Enheduanna

It's interesting that more of the world doesn't know about Enheduanna, the oldest surviving name of a legitimately once existing author--she wasn't mythical or a mere speculated historical figure. Thankfully these days we have the Internet to learn of her existence and read what was written 4290 or so years ago. A hardcore poetry reader or even an ancient Mesopotamia history buff might appreciate the contents more than I did. To me they were generic and repetitive, addressing heaven and earth and the prince. A few formal names were mentioned, so supplementary reading on the relevant history and mythology came in handy. It'll be a worthy re-read once the history information sinks in and I'll understand the context more.… (meer)

More than 40 solemn hymns, composed by Enheduanna, the Sumerian high priestess of Ur, 4.300 years ago. There’s really nothing I can compare them with, as they each are addressed to a temple building. But as an historical source, and as testimony to the fact that the first human author we know by name was a woman, its unique value is self-evident. More on this in my History account on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4707977933… (meer)

If you had told me that the oldest known work of literature was written by a bisexual priestess about yonic cults and gender bending… you’d be right. I’m exaggerating a bit, because it’s not right to apply modern-day labels to a writer so long ago, but these three poems contrasted starkly with the other, much more dour, poems from antiquity that I’ve read.

The poems themselves were actually really readable, and they felt like metal lyrics at times… I could imagine the lead singer from Jinjer screaming along to them. I only wish there were more, but I know that this translator has a book of the 42 temple hymns too, so I’m glad that the rest of Enheduanna’s body of work isn’t lost to time! I’m definitely gonna check those out next.

I don’t usually read the introduction/commentary, but this book was mostly that, given there are only three poems. It actually helped a lot given how far removed we are from the subject matter. It’s definitely an academic text, but it’s a lot more accessible than most I’ve read, it gives historical context for people who know nothing about Mesopotamia (ME!!) and it’s a pretty impressive feat to make all that still relevant for women living in the 21st century.

Anyway… this was a surprisingly emotional read, perhaps just because I had the context of knowing how old it is and still feeling like I could hear the author’s voice in such old texts, which is honestly kind of humbling. It astounds me that this isn’t considered a feminist or protofeminist classic!… (meer)