When you think about the first writers in history, who do you think of? Maybe Homer? If you’re like most people, you’re probably not thinking of a woman who lived over 4,000 years ago in ancient Sumeria. That woman is Enheduanna, who not only wrote some of the earliest known stories in the world but also served as a high priestess of the moon god Nanna. I am really interested in Enheduanna’s story, as someone who loves history and books. Her amazing legacy shows how strong women can be, even when society tries to keep them quiet.
I saw the birth of Enheduanna in the ancient city of Ur, which is in Sumeria, now known as Iraq. She came into this world as the daughter of Sargon of Akkad, a very important ruler in our region. It was amazing to see her become the high priestess of the powerful moon god Nanna, who is the most important god in Ur. Enheduanna did more than just have a fancy title, she was really good at managing the temple’s big resources, like its lands and riches. Her influence and hard work were really impressive.
I saw Enheduanna for who she was. An amazing woman who earned great respect even though she lived in a society where men were in charge. She was a great leader and knew a lot, which made people admire her. She wrote many important things like hymns, poems, and prayers. One of her best works is “The Exaltation of Inanna,” a beautiful poem about the goddess Inanna. This old poem is one of the first ever written. Itcaptures the essence of the goddess with its awe-inspiring lines: “Queen of heaven, holding sway over the people, / Goddess of fierce battles and unrestrained passions, / Guardian of the Land, unmatched in grace and radiance.”
Enheduanna’s writing was beautiful and influential. Her works were copied and recited for years after her death. She paved the way for other writers in the ancient world. She truly had a gift for finding the art in the written word. Writing was reserved to accounting and she opened the world of beauty. Demonstrating that women possess the talent and command as writers, even in a society that frequently marginalized their contributions.
But Enheduanna’s story is not without its difficulties. As a high priestess of the ancient city of Ur in Mesopotamia, she faced problems with politics and was eventually sent away from her temple because of fights for power and conflicts within the religious group. Besides these outside problems, Enheduanna also had to deal with the complicated power dynamics of a society that usually preferred men. As a woman in a position of authority, she was unlike anyone before her. However, despite these challenges, Enheduanna’s unwavering determination and smart thinking helped her overcome hard times. Her hymns to the goddess Inanna, not only showed her amazing writing abilities but also were a powerful way to show female strength in society. Through her writing, Enheduanna challenged what was normal, broke down barriers between genders, and showed that she deserved an important place in the history of literature and women’s rights.
Enheduanna’s story is a reminder that women have always had a role in history, even if they have been ignored or silenced. As the first known writer in history, Enheduanna is an inspiration to women everywhere who are fighting for their voices to be heard. Her legacy shows how powerful writing can be, and how women can shape the world. In her own words, “My king, something has been created that no one has created before.” Today, we can say the same about Enheduanna herself – she was a trailblazer who changed the course of history.
