The Good, the Bad, (and the Ugly?): Propaganda and the Tukulti-Ninurta Epic

Stefan Jakob

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Chapter 7 The Good, the Bad, (and the Ugly?): Propaganda and the Tukulti-Ninurta Epic

In: Contemporary Approaches to Mesopotamian Literature

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Stefan Jakob

Stefan Jakob
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 203–212

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004697577_009

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Abstract

Within the corpus of royal narrative, the so-called Tukulti-Ninurta Epic has been regarded as unique, commissioned by the Assyrian king Tukulti-Ninurta I (1233–1197 BCE) to propagandistically justify a war of aggression against the neighboring country of Babylonia. However, if the work is closely examined in the light of the larger literary tradition in which it stands, with particular attention to the Adad-nirari Epic, as well as in its larger social context, it begins to emerge in a different light. Without doubt, the Tukulti-Ninurta Epic stands out in quality and scope. At the same time, however, it is also part of the stream of tradition of courtly literature in Assyria. The intended audience of the composition was likely a small circle of the socio-cultural elite and the ordinary people of Assyria probably had no knowledge of it. Consequently, the idea that the epic was created to persuade the masses of the lawfulness of Tukulti-Ninurta’s actions in invading Babylonia is not a convincing one. This point is of fundamental importance for our futher investigation and understanding of the epic, since it clarifies the perspectives through which we might evaluate the historical content of the story.

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Contemporary Approaches to Mesopotamian Literature

How to Tell a Story

Series: Cuneiform Monographs, Volume: 56

Cover Contemporary Approaches to Mesopotamian Literature

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004697577

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 08 Aug 2024

Subjects
- Ancient Near East and Egypt
  - Authors, Texts, Literature
- Literature and Cultural Studies
  - Comparative Studies & World Literature

Front Matter

Part 1 Issues, Theories, and Methods

Part 2 Sumerian Narratives: Narratological Approaches

Part 3 Akkadian Gilgamesh Narratives: Contextual and Intertextual Approaches

Part 4 Assyrian Royal Narratives: Contextual and Intertextual Approaches

Part 5 Sumerian and Akkadian Narratives: Novel Approaches

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Chapter 7 The Good, the Bad, (and the Ugly?): Propaganda and the Tukulti-Ninurta Epic

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Contemporary Approaches to Mesopotamian Literature

How to Tell a Story

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