Killing a Goddess

Inanna’s Decent into the Underworld

   

In the Sumerian tale of Inanna’s decent into the underworld, Inanna journeys down into the underworld is stripped of her power and killed.  The gods are then forced to bargain with the underworld for her return.

Basis for Greek Myths?

This piece reminded me of the story of Aphrodite’s lover Adonis.  Who, I have to mention, she was a surrogate mother too (creepy Greek mythology with all its incest and sorta incest—Adonis was also the result of incest). Well I think the tale goes something like this—

Aphrodite (I chose one who was clothed) 

Aphrodite finds baby Adonis, pities him and sends him to the underworld to be raised.  He grows  up to be very attractive so she goes and takes him back.  He ignores her advise and is castrated by a bear resulting in his death (why so much castration in Greek myth?). Then Aphrodite has to share him with the Queen of the underworld and Adonis spends half the year with each of the woman. 

                                                                                    Similarities and Differences

The spending half the year in the underworld reminds me of the myth of Inanna in which her husband has to spend half the year and his sister volunteers for the other half (I think that is how it goes) and that is also that story of a goddess descending into the underworld.

The big difference is the reason for the journey, upholding burial rights vs. love/lust.  Another big difference is that Aphrodite, while not strong enough to reject the will of the underworld, is not harmed like Inanna.

Inanna-- Ishtar 

Inanna, Ishtar, Aphrodite, Oh my!

There is a further connection because Inanna is a goddess of the same type (perhaps same goddess just different views) as Ishtar and Aphrodite.

And in the Ishtar version of the story, Ishtar descends into the underworld to retrieve a dead lover (like Aphrodite and Adonis).  Furthermore Inanna isn’t exactly dressed in funeral garb as she descends into the underworld and everything else is Inanna’s story is strikingly similar to Ishtar’s.  

They were all the same goddess right? (I left out Venus since it is well known to be a copy of Aphrodite.)  Do the later myths make the simply take the same character--  the goddess and make her stronger because she is not killed?

Repetitive Nature

I love the structure and flow of this piece.  Its repetitive nature makes it songlike and enchanting.  It feels creepy and ethereal when read aloud.  I understand this help memorization of what was likely an oral myth for a long time before it was written.  But it also adds to the beauty of the piece.