Goddess Ishtar descent to the underworld tablet

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Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
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published on 31 March 2014
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Goddess Ishtar descent to the underworld tablet Download Full Size Image

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.

Neo-Assyrian era, 7th century BCE, from Nineveh, northern Iraq, part of the library of King Ashurbanipal, 669-631 BCE. (The British Museum, London)

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About the Author

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2014, March 31). Goddess Ishtar descent to the underworld tablet. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2464/goddess-ishtar-descent-to-the-underworld-tablet/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Goddess Ishtar descent to the underworld tablet." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified March 31, 2014. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2464/goddess-ishtar-descent-to-the-underworld-tablet/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Goddess Ishtar descent to the underworld tablet." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 31 Mar 2014. Web. 20 Dec 2024.

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