Die Diversität von Weisheit in neuassyrischen Königsinschriften. Von Handwerkskunst bis zur Grundlage der Zivilisation

Abstract

The Diversity of Wisdom in Neo-Assyrian Royal Inscriptions. From Craftsmanship to the Foundation of Civilization
The purpose of this article is to examine conceptions of wisdom in Akkadian sources, with particular emphasis on Neo-Babylonian and Neo-Assyrian royal inscriptions. Thus, the semantic range of nēmequ, uznu, ḫasīsu, and eršu is analysed, showing that ‘wisdom’ encompasses theoretical knowledge, practical expertise, and artistic craftsmanship as well as the civilizing foundations of social order. The discussion considers both mythic and this-worldly embodiments of wise figures. It is argued that in the realm of royal self-representation, wisdom is predominantly attributed to male actors, either divinely bestowed or acquired through life experience, though a limited number of women, notably queens and royal mothers, are also commemorated as wise.