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The Exaltation of Inanna
Enheduanna, princesa lunar acadia, hija de Sargón
(2334-2279 a.C.), nacida circa 2300 a.C., es la primera escritora conocida de la historia.
(2334-2279 a.C.), nacida circa 2300 a.C., es la primera escritora conocida de la historia.
113 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2251
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660 people want to read
About the author
Enheduanna
10 books69 followersAkkadian princess, High Priestess of the Moon god Nanna, daughter of Sargon the Great. c 2285–2250 BCE
:
While millions of Mesopotamian women lived ordinary lives, an Akkadian princess, daughter of Sargon the Great, lived a life anything but ordinary. Enheduanna (2285 to 2250 B.C.) became one of the most prominent and powerful priestesses in all of Sumer and Akkad. She holds the unique position of being the world’s first named author in all of history.
Her literary output of hymns and songs to the goddess Inanna set a high standard and example of religious psalms, hymns, prayers and poetry that was followed for the next two thousand years. The writings of Enheduanna echoed through the centuries, influencing hymns and prayers in other cultures and religions, such as the Bible and Greece’s Homeric hymns.
Enheduanna was born in northern Mesopotamian to Sargon the Great and his Queen Tashlultum in the city of Akkad. As Sargon’s daughter, she learned to read and write cuneiform as she studied to be a priestess. Sargon, who usurped the throne of Kish and proceeded to conquer all of Mesopotamia and beyond, needed to consolidate his power over southern Mesopotamia.
To smooth the religious differences between the Sumerians and Akkadians and to influence the political climate in the south, he appointed Enheduanna as En-Priestess or high priestess of the goddess Inanna in the important Sumerian city of Ur. The role of an En-priestesses was important both politically and religiously and was often held by royal daughters.
Enheduanna held the position of En-priestess throughout Sargon’s reign and that of her brother, Rimush as well. Sometime during Rimush’s reign, Enheduanna was cast out from her position in the temple. During this time of political and religious upheaval, she composed some of her most beautiful poetry and prayers, asking the goddess Inanna to help her. When her position was later reinstated, she wrote Nimesarra or "The Exaltation of Inanna,” which describes both her expulsion and reinstatement.
As En-priestess, Enheduanna was the chief administrator of the temple to An. Her original Akkadian name is unknown, but Enheduanna, the Sumerian title she chose when she came to Ur, translates as En (high priestess), Hedu (ornament) Anna (of heaven). Temple complexes in Sumeria were huge, the city’s essential center, organizing all religious affairs and controlling many secular businesses as well. Temples oversaw charitable endeavors, planned religious festivals and employed half the city. Enheduanna held this vital position for over 40 years. That she survived her exile speaks to her superior performance as En-priestess.
Enheduanna’s literary works include her poems to Inanna, goddess of love, fertility and war, three powerful hymns that helped homogenize Akkadian and Sumerian religions. She also composed 42 hymns, poems and prayers known today as the Sumerian Temple Hymns. In these she speaks with a direct, personal voice. Apparently, Enheduanna was confidant not only as the En-priestess but also as an author.
:
While millions of Mesopotamian women lived ordinary lives, an Akkadian princess, daughter of Sargon the Great, lived a life anything but ordinary. Enheduanna (2285 to 2250 B.C.) became one of the most prominent and powerful priestesses in all of Sumer and Akkad. She holds the unique position of being the world’s first named author in all of history.
Her literary output of hymns and songs to the goddess Inanna set a high standard and example of religious psalms, hymns, prayers and poetry that was followed for the next two thousand years. The writings of Enheduanna echoed through the centuries, influencing hymns and prayers in other cultures and religions, such as the Bible and Greece’s Homeric hymns.
Enheduanna was born in northern Mesopotamian to Sargon the Great and his Queen Tashlultum in the city of Akkad. As Sargon’s daughter, she learned to read and write cuneiform as she studied to be a priestess. Sargon, who usurped the throne of Kish and proceeded to conquer all of Mesopotamia and beyond, needed to consolidate his power over southern Mesopotamia.
To smooth the religious differences between the Sumerians and Akkadians and to influence the political climate in the south, he appointed Enheduanna as En-Priestess or high priestess of the goddess Inanna in the important Sumerian city of Ur. The role of an En-priestesses was important both politically and religiously and was often held by royal daughters.
