Newly Deciphered Cuneiform Tablet Contains Unknown Sumerian Myth

[Hekate]

8. Echoes of Inanna, who went to the Underworld to see her sister Ereshkigal, who was queen there

Ereshkigal was full of wrath and grieving, and slew her with a look (also hung the body from a hook on the wall). Inanna was there 3 days and rose again full of love for mankind — no wait, that’s kind of another myth.

Inanna had left word with Ninshubur, a trusted friend, that if she didn’t return in 3 days, her friend was to seek help. One god after another refused, observing that Inanna had chosen to travel “the road from which no traveller returns.” Her own consort had assumed her throne and was kind of “meh” about getting her back. The god Enki, however, created 2 small beings to slip into the Underworld, revive Inanna, and lead her back. Where incidentally she looks for revenge on those who refused to help her.

You might enjoy Inanna: Queen of Heaven & Earth (Her Stories & Hymns from Sumer) by Diane Wolkstein and Samuel Noah Kramer. It came out in 1983, and altho more work has been done since then, it’s a classic and very readable.

I’ve been revisiting this world since the Algorithm Gods of YouTube tossed Dr. Irving Finkel my way. I don’t know if he’s even still alive, but he is or was a Curator at the British Museum, has a beard like Santa Claus, and is a delight to listen to. Very witty.