ERESHKIGAL The Sumerian death goddess, who ruled over the lower world, kur-nu-gi-a. When her sister, Inanna, descended to her realm she had her turned into a corpse and hung on a stake. The only person to overcome the dread mistress of death was Nergal, who, having been exiled from the company of his fellow gods, gained entrance to kur-nu-gi-a, where he seized Ereshkigal by the hair, intent on murdering her. She, however, begged him to spare her, promising that she would be his wife, that the kingdom of the dead should acknowledge the sovereignty of Nergal, and that she would place in his hands the tablets of wisdom. Nergal accepted this proposal, and thenceforth was the consort of Ereshkigal.