Enheduanna

Mortal-tier daughter of Sargon of Akkad; en-priestess (high-priestess) of Nanna at Ur from her installation c. 2285 BCE through Naram-Sin's reign. The canonical world's-first-named-author — composed the Sumerian Temple Hymns (42-hymn cycle with explicit signature-colophon) and the three great Innana hymns (nin-me-šara, in-nin ša-gur-ra, in-nin me-ḫuš-a). The autobiographical-first-person passage of nin-me-šara (lines 66-138, recording her expulsion during Lugalanne's revolt and restoration through Innana's intervention) is the canonical-foundational text of the autobiographical-literary genre in human history. Established Innana as the supreme goddess of the Akkadian state-cult, paralleling her father's political consolidation of the Mesopotamian city-states.

Parentage

• father: Sargon of AkkadDisk of Enheduanna inscription (primary)

Powers

• literary composition
• priestly conferral

Relations

• father: Sargon of AkkadDisk of Enheduanna inscription (primary)
• sibling: RimushSargon royal inscriptions; Sumerian King List — both children of Sargon and Tashlultum (primary)
• sibling: ManishtushuSargon royal inscriptions; Sumerian King List — both children of Sargon and Tashlultum (primary)

Sources

• existence: Disk of Enheduanna (UPenn CBS 16665) — her own self-identifying installation-relief (primary); Sumerian Temple Hymns colophon (ETCSL 4.80.1) (primary); nin-me-šara, in-nin ša-gur-ra, in-nin me-ḫuš-a (ETCSL 4.07.2-4) (primary); Naram-Sin period seals from the Giparu at Ur (primary); Woolley, Ur Excavations (1928 season report) (primary)