Looking for Jesus according to Matthew

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Writing (28)

Sumerian king list:
When were Cairo and Fustat founded?

Fustat was founded in 641 AD by Muslim conqueror 'Amr ibn al-'As, serving as Egypt's first Islamic capital. Cairo was established later, in 969 AD, by the Fatimid dynasty under general Jawhar, who founded it north of Fustat as a royal enclosure and eventually a political and economic center that superseded the older city.

Fustat

Founder: 'Amr ibn al-'As

Cairo

Founder: The Fatimid dynasty

Date: 641 AD

Purpose: Founded as a military garrison and the first Islamic capital of Egypt.

Significance: It was the earliest Arab settlement in Egypt and home to the first mosque built in the country, the Mosque of Amr ibn al-'As.

Date: 969 AD

Purpose: Founded by the Fatimid general Jawhar to serve as the new capital for the Fatimid Caliphate.

Significance: It grew to become the most important urban center, eventually incorporating Fustat and other earlier settlements into its larger urban fabric.

 

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Writing (29)

Sumerian king list:
When were Westminster and the City founded?

The City of London was founded by the Romans around AD 43, as "Londinium". The area that became Westminster has a longer, more complex history, with its origins traced to a Benedictine monastery founded in 960 AD, with the "City" of Westminster for local government purposes established much later in 1900 and declared a city in 1540.

The City of London

• Roman origins: The foundation of the City of London dates back to the Roman conquest of Britain around AD 43.
• Early settlement: The Roman settlement was called "Londinium" and served as a major commercial center and port.

Westminster

• Monastic roots: The site of Westminster began with a Benedictine monastery, which was established in 960 AD.

Modern Westminster

• Current formation: The modern City of Westminster, a London borough, was created in 1965 by combining the Metropolitan Boroughs of Westminster, Paddington, and St. Marylebone.

Edward the Confessor's contribution: Edward the Confessor rebuilt the monastery in the 11th century, creating the first Westminster Abbey and a royal palace.

Formal incorporation: While important from Saxon times, the area was not formally incorporated as a borough for local government until 1900.

City status: The area was granted city status in 1540 when Westminster Abbey was elevated to a cathedral.

 

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Writing (30)

Sumerian king list:
Is the City of London a separate entity from London?

Yes, the City of London is a distinct, separate entity with its own government, police force, and Lord Mayor, despite being located within the much larger administrative region of Greater London. It is the ancient financial district and historical core from which the rest of the city developed, possessing unique historical privileges and a government that predates Parliament.

The City of London's Unique Status

• Historical Core: The City of London is the ancient settlement that grew into the modern metropolis of London.

Relationship with Greater London

• Location: The City of London is a distinct "Square Mile" located within the boundaries of Greater London.

In essence, while the City of London is geographically part of the broader London region, it functions as a unique, self-governing entity with its own distinct administrative and historical characteristics.

Special Government: It has its own government, the City of London Corporation, with a Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and the Court of Common Council.

Independent Police: The City of London has its own independent police force.

Administrative Separation: It operates as its own local authority and has special status, separate from the 32 London boroughs that make up the rest of Greater London.

Strategic Guidance: The Greater London Authority (GLA) provides strategic direction for the entire region, including the City of London and the 32 boroughs.

Origin: The City of London Corporation's government predates the establishment of the Greater London Authority and many of the modern boroughs.

 

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Writing (31)

Sumerian king list:
Do we know anything about the king of Sippar, Enmen-dur-ana, except from the Sumerian king list?


En-men-dur-ana. En-men-dur-ana (also En-men-dur-an-ki, Enmenduranki) of Zimbir (the city now known as Sippar) was an ancient Sumerian king, whose name appears in the Sumerian King List as the seventh pre-dynastic king of Sumer. He was also the topic of myth and legend, said to have reigned for around 21,000 years.

What does the name of the Sumerian king Enmen-dur-ana mean?

His name means "chief of the powers of Dur-an-ki", while "Dur-an-ki" in turn means "the meeting-place of heaven and earth" (literally "bond of above and below").

