Who was the world’s first author? This question has intrigued scholars and historians for centuries. Determining the first author in the history of human civilization is a challenging task, as writing itself evolved over time. However, several candidates have been proposed, each with their own unique contributions to the development of written language.
The debate over the world’s first author often revolves around two prominent figures: the Sumerian scribe Enheduanna and the ancient Egyptian writer Meri-Ra. Enheduanna, who lived around 2300 BCE, is considered the first known female author and the first poet in history. She was a high priestess of the moon god Nanna in the city of Uruk, and her most famous work, “Inanna and the Huluppu Tree,” is a mythological narrative that explores themes of creation and the goddess Inanna’s journey.
On the other hand, Meri-Ra, who lived around 2600 BCE, is often credited with being the first known author of a complete literary work. His work, “The Instructions of Meri-Ra,” is a collection of wisdom literature that offers advice on various aspects of life, including politics, religion, and personal conduct. Although the text is not a narrative in the traditional sense, it is considered a significant milestone in the history of written literature.
Another contender for the title of the world’s first author is the ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan, who lived around 340 BCE. Qu Yuan is celebrated for his contribution to the development of Chinese poetry and his masterpiece, “Lament for the South,” which expresses his deep sorrow over the fall of the Chu state. Although his work was not written in the form of a book as we understand it today, it is considered a foundational text in Chinese literature.
While these candidates have been proposed, it is important to note that the concept of authorship itself evolved over time. In ancient civilizations, authors were often anonymous or their contributions were attributed to a deity or mythical figure. It was only with the rise of the written word and the development of literacy that the concept of individual authorship became more prevalent.
In conclusion, identifying the world’s first author is a complex task, as it depends on the criteria used to define “first.” However, Enheduanna, Meri-Ra, and Qu Yuan are three prominent figures who have been proposed as candidates. Their works represent significant milestones in the history of written literature and have contributed to the development of authorship as we understand it today.
