Continue to learn Sumerian, the oldest attested language on earth. A good reason to learn Sumerian is to gain access to a large body of little-known, very ancient and truly fascinating literature. including the Descent of Inanna, in which the goddess of love (later known as Ishtar) attempts to take control of the underworld, and the earliest fragments of the stories surrounding the epic hero Bilgames (called Gilgamesh by the A...
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The aim of the course is to go beyond the basics of the Sumerian language and the cuneiform script in which it is written.
What will we cover?
Although the course is primarily one of language instruction, we will touch more broadly on themes of Mespotamian history and culture. We are presently in the middle of Volume Two of Bowen and Lewis' Learn To Read Ancient Sumerian. This term we will continue with the textbook, while in tandem we will be begin reading the Descent of Inanna.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
read and write Sumerian;
use sign and vocabulary lists;
understand general rules of syntax and sentence structure;
gain an insight into Sumerian literature and culture more generally, and how they fit into the history of the ancient Near East.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is intended for those who have completed Sumerian Level 1 or have equivalent knowledge. If you have completed the Sumerian term as part of the course Languages of the Ancient Near East, you might also be able to join. The group is inclusive and as a minority subject welcomes interested parties. Contact the tutor for further information.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Classroom contact involving translating into and from Sumerian will be complemented with between one to two hours per week of homework.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Learn to Read Ancient Sumerian Volume 2 by Bowen and Lewis (Digital Hammurabi Press).
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You can advance to further studies in Sumerian. The tutor will be able to advise.
Vaughan Pilikian is an artist, writer and teacher. He has degrees in Classics, Sanskrit and Assyriology.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/sumerian-level-2-module-13030919Sumerian level 2: module 1https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/French-ES_banner.jpg239239GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Languages/Courses/Languages/Ancient languages/Courses/Languages/Ancient languages/Ancient Near East228512801504137651228512801504<p>Continue to learn Sumerian, the oldest attested language on earth. A good reason to learn Sumerian is to gain access to a large body of little-known, very ancient and truly fascinating literature. including the Descent of Inanna, in which the goddess of love (later known as Ishtar) attempts to take control of the underworld, and the earliest fragments of the stories surrounding the epic hero Bilgames (called Gilgamesh by the Assyrians).</p>003030841Sumerian level 2: module 1239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/French-ES_banner.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekend2026-10-03T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceOct 2026LanguagesRN439239239Sumerian level 2: module 1191155239Vaughan Pilikiansumerian-level-2-module-1/rn439-2627<p>Continue to learn Sumerian, the oldest attested language on earth. A good reason to learn Sumerian is to gain access to a large body of little-known, very ancient and truly fascinating literature. including the Descent of Inanna, in which the goddess of love (later known as Ishtar) attempts to take control of the underworld, and the earliest fragments of the stories surrounding the epic hero Bilgames (called Gilgamesh by the Assyrians).</p>0000-Available|2026-10-03 00:00:00<p>The aim of the course is to go beyond the basics of the Sumerian language and the cuneiform script in which it is written.</p><p>Continue to learn Sumerian, the oldest attested language on earth. A good reason to learn Sumerian is to gain access to a large body of little-known, very ancient and truly fascinating literature. including the Descent of Inanna, in which the goddess of love (later known as Ishtar) attempts to take control of the underworld, and the earliest fragments of the stories surrounding the epic hero Bilgames (called Gilgamesh by the Assyrians).</p><p>Although the course is primarily one of language instruction, we will touch more broadly on themes of Mespotamian history and culture. We are presently in the middle of Volume Two of Bowen and Lewis' Learn To Read Ancient Sumerian. This term we will continue with the textbook, while in tandem we will be begin reading the Descent of Inanna.</p><ul><li>read and write Sumerian;</li><li>use sign and vocabulary lists;</li><li>understand general rules of syntax and sentence structure;</li><li>gain an insight into Sumerian literature and culture more generally, and how they fit into the history of the ancient Near East.</li></ul><p>The course is intended for those who have completed Sumerian Level 1 or have equivalent knowledge. If you have completed the Sumerian term as part of the course Languages of the Ancient Near East, you might also be able to join. The group is inclusive and as a minority subject welcomes interested parties. Contact the tutor for further information.</p><p>Classroom contact involving translating into and from Sumerian will be complemented with between one to two hours per week of homework.</p><p><em>Learn to Read Ancient Sumerian Volume 2</em> by Bowen and Lewis (Digital Hammurabi Press).</p><p>You can advance to further studies in Sumerian. The tutor will be able to advise.</p>Ancient languagesAncient Near Eastvirtual191239155RN439NONESat03/10/26 - 05/12/2614:00 - 15:3014:0015:3010 sessions (over 10 weeks)105-10 weeksDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetVaughan PilikianSome experienceAvailable courses2026-10-03T00:00:00+00:00Oct 2026Languages239239Sumerian level 2: module 1sumerian-level-2-module-1/rn439-2627<p>Continue to learn Sumerian, the oldest attested language on earth. A good reason to learn Sumerian is to gain access to a large body of little-known, very ancient and truly fascinating literature. including the Descent of Inanna, in which the goddess of love (later known as Ishtar) attempts to take control of the underworld, and the earliest fragments of the stories surrounding the epic hero Bilgames (called Gilgamesh by the Assyrians).</p>0000-Available|2026-10-03 00:00:00<p>The aim of the course is to go beyond the basics of the Sumerian language and the cuneiform script in which it is written.</p><p>Continue to learn Sumerian, the oldest attested language on earth. A good reason to learn Sumerian is to gain access to a large body of little-known, very ancient and truly fascinating literature. including the Descent of Inanna, in which the goddess of love (later known as Ishtar) attempts to take control of the underworld, and the earliest fragments of the stories surrounding the epic hero Bilgames (called Gilgamesh by the Assyrians).</p><p>Although the course is primarily one of language instruction, we will touch more broadly on themes of Mespotamian history and culture. We are presently in the middle of Volume Two of Bowen and Lewis' Learn To Read Ancient Sumerian. This term we will continue with the textbook, while in tandem we will be begin reading the Descent of Inanna.</p><ul><li>read and write Sumerian;</li><li>use sign and vocabulary lists;</li><li>understand general rules of syntax and sentence structure;</li><li>gain an insight into Sumerian literature and culture more generally, and how they fit into the history of the ancient Near East.</li></ul><p>The course is intended for those who have completed Sumerian Level 1 or have equivalent knowledge. If you have completed the Sumerian term as part of the course Languages of the Ancient Near East, you might also be able to join. The group is inclusive and as a minority subject welcomes interested parties. Contact the tutor for further information.</p><p>Classroom contact involving translating into and from Sumerian will be complemented with between one to two hours per week of homework.</p><p><em>Learn to Read Ancient Sumerian Volume 2</em> by Bowen and Lewis (Digital Hammurabi Press).</p><p>You can advance to further studies in Sumerian. The tutor will be able to advise.</p>Ancient languagesAncient Near Eastconfigurable
137651504Ancient Near Easthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/languages/classical-languages/ancient-near-east1/2/285/1280/1504/137651/Courses/Languages/Ancient languages/Ancient Near East
