"With cries of labor, I gave birth to this hymn." -Enheduanna
Enheduanna was the first person in recorded history known to author holy writings. She addressed gods and goddesses with equal rank.
She wrote with reverence to, and about, the Divine Feminine and she was especially devoted to her patron goddess, Inanna. Although the world began to transition to a patriarchal society where men held spiritual power and God was male, Enheduanna invoked the Goddess and left a record of a time when the divine feminine was sacred and equal.
Her work came before the Hebrew Bible.
Her writings are noted among the earliest offering of the words of and to the Divine. She is called a poet and she is known for using her writing to explore feelings about herself and the gods.
The body of work that is attributed to her consists of hymns and religious poems. It includes:
The Exaltation of Inanna
The Myth of Inanna and Ebih
42 Temple Hymns
She wrote sacred content and performed rituals as part of her duties as an En Priestess. The role of the En Priestess was one of the most regarded positions in the spiritual hierarchy and was often designated for the daughters of royalty.