"Inanna's Descent" English Translation by William R. Sladek
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Text summary

From: Ph.D. dissertation · William R. Sladek · 1974

"Inanna's Descent" is an English translation of the Inanna's Descent to the Netherworld afterlife myth. It was published by William R. Sladek in 1974 as part of a Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University. Chapter IX (9) of the work includes a translation of the original text from Sumerian cuneiform to English. The poem is 412 lines long.
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Full Translation, Collation (full)

Sumerian  ⟶  English a

LineTransliterationTranslation
[1] 1an-gal-ta ki-gal-šè1 geštú-ga-ni na-an-gu[b] From the "great heaven" she has set her mind on the "great below"
[2] dingir an-gal-ta ki-gal-šè geštú-ga-ni na-an-[gub] From the "great heaven" the goddess has ([set] Her mind on the "great below"
[3] dinanna an-gal-[ta ki-gal-šè] geštú-ga-ni na-an-[gub] [From] the "great heaven" Inanna has [set] her mind [on the "great below"]
[4] nin-mu an mu-un-šub ki mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-é-a-e11 My mistress has abandoned heaven, abandoned earth, and is descending to the netherworld
[5] dinanna an mu-un-šub ki mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-é-a-e11 Inanna has abandoned heaven, abandoned earth, and is descending to the netherworld
[6] nam-en mu-un-šub nam-lagar mu-un-šub kur-ra ba1-é-a-e11 She abandoned en-ship, abandoned lagar-ship, and is descending to the netherworld
[7] unuki -ga é-an-na mu-un-šub kur-ra ba2-é-a-e11 She abandoned (her temple) in Uruk, the Eanna, and is descending to the netherworld
  • Notes for lines [1-7]
  • 1. AB. 1-1) See the commentary for a list of the catalogues which contain the incipit
  • 2. AB.
  • 3. ABCD.
  • 4. ABCD
  • 5. ABCDE. 1) So A and B; C: mu-
  • 6. ABCDE. 1) So A and C; D: ba-é-e11
  • 7-13. 1) The order followed is that of C; for the order and number of the temples in the other texts, see the commentary. Note also that kur-ra and ba-é-(a)-e11 is only contained in A, B, and D; C and E omit this phrase.
  • 7. ABCDE. 1) See above. 2) So A and B; D: ba-é-e11.
[8] bad-tib[ira]ki-a é-mus-kalam-ma mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-[e-a]-e11 She abandoned (her temple) in Bad-Tib[ira], the EmuS'kalamma, and is des[cend]ing to the netherworld.
[9] zabalamki-a2 3gi-gu15ki-na3 mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-é-a4-e11 She abandoned (her temple) in Zabalam, the Giguna, and is descending to the netherworld
[10] adabki-a é-sar-ra mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-é-a-e11 She abandoned (her temple) in Adab, the E^arra, and is descending to the net/herworld
[11] nibruki-a bara-dur-gar-ra mu-un-šub [kur-ra ba-é-a-e11] She abandoned (her temple) in Nippur, the Baradurgarra, and is [^descending to the netherworld] «
[12] kiski-a hur-sag-kalam-ma mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-é-[a-e11] She abandoned (her temple) in Akkad, the Eulma^, and is descending to the netherworld Ua-lSg.1
[13] a-ga-deki-a2 é-ul-maski3 mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-é-a-e11 She abandoned (her temple) in KiS, the Hursagkalamma and is des[cending] to the netherworld
[13a-13g1]    
[14] me-imin-bi za mu-ni-in-kesda She took the "seven” me's
  • Notes for lines [8-14]
  • 8. ABCDE. 1) See above.
  • 9. ABCDE. 1) See above. 2) So C and D; B and E omit -a. 3-3) So C; B: gi-gu15ki-ga; D: gi-gu15-na. 4) So A and B; D: ba-é-e11.
  • 10. ABCDE. 1) See above.
  • 11. ABCDE. 1) See above.
  • 12. ABCDE. 1) See above.
  • 13. ABCDE. 1) See above. 2) So B and E; C omits -a. 3) So Ck; B: é-ul-maski-a; E: é-ul-mas
  • 13a.-13g. E. 1) For the seven additional temples listed by E, see the commentary.
  • ABCDE.
[15] me mu-un-ur4-ur4 1 su-ni-šè 2mu-un-la2 She collected the me's .and grasped them in her hand
[16] me-sar1 giri-gub-ba 2i-im-gen2 With all (her) me's in (her) possession, she went (on her way)
[17] tugsu-gúr-ra men-denx-na sag-ga-na mu-un-gal She put a turban, the pure headdress, on her head
[18] hi-li sag-ki-na su ba-ni1-in-ti She took a wig for her forehead
[19] 2na4za-gin-di4-di4-la2gu-na ba-an-la She hung small lapis lazuli beads from her neck
[20] na4nunuz-tab-ba gaba2-na 3ba-ni-in-si3 She placed twin egg-shaped beads on her breast
[21] 2tugpala túg-nam-nin-a2 bar-3ra-na3 4ba-an-dul4 She covered her body with a nala dress, the garment of ladyship adds the following temples: the Ibgal in Umma; the Edilraunna in Ur; the AMAS.E.KU in Kisiga; the E-e£dam in Girsu; the E.SIG^.ME.KU.DUy in Isin; the Artzakar in Aksak; the NIGIN.NI.kti in uruppak; the Eahulla in Kazallu.
  • Notes for lines [15-21]
  • 15. ABCDE. 1) So B, D, and E; C inserts me. 2-2) So E; A: -g]ar; B: mu-u8-[; C: mu-un-gal; D: mu-un-[.
  • 16. ABCDE. 1) So D and E; C: me-DU. 2-2) So B, C, and probably E; D: um-mi-in-[.
  • 17. ABCDE. 1) So C and E; B omits -na.
  • 18. ABCDE. 1) So A, B, and C; E: ba-si-in-ti
  • 19-25 1) The order followed in the present edition is that of E; for the order in the other texts, see chap. 5.
  • 19. ABCDE. 1) See above. 2-2) So Ck and D; A: -T]UR!-la; B: na4za-gin-TUR-TUR; E: na4TUR-TUR. 3-3) So A, B, and C; E: ba-ni-in-la
  • 20. ABCDE. 1) See above. 2) So A, B, C, and E; D: gaba!-na. 3-3) So C and E; A: ba-an-si; B: ba!-an-si.
  • 21. ABCDE. 1) See above. 2-2) So Ck; B: [tug]pala-a túg-nam-nin-a; D: tugpala-a nam-nin-a; E: tugpala nam-nin-a. 3-3) So B, Ck, and E; A: bar-bi. 4-4) So A, B, and Ck; E: bi-in-dul
[22] simbi(SIMxSIG7) 2luhe-em-du he-em-du igi-na3 4ba-ni-in-gar4 She placed mascara (which is called) "Let a man come, let him come" on her eyes
[23] tu-di-da2 lu ga-nu ga-nu 3gaba-na3 ba-an-gid She pulled the pectoral (which is called) "Come man, come" over her breast
[24] har-guskin su-na 2ba-an-du82 She placed a golden ring on her hand
[25] gi-dis-ninda es-gana-za-gin su2 3ba-ni-in-du83 She held the lapis lazuli measuring rod and measuring line in her hand
[26] dinanna kur-šè i-im-gen Inanna travelled towards the netherworld
[27] sukkal-a-ni dga-sa-an-subur-ra eger-a-na i-im-gen Her major-domo, NinSubur, travelled behind her
[28] 1ku-dinanna-ke41 2 3dnin-subur-ra eger-a-na i-im-gen Inanna the pure said to Nin ubur
[29] 1ga-nu sukkal-zi-é-an-na-mu1 "Come my faithful major-domo of (my temple) Eanna
  • Notes for lines [22-29]
  • 22. ABCE. 1) See above. 2-2) So A, B, and C; E: lu he-em-du! omitting second he-em-du. 3) So C; A: ba-ni-ib-gar; E: ba!-ni-in-gar.
  • 23. ABCDE. 1) See above. 2) So E; B and D: -túm. 3-3) So B; Ck: gaba-?-na; E: za-ga-na.
  • 24. ABCDE. 1) See above. 2-2) The printed text is a conflation; A: [ba]-an-du8; C: -d]u8; D: ba-ni-[; E: ba-ni-in-la.
  • 25. ABCE. 1) See above. 2) So C and E; A: su-na. 3-3) So E; A: b]a-an-du8; C: mi-ni-in-du8
  • 26. ABCE. 1) So C; A, B, and E omit this line.
  • 27. ABCE. 1) So C; A, B, and E omit this line.
  • 28. ABCEE'. 1-1) So C and E'; E omits. 2) So A, C, and E'. E inserts sukkal-a-ni. 3-3) So A and E; C: dga-sa-an-[; E': dga-sa-an-subur-mu
  • 29. ABCEE'. 1-1) So A, B, E, and E'; C: ge-en-ge-en-mu.
[30] sukkal-é-ne-em-sa6-sa6-ga-mu My major-domo (who speaks) consoling words
[31] ra-gaba-é-ne-em-ge-en-ge-2-na-mu My knight (who speaks) trustworthy words
[31a-31b]    
[32] u4-da kur-šè1 2e11-dé-en2 When I have descended to the netherworld
[33] u4-da 1kur-šè1 2gen-na-mu-de2 And when I have arrived in the netherworld I am going to give you [instructions]t my instructions must be [followed] I am going to say [something] to you [it must be] observed
[34] ir du6-du6-dam 1mar-mar-ma-ni-ib1 Make a lament "for me In my ruined (temples)
[35] sem gu-en-na 1tuk-tuk-a-ma-ni-ib1 Beat the drum for me in the sanctuary
[36] [e]-dingir-re-é-ne 1nigin-na-ma-ni-ib Make the rounds of the [temples] of the gods for me
  • Notes for lines [30-36]
  • 30. ABCEE'. 1) So A, C, E, and E': B omits.
  • 31. ABCEE'. 1) So A, C, E, and E'; B omits. 2) So A and E; C: -ge-en-na-mu.
  • 31a. - 31b. B. 1) Having omitted 30-31, B substitutes:
  • [na] ga-é-di5 na-di5-mu h[e-dab]
  • [inim] ga-ra-ab-du11 gizzal [he-em-si-ak]
  • 32. ABCE. 1) So A and C; Es kur-šè!-am. 2-2) So At C: mu-un-e11-[de]; E: e11-dé-en-na.
  • 33. ABCE. 1-1) So A, B, and C; E: ki-gu-ba!-as. 2-2) So B and C; A: e11-dé-mu-de; E: ba-du-un-na-ta.
  • 34. ABCE. 1-1) The printed text is a conflation; A and C: gar-gar-ma-ni-ib; B: mu-un-ga-ga; E: mar-mar-ma-ni.
  • 35. ABCE. 1-1) The printed text is a conflation; A: ]-a-ma-ni-ib; B: mu-un-tuk-a; C: ]-ma-ni[; E: tuk-tuk-a-ma-ni.
  • 36. ABCE. 1-1) So A and probably C; B: mu-un-na-nigin; E: nigin-na-ma-ni.
[37] [i-bi-zu] hur-ma-ab kiri4-zu hur-ma-ab Scratch at [your eyes]j scratch at your nose
[37a1]    
[38] ki mu-lu-da nu-di has4-gal-zu hur-ma-ab Scratch at your buttocks, the private place
[39] mu-lu-nu-tuk-ginx túg-dili-a mu4-ma-ab Like a pauper, clothe yourself in a single garment
[40] e-kur-re é-dmu-ul-lil-la'-Se me-ri-zu dili 1[gub-mu-un]1 And all alone [set] your foot in the Ekur, the temple of Enlil
[41] [e]-kur-re é-dmu-ul-lil-la-šè ku4-ku4-da-zu-de When you have entered the [E]kur, the temple of Enlil
[42] 1i-bi1-dmu-ul-lil-la-šè ir se8-a2 Lament before Enlils
[43] [a-a]-dmu-ul-lil du5-mu-zu mu-lu kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-gurum-e '[Father] Enlil, don’t let anyone subjugate your daughter in the netherworld
[44] ku-sa6-ga-zu sahar-kur-ra-ka nam-ba-da-ab-sar-re Don't let your precious metal be alloyed there with the dirt of the netherworld
