In Sumerian mythology, Dumuzi is the husband of the goddess Inanna.
Dumuzi, also called Dumuzid or known by the Akkadian name Tammuz, is a shepherd deity connected with fertility, kingship and seasonal cycles. In myths and hymns, his relationship with Inanna is celebrated through courtship, marriage and disputes over her affection. Their union links agricultural renewal with the authority of the ruler.
The best-known story involving the couple is Inanna’s descent into the underworld. Inanna must provide a substitute when she returns, and Dumuzi becomes the figure who spends part of the year below. His alternation with his sister Geshtinanna is often connected with seasonal change, although the surviving traditions vary in detail.
Dumuzi is not the same deity as Enki, Nanna or Utu. Enki is associated with wisdom and subterranean waters, Nanna with the moon, and Utu with the sun and justice. Dumuzi’s distinctive role is as Inanna’s beloved shepherd and divine consort.