"The stories created by the writers in this genre replaced whatever historical truth there may have been and, in time, became the truth. The myth, in time, became the reality."
"It should be made clear that the ancient writers were not aiming to deceive with their literary creations. The literature inspired by the naru formed an excellent medium with which, by departing from traditional forms, a new social 'image' of the past could be created."
In the ancient world, authorship and originality were not prioritized as they are today. Instead, writers could adopt the identities of well-known figures and present fictional accounts as authentic. This practice was prevalent in Mesopotamia, where 'naru literature' emerged, characterized by fictional works masquerading as historical narratives. Over time, these stories replaced historical truths and became accepted as reality. Scholars note that ancient writers did not intend to deceive but aimed to create new social images of the past through their narratives.
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