  • Notes for lines [37-44]
  • 37. ABCE.
  • 37a. E. 1) E inserts a line which reads: [geštú ki]-u6-di-zu [hur-ma-ab]
  • 38. ABCE.
  • 39. ABC.
  • 40. ABC. 1-1) So probably C; A: ]-na; B: mu-un-[gub].
  • 41. ABC.
  • 42. ABC. 1-1) So C; B: igi-. 2) So C; B: se8-am
  • 43. ABC.
  • 44. ABC.
[45] za-gin-sa6-ga-zu za-zadim-ma1-ka nam-ba-da-2an-si-il-si-il2 Don't let your precious lapis lazuli be split there with the mason's stone
[46] gistaskarin-zu gis-1-nagar-ra-ka nam-ba-an2 -dar-dar-e Don't let-your boxwood be chopped up there with the carpenter's lumber
[47] ki-sikil-dga-[sa]-an-na kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-gurum!-e Don't let young lady Inanna be subjugated in the netherworld'
[48] u4-da dmu-ul-lil é-ne-em-ba 1nu-re-gub1 uriki-šè gen-na When Enlil does not help you in this matter, go to Ur
[49] uriki é-mud-1kur-ra-ka1 In Ur, when you have entered the 'House of the well being of the land'
[50] [e]-kis-[nux]-gal-dnanna-šè ku4-ku4-da-[zu]-de The Ekinugal, the temple of Nanna, 1
[51] [i]-bi-dnanna-šè ir se8-a Lament before Nannai
[52] [a]-a-dnanna du5-mu-zu mu-lu kur-ra [nam-ba-da]-an-gurum-e Father Nanna, don't let anyone subjugate your daughter in the netherworld
  • Notes for lines [45-52]
  • 45. ABC. 1) So C; B: za-zadimpka. 2-2) So B; A: ]-ab-si-il-le.
  • 46. ABC. 1) So B; C: gis-nam-nagar-. 2) So B; C: nam-ba-da-[.
  • 47. ABC.
  • 48. ABC. 1-1) So B and probably C; A: [nu]-mu-é-re-gub.
  • 49. BC. 1-1) So B; C: é-mud-kalam-ma.
  • 50. C.
  • 51. C.
  • 52. CF.
[53] [ku-sa6-ga]-zu sahar kur-ra-ka nam-ba-an-da-[sar]-re Don't let your [precious metal]] be alloyed there with the dirt of the netherworld
[54] [za-gin]-sa6-ga-zu za-zadim-ma-ka nam-ba-da-an- 1si-il-si-il1 Don't let your precious [lapis lazuli] be split there with the mason's stone
[55] [gistaskarin-zu] gis-nam-nagar-[ra-ka] nam-ba-da-an-dar-dar-[re] Don't let [your boxwood] be chopped up there with the carpenter's lumber
[56] ki-si[kil-d]ga-[sa-an-na kur-ra nam-ba]-da-an-gurum-e [Don't] let young lady [inanna] be subjugated [in the netherworld]'
[57] u4-d[a d]nanna é-ne-em-[ba nu-re-gub] uru-ze-ebki-šè gen-na And if Nanna does not [help you in this] matter, go to Eridu
[58] uru!-ze-ebki é-dam-[an-ki-ga-šè ku4-ku4-da-zu]-de In firidu, when you [have entered] the temple of [Enki] I*-
[59] 1[i-bi]1-dam-an-ki-ga-šè ir se8-am Lament [before] Enki:
[60] 2a-a2-dam-an-ki du5-mu-zu mu-lu kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-gurum-e 'Father Enki, don't let anyone subjugate your daughter in the netherworld
[61] ku-sa6-ga-zu sahar-kur-ra-ka nam-ba-an-da[sar-re] Don't let your precious metal be [alloyed] there with the dirt of the netherworld
  • Notes for lines [53-61]
  • 53. CF.
  • 54. CF. 1-1) So Fk; C: -[si]-il-le
  • 55. CEF.
  • 56. CEF.
  • 57. CEF.
  • 58. CEF.
  • 59. CEFG. 1-1) The printed text is a conflation; C: [i-bi-]; E: igi-a-[a-]; G: [igi]-
  • 60. CEFG.
  • 61. CEFG.
[62] 1za-gin-sa6-ga-zu za-zadim-ma-ka nam-ba-an-da- [si-il-si]-il Don't let your precious lapis lazuli be [split] there with the mason's stone
[63] gistaskarin-zu gis-1-nagar-ra-ka nam-ba-da-an-dar-[dar-re] Don't let your boxwood be chop[ped up] there with the carpenter's lumber
[64] ki1-sikil-d2 ga-sa-an-na kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-gurum-e Don't let young lady Inanna be subjugated in the netherworld'
[65] a-a-dam-am-an-ki-u-mu-un-mu-us-tug!-da!-ma-al-la-ke4 Father Enki, the lord of great wisdom
[66] u-nam-ti-la 1mu-un-zu1 a-nam-ti-la mu-un-zu Knows about the life-giving plant and the lifegiving water
[67] e-ne ma-1-ra hu2-mu-un-ti-le-en He is the one who will restore me to life"
[68] dinanna kur-šè 1gen-n[a-ni-ta]1 [When] Inanna travelled on towards the netherworld
[69] 2sukkal-a-ni2 dnin-subur-ra-ke4 eger-a-ni i-[im-gen] Her major-domo, NinSubur, travelled on behind her
  • Notes for lines [62-69]
  • 62. CEF. 1) So F; C and E: na4.
  • 63. CEF. 1) So E; C: gis-nam-nagar-.
  • 64. CEF. 1) So E and F; C: ki!. 2) So C; E omits DINGIR.
  • 65. CEF.
  • 66. CEFH. 1-1) So C and F; E omits.
  • 67. CEFH. 1) So C; F: ma-a-ra. 2) So C; F and H probably omit.
  • 68. CEFH. 1-1) So H; C: i-im-gen.
  • 69. CEFH. 1) So E, F, and H; C omits this line. 2-2) So F; E and probably H omit.
[70] 2sukkal-a-ni2-dnin-subur-ra gu mu-na-[de-e] So she sa[id] to her major-domo, NiriSubur
[71] 1gen-na dga-sa-an-subur-mu sa-[kesda he-ak]1 "Go now, my Ninubur, and [obey] orders
[72] 2e-en- -a-ra-du11-ga-mu2 gu-zu la-ba-si-sub Don't neglect the orders that I gave you"
[73] dinanna1e-gal-ganzir1-šè um-ma-te When Inanna arrived at the palace Ganzir
[74] gisig-kur-ra-ka2 su3-hul ba-an-us She pushed aggressively, on the door of the netherworld
[75] ka2-gal3-kur-ra-ka4 gu-hul ba-an-de She shouted aggressively at the gate of the netherworld
[76] e gal-u1ni-du8 e gal-u2 "Open up, doorman, open up
  • Notes for lines [70-76]
  • 70. CEFH. 1) So C, E, and F; H omits this line. 2-2) So C and F; E omits.
  • 71. CEFH. 1-1) The printed text is a conflation; C: gen-na dga-sa-an-subur-ra; E: gen-na ga-sa-an!-subur-mu s[ag-kesda he-ak]; H: [gen-na d]ga-sa-an- NIN -subur-mu sag-[kesda he-ak].
  • 72. CEFH. 1) So C, F, and H; E omits this line. 2-2) So C; H: [inim]-a-ra-an-du11-ga.
  • 73. CEFH. 1) So F; C: é-gal-IGI!.ZA.KUR-šè; E: é-IGI. ZA.KUR-šè; H: é-gal-IGI.KUR-šè.
  • 74. CEFH. 1) So C, E, and F; H omits this line. 2) So C; E: -ke4. 3) So also C (collated).
  • 75. CEFH. 1) So C and E; F and H omit this line. 2) So E; C: é-. 3) So also C (collated). 4) So C; E: -ke4
  • 76. CEFH. So also C (collated) and E; F: -lu. 2) So also C (collated).
[77] e gal-u2 dne-ti 3e gal-u3 dili-mu-šè ga-ku4 Open up, Netti open up; I am all alone and I want to come in"
[78] dne-ti ni-du8-gal-kur-ra-ke4 Neti, the chief doorman of the netherworld
[79] ku-dinanna-ra1 inim2 mu-3-na-ni-ib-gi4-gi4 Answered Inanna the puret
[80] 1a-ba-me-en za-e1 "Who are you?"
[81] me-e 1dga-sa-na-na1 ki-dutu-é-a-as2 "I am Inanna, and (I am going) to the east"
[82] tukum-bi za-e 1dinanna1 ki-dutu-é-a-as "If you are Inanna, and (you are going) to the east
[83] a-na-am1 ba-du-un kur-nu-gi4-šè Why have you travelled to the Land of No Return?
[84] 1-har-ra-an1 lu-2du-be2 3 nu-gi4-gi4-de sa-zu a-ginx tum-mu-un What inclination has led you to take the road from which no traveller returns?"
  • Notes for lines [-]
  • 77. CEFH. 1) So C and E; F and H write this as two lines with additions: ni-du8 e gal-lu d[ne-ti e gal-lu] | ni-du8 e gal-lu dili-mu-šè ga-ku4 2) So also C (collated). 3-3) So also C (collated); E omits.
  • 78. CEFH.
  • 79. CEFH. 1) So C and E; F: -ke4. 2) So E and H; C and F omit inim. 3) So E and F; C inserts -na-.
  • 80. CEFHI. 1-1) So C, E, and F; H: a-ba-en za-é-me-en.
  • 81. CEFHI 1-1) So C; E omits DINGIR; F and I: d-ga-sa-an-an-na. 2) So F; C: -šè
  • 82. CEFI. 1-1) So C and E; F: AN.NA; I: dga-sa-an-an-na.
  • 83. CEFI. 1) So C; E, F, and I omit -am.
  • 84. CEFI. 1-1) Co C, F, and I; E: KASKAL. 2-2) So C; E: -ga!-as; F: du-u-be; I: -du-ba. 3) So C, F, and I; E inserts lu.
[85] ku-dinanna-ke4 mu-na-ni-ib2-gi4-gi4 Inanna the pure answered him:
[86] nin9-gal1-mu ku2-d3ga-sa-an-ki-gal-la-ke44 "Gugalanna, the husband of my elder sister
[87] mu1 dam-a-ni u-mu-un-gu4-gal-an-na ba-an-ug5-ga EreSkigal the pure, has died--
[88] 1ki-si-ga-na1 i-bi du8-u-de to see his funeral rites
[89] 1kas-ki-si-ga-na gu-ul ba-ni-in-de ur5 he-na-nam-ma1 and to take partin his lavish wake--that is why (I. have come)"
[90] dne-ti ni-du8-gal-kur-ra-ke4 Netti, the chief doorman of the netherworld
[91] ku-dinanna-ra1 mu-na-ni-ib-gi4-gi4 Answered Inanna the pure
  • Notes for lines [85-91]
  • 85. EFI. 1) So F and I; E omits the line. 2) So I; E: -ib.
  • 86. EFI. 1) So F and I; E: -gu-la-. 2) So I; E and F omit ku-. 3) So F and I; E omits DINGIR. 4) So I; F omits -ke4.
  • 87. EFI. 1) So F and I; E omits mu.
  • 88. EFI. 1) So F and I; E: ninda-si-ga-ne
  • 89. CEFIJ. 1-1) The printed text is a conflation: C: ]x-si-ga-na[ E: kas-ki-si-ga-ne de!-de ur5 he-en-na-n[am-ma] F: kas-si-ga-na gu-ul ba-ni-in-de ur5-šè he-me-a I: [. . .]-si-ga-na gu-ul ba-ni-de ur5 he-na-nam-ma J: [. . .u]1 ba-ni-[
  • 90. CEFIJ.
  • 91 CWFIJ. 1) So E and I; F: -ke4.
[92] 1gub-ba-a1 dinanna nin-ga2 ga-an3-na-ab-du11 "Stay here Inanna; I will speak to my mistress
[93] nin-mu1-deres-ki-gal-la-ra2 ga-an-na-du11 [inim-zu] ga-an-na-ab-du11 I will speak to my mistress EreS’kigal and I will tell her what you said"
[94] dne-ti ni-du8-gal-kur-ra-ke4 Neti, the chief doorman of the netherworld
[95] nin-a-ni-deres-ki-gal-la-ra Entered the house of his mistress EreSkigal and
[96] e-[a-ni-šè ba]-si-in-ku4 gu mu-na-de said to. her;
[97] nin-mu ki-sikil-dis-am "My lady, there,is a lone girl (outside)
[98] din[anna nin9-zu é-gal-ganzir-šè um-ma-te It is In[anna, your sister, and she has arrived at the palace Ganzir]
[99] gisig-kur-ra-ka su-hul ba-an-us] [She pushed aggressively on] the door [of the netherworld]
[100] [ká-gal-kur-ra-ka gu-hul ba-an-de] [She shouted aggressively at the gate of the netherworld]
  • Notes for lines [92-100]
  • 92. CEFIJ. 1) So E; F: gub-gub-ba!-ab. 2) So F and J; E: -mu. 3) So F; E and I omit.
  • 93. CEFIJ. 1) So C and F; E: -ga-. 2) So F and I; J: -šè.
  • 94. CEFIJ.
  • 95. CEF.
  • 96. CF.
  • 97. CF.
  • 98. C.
  • 99. C.
  • 100. C.
[101] e-an-na [mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-é-a-e11] [She has abandoned (her temple)] Eanna [and has descended to the netherworld.
[102] me-imin-bi za [mu-ni-in-kesda] [She has taken] the "seven" me's
