Origin/Historian/Author: Old Babylonian (ca. 1800 BCE)
Source: Sumerisch-babylonische Hymnen, By G. Reisner, 1896
Introduction
This short text was recorded during the Old Babylonian period and features the goddess Ishtar. In various traditions, Ishtar and Inanna have conflicting lineages, including different mothers, fathers, and siblings. It is generally accepted by Assyriologists that over the 400-500 year period preceding this text, conflation of the title Inanna with other deities began to slowly form the identity of the goddess known as Ishtar.
Most understand Ishtar to be the daughter of Nanna/Seun and Ningal. However, this text alludes almost entirely to an older composition labeled by Stephen Langdon as the Liturgy to Innini, which implies Inanna to be the goddess Ninegal. In the Liturgy to Innini, she conquers heaven by force. This is reflected in the below text as she is referred to as Ishtar of the Heavens, and is described with a warlike nature. Lines one, two, three, four, and six, resemble portions of text mentioned in the Liturgy to Innini. Line five mentions Irnina, which appears to be another aspect of, or title holder of Inanna. Some scholars claim Irnina to be a reference to the goddess Damkina, which is concluded by referring to god lists, however these are often not comprehensive.
Full Text Below
My first name am I, Ištar of the Heavens,
My second name, Mistress of the Lands,
My third, the Lady who Makes Heaven Quake and Underworld Shake,
My fourth, Blazing Fire that [ ….. ] Battle,
My fifth, Irnina [ ….. ],
My sixth, She who Alone is a Hero,
My seventh name, Mistress of Eulmaš.