand
are not without interest. First there is the "Hoe is First, in most instances82 it is not clear whether the
First, in most instances82 it is not dear whether the
P l o ~ g h " 6by from
~ its absence
whichinthe banquet (a) A
(a) A banquet
banquet may may serve
serve as as the
the occasion
occasion for for aa
conspicuous the most literalmotif
sense ofis
Disputation. ~his
72 This obtains
obtains in
in "Ox
"Ox and
and Rorse"
Horse" and
and "Ewe
"Ewe and
and Wheat".
Wheat".
banquet theme is presented as something
banquet theme ispresented as something
conspicuous by its absence in the most literal sense of Disputation. This This can can occur
occur in in three
three ways.
ways. The The Still, the
the 'drunken
'drunken brawl'brawl' should
should be be approached
approached with with some
some incidental, external to the Disputation, or as one of
what overworked expression. Indeed, the banquet organisation incidental, external to the Disputation, or as one of
what overworked expression. Indeed, the banquet organisation or announcement of a banquet may
or announcement of a banquet may Still,
circumspection.As As aa rule
rule one
one would
would expect
exmctdrunken
drunken quarrels
auarrels to to the subjects of the debate83. Second, although the
motif is absent as such. But within Hoe' s argument, give circumspection. the subjects of the debate 83 . Second, although the
within Hoe's argument, give rise
rise toto aa situation
situation in in which
which aa quarrel
quarrel starts
starts makemuch much use use ofofstraightforward
straightforwardabuse, abuse,strings
stringsof of rude
rudeepithelS
epithets Disputations are generally in a humorous- vein,
itmotif is absent
is replaced byasthesuch.
almostButbucolic scene describing over a matter of precedence 71 - surely an make
or thethe like.
like. ThisThis actually
actually Occurs
occurs -- but but notnot generally
generally inin Disputations are generally in a humorous vein,
it is replaced by the almost bucolic scene describing over a matter of precedence71 - surely an or many of the refereices to aspects of a banquet are
the weary labourers, resting at night with their important Disputations !!On On the
the other
other hand
hand itit isisprevalent
prevalent inin aa number
number of of many of the references to aspects of a banquet are
the weary companion,
labourers, resting at night with each
their important element banquet---;
element atat aa banquet ; oror aa banquet
banquet Disputations
dialogues, for for which
which see vrovisionallv B.
see provisionally B. Aister
Alster inin FFs. merely factual, and certainly not jocular in
inseparable simple hoe, and telling dialogues, s. merely factual, and certainly not jocular in
inseparable companion, simple hoe,
other stories - stories which themselves replace and telling each @&gaard (see
Lflkkegaard (seen.n. 57)
57)and
andK. K-van
van derderToom,
TOO&, "The "The Ancient
AncientNearNear themselves. One is sometimes tempted to intemret
other stories - stories which themselves replace ~ee 67 See Vanstiphout,
Vanstiphout, AS AS 12,
12, p.p. 275
275 andand 301-303;
301-303; alsoalso ~.B. EasternLiterary
LiteraryDialogue
Dialogueas asaaVehiele
Vehicleof ofCritical
criticalReflection"
Reflection"inin themselves. One is sometimes tempted to interpret
another feature which is "missing" from this text: the Alster
Eastem this apparent 'earnestnes~'~4 as a subsidiary
another featureintroduction'
which is "missing" from this Alster, "Sumerian
"Sumerian Literary
Literary Dialogues
Dialogues and and Debates
Debates and and thelr
their Reinink && Vanstiphout,
Reinink Vanstiphout, DPD D P D (n. (n. 8),
8), pp.
pp. 5959 ff.
ff. The
The only
only this apparent 'earnestness '84 as a subsidiary
'mythological is replaced by text: the
a story Place
Placeinin Ancient
Ancient NearNear Eastem
Eastern Literature"
Literature" inin E. E. Keck
Keck et.et. al.
al. Disputation where
Disputation where abuse
abuse occurs
occursinin any any significant
significant way way isis the
the motivation of the genre: an attempt to grapple
motivation of the genre: an attempt to grapple
'mythological introduction' is replaced
which explains that Enlil first wields the hoe after the by a story (eds.),
(eds.), Living
Living Waters.
Waters. Scandinavian
Scandinavian Orientalistic
Orientalistic Studies
Studies atypicaland
atypical andfable-like
fable-like"Bird
"Bird andandFish"
Fish"--for forobvious
obviousreasons,
reasons, with, or philosophize about, the material
with, or philosophize about, the material
which of
waters explains that have
the flood Enlil receded
first wields
6S . Itthe hoe after
is argued the
here
Presented
PresentedtotoProf Prof.Dr.
Dr. Frede Lokkegaard,Copenhagen
FredeLfjkkegaard, Copenhagen1990, 1990, because there
because therethe the dispute
disputeproper
proper isisaccompanied
accompaniedby by violence.
violence. conditions of life. I would suggest that the levity
pp.1-1-16
pp. 16(passim).
(passim). . •• Notealso alsothat
thatthc thecorrect
correctandandprecise
preciseterm termforfor"quarrei",
"quarrel", Sum.Sum. conditions of life. I would suggest that the levity
waters of the flood have receded65.
that this replacement of a sumptuous banquet by a It is argued here 6868See e.g.line 101: buruI4-ezen-gm7 mu-da-u?l~le-es en-tar-
Note is all-pervading, and is more a matter of the pieces
See e.g. line 101: buru14-ezen-gin7mu-cia-hul-le-ei &tar- du14-mu, is rarely used in the real disputations,
dUI4-mu, is rare1y used in the real disputations, but is widely but is widely is all-pervading, and is more a matter of the pieces
that this replacement
people'sofevening
a sumptuous
meal isbanquet by a as a whole, of their structure and their rhetoric,
simple working to be placed mu
mui-gal:i-g51:"At"At the
theRarvest
HarvestFestival
Festival the thepeople rejoiceo~er
peoplereJolce overme me usedininsome"Dialogues".
used some "Dialogues". For Forthese
thesereasons
reasonsI Icannot
cannotaccept
accept as a whole, of their structure and their rhetoric,
simple working people's evening meal is to be placed and
andtake takecare
careofofmeme!".!".Sources:
Sources:Ni Ni9803 (ISET2274);
9803(ISET 74);NINi9673· Alster's andvan vander Toorn's
derToorn' viewofofthe thevery
veryelose
closerelationship
relationship than of details. In the best pieces the irony or even
on the same structural level as that other clever 9673 Alster' s and s view thanof d~tails. In the best pieces the irony or even
on the same66 .structural (ISET272);
(ISET 2 72);3N-T3N-T927,521 (SLFN55);
927, 521(SLFN 55);UETUET6.140;6.1 40;UET
UET6.1 between the the(abusive)
(abusive)Dialogues
Dialoguesand andour ourDisputations.