[103] me mu-[un-ur4-ur4 su-ni-šè mu-un-la] [She has collected] the me's [and grasped them in her hand]
[104] me- sar 1 giri-gub-ba-i-im-gen] [She has come with all] (her) me's [in (her) possession]
[105] tugsu-gúr-ra [men-denx-na sag-ga-na mu-un-gal] [She has put] a ttirban, [the pure headdress, on her head]
[106] hi-li sag-ki-na [su ba-si-in-ti] [She has taken] a wig for her forehead
[107] [na4za]-gin-d[i4-di4-la gu-na i-im-la] [She has hung small lapis] lazuli [beads from her neck]
[108] na4nunuz-tab-ba [gaba-na i-im-si] [She has placed] twin egg-shaped beads [on her breast]
[109] tug-pala-nam-nin-a [bar-ra-na i-im-dul] [She has covered her body] with a pala dress, the garment of ladyship
  • Notes for lines [101-109]
  • 101. CK.
  • 102. CK.
  • 103. CK.
  • 104. CK. 1) C: me-DU
  • 105. CK.
  • 106. CK.
  • 107-113 1) The order followed is that of L; for the order of the other texts, see chapter V above.
  • 107. CKL. 1) See above.
  • 108. CKL. 1) See above.
  • 109. CKL. 1) See above.
[110] simbi(SIMxSIG7) lu-he-em-du igi-ni [i-im-gar] [She has placed] mascara (which is called) 'Let a man come* on her eyes
[111] tu-di-da lu ga-nu ga-nu gaba 2-[na i-im-gid] [She has pulled] the pectoral (which is called) 'Come man, come' over her breast
[112] har-guskin su-na i-i[m-la] [She has placed] a golden ring on her hand
[113] gi-dis-ninda es-gana-za-gin su-na i-i[m-du8] [She is holding] the lapis lazuli measuring rod and measuring line in her hand"
[114] u4-ba deres-ki-gal-la-ke4 has-bar-bi 1bi-in1-ra When (she heard this), Ereskigal slapped the side of her thigh
[115] nundum zu bi-in-gub ka sa-šè ba-ti She bit her lip, she . . .
[116] 1dne-ti1 ni-du8-gal-ni-ir gu mu-na-2de-e2 She said to Neti, her chief doorman*
[117] ga-nu dne-ti ni-du8-gal-1kur-ra1-mu "Come Neti, my chief doorman of the netherworld
[118] inim-1a-ra-du11-ga-mu1 gu-zu 2la-ba-an-sub-be-e[n]2 Don't fail to do what I am going to tell you
  • Notes for lines [110-118]
  • 110. CKL. 1) See above.
  • 111. CKL. 1) See above. 2) L: za-[ga-na].
  • 112. CKL. 1) See above.
  • 113. CKL. 1) See above.
  • 114. CKLM. 1-1) So M; C: ba-an-[
  • 115. CKLM.
  • 116. CIKLM. 1-1) So C; L omits. 2-2) So L; M: -ab-e.
  • 117. CIKLM. So L; M omits.
  • 118. CIKLM. 1-1) So C; I: -a]-ra-ab-[du11-ga-mu; L: a-ra-ab-be-en-na-mu. 2-2) So L; M: US.SI.SU8.ZU.
[119] ká-gal-kur-ra imin-bi 1gissi-gar-bi1 he-eb2-us Let all the seven gates of the netherworld be bolted
[120] e-gal-ganzir1 dili-bi gisig-bi su ha-ba-an-us Then let each door of the palace Ganzir be opened separately
[121] e-ne ku4-ku4-da-ni-ta1 And as for her: after she enters
[122] gúr-gurum-ma-ni túg-zil-zil-la-ni-ta! lu! ba!- a[n-túm] When she has been subjugated and her clothes stripped off, they will be [carried away]"
[123] dne-ti ni-du8-gal-kur-ra-[ke4] Neti, the chief doorman of the netherworld
[124] inim-nin-a-na-šè sag-kesda ba-si-[in-ak] [was]] attentive to the instructions of his mistress
[125] ká-gal-kur-ra imin-bi gis-gar-bi [bi-ib-us] [He bolt]ed the seven gates of the netherworld
[126] 1e-gal-ganzir1 dili-bi [gis-ig-bi su ba-an-us] And then [he opened each of the doors] of the palace Ganzir separately
[127] ku-dinanna-ra gu mu-na-dé-[e] He said to Inanna the pure
  • Notes for lines [119-127]
  • 119. CIKLM. 1-1) So L and probably C and I; M omits. 2) So M; L: -eb-.
  • 120. CIKLM. 1) So K and L; C and I: IGI.ZA.KUR
  • 121. CIKLM. 1) So L; M: -ta!.
  • 122. CIKL.
  • 123. CIK.
  • 124. CEK.
  • 125. CEK.
  • 126. CEK. 1-1) The printed text is a conflation; E: e-gal-IGI.ZA.KUR-[; K: ka-gal-IGI.KUR.ZA.IGI.KUR-ra-ka.
  • 127. CEK.
[128] ga-nu dinanna ku4-um-[ma-ni] Come on Inanna, and enter
[129] 1dinanna1 ku4-ku4-da-[ni-ta] And [when] Inanna entered
[130] tugsu-gúr-ra men-eden-na sag-ga-na lu ba-da-an-2zi-ir2 The turban, the pure headdress, was removed from her head
[131] 1ta-am-ne-e1 "What's going on here?"
[132] si-a dinanna me-kur-ra-ke41 su al-du7-du7 "Be satisfied Inanna! The me's of the netherworld are being fulfilled
[133] dinanna garza-kur-ra-ke4 ka-zu 2na-an-ba-e Inanna, you must not open your mouth against the sacred customs of the netherworld!"
  • Notes for lines [128-133]
  • 128. CEK.
  • 129. CEK. 1-1) So E and K; C: e-ne.
  • 129a-b K. K inserts: gi-dis-ninda es-gana-za-gin [, ka-gal-dis-kam-ma ku4-[.
  • 130; 135; 140; 145; 150; 155; 160. 1) See chapter V for a table of the difference in order of the items removed from Inanna in the various texts. 2-2) So C; L: ba-da-an-zil; P: ba-da-an-zi.
  • 131; 136; 141; 146; 151; 156; 161. 1-1) So E and L; C, K, and O: ta-am-me-a; P: a-na-am-e-ne.
  • 132; 137; 142; 147; 152; 157; 162. 1) So also K (collated).
  • 133; 138; 143; 148; 153; 158; 163. 1) So E, L, M, and P; K and O omit -ke4. 2-2) So L; C: [na-an-ba]-e-en; P: na-be-e.
[134] ká-gal-min-kam-ma ku4-ku4-da-[ni-ta] [When3 she entered the second gate The small lapis lazuli beads were removed from her neck
[135] na4za-gin-di4-di4 gu-na lu ba-da-an-2zi-ir2 "What's going on here?"
[136] 1ta-am-ne-e1 "Be satisfied Inanna! The me's of the netherworld are being fulfilled
[137] si-a dinanna me-kur-ra-ke41 su al-du7-du7 Inanna, you must not open your mouth against the sacred customs of the netherworld!"
[138] dinanna garza-kur-ra-ke41 ka-zu 2na-an-ba-e2 When she entered the third gate
[139] ká-gal-es5-kam-ma ku4-ku4-da-ni-ta The twin egg-shaped beads were removed from her breast
[140] na4nunuz-tab-ba gaba-na lu ba-da-an-2zi-ir2 "What's going on here?"
[141] 1ta-am-ne-e1 "Be satisfied Inanna! The me's of the netherworld are being fulfilled
[142] si-a dinanna me-kur-ra-ke41 su al-du7-du7  
[143] dinanna garza-kur-ra-ke41 ka-zu 2na-an-ba-e2 Inanna, you must not open your mouth against the sacred customs of the netherworld !"
  • Notes for lines [134-143]
  • 134. CEKLM.
  • 135. 1) and 2-2) See above to 130.
  • 136. 1-1) See above to 131.
  • 137. 1) See above to 132.
  • 138. 1) and 2-2) See above to 133.
  • 139. EKL.
  • 140. 1) and 2-2) See above to 130.
  • 141. 1-1) See above to 131.
  • 142. 1) See above to 132.
  • 143. 1) and 2-2) See above to 133.
[144] ká-gal-limmu-kam-ma ku4-ku4-da-ni-ta When she entered the fourth gate
[145] tu-di-da2 lu ga-nu ga-nu 3gaba-na3 lu ba-da-an- 4zi-ir4 The pectoral (which was called) "Come man, Come" was removed from her breast
[146] 1ta-am-ne-e1 "What's going on here?"
[147] si-a dinanna me-kur-ra-ke41 su al-du7-du7 He satisfied Inanna' The me's of the netherworld are being fulfilled
[148] dinanna garza-kur-ra-ke41 Inanna, you must not open your mouth against the sacred customs of the netherworld!"
[149] ká-gal-ia-kam-ma ku4-ku4-da-ni-ta When she entered the fifth gate
[150] har-guskin su-na lu ba-da-an-2zi-ir2 The golden ring was removed from her hand
[151] 1ta-am-ne-e1 "What's going on here?"
[152] si-a dinanna me-kur-ra-ke41 ka-zu 2na-an-ba-e2 "Be satisfied Inanna! The me's of the netherworld are being fulfilled
[153] dinanna garza-kur-ra-ke41 ka-zu 2na-an-ba-e2 Inanna, you must not open your mouth against the sacred customs of the netherworld!"
  • Notes for lines [144-153]
  • 144. EK.
  • 145. 1) and 4-4) See above to 130. 2) See E; C, O, and P: -tum. 3-3) So O; E: za-ga-na; P omits.
  • 146. 1-1) See above to 131.
  • 147. 1) See above to 132.
  • 148. 1) and 2-2) See above to 133.
  • 149. CEOP.
  • 150. 1) and 2-2) See above to 130.
  • 151. 1-1) See above to 131.
  • 152. 1) See above to 132.
  • 153. 1) and 2-2) See above to 133.
[154] ká-gal1-as-kam-ma ku4-ku4-da-ni-ta When she entered the sixth gate
[155] gi-dis-ninda es-gana-za-gin 2su-[na]2 lu ba-da-an-3zi-ir3 The lapis lazuli measuring rod and measuring line were removed from [[her] hand
[156] 1ta-am-ne-e1 "What's going on here?"
[157] si-a dinanna me kur-ra-ke41 su al-du7-du7 "Be satisfied Inanna! The me's of the netherworld are being fulfilled
[158] dinanna me kur-ra-ke42 ka-zu 3na-an-ba-e3 Inanna, you must not open your mouth against the sacred customs, of the netherworld!"
[159] ká-gal-imin-kam-ma ku4-ku4-da-ni-ta When she entered the seventh gate
[160] 3[tug-pala]-túg-nam-nin-a3 bar-ra-na lu ba-da-an-4zi-ir4 [The oala dress], the garment of ladyship, was removed from her body
[161] 2ta-ma-ne-e2 "What's going on here?"
[162] si-a dinanna me-kur-ra-ke42 su al-du7-du7 "Be satisfied Inanna! The me's of the netherworld are being fulfilled
  • Notes for lines [154-162]
  • 154. CEOP. 1) So C and O; P omits.
  • 155. 1) and 3-3) See above to 130. 2-2) So O; E omits.
  • 156. 1-1) See above to 131.
  • 157. 1) See above to 132.
  • 158. 1) So O and P; E omits this line. 2) and 3-3) See above to 133.
  • 159. CEOP.
  • 160. 1) and 4-4) See above to 130. 2) So C, O, and P; E omits this line. 3-3) So O; P: tug-NAM.EN.NA NAM.NIN.A.
  • 161. 1) So C, O, and P; E omits this line.
  • 162. 1) So C, O, and P; E omits this line. 2) See above to 132.
[163] dinanna garza-kur-ra-ke42 ka-zu 3na-an-ba-e3 Inanna, you must not open your mouth against the sacred customs of the netherworld!"
[164] 1gúr-gúr-gurum-ma-ni túg-zil-zil-la-ni-ta lu ma-an-túm1 When Inanna had been subjugated, the garments that had been removed were carried away
[165] 1nin9-a-ni gisgu-za-ni-ta im-ma-da-an-zi1 Then her sister (Ere&kigal) rose from her throne
[166] e-ne gisgu-za-ni-ta2 dur 3im-mi3-in-gar And she (Inanna) took her seat on her (sister's) throne
[167] da-nun-na di-ku5-imin-bi 1igi-ne-šè1 di 2mu-un-da-ku5-ru-ne2 The Anunnaki, the seven judges (of the netherworld), rendered their decision against her (Inanna)
  • Notes for lines [163-167]
  • 163. 1) So C, O, and P; E omits this line. 2) and 3-3) See above to 133.
