CLT-3378 Lecture Notes - Lecture 25: Enkidu, Akkadian Literature, Shamhat
Document Summary
Date of work : 1400 and 700 bce (two versions) Work read : descent of isthar to the underworld. Language of work : akkadian: underworld, various names, one name: kurnugi = land of no return , another name: irkalla, where souls of deceased go (afterlife realm) Usually 7 gates to underworld"s entrance- place of no return. You do not want anyone to return from the underworld, anxiety from mesopotamian culture about coming back from the underworld. Each entrance has a guard, an underworld spirit (demons) Usually no river to cross; different from greek underground. A place characterized by dust rather than dampness like greek underworld. Ereshkigal; looks over the underworld: name = queen of the great below , queen of underworld, ereshkigal = also known as irkalla, thus, region called irkalla after her (cf. Hel; hades: palace at ganzir (at underworld"s entrance, guarded by (usually) 7 gates, each with guard, at entrance to afterlife realm.
