The Akkadian/Sumerian poet Enheduanna (2285-2250 BC) is the world’s first named author. #CelebratingWomen
That right. The world's first author was a woman, writing over 4000 years ago. And she was - and still remains - very, very influential.
She is credited with creating the paradigms of poetry, psalms, and prayers used throughout the ancient world. Through the Babylonians, her works influenced and inspired the prayers and psalms of the Hebrew Bible and the Homeric hymns of Greece.
Enheduanna’s name translates as 'High Priestess of An’ (the sky god) or 'En-Priestess, wife of the god Nanna'.
As High Priestess of the largest temple in Sumer, she organized and presided over the political and religious life of the city.
She is best known for her hymns Inninsagurra, Ninmesarra, and Inninmehusa, as well as other works of poetry and social commentary.
She also held her own against an attempted coup by a Sumerian rebel named Lugal-Ane who forced her into exile.
In 1927, archaeologist Sir Leonard Wooley found the now-famous Enhuduanna calcite disc in his excavations at the Sumerian site of Ur.
Inscriptions on the disc identify the four figures: Enheduanna, her estate manager Adda; her hairdresser Ilum Palilis; her scribe Sagadu.
That's right. Her HAIRDRESSER.
She rocked.

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More from @Joannechocolat

20 Mar
Hatshepsut (whose name means "Foremost of Noble Ladies" 1507–1458 BC) was the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt. She is the second historically-confirmed female pharaoh, the first being Sobekneferu. #CelebratingWomen
Hatshepsut came to the throne of Egypt in 1478 BC. Her bloodline was impeccable as she was the daughter, sister, and wife of a pharaoh. Her understanding of religion allowed her to establish herself as the God’s Wife of Amen.
Officially, she ruled jointly with Thutmose III, who had ascended to the throne the previous year as an infant. Hatshepsut was the chief wife of Thutmose II, Thutmose III’s father. Her reign was the longest of any other woman of an Egyptian dynasty.
Read 6 tweets
20 Mar
Just rediscovered this amazing book of manners, in French, published in 1913. Title: The Polite Young Lady.”
Quotes to follow.
"Since God has decreed that you be born nobly, you must behave accordingly... you may be both beautiful and virtuous, and yet disgust the world with your vulgarity."
On bathing: "One should bathe at least once a year, and change one's under-linen once a week. Washing the feet is also recommended, especially during the summer months."
Read 10 tweets
19 Mar
Hypatia of Alexandria was a Greek intellectual and teacher in Alexandria, Egypt, known for mathematics and philosophy: born about 350 to 370 AD, died 416 AD. #CelebratingWomen
She was the daughter of Theon of Alexandria, a teacher of mathematics with the Museum of Alexandria in Egypt. A center of Greek intellectual and cultural life, the Museum included many independent schools as well as the great library of Alexandria.
Hypatia herself taught at the Neoplatonist school of philosophy. She became the salaried director of this school in 400. She wrote about mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy.
Read 10 tweets
18 Mar
Johanna Sophia Kettner (1724 - 1802), was an Austrian soldier.
#CelebratingWomen
In 1743, Johanna enlisted in the imperial Austrian army as a man named Johann Kettner. Johann served in the prestigious Hagenbach infantry regiment of the Austrian army for about fourteen years.
During this time of service, Johann was promoted to the rank of corporal. At the time, this post was not legally available for women.
Read 4 tweets
14 Mar
Here's a little thread about GRAMMAR. Indulge me for a minute: it's important.
I see a lot of people on here dismissing correct grammar as pedantic, or talking about "grammar Nazis", as if the freedom to misrepresent the language was somehow a human right. The irony is that *actual Nazis* are very good at using grammar for their own ends. Here's why.
Grammar is basically a security measure. It's a way to check that the language we use does what we intend it to: that is, means delivering a clear message to another person, without error or confusion.
Read 11 tweets
13 Mar
Little thread. I'm seeing a lot of men on here claiming to be "protective" towards women, and expecting praise for it. I'm sure these men mean well, but this attitude is absolutely part of the problem. Here's why.
1. It implies that some women deserve to be protected (and also, that by definition, some don't).
2. It implies that it’s okay for men to assume responsibility (and ownership) for women. It’s not.
3. It implies that women should be grateful for the “protection” of men (and their attention).
4. It gives these men the feeling that they’re entitled to interfere with (and comment) on the behaviour of women, when they’re absolutely not.
Read 4 tweets

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