 

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Writing (32)

Sumerian king list:

Then Sippar fell and the kingship was taken to Šuruppak.
In Šuruppak, Ubara-Tutu became king; he ruled for 18,600 years.
One king; he ruled for 18,600 years.

 

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Writing (33)

Sumerian king list:

What do we know about the Sumerian city of Šuruppak?

Šuruppak was an ancient Sumerian city in modern-day Iraq, significant as a center for grain storage and distribution, home to a significant flood event, and a key location in Sumerian mythology as the home of the legendary Ziusudra, the hero of the Sumerian flood narrative who corresponds to Noah in the Bible. Archaeological discoveries at the site, known as Tell Fara, have revealed well-built houses, evidence of a strong administrative system through cuneiform tablets, and a major flood deposit from around 3000 BCE.
Key Aspects of Šuruppak

• Location: Situated about 35 miles south of Nippur, on the banks of the Euphrates River.

Significance in Sumerian Culture and Legend

• The Deluge: Šuruppak is famously featured in Sumerian legend as the home of Ziusudra, the hero who survived a great flood by building an ark, an event echoed in the biblical story of Noah.

Historical Period

• Early Habitation: The earliest excavated levels date to the late prehistoric period, with evidence of a river flood occurring at the end of the Uruk period.
• Peak Period: The city reached its largest extent during the Early Dynastic III period (c. 2600–2350 BCE), when it covered about 100 hectares.
• Abandonment: Šuruppak was largely abandoned shortly after 2000 BCE.

Economy: The city was a major grain storage and distribution center, known for having more silos than any other Sumerian city.
Archaeology: Excavations uncovered well-built houses, cuneiform tablets with administrative and literary texts, and a prominent layer of flood deposit from the Jemdet Nasr period, around 3000 BCE.

Instructions of Šuruppak: The city is the namesake of the "Instructions of Šuruppak," a collection of ancient Sumerian proverbs and moral precepts attributed to a king of the city, providing a glimpse into Sumerian values and social norms.

Name: The Sumerian name for the city was Šuruppag, meaning "The Healing Place".

 

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Writing (34)

Sumerian king list:
Do we know anything about the king of Šuruppak, Ubara-Tutu, except from the Sumerian king list?

Yes, Ubara-Tutu is mentioned outside the Sumerian King List in ancient Mesopotamian literature, most notably as the father of the flood hero Ziusudra in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Instructions of Shuruppak. He is also identified in the latter text as a wise king providing guidance before the great flood.

In the Epic of Gilgamesh

• The hero Utnapishtim (the name used in the Epic for the flood hero Ziusudra) refers to himself as "O man of Shuruppak, son of Ubara-Tutu".

In the Instructions of Shuruppak

• This work of wisdom literature provides a collection of advice and teachings meant to be passed down through the generations.
• In this text, Ubara-Tutu is portrayed as the wise father of the legendary hero Ziusudra (or Shuruppak), who gives his son the final words of wisdom before the flood.

Significance

• These references to Ubara-Tutu in these widely known texts highlight his mythical status as the final ruler of the prediluvian (before the flood) city of Šuruppak and the father of the survivor of the great flood.
  

While the Sumerian King List gives his name and role, these other literary works offer a glimpse into the mythical context and popular narratives surrounding this ancient figure, linking him to the biblical Noah story through his son, the Mesopotamian flood hero.

 

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Writing (35)

Sumerian king list:

What does the name of the Sumerian king Ubara-Tutu?

The name "Ubara-Tutu" is the name of a mythical Sumerian king from the city of Shuruppak and is not a descriptive word with a known translation; it is simply his name as found in the Sumerian King List and mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh as the father of the flood hero Utnapishtim. He is described as the last king before a great flood swept over the land.
Key points about Ubara-Tutu:

• Mythical King: Ubara-Tutu is one of the figures on the Sumerian King List, a text that blends history and myth.
  

