Tablet inscribed with extract from "The Exaltation of Inanna"

Sidney Babcock: After praising Inanna's unyielding strength, Enheduanna accuses a certain Lugalanne of attempting to forcefully remove her from her office. This Lugalanne is most likely the historically attested king of Ur, who participated in an unsuccessful revolt against the Akkadian king Naram-Sin, Enheduanna’s nephew. Here, she hints at Lugalanne’s harassments, which she will elaborate on in later sections:

Nimet Habachy:

“Yes, I took up my place in the sanctuary dwelling,

I was high priestess, I, Enheduanna.

Though I bore the offering basket, though I chanted the hymns,

A death offering was ready, was I no longer living?

I went towards light, it felt scorching to me,

I went towards shade, it shrouded me in swirling dust.

A slobbered hand was laid across my honeyed mouth,

What was fairest in my nature was turned to dirt.

O Moon-god Suen, is this Lugalanne my destiny?

Tell heaven to set me free of it!

Just say it to heaven! Heaven will set me free!”