Enheduanna held the position of En-priestess throughout Sargon’s reign and that of her brother, Rimush as well. Sometime during Rimush’s reign, Enheduanna was cast out from her position in the temple. During this time of political and religious upheaval, she composed some of her most beautiful poetry and prayers, asking the goddess Inanna to help her. When her position was later reinstated, she wrote Nimesarra or "The Exaltation of Inanna,” which describes both her expulsion and reinstatement.
As En-priestess, Enheduanna was the chief administrator of the temple to An. Her original Akkadian name is unknown, but Enheduanna, the Sumerian title she chose when she came to Ur, translates as En (high priestess), Hedu (ornament) Anna (of heaven). Temple complexes in Sumeria were huge, the city’s essential center, organizing all religious affairs and controlling many secular businesses as well. Temples oversaw charitable endeavors, planned religious festivals and employed half the city. Enheduanna held this vital position for over 40 years. That she survived her exile speaks to her superior performance as En-priestess.
Enheduanna’s literary works include her poems to Inanna, goddess of love, fertility and war, three powerful hymns that helped homogenize Akkadian and Sumerian religions. She also composed 42 hymns, poems and prayers known today as the Sumerian Temple Hymns. In these she speaks with a direct, personal voice. Apparently, Enheduanna was confidant not only as the En-priestess but also as an author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
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November 7, 2024This is a very intriguing text, which is still hotly debated among Assyriologists. It is a eulogy to the Sumerian goddess Inanna, goddess of love, life and death and a lot of other elements; she is said to have bestowed the "mè's" on man, which can more or less be termed the knowledge of good and evil, and therefore also civilization. This 153-line poem is attributed to Enheduanna, the high priestess of Inanna, who lived around 2300 BCE and is also said to be the author of some of the earliest known literary writings (see my review on the Hymns). All of them are set in Sumerian, the language of one of the eldest known people, living in the South of Mesopotamia.
The curious thing about this text is that Enheduanna mentions how at one point she was exiled from her home city of Ur, but was reinstated after divine intervention. This seems to indicate a historical fact, although it can hardly be substantiated. Assyriologists still argue fiercely about whether Enheduanna was really the author, because that would make this text about the first autobiographical writing, and by a female author. But perhaps this text was attributed to her centuries later, out of veneration for a legendary figure, a procedure that was often used in Mesopotamia and in other cultures as well. Of course, I'm not able to further into this.
The fact is that this is one of the few well-preserved texts from the earliest antiquity, and that it even contains literary passages that are still reasonably recognizable for us, at least for those who have ever had a religiously inspired upbringing and had to recite "doxologies” themselves. Though it must be said, this one has its own Mesopotamian twist, glorifying the goddess of war in all her cruelty (or at least, in what we - now - perceive as cruelty):
That you are lofty as Heaven, be it known!
That you are broad as the earth, be it known!
That you devastate the rebellious land, be it known!
That you roar at the land, be it known!
That you smite the heads, be it known!
That you devour cadavers like a dog, be it known!
That your glance is terrible, be it known!
That you lift your terrible glance, be it known!
That your glance is flashing, be it known!
Inanna (in Babylonian times called Ishtar) would later become even more famous as the main character in texts that recount her visit to the Underworld.
Addendum: after reading Sophus Helle's article (“The birth of the author: Co-creating authorship in Enheduana’s Exaltation,” Orbis Litterarum, vol. 75, no. 2 (February 2020), pp. 55–72. Link. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/oli.12250) I have to add a little warning here. It seems there's a possibility that the authorship of Enheduana is an invention/apropriation by Nippur-scribes in the 18th C. BCe, providing Nippur with the social and cultural prestige of being the heir of a presumed unified Sumerian culture and history. Helle doesn't rule anything out, but his arguments are quite strong.
The curious thing about this text is that Enheduanna mentions how at one point she was exiled from her home city of Ur, but was reinstated after divine intervention. This seems to indicate a historical fact, although it can hardly be substantiated. Assyriologists still argue fiercely about whether Enheduanna was really the author, because that would make this text about the first autobiographical writing, and by a female author. But perhaps this text was attributed to her centuries later, out of veneration for a legendary figure, a procedure that was often used in Mesopotamia and in other cultures as well. Of course, I'm not able to further into this.
The fact is that this is one of the few well-preserved texts from the earliest antiquity, and that it even contains literary passages that are still reasonably recognizable for us, at least for those who have ever had a religiously inspired upbringing and had to recite "doxologies” themselves. Though it must be said, this one has its own Mesopotamian twist, glorifying the goddess of war in all her cruelty (or at least, in what we - now - perceive as cruelty):
That you are lofty as Heaven, be it known!
That you are broad as the earth, be it known!
That you devastate the rebellious land, be it known!
That you roar at the land, be it known!
That you smite the heads, be it known!
That you devour cadavers like a dog, be it known!
That your glance is terrible, be it known!
That you lift your terrible glance, be it known!
That your glance is flashing, be it known!
Inanna (in Babylonian times called Ishtar) would later become even more famous as the main character in texts that recount her visit to the Underworld.
Addendum: after reading Sophus Helle's article (“The birth of the author: Co-creating authorship in Enheduana’s Exaltation,” Orbis Litterarum, vol. 75, no. 2 (February 2020), pp. 55–72. Link. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/oli.12250) I have to add a little warning here. It seems there's a possibility that the authorship of Enheduana is an invention/apropriation by Nippur-scribes in the 18th C. BCe, providing Nippur with the social and cultural prestige of being the heir of a presumed unified Sumerian culture and history. Helle doesn't rule anything out, but his arguments are quite strong.
May 13, 2012
Possibly the definitive translation of Enheduanna's epic work.
The scholarship is good and adds a lot to the understanding of the poem. However this is an academic book so it is not the easiest read, especially for those not of an archaeological/assyriological background as it assumes a fair deal of background knowledge.
Though for anyone with an interest in Enheduanna and Inanna it is probably the most important book to read.
The scholarship is good and adds a lot to the understanding of the poem. However this is an academic book so it is not the easiest read, especially for those not of an archaeological/assyriological background as it assumes a fair deal of background knowledge.
Though for anyone with an interest in Enheduanna and Inanna it is probably the most important book to read.
March 7, 2015
A particularly poetic work that not only praises a favored diety, but also serves as a lamentation of the author for being expelled from her temple and a desire to return to service. A concise yet elegant statement of an individual's place in the world, and the difficulties they face in it.
February 2, 2025
Written by a Sumerian priestess of the moon god who is the earliest named author in world history!
February 25, 2024
The man she has called by name she does not hold in esteem. Having approached the woman, she breaks the weapon and gives her a spear.
Перший знаний людству твір, написаний від першої особи, і перший знаний людству твір, написаний жінкою, створила Енхедуанна, дочка Саргона Аккадського, першого в світі імператора. Саргон, із садівника та чашника ставши царем шляхом особистої харизми та лідерських навичок, поставив доньку на посаду верховної жриці в Урі задля зміцнення влади свого роду. Енхедуанна на цій посаді протрималася 40 років, незважаючи на політичні зміни, повстання, скандали та інтриги.
Жриця красиво оспівувала свою богиню Інанну - та відповідала за родючість, любов, чуттєвість, продовження роду і... війну. Нищівна та хаотична сила Інанни описується так:
To keep paths and ways in good order, to shatter earth and to make it firm are yours, Inana. To destroy, to build up, to tear out and to settle are yours, Inana. To turn a man into a woman and a woman into a man are yours, Inana. Desirability and arousal, goods and property are yours, Inana. Gain, profit, great wealth and greater wealth are yours, Inana. Gaining wealth and having success in wealth, financial loss and reduced wealth are yours, Inana.
Fun fact: щодо "to turn a man into a woman and a woman into a man" існує теорія, що жриці та жерці Інанни, щоб показати трансформаційну силу богині в своїх ритуалах перевдягалися іншою статтю та взагалі "гралися" з темою гендеру, підкреслюючи, що навіть така стала річ - виключно рішення богині, яке вона має право змінити в будь-який момент.
Перший знаний людству твір, написаний від першої особи, і перший знаний людству твір, написаний жінкою, створила Енхедуанна, дочка Саргона Аккадського, першого в світі імператора. Саргон, із садівника та чашника ставши царем шляхом особистої харизми та лідерських навичок, поставив доньку на посаду верховної жриці в Урі задля зміцнення влади свого роду. Енхедуанна на цій посаді протрималася 40 років, незважаючи на політичні зміни, повстання, скандали та інтриги.
Жриця красиво оспівувала свою богиню Інанну - та відповідала за родючість, любов, чуттєвість, продовження роду і... війну. Нищівна та хаотична сила Інанни описується так:
To keep paths and ways in good order, to shatter earth and to make it firm are yours, Inana. To destroy, to build up, to tear out and to settle are yours, Inana. To turn a man into a woman and a woman into a man are yours, Inana. Desirability and arousal, goods and property are yours, Inana. Gain, profit, great wealth and greater wealth are yours, Inana. Gaining wealth and having success in wealth, financial loss and reduced wealth are yours, Inana.
