In the two versions of the Myth of 'Nergal and EreskigaL'. What happened? In just two accounts there is nothing but confusion. Was Ereskigal killed (almost) or :kissed? In other words, Was she unceremoniously dragged off her throne by the hair or was she passionately and 'boldly' kissed on the mouth? In the other Nergal is characterized where he is brutish, but almost romantic in talk of a kiss. I do not understand the change of heart! From the Internet resources I have noticed each account has been summaries and/or truncated. This has made getting at the motives in each story almost impossible.

Most myths have a "classical" version (e.g. Ovid) and an earlier version which ties into pre-historic religions. While the earlier versions are usually wilder, with blood and gore and what not, they sometimes also are less patriarchal. Pandora for instance.