Last King Before the Flood: He was the final ruler of the city of Shuruppak before the great flood that destroyed the land.
Father of a Hero: In the Epic of Gilgamesh, he is identified as the father of Utnapishtim, the man who built a boat to survive the flood.
Thematic Connection: His story parallels the biblical narrative of Noah, with Ubara-Tutu being the father of a flood survivor.

 

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Writing (36)

Sumerian king list:

Five cities; eight kings ruled for 385,200sic years.
Then the Flood swept over.

- Only five cities before the flood!

- only eight kings before the flood!

- These kings are said to have reigned for thousands of years!

- We are told about the kingship descending from heaven!

- Some angels rebelled against Yah.weh and decided to go down to the earth to become gods and use humans as slaves!

- They decided to lose their special relationship they had with Yah.weh for a long time!

- They used their free will to go and live on the earth!

- They knew it meant losing their eternal life!

- They brought violence to the earth!

- They knew Yah.weh wouldn’t tolerate such a situation forever!

- They also accelerated the process by giving technologies to humans!

- It was like a powerful venom which would tenfold violence and wickedness!

- Yah.weh could destroy mankind but this venom would survive like an indestructible virus!

- Adam and Eve didn’t wait so long!

- And they didn’t live for long!

- Different nature but same rebellion!

- But there was a big difference: there were many angels and only a minority rebelled!

- In the case of humans, there was just a couple and their decision affected all their descendants!

- But humans never understand the lesson because the majority keeps rebelling!

- And it will repeat again after the 1,000 years!

- Thus there is no comparison between angels and humans!

- On the one hand, only a minority of rebels, on the other hand, a big majority!

- And in the whole story, we get Yah.weh’s patience!

- But it is only for humans, not for angels because angels are perfect as Adam and Eve were perfect!

- But the majority doesn’t care!

- They prefer rebellion to eternal life just like the angels who rebelled!

- It is a question of value!

- What do we value more?

- They have turned life into a piece of nothing!

- It seems really strange or stupid!

- But it is a choice!

- Remember 1,000 years and this virus will destroy mankind again!

- It is difficult to imagine the earth free of this poison!

 

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Writing (37)


Sumerian king list:

After the Flood had swept over, and the kingship had descended from heaven, the kingship was in Kiš.
In Kiš, Gišur became king; he ruled for 1,200 years.
Kullassina-bêl ruled for 900 years.
Nan-GIŠ-lišma ruled for 1,200 years.
En-dara-ana ruled for 420 years, 3 months, and 3½ days.
Babum ruled for 300 years.
Pu'annum ruled for 840 years.
Kalibum ruled for 900 years.
Kalumum ruled for 840 years.
Zuqaqip ruled for 900 years.
Atab ruled for 600 years.
Mašda, son of Atab, ruled for 840 years.
Arwi'um, son of Mašda, ruled for 720 years.
Etana, the shepherd, who ascended to heaven and put all countries in order, became king; he ruled for 1,500 years.
Balih, son of Etana, ruled for 400 years.
Enme-nuna ruled for 660 years.
Melem-Kiš, son of Enme-nuna, ruled for 900 years.
Barsal-nuna, son of Enme-nuna, ruled for 1,200 years.
Samug, son of Barsal-nuna, ruled for 140 years.
Tizkar, son of Samug, ruled for 305 years.
Ilku'u ruled for 900 years.
Ilta-sadum ruled for 1200 years.
Enmen-baragesi, who destroyed Elam's weapons, became king; he ruled for 900 years.
Agga, son of Enmen-baragesi, ruled for 625 years.
Twenty-three kings ruled for 23,310 years, 3 months, and 3 1/2 days.

 

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Writing (38)

Sumerian king list:

What do we know about the Sumerian city of Kiš?
Kish was an ancient Mesopotamian city considered by the Sumerians to be the first capital to receive kingship after the great flood, holding significant prestige and symbolic importance. It was a major urban center and dominant regional power in the northern part of the alluvium during the Early Dynastic period (3rd millennium BCE), with the title "King of Kish" granting authority over the entire northern plain. Archaeological evidence, including a royal palace and evidence of early urbanization, confirms Kish's importance as one of the world's earliest cities, though its archaeological site was abandoned by the 7th century AD.

