"CBS 9800 / Inanna's Descent": English Translation by Samuel N. Kramer - Text

"CBS 9800 / Inanna's Descent" English Translation by Samuel N. Kramer

Text summary

From: Journal article · Samuel Noah Kramer · 1937

"CBS 9800 / Inanna's Descent: English Translation by Samuel N. Kramer" is a 1937 translation of the "Inanna's Descent to the Netherworld" afterlife myth by Samuel Noah Kramer. The Sumerian myth gained more attention after Kramer published his translation of an artifact named CBS 9800. The broken translation contains roughly 212 lines.

Partial Translation, Transliteration

Sumerian ⟶ English ^a

Line	Transliteration	Translation
[1]	[an-gal]-ta [ki-gal-šè] gestug-ga-ni na-an-g[ub]	From [the great heaven] t[o the kig]allu, he (?) ga[ve] ear² to him (her ?)
[2]	an a[n-g]al-ta ki-gal-[šè] gestug-ga-ni na-an-g[ub]	Anu(?) from the great heaven to the kigallu, ga[ve] ear² to him (her ?)
[3]	^dinanna [an-gal-ta ki-gal-šè] gestug-ga-ni na-an-g[ub]	Inanna [from the great heaven to the kigallu], ga[ve] ear² to him
[4]	nin-mu an mu-un-šub ki mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-eu₁₁ ³	My Lady, the heaven she forsook, the earth she forsook, to the nether world she descended
[5]	^dinanna an mu-un-šub ki mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-en₁₁	Inanna, the heaven she forsook, the earth she forsook, to the nether world she descended
[6]	nam-en mu-un-šub nam[n]in mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-en₁₁	The lord-ship she forsook, the [la]dy-ship she forsook, to the nether world she descended
*Notes for lines [1-6]* 1. Reconstructed from the following texts: Lines 1-207 = A = Ni. 368 (=BE, XXXI, No. 33 ; republished CSRT, No. 53) and CBS 9800 (cf. accompanying photographic reproductions) 1-49 = SEM, No. 49 1-48 = SEM, No. 50 3-26 = D — BE, XXXI, No. 34. 75-95 E = SEM, No. 48 116-141 = F = HGT, No. 23 129-137 —G — HGT, No. 24 207-212 = Cf. comment on p. 55 v.(212+)i-x58 = H = HGT, No. 22 x58-x63 = Cf. comment on p. 61 For the sake of consistency and because no thorough investigation of the problem involved has as yet been made, ail final consonants (except those of words like u₄, " dav šà, " heart ", for which the shorter trans cription is more or less accepted by Assyriologists) are reproduced in the translitération of the Sumerian, despite the numerous indications that even in the more or less artificial Sumerian of the early post-Sumerian period, by no means ail the final consonants were pronounced. Similarly the signs BI, GI, NI, etc. are transliterated as bi, gi, ni, etc., despite the fact that we novv have proof that they actually represent the syllables be, ge, ne, etc. ; cf. the writer's monograph, " The Sumerian Prefix BE- and BI- in the Time of the Early Princes of Lagaš ". 2. Literally "raised the ear". 3. D omits -a- in this and the following lines
[7]	unug^ki-ga é-an-na mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-en¹	In Uruk, Eanna she forsook, to the nether world she descended
[8]	ZA.USLAN-UNU^ki ² -a gi-gu₁₅ -^kina (!) mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-eu₁₁	In ZA.USLAN-UNU^ki,Giguna she forsook, to the nether world she descended
[9]	[uri^ki-ma é-dilmun-]na mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-e₁₁³	[In Ur, Edilmun]na she forsook, to the nether world she descended
[10]	[adaba^ki] é-šar-ra mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-eu₁₁	[In Adab], Ešarra she forsook, to the nether world she descended
[11]	nibru^ki -[a dur-an-ki] mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-en₁₁	[In] Nippur, [Duranki] she forsook, to the nether world she descended
[12]	kiši^ki -a hur-sag-kalam-ma mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-e₁₁	In Kiš, Hursagkalamma she forsook, to the nether world she descended
[13]	a-ga-dè^ki -a 4 é-UL-maš (!) mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-e₁₁	In Agade, EULmaš she forsook, to the nether world she descended
[14]	me-imin-bi zag-mu-ni-in-kešd	The seven rites she bound to her side
[15]	me mu-un-kin-kin šu-ni-šè mu-un- ⁵ -gál	Again and again she sought out the rites (and) placed them in her hand
[16]	me-DU ⁶ GIR-gub-ba i-im-DU ⁷	The... rites.................................................
[17]	^túgšu-gur-ra men-edin-na sag-gá-na ⁸ mu-un-gál	The šugurra garment, the crown of the plain, she set upon her head
[18]	ḫi-LI sag-ki-na šu-ba-ni-in-ti	Radiance (!) she placed upon her countenance
[19]	gi-ninda-hun-gà-za-gin šu-mi-ni-in-du₈ ⁹	The... measuring rod of lazuli she gripped in her hand
*Notes for lines [7-19]* 1. A omits kurra ba-e-a-e₁₁ in this and the following six lines. 2. B omits -a. 3. Lines 9-13 are omitted in C and D. B where the last five cities are arranged in a diflerent word order lists bàd-tibi[ra]\|^ki-a é-MÛ[Š-kalam-ma] instead of Ur and its temple Edilmunna. 4. -a omitted in A. 5. B perhaps U₈ for UN ; or is it a bad copy for sign UN ? 6. D, if the copy is correct, has du₁₀. 7. D seems to read : um-mi-in-[DU]. 8. B seems to omit the sign NA ; more likely, however, the last sign on the line, which looks like a bad MU, may have been NA on the original. 9. This line is not found in the extam text of B and D. In C, line 20 of the obverse corresponds to this line ; the sign GÂN at the beginning of this broken line is a miscopy for GÀ. Instead of šu-mi-ni-in-du₈, D seems to have šu-na[ba]-an-du₈
