From Tablets to Emotions: Reflections on "Emotional Practices" in the Study of Cuneiform Texts

Abstract

This article contributes to the emerging theoretical discussion on emotions in Assyriology by examining the analytical model of “emotional practices” proposed by Monique Scheer and evaluating its applicability to the study of Old Babylonian texts (ca. 2000-1600 BCE). The study analyzes three letters from Mari (M.13014, ARM 2 44, and ARM 10 107) that share a specific context of war, examining them through the lens of Scheer’s emotional practices framework. Although this model has been cited in some Assyriological works, it has not been thoroughly discussed or applied to textual analysis within the field. This research represents the first systematic application of the emotional practices model to Old Babylonian textual sources, offering new methodological possibilities for understanding emotions. The study’s findings suggest that Scheer’s framework provides valuable insights into how emotions were practiced and expressed in Old Babylonian society, while also highlighting the specific challenges of applying modern theoretical approaches to ancient textual sources. This contribution aims to enhance our understanding of emotional practices in Mesopotamia and advance theoretical discussions within Assyriological studies.