Antiquity Studies

The Limit of Transmission

Babylonian Wisdom Literature and Wisdom in Non-cuneiform Literatures

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Abstract

This essay discusses the limits of transmission of Babylonian literature to other non-cuneiform literatures. It will ask can a limit be set as to what is Babylonian, specifically Babylonian Wisdom Literature, in non-cuneiform sources. Three interconnected issues will be addressed: who speaks words of wisdom? Who is the conveyor of wisdom, that is, who is the chief carrier of knowledge which is considered as wisdom? What words of wisdom are spoken? What wisdom themes are expected to be met upon the transmission route and how are words of wisdom spoken? How can genre instruct us to identify a structure typical of Babylonian wisdom literature which can be traced elsewhere? Examples from major works of Babylonian Wisdom Literature will be cited throughout.


Open access | Peer reviewed

Submitted: Nov. 7, 2023 | Accepted: March 4, 2024 | Published July 9, 2024 | Language: en

Keywords Babylonian Wisdom Literature • The Epic of Gilgameš • The Babylonian Theodicy • The Book of Qohele • Wisdom Literature of the Eastern Mediterranean bas • Jotham’s Fable

Copyright © 2024 Yoram Cohen. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/978-88-6969-776-0/009


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