[20]	^na4za-gìn-tur-tur ¹ gû-na ba-an-là ²	Small lazuli stones she tied about her neck
[21]	^na4nunuz-tab-ba gaba-na ba-ni-in-si ³	Sparkling (?) ⁴ erimtu-stones she fastened to her breast
[22]	HUR-guškin šu-na ba-ni-[in]-du₈ ⁵	A gold ring she gripped in her hand
[23]	tu-di-tum lú-gà-nu-gà-nu ba-an-BU ⁶	A breastplate (?) ⁷ ................. she .... ed
[24]	túg-nam-nin-a ⁸ -túg-nam-nin-a ⁹ bar-ra-na ¹⁰ ba-an-? ¹¹	Garments of lady-ship she ... ed about her body
[25]	gi(?)-e-?¹² -ḫe-im-DU ḫe-im-DU igi-na ¹³ ba-ni-in ¹⁴ -gar ¹⁵	............................ she placed in her eyes
[26]	^dinanna ku[r-š]è i-im-DU	Inanna went [tow]ards the nether wor[ld]
[27]	sukkal-a-ni-^dga-ša-an-[šubur] . . . ,-na i-im-DU ¹⁶	Her messenger Nin[šubur] walked(?) at her. . . .
[28]	kug-^dinanna-[ke₄] ^dga-ša-an-šubur-ra ¹⁷ gù-mu-na-dé-e	The pure Inanna to Nin-Šubur says :
[29]	[g]i-en-gi-en-mu ¹⁸	"Oh my ever confirmer
*Notes for lines [20-29]* 1. D has TUR-TUR-là. C may also have TUR-TUR-lá ; if so the sign before-la is miscopied. 2. The corresponding lines on the duplicates are : B obv. 20 ; C obv. 17 ; D obv. 20. 3. The corresponding lines on the duplicates are : B obv. 19 ; C obv. 18 ; D obv. 21. B and the variant ba-an-si. In B, the sign GlMisa miscopv, of course, for BA. 4. Or " The twin (?)". 5. The corresponding lines on the duplicates are : Cobv. 16 ; D obv. 19 ; this line is not in B. C seems to have the variant [ba]-an-du₈. 6. The corresponding lines on the duplicates are : Bobv. 29 ; C obv. 15 ; D obv. 18. 7. Or " A girdle (?) ". 8. So B and D. A and C are broken but A obv. ii 55 seems to omit the sign A. 9. So B ; D omits the sign TÚG. 10. C seems to have bar-bi ; the tablet however is badly damaged at this point and what may the sign BI may have been the two signs RA and NA. 11. The corresponding lines on the duplicates are : B obv. 22 ; C obv. 15 ; D obv. 17. 12. There may have been a sign between E and the ḪE. 13. C : igi-ni. 14. C : -ib-. 15. The corresponding lines on the duplicates are : B obv. 23 ; C obv. 19(!) ; this line is not on the extant text of D. 16. This line is omitted in C. 17. C : ^dnin-šubur-ra. 18. C : [gá-nu sukkal-z]i-é-an-na-mu ; so also probably B rev. 3. The latter, however, is followed by two lines descriptive of Ninšubur which do not setm to duplicate those of A and B, although because of their mutilated state they do not permit and intelligent restoration. Cf. also comment to lines x35 and x36.
[30]	sukkal-e-ne-èm-šag₆-sag₆-ga-mu	My messenger of favorable words
[31]	[r]a-gaba-e-ne-ém-gi-en-gi-en ¹ -na-mu My carrier of true words	My carrier of true words
[32]	u₄-da kur-šè mu-un-en-dè-en ²	On the day when I shall descend to the nether world
[33]	... kur-šè gin-na-mu-dè ³	To the... of (?) the nether world, upon my going ⁴
[34]	[uru (?)] dul-dul-da ⁵ gar-gar-ma-ni-ib⁶	[The cities (?)] turn to ruins for me ⁷
[35]	... gû-en-na tuku-a-ma-ni-ib ⁷	... in the guen take (?) for me⁹
[36]	[é(?)]-dingir-ri-[e-ne-k]e₄ (?) PA.GIS-ma-ni-ib ¹⁰	At (?) the house of the gods.. . for me ¹¹
[37]	[?-ne-zu] ár-ma-ab KA-zu ár-ma-ab	Thy. . ., ... for me; thy mouth (?), ... for me
[38]	?-mu-lu-da U(?)-DI-SU-gal-zu HUR-ma-ab	thy great... smell (?) for me
[39]	mu-lu-nu-tuku-gim tûg-aš-a mu₄-ma-ab	Like a pauper in a single garment dress for me
[40]	[é]-kur-ri-é-^dmu-ul-lil-là-šè me-ri-zu aša(?) tum (?) ¹² -mu-un	To the [E]kur, the house of Mullil bring (?) alone (?) thy foot
[41]	[é]-kur-ri-é-^dmu-ul-lil-lá-šè tu-tu-da-zu-dè	The [E]kur, the house of Mullil, upon thy entering
[42]	[igi]-kug-^dmu-ul-lil-là-šè ir šéš-àm	[Before] the pure Mullil weep :
*Notes for lines [30-42]* 1. C omits -en- . 2. C seems to omit the first part of the verbal form ; the tablet, however, is in poor condition at this point, and the copy may be erroneous. 3. C seems to read e₁₁-[d]a (!)-mu-dè. 4. C : " upon my descending " 5. B seems to have -dam. 6. B : [m]u-un-[na]-gá-gá. 7. B : " The cities (?) she turned to ruins for her ". 8. B : mu-un-na-tuku-a. 9. B : "... in the guen she took(?) for her ". 10. B : mu-un-na-[PA], GIŠ. 11. B : " At(?) the house of the gods she... .ed for her 12. Seems to be omitted in B.
[43]	a-a^d mu-ul-lil tu-mu-zu mu-lu kur-ra nam-ba-da-an[gam]-e	'Oh Father Mullil, thy daughter let no one in the nether world [ravish]
[44]	kug-šag₅-ga-zu sahar-kur-ra-ka nam-ba-an-da-šàr-ri'	Thy good metal let him not carry off with him into the dust of the nether world
[45]	za-gìn-šag₅-ga-zu za-?-ma-ka nam-ba-an-da-si-il-[li(?)] ²	Thy good lazuli let him not remove with him into the ......
[46]	^gišKU-zu giš-nam-nagar-ra-ka nam-ba-da-an-dar-dar-e ³	Thy URkarinnu-wood(?) let him not tear away(?) with him into the ......
[47]	ki(?)-sikil(?)-^dga-ša-an-na kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-gam-e ⁴	The virgin(?), the Lady of Heaven, let him not in the nether world ravish '
