Instructions of Shuruppak

Sumerian wisdom literature

The Instructions of Shuruppak (or, Instructions of Šuruppak) are a significant example of Sumerian wisdom literature. Wisdom literature, intended to teach proper piety, instill virtue, and preserve community standards, was common throughout the ancient Near East. Its incipit sets the text in great antiquity: "In those days, in those far remote times, in those nights, in those faraway nights, in those years, in those far remote years." The precepts are placed in the mouth of a king Šuruppak (SU.KUR.RUki), son of Ubara-Tutu.

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