Cuneiform tablet telling the legend of Ishtar’s descent to the Underworld
Neo-Assyrian, 7th century BC
From Nineveh, northern Iraq
Part of the library of King Ashurbanipal (reigned 669-631 BC)
The legend, written in Akkadian, describes how Ishtar, goddess of sexuality and warfare, went to the Underworld. Ishtar decided to undertake the journey, although the Underworld was known as the ‘land of no return’ for humans and gods alike. On the way down she passes through seven doorways and each time the gatekeeper removes from her the symbols and clothes of her divinity. Eventually Ishtar comes face to face with Erishkigal, the goddess of death, and collapses. All sexual activity stops on earth. The gods are distraught and Ea, god of wisdom, creates an impotent boy who is attractive to Erishkigal. He manages to persuade Erishkigal to have Ishtar sprinkled with the waters of life and revived. Ishtar passes back through the seven doors, and regains her clothing and attributes
S. Dalley, Myths from Mesopotamia: Creati (Oxford University Press, 1991)
J.B. Pritchard, Ancient Near Eastern texts rel, 3rd ed. (Princeton University Press, 1969)
The British Museum
(via blogthoven)