[48]	u₄-da ^dmu-ul-lil e-ne-èm-ba nu⁵-ri-gub ur[i^ki-]-šè gin-na ⁶	If Mullil does not stand by thee in this matter, go to Ur
[49]	uri^ki-ma é-nam-dùg-kalam (?)-ma(?) ⁷-ka	In Ur, the house of the welfare of the land(?)
[50]	é-kiš-šir₅-gàl-é(?)-^dnanna-šè tu-tu-da-[zu]-dè	The Ekišširgal, the house of Nanna, upon [thy] entering
[51]	[igi]-kug-^dnanna-šè ir-šéš-àm	[Before] the pure Nanna weep :
[52]	a-a-^dnanna tu-mu-zu mu-lu kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-gam-[e]	'Oh Father Nanna, thy daughter let no one in the nether world ravish
[53]	[kug]-šag₅-ga-zu sahar-kur-ra-ka nam-ba-an-da-šàr-ri	Thy good [metal] let him not carry off with him into the dust of the nether world
[54]	[za]-gìn-šag₅-ga-zu za-?-ma-ka nam-ba-an-da-si-il-li(?)	Thy good [la]zuli let him not remove with him into the ......
[55]	[^gišKU-zu] giš-nam-nagar-[ra-ka] nam-ba-da-an-dar-dar-e	[Thy URkarinnu-wood(?)] let him not tearaway (?) with him into the ......
[56]	[ki(?)-sikil(?)-^dg]a-š[a-an-na kur-ra nam-ba-]da-an-gam-e	[The virgin(?)], the La[dy of Heaven, let him not in the nether world] ravish'
*Notes for lines [43-56]* 1. B : nam-ba-da-ab-sàr-ri. 2. B : nam-ba-da-an-si-il-si-il-[li] ; C perhaps : [nam-ba-da-Jab-si-il-li. 3. B : nam-ba-an-dar-dar-e. 4. In both B and C the sign U is a miscopy for the sign GAM. 5. C reads -e- before -ri-, 6. Here ends C. Line 48 is written in two lines in B and C. 7. B reads kur-ra instead of kalam-ma. B ends
[57]	[u₄-da ^dnan]na e-[ne-èm-ba nu-ri-gub u]ru-si-ib^ki-šè(?) gin-na ¹	If Nanna does not stand by thee in this matter], go to Urusib
[58]	uru-si-ib^ki é-^d[am-an-ki-ga-šè tu-tu-da-zu-dè]	In Urusib, the house of [Amanki, upon thy entering]
[59]	[igi-kug-^d]am-an-ki(!)-ga(!)-še i[r-šéš-àm]	[Before the pure] Amanki [weep] :
[60]	[a-a]-^dam-an-ki tu-mu-zu mu-lu kur-ra [nam-ba-da-an-gam-e]	'[Oh Father] Amanki, thy daughter [let no one] in the nether world [ravish]
[61]	kug-šag₅-ga-zu sahar-kur-ra-ka nam-ba-an-da[šar-ri]	Thy good metal let him not [carry ofl] with him into the dust of the nether world
[62]	^na4za-gìn-sag₅-ga-zu za-?-ma-ka nam-ba-an-da-[si-il-li(?)]	Thy good lazuli let him not [remove] with him into the ......
[63]	^gišKU-zu giš(!)-nam(!)-nagar-ra(!)-ka nam-ba-da-an-dar-[dar-e]	Thy URkarinnu-wood(?) let him not [te]ar away(?)with him into the ......
[64]	ki(?)-[sik]il(?)-^dga-sa-an-na kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-gam-e	The vir[gi]n(?), the Lady of Heaven, let him not in the nether world ravish' "
[65]	a-a-[^dam]-an-ki-ù-mu-un-mu-uš-túg(!)-da(!)-ma-al-la-k[e₄](?) "	Father Amanki, lord of wisdom ²
[66]	ú-[nam-t]i-la mu-un-zu a-nam-ti-la mu-un-[zu]	The food of life he knows, the water of life he knows
[67]	e-ne ma-ra hu-mu-un-ti-li-en	He(?), for me, may he make thee(?) to live "
[68]	^dinanna kur-šè i-im-DU	Inanna went towards the nether world
[69]	sukkal-a-ni^dga-ša-an-šubur-ra gù-mu-un-na-d[é-e]	To her messenger Ninšubur she sa[ys] :
[70]	gin-na ^dga-ša-an-šubur-ra "	Go Gašanšubur
[71]	e-ne-a-ra dug₄-mu-un gú-zu la-ba-pàd	Unto him(?) speak(?) thy ... has not been(?)...ed "
[72]	^dinanna é-gal-kur-za-gin-šè um-ma-te	Inanna approached the lazuli palace of the nether world
*Notes for lines [57-72]* 1. Here ends col. i of A; col. ii begins with the line following. 2. Literally : " The lord of the wide ears"
[73]	^giš ig-kur-ra-ka nig-hul ba-an-g[ál]	On the door of the nether world she se[t up] something evil
[74]	^giš(?) ig-kur-ra-ka gù-hul ba-an-d[é]	At the door (?) of the nether world she utt[ered] an evil cry
[75]	é-gál-ú ' i-du₈ é-gál-ú	" Open the house, gatekeeper, open the house
[76]	é-gál-ú ^dNE-ti é-gál-ú aš(!)-mu-šè ga-tu ²	Open the house, NEti, open the house, alone I would enter ⁵
[77]	^dNE-ti-l-du₈-gal-kur-ra-ke₄	NEti, the chief gatekeeper of the nether world
[78]	kug-^dinanna-ra mu-un ⁴ -na-ni-ib-gi₄-gi₄	To the pure Inanna answers :
[79]	a-ba-me-en za-e	" Who, pray, art thou ? "
[80]	me-e ^dga-ša-an ⁵ -na-ki-^dutu-è-a-és ⁶	" I am the Lady of Heaven, dwelling(?) at the place where the sun rises
[81]	tukum-bi za-e ^dinanna⁷ ki-^dutu-è-a-[éš] ⁶	" If thou art Inanna, [dwelling(?)] in the place where the
[82]	a-na-àm ⁸ ba-du-un kur-nu-gi₄-šè	Why hast thou come to the land of no return?
[83]	har-ra-an-lú-⁹ du-bi-nu-gi₄-gi₄-dè šá-zu a-gim tum-mu-un	On the road (which) he who travels it does not return, how hath thy heart led thee? "
[84]	kug-^dinanna-ke₄ mu-na-ni-ib-gi₄-gi₄	The pure Inanna answers him :
[85]	SAL+KU-gal-mu-^dga-ša-an-ki-gal-la(?)	" My older (?) sister Gašankigal
*Notes for lines [73-85]* 1. E begins with this line. Instead of -ú. E reads -lu. 2. E writes this line as two ; thus : i-du8 é-gál-lu dNE-ti é-gál-lu i-du8 -égál-lu as-mu-šè ga-tu 3. E : " Gatekeeper, open the house ; NEti, open the house Gatekeeper, open the house, alone I would enter " 4. E omits -un-. 5. E : ^dga-ša-an-an-na. 6. E : -aš. 7. The sign NA in E is a miscopy. 8. E omits -ám. 9. E adds -ù- after -du-.
[86]	mu-dam-a-ni-ù-mu-un-gu₄-gal-an-na ba-an-ug₅-ga	Because(?) her husband, the lord Gugalanna, had been killed
