Inanna & Ishtar: History, Mystery, and Mythology

Who are Inanna and Ishtar in Sumerian and Mesopotamian mythology? What is the mystery of Inanna's descent into the underworld? How does Inanna's journey to the underworld reflect Sumerian beliefs about life and death? What role does Ereshkigal play in Inanna's descent to the underworld? What are the key symbolic elements in the story of Inanna's descent? How is Inanna connected to the goddess Ishtar? What is the significance of Inanna's transformation into Ishtar in Mesopotamian mythology? How do the stories of Inanna and Ishtar reflect ancient views on femininity, queerness, gender fluidity and power? What lessons can be drawn from the story of Inanna's descent into the underworld? CONNECT & SUPPORT💖 - WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER 💌 https://drangelapuca.com/#newsletter - BECOME MY PATRON! 🎩 https://www.patreon.com/angelapuca - ONE-OFF DONATIONS 💰 https://paypal.me/angelasymposium - JOIN MEMBERSHIPS 👥 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPSbip_LX2AxbGeAQfLp-Ig/join - MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL https://www.youtube.com/@drangelapuca/featured - MY STORE 🛍 https://drangelapuca.com/store - MY MERCH 👕 https://drangelapuca.creator-spring.com/ - Video Trascripts https://www.innersymposium.study/ 💬 FOLLOW ME👣 - YouTube (@drangelapuca)🌟 - Instagram (drangelapuca) 📸 - TikTok (Angela's Symposium) 🎵 - Twitter (@angelapuca11) 🐦 - Facebook (Dr Angela Puca) 👥 RECOMMENDED READINGS Ishtar (Gods and Heroes of the Ancient World) https://amzn.to/3CO2A57 Inanna, Lady of Largest Heart: Poems of the Sumerian High Priestess Enheduanna https://amzn.to/43UDoFL The Treasures of Darkness: A History of Mesopotamian Religion https://amzn.to/3qW30DH MY SET-UP 🛠 - Canon 90D camera 📸 https://amzn.to/3yQclh0 - Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 📷 https://amzn.to/3JjU1BS - Teleprompter 🗒 https://amzn.to/3linWCB - Shure SM7B Microphone 🎙 https://amzn.to/3Jm5IYK - Microphone stand 🎤 https://amzn.to/3FueJOn - Lights 💡 https://amzn.to/3Zdk8k1 - DJI Wireless microphones 📡 https://amzn.to/3NWAVVQ REFERENCES Black, J. A., Cunningham, G., Fluckiger-Hawker, E., Robson, E. and Zólyomi, G. (1998) Inana’s descent to the nether world: translation [Online]. Available at https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/section1/tr141.htm (Accessed 17 June 2023). Collins, P. (1994) ‘The Sumerian Goddess Inanna (3400-2200 BC)’, Papers from the Institute of Archaeology, University College London (UCL), vol. 5, no. 0 [Online]. DOI: 10.5334/pia.57 (Accessed 16 June 2023). Harris, R. (1991) ‘Inanna-Ishtar as Paradox and a Coincidence of Opposites’, History of Religions, University of Chicago Press, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 261–278. Kramer, S. N. (1971) The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character, Chicago, IL, University of Chicago Press [Online]. Available at https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/S/bo27481022.html (Accessed 17 June 2023). Laneri, N. (2002) ‘The Discovery of a Funerary Ritual: Inanna/Ishtar and Her Descent to the Nether World in Titriş Höyük, Turkey’, East and West, Istituto Italiano per l’Africa e l’Oriente (IsIAO), vol. 52, no. 1/4, pp. 9–51. Stuckey, J. H. (2005) ‘Ancient Mother Goddesses and Fertility Cults’, Journal of the Motherhood Initiative for Research and Community Involvement [Online]. Available at https://jarm.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/jarm/article/view/4952 (Accessed 17 June 2023). 00:00 Introduction: The Goddess Inanna 02:18 Syncretism 03:43 The time scale and first mentions of Inanna in archaeology 06:52 The Sacred Marriage 07:52 The relationship between Inanna and Ishtar 09:16 King Sargon and Enheduanna 10:42 Representations and Interpretations of Inanna 15:18 The Descent of Inanna 18:10 Polarities and Contradictions 20:27 The concept of “Me” 21:56 Cultic celebrations 24:04 Conclusion and Dr Puca’s reflections 25:56 Support Angela’s Symposium Music by Erose MusicBand. Check them out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzSvugffKMs