Amagi

You know that hardly anyone makes it to this page, right? You must be a curious soul — a truth-seeker, yes?

So you want to know the meaning of the symbol in my header. Strap yourself in; you’re in for a wild ride. If you stick with it until the end, I’ll make it worth your while.

The cuneiform inscription “amagi” (or “amargi”) is the earliest-known written appearance of the word “freedom” or “liberty.” It was discovered on a clay document written about 2300 B.C. in the Sumerian city-state of Lagash, the site of the first recorded social-reform movement.

For a time, Lagash was a relatively free society of farmers, cattle breeders, boatmen, fishermen, merchants, and craftsmen. But a shift to oligarchy stripped Lagashites of their political and economic freedoms, subjecting them to heavy taxation and exploitation by wealthy officials.

Urukagina led a peasant’s revolt and became the ruler of the city. He subsequently reformed the oppressive legal system and government.

Below is a copy of the text on the clay cone that was found at the site of ancient Lagash. At bottom left, the Sumerian word for “freedom” is circled.

But wait — there’s more. The literal translation of “amagi” is deeply intriguing and holds the keys to profound truths about liberty.

Click the image to learn the literal translation of “amagi”: