"Goatcha”

Humour is a frequent feature of Sumero- Akkadian didactic literature, also dubbed »wisdom literature« by modern scholars. In humorous didactic works, ancient scribes applied various styles, modes, and rhetorical techniques to elicit amusement among their audiences, with puns and punning, a favourite literary device. The Sumerian fable, The She- Goat and The Lion, is a jewel in the crown of ancient scribal punning skill. Its humour depends heavily on difficult, multi- layered puns, and its punchline's significance has heretofore escaped modern scholars. This study therefore attempts to introduce an ancient scribal joke to modern audiences. In light of this example, I then close the study with fresh observations on the significance of humour in Sumero- Akkadian wisdom literature.