How Inanna Obtained Enki's Sacred Powers in Sumerian Mythology

H. Moses H. Moses
In Sumerian mythology, some of the most important powers governing civilization were known as the Sacred Me. These divine decrees controlled kingship, law, writing, craftsmanship, religious authority, and many other aspects of organized society. According to the myth, these powers originally belonged to Enki, the god of wisdom, in his city of Eridu. The story begins when Inanna travels to meet him and ultimately brings the Sacred Me to Uruk, transforming her city into one of the great centers of civilization. More than a tale of rivalry between two gods, the myth explains how the ancient Sumerians understood the origins of culture, authority, and social order.

Utu and Inanna, twin gods of Sumerian mythology
Utu and Inanna, twin gods of Sumerian mythology

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.

Myth Overview

Aspect Details
Myth The Giving of the Sacred Me
Main Deities Inanna and Enki
Origin City Eridu
Destination City Uruk
Sacred Object The Me (Sacred Powers)
Key Theme Civilization, authority, culture, and divine order
Primary Source Inanna and Enki


Enki Welcomes Inanna

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
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
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."

 

The Sacred Me at a Glance

The Sacred Me were divine powers believed to govern every aspect of civilization in Sumerian mythology. They included kingship, writing, law, religious offices, craftsmanship, music, and social order. In this myth, Inanna obtains these powers from Enki and carries them from Eridu to Uruk, symbolizing the transfer of civilization and cultural authority.

 

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-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.


Key Takeaways

  • The Sacred Me represented the divine powers that governed civilization.
  • Enki originally guarded these powers in the city of Eridu.
  • Inanna traveled to Eridu seeking the Sacred Me for Uruk.
  • The Me included kingship, writing, law, music, craftsmanship, and religious authority.
  • After receiving the Sacred Me, Inanna transported them to Uruk by boat.
  • Enki later attempted to recover them but failed.
  • The myth explains how civilization and cultural authority came to Uruk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Inanna and the Sacred Me

What were the Sacred Me in Sumerian mythology?

The Sacred Me were divine powers and decrees that governed civilization, including kingship, law, writing, music, craftsmanship, and religious institutions.

Who owned the Sacred Me?

The Sacred Me originally belonged to Enki, the god of wisdom, who kept them in his sacred city of Eridu.

How did Inanna obtain the Sacred Me?

According to the myth, Inanna visited Enki in Eridu, where he granted her the Sacred Me during a banquet before later attempting to recover them.

Why did Inanna want the Sacred Me?

She sought them to increase the prosperity, prestige, and cultural importance of her city, Uruk.

What city received the Sacred Me?

The Sacred Me were ultimately brought to Uruk, which became one of the most important cities in Sumerian tradition.

What does the myth symbolize?

The story symbolizes the transfer of civilization, authority, and cultural achievements from one sacred center to another.

Why is this myth important?

It provides a Sumerian explanation for the origins of civilization and the rise of Uruk as a major cultural and religious center.

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Written by H. Moses

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H. Moses
H. Moses
I'm an independent researcher specializing in Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greek mythology, and the civilizations of the ancient world. My work combines careful academic research with clear, accessible writing to explore mythology, religion, history, and the cultural ideas that shaped ancient societies. Rather than simply retelling ancient stories, I examine what they reveal about the people who created them, including their beliefs, political systems, concepts of justice, and understanding of the cosmos. Every article is carefully developed using scholarly books, archaeological evidence, museum collections, and ancient texts whenever possible, with a strong commitment to historical accuracy and responsible interpretation. My mission is to make the ancient world accurate, engaging, meaningful, and accessible to every reader. Mythology and History