Enheduanna’s Hymns to Ishtar – The First Poet in History

Enheduanna’s Hymn: Ishtar, Lady of the Divine Decrees

This poem is a hymn and a prayer by the revered priestess Enheduanna, daughter of Sargon of Akkad, who is historically recognized as the first princess to hold the position of High Priestess (entu) of the moon god Sin (Nanna) in Ur. The title of High Priestess (entu) remained exclusive to princesses, daughters, and sisters of kings for many years after her.

Her poem is considered the first signed literary work in history—meaning it is the first known literary composition to bear the name of its author. All other literary and religious works from ancient civilizations have come down to us as copies of unknown origin, signed only by the scribes who transcribed them. However, this poem carries the name of its author, the priestess Enheduanna.

Ishtar-twin-brother-Shamash-father-Sin

The High Priestess of Ishtar stood and recited to her Lady:

Lady of the divine decrees of all the gods,
The radiant light, the pious one, armed with reverence,
Beloved of Heaven and Earth, cherished by Anu (An),
Bearer of magnificent adornments,
Crowned with the resplendent diadem fitting for the exalted priesthood,
You, whose hands have grasped the seven divine decrees, my Lady,
You are the guardian of all the great divine decrees,
You who gathered them, who placed them upon your hand,
You who embraced them to your chest.

Storm and Fury: Ishtar as a Goddess of Battle

You have filled the lands with fury like a dragon against your enemies,
You thunder like the storm god, and the greenery vanishes,
You are a storm sweeping down from the mountain,
Lady of Ishtar, of Heaven and Earth,
You rain down flames upon your foes like a torrential storm,
Anu (An) has granted you the divine decrees,
You ride upon the beasts,
You make decisions in accordance with the sacred commands of Anu (An).
O Lady of all great rituals, who can comprehend your depths?
Destroyer of enemy lands,
The winds have given you wings, beloved of Enlil,
You send the tempest to rage across the lands,
You execute the will of Anu (An).

The lands of your enemies' tremble in terror at your cry,
They stand before you, fearful and trembling at your radiant brilliance,
They receive their just punishment,
They sing mournful dirges,
They walk toward you along the path of the Great House of Sorrow.
In the midst of battle, all things shatter before you, my Lady.

Ishtar-Enlil

You sweep away everything with you might

You sweep away everything with you might,
Like a raging storm, you roar,
With the tempest, you thunder,
With the storm winds, you howl,
Your feet do not rest.

You make the mournful chants rise from the lyre of sorrow.
O my Lady, even the Anunnaki gods flee from you,
Like bats seeking refuge in caves.
They do not dare stand before your fearsome gaze,
Nor do they dare approach your great dominion.

Who can calm your raging heart?
Your heart, filled with wrath against enemies, will never soften.
You are the Lady who loosens the reins,
The Lady who brings joy to the hearts,
The Lady whose fury never subsides.
O eldest daughter of Sin, great Lady of the Earth,
Who dares to deny loyalty to you?

A curse has fallen upon the crops in the mountains,
For the enemies have refused to obey you.
Their mighty gates have turned to ash,
Their rivers run red with blood,
They have nothing left to drink,
They are led into captivity before you.

A fierce storm has swept through their places of pleasure.
In the city that proclaims loyalty to you, the land belongs to you,
And in the city that does not, the land belongs to your father who begot you.

You made a promise with your sacred words,
But you withdrew from the cattle pens.
No longer does the woman speak to her husband of love,
At night, there is no more union between them,
No longer does the woman reveal her secrets to him.

O wild cow, O great daughter of Sin,
O Lady who surpasses Anu (An),
Who can deny loyalty to you?
You are the creation of the sacred womb,
Higher than the mother who bore you,
Wise and all-knowing,
Mistress of all lands,
Provider of the multitudes.

Here I sing your sacred hymns,
It is an honor to call upon your name.
O merciful one,
O righteous, radiant one,
I have faithfully recounted your divine decrees,
I have carried the sacred ritual basket,
I have raised my voice in exaltation.

Let us sing hymns to her,
Let us shed tears in her honor,
A pure offering for Ishtar.

The High Priestess’s Prayer and Rituals

The priestess raised her hands to Ishtar and placed the censer before her.

With pinewood, she poured out the offering of porridge.
She lifted her hands once,
She lifted them a second time,
She lifted them a third time,
She bowed and chanted:

Priestess Enheduanna

"O mighty heroine, Ishtar,
Purest of the goddesses,
Torch of Heaven and Earth,
Radiance of the wilderness,
Goddess, Lady of the Heavens,
Firstborn of Sin, twin sister of Shamash.

Ishtar as Cosmic Queen of Heaven and Earth

You rule the heavens with Enlil, the wise,
You counsel with wisdom, O creator of the rituals of handwashing.
When discourse arises, you, like Shamash, offer guidance.
You alter destinies, turning misfortune into goodness.

I have called upon you among the gods,
I present my supplications to you.
I have come to you among the goddesses with a plea,
I have placed my entreaty before you.

Before you stand the protective genie, Shedu,
Behind you, the fierce Lamashtu,
To your right, justice,
To your left, kindness.
You are surrounded by life and prosperity.

How blessed is the prayer to you!
How fortunate to hear your divine voice!
Your words are light.
Show mercy upon me, O Ishtar.
Grant a decree of happiness.
Look upon me with steadfastness and accept my plea.

I have borne your yoke; grant us peace.
I have sought your radiance; let my face shine.
I have turned to your authority; grant me life and well-being.

Let Shedu stand before me,
Let Lamashtu walk behind me,
May I receive prosperity from your right hand,
May I gain favor from your left hand.

Grant us long life.
Let us breathe your air,
Let us proclaim your sanctity."

The Legacy of Enheduanna’s Hymn to Ishtar

May your sacred heart be at peace.

O greatest Lady, beloved of Anu (An),
May your sacred, exalted heart be at peace.
O bride of Tammuz, beloved one,
You are the great Queen of the foundations of Heaven.

The Anunnaki gods have bowed before you.
The great gods kiss the earth in submission before you, my Lady,
Beloved of Anu (An).

May your heart be moved to mercy, my Lady.
I have lifted you high,
You alone are glorified,
Beloved of Anu (An).

Let the world know:
You are lofty as the heavens,
You are vast as the earth,
You destroy rebellious lands,
You strike down foes,
You terrify with your gaze,
You conquer all,
You descended to the Underworld and returned,
You freed your beloved Tammuz from it."

Sources

• Hallo, William W., and J.J.A. van Dijk. The Exaltation of Inanna. Yale University Press, 1968.
• Klein, Jacob. "Enheduanna and Inanna: The Earliest Author and Her Goddess." Journal of Cuneiform Studies, Vol. 33, 1981.
• Foster, Benjamin R. Before the Muses: An Anthology of Akkadian Literature. CDL Press, 2005.
• Westenholz, Joan Goodnick. Enheduanna: En-Priestess, Hen-Priestess, Ensi-Priestess. American Schools of Oriental Research, 1989.

Written by H. Moses — All rights reserved © Mythology and History