Note: If you want to read the series from the beginning, follow this link.
In the last two articles, we have been looking at the earliest moon goddesses and matriarchal societies – the start of the series and the moon gods of the Minoans. The latter most likely adopted the Lunisolar Calendar from the Babylonians and are believed to be the creators of the forerunner of the Olympic Games.
What a priestess of Ishtar would
have most probably looked like
In this article, we travel to Mesopotamia, the land of modern-day Iraq, sandwiched between the rivers Euphrates and Tigris. There, the earliest cultures started around 6,000 B.C., giving rise to empires of the Sumerians, Assyrians, and Babylonians.
The Cult of Ishtar
In Ancient Mesopotamia, patriarchal societies were the norm. Women had certain societal expectations, like raising children and running the household, but they had opportunities and freedoms, and could own property, engage in business transactions, and participate in religious ceremonies. The status and roles of women varied depending on their social class, family background, and regional customs, but overall, they were expected to play a supporting role. The exceptions were priestesses who held particularly significant roles in Babylonian religious practices, serving deities such as the goddess Ishtar, also locally referred to as Inanna. Ishtar was seen as a powerful and assertive goddess and was associated with the planet Venus. After the moon, it is the brightest natural object in the night sky.
In ancient Mesopotamian mythology, she was worshipped as a deity of love, beauty, sex, desire, fertility, war, combat, and political power. A complex figure and particularly significant in the cities of Uruk, Nineveh, and later Babylon. She embodied both benevolent and destructive qualities and was known for her passionate nature. She therefore had the ability to bring both blessings and calamities upon humanity.
The significance of Ishtar in the pantheon of Mesopotamian gods and goddesses underscores the importance of fertility, love, and warfare in the lives of the ancient Mesopotamians. Her temples could be found in cities all over Mesopotamia, and her worship involved elaborate rituals and ceremonies. Ishtar was more of a woman’s goddess, whereas Sin (also known as Nanna), the God of the Moon, controlled water, time, and fertile land. This is quite at odds with most other ancient civilizations, where the powerful sun was male and the nocturnal moon female. But in ancient Mesopotamia, the male moon god Sin commanded a very separate cult following from Ishtar, the Goddess of love and war.
The pantheon of Mesopotamia
There were plenty of gods and goddesses; here are a few to mention:
Anu: The god of the heavens and the father of the gods. He held a position of supreme authority in the Sumerian pantheon and was believed to reside in the highest heavens from where he exerted control over the celestial realm. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest recorded Sumerian poems, Ishtar persuades her father Anu to give her the Bull of Heaven (a mystical Bull creature, similar to the later Minotaur- see the Minoans for more reference) to attack the hero Gilgamesh. But he and his companion defeat the bull and throw the bull’s leg at Ishtar.
Enlil: The god of wind, air, earth, and storms, Enlil was revered as a powerful deity who enforced divine justice and maintained order in the world. He was often associated with fertility and agricultural abundance.
Enki: The god of water, wisdom, and magic, Enki was a complex figure in Sumerian mythology. He was credited with creating humanity and imparting knowledge and skills to people. Enki was also known for his role as a protector of craftsmen and artisans.
Utu: The god of the sun and justice, Utu was responsible for guiding the sun across the sky and ensuring the proper functioning of the cosmic order. He was also seen as a symbol of truth and righteousness.
Nanna/Sin: The god of the moon, Nanna (also known as Sin) was venerated for his role in regulating the cycles of time and illuminating the night sky. He was associated with fertility, healing, and protection.
Ninhursag: The mother goddess of the earth and the mountains was revered as a nurturing and fertile deity who presided over agriculture, childbirth, and the natural world. She was often depicted as a caring and protective figure.
These are just a few examples, and some celestial areas overlapped. But overall, each deity had specific attributes, powers, and domains of influence, reflecting the diverse aspects of life and nature that were important to the ancient Mesopotamian civilization. The complex and intricate Sumerian pantheon provides valuable insights into the religious beliefs and cultural practices of one of the earliest urban societies in human history.
Ishtar of Nineveh
The Sumerians worshipped this powerful and multifaceted goddess, and so did the Akkadians, who inhabited Ancient Mesopotamia around 2334 – 2154 B.C. Her influence extended across most cultures within the Akkadian Empire, which is modern-day Iraq. There were the Hittites, Elamites, and Babylonians. But Ishtar’s most enduring popularity and significance came from the Assyrians, direct descendants of the Babylonians.
This ancient Mesopotamian civilization was renowned for its military prowess and sophisticated culture, and Ishtar, known as “Ishtar of Nineveh” among the Assyrians, held a significant place in their pantheon of gods and goddesses.
In Assyrian religion, Ishtar was again revered as the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, war, and political power. She was seen as a powerful and multifaceted deity, embodying both nurturing and fierce qualities. The Assyrians believed that Ishtar played a crucial role in shaping the destinies of individuals and nations, and her favour was sought for matters of love, fertility, and protection in times of war, which was plentiful. Like in Sumerian life, her temples and shrines could be found in most Assyrian cities, where priests and priestesses served the goddess and performed elaborate rituals, ceremonies, and festivals dedicated to her worship. ( Ishtar temple to your right).
The Assyrian population is still alive today, and their language, Aramaic, is one of the oldest surviving languages, influencing Arabic and Hebrew alike. In fact, Jesus would most likely have spoken Aramaic, and the Assyrians were one of the first converts to Christianity.
Ishtar’s temples may have been destroyed, but her mythology and symbolism continue to fascinate scholars and enthusiasts of Ancient Mesopotamian culture.
