In Inanna’s Bargain, ancient ceremonial objects exhibit magical powers associated with their divine originals. This excerpt from Chapter 21 describes Kianu’s encounter with such an object. As I prayed to the warrior god, my attention was captured by a large battle-mace displayed to one side of the cult statue, on a high shelf above theContinue reading “The Talking Mace”
Category Archives: Excerpts
Inanna’s Willow
In Inanna’s Bargain, I explored the idea of multiple (fictitious) versions of ancient Mesopotamian myths, passed down and shared through oral traditions. With so many stories circulating, how did people know what to believe? “There are many legends about the tree of life, as well as other trees favored by the gods,” Beluga stated. “InContinue reading “Inanna’s Willow”
The Entrance Gate
In my historical fantasy world, stories about the Anzu’s theft were already well known during the Sargonic period. Representations of lion-headed eagles adorned temples dedicated to Ninurta as well as Enlil. In the holy city of Nippur, the E-Kur Temple itself displayed images of the Anzu, as described in Inanna’s Bargain: The entrance gate featuredContinue reading “The Entrance Gate”
Deities Within
Where is God? Humans have long pondered this concept, envisioning deities as exalted beings residing in the Heavens and the Underworld, as well as omnipotent forces present everywhere and within all of us. In Inanna’s Bargain, I made this latter idea more tangible with my protagonists. The following excerpt is from Chapter 24: “I’ve oftenContinue reading “Deities Within”
Fantastic Usmu
Usmu appears in my historical fantasy world as a truly liminal deity, with the ability to shift his physical appearance and assume both male and female guises. As I developed his fictitious character, I was inspired by the gender-bending attributes of Inanna/Ishtar, and by Enki’s creation of sexless beings who could cross the borders ofContinue reading “Fantastic Usmu”
CLAIRE SULOS 