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Updated: June 12, 2025
The astronomical conception of Ishtar as the planet Venus, at this point, is apparent. The gods complain. Ishtar has descended to the earth, and has not come up. As a planet, Ishtar's seat is in the heavens. The disappearance of the planet has been combined with the nature-myth of the decay of vegetation.
The latter is obliged to admit Nergal, just as in the story of Ishtar's descent, she is forced to receive Ishtar. Fourteen gates of the lower world are mentioned. At each one, Nergal stations one of his companions and passes on to the house of Allatu. He seizes the goddess, drags her from her throne, and is about to kill her when she appeals for mercy.
The Babylonian thinkers were not alone in developing the view that the dead assumed the form of birds. Parallels to the pictures of the dead in the story of Ishtar's descent may be found in Egypt and elsewhere.
Gilgamesh and Eabani together proceed to the contest with the bull, as they formerly proceeded against Khumbaba. On seal cylinders this fight is frequently pictured. In agreement with the description in the narrative, Eabani takes hold of the tail of the animal, while Gilgamesh despatches him by driving a spear into the bull's heart. Ishtar's plan is thus frustrated.
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