To destroy and
to create, to plant
and to pluck out
are yours, Inana

— from Sophus Helle's translation of Enheduana

Commonly attributed to the Old Akkadian high priestess Enheduana, The Exaltation of Inana is a fascinating hymn to the Sumerian goddess of war, love, and transformation.

Enheduana, a princess and priestess who lived more than four thousand years ago in what is now southern Iraq, about 2300 BCE, is recognized as the first known author in literary history. Her hymns are a rare flash of the female voice in the often male-dominated ancient world, treating themes that are as relevant today as they were four thousand years ago: exile, social disruption, the power of storytelling, gender-bending identities, the devastation of war, and the terrifying forces of nature.

In this two-part seminar, Helle discussed Enheduana’s extraordinary poetry, focusing on the historical context in which they were composed and circulated, her works’ structure and literary power, and reception in both the ancient and the modern world. 

Class met from 2:30–3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9 and 16.

Helle referenced his translation of Enheduana: The Complete Poems of the World's First Author (Yale University Press, 2023).

On-demand opportunity! Tuition, which is being offered at a discount, includes access to presentations, recordings, syllabus and transcripts for a limited only.