Of Sumerian Songs and Spells: the meanings and uses of ser3(-)ku3

Abstract

The paper explores the uses of the Sumerian expression ser3-ku3, with a view to clarifying its sense. It argues that there are two main uses, ‘incantation’ and ‘hymn’, probably correlating respectively with one-word (‘univerbated’) and two-word incarnations of the expression. This hypothesis finds support in the phrase’s loan and translation into Babylonian.