Disputations. The The
substitution The leastlevel one canas that say other
is thatclever
this 41'
4 1;BM 65 147++68049
BM65147 68049(CT (CT42424242++S85871-72).
71-72).
6.1 between
relationshipseems seemstotome memore
moreaamatter
matterofofformal
formalproperties
propertieson on
satire is to be found in the handling of the
satire is to be found in the handling of the
substitution66. The least one can say is that this relationship
replacement could only happen because of the , 69 See lines 70-71: dUI3-duITla-zu-ta sä-du&-5e ma-an-gar 58 the discourse level only. An investigation of the precise generic
69 See lines 70-71: du13-du13-15-ZU-ta SSL-du&-Si: ma-an-gar $2 the discourse level only. An invcstigation of the precise generic
replacement could only happen because of the gal-mu-5e
gal-mu-%mu-e-sum mu-e-sum/ /gal-gal-zu ki-gisbun-na-ka[ [ ]-bUr-~u
gal-gal-zuki-gisbun-na-ka 1-btk-mu andtypological
and typologicalrelationships
relationshipsbetween
betweenDisputations,
Disputations,Dialogues,
Dialogues,
na-nam
na-nam "Your "Your young,
young, every
every oneoneofof them, them, are are mymy dally
daily "School Essays",
Essays",and and"Didactic
"Didactictexts"texts"(such(suchasasthe theFields
Fields0/of
"School 79 See next section.
~ee B. Alster & H. Vanstiphout, "Lahar and Ashnan. allotment
allotmentwhich whichyouyouhand
handoveroverforformy myfood.
food./ /YYour
our grown
grown Ninurtaororthe theFarmer'
Farmer's Almanac),seems seemstotobebeindicated.
indicated.But But ~ee next section.
See B.andAlster & H.ofVanstiphout, "Lahar and in Ashnan. Ninurta s Almanac), For which see above, section 4.2.
Presentation
Presentation and
Analysis a Sumerian Disputation"
Analysispp.of1-43
a Sumerian Disputation"
Acta
in Acta
ones
onesare arejust
justasascertain
certainmy myprovision
provisionatatthe thebanqueting
banquetinghall".hall". firstwe
first wewant
wantmanymanymore moreadequately
adequatelypublished compositions... .
publishedcompositions .. 8081For which see above, seetion 4.2.
And of the same order and nature as some features of "The
Sumerologica 9 (1987), and Vanstiphout in AS 12, Sources:
Sources:CBS CBS4915 (PBS10.221);
4915(PBS 10.2 21);NiNi9673 (ZSET272);
9673(ISET 2 72);UET
UET 7373SoSO L'Tamari~k
"Tamarisk andPalm".
and Palm". 81 And of the same order and nature"The
as some features ofof"The
Sumerologica 9 (1987), pp. 1-43 and Vanstiphout in AS 12, Tale of the Fox". See Vanstiphout, Importance 'The
pp. 274-275.
pp.63274-275.
6.140;
6.1 40;AO A 05396 (TCL1531).
5396(TCL 15 31).My Myuse 'retort'isissome",:~t
useofof'retort' somewhat Onlyunequivocally
7474Only unequivocallysosoinin''Tamarisk
"Tamariskand andPalm".
Palm".But Butsee see Taleofofthe
Tale theFox".
Fox"' See
(ASVanstiphout,
10, 1988), pp."The Importance
191-227, esp. of
pp.'The
210-
Lines 65-70. See Alster & Vanstiphout, AS 9, pp. 18-19 loose
loose,sincesinceFishFishuses
usesthe
therelated
relatedargument
argumentonly onlylater.
later.But
ButItitlSis nextsection.
next section. Tale
7 1 1 of the Fox'" (AS 10, 1988), pp. 191-227, esp. pp. 210-
63 Lines 65-70.
and Vanstiphout, ASSee12 Alster & Vanstiphout,
pp. 281-283 ASinformation
for further 9, pp. 18-19 more'
AII.
211.
andbroader
Vanstiphout, more than justified in the general, achronic, structureofofthe
than justified in the general, achronic, structure the Seeabove,
7S75See above,section
section5.1.
5.1. Not excluding the late Akkadian pieces, where the inciden-
and context. AS 12 pp. 281-283 for further information debate.
debate. . •. .. Whichisisnot
7676Which notnecessarily,
necessarily,not noteven
evenprobably,
probably,the thesame
sameasas tal82function
Not exeluding the late Akkadian
of the banquet pieces,
as the external where the
occasion inciden-
of the debate
and
64 broader context. AS 12, pp. 272-273 and id. in AuOr 2
See Vanstiphout, 7070Lines 76-78: kisal-a ara3-ara3-mu me-te-am-as Im-ml-m- their place and manner of genesis; see above section 5.1., last talisfunction of the banquet as the external occasion of the debate
Lines 76-78: kisal-a =a3-=a3-mu me-te-am-ai im-mi-in- their place and manner of genesis; see above section 5.1., last stressed almost exclusively (see above, n. 77). Even there,
(see fn. See
32). Vanstiphout, AS 12, pp. 272-273 and .id. in AuOr 2 gargar/ akkil
/ akkilgar-ra-mu nig-ku7-ku7-da-[.] /] /~u-bar-dsul-~i-r~
gar-ra-munig-kuTkuTda-[ su-b~-~iul-gi-re me-
me- paragraph.
paragraph. isthestressed
body ofalmost exclusively
the debate contains(see
references 77). Even
above, ton.banquets there, if
-even
(see
6S fn.
See32).
Vanstiphout, AS 12, pp. 289-290 and !d., AuOr 2, te-Am-as
See Vanstiphout, AS 12, pp. 289-290 and id., AuOr 2, te-8m-aiim-mi-in-gäI
im-mi-in-gS[ [ ]. ]."My"Mywarblmg
warblingISisa adecorauon
decorationminthethe 7777OneOnemight
mightwell wellsuppose
supposethat thatthe
thelater
later(Akkadian)
(Akkadian)pieces,pieces, the body of the debate contains references 10 banquets _ even if
these are not the ones we are supposed to be partaking in.
p. 249. ... di' court yard' / /The
courtyard; sound
soundI Iproduce,
produce,the thesweet
sweetchanting
chantingofofmy whichalso alsoononother
othergrounds
groundscan canbebeassumed
assumed10tohave havedescended
descended these are not the ones we are supposed to be partaking in.
p.66249.
