Hi! I've recently read a bit about Mesopotamian history and one thing that particularly struck me is that Akkadian has a vast body of literature comparable (at least in terms of range) to that of Latin: poetry, epics, annals, chronicles, mythology, philosophical texts etc...

Why is the language and its literature so understudied compared to Latin or Ancient Greek?

I've been thinking it might be due to the difficulty of reading its script or to the fact that Mesopotamian civilization might feel more distant from us than the Greco-Roman world.

On the other hand, classical literature experienced a resurgence during the Renaissance after many of its works were rediscovered. Why hasn't there been a comparable Renaissance in the 19th or 20th century after the discovery of literary works from Mesopotamia?

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

Sung in Akkadian · Lyrics extracted from incantations inscribed on ancient Mesopotamian amulets of Pazuzu

These incantations, more than two thousand years old, call upon Pazuzu, the wandering Mesopotamian wind demon, to turn his power against other demons and protect the wearer and their home.

Source: band Nemuer's BandCamp