Mesopotamian influences on Persian sky-watching and calendars. Part II. Ishtar and Anahita
Volume 10 (2008): Astronomy and Cosmology in Folk Traditions and Cultural Heritage, pp. 45–51
Pub. online: 20 December 2008
Type: Article
Open Access
Open Access
Received
1 November 2007
1 November 2007
Revised
15 October 2008
15 October 2008
Published
20 December 2008
20 December 2008
Abstract
There are a small number of similarities between Ishtar and Anahit, the Persian and Babylonian Venus-goddesses. These similarities may result from cultural diffusion between Persia and Mesopotamia, which was mainly eastwards. We present a comparison of the attributes belonging to both Ishtar and Anahita. This is mainly based on the Mesopotamian sources, since the Persian ones are very meagre. The relationships and influences between the two goddesses are visible in the symbolism of the planet Venus and the constellation Leo, and are associated with autumnal equinox festivals.