Indeed this carnavalesque compoSlUon 18 outstan ng m voice , a The SI" 1"my which 83 Or, naturally and presumably, both.
83 Or, naturally and presumably, both.
66 Indeed, this carnavalesque voice/ /are are adelicious
deliciousornament
ornamentfor for hu gl s person
Shulgi's person . !". . 10tostreet
streetorormarket
marketlevellevel(see
(seeabove
aboven.n.30, 30,45),
45), havehavesimplijied
simplified 84 Other cultures have grappled with this unsolvable
its use of wholesale replacementscomposition
of scenes. is
Seeoutstanding
in generalin Sources: UET 6.140; AO 5396 (TCL 1531);
Sources: UET 6.1 40; A 0 5396 (TCL 15 31); See Vanstiphout See Vanstiphout thisnotion
this notiondowndown10tosociological
sociologicalverisimilitude.
verisimilitude. 84 Other cultures have grappled with this unsolvable
question, which seems to underly the genre in many literatures.
its use of wholesale
in Reininkreplacements of scenes.
& Vanstiphout, See8),inpp.
general ininReinink
Vanstiphout, DPD (n.
Vanstiphout, in Reinink & Vanstiphout, DPD (n. 8), pp. 39-
39- Reinink&&Vanstiphout,
Vanstiphout,DPD DPD(n.(n.8),8),pp. pp.30-31.
30-3 1. 7878SeeSeeVanstiphout
VanstiphoutininReinink Reinink&&Vanstiphout,
Vanstiphout,DPD DPD(n.(n.8),81, question,
See G.J.which seems to
van Gelder, underlyDebates
"Arabic the genre
of in many
Jest and literatures.
Earnest" in
41. 71 71 inin"Tree
SoSO 'Treeand
andReed"
Reed"and and"Winter
"Winterand andSummer".
Summer". pp.25-46,
pp. 25-46,esp. esp.pp. pp.39-41.
39-41. See G.J. van
Reinink Gelder, "Arabic
& Vanstiphout, DPDDebates of Jest
(n. 8), pp. and Earnest" in
199-212.
41. Reinink & Vanstiphout, DPD (n. 8), pp. 199-212.
 H.L.J.vANSTIPHOUT
H. L. I. VANSTI PHOUT T H E BANQU
THE B A N Q UET
E T SCENE
S C E N E IN T H E MESOPO
I N THE M E S O P OTAMIAN D E B A T E POEMS
T A M I A N DEBATE POEMS
18
18 19
f

ls gods, divineWheat
gods,divine andEwe
Wheat and had not
Ewe had been created
not been created. . So
So 1tIt should
shouldbebe clear
clearfrom
fromthe
the underli
underlined passages
ned passage s that in
that in Are thenfin
then finishedIm
ished100 for my my banque
banquett JJOJ !I0'
argume ntative materia
argumentative material, these materia
in these
not in
l, not materials Are
85
ves •
themselvess5.
themse1 there was no
there was wheat and
no wheat and no cloth, and even the
no cloth, and even the a somewhat oblique way, it
a somew hat oblique way, it is being toldis being told that
that the
the
It should
should bebe noted
noted that
that Wheat
Wheat has has now
now "approp
"appropriated"riated"
It
people89
people 89 of those days
of those naked and
about naked
went about
days went and ate
ate future contend
future contenders have set
ers have set up
up aa great
great and
and sumptu
sumptuous ous
the banquet as such;
such; she
she enhances
enhanc es this
this with
with then
then
the banque t as
Thenthe
grass. Then
grass. godsdid
the gods did fashion Ewe and Wheat and
fashion Ewe and Wheat and banquet for men and gods
banque t for men and gods alike. Thisalike. This is
is more
more tEan
tnan
pointing out that Ewe and
and her
her brood
brood are
are continually
continu ally
90 , supported by the
the next
next passage
passage:: pointin g out that Ewe
"EWEAND
"EWE T": A
WHEAT":
AND WHEA A GRAND
GRANDIOSE MISE EN
IOSE MISE EN Then,gatheri
Then, ng in
patherina thedivine
inthe dining hall
divine dining hallgo, support ed by threatened
threate ned when
when in
in the
the fields.
fields. Ewe
Ewe in
in the
the second
second
ABYME8 6.
ABYME*~. Of the
Of bountyof
the bounty and Wheat
Ewe and
of Ewe Wheat Theydrank
They drank sweet wine, ..
sweet wine, speech points
points out out that Wheat isis not
that Wheat not treated
treated much much
speech
Holy Hill
of theHoly
s ofthe Theydrank
They drank tasty
tastybeer,
beer, better, being threshed and hit with the flail. Yet,
Yet, when
when
5.3. The
5.3. abovesection
The above sectionintende
intended d to show that
to show the use
that the use Thegodling
The godlings Hill better, being threshe d and hit with the flail.
of the
of banquett theme
thebanque themein ourDisputa
inour tions was handled
Disputations was handled Partook.. but
Partook sated...
not sated
were not
butwere And
And when
when they
they had
had drunk sweet
drunk sweet wine
wine continuing in
continu ing in the the same
same vein,
vein, she
she reintroduces
reintro duces the
the
literarydeftnes
mate literary s, and ld And sated themselves
And sated themselves on on tasty
tasty beer
beer theme of the
theme of the meal meal by
by scathingly
scathin gly referring
referrin g to
to bread
bread
on wholewith
the whole
on the with consum
consummate deftness, and milk oftheir
sweet milk
Of the sweet
Ofthe goodly sheepfo
of their goodly sheepfold .
that aanumbe
that number literarypossibi
of literary
r of lities of the theme are
possibilities of the theme are started aa quarre
Theystarted quarrelI in
inthe
themidst
midst of
ofthe watered
the watere d making::
making
Thegodling
The godlings s ofthe Holy Hill
of theHoly Hill They
ed and
exploited
exploit and put put toto someti mes unexpe
sometimes cted use.
unexpected use. fields,
fields, The baker
The baker mangle
mangles the dough,
s the dough, throws
throws itit on on the
the
tion of Thendrank.
Then but were
drank.but not sated.
were not sated.
