Autrici e autori nella letteratura sumerica* Fonti e studi

Abstract

This article discusses authors and authorship in Sumerian literature. This
is a topic that has been neglected in Assyriological studies, which have limited the
discussion to the figure of Enheduanna, daughter of Sargon, alleged author of several
hymns. In the first part, the article presents the historical and literary evidence for
Enheduanna and analyzes the recurrence of the term en-he2-du7-an-na (Ninmešarra/
Inanna B, Inninšagurra/Inanna C, Temple Hymns, Nanna C, Fragments of a hymn to Nanna).
The arguments of scholars claiming Enheduanna, daughter of Sargon, to be the author
of various literary texts are scrutinised and some criticism is advanced. In the second
part, the article takes a forward look at authors of hymns (Ninšatapada), elegies
(Lu-diĝirra), letters and other texts (Lugal-nesaĝe, Inannaka, Lu-Inanna). This article
also examines the hypothesis of “erotic” literature’s authorship by royal women and
the identification of some of the authors with scribe and officials of Neo-Sumerian
period Nippur. Lastly, it addresses the matter of royal and divine authorship. In the
conclusions, methodological and theoretical approaches to the matter of authorship in
Sumerian literature are outlined.