Ishtar

Inanna set out for the realm of the dead and instructed her vizier, Ninshubar, to mourn her if she did not return within three days. She ordered him to appeal to Ellil of Nippur, Sin of Ur, and Ea of Eridu. She feared that the journey might end in her death, but she still went on.

When Inanna reached the gates of the Underworld, Ereshkigal allowed her to enter on the condition that she removed her clothes. Inanna followed the instruction at each gate and surrendered what she wore. By the time she reached Ereshkigal, she stood naked and vulnerable. Ereshkigal then ordered her sister to kill her.

Ea hastily created two beings whose only purpose was to rescue Inanna. They entered Ereshkigal’s realm and deceived her into releasing Inanna’s body. They used the food and drink of divine immortality to restore her to life. Inanna then returned from the Underworld, and reproduction resumed across the earth.

The account did not include Bilulu, Dumuzi, or an act of revenge against Bilulu. It therefore did not establish the events named by the title.

Ishtar entered the Underworld to visit her sister Ereshkigal, who ruled the dark realm called the Land of No Return. The reason for the journey was not stated. Some tellings treated it as an attempt to seize Ereshkigal’s subterranean kingdom. Before she left, Ishtar instructed her vizier Ninshubar that, if she did not return within three days, he had to mourn her. He then had to seek help from Ellil of Nippur, Sin of Ur, and Ea of Eridu, and ask them to prevent her death in the nether world.

When Ishtar reached the gates, Ereshkigal sent word that she welcomed her if she removed all her clothes. Ishtar followed the instruction as she passed through the gates and left her garments behind. The command was a trick. When Ishtar stood completely naked and vulnerable, Ereshkigal ordered her sister to be killed. Ishtar’s death brought reproduction to an end across the earth’s surface.

Ninshubar carried out Ishtar’s instructions and sought help from the three gods. Ea then hastily created two beings whose only purpose was to rescue Ishtar. They entered Ereshkigal’s realm and deceived her into releasing Ishtar’s body. They used the food and drink of divine immortality to restore Ishtar to life. Reproduction immediately resumed across the earth’s surface.

Ishtar still could not leave the Underworld permanently without finding a substitute to live there in her place. Guarded by some of Ereshkigal’s demons, she returned to the surface and searched for one. She chose her mate, Tammuz, whom the Sumerians called Dumuzi. His sister Geshtinanna tried to rescue him, but she failed. The major parties involved then agreed that Tammuz and Geshtinanna would alternate their residence in the dark depths. This arrangement allowed Tammuz to leave the Underworld for part of the year.

Ishtar saw Ishullanu, her father Anu’s gardener, and went straight to him when she saw his beauty. He had regularly brought her dates in his basket and had set a shining table for her each day. She invited him to taste the produce of his work. She told him to stretch out his hand and pluck her fruit. This happened among the former lovers whom Gilgamesh named when he answered Ishtar and recalled the men who had suffered after rejecting her.

Ishullanu refused her offer. He said that his mother had baked food and that he had already eaten it. He asked why he should come to Ishtar for food that was tainted and rotten. He also asked when a screen of rushes had ever given enough protection from frost. His words rejected her invitation and answered it with an insult. No earlier intimacy passed between them in this episode, and Ishullanu gave no other reason for his refusal.

Ishtar heard his answer and fell into a bitter rage. She struck Ishullanu and changed him into a blind mole deep beneath the earth. His desire then remained forever beyond his reach. Gilgamesh used Ishullanu’s fate with the other former lovers when he warned Ishtar that a lover might suffer the same punishment. Ishullanu’s transformation ended his place among human beings and left him beneath the earth.