[87]	ki-sl-ga-na i-bi du₈-ù-dè	To witness his funeral rites
[88]	kàs(?)-sè-ga-na gu-ul-[dè(?) b]a(?)-ni-in-dug₄(!) hur-šè he-a	To mult[iply(?)] ...... she commanded ; so be it "
[89]	^dNE-ti i-du₈-gal-kur-ra-ke₄	NEti, the chief gatekeeper of the nether world
[90]	kug-^dinanna-ra(!) mu-na-ni-ib-gi₄-gi₄	To the pure Inanna answers :
[91]	?-?-ma-? ^dinanna nin-[mu(?)-r]a(?) ga-an-na-a[b-d]ug₄	" ......, Oh Inanna, t[o(?) my] lady let me speak
[92]	nin-mu ^dereš-ki-gal-la-ra ga-an-na-dug₄ ga-an-na-ab-dug₄	To my lady, Ereškigal, let me speak, let me speak
[93]	_dNE-ti-i-du₈-gal-kur-ra-ke₅	NEti, the chief gatekeeper of the nether world
[94]	nin-a-ni-^dereš-ki-gal-la-ra é-[kur-za-gin-šè ba]-ši-in-tu gù-mu-na-dé ¹	To his lady, Ereškigal, [in the lazuli] palace of [the nether world entered (and) says :
[95]	nin-mu ki-sikil-diš-àm ²	" My lady, a virgin
[96]	........................................................	........................................................
[97]	........................................................	........................................................
[98]	........................................................	........................................................
[99]	é-an-na-ka	In Eanna .........................................
[100]	me-imin-[bi] zag-mu-[ni-in-kešd]	The seven rites [she bound] to her side
[101]	me mu-un-kin-kin šu-n[i-šè mu-un-gál]	Again and again she sought out the rites (and) [placed them in h]er hand
[102]	me-DU GIR-gub ba [i-im-DU]	The...rites..........................[..........]
*Notes for lines [86-102]* 1. E divides this line into two lines. 2. Here ends E.
[103]	^tùgšu-gur-ra men-edin-n[a sag-gá-na mu-un-gál]	The šugurra garment, the crown of the pla[in, she set upon her head]
[104]	hi-LI sag-ki-na šu-ba-n[i-in-ti]	Radiance(?) she plafced] upon her countenance
[105]	gi-ninda-hun-gá-za-gîn šu-[mi-ni-in-du₈]	The... measuring rod of lazuli she [gripped] in her and
[106]	^na4za-gin-tur-tur gu-[na ba-an-lá]	Small lazuli stones [she tied about her] neck
[107]	^na4nunuz-tab-ba gaba-na [ba-ni-in-si]	Sparkling(?) ¹ mmte-stones [she fastened] to her breast
[108]	HUR-guškin šu-na [ba-ni-in-du8]	A gold ring she [gripped] in her hand
[109]	tu-di-tum lú-gá-nu-gá-nu [ba-an-BU]	A breast-plate(?) ² [she.... ed]
[110]	[gi(?)]-e-?-[he-im-DU-he-im-DU igi-na ba-ni-in-gar]	[.....].....[........... she placed in her eyes]
[111]	túg-nam-nin-[a-túg-nani-nin-a bar-ra-na ba-an-?]	Garment[s] of lady-ship [she.. .ed about her body] "
[112]	u₄-ba(?) ^dereš-ki-gal-la-ke₄	Then(?) Ereškigal
[113]	^dNH-ti-i-du₈-gal-ni-ir [mu-na-ni-ib-gi₄-gi₄]	To NEti, her chief gatekeeper, [she answers] :
[114]	gá-nu ^dNE-ti i-du₈-[gal-kur-ra]	" Come, NEti, [chief] gatekeeper of [the nether world]
[115]	.......................................................................................	.......................................................................................
[116]	ká-gal-kur-ra-imin-bi ^si5[si-gar-bi gál-ú]	Of the seven gátes of the nether world, [open their locks]
[117]	ká-gal-ganzir-igi-[kur-ra ka-as-bi bar-ra]	' Of the gáte gan^ir, the face(?) of [the nether world, define its rules]
[118]	ká(?)-gal(?) tu-tu-da-[ni-ta]	[Upon her] entering the gate
[119]	gam-gam-ma-ni ni(?)-ta(?)	.......................................................................................
*Notes for lines [103-119]* 1. Or " The twin(?) ". 2. Or " A girdle(?) ". 3. A obv., col. ii ends here; rev. iii begins with the following
[120]	^dNE-ti-i[-du₈-gal]-kur-r[a-ke₄]	NEti, [the chief gatekeeper] of the nether world
[121]	inim-nin-a-na-sé sag-KÉS-ba-si-[in-ag]¹	Hono[red] the word of his lady
[122]	ká-gal-kur-ra-imin-bi ^gišsi-gar-bi [in-gál]	Of the seven gâtes of the nether world, their locks [he opcned]
[123]	ká-gal-ganzir-igi-kur-ra ka-aš-bi [in-bar]	Of the gate ganzir, the face(?) of the nether world, [he issued] its decree
[124]	kug-^dinanna-ra gù-mu-na-d[é-e]	To the pure Inanna he sa[ys] :
[125]	gá-nu ^dinanna tu-um-[ma-ni]²	" Corne, Inanna, ent[er]"³
[126]	........⁴ tu-tu-da-ni-ta	Upon her entering the first gâte
[127]	^tug su-gur-ra men-edin-n[a]-sag-gà-n[a lu ba-da-an-si-ir]	The sugurra garment, the " crown of the plain " of her head, [someone removed]
[128]	ta-àm me.........-a	" Why...........?"
[129]	diri ^dinanna me-kur-ra-ke₄(!) su-a[l-du₇-du₇]	" Extraordinarily, Oh Inanna, have the rites of the nether world been pe[rfected]
[130]	^dinanna garza-kur-ra KA-zu na-a[n-....-e(?)-en]	Oh Inanna, the rites of the nether world, thy mouth(?) let not [.......]"
[131]	ká-gal-min-kam-ma tu-tu-da-[ni-ta]	[Upon her] entering the second gâte
[132]	gi-ninda-hun-gà-[za-gïn] lu ba-da-[an-si-ir]⁶	The. . .measuring rod of [lazuli] someone rem[oved]⁷
*Notes for lines [120-132]* 1. F begins here. 2. F adds two lines which are not in A ; thus : ^dinanna tu-tu-[da-ni-ta] gi-ninda-hun-gá-za-gin . . . . . . . 3. F adds two lines which are not in A ; thus : Inanna, [when she] entered, The . . . measuring rod of lazuli 4- F : ki-gal-dis-kam-ma. 5. G begins here. 6. F : [hi]-LI-sag-ki-na lu ba-da-[an-si-ir]. 7. F : The [rad]iance(?) of her countenance someone rem[oved].
