Istar, slain by the boar's tusk of winter,
and sought by the goddess in the underground world. It is this visit which
is described in the mythological poem known as the "Descent of Istar into
Hades" ("Records of the Past," Vol. I, p. 143). The myth of Tammuz and
Istar passed, through the Phoenicians, to the Greeks, among whom Adonis
and Aphrodite represent the personages of the ancient Accadian legend.
Tammuz is referred to in Ezek. viii. 14. (See "Records of the Past," Vol.
IX, p. 147.) The second hymn treats of the world-mountain, the Atlas of
the Greeks, which supports the heaven with its stars, and is rooted in
Hades. Under its other name, "Kharsak-kurra," or "Mountain of the East,"
it was identified with the present Mount Elwend, and was regarded as the
spot where the ark had rested, and where the gods had their seat. A
reference is made to it in Isa. xiv. 13. Both hymns illustrate the imagery
and metaphor out of which grew the mythology of primeval Babylonia, and
offer curious parallels to the Aryan hymns of the Rig-Veda. The cuneiform
texts are lithographed in the "Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia,"
Vol. IV, 27, I, 2.

TWO ACCADIAN HYMNS

I

1 O shepherd,[1] Lord Tammuz, Bridegroom[2] of Istar!
2 Lord of Hades, Lord of Tul-Sukhba!
3 _Understanding_ one, who among the papyri the water drinks
not!
4 His brood in the desert, even the reed, he created not.[3]
5 Its bulrush in his canal he lifted not up.
6 The roots of the bulrush were carried away.
7 O god of the world, who among the papyri the water drinks
not!
.....[4]

[Footnote 1: The early Accadian kings frequently call themselves
"shepherds." According to Berosus, Alorus, the first antediluvian king of
Babylonia, gave himself the same title. Compare the Homeric [Greek:
poimaen laon].]

[Footnote 2: "Khamir," literally "red" or "blushing one," in reference to
the glow of the setting sun.]

[Footnote 3: Or, "was not green."]

[Footnote 4: Lacuna.]

II

1 O mighty mountain of Bel, Im-kharsak,[1] whose head rivals
heaven, whose root (is) the holy deep!
2 Among the mountains, like a strong wild bull, it lieth down.
3 Its horn like the brilliance of the sun is bright.
4 Like the star of heaven[2] it is a prophet and is filled with
sheen.
5 O mighty mother of Beltis, daughter of Bit-Esir: splendor
of Bit-kurra,[3] appointment of Bit-Gigune, handmaid of
Bit-Cigusurra![4]
...