Nowhere
Nowhe this so
re isis this so appare nt as
apparent the Disputa
in the
as in Disputation of Theyheld
held aa wrangl
wrangle inthe
e in theDining
Dining hall94.
hallM. Jloor;
floor;
And so, for their own well-be
And so, for their own well-being the goodly
in the
ing in goodly They
"Ewe and
"Ewe Wheat" or
and Wheat" Labar and
or Lavar ASnan, to give the
and Asnan, to give the sheedold
sheepfo ld And so so the
the Dispute
Dispute starts.
starts. ItIt should
should bebe noted
noted thatthat (a)
(a)
Thebaker'
The baker's girlflattens
s girl flattens itit out.
out.
contend their Sumeri
ers their
contenders Sumerian an persona
personae. e. Fortuna te1y this
Fortunately this And
Then you are put in the oven,
oven,
as sustena
d as nce91 • the official start of the banquet is not explicitlyly stated
stated Then you are put in the
is one of
is one the best
of the best preserv
preserved pieces, so that
ed pieces, so that the
the They tomankin
them to
gave them
Theygave mankind suste)zanceg1. the official start of the banque t is not explicit
ly as SUCh
suchgS,
95 but must be subsumed under the previou
, but must be subsum ed under the
previous s And taken
And takenout outagain.
again.
edition could
on al edition
provisional
provisi could reconst itute aa virtual
reconstitute virtually The then send
gods then
The gods Wheat down
and Wheat
Ewe and
send Ewe down from
from as
s passage, and (b) that it is nowhere
passage, and (b) that it is nowher e said that said that An
An and
and When you are
When you are put on put onthe thetable
table
comple te text
complete 87 •
textp7. the Hill. They
Holy HilI.
the Holy aredescrib
They are ed in
described theirrichnes
all their
in an richness Enlil,whose
whose hearts
heartsare are being
being gladden
gladdened, have left
left the
the
of Enlil, ed, have ThenII come
comebefore
beforeyou; you; youyou are
are behind
behindme me j!
The begins with
text begins
The text longish and
with aa longish rather high-
and rather high- bounty --Ewe
and bounty
and Ewe strange ly as
strangely "a shephe
as "a shepherdrd full
full of venue.
Then
ction 88 , venue. Wheat, heed
Wheat, heed yourse yourself! lf
flown logical -aetiol ogical" introdu
"mythological-aetiological"
flown "mytho introductiongs, the sheepfold's beauty", Wheat as "a shapely girl
the sheepfo ld' s beauty ", Wheat as "a shapely girl j

up no
taking up
taking less than
no less 70 lines
than 70 out of
lines out total of 192,
of aa totalof 192, ng beauty"
radiating
radiati beauty"92. There follows
92. There another longish
follows another longish In the course
In the courseof of the
the Dispute
Dispute Wheat Wheat atat first
first does
does notnot You,just
You, just as are meant
asI,I, are meant to to be
be eaten
eaten/102 !Im
saying that when An had
saying that when An had first spawned first spawne the other
d the other descrip tive passag
descriptive passage of conside
which isis of
e which rable interest
considerable interest overtly refer to the banquet
overtly refer to the banque t situatio situation,
n, but
but as
as it
it were
were
Wheat then
Wheat then has
has the
the last
last word,
word, andand demoli
demolishes Ewe's
shes Ewe's
forour
our topic:
topic: generalizes
general its possibl
izes its possible impact by
e impact by stating
stating that
that Wheat
Wheat
for arguments with a
a masterpiece
master piece of
of forensic
forensi c rhetoric
rhetoric
85 See
----s5Se Vanstiphout,
e Vanstiph pp. 44-46
out, pp. 44-46 in Reinink &
in Reinink & Vanstiph
Vanstiphout, out, brings weIl-b
well-being, strength,
eing, strengt and good cheer
h, and good cheer argume nts with
DPD (n.
DPD (n. 8). In my
8). In view the
my view the high degree of
high degree of sophistic ation also
sophistication also Among the
Among the gather
gathered thev caused
people they
ed oeople caused brings
everywhere, even in the hearts of the despondent and
which as
which as such
such isis not
not ofof our
ourconcern
concern here here103, but which
103, but which
czy, everywhere, even in the hearts of the despon dent and
impliesthat
implies least for
that atatleast opinion of
theopinion
pieces the
thesepieces
for these of Komor6
Komorbczy, abundance,
abunda nce,
in the poor shepherd's hutg6. Ewe's reply is
is high-
high-
contains a passage
contains a passage saying
saying that
that far
far from
from being
being only
only aa
that"Das
that "DasVolksfes
Volkxfest ...kann
t ... der eventuel
kann der Erotik und
groben Erotik
eventuelll groben und derder And in theLand
inthe broughtt about
they brough
Land they well-being,
aboutwell-be in the poor shephe rd's hut • Ewe's reply 96
main ingredient of a sumptuousous and
and smart
smart banquet,
banque t,
czy, And in^, handed and and pretent
pretentious. She ends
ends her
her first
first speech
speech by by main ingredi ent of a sumptu
iihnliche groben
ähnliche groben ParodieParodie nichtnicht entbehre
entbehren" n" [G.[G. Komor6
Komorbczy, handed ious. She
"Literaturr am
"Literatu amKönigsh
Ktjnigshof (2.Jahrtaus
of (2. Jahrtausend v.u.Z.)", in
end v.u.z.)", !I.
in H. Kleng~l
Klengel For the
For the ordinan of the Gods they fulfill with
ces of
ordinances the Gods they fulfill with alluding to her function at
alluding to her function at a holy meal:a holy meal:
she (Ewe)
she (Ewe)isisalso
alsohumilia
humiliated in the
ted in themarket
marketplace:
place:
(ed.), Gesellsc
(ed.), Gesellschafihaft und Kuitur im
und Kultur aiten Vordera
im alten sIen, Berlm
Vorderasien, Berlin care.
care. Whenyouryour innards
innardsare are taken
taken awayawayby by the
thebuyers
buyers
After they
they (the
(the priests
priests)) have have dressed
dressedg7 97 for my my When
1982, pp.
1982, pp. 155-161
155-161; quote on
; quote on p. 1591 is.
p. 159] far ~oo
is far harsh aa
too harsh. oms of the Land they fill aburuiantly.
