The Harps that Once | Thorkild Jacobsen

The Harps That Once...: Sumerian Poetry in Translation

Extended Synopsis

The Harps That Once...: Sumerian Poetry in Translation provides a breathtaking collection of ancient Sumerian poems written near the end of the third millennium BCE. Brought to life by eminent Assyriologist Thorkild Jacobsen, this volume offers a direct window into the literary expressions and inner lives of the earliest urban civilization in Mesopotamia. The comprehensive collection includes hymns, love songs, laments, myths, and epics, providing a profound look at the cultural foundations of human history.

Notably, the collection includes a number of compositions that have never before been published in translation. These works—quite possibly the earliest poems extant—explore universal themes that have fascinated humanity since the time people first began to spin stories. From the longings of young lovers and raw courage in battle to the joy at the birth of a child and the simple pleasures of drink and song, this anthology captures the enduring essence of the human experience.

Author Biography

Thorkild Jacobsen was an eminent Assyriologist and a foremost authority on ancient Mesopotamian culture and literature. Also the acclaimed author of The Treasures of Darkness, Jacobsen dedicated his career to translating and interpreting ancient texts, bringing the intricate poetry, mythology, and spiritual life of the Sumerian world to modern readers.

Reader Targeting

• Scholars, students, and historians of ancient Near Eastern and Mesopotamian civilizations.
• Enthusiasts of classical and ancient poetry seeking the earliest known literary works.
• Readers fascinated by mythology, early urban cultures, and the evolution of human storytelling.

Accolades & Awards

Celebrated for its meticulous scholarship and inclusion of previously unpublished translations, this volume is recognized as a vital contribution to Assyriology and the broader study of ancient world literature.

Bibliographic & Physical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of writings are included in this book?
The volume features a diverse array of ancient Sumerian literature, including hymns, love songs, laments, myths, and epics.

Are these texts well-known to the general public?
While some are foundational to ancient history, this collection also includes a number of compositions that have never before been published in English translation.

What themes do these ancient poems explore?
Despite their age, the poems explore deeply relatable, universal human experiences: the longings of young lovers, courage in battle, joy at the birth of a child, and the pleasures of drink and song.

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