The World's First Known Author

Certainly we have writings older than the 23rd century BCE, however, the specific authorship of these writings are unknown to us.  Enter Enheduanna, the High Priestess of the goddess Inanna and the moon god Nanna in  the ancient city of Ur in southern Mesopotamia. Her writings include devotions to Inanna and a collection of hymns known as the "Sumerian Temple Hymns". Additional texts are also ascribed to her. These found works make her the first named author in world history.

While we won't endeavor to make anyone an expert on Enheduanna here, a few (edited) excerpts from from her writing give us an idea of her poetics.

From The Marriage of Martu:

Martu went home to his own mother, and spoke to her: "My mother, find me a wife to marry and I will bring you my ration." His own mother replied to Martu: ... my son, I will give you advice; may my advice be heeded. I shall say a word to you; you should pay attention to it. Marry a wife of your choice, marry a wife of your heart's desire...

... Martu ... strode around the great courtyard to compete in wrestling at the gate of Inab. They kept looking for strong fighters for him, they kept offering him strong fighters. ... He hit them ... one by one. In the great courtyard, in the battle he caused them to be bandaged; in the great courtyard ... he lifted the bodies of the dead.

Rejoicing over Martu, (the god) Numucda offered him silver, but he would not accept it. He offered jewels, but he would not accept them. Having done so a second time, having done so a third time (Martu says): "Where does your silver lead? Where do your jewels lead? I, Martu, would rather marry your daughter, I would rather marry your daughter...."

We hope you enjoyed reading a bit of  Enheduanna's work, the world's earliest known author and poet.