Sumerian is the oldest written language of ancient Iraq, first written down some 5000 years ago. Its literature, encompassing narrative myths, lyrical hymns, proverbs, and love poetry, provides a stimulating insight into the world's first urban civilization. Written in clear, accessible English, these translations are the most comprehensive collection of the world's first literature. The treatment of themes and the individual texts...will open up a new horizon to the interested reader, and offer new prospects to the fortuitous reader.