1. Quizzes & Games
  2. Word of the Day
  3. Video
  4. New Words
 

Ishtar

2 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. Ishtar
  2. Ishtar Gate

Ishtar

/

Ishtar, with her cult-animal the lion, and a worshipper, modern impression from a cylinder seal, …—Courtesy of the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago

In Mesopotamian religion, the goddess of war and sexual love. Known as Ishtar in Akkadia, she was called Astarte by western Semitic peoples and was identified with Inanna in Sumeria. In early Sumeria she was the goddess of the storehouse as well as of rain and thunderstorms. Once a fertility goddess, she evolved into a deity of contradictory qualities, of joy and sorrow, fair play and enmity. In Akkadia she was associated with the planet Venus and was the patroness of prostitutes and alehouses. Her popularity became universal in the ancient Middle East, and she was called Queen of the Universe.

This entry comes from Encyclopædia Britannica Concise.
For the full entry on Ishtar, visit Britannica.com.

Seen & Heard

What made you look up Ishtar? Please tell us what you were reading, watching or discussing that led you here.

Test Your Vocabulary

Take Our 10-Question Quiz

Get Our Free Apps
Voice Search, Favorites,
Word of the Day, and More
iPhone | iPad | Android | More
Join Us on FB & Twitter
Get the Word of the Day and More
Facebook | Twitter