Historical Significance

• First Post-Flood Dynasty: According to the Sumerian King List, Kish was the first city to receive kingship from heaven after the great flood, giving it unparalleled symbolic significance in Sumerian culture.

Archaeological Evidence and Excavations

• Location and Site: Kish is located in south-central Iraq, about 80 kilometers south of Baghdad, near the modern tell (mound) of Tell al-Uhaymir.

Cultural and Religious Aspects

• Patron Deities: The city's patron deities changed over time. During the Early Dynastic period, it was Ishtar and her consort Ea, while in the Old Babylonian period, the warrior god Zababa and his consort the goddess Bau became the primary deities.
• Semitic Population: Kish had a Semitic population from its earliest times, a fact discernible from the names of its early dynastic kings listed in the Sumerian King List.

Political and Symbolic Title: Throughout much of its history, rule over Kish symbolized dominance over the northern Mesopotamian plain. The title "King of Kish" carried prestige akin to that of the medieval "Holy Roman Emperor" and was adopted by rulers even from other powerful cities like Akkad and Babylon.

Early Urbanization: Kish was one of the earliest cities and urban environments in the world, with evidence of its existence dating back to at least 3200 B.C. and continuing to the 7th century AD.

Joint Expeditions: Major joint archaeological expeditions, including those by The Field Museum and the University of Oxford in the early 20th century, explored the site's many mounds, unearthing significant evidence of its ancient urbanization and prominence.

Key Discoveries: The excavations uncovered a royal palace, evidence of the city's patron deity Zababa, and the E-hursag-kalama temple, which was dedicated to the goddess Ishtar during the Early Dynastic period.

 

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Writing (39)

Sumerian king list:

- Before the flood, the kings are said to have reigned for thousands of years!

- After the flood, the kings are said to have reigned for hundreds of years!

- But in all cases, there aren’t any explanations to explain the differences and why it is so!

- In two cases, we are told about years and months and days!

- It isn’t serious!

 

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Writing (40)

Sumerian king list:
Do we know anything about the king of Kis, Gisur, except from the Sumerian king list?


No, information about a king named Geyser is not known outside of the Sumerian King List, and it is likely that "Geyser" is a misinterpretation or misremembering of the name Alulim or a similar mythical ruler. The Sumerian King List contains mythical reigns of thousands of years, with the first kings, like Alulim of Eridu, being regarded as mythical figures rather than historical ones. The list is a political document combining myth and history to legitimize rulers, not a purely historical record.

Details about the Mythical First King (likely not "Geyser")

• Name and Location: The Sumerian King List lists Alulim as the first king of the city of Eridu.

The Sumerian King List as a Source

• Political Document: The list was not intended as a strictly historical account but as a literary and political work.

Why You Might Be Misremembering "Geyser"

• Typo/Misinterpretation: "Geyser" could be a mishearing or misspelling of a name like Alulim or another Sumerian king's name.
  

Long Reign: Alulim is described with a reign of 28,800 years, a characteristic of the mythical, pre-flood kings on the list.

Mythological Status: Alulim is considered a mythological ruler, one of many figures from a period when kingship was believed to have descended from the gods.

Justification for Rule: It was used to provide a unified and legitimate lineage for rulers, tracing their right to rule back to the gods and the creation of kingship.

Combination of Fact and Fiction: While it includes some historical elements and names, the early portion of the list is largely composed of myth and legend, featuring characters with impossibly long reigns.

Focus on Myth: The extreme length of the reigns of the first kings can lead to confusion, as they are figures from a deeply mythologized past rather than verifiable historical kings.

 

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Writing (41)

Sumerian king list:

Do we know anything about the king of Kis, Kullassina-bêl , except from the Sumerian king list?


Kullassina-bel of Kish was the second king in the First Dynasty of Kish according to the Sumerian king list, which adds that he reigned for 960 years (or 900 in some copies).

