These are modern English translations of poems written by Enheduanna, the first poet we know by name and one of the first ancient women we know by name.
I'm so happy to get these translations. I'm going to print out all of them and keep them near me on my desk because I'm reading a great study of Enheduanna at the moment, titled Princess, Priestess, Poet by Betty De Shong Meador, and I'd totally recommend it to any reader interested in Enheduanna and her work - especially the Sumerian Temple Hymns.
Thanks for these, Mike. It's a rare gift we take too much for granted - to turn on a laptop and have instant access to stunning modern translations of works from 2300 BCE.
I’ve been reading and rereading lady of the largest heart by the same Betty de Shong Meador. I discovered Inanna by happy chance learnt about her through the writings of Enheduanna. The book and the writings have had and continue to have a considerable influence on me.
I'm so happy to get these translations. I'm going to print out all of them and keep them near me on my desk because I'm reading a great study of Enheduanna at the moment, titled Princess, Priestess, Poet by Betty De Shong Meador, and I'd totally recommend it to any reader interested in Enheduanna and her work - especially the Sumerian Temple Hymns.
Thanks for these, Mike. It's a rare gift we take too much for granted - to turn on a laptop and have instant access to stunning modern translations of works from 2300 BCE.
It's very cool that Enheduanna's poems still resonate after 4300 years, even in translation. I especially like "Lament to the Spirit of War."
It resonates because, as John Lennon once said, in one of peace rallies, "Mankind has and outstanding capacity for learning nothing at all."
I’ve been reading and rereading lady of the largest heart by the same Betty de Shong Meador. I discovered Inanna by happy chance learnt about her through the writings of Enheduanna. The book and the writings have had and continue to have a considerable influence on me.
Enheduanna was a remarkable woman and one of my favorite poets to translate.
The mountain ebb poem that one is my favourite followed by the descent.
My favorite is "Lament to the Spirit of War."