Principles of market economics, particularly those emphasized in Austrian economic thought, are not confined to modern systems but persist across epochs. Ancient narratives, such as Mesopotamian epics, reflect profound insights into human decision-making, resource allocation, and the dynamics of power and exchange. I have become fascinated by deciphering the economic principles embedded within and underlying these ancient texts. One such story, The Poor Man of Nippur, dating back to the Kassite period (ca. 1595-1155 BCE), offers timeless lessons about economic behavior through the lens of Gimil-Ninurta’s struggles and triumphs.

Set in the city of Nippur—a religious and administrative hub—the tale follows Gimil-Ninurta, a destitute man seeking a way to escape his poverty and humiliation. This story circulated widely in folklore, appearing in various versions throughout the Middle East and beyond. It portrays an ancient hierarchical society organized as a state governed by the king and local authorities. The main motif is the revenge of a poor man who outwits the city’s mayor, who had wronged him. As in many folktales, justice prevails as evil is punished and the virtuous ultimately succeeds.

The epic describes Gimil-Ninurta as an unfortunate man, so poor that, “Every day, for want of a meal, he went to sleep hungry. He wore a garment for which there was none to change” (lines 9-10). Despite his poverty, he was not a slave but a free citizen having a house and a yard. To improve his situation, Gimil-Ninurta decides to trade his only possession—a garment—for a three-year-old nanny goat. This trade reveals his resourcefulness and skill as a shrewd negotiator: he managed to exchange worn clothing for a productive animal. At this point in the story, I assumed Gimil-Ninurta intended to start a herd. However, the plot soon proved more engaging and unpredictable.