SumerianGrammar

NUMERALS 67
Note: For purely rhythmical reasons, one-syllable numbers are followed by the
copula [am], two-syllable numbers are not (see W. Heimpel, Or. 39 [1970]
492–95). For the general interpretation (as against Edzard 1997, 82) see C. Suter,
ZA 87 (1997) 1–10.
A secondary means to form ordinal numbers was to put the number
in the genitive followed by the copula [am]: u 4 -2-kam [u(d)-minak-am]
“it is of day two” = “the second day”. This construction,
already towards the end of the OS period, was extended by the
addition of a second genitive case particle so that, practically,
[(a)kama(k)] became the ending to mark an ordinal number. Cf. the
locative u 4 -umun 7 -kam-ma-ka “on the seventh day” Gudea Cyl. A
xxiii 4. Since the number sign is never explicitly followed by the [a]
of the genitive, it is possible that the ordinal number ending was in
fact [kama(k)] and not [(a)kama(k)].
For an OB sequence “first” to “seventh” cf. Gilg. and Huwawa
A 37–43 di“-àm, min-/e“ 5 -/limmu 5 -/ía-/à“-/umun 7 -kam-ma, referring
to “the first (demon)” etc.
10.4. FRACTION AND MEASURE TERMINOLOGY
For the extremely diversified Sumerian system of fractions and measurements,
see Powell 1971, 84–248, and 1989 throughout.
10.5. DISTRIBUTIONAL RELATIONS OF NUMBERS
For expressing “each”, the (measure +) number are followed by the
ablative case particle, e.g., gín-7-ta “(rings of ) 7 shekels each”; to
-ta, the copula [am] may still be added: -ta-àm.
Poebel 1923, 113–14.
munus-u 4 -bi-ta-ke 4 -ne ninta-2-ta ì(-n)-tuku-am 6 “the women of yore
took two men each” (CIRPL Ukg. 6 iii' 20'–22').
10.6. MULTIPLICATION
For “times”, a-rá “course” is placed before the numeral: a-rá-3(-kam)
“three times”.
Poebel 1923, 114–16.
Note: Semantically, cf. gang, gång in Scandinavian languages.