Inanna and Enki: the Giving of the Sacred Measures

Inanna’s Ambition and Journey to Eridu

Inanna, queen of heaven and tutelary goddess of Uruk was eager to enhance the welfare and prosperity of her city. She aimed to make Uruk the center of Sumerian civilization, thereby exalting her own name and fame. Determined to achieve this, she decided to visit Eridu, the ancient and venerable seat of Sumerian culture. In Eridu resided Enki, the Lord of Wisdom, who "knows the very heart of the gods" and dwells in the watery abyss known as the Abzu. Enki was in charge of all the divine decrees fundamental to civilization.
Inanna believed that if she could obtain these decrees, by any means necessary, and bring them to Uruk, its glory—and her own—would be unmatched.

Utu and Inanna, twin gods of Sumerian mythology

Enki Welcomes Inanna

Inanna and Enki: The Giving of the Sacred Me

As Inanna approached the Abzu of Eridu, Enki, undoubtedly charmed by her presence, called his messenger Isimud and instructed him:

"Come, my messenger Isimud, give ear to my instructions. A word I will say to thee, take my word. The maid, all alone, has directed her step to the Abzu. Inanna, all alone, has directed her step to the Abzu. Have the maid enter the Abzu of Eridu. Have Inanna enter the Abzu of Eridu. Give her to eat barley cake with butter. Pour for her cold water that freshens the heart. Give her to drink date-wine in the 'face of the lion.' At the pure table, the table of heaven, speak to Inanna words of greeting."

Enki-Isumud in Eridu

Isimud obeyed his master's orders exactly, and Inanna and Enki sat down to feast. After their hearts had become happy with drink, Enki exclaimed:

O name of my power, O name of my power, To the pure Inanna, my daughter, I shall present... Lordship, godship, the tiara exalted and enduring, the throne of kingship.

The Sacred Decrees Are Given

Sacred Me (Divine Powers) Given to Inanna

The following table summarizes key “Me” — sacred decrees symbolizing divine powers — that were transferred from Enki to Inanna during her legendary visit to Eridu.

Sacred Me (Divine Power)	Symbolic Function
Kingship & Throne	Political authority and rulership
Priesthood	Religious structure and rites
Weaponry & Warfare	Power, defense, and control
Music, Art, and Joy	Culture, festivals, and identity
Justice & Truth	Legal systems and morality
Writing & Scribes	Knowledge and recordkeeping
Architecture & Tools	Craftsmanship and urban development
Wisdom & Counsel	Guidance and divine insight
Love & Sexuality	Reproduction and emotional power

Pure Inanna accepted these gifts. Enki continued:

O name of my power, O name of my power, To the pure Inanna, my daughter, I shall present... The exalted scepter, staffs, the exalted shrine, shepherdship, kingship.

Pure Inanna took these gifts as well. Enki proceeded to present her with over one hundred divine decrees that formed the basis of Sumerian civilization.

These decrees included aspects such as lordship, godship, the exalted and enduring crown, and the throne of kingship. Additionally, they encompassed the exalted scepter, the exalted shrine, shepherdship, and kingship, all of which were central to leadership and governance in Sumerian civilization.

Numerous priestly offices were also among the decrees, alongside principles of truth and the ability to descend into and ascend from the nether world. Other significant decrees included the "standard," the flood, and aspects of human life such as sexual intercourse and prostitution, as well as the legal and libellous tongues.

The decrees further extended to art, holy cult chambers, the "hierodule of heaven," music, eldership, and heroism. They also covered power, enmity, straightforwardness, and the destruction of cities, as well as emotional expressions like lamentation, rejoicing, and falsehood.

In addition, the decrees addressed societal principles such as the rebel land, goodness, and justice, as well as various crafts, including those of the carpenter, metal worker, scribe, smith, leather worker, mason, and basket weaver.

Wisdom and understanding were equally significant, alongside purification, fear and outcry, kindling and consuming flames, and weariness. The decrees even included the shout of victory, counsel, the troubled heart, judgment and decision, exuberance, and musical instruments.

Inanna-Isimud-Enki

Enki’s Regret and Pursuit

Inanna eagerly accepted the gifts offered by the drunken Enki, loaded them onto her "boat of heaven," and set off for Uruk with her precious cargo. However, once the effects of the banquet wore off, Enki noticed that the divine decrees were missing.

He turned to Isimud, who informed him that he, Enki, had presented them to Inanna. Upset, Enki regretted his generosity and decided to prevent the "boat of heaven" from reaching Uruk at all costs.