Fun fact: щодо "to turn a man into a woman and a woman into a man" існує теорія, що жриці та жерці Інанни, щоб показати трансформаційну силу богині в своїх ритуалах перевдягалися іншою статтю та взагалі "гралися" з темою гендеру, підкреслюючи, що навіть така стала річ - виключно рішення богині, яке вона має право змінити в будь-який момент.
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August 30, 2024first piece for lit hum! yay!
October 30, 2024
This was cool as hell to read
February 28, 2025
THE FIRST POEM …. LEGENDARY …. DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO ME? NO …. BUT IT IS POEM ……..
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July 28, 2025My GOAT 𒂗𒃶𒌌𒀭𒈾 really cooked with this one, although she was laying it on pretty thick at times. In all seriousness, reading this made me go down an Ishtar rabbit hole. Mesopotamian culture is endlessly fascinating, and whether Enny was a feminist icon or the first nepo baby in human history, I think it’s a pretty cool poem either way.
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July 21, 2022Quite a long eulogy to the Sumerian primordial goddess Inanna, that is attributed to the high priestess Enheduanna, although this is controversial. The oldest preserved fragments of this poem date from about 1800 BCE. See my review in my History Account on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
February 19, 2025
Love how the researchers finish the translation study with a note about the future Exodus from the Bible and relate it to the Inanna's exaltations, as if telling us - there will be a sequel, dear history and anthropology lovers.
September 24, 2016
A read for a personal challenge based off of the book Rad Women Worldwide.
September 6, 2024
Enheduanna is the first known author in History (though there is debate as to whether she really was the author of the pieces attributed to her, she is the first-person narrator). Forgotten for 4000 years, she was rediscovered less than a scarce one hundred years ago.
As high priestess, she was endowed by her father, the famous conqueror king Sargon of Akkad, with the difficult task of spiritually harmonizing conquered territory, such as the great city of Ur, with their native Akkad. As becomes clear from this poem, though, it was not smooth sailing for our princess, who butters Inanna up so that she may punish a man who ousted her from the temple.
Inanna (in some traditions, curiously, a usurper goddess, mirrorring Sargon who was an usurper king) was the type of deity you wanted on your side if you were trying to spiritually overpower and captivate the people of Ur. As the goddess of all divine powers, love and war, creator and destroyer, both radiant and unassuageably cruel, contradiction is in her essence, and as Enheduanna places herself in relation to her, both for good and bad, the poem gains extraordinary tonal range, moreover as it becomes clear that it is a self-conscious text, whose author is well aware of the significance of singing to the goddess.
While since the 70s Enheduanna has gained a new life as a feminist symbol, this reading should be handled with the customary grain of salt, as it is not clear that she was more than her father's political instrument.
For me, it was particularly interesting to witness that two o so crucial devices of literature ever since - metaphor and rhetoric - already featured in one of the earliest literary pieces we have access to.
As high priestess, she was endowed by her father, the famous conqueror king Sargon of Akkad, with the difficult task of spiritually harmonizing conquered territory, such as the great city of Ur, with their native Akkad. As becomes clear from this poem, though, it was not smooth sailing for our princess, who butters Inanna up so that she may punish a man who ousted her from the temple.
Inanna (in some traditions, curiously, a usurper goddess, mirrorring Sargon who was an usurper king) was the type of deity you wanted on your side if you were trying to spiritually overpower and captivate the people of Ur. As the goddess of all divine powers, love and war, creator and destroyer, both radiant and unassuageably cruel, contradiction is in her essence, and as Enheduanna places herself in relation to her, both for good and bad, the poem gains extraordinary tonal range, moreover as it becomes clear that it is a self-conscious text, whose author is well aware of the significance of singing to the goddess.
While since the 70s Enheduanna has gained a new life as a feminist symbol, this reading should be handled with the customary grain of salt, as it is not clear that she was more than her father's political instrument.
For me, it was particularly interesting to witness that two o so crucial devices of literature ever since - metaphor and rhetoric - already featured in one of the earliest literary pieces we have access to.
April 21, 2023
Though this book is aimed primarily at linguists, its value remains high for the un-initiated (like myself). Humankind, regardless of epoch, are a wonderfully interesting bunch of people. I thoroughly enjoy feeling connected to people who have lived in times entirely separate from our own. This book fulfils this desire.