  • 164. CEMOP. 1-1) The printed text is a conflation; E: gur-gurum-ma-ni tug!-zil-zil-la-ni [; O: [gur-gurum-ma]-ni tug-zil-zil-[la]-ni-ta lu [; P (as two lines): GIR.GIR-ma-ni ugu-za?-gal-tug! // zi-zi-la-ni lu ma-an-túm; M has an expanded version: tug-zil-zil-la-ni lu ma-[ // ta-am-[ // si-a dinanna me-kur-ra-ke4 [su al-du7-du7] // dinanna garza-kur-ra-ke4[ka-zu] na-be!-e // gur-gurum-ma-ni im-ma-da-an-te?
  • 165. CEMOP. 1-1) The printed text follows M; C: ]-ni-in-[; E: nin-a-ni gisgu-za-ta [; O: [nin9-a-ni deres-k]i-gal-la-ke4 gisgu-za-na i-; P: [nin9-a-ni gisgu]-za-ta
  • 166. CEMOP. 1) So E, M, and P; C and O omit this line. 2) So E and M; P omits. 3-3) So M; P bi-.
  • 167. CEMOP. 1-1) So O; M omits. 2-2) So P; M: mu-na-ku5-ne.
[168] igi mu-si-in-bar igi 2-us-a-kam They looked at her with the look of death
[169] inim 1i-ne-ne1 2inim-libis-gig-ga-am They spoke to her with the speech of anger
[170] gu 2i-ne-de2 3gu-nam-tag-tag-ga-am3 They shouted at her with the shout of guilt
[171] 2munus-tu-ra2 uzu-ni-sig-ga3-šè ba-an-ku4 The afflicted woman was turned into a corpse
[172] uzu-ni-sig-ga2 giskak-ta 3 lu 4ba-da-an-la4 And the corpse was hung on a hook
[173] 1[u4-e]s5-gi6-es5-am1 2um-ta2-zal-la-ta After three [days] and three nights had passed
[174] sukkal-a-ni-dnin-subur-ra-ke4 Her major-domo, Ninsubur
  • Notes for lines [168-174]
  • 168. CEMOP. 1) So C, E, and O; M and P omit this line. 2) C and O: i-bi.
  • 169. CEMOP. 1-1) So O; E: mu-un-ne; M: bi-ne; P: [bi-i]n-e-a. 2-2) So C, M and O; P inim-gig-ga in-e!.
  • 170. CEMOP. 1) So C, M, and P; E and O omit this line. 2-2) So Ck; M: bi-in-de; P: mu-un-na-de-e. 3-3) So Ck; M: libis-gig-ga-am; P: inim-nam-tag-ga [in]-du11.
  • 171-172 1) So C, E, M, and O: For these lines P has a variant: ni-SU?-dal-la-ginx dal-la lu [x x x x giskak]-ta ba-ni-in-[la].
  • 171. CEMOP. 2-2) So probably C and E; M: [x x] NI-in-ra. 3) So M; O omits.
  • 172. CEMOP. 2) So C; O omits. 3) So C and O; M inserts igi-ni. 4-4) So C; M: mu-un-da-la; O: ba-an-ta-la
  • 173. CEMOP. 1-1) So O; Ck omits -am; M: [mu]-imin-itu-imin-u4-imin; P: itu-imin-kam. 2-2) So C; M: ba-; O and P omit.
  • 174. CMOP. 1) So C and O; M omits.
[175] inim-2nin-a-na-šè2 geštú ba-si-in-gub carried out the instructions of her mistress
[176] ir 1du6-du61-dam 2mu-un-na-ga-ga2 She made a lament for her in (her) ruined (temples)
[177] [se]m gu1-en-na 2mu-un-tuk-a2 She beat the [drum] for her in the sanctuaries
[178] e-dingir-re-é-ne-ke41 mu-un2-na-nigin She made the rounds of the temples of the gods for her
[179] igi1-ni2 mu-un-[na]-hur kiri4-ni mu-un-hur She scratched at her eyes [for her]j she scratched at her nose
[180] ki lu-da nu-u6-di1 has4-gal-a-ni mu-un-na2-hur She scratched at her buttocks, the private place, for her
  • Notes for lines [175-180]
  • 175. CMOP. 1) So M and P; C omits; O substitutes 175a-b. 2-2) So M; P: dga-sa-an-na-ke4.
  • 175a-b. 1) O substitutes two lines for 175: [na-di5-[ga]-ni su nu-bar-re // [inim]-du11-ga-ni gu-ni la-ba-si-sub
  • 176. CMOP. 1-1) So M and O; P: du11-du11-. 2-2) So O; M: mu-un-na-gar-gar; P: ba-gar-ra-[.
  • 177. CMOP. 1) So O; P: gu-. 2-2) So C and O; M: mu-un-na-tuk.
  • 178. CMP. 1) So C; M omits. 2) So Ck; M omits.
  • 179. CMP. 1) So P; C: i-bi-. 2) So C; P omits.
  • 180. CMOP. 1) So P; M: -du8. 2) So C; M omits.
[181] mu-lu-nu-tuk-ginx 1tug-dili-a1 i[m-ma]-an-mu4 Like a pauper, she clothed herself in a single garment
[182] [e-kur]-é-ed en 1-lil-la-šè giri-ni dili mu-un-gub And all alone she set her foot in the [Ekur], the temple of Enlil
[183] [e-kur]-é-d en 1-lil-la-šè giri-ni dili mu-un-gub When she had entered the [Ekur], the temple of Enlil
[184] [igi-den-lil-la]-šè ir im-ma-šè8-šè8 She lamented [before Enlil]*
[185] [a-a-dmu-ul-lil] du5-mu-zu mu-lu kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-gurum-e "[Father Enlil], don't let anyone subjugate your daughter in the netherworld
[186] [ku]-sa6-ga-zu [sahar-kur-r]a-ka nam-ba-da-[an-sar-r]-e1 Don't let your precious [metal] be alloyed there with the [dirt of the netherworld]
[187] [za-gin]-sa6-ga-zu za-zadim-ka nam-[ba-da-an]-1si-il-si-il1 Don't let your precious [lapis lazuli] be split there with the mason's stone
[188] [gistaskarin-zu] gis-nagar-ra-ka nam-ba-[dar-da]-r-re1 Don't let [your boxwood be chopped up] there with the carpenter's lumber
[189] [ki-sikil-d]ga-sa-an-na kur-ra nam-ba-da-[an]-gurum-e Don't let [young lady] Inanna be subjugated in the netherworld"
  • Notes for lines [181-189]
  • 181. CMO. 1-1) So C and O; M: tug!-dis-a.
  • 182. CO. 1) O: -dmu-ul-.
  • 183. CO. 1) O: -dmu-ul-. 2-2) Ck has an illegible variant.
  • 184. CO.
  • 185. CEO.
  • 186. CEO. 1) So C; O: -r]e.
  • 187. CEO. 1-1) So O; Cksi-il-le.
  • 188. CEO. 1) So C; O: -e.
  • 189. CEO.
[190] [a-a-d]en-lil-1libis-bal-a-ni1 dnin-subur-ra-ke4 In his rage [Father] Enlil answered NinSubur*
[191] [dumu-mu] an-gal al bi-1in-du111 ki-gal2 al bi-in-du11 "[My daughter] craved the great heaven and she craved the great below as well
[192] [dinanna] an-gal al bi-in-du11 ki-gal1 al bi-in-du11 [Inanna] craved the great heaven and she craved the great below as well
[193] me-kur-ra me al 1nu-di-da1 sa2 bi-in-du11-[ga-bi-kur-r]e he-eb-us The me's of the netherworld are me's which are not to be coveted, for whoever gets [them] must remain [in the netherworld]
[194] 2a-ba-am ki-bi sa in-na-an-du11 [e11-de] al mu-ni-ib-du112 Who, having gotten to that place, could then (realistically) want [to come up again]?"
[195] a-a-den-lil inim-bi nu-mu-na!-gub uriki-[se] ba-gen1 Thus Father Enlil did not help her in this matter, so she went [to] Ur
[196] uriki [e-mud]-kur-ra-ka In Ur, when she had [entered the "House of the well being] of the land"
  • Notes for lines [190-196]
  • 190. CEO. 1-1) So E; O probably omits. 2) So O; E inserts -un-.
  • 191. CEO. 1-1) So O; E: bi- in-du11. 2) So E; O adds -la.
  • 192. CEO. 1) So E; O adds -la.
  • 193. CEO. 1) So E; O is illegible. 2) So O; E: sa!.
  • 194. CEO. 1) So C and O; E omits. 2-2) The printed text is a conflation; Ck: ]al mu?ni-ib-du11. O: a-ba-am ki-gal! sa in-na-an-du11 [.
  • 195. CEO. 1) So E; C: -du-un.
  • 196. CEO. 1) So C and O; E omits this line.
[197] e-kis-nux-gal [e-dnanna-šè ku4-ku4-da-ni]-ta The Ekisnugal, [the temple of Nanna]
[198] igi-dnanna1-šè ir [im-ma]-šè8-šè8 She lamented before Nannas
[199] a-a-dnanna du5-mu-zu mu-lu kur-ra nam-[ba]-da-an-gurum-e "Father Nanna, don't let anyone subjugate your daughter in the netherworld
[200] ku-sa6-ga-zu sahar!-kur!-ra-ka nam-ba-1[an-da]1-sar-re Don't let your precious metal be alloyed there with the dirt of the netherworld
[201] na4za-gin-sa6-ga-zu 1za-zadim-ma-ka1 nam-ba-[da-an]- si-il-si-il-i Don't let your precious lapis lazuli be split there with the mason's stone
[202] gistaskarin-zu gis-nagar-ra-ka [nam-ba]-da-[an-dar-dar]-re Don't let your boxwood be [chopped up there] with the carpenter's lumber
[203] ki-sikil-dga-sa-an-na kur-ra nam-ba-da!-[an]-gurum-e Don't let young lady Inanna be subjugated in the netherworld"
[204] a-a-dnanna-libis-bal-a-ni [dnin-subur-ra-ke4 mu-na-ni]-ib-gi4-gi4 In his rage Father Nanna answered [Ninsubur]»
  • Notes for lines [197-204]
  • 197. CEO. 1) So C and O; E omits this line.
  • 198. CEO. 1) So O; E: -dsuen-na-.
  • 199. CEO.
  • 200. CEO. 1-1) So probably E; C: -ni-.
  • 201. CEO. 1-1) So C; E: za-dim-e
  • 202. CEO.
  • 203. CEO.
  • 204. CEO.
[205] dumu-mu an-gal al! bi-in-du11 [ki-gal] al bi-in-du11 "My daughter craved the great heaven and she craved [the great below] as well
[206] dinanna an-gal al bi-in-du11 [ki-gal] al [bi]-in-du11 Inaiina craved the great heaven and she craved [the great below] as well
[207] me-kur-ra me al 1 mu-di-da s[a bi-in-du11-ga-bi kur-r]e he-eb!-us The me's of the netherworld are me's which are not to be coveted, for [whoever gets them] must remain [in the netherworld]
[208] a-ba!-am ki-bi [sa in-na-an-du11 e11-de al mu-ni-ib-du11] Who, having gotten to that place, [could then (realistically) want to come up again]?"
[209] a-a-dnanna inim-bi nu-m[u-na-gub uru-ze-ebki-šè b]a-gen Thus Father Nanna did not [help her] in this matter; so she went [to Eridu]
[210] uru-ze-ebki é-den-ki-ga-šè [ku4-ku4]-da-ni-ta In Eridu, when she had [entered] the temple of Enki [She la]mented before Enki*
[211] igi-den-ki-ga1-šè [ir im-m]a-šè8-šè8 "Father Enki, don’t let anyone subjugate your daughter [in the netherworld]
[212] a-a-1dam-an1-ki du5-mu-zu mu-lu [kur-ra nam-ba-d] a-an-gurum-e Don't let your precious metal be [alloyed there ] with the dirt of the netherworld
  • Notes for lines [205-212]
  • 205. CEO.
  • 206. CEO.
  • 207. CEO. 1) So E; Ck inserts me al.
  • 208. CE. 1) So C; E omits this line.
  • 209. CE.
  • 210. CE. 1) So Ck; E omits this line.
  • 211. CEO. 1) So Ck; E omits.
  • 212. EQ. 1-1) E: -den-.
[213] ku-sa6-ga-zu sahar-kur-ra-ka1 nam-[ba-an-da-sar]-re Don't let your precious lapis lazuli be [split] there with the mason's stone
[214] na41-za-gin-sa6-ga-zu 2za-zadim-ka2 nam-ba-da-an-[si-il-si]-il-i Don't let your boxwood be chopped up there with the carpenter's lumber
[216] ki-sikil-d1ga-sa-2-an-na kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-gurum-e Don't let young lady Inanna be subjugated in the netherworld"
[217] a-a-den-ki dnin-subur-ra-ke4 mu-un-na-ni-ib-gi4-gi4 Father Enki answered N insuburi
[218] dumu-mu a-na bi-in-ak ga-e mu-un-kus-u "My daughter.' What has she done? I am tired (of this)
[219] dinanna [a-na] bi-in-ak ga-e mu-un-kus-u Inanna! [What] has she done? I am tired (of this)
[220] nin-kur-kur-r[a-ke4] a-na bi-in-ak ga-e mu-un-kus-u The queen of all the lands! What has she done? I am tired (of this)
[221] nu-u8-gi[g-a]n-na-ke4 a-na bi-in-ak ga-e mu-un-kus-u The heirodule of An! What has she done? I am tired (of this)"
  • Notes for lines [213-221]
  • 213. EQ. 1) So Q; E: -ke4
  • 214. EQ. 1) So E; Q omits. 2-2) So Q; E: za-dim-e.
  • 215. EQ. 1-1) So Q; E: nam-ba-da-dar-re.
  • 216. EQ. 1) So Q; E omits DINGIR. 2) So E; Q inserts -an-.
  • 217. EQ. 1) So Q; E omits this line.
  • 218. EQ. 1) So Q; E omits this line.
  • 219. EQ. 1) So Q; E omits this line.
  • 220. EQ. 1) So Q; E omits this line.
  • 221. EQ. 1) So Q; E omits this line.
  • 221a. 1) E inserts: a-a-den-ki inim-bi ba-e-ne-gub.
[222] umbin-si-ni mu-sir ba-ra-an-túm kur-gar-ra-as1 ba-an-dim He removed some dirt from the tip of his fingernail and created the kur-aar-ra
[223] umbin-si1-mina2-kam-ma3 mu-sir ba-ra-an-túm gala-tur-ra-as4 ba-an-dim He removed some dirt from the tip of his other fingernail and created the aala-tur-ra
[224] kur-gar-ra u-nam-ti-la ba-an-sum To the kur-aar-ra he gave the life-giving plant
[225] gala-tur-ra a-nam-ti-la ba-an-sum To the aala-tur-ra he gave the life-giving water
[226] 2[a-a]2-den-ki3 gala-tur-ra4 kur-gar-ra gu mu-5-na-[de-e] Then [Father] Enki spoke [out] to the gala-tur-ra and the kur-aar-rat
[227] gen-na-an-ze-en 1 giri kur-šè na-ba-an-ze-en "Go and direct your course to the netherworld!
[228] gisig1 nim-ginx dal-dal-é-dé-en-ze-en Flit about the door like flies!
  • Notes for lines [222-228]
  • 222. EQ. 1) So E; Q omits.
  • 223. EQ. 1) So Q; E omits. 2) So E; Q: mina!. 3) So E; Q adds -na. 4) So E; Q omits.
  • 224. EQR. 1) So Q and R; E omits this line.
  • 225. EQR. 1) So Q and R; E omits this line.
  • 226. EQR. 1) So E and Q; R omits this line and substitutes 226a. 2-2) So probably Q; E omits. 3) So Q; E adds -ke4. 4) So E; Q omits. 5) So E; Q inserts -un-.
  • 226a. 1) R substitutes for 226: dis-am u-nam-ti-la dis-am a-nam-ti-la ugu-ni-a sub-ba-ab-ze-en.
  • 227. EQR. 1) So E and Q; R inserts gala-tur-kur-gar-ra
  • 228. EQR. 1) So E and Rk; Q adds -a. 2-2) So Q; E: u-mu-un-dal-dal-ze-en.
[229] za-ra lil1-ginx 2gúr-gúr-re-dé-en-ze-en2 Slip in through the (cracks by the) door pivots like spirits!
[230] ama-gan-e nam-dumu-ne-ne-šè  
[231] deres-ki-gal-la-ke4 i-na-na-ra-am A pregnant woman, EreSkigal by name, is lying there in labor (?)
[232] ur5-ku-ga-na1 gada nu-un-bur Her.pure body is not covered by any cloth
[233] gaba-ni bur-sagan-ginx1 2nu-un-gid2 Her breasts are not full and developed like a Sagan vessel
[234] X X-ni SID.LUL.BI-ginx an1-da-gal Hor • # • is • • • like a • • •
[235] sig-ni ga-rasar-ginx sag-ga-na mu-un-ur4-ur4 She is plucking out the hair of her head like leeks
[236] 1u-u81-a sa-mu 2du11-ga-ni2 And when she says 'Oh! My belly!'
[237] kus-u-me-en nin-me a-sa-zu 1[du11-ga-na-ab-ze-en]1 [You say to her]t 'Lady of ours, you are tired! Woe is your belly!'
  • Notes for lines [229-237]
  • 229. EQR. 1) So probably Q (collated); R: lil!. 2-2) So Q; E: u-mu-un-gur-gur-re-en-ze-en; R: gur-gur-mu-[.
  • 230. EQR.
  • 231. EQ.
  • 232. EQS. 1) So Q; E: -ne.
  • 233. EQS. 1) So E and S; Q: -na. 2-2) So E and Q; S: nu-um-bur!?-re
  • 234. EQS. 1) So E; S: am-.
  • 235. EQS.
  • 236. EQS. 1-1) So E; S: u4-. 2-2) So E and probably Q; S: bi-[in]-du11-ga-am
  • 237. QS. 1-1) Restored from 239 in Q; S: ]GA.NE[.
[238] 1[u-u8]1-a bar-mu 2du11-ga-ni And when she says '[p]h! my back!'
[239] kus-u-me-en nin-me a-bar-zu 1du11-ga-na-ab-ze-en1 You say to her: 'Lady of ours, you are tired! Woe is your back!'
[240] a-ba-am1 za-é-me-en-ze-en (She will then say to you) 'Who are you?
[241] sa-mu-[ta]1 sa-zu2-šè bar-mu-ta3 bar- zu 4-šè 5ba-é-dé-en-ze-en 5 (Who) is echoing my cry of pain?
[242] dingir he-me-en-ze-en inim ga-mu-ra-an-du11 Should you be divine, I will promise you something
[243] lu-ulu he-me-en-ze-en nam-zu-ne he-eb-tar-re Should you be mortal, I will decree a (good) fate for you'
[244] zi-an-na zo-k[i-a] pa-dé-ne-ze-na-am Make her swear this by heaven and by earth
[245] e11??-[ X X X X ]-ab-ze-en • • •
[246] a i7-bi 1[mu-un]-na-ba-é-ne1 su 2nam-[ba]-gid-i-en-ze-en2 Should they offer you a whole river as a drink, don't accept it
  • Notes for lines [238-246]
  • 238. QS. 1-1) So probably Q; S: u4-. 2-2) So Q; S: bi-in-du11-ga-am
  • 239. QS. 1-1) So Q; S: ]GA.NE[.
  • 240. QS. 1) So S; Q: a]m!?.
  • 241. QS. 1) So probably Q; S omits. 2) So Q; S: -mu-. 3) So Q; S omits. 4) S: -mu-. 5-5) The verb is restored from 268; Q: ]KA.E[; S: X X X-ab-NE[.
  • 242.
  • 243.
  • 244.
  • 245. QS. 1) So Q; S omits this line.
  • 246. QS. 1-1) So Q; S: ma-ra-ba-ne. 2-2) So Q; S: nu-[um]-gid-de.
[247] a-sa se-ba 1mu-un-na-ba-é-ne1 su 2nam-ba-gid-i-en-ze-en2 Should they offer you a whole field of grain as a meal, don't accept it
[248] uzu-ni-sig-ga1 giskak-ta-la 2sum-me-ab2 3du11-ga-na-ab-ze-en3 But say to heri 'Give'us that corpse that is hanging on that hook'
[249] uzu-ni-sig-ga ga-sa-an- zu -ne-ne (She will answer) 'That's the corpse of your mistress!'
[250] ni-lugal-me en he-a ni-nin!-bi he-a sum-ma-ze-en du11-ga-ma-ab-men-ze-en You say to heri 'Whether it is that of our king or that of our mistress, give it to us anyway
[251] uzu-ni-sig-ga giskak-ta-la-a im-ma-da-ab-sum-mu-ze-en Then they will give you that corpse that was hanging on the hook
[252] dis-am u-nam-ti-la dis-am a-nam-ti-la ugu-na sub-bu-dé-en-ze-en Thereupon, one of you sprinkle it with the lifegiving plant, and the other with the life-giving water
[253] dinanna ha-ba-gub And thus let Inanna arise"
  • Notes for lines [247-253]
  • 247. QS. 1-1) So Q; S: ma-ra-ba. 2-2) So Q; S: nu-um-gid-de.
  • 248. QS. 1) So S; Q omits. 2-2) So Q; S: sum-ma-ab-ze-en. 3-3) So Q; S: du11-ga-ma-ab-men-ze-en
  • 249. QS. 1) So S; Q omits.
  • 250. QS. 1) So S; Q omits.
  • 251. QS. 1) So S; Q omits.
  • 252. Q.
  • 252ff. S skips the execution of Enki's instructions (252-279). This is indicated by a wedge in the margin of the text.
  • 253. QRT.
[254] gala-tur-kur-gar-ra inim-den-ki-ga!-šè! sag-kesda ba-[si-in]-ak-es The gala-tur-ra and the kur-gar-ra were attentive to the instructions of Enki
[255] gisig nim-ginx 1mu-un-dal-dal- es1 They flitted about the door like flies
[256] za-ra lil-ginx 1mu-un-gúr-gúr- es1 They then slipped through the (cracks by the) door pivots like spirits
[257] [ama-gan-e] nam-dumu-ne-ne-šè  
[258] [deres-ki-gal-la-ke4 i-na-na-ra-am [The pregnant woman, Ere£ki}gal by name, was lying there in labor (?)
[259] [ur5]-ku-[ga]-na gada nu-un-bur Her pure [body} was not covered by any cloth
[260] [gaba-ni] bur-sagan-na nu-un-gid Her breasts were not full and developed like a Sagan vessel
[261] [X X]-ni SID.LUL.BI-ginx a[n-da-gal] Her . . • was . . . like a . . .
[262] [sig]-ni ga-rassar-ginx sag-[ga-na mu-un-ur4-ur4] [She was plucking out the hair of her} head like leeks
[263] [u-u8-a s]a-mu1 du11-ga-ni When she said "[Oh!} My belly.”'
  • Notes for lines [254-263]
  • 254. RT.
  • 255. RT. 1-1) The printed text is a conflation; R: mu-un-d[al-dal]-ze-en; T: dal-dal-[
  • 256. RT. 1-1) The printed text is a conflation; R: mu-un-gur-gur-ze-en; T: gur-gur-re-de-[
  • 257. RT.
  • 258. TT'.
  • 259. TT.
  • 260. TT'.
  • 261. TT'. 1) So T'; T omits this line.
  • 262. TT'. 1) So T'; T omits this line.
  • 263. TT. 1) So T; T': -zu.
[264] [kus-u-me]-en nin-me a-sa-zu in-na-[ne]-es They [said} to her* "Lady of ours, you [are tired!] - Woe is your belly!"
[265] [u-u8-a] bar-mu du11-ga-ni When she said M[0h!] My back!"
[266] [kus-u-me]-en nin-me a-bar-zu 1in-na-ne-es1 They said to her: "Lady of ours, you [are tired!] Woe is your back!"
[267] [a-ba-am] za-é-me-en-ze-en (She said to them) "[Who} are You?
[268] [sa-mu-ta] sa-zu-šè bar-mu-ta bar-1zu-šè1 2ba-é-dé-en-ze-en2 (Who) is echoing my cry of pain?
[269] [dingir he-me-en]-ze-en inim 1ga-mu-ra-an-du111 [Should you be divine,] I will promise you something
[270] [lu-ulu he-me-e]n-ze-en nam 1ga-mu-ri-ib-tar1 [Should you be mortal,] I will decree a (good) fate for you"
[271] [zi-an-na zi-ki-a] 1mu-ni-in-pa-dé-es1 They made her swear this [by heaven and by earth]
[272] 1[. . .DU6 .]DU-dé-de-es1 They . « . .
[273] i7 a-ba 1mu-ne-ba-e1 su 2nu-um-ma-gid-de She offered them a whole river as a drink, but they didn't accept it
  • Notes for lines [264-273]
  • 264. TT'. 1) So T; T' omits this line.
  • 265. MTT'.
  • 266. MT. 1-1) So T; M: mu-na-an-es.
  • 267. MT.
  • 268. MT. 1-1) So T; M: -mu. 2-2) So T; M: ] X.BI-en-ze-en.
  • 269. MT. 1-1) The printed text is a conflation; M: [ga]-mu-ri-d[u11]; T: ga-mu-ra-an-du11-en-ze-en.
  • 270. MT. 1-1) So M; T: ga-mu-ri-ib-tar-en-ze-en.
  • 271. MT. 1-1) So M; T: ]-de-en-ze-en.
  • 272. MT. 1-1) So M; T: ]-ze-en.
  • 273. MTU. 1-1) So M; U: mu-na-ba-e-ne. 2-2) So M; U: nu-ma-gid-de-ne
[274] a-sa se-ba 1mu-ne-ba-e1 su 2nu-um-ma-gid-de2 She offered them a whole field of grain as a meal, but they didn't accept it
[275] uzu-ni-1sig-ga1 2giskak-ta-la2 sum-me-eb in-na-an3 -ne-es They said to her "Give us that corpse that is hanging on that hook"
[276] 2ku-deres-ki-gal-la-ke42 3ga[la-tur-kur-gar-ra]3 EreSkigal the pure answered the gala-tur-ra and the kur-gar-rai
[277] uzu-ag1-sig-ga2 ag3-ga-sa-an-zu4-ne-ne-kam5 "That's the corpse of your mistress"
[278] 1[ni-lu]gal-me ni-nin-me he-a sum-me-eb in-na-an-ne-es1 They said to her "Whether it is [that of our ki]ng or that of our mistress, give it to us anyway"
[279] uzu1-ni-sig-ga2 giskak-ta-la3 4im-me-ne-sum-us4 So they gave them that corpse that was hanging from the hook
  • Notes for lines [274-279]
