Inanna and Ebih
(Edited & Condensed Version 1.00)
by James W. Bell © 2004
[ For the unedited text, click here. ]
[ For an edited but uncondensed version, click here. ]
I – An’s Tribute to Inanna
An said: “Holy Inanna, you roar like a lion
And devastate the people.”
The king of gods said: “Like a wild bull
You triumph over hostile lands.
“The black-headed people ring out in song
Through all the lands sweetly.
I praise the lady of battle,
Holy Inanna, daughter of Sin.
II –Inanna Is Snubbed by Ebih
Inanna announced: “When I was walking
Through the Lulubi Mountains
In Elam and Subir,
I came to the range called Ebih.
“I waited for the mountain to tremble
When I approached.
I waited for Ebih to give me honor
And praise me.
“But, as I neared the mountain,
It showed me no respect.
It did not put its nose to the ground
Nor rub its lips in the dust.
“Because it paid me no respect,
I will fill the mountain with terror
And bring it down
So it will never lift its neck again.”
III – Inanna's Appeal to An
Inanna, the daughter of Sin,
Put on her robe of royalty
And bedecked her forehead
With terror and fearful radiance.
She arranged carnelian rosettes
Around her holy throat
And went out
Brandishing her shita weapon
At dusk, the goddess followed the path
To the Gate of Wonder,
Where she made an offering to An
And addressed a prayer to him.
She said: “An, my father, I greet you!
You have made me terrifying among deities.
Thanks to you, my word has no rival
On earth or in heaven.”
“You have placed me at your right hand
And have asked me to make
Your throne and foundation firm,
And to take the harrow to rebel lands.
“I am ready to go on a campaign
And establish control over rebel mountains.
I want to surpass the other deities
And make your name known throughout the land.”
Holy Inanna asked the king of gods:
“How can it be that Ebih did not fear me?
The mountain range showed me no respect,
It did not bow nor put its lips to the ground.
“I will fill that mountain with terror.
I will put my battering rams against its sides.
I will storm it, shower it with stones,
And set fire to its forests.
“Like a city which An has cursed
And on which Enlil has frowned,
May it never against lift its head again;
May it tremble when I approach.”
IV – An's Caution to Inanna
An, the king of gods, spoke to Inanna:
“You demand the destruction of that mountain?
What are you thinking?
What are you taking on?
“Ebih has poured terror over
The abodes of the gods and Annunaki,
It has caused fear throughout the land.
Its arrogance extends to the center of heaven.
“Its magnificent trees are a wonder
To the roots of heaven.
Fruit flourishes in its gardens
And its luxuriance spreads outward.
“On Ebih, lions are abundant
Wild rams and stags freely roam.
Bulls feed upon mountain grass
And deer couple under cypress trees.
“Ebih’s radiance is fearful,
Inanna, you cannot oppose it.”
But the goddess was filled with rage
And would not be deterred.
V – Inanna Confronts Ebih
Inanna confronted the mountain range,
She advanced step by step.
She pulled out her dagger
And pressed it into its side.
Rocks clattered down its flanks,
From crevices, serpents spat venom.
She poured fire on its flanks
And made the smoke dense.
Inanna addressed Ebih:
“Mountain range, because of your height,
Because of your attractiveness,
Because of your wearing a holy garment,
Because of your reaching up to heaven,
I came to you.
“Because you did not bow to me
And put your nose to the ground,
Because you did not rub your lips in the dust,
I have killed you and brought you low”
“As with an elephant,
I have seized your tusks.
As with a bull,
I have forced your strength to the ground.
“I have caused tears in your eyes
And laments in you heart.
Birds of sorrow
Are building nests on your flanks.”
VI – Inanna’s Victory Report
For a second time, Inanna spoke to An:
“My grandfather Enlil
Has poured my terror
Over the heart of the mountain.”
“I have built a palace.
I have put a throne in place
And made its foundation firm.
I have imposed my victory on the mountain.”
“For destroying the insolence of Ebih,
Holy Inanna, daughter of Sin, be praised.”
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