In Mesopotamian myths, the goddess associated with the underworld is Ereshkigal. She rules over Kur, the land of the dead, and is often depicted as a significant and powerful deity. Ereshkigal's narratives explore themes of mortality, the afterlife, and the balance of life and death. She plays a crucial role in stories such as the descent of Inanna, where Inanna's journey to the underworld emphasizes the complexities of human existence and the inevitability of death. Ereshkigal embodies the mysteries and fears surrounding the afterlife in ancient Mesopotamian culture.