=== 征服と庇護 ===
『イナンナとエンキ』([http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=t.1.3.1#%20t.1.3.1 ETCSL t.1.3.1]) はシュメール語で書かれた長編詩で、ウル第三王朝(紀元前2112年頃 - 紀元前2004年頃)のものと考えられる<ref>Leick, 1998, page90</ref>。イナンナが水と人間の文化の神エンキから聖なるメスを奪う物語が書かれている。イナンナが水と人間の文化の神エンキから聖なるメーを奪う物語が書かれている<ref>Kramer, 1961, page66</ref>。古代シュメール神話では、メーは人間の文明を存在させる神々に属する神聖な力、または財産とされていた<ref>Black, Green, 1992, page130</ref>。
''Inanna and Enki'' (ETCSL [http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=t.1.3.1# t.1.3.1]) is a lengthy poem written in Sumerian, which may date to the Third Dynasty of Ur (c. 2112 BCE – c. 2004 BCE); it tells the story of how Inanna stole the sacred ''[[Me (mythology)|mes]]'' from [[Enki]], the god of water and human culture. In ancient Sumerian mythology, the ''mes'' were sacred powers or properties belonging to the gods that allowed human civilization to exist.{{sfn|Black|Green|1992|page=130}} Each ''me'' embodied one specific aspect of human culture.{{sfn|Black|Green|1992|page=130}} These aspects were very diverse and the ''mes'' listed in the poem include abstract concepts such as [[Truth]], [[Victory]], and Counsel, technologies such as [[writing]] and [[weaving]], and also social constructs such as [[law]], priestly offices, kingship, and [[prostitution]]. The ''mes'' were believed to grant power over all the aspects of [[civilization]], both positive and negative.{{sfn|Kramer|1961|page=66}}
In the myth, Inanna travels from her own city of [[Uruk]] to Enki's city of [[Eridu]], where she visits his temple, the [[Abzu|E-Abzu]].{{sfn|Kramer|1961|page=65}} Inanna is greeted by Enki's ''sukkal'', [[Isimud]], who offers her food and drink.{{sfn|Kramer|1961|pages=65–66}}{{sfn|Wolkstein|Kramer|1983|pages=13–14}} Inanna starts up a drinking competition with Enki.{{sfn|Kramer|1961|page=66}}{{sfn|Wolkstein|Kramer|1983|page=14}} Then, once Enki is thoroughly intoxicated, Inanna persuades him to give her the ''mes''.{{sfn|Kramer|1961|page=66}}{{sfn|Wolkstein|Kramer|1983|pages=14–20}} Inanna flees from Eridu in the Boat of Heaven, taking the ''mes'' back with her to Uruk.{{sfn|Kramer|1961|pages=66–67}}{{sfn|Wolkstein|Kramer|1983|page=20}} Enki wakes up to discover that the mes are gone and asks Isimud what has happened to them.{{sfn|Kramer|1961|pages=66–67}}{{sfn|Wolkstein|Kramer|1983|pages=20–21}} Isimud replies that Enki has given all of them to Inanna.{{sfn|Kramer|1961|page=67}}{{sfn|Wolkstein|Kramer|1983|page=21}} Enki becomes infuriated and sends multiple sets of fierce monsters after Inanna to take back the ''mes'' before she reaches the city of Uruk.{{sfn|Kramer|1961|pages=67–68}}{{sfn|Wolkstein|Kramer|1983|pages=20–24}} Inanna's ''sukkal'' [[Ninshubur]] fends off all of the monsters that Enki sends after them.{{sfn|Kramer|1961|page=68}}{{sfn|Wolkstein|Kramer|1983|pages=20–24}}{{sfn|Pryke|2017|page=94}} Through Ninshubur's aid, Inanna successfully manages to take the ''mes'' back with her to the city of Uruk.{{sfn|Kramer|1961|page=68}}{{sfn|Wolkstein|Kramer|1983|pages=24–25}} After Inanna escapes, Enki reconciles with her and bids her a positive farewell.{{sfn|Wolkstein|Kramer|1983|pages=26–27}} It is possible that this legend may represent a historic transfer of power from the city of [[Eridu]] to the city of [[Uruk]].{{sfn|Harris|1991|pages= 261–278}}{{sfn|Green|2003|page=74}} It is also possible that this legend may be a symbolic representation of Inanna's maturity and her readiness to become the [[Queen of Heaven (antiquity)|Queen of Heaven]].{{sfn|Wolkstein| Kramer|1983|page=146-150}}