[133]	ta-àm me . . . . . . . . . -a	" Why. . . . . . . . . . .?"
[134]	diri ^dinanna me-kur-ra-ke₄(!) su-al-[du₇-du₇]	" Extraordinarily, Oh Inanna, have the rites of the nether world been perf[ected]
[135]	^dinanna garza-kur-ra KA-zu na-an- [. . . .-e(?)-en]	Oh Inanna, the rites of the nether-world, thy mouth(?) let not [. . . . . . .] "
[136]	kd-gal-es-kam-ma tu-tu-da-ni-ta	Upon her entering the third gâte
[137]	[^na4za-gln-tur-tur-]gû-na lu [ba-da-an-si-ir]¹	[The small lazuli stones ot] her neck some one [removed]²
[138]	ta-àm me . . . . . . . . . -a	" Why . . . . . . . . . . . ?"
[139]	diri ^dinanna me-kur-ra-ke₄ su-al-[du₇-du₇]	" Extraordinarily, Oh Inanna, have the rites of the nether world been perf[ected]
[140]	^dinanna garza kur-ra KA-zu na-an- [. . . .-e(?)-en]	Oh Inanna, the rites of the nether world, thy mouth(?) let not [ . . . . . . . ]"
[141]	ká-gal-lim[mu-kam]-ma tu-tu-da-ni-ta ³	Upon her entering the fou[rt]h gâte
[142]	[^na4nunuz-tab-ba-gaba-na lu ba-da-an-si-ir]	[The sparkling(?) ⁴ erimtu-stones of her breast someone removed]
[143]	[ta-àm] me . . . . . . . . . -a	" [Why] . . . . . . . . . . . ?"
[144]	[diri ^dinanna me-kur]-ra-ke₄ su-[al-du7-]	" [Extraordinarily,] Oh Inanna, have the rites of the nether w]orld be[en perf]ected
[145]	[^dinanna garza-kur-ra] KA-[zu na-an-]. . . .-e(?)-en	[Oh Inanna, the rites of the nether world], thy [mouth(?) let not]
[146]	[kà-gal-ia-kam-ma] tu-tu-da-ni-ta	Upon her entering [the fifth gâte]
[147]	[HUR-guskin-su-na] lu ba-an-si-ir	[The gold ring of her hand] someone removed
*Notes for lines [133-147]* 1. F : ^na4nunuz-tab-ba-zag-ga-na lû ba-d[a-an-si-ir] (i. e., the text corresponding to line 142)> G ends here. 2. F : The sparkling (?) erimtu-stones of her side(?) someane removed. 5. F ends here. 4. Or " The twin(?) "
[148]	[ta-àm] me . . . . . . . . . [ a]	"[Why] . . . . . . . . . . .[•••i]"
[149]	[diri ^dinanna me-kur-ra-ke₄ su-al-]du₇-du₇	" [Extraordinarily, Oh Inanna, have the rites of the nether world been] perfected
[150]	[^dinanna garza-kur-ra KA-zu-na-an-. .. .-e(?)]-en	[Oh Inanna, the rites of the nether world, thy mouth(?) let not . . . . . . . ] "
[151]	ká-gal-às-kam-ma [tu-tu-da-ni-ta]	[Upon her entering] the sixth gâte
[152]	[tu-di-tum lu-gà-nu-gà-nu lu ba-da-an-si-ir]	[The breast plate(?) ¹ . . . . . . . . . . . . someone removed]
[153]	ta-dm me. . . . . . . . . [-a]	"Why . . . . . . . . . [....?]"
[154]	[diri ^dinanna me-kur-ra-ke₄ su-al-du₇-du₇]	" [Extraordinarily, Oh Inanna, have the rites of perfected]
[155]	[^dinanna garza-kur-ra KA-zu na-an-,.. ,-e(?)-en}	[Oh Inanna, the rites of the nether world, thy mouth(?) let not ....... "]
[156]	ká-[gal-imin-kam-ma tu-tu-da-ni-ta]	[Upon her entering the seventh] gâte
[157]	[tug-nam-nin-a-tûg-nam-nin-a-bar-ra-na lu ba-da-an-si-ir]	[The garments of lady-ship of her body someone removed]
[158]	ta-àm me.........[-a]	"Why..........[....?]"
[159]	[diri ^dinanna me-kur-ra-ke₄ su-al-du₇-du₇]	" [Extraordinarily, Oh Inanna, have the rites of the nether world been per- fected]
[160]	[^dinanna garza-kur-ra KA-zu na-an-... ,-e(?)-en]	[Oh Inanna, the rites of the nether world, thy mouth (?) let not ] "
[161]	............................-ni-in-.....²
[162]	.....A....................IN NE..... ³	........................................
[163]	........................................	........................................
*Notes for lines [148-163]* 1. Or " The girdle (?) 2. Perhaps there was another line preceding this one in the original, whicli 3. Here ends A rev. iii; rev. iv begins with the next line
[164]	........NE ....... igi(?)-na(?) ....-àm	........................................
[165]	...............................-ga(?)-àm	........................................
[166]	..........igi(?)-ni(?)-sè kug(?)-^dinanna(?)	.........before(?) her(?) pure(?) Inanna(?)
[167]	..........^gišak-ta lu ba-da-an-là	..........with nails someone fastened
[168]	u₄(?)-da(?) ^dinanna(?)-?-? um-ta-ni-?-?	On the day(?) when(r) Inanna . . . . . . . was . . . .ed
[169]	sukkal-a-ni ^dnin-subur-ra(?)-ke₄(?)	Her messenger, Ninsubur
[170]	sukkal-e-ne-èm-sag₆-sag₅-ga-ni	Her messenger of favorable words
[171]	[ra-gaba]-e-ne-èm-gi-en-gi-na-ni	Her [carrier] of true words
[172]	[uru(?)-dul]-dul-da mu-un-n[a]-gd-gà	Turned [the cities(?)] to [ru]ins for he[r]
[173]	. . .gû-en-na mu-un-na-tuku-a	Took(?). . . in the guen for her
[174]	é(?)-dingir-ri-e-ne-ke₄(?) mu-unl[na]-PA. GIS	. . . . . ed at(?) the house of the gods for [her]
[175]	?-NE-ni mu-un-na-ár KA-ni [mu-]n-na-àr	. . . . . ed his. . . for her, . . .ed his mouth(?) for her
[176]	?-lû-da U(?)-DI-SU-gal-ni mu-u[n-n]a-HUR	Smelled(?) his great ... for [h]er
[177]	mu-lu-nu-tuku-gim tug-as-a [im-ma]-na-mu₄	[Dr]essed like a pauper in a single dress for her
[178]	[é-kur-r]i é-^den-lil-la-sè gir-ni [asa(?) mu-]un-t[um]	[To the Ekur], the house of Enlil, [alone(?), he brought(?)] his foot.
[179]	[è-kur-r]i é-^den-lil-la-sè tu(?)-tu(?)-da(?)-ni(?)-ta(?)	Upon(?) his(?) entering(?) [the Ekur], the house of Enlil
