By: Rocio Magana & Alexis ZunigaEnglish 102

The beginning of Literature and the birth of books.

Literature??Means “letter” in Latin Littera Is the written work of a specific culture, sub-

culture, religion, philosophy, or study of written work that may appear in poetry and prose.

It flourished in Egypt later in Greece, and then to Rome.

Enheduanna (2285-2250 BCE) is the 1st author of Literature in the world known by name

Much of the early literature from Mesopotamia concerns about activities about the Gods.

Literature

Troy or Odysseus’s journey were considered true and sacred.

Now they are just myths. Is divided into categories of fiction and non-

fiction today.

Ancient Literature

The pyramid text of EgyptPlato’s dialogue’s were the first to make

drama work in the cause of philosophical inquiry.

Birth of books

Clay tablets

PapyrusWax

tabletsParchment

Clay Tablets

One of the first forms of writing used by Sumerians

At first this form of writing was a form of accounting, it was what they used to keep records of exchanges.

Papyrus Scrolls

Used by Egyptians Began writing around the

same time as the Sumerians Papyrus scrolls came from a

papyrus plant that grew in the marshy areas around the Nile River.

At the time this was a popular form of writing, both the Greeks and Romans used it.

Wax Tablets

Wax tablets were made of wood and covered with a thin layer of wax

Often used by the Greeks and Romans

Parchment

Parchments is a translucent or opaque material made from the skins of animals. They were treated with lime or chalk until they were smooth and pliable.

Parchments were used for writing in places that did not have access to papyrus.

Printing Press Early forms are

writing were very limited. Therefor only some had access to books…

It wasn’t until Johannes Gutenberg press in 1445 that books became available for everyone…