The Descent of the Goddess Ishtar into the Lower World

Ishtar, daughter of Sin, directs her thought toward the land of no return, described as a house of darkness, dust, and clay. Arriving at the gate, Ishtar demands the gatekeeper open it, threatening to break the door and raise the dead to outnumber the living. The gatekeeper asks her to desist and announces her to his queen Ereshkigal. Ereshkigal trembles, weeps for the dead, and orders the gatekeeper to admit Ishtar by the ancient decree. Through seven gates, the gatekeeper removes an item each time—crown, earrings, necklace, breast ornaments, girdle, spangles, loin-cloth—each time citing Ereshkigal's decrees. Ereshkigal, angered, orders Namtar to imprison Ishtar and send sixty diseases against her. On earth, procreation ceases. Papsukal mourns; Shamash appeals to Sin and Ea. Ea forms the eunuch Asu-shu-namir and sends him to obtain the khalziku skin. Ereshkigal curses him but orders Namtar to sprinkle Ishtar with the waters of life. Namtar leads Ishtar back through the seven gates, returning her garments in reverse. A closing address concerns Tammuz, the flute of lapis lazuli, and Belili, who hears her brother's lament and scatters her treasure.