About this deity
Inanna (Sumerian: 𒀭𒈹) was one of the oldest deities in the Sumerian pantheon. She was later adapted into the Akkadian pantheon of deities under the name Ištar.
Also known as
Parent belief system
Sumerian Religion · Polytheistic · 7 mythsSumerian religion refers to spiritual beliefs practiced from ca. 4500-1900 BCE in Mesopotamia, or modern-day southern Iraq. Many deities were diffused into other Mesopotamian cultures.
Top myths
 |  |  |  | |
| Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and the Netherworld | Epic of Ziusudra | Debate Between Sheep and Grain | Inanna's Descent to the Netherworld | |
| Afterlife myth | Creation, Flood myth | Creation myth | Afterlife myth | |
| Unknown author | Unknown author | Unknown author | Unknown author | |
| Read myth | Read myth | Read myth | Read myth | |
| More myths | ||||
Background
Inanna was one of the most important deities in the entire Sumerian pantheon.[1] Her name is attested in almost all of the earliest myths in Sumerian literature. She also had a temple in the Sumerian city of Uruk that was named E-ana.
"E-ana (`of Heaven') is the name given to
the temple at Uruk dedicated to the goddess
Inana. The city had been built, according to
tradition, by the Seven Sages and Gilgameš.
The temenos or sacred enclosure of E-ana, as
known from excavations, was constructed over
a long period of time by a number of different
rulers, including Ur-Nammu (reigned 2168-
2151 BC), first king of the Third Dynasty of Ur.
Subsequently, Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian and
Achaemenid Persian rulers (including Cyrus
and Darius) had building programmes in this
area." [2]
Inanna's most well-known myth, perhaps, is known as Inanna's Descent to the Netherworld.
Mythological stories including Inanna
- Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and the Netherworld Afterlife myth
Nuthsell
While Enki was saling, the south wind uprooted a single ḫalub tree on the bank of the Euphrates river. A woman found it, planted it in Inanna's garden, and watered it by only using her feet; it grew massive after ten years. Inanna wanted to use it for a chair, but its bark would not break. Inanna cried and asked her brother, Gilgameš, to do it. Gilgameš cut the tree with his strength and also made a powerful mallet from its branches. During a game, both the ball and the mallet fell down into the netherworld. When Gilgameš could not recover items, his servant Enkidu offered to retrieve it. Enkidu became trapped there. Gilgameš asked Enki and Enlil to rescue Enkidu, but without success. Utu, however, obliged and made a hole for Enkidu to return. Gilgameš rejoiced and asked Enkidu how different kinds of people fare in the netherworld, ending the poem.
- Epic of Ziusudra Creation, Flood myth
Nuthsell
The Sumerian deities An, Enlil, and Enki created the "black headed people," the animals, and assigned the cities among the deities. Eridug was given to Nudimmud, the leader. Ziusudra, a Sumerian king, is told that a flood will sweep over the land: "A decision that the seed of mankind is to be destroyed has been made." This was announced by An and Enlil. A huge boat is constructed and it withstands the rain and wind for seven days and seven nights. When the chaos ended, Utu, the sun deity, showed himself and entered the boat, whereby Ziusudra sacrified oxen and offered sheep to him. As the animals disembarked off of Ziusudra's boat, An and Enlil treated Ziusudra kindly and granted him eternal life in "the land Dilmun" because he preserved the seed of mankind.
- Debate Between Sheep and Grain Creation myth
Nuthsell
Sit tight. More information about this is coming soon.
- Inanna's Descent to the Netherworld Afterlife myth
Nuthsell
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.
Eridu Genesis Creation, Flood mythNuthsell
The Sumerian deities An, Enlil, and Enki created the "black headed people," the animals, and assigned the cities among the deities. Eridug was given to Nudimmud, the leader. Ziusudra, a Sumerian king, is told that a flood will sweep over the land: "A decision that the seed of mankind is to be destroyed has been made." This was announced by An and Enlil. A huge boat is constructed and it withstands the rain and wind for seven days and seven nights. When the chaos ended, Utu, the sun deity, showed himself and entered the boat, whereby Ziusudra sacrified oxen and offered sheep to him. As the animals disembarked off of Ziusudra's boat, An and Enlil treated Ziusudra kindly and granted him eternal life in "the land Dilmun" because he preserved the seed of mankind.
Cite this page
OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. "Inanna." OMNIKA – World Mythology Index, OMNIKA Foundation, 21 Jul. 2019, omnika.org/stable/225. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
OMNIKA (2019, July 21). Inanna. Retrieved from https://omnika.org/stable/225
OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. "Inanna." Las Vegas, NV: OMNIKA Foundation. Created July 21, 2019. Accessed April 27, 2024. https://omnika.org/stable/225.
