Known period of worship circa 3500 BC or earlier to 200 BC or later

Synonyms Allatu(m).

Center(s) of cult none.

Art references plaques, votive stelae, glyptics, etc.

Literary sources creation epics and other texts including Inana's Descent and the Death of Dumuzi.

Erishkegal is the consort of Nergal and queen of the underworld. She is also the mother of Ninazu. According to some texts she was once a sky goddess who was abducted by the monstrous deity Kur. She lives in the palace of Ganzir and equates with the Creek Persephone. Arguably, Erishkegal may be seen as a dark alter ego of the goddess Inanna and is identified in some texts as her elder sibling. Her consort is also identified as Gugulana. In legend Erishkegal is challenged by Inana but after judgment by the seven Anunnaki, the underworld goddess renders her a corpse for three days until she is revived through the intervention of Enki, the god of wisdom. In western Semitic pantheons Erishkegal becomes Allatu.