Ishtar

Ishtar is the East Semitic Akkadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian goddess of fertility, love, war, and sexuality. She is the most prominent female deity in ancient Mesopotamian religion and was worshipped in Sumer under the name Inanna. Her cult was widespread and she was revered for her multifaceted nature, embodying both nurturing and destructive aspects.

Her worship dates back to at least the third millennium BCE, with numerous temples and hymns dedicated to her. Ishtar's mythology is rich, including her descent into the underworld and her role in epic poems like the Epic of Gilgamesh. Her influence extended beyond Mesopotamia, with parallels found in other ancient Near Eastern goddesses like Astarte and Aphrodite.