Written evidence of stress reactions to trauma is relatively new, dating back to the 17th century (Trimble, 1985). I would like to present the oldest post-traumatic reaction in recorded history. This historical evidence is based on a cuneiform tablet describing the death in battle of King Urnamma (2111-2094 BC) and its consequences (Fluckiger-Hawker, 1999). This tablet provides the earliest known description of exposure to a traumatic event leading to a post-traumatic reaction. The following paragraphs present the destruction bestowed on Sumer and the people's reaction to the event:
“From the […, the…] was […] evenly in/on the land.
[The…] struck, the palace(s) was collapsed.
[The…] spread panic rapidly among its Black-headed who dwelt there.
[The…] established its abandoned places in Sumer.
In its vast […] cities are destroyed, the people are seized with panic.
Evil came upon Ur…”.
(Urnamma A: 1-6. In Fluckiger-Hawker, 1999)
“They weep bitter tears in their broad squares where merriment had reigned.
With their bliss (fullness) having come to an end, the people do not sleep soundly”.
(Urnamma A: 19-20. In Fluckiger-Hawker, 1999)
These verses describe exposure to a traumatic event, followed by psychiatric symptoms. This evidence gives us a glimpse of a traumatic reaction in antiquity and allows us to compare it to modern reactions. Furthermore, it reveals the core features of post-traumatic stress disorder, which are based on exposure to a traumatic event followed by characteristic symptoms such as sleep disturbances (American Psychiatric Association, 1994).
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