She walked the earth over 4,000 years ago yet left a lasting impact on history, and the history of writing. She is both a historical and spiritual figure who lived in ancient Mesopotamia.
Known as a priestess, princess, and poet, she is hailed as one of the first known authors. Her bestsellers were literally written in stone. Her works were created in cuneiform on clay tablets that were baked to dry.
At a time way before the holy books we know of today, she told the story of love, war, worship, and of the goddess of her heart, Inanna. While some of her writings may be seen as accounts of mythical deities, her hymns were written for the culture and the time period she lived in, and they were meant to be used in ceremonies and to tell religious stories.
Her writing, which is passionate and bold, also speaks of her own experience - both her longing for her beloved goddess, Inanna, and her pleasures and difficulties. Some of her writing seems like an entreaty to the gods, and sometimes it seems like a diary entry providing a window into her soul, her anguish, and her interpretation of the role of the Divine figures of the day in the challenges her society faced. Her role as the world's first author and the first female poet was discovered because she signed her name, or mentioned herself, in the text.
She played an important role in ancient civilization and was a leader of women who guided other priestesses in their spiritual duties.
While her written works seem quite serious and heartfelt, she was not averse to drinking "sweet beer" and playing the harp to bring moments of good cheer to temple life.
Because of her writing prowess, she has gained the modern nickname of the "Sumerian Shakespeare."