Enmerkar
Topic: Bronze Age Civilisations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, China · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 1 "Writing and City Life"
Meaning
Enmerkar was an early ruler of Uruk who appears in a Sumerian epic poem. The story links kingship, trade and writing. In Mesopotamian belief, kings organised trade and writing, and writing showed that their city culture was better than that of others.
Example
Enmerkar wanted lapis lazuli and precious metals for a temple. He sent his messenger again and again to the distant land of Aratta. The messenger "grew weary of mouth" (tired of repeating the long messages). So Enmerkar shaped a clay tablet and wrote the message on it.
Don't confuse with
- Gilgamesh: another legendary king of Uruk. His 12-tablet epic is about his failed search for immortality (living forever). In the end he takes comfort in the city wall of Uruk. His story is not about writing or trade.