The Epic of Creation and The Descent of Inanna - Essay Example

“The Epic of Creation” and “The Descent of Inanna” “The Epic of Creation” is a Babylonian version of how the world was created, consisting of several tablets and a little over a thousand lines. It has gained attention because it is important in the theogenic and cosmogenic views of the Mesopotamians, and they have similar features to the first two chapters of Genesis (Heidel 1). It narrates the story of the existence of parents begetting gods and goddesses, their struggles with each other, and the resolutions.

The literature, despite some unclear parts, has been interpreted to present the universe in an organized system from its origins to its present state. There are also contentions that the story does not solely present an account of creation, but also recognizes Marduk as a supreme being above all other gods. “The Descent of Inanna” is derived from a Sumerian poem which tells the story of a heroine who goes into the underworld and back. Scholars have interpreted the literature differently, but some parts of the text are given certain emphasis.

It is noticed that Inanna wore clothing and jewelry that convey her status and power. However, she was silenced as these were stripped off from her in the underworld, and she died. She became alive again with the help of a male deity, and providing a substitute for her place in the underworld. Inanna ruled the heavens and the earth, while Ereshkigal ruled the underworld. Until the end of the poem, its focus is not clear, but implying that it has changed over time (Stuckey). Works Cited Heidel, Alexander.

The Babylonian Genesis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1963. Print. Stuckey, Johanna. “Inanna’s Descent to the Underworld.” Matri Focus 4.3 (2005): n. pag. Web. 26 Jan. 2011. .