  • 274. MTU. 1-1) So M; U: mu-na-ba-e-ne. 2-2) So M; U: nu-ma-gid-de-ne.
  • 275. MUV. 1-1) So U; M: -sig!-ga! 2-2) So U and V; M: gisdal-ta dal-la-a. 3) So M; U omits.
  • 276. MUV. 1) So U and V; M omits this line. 2-2) So V; U: a-ne. 3-3) So V; U omits.
  • 277. MUV. 1) So V; M and U: -ni-. 2) So M and U; V: -me. 3) So V; M and U: ni-. 4) So U; M omits. 5) So M; U: -ka.
  • 278. MUV. 1-1) The printed text is a conflation; M: [ni-lu]gal-me uzu!-ni-nin-me he-me-a sum-me-eb in-na-ne-es; U: ni-sig-ga ni-nin-me he-a sum-me-eb in-na-an-ne-es; V: uzu-ni-sig! he!-me-a ag-nin-[ . . .] sum-me-eb in-na-[.
  • 279. UV. 1) So V; U omits. 2) So U; V omits. 3) So U; V adds -a. 4-4) So V; U: ba-an-sum-ne.
[280] dis-am1 u-nam-ti-la dis-am2 a-nam-ti-la ugu-na 3bi-in-sub-bu-us3 Thereupon one of them sprinkled it with the lifegiving plant and the other with the life-giving water
[281] dinann 1ba-gub1 And thus Inanna arose
[282] deres-ki-gal-la gala- tur -kur-gar-ra [gu mu-na-de]-e Ereskigal [said] to the gala-tur-ra and the kur-gar-rai
[283] tum-mu-un-ze-en ga-sa-an- zu -ne-[ne X X X X] "Take your mistress; . . ."
[284] dinanna inim-den-ki-[ga-šè k]ur-ta e11 Inanna, [because] of the plan of Enki, was rising from the netherworld
[285] dinanna kur-ta 1e11-da-ni1 However, as she was going up
[286] da-nun-na-ke4-e1-ne ba-ab-2na-za-as2 The Anunnaki siezed her (saying)i • • -*u
[287] a-ba-am lu kur-ta 1e11-de1 kur-ta2 silim-ma-ni3 4e11-de4 "Who has ever risen from the Netherworld? Who has ever risen from the netherworld alive?
  • Notes for lines [280-287]
  • 280. SUV. 1) So S and U; V omits. 2) So S and U; V omits. 3-3) So V; S: ba-an-sub-bu-es; U: ba-an-sub
  • 281. SUV. 1-1) So S and V; U: gub-ba
  • 282. SUV. 1) So S; U and V omit this line.
  • 283. SUV. 1) So S; U and V omit this line.
  • 284. SUV. 1) So S; U and V omit this line.
  • 285. SUV. 1-1) So S; V: ba-e11-de; U: e11!-da-ni.
  • 286. SUV. 1) So U; V omits. 2-2) So V; S: -ha-za-as!; U: -ha-ha-za!-as.
  • 287. STUV. 1-1) So V; S: im-ta-e11-de; U: e11-ta-de. 2) So S and U; V: kur-ra. 3) So S and U; V: -bi. 4-4) So V; S: bi-in-e11-de; U: um-ta-e11-de
[288] u4-da dinanna kur-ta ba1-e11-de If Inanna wants to rise from the netherworld
[289] sag-dili sag-ga1-na 2ha-ba-ab-sum-mu2 3 Let her furnish a substitute for herself"
[290] dinanna kur-ta ba-e11-de So when Inanna left the netherworld
[291] lu igi-na sukkal-nu-me-a gis1gidri2 su3 bi-in-du8 The one in front of her, though not a major-domo, held a sceptre in his hand
[292] bar-ra-na ra-gaba-nu-1-me-a gistukul ur-ra 2bi-in-la2 The one behind her, though not a knight, carried a mace on his hips
[293] gal5-la-tur-tur gi-sukur-ginx2 Small demons like a corral
  • Notes for lines [288-293]
  • 288. STUV. 1) So V; S: bi-; U omits.
  • 289. STUV. 1) So S and U; V: -a-. 2-2) So U and V; S: ba-ab-sum-de. 3) U glosses: ma-ni-ma.
  • 290. STUV. 1) So T and V; S and U omit this line.
  • 290a-b. 1) See the note to lines 293-4
  • 291. STUV. 1) So U and S; V omits. 2) So U and V; S: tukul. 3) So T, U, and V; S adds -na.
  • 292. STUV. 1) So S and T; U inserts -MIN-. 2-2) So T; S: bi-in-du8; U: i-ni-in-la; V: mu-un-[X].
  • 293-4. 1) These lines occur in different places in the various texts; the printed text follows the order of S and U; T has these lines after 305; V has these lines after 290.
  • 293. STUV. 3) U glosses: ki-ma ga-an gu-ub-ri
[294] gal5-la-gal-gal gi-dub-ba-an2-na-ginx3 za-ga-na 4ba-an-dab5-be-es4 Big demons like guardhouses, clung to her side
[295] 2lu é-ne-ra2 3in-si-re7-es-am3 Those who accompanied her
[296] lu dinanna-ra2 3in-si-re7-es-am3 Those who accompanied Inanna
[297] u nu-zu-me-es a nu-zu-me-es Know no food; know no drink
[298] zi-dub-dub-ba nu-ku-1-me-es Eat no grain offering
[299] a-bal-bal-a1 nu-na8-na8-me-es Drink no libation
[300] kadra ni-du10-ge su nu-gid-me-es Accept no nice gifts
  • Notes for lines [294-300]
  • 294. STUV. 2) So U; S and V omit. 3) So U; S omits; T: -ka; V: -ke4. 4-4) So V; : S: um-da[b5-be-es]; U: ba-ab- dab5 -be-es.
  • 295. STUV. 1) So S, U, and V; T omits this line. 2-2) So V; U: lu-u6-ne lu. 3-3) So V; U: mu-un-de-re7re- es-am.
  • 296. TUV. 1) So S, U, and V; T omits this line. 2) So V; U omits. 3-3) So V; U: mu-e-si-re7re-es-am.
  • 297. TUV.
  • 298. TUV. 1) So U and V; T inserts -u-.
  • 299. TUV. 1) So T and U; V omits.
  • 300-305 TUVW. Cf. 364-367. 1) So U; T: [kadra ni-du10]-ge su nu-gid-i-me-es // [ur-lu]-ka dam su ti-a-me-es // [ubur-um-me-da-g]a-la dumu su ti-a-me-es // [tes n]u tuk a-ra-zu tes nu-zu // [. . . g]e UL mu-un-ur4-ur4-re-es
[301] ur-dam ni-du10-ge-es nu-si-ge-me-es Never enjoy the pleasure of sexual intercourse
[302] dumu ni-ku7-ku7-da ne nu-su!-ub-ba-me-es Never have any sweet children to kiss
[303] dam ur-lu-ka ba-ra-an-si-il-si-il-le-es But tear the wife away from her husband during intercourse
[304] dumu-lu du10-ub-ta ba-ra-an-zi-ge-es Carry off children from their father’s knees
[305] e-gi4-a é-usbarx(URxX)-ra-ka im-ta-an-é-es-am And remove the bride from her marriage chamber
[306] dinanna kur-ta e111-da-ni As Inanna was rising from the netherworld
[307] 1 dnin-subur-ra2-ke4 giri-ni-šè ba-an3-sub NinSubur threw herself at her feet 9
  • Notes for lines [301-307]
  • 300-305 continued: V: [u]r-lu-ka dam su ti-a-me-es // [ub]ur-um-me-da-la-ka dumu su ti-a-me-es // The text of W is very broken; the first legible lines of the obverse read: [dam ur]-lu-ka ba-ra-a[n-si-il-si-il-le-es] // [. . .]-na-ka [. . .] // [dinanna] kur-ta e11-[da-ni (=306)
  • 305 a-b. See the note to lines 293-4.
  • 305c. V inserts: dinanna kur-ta ba-e11-de
  • 306. TUVW. 1) So T and V; U: e11!-.
  • 307. TUVW. 1) So T, U and probably W; V probably inserts: [sukkal-a-ni]. 2) So T, U and W; V omits. 3) So T and V; U omits.
[308] sahar-ra1 ba2-da-an-tus túg-mu-sir-ra ba-an-mu4 Clothed in rags, she wallowed in the dust
[309] gal5-la-é-ne ku-dinanna-ra1 gu mu-un2-na-dé-e The demons cried out to Inanna the pure*
[310] dinanna uru-zu-šè gen-ba 1e-ne1 ga2-ba-ab-túm-mu3-dé-en "Go home to your city Inanna* we will take this one back"
[311] ku1-dinanna-ke4 gal5-la-é-ne 2mu-un-ne-ni-gi4-gi42 Inanna the pure answered the demons:
[312] sukkal-é-ne-em-sa6-sa6-ga-mu "This is my major-domo (who speaks) consoling words
[313] ra-gaba-é-ne-em-ge-en-ge-na-mu My knight (who speaks) trustworthy words
[314] [na]-di5-ga-mu su nu-un-bar-re She did not forget my instructions
[315] [e-ne]-em-[du11]-ga-mu-us gu-ni [la]-ba-da-[an-si-sub] She did not [neglect] the orders I gave her
[316] ir du6-du6-dam1 2ma-an-ga-ga2 She made a lament for me in my ruined (temples)
  • Notes for lines [308-316]
  • 308. TUVW. 1) So W; U: -a. 2) So W; T: i?-; U im-.
  • 309. TUVW. 1) So T and W; U: -ke4 2) So T and V; U omits.
  • 310. TUVW. 1-1) So V and probably W; T: ne; U: en. 2) So V; U omits. 3) So V; U omits.
  • 311. TUVW. 1) So U and probably V; W omits. 2-2) So U; V: mu-na-ni-ib-gi4-gi4; W: mu-un-na-[.
  • 312. TUVW. 1) So V, W, and probably T; U omits this line.
  • 313. UVW. 1) So V and W; U omits this line.
  • 314. UVW. 1) So V and W; U omits this line.
  • 315. UVW. 1) So V and W; U omits this line.
  • 316. UVW. 1) So U and W; V: -da. 2-2) So V; U ma-ni-gar-gar-re-en; W: gar-gar-ra[.
[317] sem gu-en-na ma-an1-tuk-am She beat the drum for me in the sanctuaries
[318] e-dingir-re-é-ne 1ma-an-nigin1 She made the rounds of the temples of the gods for me
[319] 1[i]-bi1-ni ma-an-hur kiri4-ni ma-an-hur She scratched at her eyesj she scratched at her nose
[320] ki 1mu-lu1-da nu-di2 has4-gal-a3-ni ma-an-hur She scratched at her buttocks, the secret place
[321] 1mu-lu1-nu-tuk-2-ginx túg-dili-a3 4im-ma-an-mu44 Like a pauper, she clothed herself in a single garment
[322] e-kur-re1 é-d2mu-ul2-lil-la-šè To the Ekur, to the temple of Enlil
[323] uriki-ma é-dnanna1-šè To Ur, to the temple of Nanna
[324] uru-ze-eb1ki2 é-dam-an3-ki-ga-šè To Eridu, to the temple of Enki
[325] giri-ni2 dili mu-un3-gub All alone she set her foot
  • Notes for lines [317-325]
  • 317. UVW. 1) So W and probably V; U: -ni-in-.
  • 318. UVW. 1-1) So V and W; U: ma-ni-in-nigin-de.
  • 319. UVW. 1-1) So V and W; U: igi-.
  • 320. UVW. 1-1) So V; U: lu-. 2) So V and W; U: -du8 3) So V and W; U omits.
  • 321. UVW. 1-1) So V; U lu-. 2) So U and V; W inserts -a-. 3) So V and W; U omits. 4-4) So V; U: mu-un-mu4; W: ma-an-mu4
  • 322. UVWX. 1) So U; V: -ra. 2-2) So V and W; U: en-.
  • 323. UVWX. 1) So V; U and W: -dsuen-na-.
  • 324. UVWX. 1) So V and W; U omits. 2) So V and U; W omits. 3) So V and W; U omits.
  • 325. UVWX. 1) So U and W; V and X omit this line. 2) So W; U omits. 3) So W; U omits.
[326] e-ne ma-a-ra mu-un-ti-le-en She is the one who brought roe back to life
[327] 2e-ne2 ta-ginx 3nam-ma-ra-ab-ze-em-e[n-ze-en]3 How could I turn her over to you?
[328] 2ga-an-si-re7-dé-en2 ummaki-a3 4sig4-kur-sa-ga-šè4 5ga-an-si-re7-dé-en5 Let's go on* let’s go to Sigkursaga, the temple of Umma"
[329] um[maki-a] sig4-kur-sa-ga-ta At the Sigkursaga in Umma
[330] dsara uru-ni-a2 giri-ni-šè ba-an-sub Sara, in his own city, threw himself at her feet
[331] sahar-ra2 ba3-da-an-tus túg-mu-sir-ra ba-an-mu4 Clothed in rags, he wallowed in the dust
[332] gal5-la-é-ne ku-dinanna-ra2 gu mu-na-dé-e The demons cried out to Inanna the purei
[333] dinanna uru-zu-šè gen-ba 2e-ne2 ga-ba-ab-túm-mu-de "Go home to your city Inanna; we will take this one back
  • Notes for lines [326-333]
  • 326. UVWX. 1) So V, W, and X; U omits this line.
  • 327. UVWX. 1) So U, W, and X; V omits this line. 2-2) So X; U: en. 3-3) So U; W: nam-mi-ni-ze-em-en-[ze-en].
