The two following hymns, both of which are unfortunately mutilated, are
interesting from their subject-matter. The first is addressed to the
sun-god Tammuz, the husband of 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.