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To: <A href="mailto:peace@lists.chambana.net">peace@lists.chambana.net</A><BR>
From: Conrad Wetzel <A href="mailto:mc-wetzel@hotmail.com">mc-wetzel@hotmail.com</A><BR>
Re: World's oldest known poem about war<BR>
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<B><FONT size=4><FONT size=1>Enheduanna, Sumerian Priestess</FONT><BR></B><FONT size=1></FONT> <BR><FONT size=1>Enheduanna was an ancient Sumerian priestess, from a part of the world now known as Iraq. Her father, Sargon, is credited with uniting the Central and Southern regions of Mesopotamia into a highly prosperous empire. Sargon is often referred to as the world’s first emperor, reigning from 2334-2279 BCE. Enheduanna was appointed priestess of the temple at Ur. In this position she consolidated the worship of a myriad of local goddesses into the worship of Inanna, a Sumerian goddess. Enheduanna is believed to be the world’s oldest writer. She wrote what may be the first recorded poem in response to war, in approximately 2300 BCE. </FONT><BR><FONT size=1></FONT> <BR><B><STRONG><FONT size=1>Lament to the Spirit of War</FONT><BR><FONT size=1></FONT> <BR></B></FONT></STRONG><FONT size=4><FONT size=1>You hack everything down in battle....<BR>God of War, with your fierce wings<BR>you slice away the land and charge<BR>disguised as a raging storm,<BR>growl as a roaring hurricane,<BR>yell like a tempest yells,<BR>thunder, rage, roar, and drum,<BR>expel evil winds!<BR>Your feet are filled with anxiety!<BR>On your lyre of moans <BR>I hear your loud dirge scream.<BR><BR>Like a fiery monster you fill the land with poison.<BR>As thunder you growl over the earth,<BR>trees and bushes collapse before you.<BR>You are blood rushing down a mountain,<BR>Spirit of hate, greed and anger,<BR>dominator of heaven and earth!<BR>Your fire wafts over our land,<BR>riding on a beast,<BR>with indomitable commands,<BR>you decide all fate.<BR>You triumph over all our rites.<BR>Who can explain why you go on so? </FONT><BR></FONT><BR> </body>
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