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Does the name entry EN AN E2 on MS 3035 (P006268, obv. i 1.b09) contain the divine name Enlil, written as in Early Dynastic {d}en-lil2?

Asked 3 Nov 2026 by ·Part of Do the roughly 440 personal names in the archaic texts follow Sumerian, Semitic or some other naming pattern?·2 answers·0·0 following
Two answers, none aheadNone is ahead yet. See what would settle it.

Where it stands

Two answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Two are still possible.

Why it matters

Englund held that no archaic name contains a plausible Sumerian divine element. This entry has exactly the sign make-up of {d}en-lil2 (LIL2 is the E2 sign), which occurs 17 times in Early Dynastic administrative names. If the reading holds, the archaic names include at least one theophoric element, and the god Enlil appears in the Uruk III record. The alternative is a chance combination of EN 'lord', AN and E2 'house'.

Answers 2

Evidence: none yet
Still possible
Yes, it is Enlil
Not tested yet
Evidence: 1 against
Still possible

Next steps 1

1
Check EN AN E2 = Enlil
Could decideFair odds~4 h
23score
Details

Compare EN AN E2 on MS 3035 with archaic EN.E2 attestations (lexical lists, Cities list) and Early Dynastic {d}en-lil2 spellings to judge whether it writes Enlil.

Ranked by how likely each is to move the key question, for the time it takes

History

  1. Robert K. Englund: archaic Enlil is EN.KID, not EN.E2Against: Yes, it is Enlil
  2. Robert K. Englund: archaic Enlil is EN.KID, not EN.E2Against: Yes, it is Enlil
  3. Session 8: raised the question
  4. Session 9: proposed two answers and found one result bearing on its answers
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