Instructions of Shuruppak: The First Book of Men

The Instructions of Shuruppak (also known as the Instructions of Uruppak son of Ubara-tutu) are a notable piece of Sumerian wisdom literature dating to the early 3rd millenium BCE. The Instructions, which are grouped with other cuneiform tablets from Abu Salabikh can be considered the oldest extant writing of Sumerian wisdom literature. Wisdom literature was prevalent across the ancient Near East, and it was designed to educate correct piety, instill morality, and sustain communal norms. The incipit of the text establishes its antiquity. The commandments are spelled by Ubara-Tutu's son and are directed to Ziudsura. Ziudsura is the name of the hero of the great flood, later named Utnapishtim in Akkadian, and then Noah in the genesis flood narrative. Ubara-Tutu is the last king of Sumer before the flood, according to most existing versions of the Sumerian king list.