The Exaltation of Inanna (translation)

The Exaltation of Inanna: Opening Lines, an Excerpt

Nin-me-šara by Enheduanna
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

 
Lady of all divine powers,
Lady of the all-resplendent light,
Righteous Lady clothed in heavenly radiance,
Beloved Lady of An and Uraš,
Mistress of heaven with the holy diadem,
Who loves the beautiful headdress befitting the office of her high priestess,
Powerful Mistress who has seized all seven divine powers,
My lady, you are the guardian of the seven divine powers!
You have seized the divine powers,
You hold the divine powers in your hand,
You have gathered up the divine powers,
You have clasped the divine powers to your breast!
Like a dragon you have spewed venom on foreign lands that know you not!
When you roar like Iškur at the earth, nothing can withstand you!
Like a flood descending on alien lands, O Powerful One of heaven and earth, you will teach them to fear Inanna!
 

Enheduanna, the daughter of the famous King Saragon the Great of Akkad, is the first ancient writer whose name remains known today. She appears to be the first named poet in human history and the first known author of prayers and hymns. Enheduanna, who lived in Ur circa 2285-2250 BCE, is also one of the first women we know by name; hers means “Ornament of Heaven.” She was the high priestess of the goddess Inanna, known by other names as Ishtar, Astarte, Aphrodite and Sauska.

Keywords/Tags: Enheduanna, Sumer, Sumerian, Akkad, Akkadian, Saragon, Ur, High Priestess, Temple, Hymn, Hymns, Hymnist, Psalm, Psalms, Psalmist, Prayer, Prayers, Goddess, Inanna