As the name seems to be an Akkadian phrase meaning "All(kullat) of them(šina) (were) lord(bēl)", it has sometimes been suggested that the occurrence of this name on the list was intended to denote a period of no central authority in the early period of Kish.

An alternative translation of the name is "Lord(bēl) of all(kullat) of them [the women](šina)".

 

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Writing (42)

Sumerian king list:
Do we know anything about the king of Kis, Nan-GIŠ-lišma , except from the Sumerian king list?


No, we do not know anything about the king of Kish, Nan-GIŠ-lišma, outside of the Sumerian King List (SKL), as there is no other contemporary historical evidence or literary sources to corroborate his existence or reign. The SKL is a literary work with a political purpose, not a purely historical document, and the figures listed, especially in the early sections like Nan-GIŠ-lišma, are considered mythological or fictional rather than actual historical kings.

Why there's no external information:

• Mythological Context: The early part of the SKL includes figures with extremely long reigns, which is a characteristic of mythical or legendary figures rather than historical kings.
  

Political Tool: The SKL was created as a tool to legitimize a unified Mesopotamian monarchy by connecting rulers to a divine past.

Limited Early Records: For the period of Nan-GIŠ-lišma, there are no other archaeological finds or written documents that confirm the existence of this king. The only historically confirmed figures from Kish, like Enmebaragesi, appear much later in the King List.

No Confirmation of Existence: The Sumerian King List is unique in combining mythological and historical accounts, but the existence of most kings, especially in the pre-diluvian section, remains unconfirmed by other sources.

 

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Writing (43)

Sumerian king list:

meaning of the Sumerian word Nan-GIŠ-lišma:

The Sumerian term "Nan-GIŠ-lišma" appears to be a combination of elements that could suggest a meaning related to a name or a descriptive phrase, with "GIŠ" potentially referring to "tree" or "wood," and "lišma" possibly having a connection to something that "hears" or is "heard" in a broader sense. However, the lack of a direct translation for the entire phrase in the search results indicates that "Nan-GIŠ-lišma" may not be a known single word or common expression, but rather a more complex construction or a personal name.

Possible Breakdown of the Word:

• Nan: This could be a personal name or a possessive pronoun. Without more context, its exact meaning is uncertain.

Context is Key:

To understand the exact meaning of "Nan-GIŠ-lišma," more information about its context is crucial. It could be:

• A name: As a personal name or title.

In conclusion, while the search results can provide some insight into the individual components of the word, a definitive translation of "Nan-GIŠ-lišma" requires further context and scholarly analysis beyond what is available in the provided search results.

GIŠ: In Sumerian, this word generally refers to "wood" or "tree".

lišma: This element may relate to a root meaning "to hear," "to listen," or "to be heard," as well as potentially "knowledge" or "intelligence" in a broad sense.

A descriptive phrase: Perhaps describing something like "the man of the tree of hearing" or "the one with wood for listening".

A deity or mythical figure: In the ancient world, names often had symbolic meanings.

A textual or scribal error: It is possible that this word is not a standard term but rather a unique combination of existing Sumerian elements.

 

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Writing (44)

Sumerian king list:

Meaning of the Sumerian name of the king Nan-GIŠ-lišma

The name of the king Nan-GIŠ-lišma means "He-who-has-seen-the-city-with-the-big-man" or similar, combining the elements "Nan-GIŠ" (a city, specifically En-GIŠ-za, or "The City of the Big-Man") and "-lišma" (a verb meaning "to hear" or "to see"). This interpretation suggests a name with royal significance, possibly indicating a connection to kingship, as the word for king in Sumerian, lugal, literally means "big man".

Here's a breakdown of the name's elements:

• Nan-GIŠ: This is believed to be a reference to a city, possibly En-GIŠ-za.
• GIŠ: In this context, it is often interpreted as "big" or "great," as seen in the word for king.
• -lišma: This verb means "to hear" or "to see".

Therefore, a plausible interpretation is that the name reflects a person's connection to a prominent city identified by its "big-man" (king).

- This search is incredible!

- It shows how humble we should be in terms of translation!

- Well, not only in terms of translation but for many things!

