Mental Disability (?): On the Akkadian Word Lillu

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