Enheduanna is the oldest known author in human history, and her hymn to Inanna is a fascinating read. The historical context the modern authors have been able to erect around the poem is highly intriguing and warrants a read by itself. Further benefit is gifted to the intrepid reader as references are made to other ancient Sumerian works - many of which I happily read as tangents (you can find these easily on the internet).
In summation, you get to read a particularly special work written by a high priestess from 4,000 years ago and, should this pique your interest, you may also use this book as a compass to other contemporary texts, such as the Curse of Agade or In-nin sa-gur-ra.
Enheduanna is the oldest known author in human history, and her hymn to Inanna is a fascinating read. The historical context the modern authors have been able to erect around the poem is highly intriguing and warrants a read by itself. Further benefit is gifted to the intrepid reader as references are made to other ancient Sumerian works - many of which I happily read as tangents (you can find these easily on the internet).
In summation, you get to read a particularly special work written by a high priestess from 4,000 years ago and, should this pique your interest, you may also use this book as a compass to other contemporary texts, such as the Curse of Agade or In-nin sa-gur-ra.
March 18, 2020
This long poem is worth reading for the record of Enheduanna herself pleading to a female deity for justice due to her mistreatment as a priestess. Since the male god doesn’t listen, she approaches a fellow woman (goddess) and hopes that her exaltation will be returned in kind. Also, writing is hard.
The fact that Enheduanna is the first known author adds significance to the subject matter itself. The fact that she could write many of the same grievances today (which seem to stem from mistreatment because she’s a woman) is tragic.
The fact that Enheduanna is the first known author adds significance to the subject matter itself. The fact that she could write many of the same grievances today (which seem to stem from mistreatment because she’s a woman) is tragic.
October 7, 2024
While this is a classic (2300 BCE anyone?) for obvious reasons, not the first that it's possibly the first author/ female author recorded..., it's also an interesting poem, because of the religious aspects, the concepts of God involved, power, especially among women and frankly just the underlying passion from our writer.
I read the translation/explanation from enheduanna.org and highly recommend it.
I read the translation/explanation from enheduanna.org and highly recommend it.
April 4, 2025
📘 Enheduanna – Himnos a Inanna (Mesopotamia, pero la primera autora con nombre)
Cuando leí que Enheduanna es la primera escritora de la historia conocida por su nombre, me lancé a leerla por pura curiosidad. Pero lo que encontré fue fuerza. Sus himnos a Inanna tienen una intensidad que te sacude. Hay un pulso entre lo humano y lo divino, entre la devoción y el poder. Su voz suena lejana pero al mismo tiempo muy presente. Y eso me fascinó. 🌙🔥
Cuando leí que Enheduanna es la primera escritora de la historia conocida por su nombre, me lancé a leerla por pura curiosidad. Pero lo que encontré fue fuerza. Sus himnos a Inanna tienen una intensidad que te sacude. Hay un pulso entre lo humano y lo divino, entre la devoción y el poder. Su voz suena lejana pero al mismo tiempo muy presente. Y eso me fascinó. 🌙🔥
February 4, 2023
A fascinating glimpse into the work of one of "the first named writers in history." The short discussion of her life and the poem itself are interesting in and of themselves. The literary and contextual discussion afterwards are a little abstract, but also illuminating.
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December 2, 2024First time reading an old Summerian text. Some noteworthy excerpts for me were the mention of a flood and the many references to the goddess as a ravager of foreign people — all common features of ancient religious texts in the western world. Written by a woman.
August 11, 2020
The Bible, but make it Sumerian.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2022
absolutely stunning read
September 23, 2022
She was kind of a baddie
December 18, 2022
"O maiden Innana
Sweet is your praise"
Sweet is your praise"
January 5, 2023
it's cool that this is the first recorded incident of female writing/literature in ancient history.
October 1, 2023
pretty cool actually
November 15, 2024
can we go check in on her from the grave orrrrrr
Want to read
December 5, 2024i like the word exaltation so i want to read it
March 14, 2025
genuinely I love this text so much, thank you Columbia for getting one thing right
November 29, 2025
a bit of a kiss ass but do what you gotta do i guess
October 2, 2025
Read for class (idk how else anyone would read it), but enjoyed the historical context in which it was composed. The message is elegant and beautiful, and I love the metaphors as Enheduanna’s pleas become more and more desperate.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews