Enmerkar and The Lord of Aratta

The full text of a legendary Sumerian account. Details the diplomatic exchange between King Enmerkar of Uruk, and an unnamed Lord of Aratta, circa 2100 BC.

Enmerkar requests precious stones for a new temple, but Aratta needs barley as his people are in famine. Though Enmerkar begins negotiations belligerently, Aratta does not fear Uruk's military might. Thus begins the conflict between the two cities.

The text is reportedly a very early version of the Bible's Tower of Babel ("Confusion of Tongues") narrative. Also notable is a story about the invention of writing on clay tablets.

Source : http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/section1...