[180]	[igi-kug-^den-lil-lá]-sè ir im-ma-[se₈]se₈	[Before the pure Enlil] he weeps :
[181]	[a-a-^dmu-ul-lil tu]-mu-zu mu-lu [kur-ra nam-ba-da-a]n-gam-e	[Oh Eather Mullil], thy [dau]ghter [let no] one [in the nether world ravish
[182]	[kug-sag₅-ga-zu sahar-kur-ra-ka nam-ba-an-da-]sàr-e	[Thy good métal let him not car]ry ofF [with him into the dust of the nether world]
[183]	[za-gin-sag₅-ga-zu za-?-ma-ka nam-ba-an-da-si-il-]li(?)	[Thy good lazuli let him not remove with him into the ......... ]
[184]	[^giš:KU-zu ^giš-nam-nagar-ra-ka nam-ba-da-]an-dar-dar-ri	[Thy URkarinnti-wood (?) let him not] tear away (?) [with him into the .........]
[185]	[ki(?)-sikil(?)-dga-sa-an-na kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-Jgam-e	[The virgin(?), the Lady ofHeaven, let him not in the nether world ra]vish
[186]	[a-a-^den-li 1-li ^dnin-subur-ra mu-un-na]-ni-ib-gi₄-gi₄	[Father Enlil unto Ninsubur a]nswers :
[187]	.............................bi-in-dug₄	"...................... he(?) has commanded concerning it
[188]	[^dinanna AN].......................bi-in-dug₄	[Inanna] .......................he(?) has commanded concerning it
[189]	[me-kur-ra al-].......................bi-in-dug₄	[The rites ofthe nether world].......................he(?) has commanded concerning it
[190]	[id(?)-a-an-ki-bi]....................... -ni(?)-ib-dug₄	[The river(?), the water(?) of heaven(?) and(?) earth(?)]...... he(?) has commanded concerning it "
[191]	[a-a-^den-lil e-ne-èm-ba nu-na-gub uri^ki-sè ba-]du-un	[Father Enlil did not stand by him in this matter; to Ur he w]ent
[192]	[uri^ki-ma é-nam-dùg]-kur-ra-ka (!)	[In Ur, the house of the welfare] ofthe land
[193]	[e-kis-sir₅-gál e(?)-^dnanna-sè tu-tu-da-ni]-ta	[The Ekissirgal, the house of Nanna upon [his entering]
[194]	[igi-kug-^dnanna-sè ir im-ma-se₈-se₈]	[Before the pure Nanna he weeps :]
[195]	[a-a-^dnanna tu-mu-zu mu-lu] kur-ra nam-[ba-da-an-gam-e]	" [Oh Father Nanna, thy daughter] let no [one] in the nether world [ravish]
[196]	[kug-sag₅-ga-zu sahar-kur-ra-]ka nam-ba-a[n(?)-da-sàr-ri]	[Thy good métal] let him not [carry off with him] into [the dust of the nether world]
[197]	[za-gin-sag₅-ga-zu za- ?-ma(!)-ka nam-ba-[an-da-si-il-li(?)]	[Thy good lazuli] let him not [remove with him] into the [.......]
[198]	[^gišKU-zu giš-nam-nagar-ra-ka nam-ba-]da- [an-dar-dar-e]	[Thy URkarinnti-wood (?) let him not tear away(?)] with him [into the.......]
[199]	[ki(?)-sikil(?)-^dga-sa-an-na kur-ra] nam-ba-da(!)-an-gam-e	The virgin(?), the Lady of Heaven, let him not [in the nether world] ravish "
[200]	a-a-^d[nanna dnin-šubur-ra mu-un-na-ni-ib-gi₄-gi₄]	Father [Nanna unto Ninsubur answers] :
[201]	..........................bi(!)-in-dug4	"..........................he(?) has commanded concerning it
[202]	^dinanna AN..........................[bi-in-dug₄]	Inanna ..........................[he(?) has commanded concerning it]
[203]	me-kur-ra al-..........................[bi-in-dug₄]	The rites of the nether world [he(?) has commanded concerning it]
[204]	id(?)-a-an-ki-bi..........................[-ni(?)-ib-dug₄]	The river(?), the water(?) of heaven(?) and(?) earth(?) [he has com manded concerning it] "
[205]	a-a-^dnanna [e-ne-èm-ba nu-na-gub uru-si-ib^ki-sè ba-du-un]	Father Nanna [did not stand by him in this matter; to Eridu he went]
[206]	uru-si-ib^ki é-den(!)-ki(!)-ga-sè(!) [tu-tu]-da-ni-ta	In Urusib, upon his [entering] the house of Enki
[207]	igi(!)-den-ki-ga-sè [ir im]-ma-se₈(!)-se₈(!) 1	Before Enki he [we]eps :
[208]	[a-a-^dam-an-ki tu-mu-zu mu-lu kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-gam-e]	[" Oh Father Amanki, thy daughter let no one in the nether world ravish]
[209]	[kug-sag₅-ga-zu sahar-kur-ra-ka nam-ba-an-da-sár-ri]	[Thy good métal let him not carry off with him into the dust of the nether world]
[210]	[za-gin-sag₅-ga-zu za-r-ma-ka nam-ba-an-da-si-il-li(?)]	[Thy good lazuli let him not remove with him into the.......]
[211]	[^gišKU-zu giš-nam-nagar-ra-ka nam-ba-da-an-dar-dar-e]	[Thy URkarinnu-woodQ) let him not tear away(?) with him into the.....]
[212]	[ki(?)-sikil(?)-^dga-sa-an-na kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-gam-e]	[The virgin(?), the Lady of Heaven, let him not in the nether world ravish"]
(Break of unknown number of lines)
[X1]	..........^giškak-ta.......... ....................²	..........with nails....................
*Notes for lines [164-212]* 1. A ends here. 2. H begins here.
[X2]	[k]ug-deres-ki-gal-la-ke₄ GIS(?).............mu-na-ni-ib-g[i₄(?)-gi₄(?)]	The [p]ure Ereskigal..................unto her(?) answers :
[X3]	uzu-ág-PA(?)-me àg-?-?......................	" Flesh(?)..........................."
[X4]	uzu-NIG. . . -a ag-hûl(?)-la(?) ..... sl(?)-?-? in-na..............	On(?) flesh......... joy(?)...........................
[X5]	uzu-NIG...... -a ni-me-làm-?-? 1	On(?) flesh......... the fearfulness of the melammê(?).........
[X6]	DIS û-nam-ti-la DIS a-nam-ti-la ugu(?)-[na(?) b]i(?)-in-sub(?)-bu-us(')	. . . .The food of life, .... the water of life, they sprinkled upon(?) [her(?)]
[X7]	^dinanna........ ba-DU	Inanna........ went(?)
