INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The texts in this volume have been copied from tablets in the University Museum, Philadelphia, and edited in moments snatched from many other exacting duties. They present considerable variety. No. 1 is an incantation copied from a foundation cylinder of the time of the dynasty of Agade. It is the oldest known religious text from Babylonia, and perhaps the oldest in the world. No. 8 contains a new account of the creation of man and the development of agriculture and city life. No. 9 is an oracle of Ishbiurra, founder of the dynasty of Nisin, and throws an interesting light upon his career.
It need hardly be added that the first interpretation of any unilingual Sumerian text is necessarily, in the present state of our knowledge, largely tentative. Every one familiar with the language knows that every text presents many possibilities of translation and interpretation. The first interpreter cannot hope to have thought of all of these, or to have decided every delicate point in a way that will commend itself to all his colleagues.
The writer is indebted to Professor Albert T. Clay, to Professor Morris Jastrow, Jr., and to Dr. Stephen Langdon for many helpful criticisms and suggestions. Their wide knowledge of the religious texts of Babylonia, generously placed at the writer's service, has been most helpful. His thanks are also due to Dr. Edward Chiera for helpful criticisms of the text. He is also grateful to the authorities of the University Museum for the privilege of copying the tablets, and to Dr. George B. Gordon, the Director of the Museum, for many courtesies during the progress of the work. He is also deeply grateful to Mr. Harold Peirce whose aid has made this publication possible.
