What is irkalla?

Irkalla is the name of the Mesopotamian underworld in Sumerian and Akkadian mythology. It is also known as the land of the dead or the realm of the afterlife.

In Mesopotamian belief, Irkalla is ruled by the goddess Ereshkigal, who is often depicted as a fearsome figure associated with death and the underworld.

According to Mesopotamian texts, Irkalla is described as a dark and gloomy place, where the souls of the dead go to live for eternity. It is believed that there is no escape from Irkalla, and once a soul enters, it can never return to the land of the living.

The concept of Irkalla influenced later mythologies and religions, including the Hebrew Sheol and the Greek Hades. It is often associated with themes of death, judgment, and the afterlife in ancient Mesopotamian literature.