A Tearful and Busy Mother

As a way to explore certain aspects related the construction of motherhood, and by extension an ideal femininity in ancient Mesopotamia, this article we examine first millennium BCE baby incantation known us thanks two duplicates found city Assur. More specifically, concentrate on references mother text. In one herself cries when she sees that cannot stop her baby’s crying. second is presented as unable attend work has do because our analysis argue both underline important pillars femininity. On hand emphasise crying can be read, at least partially, empathetic reaction. other, defend busy text embodies industrious woman – contrast negative archetype lazy woman, frequent trope Sumerian Akkadian literature.