- We could say the same about archeology which deals with very long periods of time!

- Thus many things can be wrong!

- Here depending on the pieces of information we get, it may change everything!

- Same about dating!

- It reminds me about Jane Goodall who led to revolutionary discoveries in particular about tool use among chimpanzees!

- Definitely a good example to think about when we study the Bible!

 

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Writing (45)

Sumerian king list:

Dame Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist and conservationist known for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, died on October 1, 2025, at the age of 91. Goodall's life was dedicated to studying chimpanzee behavior in the wild, leading to revolutionary discoveries about tool use, social structures, and emotions in chimpanzees, which blurred the lines between humans and animals. She died of natural causes in California while on a speaking tour.

Key Contributions

• Tool Use: Goodall was the first to document chimpanzees using and making tools, a groundbreaking discovery that challenged the human definition of tool use.

Legacy

• Conservation: Goodall became a global advocate for wildlife conservation and environmental protection, inspiring countless individuals through her work with the Jane Goodall Institute.
  

Social Behavior: Her research revealed complex social lives, including communication, emotional bonds, and organized warfare among chimpanzees.

Scientific Approach: She pioneered a more personal and empathetic approach to studying animals, naming the chimps she studied and attributing personality and emotions to them, though this was initially met with resistance from the scientific establishment.

Women in Science: She opened doors for generations of women in science, demonstrating that women could achieve scientific prominence.

Human-Animal Connection: Her work fostered a deeper understanding and connection between humans and the natural world, advocating for the protection of all living beings.

 

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Writing (46)

Sumerian king list:
Do we know anything about the king of Kis, En-dara-ana , except from the Sumerian king list?

No, we do not know of the Sumerian king of Kish, En-dara-ana (En-tarah-ana), from any source other than the Sumerian King List. He is not mentioned in contemporary texts from the period of his supposed reign (Early Dynastic period), making his existence questionable and suggesting he may be a legendary or mythological figure rather than a historical one.

Why the Skepticism?

• Lack of External Evidence: The primary reason for skepticism is the absence of En-tarah-ana's name from other historical records or archaeological finds.

En-tarah-ana's Entry in the Sumerian King List

• He is listed as the fourth king of the First Dynasty of Kish.
  

Mythological Nature of the List: The Sumerian King List itself is a blend of mythological and historical accounts. The pre-dynastic kings, like those listed at the beginning of the list, are generally not considered historical figures unless they appear in other contemporary documents.

Focus on Other Kings: In contrast, kings from the later Early Dynastic period, such as En-me-barage-si of Kish, have been confirmed as historical figures by the discovery of inscriptions bearing their names.

His reign is given an incredibly specific duration: 420 years, 3 months, and 3 and a half days.

The Weld-Blundell Prism, a significant copy of the King List, was damaged at this point, which is why Thorkild Jacobsen restored his name.

 

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Writing (47)

Sumerian king list:
Meaning of the Sumerian word En-dara-ana (En-tarah-ana):

The meaning of the Sumerian name En-tarah-ana is "uncertain," as the name likely refers to a legendary king on the Sumerian King List, whose historical existence is unconfirmed. The name is derived from the Sumerian word en, meaning "lord" or "ruler," along with other terms that are not definitively translated for this individual.

Breaking Down the Name:

• En- (𒂗): This is a Sumerian word meaning "lord," "ruler," or "high priest".

Significance:

• En-tarah-ana is mentioned in the Sumerian King List as the fourth king of the First Dynasty of Kish, a legendary dynasty.

In summary, the exact meaning of En-tarah-ana's name is uncertain, but the "En-" prefix indicates a "ruler" or "lord," while the full name refers to a figure whose existence as a historical king is not confirmed.

-tarah- (-琺): The exact meaning of this part of the name is unclear, but it may relate to a personal or divine name.

-ana (-𒈾): This component of the name is also of unknown meaning and purpose.

The Sumerian King List itself is a literary work, and the names listed are often considered legendary rather than historical.

His historicity is questionable, as his name doesn't appear in other texts from the period.