Descent to the Underworld
Through seven gates she is stripped of everything, dies, and returns — but only if someone takes her place below.
In one of the greatest Mesopotamian myths, the goddess Inana (Ishtar in Akkadian) descends into the netherworld of her sister Ereshkigal. At each of seven gates she surrenders a garment or ornament, arriving stripped and powerless; she is struck dead and hung on a hook. Rescued by Enki's cunning, she may return only if she provides a substitute — and the lot falls on her consort Dumuzi. The myth explores the boundary between life and death, the price of crossing it, and the terrible logic that someone must remain below for another to come up. It is among the most influential descent-narratives in world literature.
Key passages(3)
From the great heaven she set her mind on the great below. From the great heaven the goddess set her mind on the great below. From the great heaven Inana set her mind on the great below. My mistress a
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Ninĝišzida's journey to the nether world
Arise and get on board, arise, we are about to sail, arise and get on board! -- Woe, weep for the bright daylight, as the barge is steered away! -- I am a young man! Let me not be covered against my w
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A small demon opened his mouth and said to the big demon, Come on, let's go to the lap of holy Inana. The demons entered Unug and seized holy Inana. Come on, Inana, go on that journey which is yours a
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