He dispatched Isimud along with a group of sea monsters to intercept Inanna and her boat at the first of the seven stopping stations between the Abzu of Eridu and Uruk.

The sea monsters were to seize the "boat of heaven" from Inanna, but she herself was to be allowed to continue her journey to Uruk on foot.

The passage detailing Enki's instructions to Isimud and Isimud's conversation with Inanna, who reproached her father Enki is considered a classic poetic gem:

The prince calls his messenger Isimud.. Enki gives the word to the "good name of heaven": "Oh my messenger Isimud, 'my good name of heaven'." Isimud responds, "Oh my king Enki, here I stand, forever in praise." Enki inquires, "The 'boat of heaven,' where now has it arrived?" Isimud replies, "At the quay Idal it has arrived." Enki instructs, "Go, and let the sea monsters seize it from her."

Isimud and Inanna

Isimud does as instructed, overtakes the "boat of heaven," and says to Inanna,

"Oh my queen, thy father has sent me to thee. Oh Inanna, thy father has sent me to thee. Thy father, exalted is his speech, Enki, exalted is his utterance. His great words are not to go unheeded.

Holy Inanna answers, "My father, what has he spoken to thee, what has he said to thee? His great words that are not to go unheeded, what pray are they.?"

Isimud responds, "My king has spoken to me, Enki has said to me: 'Let Inanna go to Uruk, but thou, bring me back the "boat of heaven" to Eridu'

Holy Inanna questions, "My father, why pray has he changed his word to me, why has he broken his righteous word to me, why has he defiled his great words to me? My father has spoken to me falsehood, has spoken to me falsehood. Falsely has he uttered the name of his power, the name of the Abzu."

Ninshubur’s Heroic Interventions

Barely had she uttered these words when the sea monsters seized the "boat of heaven." Inanna then called to her messenger Ninshubur, "Come, my true messenger of Eanna, my messenger of favorable words, my carrier of true words, whose hand never falters, whose foot never falters, save the 'boat of heaven,' and Inanna's presented decrees."

Ninshubur-Inanna

Ninshubur complied, but Enki was persistent. He sent Isimud with various sea monsters to seize the "boat of heaven" at each of the seven stopping points between Eridu and Uruk. Each time, Ninshubur came to Inanna's rescue.

Inanna’s Triumph in Uruk

Finally, Inanna and her boat arrived safely at Uruk. Amidst jubilation and feasting by its delighted inhabitants, she unloaded the divine decrees one by one.

The poem concludes with a speech addressed by Enki to Inanna. However, the text is significantly damaged, making it unclear whether his words were reconciliatory or retaliatory.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What are the "Me" in Sumerian mythology?
A1: The "Me" are sacred decrees or divine powers that represent fundamental aspects of civilization, such as kingship, music, law, and craftsmanship.

Q2: Why did Enki give the Me to Inanna?
A2: While under the influence of wine, Enki willingly gave the Me to Inanna as gifts, unaware of the full consequences of transferring divine authority to Uruk.

Q3: What is the role of Ninshubur in this myth?
A3: Ninshubur, Inanna’s loyal vizier, repeatedly protected the Boat of Heaven from Enki’s sea monsters, ensuring its safe arrival to Uruk.

Q4: Why did Enki regret giving away the Me?
A4: After sobering up, Enki realized he had lost control over the Me and tried to reclaim them, fearing a shift in cosmic and political power toward Inanna.

Q5: What does the story reveal about Inanna?
A5: The myth portrays Inanna as ambitious, intelligent, and politically savvy—asserting her dominance and elevating Uruk through divine authority.

References
1. Farber-Flügge, Gertrud. Der Mythos "Inanna und Enki" unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Liste der "Me". Rome, 1973.

2. Kramer, Samuel Noah. Sumerian Mythology: A Study of Spiritual and Literary Achievement in the Third Millennium B.C. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1961. Reprint, 1998.

3. Wolkstein, Diane, and Samuel Noah Kramer. Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer. New York: Harper & Row, 1983.

4. Black, Jeremy, and Anthony Green. Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia: An Illustrated Dictionary. London: British Museum Press, 1992.

5. Bottéro, Jean. Mesopotamian Myths. Translated by Teresa Lavender Fagan. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2001.

6. Göttner-Abendroth, Heide. Inanna, Gilgamesch, Isis, Rhea – Die großen Göttinnenmythen Sumers, Ägyptens und Griechenlands. Königstein: Ulrike Helmer Verlag, 2004.