Dumuzi's Dream:

D has vision of ransacked sheepfold, spilled churn

Betrayed by comrade, D is pursued by deputies of death.

D prays to Utu for escape, changed to gazelle, snake, etc. [=Dumuzi's Escape]

At last captured at sheepfold, fulfilling the dream.

Epilogue, 'Bitter Cry':

D swims to escape, only to be carried off by the river;

grim vision of the afterlife.

Inanna's Descent

Inanna sets out in full regalia to conquer the realm of her sister, Ereshkigal, queen of the dead. She pretends to mourn for E's husband, Nergal.

But at each of the Seven Gates she is stripped of some ornament, until she stands naked befor E. Inanna's corpse is hung like a side of meat.

Her servant Ninshubur goes pleading to each of the city gods to help her mistress.

Enki at last devises two mourners who carry the water of life and grass of life. They pretend to mourn E's children, and thus win a favor: they demand Inanna's carcass, revive her with water and herb.

But the governing gods (Anunnaki) demand a surrogate. So Inanna returns, attended by demons. She cannot bear to take anyone who mourns for her devotedly (spares Ninshubur, et al.)

But at last she finds Dumuzi, sitting on his throne enjoying life. So she says, 'Take him!'

Story continues with Dumuzi's Escape: he is changed/concealed by Utu; but at last captured in the sheepfold.

Final Act has Gestinanna and mother Duttur searching for D.

Sister G takes his place for half the year. [Note J's theory of agricultural cycle, p. 62, wine and beer]

Damu:

Gestinanna and Duttur go mourning for D.

Focus shifts to G, who at last joins D in the netherworld (or is barred from reunion)

Damu however is welcomed as a lord among the dead, promised return.

Note: Damu especially associated with tree god Ningishzida, said to be child of the sacred cedar in Uruk.

Thus linked to Adonis, born of the Myrrh tree.