Inanna and the Me
c. 1750 BCE · Old Babylonian · Nippur
Inanna and the Me concerns Inanna's cunning theft of the me — the divine decrees that govern all of civilisation — from the god Enki in his underwater palace at Eridu. Enki, captivated by Inanna's presence and somewhat drunk, lavishes her with me one after another: the high priesthood, descent to and ascent from the underworld, the sword and club, blacksmithship, the scribal arts, music, wisdom, the destruction of cities, lamentation, joy, deceit, the kindling of fire — more than a hundred divine offices. Inanna loads them onto the Boat of Heaven and sails for Uruk. When Enki sobers, he sends waves of sea monsters to intercept the boat at seven stopping points. Each time, Inanna's vizier Ninshubur fights them off. The boat arrives at Uruk, the foundations of civilised life are unloaded and celebrated. Enki, with no recourse, makes peace and visits Uruk for a feast.
notes
The itemised me form the most complete surviving list of Sumerian civilisational concepts. The theft narrative inverts the usual gender dynamic, with Inanna outmanoeuvring the god of wisdom.
currently held: University of Pennsylvania Museum; various
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