After in the
in themarket-
market-placeplace
judgmentt on
judgmen on our scribes, and
our scribes, what isis more,
and what beside ~e
more, ISis beslde the p~rnt
point
The store-ro
The $J, puriJication,
purijica tion,
for
. most of
- most
for the composi
of the tions. But
compositions. should be
But itit should borne m
be borne in mmd
mind The --hL
Thebarns ofthe
- Land are bulging with them. walk to
II walk to my
my holy
holy meal
meal j98 !98
And your
And your neck
neck isis wrappe
wrapped with your
d with your very
very own
own
thatKomor6
that Komorkzy czy isis not writingabaut
not writing pieces as
ourpieces
about our as s~ch.
such. .
even in
And even
And the home
in the needy, crouchi
of the needy,
home ofthe crouchingng inin loin-cloth'@,
10in-clo thJ04 ,
86 The term
86 The which derives
term which heraldry (a
from heraldry
derives from figure m
(a figure in an
an W~eat
Wheat isis quick
quick to to retort
retort with
with aa passag
passage describing
e describ ing Oneman
man says
says toto the
the other:
other: 'FilZ
'Fillthe
themeasur
measure with
e with
escutcheon
escutche said to
on isis said be en
to be abyme, when
en abyme, when itit constitu
constitutestes aa the dust,
the dust, various necessa
necessary attributes to the
the banque
banquett --and and One
vanous ry attribut es to grain forr my sheep j!'105
my sheep
miniatur
miniature that escutche
of that
e of escutcheon:on: otherwis
otherwise e nostalgic
nostalgically, was aa
ally, isis was
they enter
When they
When there, they
enter there, bring about
they bring about }ff]l=.
E& putting Ewe's
Ewe's careles
careless reference ("my" holyholy meal)
meal)
grainfo 'Io5
popular ornamen
popular ornamental deviceon
tal device Victorian. and
on Victorian and.Ed~ardi
Edwardian an co~?a
cocoa ~utting s referen ce ("my"
tins andall
tins and kinds of
allkinds of boxes) hasbeen
boxes) has defined m
been defrned literature as
in hterature as "AA &.
f2d.t1g. intotrue
Into trueperspec
perspective:
tive: Then the
Then the verdict
verdict shows
shows us
us Enki
Enki advisin
advising Enlil that
g Enlil that
miniature
miniatur replica of
e replica a text embedde d within that text:
of a text embedded within that text: a textual a textual Both ofthem
Both of them, , wherev
wherever er they their steps,
direct their
theydirect steps, Whenthe the beer
beer dough
dough has
has been
been prepar
prepared in the
ed in the
Ewe and Wheat
Ewe and Wheat "should
"shoul d walk
walk together",
togethe r", but
but that
that
part reduplic
part ating, reflectin
reduplicating, reflecting, or mirrorin
g, or mirroring (one or
g (one more.th~n
or more than When
Add toto the
Add richesof
theriches the househ
of the old;
household; oven,
oven,
aspect of) the textual whole". Famous examples areGlde
oneaspect
one of) the textual whole". Famous example s are Gide'ss tion; where
Les faux monnaye
Lesfaux monnayeurs Edouard isis writing
(where Edouard
urs (where novel cal~ed
writing aa novel called Where they
Where they stand, are satis/ac
they are
stand, they satisfaction; where When
When thethemash
mashhashasbeen
beenprepar
prepared in the
ed in theoven,
oven,
wo/f whlch shment. --wöJ.e 1.e.. sJaughter
slallghtereded and prepared??
andprepared
Les faux monnay
Les faux monnayeurs) eurs) or Hesse's Der
or Hesse's Der Steppen
Steppenwolf which they dwell they
theydweIl are embelli
theyare embellishment. Ninkasig999 herself mixes themfor
them for me.
me. lo' L~nes pp. 22-23.
contains facsimile of
so-called facsimile
contains aa so-called Tractat vom
of aa Tractat vom Steppenw
Steppenwolf. olf. Ninkasi herself mixes 101 Lines 117-121;
117-121;AJster
Alster && Vanstiph
Vanstiphout, AS 9,
out, AS 9, pp. 22-23.
logy, Aldersh ot 1987, And so they gladden ,he hearts of An and of lo2 Lines
Lmes 157-163;
157-163; Alster
Aister && Vanstiphout,
Vanstiph out, AS
AS 9,
9, pp.
pp. 26-27.
26-27.
See G.
See Prince, Dictiona
G. Prince, Dictionary ry ofof Narrato
Narratology, Aldershot 1987, YYour big billy-go
our big billy-goats and rams
ats and rams 102
See Vanstiph
Vanstiphout in Vanstiph
Vanstiphout out & & Reinink,
Reinink,DPDDPD (n. 8),
(n. 8),
53and
p. 53
p. andL.L.Dällenba
Duenbach, re'citspeculai
Le reeit
ch. Le spe'culaire, Paris 1977.
re, Paris 1977. &&1g3. 93 •
Enlil Io3 See
103 out in
41-44.
M It is not known exactly what is meant here - but it
RV. l41-44.
pp.
87 For
87 quotes and
all quotes
For all andthe complete text
thecomplete reader isisreferred
the reader
textthe referred A A

_ but it
to B. Alster && H.
B. Aister H. Vanstip "Lahar and
hout, "Lahar and Ashnan. ----g;rL·
94 Lines 65-70; Aister & Vanstiph 104 It is not known exactly what is meant here
to Vanstiphout, Ashnan. Illes 65-70; Alster & Vanstiphout, AS 9,
out, AS 9, pp.
pp. 18-19;
18-19; must be something
be somethin gory. The
The 'loin-clo
'loin-cloth of yourself
th of yourself'' may
may refer
refer
Presenta
Presentationtion and Analysis of
and Analysis of aa Sumeria
Sumerian n Disputat ion", in
Disputation", inActa
Acta alreadyquoted
already quotedabove,
above,section
section5.2.5.2.1.
I. must
to the entrails
g gory.
which are left hanging around
around the
the neck
neck of
of the
the
th ~s are left hanging
Sumerologica
Sumerol (1987),pp.
ogica 99 (1987), [referredto
1-45 [referred
pp. 1-45 to hencefor
henceforth asASAS s9 One wonderswhere
e wonders wherethese
thesepeople
people came
camefrom. Alster&&
SeeAlster
from.See . 95. It
b·
95 I·is obvious
t IS 0 VIOUS thatthat the
the very
very abrupt
abrupt transitio
transition from 1.1. 64
n from 64 toto to the entrails
carcass,~r or to
which
to the
thefleece
fleeceandandskin
skinwhich
whichisis flayed
flayedfrom
fromthe thebody.
body.
d -s9Qn
9]; this provisio
91; this provisional nal edition could be
edition could based on
be based on 3~ 39 pubhs~e
published .. . 65 ~6 m~nded
65 is intended to
to create
create precisely
precisely the
the effect
effect of
of ongoing
ongoing festivity.
festivity. carcass,
In the
the Dispute,
Dispute, however
however,, itit isis aa clear
clear back-ref
back-reference
erence to to the
the
which illustrat es Its its relatIVe Vanstiph out, AS
Vanstiphout, AS 9,9, p.p. 41, fn. 14.
41, fn. 14. In
97 Lmes ?72-91; Aister & Vanstiph~ut, AS?,
tablets or
tablets tablet fragmen
or tablet fragments,ts, which illusuates relative g mstances , ISis 96 Lines 72-91; Alster & Vanstiphout, AS 9, pp. pp. 18-2l.
18-21.
. . 90 The underlin
90 The ing here
underlining and in
here and the followm
in the following insta~lces, 97 Me ? Themselves text 1Sis amblguo
notion proposed
notio~ proposed earlier earlier by
by Ewe
Ewe that
that for
for banquets
banquets etc.
etc. people
people
popularity.
populari ty.
lOn mine,and
mine, andisisin contextself-expl
incontext anatory.
self-explanatory. . ~e. Themselves ?? The The text ambiguous, and this
us, and this dressm
dress in her
her whitest
whitest shining
shining wooI.
wool,
This was
88 This was once taken so
once taken seriously that
so seriously the mtroduct
that the introduction ambiguity, as the one in the
the next
next line
line (my
(my holy
holy meal)
meal) isis 6
t~lische Alster && Vanstiph
28-36; Aister
Lines 28-36;
9l Lines out. AS
Vanstiphout, pp...16-17.
AS 9,9,pp 16-17. amblgUlty, as the one in loSL·
105 Lines 176-178; Alster Vanstiphout,
&& Vanstiph AS 9,
out, AS 9, pp.
pp. 28-29
28-29
Das Altorien 17 -178; Aister
91 mes
appeared in
appeared study by
in aa study Pettinato,, Das
G. Pettinato
by G. Altorientalische Aister & Vansuph out, AS undoubtedlv
undoubte intended.
dly intended. p. 39,
39, comm.
comm. to 178. Here
Here again
again the
the exact
exact reference
reference isis not
not
enbild und die sumeris
Menschenbild und die sumerischen und akkadischen
Mensch chen und akkadzs chen 92 Lines 48 and 50. Both quotes:
92 Lines 48 and 50. Both quotes: Alster & Vanstiphout, AS
98 L·
98 ~ i n e ;I 1l-il2; Alster & Vanstiphout, AS 9, pp. 22-23. 22-23. && p. to 1.1. 178.
pp. 16-17.
9, pp.
9, 16-17. 99 mes lll-ll2; Alster & Vanstiphout, AS 9, pp. clear. !s
Is the
the man
man buying breaugrain
buying bread/gr ain toto go
go with his mutton
with his mutton ?? 18Is
ngsmyth en, Heidelb
Schopfungsmythen,
Schöpfu Heidelberg 1971, pp.
erg 1971, 86-90. See
pp. 86-90. See nownow TheGoddess
99The Goddessof of beer
beerandandbeer
beer-making.
-making. clear.
Vanstiphout,
Vanstiph out, AS AS 12, 289-291..
pp. 289-291
12,pp.
93 Alster && Vanstiph
54-64: Alster
Lines 54-64:
93 Lines Vanstiphout, pp. 18-19.
AS 9,9, pp.
out, AS 18-19. he askmg
he asking the the price
price for
for the
the cuts
cuts ofof mutton
mutton ??
20 H.L.l. VANSTlPHOUT TEE B A N Q U E T S C E N E I N THE MESOPOTAMIAN DEBATE POEMS
THE BANQUET SCENE IN THE MESOPOTAMIAN DEBATE POEMS
21
21

nevertheless Wheat must be the winner, and ends and priests 109and
andpriests109 andinadvertently
inadvertentlyrefers
referstotothe theoccasion
occasion meal,
nevertheless Wheat must be the winner, and ends meal,or oraabanquet,
banquet,or oran anoccasion
occasionof ofshared
sharedpleasure
pleasure arguments we actually see the banquet being
with a proverb: as "my holy meal"llO; Wheat takes this up by referring iningood arguments we actually see the banquet being
with a proverb: as "my holy meal"fl0; Wheat takes this up by referring good foOO, tasty drink and pleasantcompany.
food, tasty drink and pleasant company.ItItisis prepared, just as we saw it ordered, and as we see it
Whosoever possesses gold, or si/ver, or caule, or to the all-important role of Ninkasi1 11 , and therefore of
rather prepared, just as we saw it ordered, and as we see it
Whosoeverpossesses gold, or silver, or cattle, or to the all-important role of Ninkasilll, and therefore of rather neat
neat that
that this
this turns
turns outout to to be
be the
thereason
reason why why being enjoyed - even a bit too enthusiastically -
sheep, wheat, andandhinting
hintingthat
that"my"
"my"meal
meal should
shouldindeed
indeedbe be Enki being enjoyed - even a bit too enthusiastically _
sheep, wheat, Enki sends them down from the Holy Hill after-the
sends them down from the Holy Hill after-the by the main ingredients of the banquet itself, of which
Shall wait at the gate 0/ him who possesses understoodin inthis
thisway.
way. gods by the main ingredients of the banquet itself, of which
Shall wait at the gate of him who possesses
understood godshavehave already
alreadysampled
sampled(but (butnotnotsated
satedthemselves
themselves overindulgence stems the Debate, which is on the
overindulgence stems the Debate, which is on the
grain, and thus spend his day ! 106
grain, and thus spend his day !lo6
(c) Thirdly, there
(c) Thirdly, there are arethe
thereferences
references not notonly
onlyto
tothe
the on) l15
on) their virtues . In order to avoid
their In order to avoid possible
possible relative meritsfor a banquet etc. ...l16
relative merits tor a banquet etc. " .116
actual work in preparing both grain and mutton for aa
actual work in preparing both grain and mutton for misunderstanding, II hasten
misunderstanding, hasten to to add
add thatthat II do do notnot The subtlety should also be highlighted, for this is
* * feast (cutting
(cutting up,up, slaughtering,
slaughtering, reaping,
reaping, threshing,
threshing, somehow was The subtlety should also be highlighted, for this is
feast somehow think that this was the "reality" of Old
think that this the "reality" of Old no simple or primitive or embryonic form of mise en
no simple or primitive or embryonic form of mise en
* milling, baking, making beer ...) but also -
rnilling, baking, making beer ... ) but also - andand Babylonian
Babylonian society.
society. But But thethe composition
composition allows aHows us, us, abyme, as were it only, say, a straight description of a
abyme, as were it only, say, a straight description of a
mainly in Wheat's speeches - to the
mainly in Wheat's speeches - to the fact that to thefact that to the perhaps even forces us,
perhaps even forces us, to;-ecognize that this is
tojecognize that this is their
their regular banquet within a banquet scene. Our case is a
Even on the surface the banquet theme is present on needy, or weak, or despondent, a meal, every meal, regular banquet within a banquet scene. Our case is a
Even on the surface the banquet theme is present on
three levels: needy, or weak, or despondent, a meal, every meal, idea
idea of of how
how lifelife should
should be. be. AndAnd that, that, by by anyany banquet Disputation about a banquet, which contains
three levels: constitutes aa banquetll2.
