Paradise Lost to Lust?

In the previous installment, we looked at evidence that the myth of Prometheus — indeed the fall of the Titans to the Olympians — might be yet another story that the Greeks inherited from time immemorial about the fall of the Sumerian dynasty to the Akkadian usurper, Sargon.


But as it happens, the Greeks weren’t the only ones retelling those stories…

One curious detail you see in the histories is Sargon’s alliance with Inanna/Ishtar, which Sargon’s poet- propagandist daughter, Enheduanna, was keen to make famous. Somehow, Sargon’s alliance with this goddess was the key to his military victories.

Is this in fact a reference to Sargon’s relationship with Lugalzagesi’s wife, who was regarded as the physical incarnation of Inanna by the Sumerians?

If Sargon did in fact form some kind of pact with Zagesi’s wife — romantic or political — it would go a long way to explaining why these allies became enemies, and how a gardener turned cup-bearer was able to defeat the far more experienced warrior, Lugalzagesi. There was a spy in the House of Love, as it were.

SICK BURN

Unfortunately, Sargon’s alliance with “Inanna” didn’t do the goddess’ reputation any favors when the Sumerians finally regained power (spoiler alert) after the fall of Sargon’s dynasty.

Case in point: In the Epic of Gilgamesh, written during the Sumerian reconquista, Inanna propositions the Sumerian King in this famous exchange:

“Come here, Gilgamesh,” Ishtar said, “marry me, and give me your luscious fruits, be my husband, be my sweet man. I will give you abundance beyond your dreams: […]

When you enter my temple and its cedar fragrance, high priests will bow down and kiss your feet, kings and princes will kneel before you, bringing you tribute from east and west.

And I will bless everything that you own, […] These are the least of the gifts I will shower upon you. Come here. Be my sweet man.”

Gilgamesh said, “Your price is too high, such riches are beyond my means. Tell me, how could I ever repay you, even if I gave you jewels, perfumes, rich robes? And what will happen to me when your heart turns elsewhere and your lust burns out? […]

“Which of your husbands did you love forever? Which could satisfy your endless desires?

Damn. That’s what the kids used to call a “sick burn.” And highly revealing.

Read the rest here, on the house.