Ishtar, the Goddess of Love
Ishtar (or Inanna) was mistress of the heavens, a powerful goddess of love and war. Her first husband was her brother Tammuz. Upon Tammuz’s death, Ishtar descended into the underworld to wrest her brother from the terrible Ereshkigal, who held power over life and death.
After giving instructions to her servant Papsukal (to go and rescue her if she did not return), Ishtar descended to the land of darkness. She began boldly and defiantly, shouting at the gatekeeper to open the door or she would break it down. But as she passed through each of the seven gates, she was required to remove one of her garments, and so she gradually lost her power, until she arrived naked and defenseless before the fearsome Ereshkigal, who killed her and hung her body on a hook.
With her death, the whole world began to wither. But the faithful Papsukal went to the gods and asked them to create a being capable of entering the realm of the dead and reviving Ishtar with the food and water of life. This is how Ishtar returned to life.
But there was a price to be paid: for six months of the year, Tammuz must live in the realm of the dead. While he is there, Ishtar must mourn his absence; in spring, he returns and all are filled with joy.