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Sumerian Shakespeare

The Princess Wife

This is the story of The Princess Wife. It is the world’s first political satire – as told from a woman’s point of view. Although the princess wife doesn’t have any real power of her own, she cleverly manipulates events so that she goes out on top. She is clearly the boss, even 

in the presence of her husband (the prince) and his father (the lord).

* * * Click on a link below or use the drop-down menu on the right. * * *

An Introduction to The Princess Wife, a fascinating woman.

The Translation, without a lot of explanatory comment.

The Annotations tell what's really going on in this story.

Transliteration of Tablet 31,28. Not for the faint of heart.

Sign List shows the signs and their definitions.

Nu-nus: the main "trick sign" on the tablet. Very clever.

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