The Descent of Ishtar to the Underworld. (A. Fantalov, the image in Indian ink).).

When there was a necessity to head the underworld empire, there was sent Ereshkigal because anybody from the top gods is more did not want to go there (representations about a next world in Mesopotamia were rather sad, oppress there "dressed with wings" eat clay). Ereshkigal became queen, "the Mistress of the far earth". Ereshkigal's sister, Inanna (Babylonian Ishtar) has decided to go down in "the country from which there is no return". Ereshkigal, perhaps being afraid for fidelity of spouse Nergal (two lion's heads) which could not resist against a beauty, decides her to ruin. Before each of seven gates Inanna the gatekeeper meets, and selects as a payment for pass one of subjects of clothes (and simultaneously magic elements). Inanna appears before Ereshkigal naked and defenceless. Then Ereshkigal transforms her in a corpse and suspends on a hook. True servant Inanna addresses to her father Enlil and to brother Nannar, but those deny assistance. Only Enki (Babylonian Ea) decides to interfere. He creates two amusing creatures, which will penetrate in underworld and recover Inanna.