Of course, there are so many gaps in historical records of those times. It seems that Enheduanna was driven into exile during a rebellion against her nephew (??), who was the third successor to Sargon, but that he eventually prevailed. What happened to Enheduanna thereafter is unknown, as are any details about her death.
Despite the gaps, hers is a remarkable story. Thank you so much for sharing it!
You're welcome...I was happy to find more hidden women and one like this!! Yes, the exile is the source of those historical, political writings about her life in exile. I admit I didn't research the war and its outcome myself, just the relationship to her 'first' in the realm of writing and claiming it as hers.
Histories about various prominent women of Antiquity were doubtless purged in later years. I'm sure you know about the Egyptian Pharaoh, Queen Hatshepsut (about whom an article appeared in *The New York Times* this week). More remarkably still, we find Queen Nefertiti, who assumed many of the duties of the Pharaoh Akhenaten and probably succeeded him under the name of Neferneferuaten. In fact, some scholars suggested she and yet another Pharaoh, Smenkhkare, may have been the same person, although I do not know how they could have reached such a conclusion, since Smenkhkare was her son-in-law.
Hatshepsut is one of my favorites. Teaching aromatherapy classes, I discovered that she sent an expedition up the Nile to bring back frankincense trees so she could have her own access to this precious resin. There was a bust in the Egyptian collection at the Metropolitan m of a in NYC. Something happened to it though and they took it away to do somethin or other. (Long ago now.) and the last time I was there, probably 2015) it still wasn't back on display. Yes, they removed her beard and tried to wipe her from history. But neither of those two women were writers.
Outstanding, I had never heard of Enheduanna. Fascinating article
I was familiar with Enheduanna and her Exaltation but didn't realize her status as the first known author. Bravo to you!
Of course, there are so many gaps in historical records of those times. It seems that Enheduanna was driven into exile during a rebellion against her nephew (??), who was the third successor to Sargon, but that he eventually prevailed. What happened to Enheduanna thereafter is unknown, as are any details about her death.
Despite the gaps, hers is a remarkable story. Thank you so much for sharing it!
You're welcome...I was happy to find more hidden women and one like this!! Yes, the exile is the source of those historical, political writings about her life in exile. I admit I didn't research the war and its outcome myself, just the relationship to her 'first' in the realm of writing and claiming it as hers.
Histories about various prominent women of Antiquity were doubtless purged in later years. I'm sure you know about the Egyptian Pharaoh, Queen Hatshepsut (about whom an article appeared in *The New York Times* this week). More remarkably still, we find Queen Nefertiti, who assumed many of the duties of the Pharaoh Akhenaten and probably succeeded him under the name of Neferneferuaten. In fact, some scholars suggested she and yet another Pharaoh, Smenkhkare, may have been the same person, although I do not know how they could have reached such a conclusion, since Smenkhkare was her son-in-law.
Hatshepsut is one of my favorites. Teaching aromatherapy classes, I discovered that she sent an expedition up the Nile to bring back frankincense trees so she could have her own access to this precious resin. There was a bust in the Egyptian collection at the Metropolitan m of a in NYC. Something happened to it though and they took it away to do somethin or other. (Long ago now.) and the last time I was there, probably 2015) it still wasn't back on display. Yes, they removed her beard and tried to wipe her from history. But neither of those two women were writers.