banquet112• This
This comes,
comes, in in aa way,
way, to
to the
the definition, is ideology.
definition, is ideology. banquet Disputation about a banquet, which contains
constitutes the elements of a banquet and is, in a sense, held by
(a) There is the all-encompassing banquet, at same thing. the elements of a banquet and is, in a sense, held by
(a) There is the all-encompassing banquet, at
which the gods preside, at which the contenders
same thing. (e)
(e) Finally,
Finally, there
there is the mise
is the mise en en abyme
abyme structural
structural the banquet117.
the banquet117.
which the gods preside, at which the contenders technique
technique underlying, shaping and polishing the
underlying, shaping and polishing the final
final Such careful, obviously joyful, and sophisticated
become inebriate and start their dispute, and at which * * Such careful, obviously joyful, and sophisticated
become inebriate and start their dispute, and at which product. In this case it works out, with
product. In this case it works out, with great subtlety, great subtlety, treatment of the banquet theme surely illustrates the
the contented gods grant the prize to the best debater. * treatment of the banquet theme surely illustrates the
the contented gods grant the prize to the best debater. on
on different
different levels
levels atat the
the same
same timetime but
but also
also each
each ofof high regard in which a really good banquet was held.
One is almost forced to envisage!07 this debate as high regard in which a really good banquet was held.
One is almost forced to envisage107 this debate as Somewhat deeperdeeper oneone perceives
perceives one one more
more relevant
relevant these
these different levels keeps reinforcing and
different levels keeps reinforcing and
taking place in heaven (or on the Holy HiH) as weH as Somewhat
taking place in heaven (or on the Holy Hill) as well as layer of meaning and, perhaps, a kemel. influencing
influencing the the others.
others. ForFor what
what we we have
have is, is, after
after all,
all,
on earth. For it surely starts with An and Enlil being layer of meaning and, perhaps, a kernel.
on earth. For it surely starts with An and Enlil being (d) The
The next
next deeper
deeper layer
layer seems
seems to to consist
consist of of an
an aa Debate the relative merits for
Debate on the relative merits tor a banquet of
on a banquet of the
the u6 In fact, analysis of the themes and motifs and their
---u6 In fact, analysis ofonly
the be
themes and motifs and totheir
"glad of heart", because of, and with, the abundance (d) interactions can in this case recursive, as we have do
"glad of heart", because of, and with, the abundance
created on earth by the two contestants, for the gOOs, idea, and
idea, and may
may therefore
therefore without
without diffidence
diffidence be be called
called two
two mainmain components
components of 01 that
that banquet,
banquet, held held byby those
those interactions
in can in song
the children's this case onlyMichael
about be recursive, as we who
Finnegan, have grew
to do
created on earth by the two contestants, for the gods, 'ideological'113. For For there
there isis aa sense
sense in in which
which our our components,
components, put in terms
put in terms of of aa banquet,
banquet, starting
starting withwith in the children's
whiskers on his chin song about
again. ThatMichael Finnegan,
was Michael who begin
Finnegan, grew
for themselves, and for mankind. It therefore also 'ideological'll3.
for themselves, and for mankind. It therefore also
takes place on earth, for the contestants have been Disputation does
Disputation does seem
seem to to touch
touch on on aa matter
matter of of banqueting conditions and for banqueting reasons,
banqueting conditions and for banqueting reasons, again. .
whi.skers
agam .... on his chin again. That was Michael Finnegan, begin
takes place on earth, for the contestants have been reflection on on the
the state
state of
of the
the world
world as as it
it is
is perceived.
perceived.
resulting
resulting in in (possibilities
(possibilities for) for) aa banquet,
banquet, presented
presented as as 117 Certainly so: the contenders make up the banquet of
117 Certainly so: the contenders make up the banquet of
sent down from the Holy Hill just for this purpose. reflection which
sent down from the Holy Hill just for this purpose. The
held during a banquet
held during a banquet partaken of by gods, men
partaken of by gods, men and and which they
they partake.
partake.
And it ends with the gods, still in good cheer,
And it ends with the gods, still in good cheer, The argument
argument couldcould gogo asas follows:
follows: thethe gods,
gods, inin case
case the main course.
course. Addendum : See now the important contribution by J.4.
Addendum: See now the importantancienne
contribution 1.-J.
by de
handing out the prize for the entertainment at the mainly
mainly Enki, have granted us human beings the use
Enki, have gran ted us human beings the use Glassner, "L1hospitalit6 en MQopotamie : aspect la
handing out the prize for the entertainment at the is not
It is not so so much
much that that thethe main
main underlying
underlying idea idea Glassner,
question de "L'hospitalite
1'Ctranger"eninMesopotamie
Zeitschrift furancienne : aspect de
Assyriologie la
80.1
of It
banquet - entertainment which has, of course,
banquet - entertainment which has, of course, of these
these two
two basic
basic entities
entities in in our
our daily
daily household.
household. should be be that
that ofof aa banquet.
banquet. Rather,
Rather, in in the
the guise
guise of of question
(1990), pp. de60-75,
l'etranger" Zeitschrift
whichingives on pp. für
63-65 Assyriologie
an overview 80.1of
Surely, should
tumed out to be material (mutton and breadlbeer !) as
turned out to be material (mutton and breadbeer !) as Surely, they
they (the
(the gods)
gods) do do profit
profit ultimately,
ultimately, butbut soso do
do (1990), pp. 60-75, which gives on pp. 63-65
the banquet ambiance of the Debate Poems, and generally an overview of
weH as spiritual or intellectual (the Disputation !). we.
we. And it is precisely because they (the gods) have
And it is precisely because they (the gods) have
the banquet
discusses theambiance of the Debate
relation between Poems,
hospitality and strangers,
towards generally
well as spiritual or intellectual (the Disputation !). -USO One might, of
ne might, of course,
course, say
say that
that another
another reason
reason for
for sending
sending discusses
banquets, andthe relation
forms of between
(basicallyhospitality towards strangers,
benign ?) corporeal or verbal
Nor should we overlook the sly note that it is Enki given
given us
us the
the chore
chore of of tending
tending bothboth sheep
sheep and and grain
grain banquets,atand forms of (basically
Nor should we overlook the sly note that it is Enki that
them down
them down isis that
that the
the gods
gods could
could notnot sate
sate themselves
themselves on on their
their jousting such an occasion. Hisbenign ?) corporeal
interpretation, viz.orthat
verbal
the
who has (1) organized the sending down of Ewe and
who has (1) organized the sending down of Ewe and that we have every right to profit - in
we have every right to profit - in good
good produce, and
produce, and that
that they
they needed
needed human
human help.help. But
But the
the text
text does
does not
not jousting at suchasana means
jousting serves occasion. His interpretation,
by which the stranger orviz. that the
newcomer
cheer jousting serves as a means by whichintothe astranger
group,ormay newcomer
Wheat, and thus the ensuing banquet108 ; and (2) who
Wheat, and thus the ensuing banquet108;and (2) who cheer -- from
from both.
