1st millennium BCE, 2nd millennium BCE, 3rd millennium BCE, 7th century BCE, Babylonian, China, Chinese, East Asia, Egypt, Egyptian, historical figure, Mesopotamia, Middle East, primary source, quotes, research
The first specific reference we have (so far) to what might be a jester concerns a dwarf or a pygmy in ancient Egypt during the reign of Neferkere (Pepi II, r. from c. 2278 BCE). An official wrote to the Pharaoh mentioning a dancing dwarf he had found, and Pepi II...
3rd millennium BCE, Babylonian, lexicon, Mesopotamia, Middle East, primary source, research
‘The alan.zu/ aluzinnu could sing, play instruments and dance, and in fact from the earliest times (in Mari, Babylonia and in Bogazköy) he is connected with musicians, singers and acrobats who performed at festivals and (para?)religious...
3rd millennium BCE, bibliography, English, Greece, Greek, journal paper, Mesopotamia, Middle East, primary source, research
‘When did professional jesters become a part of civilized society, and in particular a part of court and temple personnel?’ (p. 187)Maddalena Rumor’s paper poses a big question and moots the possibility of an early start to the jester as a...
