== 冥界への降下 ==
イナンナ/イシュタルの冥界への降臨の物語には、ウル第三王朝(前2112年頃 - 前2004年)のシュメール語版([http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/section1/tr141.htm%201.4.1 ETCSL 1.4.1])<ref>Kramer, 1961, pages83–86</ref><ref>Wolkstein, Kramer, 1983, pages127–135</ref><ref>Kramer, 1961, pages83–86</ref><ref>Wolkstein, Kramer, 1983, pages127–135</ref>と前2千年初頭<ref>Kramer, 1961, pages83–86</ref><ref>Wolkstein, Kramer, 1983, pages127–135</ref>に派生したことが明らかなアッカド語版の2種類のバージョンが残っている<ref>Brandão, 2019, アッカド語の詩がシュメール語の詩を要約あるいは歪曲したに過ぎないという意見には反対であるが、相互文通の関係には疑問の余地はない。, pp19, 65–67</ref>。シュメール語版の物語は、後のアッカド語版の3倍近い長さがあり、より詳細な内容が含まれている<ref>Dalley, 1989, page154</ref>。
Two different versions of the story of Inanna/Ishtar's [[Katabasis|descent into the underworld]] have survived: a Sumerian version dating to the [[Third Dynasty of Ur]] (circa 2112 BCE – 2004 BCE) (ETCSL [http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/section1/tr141.htm 1.4.1]) and a clearly derivative Akkadian version from the early second millennium BCE. The Sumerian version of the story is nearly three times the length of the later Akkadian version and contains much greater detail.{{sfn|Dalley|1989|page=154}} ===Sumerian versionシュメール語版 ===
In [[Sumerian religion]], the ''[[Kur]]'' was conceived of as a dark, dreary cavern located deep underground;{{sfn|Choksi|2014}} life there was envisioned as "a shadowy version of life on earth".{{sfn|Choksi|2014}} It was ruled by Inanna's sister, the goddess [[Ereshkigal]].{{sfn|Black|Green|1992|page=77}}{{sfn|Choksi|2014}} Before leaving, Inanna instructs her minister and servant [[Ninshubur]] to plead with the deities [[Enlil]], [[Sin (mythology)|Nanna]], [[Anu|An]], and [[Enki]] to rescue her if she does not return after three days.{{sfn|Kramer|1961|pages=86–87}}{{sfn|Penglase|1994|page=17}} The laws of the underworld dictate that, with the exception of appointed messengers, those who enter it may never leave.{{sfn|Kramer|1961|pages=86–87}} Inanna dresses elaborately for the visit; she wears a turban, wig, [[lapis lazuli]] necklace, beads upon her breast, the '''pala'' dress' (the ladyship garment), mascara, a pectoral, and golden ring, and holds a lapis lazuli [[measuring rod]].{{sfn|Kramer|1961|page=88}}{{sfn|Wolkstein|Kramer|1983|page=56}} Each garment is a representation of a powerful ''me'' she possesses.{{sfn|Wolkstein|Kramer|1983|page=157}}