Story Summary
Discover the myth of Nergal and Ereshkigal, where a divine insult leads to a passionate underworld romance and the crowning of the Sumerian King of the Dead.
When the gods held a great banquet in the heavens, Ereshkigal, the Queen of the Underworld, could not attend. She sent her vizier, Namtar, to claim her portion. While all the gods rose in respect, Nergal, the god of plague and war, remained seated. Enraged by this insult, Ereshkigal demanded Nergal be brought to the underworld to face her judgment. Advised by the wise Ea, Nergal descended through the seven gates, carrying a chair of wood to avoid the traps of the dead. Upon meeting Ereshkigal, he was struck by her power and beauty. Despite Ea's warning not to eat or drink in the land of no return, Nergal and Ereshkigal succumbed to passion, spending six days in each other's arms. On the seventh day, Nergal fled back to heaven. Heartbroken and furious, Ereshkigal threatened to raise the dead to devour the living unless he returned. Nergal descended once more, stormed her palace, and dragged her from her throne by the hair. But as they locked eyes, their fury turned back to desire. They married, and Nergal became the King of the Underworld, ruling forever by her side.
The Moral
True power and balance are found when two opposing forces find a common ground, often through the unexpected path of passion and mutual respect.
“I will raise up the dead, and they shall eat the living; I will make the dead outnumber the living!”
Fun Fact
In earlier versions of Sumerian myth, Ereshkigal ruled the underworld alone; this story served as a theological explanation for how the male god Nergal gained his position of power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Nergal and Ereshkigal?
The moral highlights how conflict can lead to transformation and that balance in the universe is achieved when disparate forces, like the heavens and the underworld, find union. It also suggests that destiny cannot be avoided even by the gods.
Why did Nergal have to go to the underworld?
Nergal was forced to descend because he insulted Ereshkigal's messenger, Namtar, by failing to stand in his presence during a divine banquet. This disrespect was seen as a personal slight against the Queen of the Dead herself.
Who is Ereshkigal in Sumerian mythology?
Ereshkigal is the formidable Queen of Irkalla, the Sumerian underworld. She is the older sister of Inanna and rules over the spirits of the deceased with absolute authority and strict laws.
How did Nergal become the King of the Underworld?
After falling in love with Ereshkigal and then fleeing, Nergal returned to the underworld under her threat of destroying the living. Their eventual marriage formalized his role as her equal and the King of the Dead.
What advice did Ea give to Nergal?
The god Ea warned Nergal not to eat the food, drink the water, or sit on the chairs of the underworld, as doing so would bind him to the realm of the dead forever.
How does this myth differ from Persephone's story?
Unlike the Greek myth of Persephone, which involves an abduction, the story of Nergal and Ereshkigal centers on a conflict that turns into a mutual, albeit volatile, partnership and marriage between two powerful deities.