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Updated: May 12, 2025
If it be recalled that Nergal, the chief god of the lower world, is also pictured as a lion, it seems but natural to conclude that the monster covering the one side of the tablet is none other than the consort of Allatu, the heads on either side of him representing his attendants. The goddess and the demon at her side direct their gaze towards these objects.
Ishtar, it will be observed, is here called the daughter of the moon-god, whereas in the Gilgamesh epic she appears as the daughter of Anu, the god of heaven. Both designations reflect the views developed in the schools, and prove that the story has been produced under scholastic influences. Irkalla is one of the names for a god of the nether world, who is regarded as the associate of Allatu.
Allatu could not be set aside, for the belief in her power was too strongly imbedded in the popular mind; but a male consort could be given her who might rule with her.
But the most valuable conclusion to be drawn from the Nergal-Allatu tale is that, according to the popular conceptions, the real and older head of the pantheon of the lower world was a goddess, and not a god. Allatu takes precedence of Nergal. In the story of Ishtar's descent to the lower world, a trace of the earlier view survives. Allatu is introduced as the ruler of the lower world.
The disease expresses the same idea as the removal of the ornaments, decay of strength. There follows a description of the desolation on earth during Ishtar's sojourn with Allatu. Productivity comes to a standstill. The ox does not mount the cow, the ass does not bend over the she-ass. Among mankind, likewise, fertility ceases. The gods lament the absence of Ishtar and the fate that overtook her.
A text calls the entire group of demons, the demon of wasting disease, the demon of fever, the demon of erysipelas, and the like, 'the offspring of Aralû, 'the sons and messengers of Namtar, the bearers of destruction for Allatu. These demons are sent out from Aralû to plague the living, but once they have brought their victims to Aralû, their task is done. They do not trouble the dead.
He will not be permitted to enter either city or house, but must remain at the wall or stop at the threshold. Properly prepared food and drink are to be denied him. He shall starve or perish miserably. But the mission of Uddushu-namir has been accomplished. Allatu may curse as she pleases; the order of Ea must be obeyed. The goddess Allalu opened her mouth and spoke.
Again, the demons being in some cases the ghosts of the departed, or such as hover around graves, Nin-kigal, or Allatu, the mistress of the lower world, is an important ally, whose aid is desired in the struggle against the evil spirits.
The latter stand, as we have seen, under the direct control of the gods. The story of Ishtar's descent to the lower world shows us that the group of spirits known as the Anunnaki, also, belong to the court of Nergal and Allatu.
Their power, however, is limited. They are subject to the orders of the gods whose dominion is the lower world, more particularly to Nergal and his consort Allatu. In the advanced eschatology of the Babylonians the demons play a minor part. It is with the gods that the dead man must make his peace.
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