Autrici e autori nella letteratura sumerica: Fonti e studi

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 sec- ond 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.