[X8]	^dinanna k[ur-t]a ba-en-dè	Inanna from(?) the nether world(?) ascends
[X9]	da-nun-na-ke₄-ne su-?-?-àm	The Anunnaki................
[X10]	a-ba-àm lu-kur-ra-ke₄(?)-ne kur-ra DI(?).........e₁₁-dé	" Who, pray, of(?)the men of tha nether world in(?)the nether world. . . ?
[X11]	u4-da ^dinanna kur-ta ba-en-dè	On the day that Inanna from the nether world ascends
[X12]	ug5-ga sag-a-na ha-ba-ab-si-mu	May the dead hasten in front ofher
[X13]	^dinanna kur-ta ba-en-dè	Inanna from the nether world ascends
[X14]	[g]alla-tu[r-tu]r gi-IGI-KAK(?)-?-gim	The s[mal]e [g\allê, like.............reeds
[X15]	galla(!)-gal-gal gi-dub-ba-na-gim(!)	The large gallê, like tablet styluses
[X16]	zag-ga-na ba-an-dib(?)-bi-es	Walked (?) at her side
[X17]	lû-igi-na(?)-?-?-nu-me-a gišdar su-bi-in-du8	Theone in front ofher, not being, held a scepter
[X18]	bar-ra-na-P-P-nu-me-aK'Huku^?) ur-ra mu-un.........	At her side, not being.........ed a weapon (?) on the loins
[X19]	lû-e-ne-ra-in-si-sug-es-àm	They who accompanied her
*Notes for lines [X1-X19]* I. Or are there more than two signs missing?
[X20]	lu-^dinanna-ra-in-si-sûg-es-àm	They who accompanied Inanna
[X21]	û nu-zu-me-es a nu-zu-me-es	Were (beings who) do not know food, do not know drink
[X22]	[zi]-dub-dub-ba nu-ku-me-es	Were (beings who) do not eat sprinkled(?) [flour]
[X23]	[kas(?)]-bal-bal nu-nag-nag-me-es	Were beings who) do not drink libated [wine?]
[X24]	[û]r-lû-ka dam su-ti-a-me-es	Were (beings who) take away the wife from the [loins] of a man
[X25]	?-um-me-ga(!)-lá-ka dumu su-ti-a-me-es	Were (beings who) take away the child from the [breasts(?)J of the nursing woman
[X26]	^dinanna kur-ta ba-eirdè	Inanna from the nether world ascends
[X27]	^dinanna kur-ta-eirda-ni	Upon Inanna's ascending from the nether world
[X28]	[sukkal-a-ni] dnin-subur-ke₄ gir-ni-sè ba-an-sub	[Her messenger], Ninsubur, threw himself at her feet
[X29]	[sahar-ra ba]-da-an-tustùgmu-sir-ra ba-an-mu₄	In the dust he sat, sackcloth(?) he put on
[X30]	[galla] e-ne kug-^dinanna-ra gù-mu-na-dé-e	The gallû, to her(?) to the pure Inanna, says :
[X31]	[dinan]na uru-zu-sè gub-ba e-ne ga-ba-ab-tum-mu-dè	" [Oh Inan]na, at thy city take stand(?), let us bring him(?) in
[X32]	[kug]-^dinanna-ke₄ galla e-ne mu-na-ni-ib-gi₄-gi₄	[The] pure Inanna, to(?) the gallû, she(?) answers :
[X33]	sukkal-e-ne-èm-sag5-sag3-ga-mu	" My messenger of favorable words
[X34]	ra-gaba-e-ne-èm-gi-en-gi-na-mu	My carrier of true words
[X35]	..................	..................
[X36]	.........ÂG.........GÛ.........	...............................
[X37]	[uru(?)] dul-dul-da ma-[an]-gá-gá	Turned [the cities(r)] into ruins for me
[X38]	. . . . gu-en-na m[a-a]n-tuku-a	Took(?) ... in the guen fo[r m]e
[X39]	[é(?)]-dingir-ri-e-n[e-k]e4(?) ma-an-PA. GIS	.... ed at(?) [the house] of the gods for me
[X40]	[?-NE-]ni ma-an-ár KA-ni ma-an-àr	.. .ed his [.. .] for me, . . .ed his mouth(?) for me
[X41]	[?]-mu-lu-da U(?)-DI-SU-gal-a-ni ma-an-HUR	Smelled(?)........his great...for me
[X42]	[mu]-lu-nu-tuku-gim tùg-as-a im-ma-an-mu₄	Dressed like a [pjauper in a single dress for me
[X43]	[é]-kur-raé-dmu-ul-lil-là-sè	To the [E]kurthe house of Mullil
[X44]	uriki-ma é-^dnanna-sè	In Ur to the house of Nanna
[X45]	uru-si-ib^ki é-dam-an-ki-ga- sè	In Urusib to the house of Amanki "
[X46]	e-ne ma-a-ra mu-un-ti-li-en	" He(?), for me, has made thee(?) to live "
[X47]	ga-an-si-sug-dè-en ummaki-a sig4-kur-ru(!)-ga-sè [ga]-an-si-sûg-dè-en	" Let us accompany her, in Umma to the Sigkurruga [Iet] us accompany her"
[X48]	um[maki-a] sig4-kur-ru-ga-ta	[In Um]ma from the Sigkurruga
[X49]	dsara glr-ni-se ba-an-sub	Sara threw himself at her feet
[X50]	sahar-ra ba-da-an-tus^tùgmu-sir-ra ba-an-mu₄	In the dust he sat, sackcloth(?) he put on
[X51]	galla e-ne kug-^dinanna-ra gù-mu-na-dé-e	The gaJlû, to her(?), to the pure Inanna says ;
[X52]	^dinanna uru-zu-sè gub-ba e-ne ga-ba-ab-tum-mu-dè	" Oh Inanna, at thy city take thy stand(?) let us bring him(?) in "
[X53]	[ku]g-^dinanna-ke₄ galla e-ne mu-na-ni-ib-gi₄-gi₄	The pure Inanna, to the gallû, she(?) answers :
[X54]	...........................SÈ(?).........	.........................................
[X55]	?..................gû(?)-TAR-la.........	........................................
[X56]	NE-ta-gim nam.........-as(?) si.........	Like..........................."
[X57]	ga-an(!)-si(!)-sûg-en-dè-en bà[d-t]ibira^ki-a [é-MUS-kalam-ma-sè] ga-an-si-sug en-dè-en(!)	"Let us accompany her, in Ba[dt]ibira [to EMUSkalamma] let us accompa ny her "
[X58]	bàd-tibira^ki-a é-MÛS-kalam-fma-ta]	In Badtibira [from] EMUSkalam[ma]
[X59]	[^d? gir-ni-sé ba-an-sub]	[X (name of deity) threw herself (or himself) at her feet]
[X60]	[sahar-ra ba-da-an-tus^tûgmu-sir-ra ba-an-mu₄]	[In thedust she (he?) sat, sackcloth(?) she (he?) put on]
[X61]	[galla e-ne kug-ainanna-ra gu-mu-na-dè-e]	[The gallû to her(?), to pure Inanna says ;]
[X62]	[^dinanna uru-zu-sé gub-ba e-ne ga-ba-ab-tum-mu-dè]	[" Oh Inanna, at thy city take thy stand(?) let us bring her(?) (him(?)) in ".]
[X64]	[kug ^dinanna-ke₄ galla e-ne mu-na-ni-ib-gi₄-gi₄]	[The pure Inanna, to the gallû, she answers :]

