lu2-su-a: The cat people or clan of the ruler? (On an Old Sumerian social term)

Abstract

The article deals with 5 Sumerian cuneiform texts from the city of Lagash, compiled during the era of the kings of Lugalanda and Urukagina (second half of the 24th century BC). The texts contain a list of rations intended for a group of persons, which is written with the cuneiform signs LU2.SU.A. The electronic dictionary of the Sumerian language brought these texts to the article su-a “wild cat”. Previously, the researchers believed that this group of people is among the acquaintances of the royal family. It was established on the basis of genealogical explorations that among the LU2. SU.A there were close relatives of the king’s and queen’s family. The hypothesis of reading the combination of signs as “people of the flesh” is suggested. It means that this group of people included only those who belonged to the governor’s clan. They figured first in the lists of rations. The author of the article notes that such a group of people appeared only under Lugalanda, which is connected with the subordination of the Bau temple to the royal family. It still existed in the initial era of Urukagina's rule, but later disappeared as a result of his reforms.