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Why did Hittite scribes study Sumerian and Akkadian as well as Hittite?
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cuneiform
An account of barley distribution, probably from Uruk, Mesopotamia, c. 3100–2900 bce; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.
Hittite scribes studied Sumerian and Akkadian as part of their professional training to become qualified scribes in the Hittite capital.1
The study of these languages served distinct purposes:
- Scholarly Training: Scribes viewed Sumerian texts as essential "scholarly literature." This curriculum included word lists, omens, and ritual prescriptions, reflecting an encyclopedic approach to education that was considered vital for a scribe's expertise.1
- Diplomatic Necessity: Akkadian functioned as the lingua franca of international communication throughout the Middle East during that period. Consequently, Hittite scribes needed to master the language to draft and understand treaties and correspondence with foreign powers.21
By incorporating these languages into their curriculum, Hittite scribes ensured they could maintain both the intellectual traditions of the region and the practical requirements of imperial diplomacy.1