The Neo-Assyrian Myth of Ištar’s Descent and Resurrection

<p>An edition of the myth commonly known as <em>Ištar’s Descent</em> was first published in 1901. Since then, no complete critical edition of the text has been published. Unlike other SAACT volumes, SAACT 6 amounts to a full critical edition of the myth. In addition to the cuneiform text with transliteration and translation, there is a full critical apparatus and a scored transliteration of all known sources, and all textual variants from the known sources are included in the glossary. The title, <em>Ištar’s Descent and Resurrection</em>, is a reminder that Ištar’s descent to the netherworld was not a one-way trip, but that she also re-ascended to heaven. Beyond the critical edition, there is also extensive commentary that ties in the Sumerian version of the myth, <em>Inanna’s Descent</em>, as well as later parallels from Gnostic texts such as <em>The Exegesis of the Soul</em> and <em>The Hymn of the Pearl</em>. There are also grammatical notes for students, and the publication is rounded off with the usual sign list that accompanies SAACT volumes.</p>