Inanna

Two sisters were rivals: Inanna governed the earth, the realm of the living, while Ereshkigal dominated the underworld, the country of the dead. Inanna chose to pay a visit to the underworld. She informed the underworld's gatekeeper of her desire to attend her brother-in-law's burial ceremonies. However, she may have desired to dominate the underworld. Inanna directed her servant Ninshubur to beg the deities to rescue her if something went wrong, and she dressed extravagantly for the visit. Her improper attire for a burial, along with her arrogant demeanor, made the empress of the underworld wary.

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The gatekeeper, following Ereshkigal's directions, informed Inanna that she may enter the first entrance of the abyss, but she would have to surrender an item of clothing. She inquired as to why and was informed, 'It is just the nature of the Underworld.' She compiled. Inanna traveled through 7 gates in total , each one requiring her to remove one article of clothing or jewelry she was donning at the outset of her trip. When she approached her sister, Inanna was completely nude and defenseless. Ereshkigal dismembered Inanna and hanged her on a pole. After three days and nights, Ninshubur followed orders and traveled to the temples of Enlil, Nanna, and Enki, pleading with them to preserve the god of life, love, and living. The first two deities refused to assist, claiming it was Enki's fault, but Enki was profoundly upset and consented. He fashioned two asexual creatures. He directed them to please Ereshkigal and, once she inquired about their desires, to request Inanna's body and shower it with the foods and drinks of life. As Enki predicted, the two sexless entities were able to resurrect Inanna. However, Ereshkigal's demons accompanied Inanna out from the abyss and informed her that she was not allowed to go until somebody took her place. They approached Ninshubur first and requested that she take Inanna's place. Inanna declined, stating that she had assisted her as she requested.

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They were then confronted by Dumuzi, Inanna's husband. He was having a good time despite the fact that his wife was allegedly still lost in the underground. Inanna expressed her displeasure and said that the demons may have him. Dumuzi attempted to flee his doom, but a fly informed Inanna and the devils of his whereabouts. Dumuzi would then spend six months with Ereshkigal inside the abyss and the remainder with Inanna.

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Origin: Mythology of the Sumerians

Other name of the tale: Inanna’s Descent