ABOUT THIS BOOK

Living in 2300 BCE, Sumerian high priestess Enheduanna became the first author of historical record by signing her name to a collection of hymns written for forty-two temples throughout the southern half of ancient Mesopotamia, the civilization now known as Sumer. Each of her hymns confirmed to the worshipers in each city the patron deity’s unique character and significance. The collected hymns became part of the literary canon of the remarkable Sumerian culture and were copied by scribes in the temples for hundreds of years after Enheduanna’s death. Betty De Shong Meador offers here the first collection of original translations of all forty-two hymns along with a lengthy examination of the relevant deity and city, as well as an analysis of the verses themselves. She introduces the volume with discussions of Sumerian history and mythology, as well as with what is known about Enheduanna, thought to be the first high priestess to the moon god Nanna, and daughter of Sargon, founder of one of the first empires in human history.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

BETTY DE SHONG MEADOR is a Jungian analyst who has taught at California School of Professional Psychology San Diego, Pacifica Graduate Institute, and California Institute of Integral Studies. She is the author of Inanna: Lady of Largest Heart and Uncursing the Dark.

REVIEWS

Meador succeeds in presenting very unusual poetic material (translated beautifully) and in providing historical and cultural material that is still, alas, not well known to modern readers. [This work] is exceptional in succeeding at these difficult purposes.

— John Maier, Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus of English, SUNY College at Brockport

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword by John MaierAcknowledgmentsA Word about the TranslationAbbreviationsI. PrincessII. PriestessIII. PoetIV. Hymn to Enki's Temple at Eridu 1. The Eridu Temple of EnkiV. Hymns to the Nippur Deities 2. The Nippur Temple of Enlil 3. The Nippur Temple of Ninlil 4. The Nippur Temple of Nusku 5. The Nippur Temple of Ninurta 6. The Nippur Temple of Shuzianna 7. The Kesh Temple of NinhursagVI. Hymns to Temples In and Near Ur 8. The Ur Temple of Nanna 9. The Ur Temple of Shulgi 10. The Kuar Temple of Asarluhi 11. The Kiabrig Temple of Ningublam 12. The Gaesh Temple of NannaVII. Hymns to Temples in the Central Lowlands 13. The Larsa Temple of Utu 14. The Enegi Temple of Ninazu 15. The Gishbanda Temple of Ningishzida 16. The Uruk Temple of Inanna 17. The Badtibira Temple of Dumuzi 18. The Akkil Temple of Ninshubur 19. The Murum Temple of NingirinVIII. Hymns to Temples in the Lagash Territory 20. The Lagash Temple of Ningirsu 21. The Uruku Temple of Bau 22. The Sirara Temple of Nanshe 23. The Guabba Temple of Ninmar 24. The Kinirsha Temple of Dumuzi-abzuIX. Hymns to Temples in the Umma Region 25. The Umma Temple of Shara 26. The Zabalam Temple of Inanna 27. The Karkara Temple of Ishkur 28. The Temple at )Ses-Dù 29. The Adab Temple of Ninhursag 30. The Isin Temple of NinisinaX. Hymns to Temples in Kazallu and Marad 31. The Kazallu Temple of Numushda 32. The Marda Temple of LugalmardaXI. Hymns to Temples in Der and Esnunna 33. The Der Temple of Ishtaran 34. The Eshnunna Temple of NinazuXII. Hymns to Temples in and around Akkad 35. The Kish Temple of Zababa 36. The Kutha Temple of Nergal 37. The Urum Temple of Nanna 38. The Sippar Temple of Utu 39. The Hiza Temple of Ninhursag 40. The Akkad Temple of Inanna 41. The Agade Temple of AbaXIII. Nisaba's Temple at Eresh 42. The Eresh Temple of NisabaXIV. Conclusion: Enheduanna's GiftNotesBibliographyIndex