Lecture, three hours. Survey of literary texts and traditions the ancient Near East, specifically Mesopotamia, from Old Akkadian (circa 2300 BCE) to Neo-Babylonian (circa 600 BCE) period. Texts read in English translation include literary texts, royal inscriptions, incantations, royal and divine hymns, with focus on literary epics, particularly first millennium BCE Epic of Gilgamesh. Discussion of texts, their narratives, and their divine and human actors. Discussion of sociohistorical context for cuneiform (Sumerian and Akkadian) texts and royal, religious, and cultural roles of different texts. P/NP or letter grading.