Temple Hymns of Enheduanna

Enheduanna (circa 2285-2250 BCE), the daughter of the famous King Sargon the Great of Akkad, is the first ancient writer whose name remains known today. Temple Hymn 15 to the Gishbanda Temple of Ningishzida by Enheduanna loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Most ancient and terrible shrine, set deep in the mountain like a mother's womb ... Dark shrine, like a mother's wounded breast, blood-red and terrifying ... Though approaching through a safe-seeming field, our hair raises as we near you! Gishbanda, like a neck-stock, like a fish net, like a foot-shackled prisoner's manacles ... your ramparts are massive, like a trap! But once we’re inside, as the sun rises, you yield widespread abundance! Your prince is the pure-handed priest of Inanna, heaven's holy one, Lord Ningishzida! Oh, see how his thick, lustrous hair cascades down his back! Oh Gishbanda, he has built this beautiful temple to house your radiance! He has placed his throne upon your dais! Temple Hymn 7: an Excerpt to the Kesh Temple of Ninhursag by Enheduanna loose translation by Michael R. Burch O, high-situated Kesh, form-shifting summit, inspiring fear like a venomous viper! O, Lady of the Mountains, Ninhursag’s house was constructed on a terrifying site! O, Kesh, like holy Aratta: your womb dark and deep, your walls high-towering and imposing! O, great lion of the wildlands stalking the high plains!... Temple Hymn 17: an Excerpt to the Badtibira Temple of Dumuzi by Enheduanna loose translation by Michael R. Burch O, house of jeweled lapis illuminating the radiant bed in the peace-inducing palace of our Lady of the Steppe! Temple Hymn 22: an Excerpt to the Sirara Temple of Nanshe by Enheduanna loose translation by Michael R. Burch O, house, you wild cow! Made to conjure signs of the Divine! You arise, beautiful to behold, bedecked for your Mistress! Temple Hymn 26: an Excerpt to the Zabalam Temple of Inanna by Enheduanna loose translation by Michael R. Burch O house illuminated by beams of bright light, dressed in shimmering stone jewels, awakening the world to awe! Temple Hymn 42: an Excerpt to the Eresh Temple of Nisaba by Enheduanna loose translation by Michael R. Burch O, house of brilliant stars bright with lapis stones, you illuminate all lands! ... The person who put this tablet together is Enheduanna. My king: something never created before, did she not give birth to it? Keywords/Tags: Enheduanna, temple hymns, Inanna, Sumer, Akkad