Enmerkar

Inanna and Enmerkar

"Inanna and Enmerkar" is an ancient Sumerian story that explores the relationship between the goddess Inanna and the legendary king Enmerkar of Uruk.

A legendary king of Uruk, Enmerkar is credited with founding the city and establishing its dominance.

Enmerkar was an ancient Sumerian ruler, credited with founding the city of Uruk and allegedly reigning for 420 years.

Sumerian legend attributes the invention of writing to him, with an ancient text stating that Enmerkar, finding his messenger unable to repeat a message, "patted some clay and put words on it, like a tablet." This is the earliest recorded story of writing's invention.

The story begins with Enmerkar, the king of Uruk, who desires to expand his influence and bring the city of Aratta, known for its wealth and resources, under his control.

Enmerkar, seeking to subdue Aratta, sends a messenger to the city's ruler with a demand to submit to Uruk's authority.

The messenger is instructed to deliver a lengthy message, inscribed on a clay tablet, to the ruler of Aratta, highlighting Enmerkar's divine right to rule and his connection with Inanna.

He challenges Enmerkar to prove his worthiness by performing a series of difficult tasks, including the construction of a ziggurat (a type of massive structure built in ancient Mesopotamia) and the delivery of large quantities of precious materials from Aratta to Uruk.

Throughout the story, Inanna plays a crucial role as a mediator and supporter of Enmerkar.

Her favor is seen as essential for Enmerkar's success.

In some versions of the story, Inanna even travels between the two cities, assisting Enmerkar in his endeavors and negotiating with the ruler of Aratta.

Eventually, through a combination of divine favor and Enmerkar's persistence, Aratta is subdued, and its ruler agrees to submit to Uruk's authority.

The story ends with Enmerkar's victory, solidifying Uruk's power and further establishing the city as a center of Inanna's worship.

Lines 11-15: "Enmerkar, the son of Utu, the king of Unug (Uruk), the lord of Kulaba, Enmerkar, the king of Unug, who made the neck-stock of the people of Aratta bow, He determined that the people of Aratta should be subjected to him, that they should bear the heavy yoke.

At that time, the people of Aratta had refused to submit to Enmerkar's rule.

Inanna, the exalted mistress, the queen of heaven and earth, instructed Enmerkar on what to do."

Lines 16-20: "Enmerkar, the son of Utu, called upon his minister, His minister who was familiar with the words of Aratta.

Say to him: "The lord of Kulaba, Enmerkar, the son of Utu, has sent me to you."' The lord of Kulaba has brought together the people of Uruk, who are numerous as the stars."

Lines 26-30: "Enmerkar has made Uruk resplendent, like the shining of heaven.

Lines 31-35: "Inanna, the exalted mistress, the lady of all the lands, has chosen Enmerkar, The lord of Kulaba, the king of Unug, for her favor.

How should we answer Enmerkar?' His ministers, his counselors, his wise men spoke to him.

They said, 'Let us test the strength of Enmerkar.

He sent his own messenger to Enmerkar with these words: 'If you are indeed favored by the gods, if your power is great, Then bring us the lapis lazuli, the stone of the sky, which is hidden in the mountains.

Lines 51-55: "The messenger returned to Enmerkar, the lord of Kulaba.

Enmerkar heard these words and smiled.

Lines 56-60: "Enmerkar spoke to Inanna: 'O my lady, what shall I do?

Lines 61-65: "Inanna, the exalted mistress, the lady of all the lands, Heard the plea of Enmerkar, the lord of Kulaba.

She spoke to him in a dream, saying, 'Enmerkar, my beloved, Do not be afraid.

Enmerkar gathered his men and set out for the mountains.

Lines 71-75: "Enmerkar sent his messenger to the lord of Aratta, With the lapis lazuli, the stone of the sky, as a gift.

The messenger entered the city of Aratta and spoke to its lord: 'Enmerkar, the lord of Kulaba, has sent me to you with this gift.

He said, 'Truly, Enmerkar is favored by the gods.

They traveled across the mountains, through the desert, Until they reached the city of Unug, where Enmerkar awaited them."

Lines 86-90: "The lord of Aratta himself came before Enmerkar, And bowed low before him, in submission and respect.

He said, 'O Enmerkar, lord of Kulaba, king of Unug, We have come to offer our tribute, as you have commanded.

Lines 91-95: "Enmerkar received the tribute and accepted the submission of Aratta.

She blessed Enmerkar and his people, and they prospered.

Lines 101-105: "Thus ends the tale of Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta.