Some insight into Sumerian values can be gained from praise poems written for kings.
Egil thanks the king with a number of praise poems that are meant to show how considerate and generous the king is.
Glymdrápa is the oldest praise poem to a king (konungsdrápa) which has come down to us.
It is a praise poem of 27 stanzas, probably sung at court to a musical accompaniment by the harp.
After his death a praise poem was written in his honour, giving his ancestry.
Some exercises introduced over the years are intended to lift confidence, like the "praise poem," which requires participants to write about their positive qualities.
Al-Mutawakkil left a number of writings, including praise poems for the Prophet Muhammad and answers to legal questions.
Although it is unclear how much he actually wrote, there are numerous praise poems written by and directed towards this ruler.
His modernisation of the traditional African praise poem "shows their continued existence and meaning for large portions of the population."
It is a praise poem in the epic style about the life of Thomas Butler.