both. InIn this
this way
way thethe very idea of
very idea of aa exactly bear
exact1y bear this
this out.
out. In
In any
any case,
case, ifif the
the interpretation
interpretation advanced
advanced is enabled
is enabled in
to become
to full
become
integrated not be
suggests the verdict to Enlil. Thus Enki, always ready goOO meal should consist of beer/bread
good meal should consist of beerbread and mutton, and mutton, should turn
should out not
turn out not to
to be the reason
be the reason for for sending
sending them
them down,
down, itit applicable to theintegrated into aasgroup,
Debate Poems mayit not
such, but be
is very
suggests the verdict to Enlil. Thus Enki, always ready is certainly
is certainlythe
the result
result of
of sending
sending them
them down.
down. applicable
interesting in
in fuII
its to the
own Debate Poems as such, but it is very
right.
to act as an honest broker especially towards humans,
to act as an honest broker especially towards humans,
and thus be
and thus be aa banquet.
banquet. In In this
this respect
respect the
the choke
choiceof of the
the interesting in its own right.
here also becomes the real organizer of the banquet. contenders is of some relevance as well: they are the
contenders is of some relevance as weH: they are the
here also becomes the real organizer of the banquet. only 114
(b) Then there are the references to the only pair
pair known
known to to me
me114who who come
come from
from two two totally
totally
(b) Then there are the references to the different spheres of natural life. The only point
different spheres of naturallife. The only point of of
circumstances of, reasons for, and even partially the
circumstances of, reasons for, and even partially the contact
contact they
they have
have isis the
the derived,
derived, cultural,
cultural, oneone of of aa
menu of prestigious banquets at religious or state
menu of prestigious banquets at religious or state
occasions: Ewe mentions the shining clothes of king --w9Lines
1°9 Lines 107-110;
107-110;seesee Alster Vanstiphout,AS
Alster &&Vanstiphout, AS 9,9, pp.
pp. 22-
22-
occasions: Ewe mentions the shining clothes of king
23.
23.
~Lines
lo6 Lines 189-190; Alster &
189-190; Aister Vanstiphout, AS
& Vanstiphout, AS 9,9, pp.
pp. 28-31
28-31 110 See above and n. 98.
110 See above and n. 98.
& p. 6. The proverb is probably to be taken. i!l the way that 111 See above and n. 101.
& p. 6. The proverb is probably to be taken in the way that 111 See above and n. 101.
grain ('money' or in any case the most ?,adinonally gener~l 112
112InInthis
thiscontext
contextwe weshould
shouldremember
rememberthat thatbefore
beforeEwe,
Ewe.and
and
grain of
means ('money' or in inany
exchange?) casepays
a way the the
mostpiper,
traditionally general
and therefore IS
means of exchange ?) in a way pays the piper, and therefore is
Wheat
Wheatdescended
descendedfromfromthe
theHoly
HolyHill,
Hill,people
peopleate grass:ll.11.20-25.
ategrass: 20-25.
entitled to call the tune. 113 Indeed, the dread of using the term 'ideological' in its
fi3 Indeed, the dread of using the term 'ideological' in its
entitled to call the tune.
107 If such a procedure were possible. perfectly
Io7 If such a procedure were possible. perfectly acceptable
acceptable meaning
meaning of of 'pertaining
'pertaining toto an.
an idea
idea oror aa
108 Lines 37-40: "Then Enki spoke to Enlil: / 'Father Enlil,
system of
system of ideas'
ideas' has.
has tended
tended to,to narr~,,:
narrow down
down 1tS its use-
use -
EwelopandLines 37-40:
Wheat/ 'Then
Being wenEnki spoke
settled on to Holy/ Hill,
theEnlil: 'Father Enlil,
/ Let us inexcusably
inexcusably inin my my mmdmind- - toto pertammg
'pertaining toto aa mode
mode ofof
Ewethem
and Wheat/ Being thiswell settled onAlster
the Holy Hill, / Let us
send
send
down from Holy Hill". & Vanstiphout, political
politicalbehaviour
behaviourof ofwhich
whichI Idisapprove'.
disapprove'. Some
Someof ofth~
thereally
really
AS 9, them downIsfrom
pp. 16-17. this this
alsoHoly
a hintHill". Alster t~& Enki's
or allusion Vanstiphout,
us.u~ bad
bad 'ideologies'
'ideologies' ininthe
thelatter
lattersense
sensehave
havebeen
beenand
andareareslgnally
signally
AS 9,
röle in pp.
the 16-17. Is this
"serious" also a hint
banquets or allusion
in heroic to Enki's
narratIves? usual
Enkl void
IS
voidofofideas.
ideas.
almost always the one who comes up with the idea which isis
r6le in the "serious" banquets in heroic narratives ? Enki 114 For the pairs of contenders see Vanstiphout, AS 12,
114 For the pairs of contenders see Vanstiphout, AS 12,
almost
acted always the one who comes up with the idea which is
upon. pp.
acted upon. pp.278-281.
278-281.
 IRES
RES ORIENTALES
ORIENTALES
Volume IV

...

471366000001

BANQUETS
D'ORIENT

SOUS LA DIRECTION DE R. GY
SOUS SELEN
GYSELEN

AVEC
A COLLABORATION DE
VEC LA COLLABORATION
M. BERNUS-TAYLOR, M.L. CARTER,
DONCEEL-VO~JTE,
D. COLLON, P. DONCEEL-VOÜTE,
FINET, A. FREMONT,
A. FINET,
A.S. MELIKIAN-CHIRVANI,
J. MOULIERAC, G.J. VAN GELDER,
VANSTIPHOUT,
H.L.J. V WALDMANN
ANSTIPHOUT, H. WALD MANN

Pyblit par 1e
Publie le Graupe
Groupe pour
'Etudede 1a
1'Etude la Civi1isation
Civilisafion du
du Moyen-Orient
BURES S/Y
BURES 1992
S j Y 1992