Mesopotamian Mythology · deity

Ereshkigal

also: Nergal's consort (in some accounts)

deitythe underworldthe queen of the deadthe 'dark'attested

The queen of the underworld, the 'dark' goddess of the dead; Inanna's sister (in some accounts) or adversary. In the 'Descent' myth, Inanna attends her funeral (or is her guest) and is killed there.

The 'Queen of the Night' Relief (Burney Relief) · Unknown (Old Babylonian) · 1800–1750 BCE · Wikimedia Commons (British Museum, London) · CC BY-SA 4.0

The account

Who they are

'Ereshkigal' is the queen of the underworld, the 'dark' goddess of the dead [S4][S5]. She is the lord of the 'irigal' (the underworld) [S5]. In the 'Inanna's Descent' myth, Inanna descends to the underworld to attend Ereshkigal's funeral (or is her guest), and is killed there [S4][S5]. Ereshkigal is Inanna's sister (in some accounts) or her adversary [S4][S5]. Ereshkigal's consort is Nergal (the underworld-god, in some accounts) [S5]. Ereshkigal is the 'dark' counterpart of Inanna (the 'light' goddess) [S4][S5].

Worth knowing

The queen of the underworld, the 'dark' goddess of the dead [S4][S5].
Inanna's sister (in some accounts) or adversary [S4][S5].
The 'Descent' myth: Inanna is killed at her funeral [S4][S5].

Uncertainties & variants

Ereshkigal's relationship to Inanna (sister vs. adversary) varies by version [S4][S5].

Relationships (5)

Connections

Family & kinship

SIBLING_OFInanna (Ishtar) — Inanna and Ereshkigal are sisters (in some accounts).[S4] [S5]

Partners

PARTNER_OFNergal — Ereshkigal and Nergal are a 'pair' (the 'Nergal and Ereshkigal' marriage myth).[S5]

PARTNER_OFNergal (Ereshkigal's consort) — Nergal (as Ereshkigal's consort) is her 'pair'.[S5]

Conflict & enmity

FOUGHTInanna (Ishtar) — Inanna descends to the underworld (to Ereshkigal's funeral) and is killed there.[S4]

KILLEDNergal — (Mythic) In the 'Nergal and Ereshkigal' myth, Nergal 'rapes' (or marries) Ereshkigal.[S5]

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Their corner of the divine world

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Myths featuring Ereshkigal

2 stories

Inanna's Descent to the Underworld

The great Sumerian myth of 'Inanna's Descent to the Underworld': Inanna descends to the underworld to attend the funeral of her sister Ereshkigal (the underworld-goddess). At the seven gates of the underworld, Inanna is stripped of her powers (her crown, her weapons, her jewelry) one by one. At the bottom, Ereshkigal kills Inanna (she is hung on a peg as a corpse). Enki (the wisdom god) is moved to pity and sends a being (the 'galatur' or the 'keshig') to bring Inanna back. Inanna is restored, but must send a 'stand-in' (her consort Dumuzi) to the underworld in her place [S4][S5].

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Inanna and Ereshkigal (the 'sisters' of the underworld)

Inanna (the 'light' goddess) and Ereshkigal (the 'dark' goddess of the underworld) are 'sisters' (in some accounts) or adversaries. The 'Descent' myth is the great conflict between the two: Inanna descends to the underworld and is killed by Ereshkigal [S4][S5]. The 'sisters' relationship is a 'light/dark' duality: Inanna is the 'light' (the morning star, the life-giver), Ereshkigal is the 'dark' (the underworld, the death-bringer) [S4][S5].

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