I sogni di Gudea: oniromanzia e politica nella Mesopotamia del III millennio a.C.

Lorenzo Verderame

Abstract:

In the XXIInd c. BCE, Gudea, ruler of the Southern Mesopotamian city-state of Lagaš, began construction of the sanctuary dedicated to the city-god Ninĝirsu. The building programme was accompanied by a ceremonial apparatus that included the production of two clay cylinders inscribed with the narrative of the preparatory phase of the construction.
In this paper, I analyse the three dreams of Gudea depicted on the cylinders. In these dreams, the ruler of Lagaš receives the order from Ninĝirsu to build the temple, together with instructions and further reassurance that the gods will support Gudea in his undertaking.
I further examine the role of dreams and their interpretation in third millennium Mesopotamia and Sumerian literature. I investigate the figure of the dream interpreter and the relationship of dreams with femininity and otherness. Furthermore, I analyse the function of dreams in cuneiform literature, mainly focusing on the Epic of Gilgameš in comparison with the cylinders of Gudea.
In the conclusion, I discuss the role dreams play within the political and celebrative discourse of Gudea.