What are long Sumerian poems that tell the story of a hero?

While we don't have long, complete poems in the modern sense of the word, there are several Sumerian literary texts that feature heroic figures and their exploits. However, most of these are fragments or incomplete epics, making it difficult to truly call them "long poems."

Here are some notable examples:

* The Epic of Gilgamesh: Arguably the most famous Sumerian literary work, though it's actually a collection of different poems and fragments that have been pieced together. It tells the story of Gilgamesh, a powerful king, and his search for immortality after the death of his friend Enkidu.

* The Lugal-e Epic: Another epic, this one follows the story of Lugal-e, a hero who is said to have conquered the entire world. We have fragments of this epic, which tell of Lugal-e's battles and the conquest of various city-states.

* The Descent of Inanna: This poem tells the story of Inanna, the goddess of love and war, who descends to the underworld and confronts the queen of the dead, Ereshkigal. While not a "hero's journey" in the typical sense, Inanna exhibits bravery and cunning, making her a powerful figure in Sumerian mythology.

* The Myth of Adapa: This poem focuses on Adapa, a fisherman who is granted immortality but loses it through his own actions. It explores themes of human fallibility and the consequences of not following the rules of the gods.

It's important to remember that much of Sumerian literature has been lost to time. The fragments we have provide glimpses into the stories and characters that were important to the Sumerian people, but the complete picture remains elusive.

Would you like to know more about any of these particular figures or texts? Perhaps you are interested in the themes of heroism in Sumerian literature? Let me know, and I'll do my best to provide more information.

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