Among the many goddesses, gods, sukkals and spiritual entities in ancient Mesopotamia are the grim ghosts, gods and demons who dwell in the Underworld, the infernal domain of the Goddess Queen Ereshkigal. She rules c. 2900 BCE and fades from mention c. 600 BCE, a reign of over twenty centuries.
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Described in some sources as a monster goddess, she's sensual and attractive in others. She has domain over the souls, demons and deities of the land beyond Death. Her Hurrian equivalent is Allani. Among the Hittites she's equated with the Goddess Lelwani, separately or in connection with the Sun Goddess of the Earth.
The Underworld is also called Kur, Irkalla in Sumerian and Erṣetu in Akkadian. During the Bronze Age, Mesopotamia (Iraq, Kuwait, Turkey, Syria) and Anatolia (Turkey) are among the most progressive cultures. As civilization grows, so do pantheons and supernatural powers.
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In the Underworld, the Goddess Ereshkigal holds court. As a widespread deity she enjoys considerable power and popularity in the mortal world. In her realm, besides the demons and dead are Underworld deities such as the God Neti the gatekeeper, and the Goddess Belet-Seri.
Belet-Seri is the sukkal and scribe of Queen Ereshkigal. Her Sumerian counterpart is Geshtinanna. Also a goddess in her own right, Belet-Seri places high on God lists and accepts offerings especially of fowl.
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In the cavernous chambers of the royal court, deep beyond the ken of mortal men, Belet-Seri notes down names of the dead and reason for their arrival. The life one lives has no effect on the conditions of one's death. It's fairly monotonous. All is joyless, without color. There is no social life.
No judgment is given, unlike the afterlife of ancient Egypt. People perish and appear in front of Ereshkigal. She declares them dead, and their names are noted down by Belet-Seri, or her scribal counterpart Geshtinanna.
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Unfortunately, the souls in the Underworld have only dry dust to eat. Families of the deceased must ritually pour libations through a clay pipe into the grave. This allows the dead to drink. People even begin to have larger families, to be sure the living number enough to care for the dead.
How one lives has no effect in the Underworld, but how one is buried means everything. Souls with no one to care for them after life exist in a shadow world.
Poor people, who can't afford a large burial, wear rags and have a more difficult time than those buried with riches, who can sit back in luxury. However the misfortunate or unhappy can go out and haunt the living to make their displeasure known.
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Like the Memphis necropolis of the Egyptians, royal tombs give rise to entire cities of the dead, where the deceased can dwell for eternity. Living relatives can visit and leave offerings to aid the well-being of a departed soul. One can make a temple offering for the good of the deceased also.
As pantheons grow, priest/esses and scribes create god lists, offering lists or kaluti on clay tablets, showing each deity's place in the hierarchy, associated sukkals and entourage. The lists outline the sacrifices to be made to the god/dess, when and in what quantity.
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Worshippers who need divine intervention may not be allowed into the temples or ziggurats of the powerful gods. Priests and priestesses can have a word with the god on behalf of the mortals. It's best to honor that god/dess's sukkal as well.
The sukkal is a deity, animal, hybrid or magical entity who serves as attendant, intermediary, envoy and advisor. If the God is not receptive, sometimes favors can be acquired through the sukkal.
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In one myth Ereshkigal kills Inanna, her sister, when Inanna comes to the Underworld to ask a favor. Fortunately Inanna asks her overworld entourage to come and get her if she's not back after three days. They come for Inanna, argue with Ereshkigal, but in the end resurrect her.
When she flees the Underworld she's pursued by galla or gallu demons. These creatures are responsible for dragging unwilling souls into the land of the dead. They're part of Ereshkigal's personal pantheon. Inanna and her rescuers get away, and return to the realm of the living.
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