Consequently, she materializes in a state of undress before her sister, Ereshkigal. Ereshkigal then requests that Namtar, the arbiter of the Underworld, unleash upon her the Sixty Diseases, thereby vanquishing the goddess. This results in a total cessation of desire, mating behaviors, and physical love among the living

The lacunary text allows for several interpretations, contingent on how it is read. It is possible that Ereshkigal, the goddess of the Underworld, was moved by Dumuzi's tears and thus softened the unfortunate's fate. She then determines that he will reside in the Underworld for only part of the year, with his sister Geshtinanna assuming his role... See more