Inanna & Ishtar: History, Mystery, and Mythology

Who are Inanna and Ishtar in Sumerian and Mesopotamian mythology? What is the mystery of Inanna's descent into the underworld? How does Inanna's journey to the underworld reflect Sumerian beliefs about life and death? What role does Ereshkigal play in Inanna's descent to the underworld? What are the key symbolic elements in the story of Inanna's descent?

How is Inanna connected to the goddess Ishtar? What is the significance of Inanna's transformation into Ishtar in Mesopotamian mythology? How do the stories of Inanna and Ishtar reflect ancient views on femininity, queerness, gender fluidity and power? What lessons can be drawn from the story of Inanna's descent into the underworld?

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RECOMMENDED READINGS

Ishtar (Gods and Heroes of the Ancient World) https://amzn.to/3CO2A57

Inanna, Lady of Largest Heart: Poems of the Sumerian High Priestess Enheduanna https://amzn.to/43UDoFL

The Treasures of Darkness: A History of Mesopotamian Religion https://amzn.to/3qW30DH

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REFERENCES

Black, J. A., Cunningham, G., Fluckiger-Hawker, E., Robson, E. and Zólyomi, G. (1998) Inana’s descent to the nether world: translation [Online]. Available at https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/section1/tr141.htm (Accessed 17 June 2023).

Collins, P. (1994) ‘The Sumerian Goddess Inanna (3400-2200 BC)’, Papers from the Institute of Archaeology, University College London (UCL), vol. 5, no. 0 [Online]. DOI: 10.5334/pia.57 (Accessed 16 June 2023).

Harris, R. (1991) ‘Inanna-Ishtar as Paradox and a Coincidence of Opposites’, History of Religions, University of Chicago Press, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 261–278.

Kramer, S. N. (1971) The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character, Chicago, IL, University of Chicago Press [Online]. Available at https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/S/bo27481022.html (Accessed 17 June 2023).

Laneri, N. (2002) ‘The Discovery of a Funerary Ritual: Inanna/Ishtar and Her Descent to the Nether World in Titriş Höyük, Turkey’, East and West, Istituto Italiano per l’Africa e l’Oriente (IsIAO), vol. 52, no. 1/4, pp. 9–51.

Stuckey, J. H. (2005) ‘Ancient Mother Goddesses and Fertility Cults’, Journal of the Motherhood Initiative for Research and Community Involvement [Online]. Available at https://jarm.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/jarm/article/view/4952 (Accessed 17 June 2023).

00:00 Introduction: The Goddess Inanna

02:18 Syncretism

03:43 The time scale and first mentions of Inanna in archaeology

06:52 The Sacred Marriage

07:52 The relationship between Inanna and Ishtar

09:16 King Sargon and Enheduanna

10:42 Representations and Interpretations of Inanna

15:18 The Descent of Inanna

18:10 Polarities and Contradictions

20:27 The concept of “Me”

21:56 Cultic celebrations

24:04 Conclusion and Dr Puca’s reflections

25:56 Support Angela’s Symposium

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