The Greeks had some rather sarcastic humor in various plays. The Egyptians had no sense of humor, neither did the Romans. But the Sumerians are funny.
talking of greeks, it seems worth mentioning laconic humor. The "if"[0] thing is still funny after centuries, imo.
"Nuts."
The ancient Egyptians had a sense of humor. The problem is that ancient Egyptian literature is usually only read by people who are learning the Egyptian language. Wenamun is a comedy of errors. Setne Khamwas contains slapstick. Hathor's rampage across the earth in the form of Sekemet is ended with massive quantities of beer dyed red.
Re:How to Read “Gilgamesh”
by virtualritz on Saturday October 19, 2019 @08:07AM
(#21298055)
How do we know the Egyptians or the Romans had no sense of humor?
A lacking written record proves only that: a lacking written record.
Can you imagine a society w/o laughter?
the world's oldest joke - a Sumerian rib-tickler dating back to 1,900 BC which goes: "Something which has never occurred since time immemorial; a young woman did not fart in her husband's lap."
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/08/01/oldest_joke/
Explain ancient humor to me. I am all for embracing it.