Sumerian disputations

The Sumerian disputation or Sumerian debate is a topical short story created in the middle-to-late 3rd millennium BC. Seven major debates are known, with specific titles.

Part of a series on
Ancient Mesopotamian religion
Chaos Monster and Sun God
Primordial beings Tiamat and Abzu Lahamu and Lahmu Kishar and Anshar Mummu
Seven gods who decree Four primary Anu Enlil Enki Ninhursag Three sky gods Inanna/Ishtar Nanna/Sin Utu/Shamash
Other major deities Adad Dumuzid Enkimdu Ereshkigal Kingu Geshtinanna Lahar Marduk Nergal Ninurta
Minor deities Agasaya Anunnaki Asaruludu Ashnan Bel Enbilulu Isimud Lahar Mami/Nintu Mamitu Nabu Namtar Nanshe Nisaba Ningal Ninkasi Ninlil Ninshubur Ninsun Nuska Sarpanit Uttu
Demigods and heroes Adapa Enkidu Enmerkar Gilgamesh Lugalbanda Shamhat Siduri Atra-Hasis Apkallu (seven sages)
Spirits and monsters Udug Lamassu/Shedu Asag Edimmu Siris Anzû Humbaba Hanbi Kur Lamashtu Pazuzu Rabisu
Tales Atra-Hasis Enmerkar and the Lord of Aratta Enūma Eliš Epic of Gilgamesh
Related topics
Mesopotamian myths Sumerian religion Babylonian religion Religions of the ancient Near East

The list of the majority of the known debates is as follows (from Kramer):[1]

(alphabetical)

1. –Debate between bird and fish
2. –Debate between cattle and grain
3. –Debate between the millstone and the gulgul-stone
4. –Debate between the pickaxe and the plough (translation)
5. –Debate between silver and mighty copper (translation)
6. –Debate between Summer and Winter
7. –Debate between tree and the reed

Additionally, four compositions of the disputation type with the Sumerian school, and its graduates or teachers:[1]

1. –The Disputation between Enkmansi and Girnishag
2. –The Colloquy between an ungula and a Scribe
3. –The Disputation between Enkitalu and Enkihegal
4. –Disputation between Two School Graduates

An additional text concerns women:[1]

1. –Disputation between two unnamed ladies