Mesopotamia Flashcards
Irkalla
Irkalla is an Ancient Mesopotamian belief, and one of the first ideas of where one goes after you die. Irkalla is a commonplace for everyone, regardless of their social status or what they have done in their lifetime.
Ereshkigal
The queen of the land of the dead / ruler of Irkalla- Also unable to leave, she is considered a prisoner to Irkalla
The Burney Relief
The Burney Relief was a terracotta plaque from 1800 BCE and possibly a depiction of Ereshkigal. The frontal presentation of nudity, wings, and a horned crown are features that often appear together in Mesopotamian depictions of this goddess
Nergal
Ereshkigal’s Consort- He resisted temptation until Ereshkigal seduced him, and when they proposed marriage plans he promised to return to the underworld if he can return to the world above to announce their betrothal. Once he ascends to the great above, he refuses to return to the great below. Ereshkigal threatens sending the dead to devour the living, and will make the dead more numerous than the living if Nergal doesn’t come back. Forced to return, they live together
Dumuzi
originally a shepherd consort of her sister goddess, Inanna / Ishtar, but also sometimes considered Ereshkigal’s consort. Dumuzi has to stay in the underworld for half the year, but he returns to the over world the other half.
Dying Vegetation God/Goddess Myth
A type of story where someone has to spend part of every year in the land of the dead to explain the changing seasons
The Epic of Gilgamesh
The world’s First and Oldest Story- a story about Gilgamesh, who was once a tyrant, becoming ‘good’ due to an encounter with someone of equal power. After his partner dies, he attempts to become immortal along with his kingdom and learns about the afterlife.
Enkidu
A powerful wildman that the Gods sent down to rival Gilgamesh- He became best friends with Gilgamesh as a result
Belet-Seri
The scribe of the earth: she is responsible for keeping the records of the dead who enter the underworld
Utnapishtim
The only man who has achieved immortality- avoided a cataclysmic flood by the Gods and because of his achievement was given immortality
Dilmun
the island where Utnapishtim resides
The Snake
A snake that takes the plant of immortality from Gilgamesh and eats it; escapes by shedding its skin.
(Shedding skin often a symbol of immortality- shedding the old version and a new version emerges)
The 12th Tablet
The Epic of Gilgamesh traditionally ends there (11 tablets), but there’s a 12th tablet; Enkidu volunteers to go to the underworld but falls to temptation so he is forced to live in IrkallaThe more sons you have, the better life is going to be in the afterlife. Nergal opens a hole between the two worlds so Gilgamesh can speak with the shade of his dead friend. There, Gilgamesh learns about what the afterlife is like.
Pukku and Mikku
No direct translation what it is, textbook believes it refers to testicles and penis
Enlil, Sin and Ea
The Gods Gilgamesh appeals to when he attempts to get Enkidu Back:
Enlil, the god of the wind
Sin, the god of the moon
Ea, the god of water
