In creating Inanna’s Bargain, I wondered if the folklore stories that inspired the Neo-Assyrian Birth Legend of Sargon might have originated during Sargon’s own lifetime. Here’s a short excerpt from Chapter 12. “There are many interesting stories circulating about the king,” Etti commented. “One story claims that the king’s mother was a priestess who offeredContinue reading “Stories and More Stories”
Author Archives: clairesulos
Sargon, The Gardener’s Lad
The Neo-Assyrian Birth Legend of Sargon of Akkad, known since the mid-19th century, was loosely interpreted for popular audiences in an early serial publication, The Story of the Greatest Nations (1913). The authors elaborated on the famous legend with a rather fanciful description of Sargon’s encounter with the goddess: “A legend grew around him, tellingContinue reading “Sargon, The Gardener’s Lad”
Sargon and Gardening
Sargon of Akkad was a great Mesopotamian king and conqueror, reigning c. 2334-2279 BCE. Though his origins and early life remain obscure, he has long been associated with gardening. The Sumerian King List, dating from the Ur III period (c. 2100 BCE), described Sargon’s father as a gardener or, more precisely, a ‘date grower.’ ThisContinue reading “Sargon and Gardening”
The Neo-Assyrian Birth Legend
The Neo-Assyrian Birth Legend expanded on the literature about Sargon of Akkad’s humble origins, drawing from biographical traditions as well as folklore themes including the infant exposure motif. In this ‘pseudo-autobiographical’ text, likely composed during the reign of Sargon II (722-706 BCE), Sargon described his early life as foundling raised by a gardener, who becameContinue reading “The Neo-Assyrian Birth Legend”
Performance Afterlives
Performances only exist in the present, in the ephemeral experiences of performers and their audiences, in the interactive spaces of their engagement. And yet, the performativity of powerful creative works can resound in future iterations, in the reproductions and ‘covers’ that come later. The original works, while forever lost, continue to resonate over time throughContinue reading “Performance Afterlives”
The Sumerian Sargon Legend
The Sumerian Sargon Legend presents a dramatic tale involving omens, intrigue, and divine destiny. The story begins when the supreme gods An and Enlil decide to end Ur-Zababa’s rule over the city of Kish. The young Sargon of Akkad, then serving as the king’s cupbearer, has a prophetic dream in which the goddess Inanna submergesContinue reading “The Sumerian Sargon Legend”
Romantic Love
Today I am celebrating romantic love in honor of my wedding anniversary. To all my followers, I hope that you find joy and happiness in your amorous relationships. May your love shine forth like the goddess Inana on the day she married Dumuzid. “At her mother’s bidding, Inana bathed in water and anointed herself withContinue reading “Romantic Love”
‘She Who Wrote’
Enheduanna, the first named author in world history, was a remarkable woman who lived around 2300 BCE. She was the daughter of Sargon of Akkad, who appointed her as high priestess of the Nanna Temple in Ur. Her writings include the Exaltation of Inanna, the Temple Hymns, Inanna and Ebih, and other attributed works. EnheduannaContinue reading “‘She Who Wrote’”
The Talking Mace
In Inanna’s Bargain, ancient ceremonial objects exhibit magical powers associated with their divine originals. This excerpt from Chapter 21 describes Kianu’s encounter with such an object. As I prayed to the warrior god, my attention was captured by a large battle-mace displayed to one side of the cult statue, on a high shelf above theContinue reading “The Talking Mace”
Sharur
Sharur (Car-ur) was the magical battle-mace of Ninurta, the Mesopotamian warrior god of winds and storms. As an animated mythological weapon, Sharur served as a fierce protector as well as a trusted advisor, messenger and spy. The battle-mace played an important role in the late third millennium BCE Sumerian Exploits of Ninurta, gathering military intelligence,Continue reading “Sharur”
CLAIRE SULOS 