Source(s) ^a Kramer, RAAO 34, 98-116 .

"CBS 9800 / Inanna's Descent" is a 1937 translation of the Sumerian "Inanna's Descent" afterlife myth by Samuel Noah Kramer. Kramer not only produced the translation and transliteration, but also provided extensive commentary. Kramer's 1937 version is based on his translation of a newly discovered artifact named CBS 9800, which is the lower half of a large four-column tablet located at the University of Pennsylvania museum at the time of the translation.

The upper half of the tablet (known as Ni 368) was located in the Ottoman Museum and both of these fragments made up roughly half of his translation. This version of "Inanna's Descent" was supplanted by several articles Kramer published in subsequent years whereby he added more lines of translation.

This version of "Inanna's Descent" was the most complete of its time and included major parts of the plot. However, important plot twists in the myth (such as the death of Inanna in the netherworld) were fragmented and thus obscure. This was evident by the fact that there are many gaps and "(?)" inclusions in the translation.

Consolidated tablet fragments discovered in Nippur (Iraq)

During excavations in the late 1800s, a number of clay tablets were found in modern day Iraq (Nippur). Scholars noted that the cuneiform inscriptions were not Akkadian, but Sumerian. Sumer was on the southern side of Iraq (between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers). This was the first major translation of "Inanna's Descent" and included almost 250 lines of text (out of the total 412 lines of "Inanna's Descent"). Kramer relied on the CBS 9800 tablet because it was joined with the Ni 368 tablet, one that Stephen Langdon published in 1914.^[1] Kramer emphasized the importance of these artifacts by including images of them and a direct mention:

"The present publication is made possible utilization of CBS 9800, the lower half of a large four-column tablet whose upper half (Ni. 368), located in the Ottoman Muséum, was first published by Langdon and later republished by Chiera." ^[2]

Kramer also noted that the copying work that Langdon did was full of errors. Kramer spent the next fifty years trying to decipher the myth.

Notes

🡩Langdon, BE 31, pl. 34.

🡩Kramer, RAAO 34, 93-94.

Cite this page

MLA Modern Language Association (8th ed.)

OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. ""CBS 9800 / Inanna's Descent": English Translation by Samuel N. Kramer." OMNIKA – World Mythology Index, OMNIKA Foundation, 22 Apr. 2019, omnika.org/stable/96. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

APA American Psychological Association (6th ed.)

OMNIKA (2019, April 22). "CBS 9800 / Inanna's Descent": English Translation by Samuel N. Kramer. Retrieved from https://omnika.org/stable/96

CMS Chicago Manual of Style (16th ed.)

OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. ""CBS 9800 / Inanna's Descent": English Translation by Samuel N. Kramer." Las Vegas, NV: OMNIKA Foundation. Created April 22, 2019. Accessed December 22, 2024. https://omnika.org/stable/96.

Bibliography

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.

Kramer, Samuel N. "Inanna's Descent to the Nether World. The Sumerian Version of Ištar's Descent." Kramer, Samuel N., trans. "Inanna's Descent." Revue d'Assyriologie et d'Archéologie Orientale 34, no. 3 (1937): 93–134.

Langdon, Stephen H. The Babylonian Expedition of The University of Pennsylvania: Series A: Cuneiform Texts. Vol. XXXI, Historical and Religious Texts from the Temple Library of Nippur. Leipzig: August Pries, 1914.

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Inanna's Descent to the Netherworld Afterlife myth

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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Text summary

From: Journal article · Samuel Noah Kramer · 1937

Partial Translation, Transliteration

Sumerian ⟶ English a

Consolidated tablet fragments discovered in Nippur (Iraq)

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Sumerian ⟶ English ^a