  • 328. UVWX. 1) So U, V and W; X omits this line. 2-2) So V and probably W; U omits. 3) So U and V; W: -se. 4-4) So V; U: se-ZU-eb-kur-sa-ba-se; W omits. 5-5) So V; U: ga-e-re7-en-de-en.
  • 329. UVWX. 1) So V; U, W, and X omits this line.
  • 330. UVWX. 1) So U, V, and W; X omits this line. 3) So U; V and W: -se.
  • 331. UVWX. 1) So U, V, and W; X omits this line. 2) So V; U: -a. 3) So V; U: im-.
  • 332. UVWX. 1) So U, V, and W; X omits this line. 2) So V and W; U: -ke4
  • 333. UVWX. 1) So U, V, and W; X omits this line. 2-2) So V; U: en.
[334] ku-dinanna-ke4 gal5-la-é-ne mu-na-ni-ib-gi4-gi4 Inannathe pure answered the demons:
[335] 2en-du-d[u!] dsara-mu2 "Sara is my singer
[336] umbin-ku5-ku5-ra2-mu gu-TAR-la-mu My manicurist and my hairdresser
[337] en2 ta-ginx nam-ma-ra-ni-ib-ze-em-men How could I turn him over to you?
[338] ga-é-re7-en2-dé-en bad-tibiraki-a3 é-mus-kalam-ma-šè 4ga-an-si-re7-dé-en4 Let's go on; let's go to the EmuSkalamma, the temple of Bad-tibira"
[339] bad-tibiraki-a é-mus-kalam-ma-ta1 2 At the EmuSkalamma in Bad-tibira
[340] dlu-lal-e1 2uru-ni-a2 giri-ni-šè 3ba-an-sub3 Lulal, in his own city, threw himself at her feet
[341] sahar-a im-da-an-tus túg-mu-sir-ra ba-an-mu4 Clothed in rags, he wallowed in the dust
  • Notes for lines [334-341]
  • 334. UVX. 1) So U and V; X omits this line.
  • 335. UVX. 1) So U and V; X omits this line. 2-2) So U; V: nar? X X X X dsara-mu.
  • 336. UVX. 1) So U and V; X omits this line. 2) So V; U omits.
  • 337. UVX. 1) So U and V; X omits this line. So U; V: ne.
  • 338. UVXY. 1) So U, V, and Y; X omits this line. 2) So U and V; Y omits. 3) So V; U and Y omit. 4-4) So V; U and Y omit.
  • 339. UVXY. 1) So Y; U: -se. 2) So V and Y; U adds: giri-ni-se ba-e-re7re-es
  • 340. UWXY. 1) So W and Y; U omits. 2-2) So U; Y omits. 3-3) The printed text is a conflation; U: ba-sub; X: ba-an-sub-bu-us.
  • 341. UWY.
[342] gal5-la-é-ne ku-dinanna-ra1 gu mu-na-dé-e The demons cried out to Inanna the pure:
[343] dinanna uru-zu-šè gen-ba 1e-ne1 ga-ba-ab-túm-mu-un2-dé-en3 "Go home to your city Inanna; we will take this one back"
[344] ku-dinanna-ke4 gal5-la-é-ne 1mu-na-ni-ib-gi4-gi41 Inanna the pure answered the demonsi
[345] dlu-lal-za-é-a1 a2-zi-da-gub-bu-mu-us-sa3 "Lulal Is the one who goes before me at ray right and my left
[346] 1e-ne1 ta-ginx 2nam-ma-ra-ab-ze-em-en-ze-en2 How could I turn him over to you?
[347] 1ga-é-re7-dé-en1 gishashur-gul-la-eden-kul-aba4ki-šè2 Let’s go on let's go to the great apples tree in the plain of Kulaba"
[348] gishashur-gul-la-eden-kul-aba4ki-šè1 giri-ni-šè ba-é-re7re-es They followed her to the great apple tree in the plain of Kulaba
[349] ddumu-zi tug!-mah-a i-im-mu4 mah-a dur-a dur im-ma-gar 2 And there was Dumuzi clothed in a magnificent garment, sitting on a magnificent throne
  • Notes for lines [342-349]
  • 342. UWY. 1) So Y; U: -ke4
  • 343. UWY. 1-1) So Y; U: en. 2) So U; Y omits. 3) So U; Y omits.
  • 344. UWY. 1-1) So U; Y: mu-un-na-ab-gi4-gi4.
  • 345. UWYZ. 1) U glosses: a-sa-re-du. 2) So Y; U omits. 3) So Y; U omits.
  • 346. UWYZ. 1-1) So Z; U: en. 2-2) So U; W: [na]m-mi-ni-[; Y: ]X-ni-ib-ze-em-X X X.
  • 347. UWYZ. 1-1) So U, Z and probably Y; W probably omits. 2) So W; U omits. 3-3) So probably W; U and probably Y omit.
  • 348. UWYZ. 1) So W; U omits.
  • 349. UWYZ. 1) So U, Y, and Z; W omits this line. 2) U glosses: i-na!ku-us!-si a-si-ib.
[350] gal5-la-é-ne has4-a-na i-im-dab5-be-es The demons siezed him by the thighs
[351] dugsakir imin-e1 ga mu-un-dé-es-am The seven of them poured the milk out of his churns
[352] imin-am X-TU-ra-ginx sag mu-un-da-sig-ge-ne The seven of them shook their heads like . . .
[353] sipa-de gi-gid gi-di-da igi-ni su[nu]-mu-un-tag-ge-de The shepherd did not play his flute and pipe before her
  • Notes for lines [350-353]
  • 350. UWZ. 1) So U and Z; W omits this line.
  • 350a. 1) Z inserts a line which reads: [. . .] SAG.DU [. . .].
  • 351. UWZ. So W; U omits.
  • 352-367. 1) The text of W for these lines differs considerably from the printed text which follows it: W:[X X X X]-a-na bi-ib-[. . .] // [X X X z]a-ga-na ba-an-dab5-[. . .] // [X X X X X]-na-ginx tag[. . .] // [igi-us-a-ka] igi mu-un-[si-in-bar] // [gu bi-in-de] gu-nam-tag-[tag-ga] // [lu ddumu-zi (or e-en-ra] lu mu-un-si-re7-es // [. . .] // [. . .] // [. . .] // [. . . su] ti-a-[me-es] // [. . .] UL mu-un-ur4-ur4-[re-es] // [. . .] BAL [. . .] // [. . .] mu-un-si-[. . .]
  • 352. UW. 1) See above.
  • 353. UW. 1) See above.
[354] igi mu-un-si-in-bar igi-us-a-ka She looked at him with the look of death
[355] inim i-ne-ne inim-libis-gig-ga She spoke to him with the speech of anger
[356] gu -ne-de2 gu-nam-tag-tag-ga3 She shouted at him with the shout of guilt
[357] en-šè1 tum-mu-an-ze-en (Inanna said) "As for him, take him away"
[358] ku-dinanna-ke4 su8-ba ddumu-zi-da su-ne-ne-a in-na-sum And thus Inanna the pure gave Dumuzi the shepherd into their hands
[359] lu é-ne lu mu-un-ne-re7-es-am Those who accompanied him
[360] lu dumu-zi mu-un-si-re7-es-am Those who accompanied Dumuzi
[361] u nu-zu-me-es a nu-zu-me-es Know no food; know no drink
[362] zi-dub-dub-ba nu-ku-me-es Eat no grain offering
[363] a-bal-bal-a nu-na8-na8-me-es Drink no libation
  • Notes for lines [354-363]
  • 354. UW. 1) See above.
  • 355. UW. 1) See above.
  • 356. UW. 1) See above. 2) U glosses: i-si-si-ma. 3) U glosses: sa--se-e ar-ni.
  • 357. UW. 1) See above. 2) U glosses: an-na-am!
  • 358. UW. 1) See above.
  • 359. UW. 1) See above.
  • 360. UW. 1) See above.
  • 361. UW. 1) See above.
  • 362. UW. 1) See above.
  • 363. UW. 1) See above.
[364] ur-dam ni-du10-ge-es nu-si-ge-es Never enjoy the pleasure of sexual intercourse
[365] dumu ni-ku7-ku7-da ne nu-su-ub-me-es Never have any sweet children to kiss
[366] dumu-lu du10-ub-ta ba-ra-an-zi-ge-es But carry off children from their father’s knees
[367] e-gi4-a é-usbar-ra-ka um-ta-an-é-es And remove the bride from her marriage chamber
[368] ddumu-zi-de ir im-da-pa sig7-sig7 i-ga-ga As for Dumuzi, he let out a wail and turned very pale
[369] gurus!-e dutu-ra an-šè su-ni ba-an-na-zi The lad raisedhis hands to heaven and beseeched Utu:
[370] dutu mi-u4-ru6-mu-me-en ga-e mi-us-sa-zu-me-en "Oh Utu, you and I are brothers-in-law
[371] e-ama-zu-šè i gúr-ru-me-en I brought butter to your mother’s house
[372] e-dnin-gal-šè ga gúr-ru-me-en I brought milk to Ningal's house
[373] su-mu su-mus-a u-mu-ni-in-sum Change my hand into that of a reptile
  • Notes for lines [364-373]
  • 364. UW. 1) See above.
  • 365. UW. 1) See above.
  • 366. UW. 1) See above.
  • 367. UW. 1) See above.
  • 368. UW.
  • 369. UW.
  • 370. UW.
  • 371. U.
  • 372. U.
  • 373. U.
[374] giri-mu giri-mus-a u-mu-ni-in-sum Change my foot into that of a reptile
[375] gal5-la-mu ga-ba-da-kar 1nam-mu-un-ha-ha-ne1 2 Let me escape those demons of mine; don't let them keep hold of me"
[376] [dutu a-igi-na s]u! ba-an-si-in-ti [Utu] answered [his prayer]
[377] [su-ni su]-mus-a mu-é-ni-sum He changed [his hand into the hand] of a reptile
[378] [giri-ni gi]ri-mus-a mu-é-ni-sum He changed [his foot into the foot] of a reptile
[379] 1[gal5-la]-é-ne ba-ni-kar1 He escaped those [demons]
[380] 1[ . . . mus]-SAG.KAL-dis-ginx1 Like a SAG.KAL [reptile he . . .
[381] [. . . ba-ni]-in-dab5-be-es-a  
  • Notes for lines [374-381]
  • 374. U.
  • 375. UXa. 1-1) So U; X: [na]m!-mu-ne-[X X]. 2) U glosses: la i-sa-ba-tu-ni-in-ni.
  • 376. Xa.
  • 376a. a inserts [gal5-la-e-ne] nu-ha-[ha-ne]; cf. 375.
  • 377-378. So X; a: [. . . giri]-mus giri-[ni] // [. . . su] - mus su-[ni] // [. . .] mu-e-[ni-sum]
  • 377. Xa.
  • 378. Xa.
  • 379. Xa. 1-1) So X; A: [. . .] bi [. . .].
  • 380. Xa. 1-1) So X; a: [. . .] AS [. . .].
  • 381. X.
[382] [. . .] zal-la-am  
[383] [. . .] NE X GI4 A  
[384] [. . .] X PA At this point there is a gap of about 14 lines, in which the galla's search for and find Dumuzi hiding in his sister's sheepfold. The text resumes with the reverse of S which contains the last lines of the myth.
[385]    
[386]    
[387]    
[388]    
[389]    
[390]    
[391]    
[392]    
[393]    
[394]    
[395]    
[396]    
[397]    
[398] nitah? [. . .]  
[399] num-e [. . .]  
[400] ki-sikil dinanna-ke4 nu[m? . . .] NI [. . .]  
[401] e-bi X zabar X X-a-ke4 X X X X-ze-[. . .]  
[402] tes nu?-tuk? X X -ke4-ginx nam-[ma]-ab-[. . .]  
[403] NI [X X nam]-tar-ra dinanna-ke4 [X X X] nam [. . .]  
  • Notes for lines [382-403]
  • 382. X.
  • 383. X.
  • 384. X.
  • 398. S.
  • 399. S.
  • 400. S.
  • 401. S.
  • 402. S.
  • 403. S.
[404] [dgestin-an-na-ke4] ir im-[ma-šè8-šè8]  
[405] gurus-mu im-ma-gen su-šè mu-da-ab-si-[. . .]  
[406] NI [X X] me-le-é-a nam-[. . .]  
[407] za-e mu-mas-am nin9-zu mu-mas-am "You (Dumuzi will spend) one half of the year and your sister (will speud) one half of the year (in the netherworld)
[408] [u4 za-e] al-di-di-e u4-bi ib-t[a-e11-de] [On the day that you] designate, on that day you [will arise]
[409] u4 nin9-zu al-di-di-e u4-bi ib-t[a-e11-de] On the day that your-sister designates, on that day she [will arise]”
[410] ku-dinanna-ke4 ddumu-zi sag-bi-šè bi-in-sum-mu And thus Inanna the pure handed over Dumuzi as her substitute
[411] ku-deres-ki-gal-la-ke4  
[412] za-mi-zu du10-ga-am Sweet is the praise of Ereskigal the pure
  • Notes for lines [404-412]
  • 404. S.
  • 405. S.
  • 406. S.
  • 407. S.
  • 408. S.
  • 409. S.
  • 410. S.
  • 411. S.
  • 412. S.
  • Colophon: SU.NIGIN 120, 50, 4 // im-gid-da es5-kam za-til-la // am-gal-ta ki-gal-se
  • On the top edge of the tablet: 120, 40, 9 // 120, 40, 4
Source(s) a Sladek, "ID / Sladek", 153-181 launch .

