Before Homer: Enheduanna, Inanna, and the First Voice in World Literature

🎙️ The Goddess Project Podcast is back

After more than a year away, The Goddess Project returns with a powerful first episode, diving into the life, writings, and legacy of Enheduanna, the high priestess of Inanna and the earliest named author in world history.

In this episode, I explore Enheduanna’s historical world in ancient Mesopotamia, her role as en priestess, and her groundbreaking hymn The Exaltation of Inanna, one of the earliest autobiographical texts ever written. We look closely at themes of sacred authority, gendered violence, exile from power, divine justice, and why a woman’s voice was preserved in the literary tradition over four thousand years ago.

This episode takes a feminist, historical, and archaeological approach, grounding Enheduanna’s story in primary sources while asking why her words still matter today. If you’re interested in ancient goddesses, women’s history, mythology, archaeology, or the deep roots of women’s voices in religious tradition, this episode is for you.

✨ This is the first new episode of The Goddess Project in over a year, and I am so excited to be back.

📚 New book by Dr. Carla Ionescu She Who Endures: The Cult and Iconography of Artemis of Ephesus Available now. This book explores Artemis of Ephesus through archaeology, iconography, and ancient religious practice. https://a.co/d/g1Tve5s

🔗 Learn more and explore my research Artemis Research Centre: https://artemisresearchcentre.com

📸 Follow along on social media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artemisexpert YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@goddessproject Substack: https://artemisexpert.substack.com

🎧 Topics covered in this episode • Enheduanna and the first literary “I” • Inanna, female divine power, and sovereignty • Sacred authority and women in ancient temples • Gendered violence in ancient texts • Why Enheduanna’s voice survived

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