Ishtar

Ishtar is the first book dedicated to providing an accessible analysis of the mythology and image of this complex goddess. It gives an accessible introduction to the Near Eastern pantheon, while also opening a pathway for comparison with the later Near Eastern and Mediterranean deities who followed her.

Autorentext

Louise M. Pryke is a Lecturer for the Languages and Literature of Ancient Israel at Macquarie University, Australia, and holds a PhD in Ancient Near Eastern History from the University of Sydney

Klappentext

Ishtar is the first book dedicated to providing an accessible analysis of the mythology and image of this complex goddess. The polarity of her nature is reflected in her role as goddess of sexual love and war, and has made her difficult to characterise in modern scholarship. By exploring this complexity, Ishtar offers insight into Mesopotamian culture and thought, and elucidates a goddess who transcended the limits of gender, divinity and nature. It gives an accessible introduction to the Near Eastern pantheon, while also opening a pathway for comparison with the later Near Eastern and Mediterranean deities who followed her.

Inhalt

List of figures

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Love and Intimacy

Chapter 3: Sexuality and Order

Chapter 4: Ishtar and the Pantheon

Chapter 5: Kingship and Battle

Chapter 6: Ishtar and Gilgamesh

Chapter 7: Vengeance and Death

Chapter 8: Ishtar Afterwards

Bibliography

Further reading