Original source data

Page images a

Sladek, "ID / Sladek," 153-156.
Sladek, "ID / Sladek," 157-160.
Sladek, "ID / Sladek," 161-164.
Sladek, "ID / Sladek," 165-168.
Sladek, "ID / Sladek," 169-172.
Sladek, "ID / Sladek," 173-176.
Sladek, "ID / Sladek," 177-180.
Sladek, "ID / Sladek," 181.
Sourceomnika.conscious.aiRetrieval date08/02/2020
Source record No.Pp. 153-181MediumPagesImage date1974CreatorWilliam R. SladekSource notesSladek, "ID / Sladek," 153–181.
Source a Sladek, "ID / Sladek", 153-181 launch .

Background

"Inanna's Descent" is an English translation of the Inanna's Descent to the Netherworld Sumerian afterlife myth. It was published by William R. Sladek in 1974 as part of a Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University. The work includes both a transliteration and translation of the original text in Sumerian cuneiform. The poem is 412 lines long. Sladek published this translation as a chapter of his dissertation while earning his Ph,D. at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland (USA). Sladek's 1974 publication of "Inanna's Descent" included comprehensive translations of seven artifacts that were previously neglected from the full translation of the 412 line myth. His contribution to the scholarship of "Inanna's Descent" is very well-regarded by other cuneiform scholars, depsite the fact that Sladek did not actively continue publishing more work on the same topic.

Cite this page

MLA Modern Language Association (8th ed.)

OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. ""Inanna's Descent": English Translation by William R. Sladek." OMNIKA – World Mythology Index, OMNIKA Foundation, 01 May. 2019, omnika.org/stable/112. Accessed 12 May. 2024.

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APA American Psychological Association (6th ed.)

OMNIKA (2019, May 01). "Inanna's Descent": English Translation by William R. Sladek. Retrieved from https://omnika.org/stable/112

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CMS Chicago Manual of Style (16th ed.)

OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. ""Inanna's Descent": English Translation by William R. Sladek." Las Vegas, NV: OMNIKA Foundation. Created May 01, 2019. Accessed May 12, 2024. https://omnika.org/stable/112.

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Bibliography

"Dr. William R. Sladek Jr. Professor of Ancient History.” York Daily Record. November 6, 1993. In "Obituary for Dr. William R. Sladek Jr. (1938—1993)," OMNIKA Foundation. Las Vegas, NV: OMNIKA Digital Press, August 19, 2019. https://omnika.conscious.ai/library/obituary-for-dr-william-r-sladek-jr-1938-1993
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YPM BC 018686, c. 1900-1600 BCE. Clay tablet. YPM BC 018686 [formerly YBC 4621], Yale Peabody Museum, New Haven, CT. Accessed August 2, 2022. https://collections.peabody.yale.edu/search/Record/YPM-BC-018686.
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Dedović, Boban. "'Inanna's Descent to the Netherworld': A centennial survey of scholarship, artifacts, and translations." Undergraduate seminar paper. University of Maryland, College Park, 2019.
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Sladek, William R. "Inanna's Descent to the Netherworld: A dissertation submitted to the Johns Hopkins University in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy." PhD diss., Johns Hopkins University, 1974.
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Sladek, William R., trans. "Ch. VIII / Inanna's Descent Transliteration." In "Inanna's Descent to the Netherworld: A dissertation submitted to the Johns Hopkins University in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy," 103-152, edited by William R. Sladek. Ph.D. diss., Johns Hopkins University, 1974.
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About

Inanna's Descent to the Netherworld Afterlife myth Myth icon
Sumerian Belief system
Inanna Main deity

Inanna descends from the great above to the great below. She abandons several temples and heads for open country. She gives precise instructions to her companion—Ninsubur: Inanna says "if I don't return in three days, go to the temples and plead on my behalf." At the netherworld she enters and goes through seven gates before she is turned into a corpse. Ninsubur follows the instructions and tells Inanna's father Enkil what happened. He helps her by sending two a-sexual creatures to sneak in and bring her back to life. Once Inanna is alive she ascends while being escorted by demons from the netherworld. The demons allow her to trade her husband Dumuzi in her place.

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