Mental Disability (?): On the Akkadian Word Lillu

Abstract

            Cuneiform scripts of the ancient Mesopotamia include information also about mental-cognitive problems of the people. However, since they are not in a well-designed text type, these pieces of information are dispersed and theyi are mostly encountered among the lines. Moreover, it is not always simple to comprehend what problems Sumerian and Akkadian words refer to, which are thought to be related with mental problems, and what the levels of these health problems are. Grounding on the usages of Sumerian LÚ.LIL and Akkadian lillu/lillatu words in mainly literary and mythological texts, the article will focus on what kind of a mental problem this word refers to. Additionally, the context usages and purposes of this word in the texts will be dwelled on. In this way, how the people, who are defined as lillu, are perceived in the community will be put forth in general terms. It will be tried to manifest that although the word is used together with physical disabilities in many texts, it is used by a certain fraction of the community to define the individuals who are different regarding demeanor and temperament, rather than a mental disability or an illness.

Keywords

• Ancient Mesopotamia,Lillu,Mental Disabilities,Disabled Individuals

Mental Disability (?): On the Akkadian Word Lillu

Abstract

              Eski Mezopotamya’nın çivi yazılı metinleri insanlardaki zihinsel-bilişsel sorunlarla da ilgili bilgiler içermektedir. Ancak belirli bir metin türünde derli toplu bir şekilde bulunmadıkları için bu bilgiler oldukça dağınık bir şekildedir ve çoğu zaman metinlerin satır aralarında karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Ayrıca insanlardaki zihinsel sorunlarla ilgili olduğu düşünülen Sümerce ve Akadca kelimelerin tam olarak ne tür sorunlara göndermede bulunduğunu ve bu sağlık sorunlarının seviyesinin ne olduğunu anlamak her zaman kolay olamamaktadır. Makale, Sümerce LÚ.LIL ve Akadca lillu/lillatu kelimelerinin özellikle edebi ve mitolojik metinler başta olmak üzere çivi yazılı metinlerdeki kullanımlarından yola çıkarak kelimenin ne tür bir zihinsel sorunu tanımladığını anlamaya odaklanacaktır. Bununla birlikte kelimenin metinlerde ne amaçla ve hangi bağlamlarda kullanıldığı üzerinde kısaca durulacaktır. Böylece lillu olduğu ifade edilen insanların toplumsal anlamda nasıl algılanmış olduğu genel hatlarıyla ortaya konulmaya çalışılacaktır. Kelimenin birçok metinde özellikle fiziksel sakatlıklarla birlikte geçmesine rağmen zihinsel bir sakatlıktan ve rahatsızlıktan daha ziyade özellikle toplumun kimi kesimleri tarafından davranış biçimleri ve mizaçları açısından farklı görülen kişileri tanımladığı gösterilmeye çalışılacaktır.

Keywords

• Eski Mezopotamya,Lillu,Zihinsel Sakatlıklar,Sakat Bireyler

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