Cuneiform Writing Process

Mesopotamian Language and Writing

• The first known language of Mesopotamia was Sumerian.
• After 1000 BCE, the Aramaic language became widely spoken in parts of Iraq.
• The Assyrians established their kingdom in Mesopotamia around 2500 BCE.

Babylonian Era

• The city of Babylon became important after 2000 BCE and led to the region being called Babylonia.
• The Akkadian script and language spread to the eastern Mediterranean after 2000 BCE.
• Akkadian speakers arrived in Mesopotamia around 2500 BCE, gradually replacing the Sumerian language.

Assurbanipal and Literacy

• Assurbanipal played a significant role in the preservation of ancient texts.
• During Assurbanipal's reign, Babylonia was a center of literacy and culture.
• Scribes in Babylonia acquired the skill of reading and writing through apprenticeships.

Cuneiform Writing

• Cuneiform tablets remained intelligible as far back as 2000 BCE until 650 BCE due to the use of a standardized writing system.
• Copyists showed respect for important texts like the Epic of Gilgamesh by carefully copying and preserving them.
• Assurbanipal was often referenced at the end of some tablets as a sign of respect and to acknowledge his role in preserving the texts.
• The word 'cuneiform' literally means "wedge-shaped" and refers to the unique writing style.

Mesopotamian Writing Practices

• Each transaction in Mesopotamia required a separate written tablet for record-keeping and legal purposes.
• The Akkadian language replaced Sumerian after 2400 BCE in Mesopotamia.
• Writing was not used for poetry or fictional storytelling in Mesopotamia.
• Cuneiform writing in the Akkadian language was used in Mesopotamia for over 2,000 years.
• The clay tablets were made almost indestructible as pottery due to the use of clay and baking.