Ishtar

**Ishtar** is a prominent goddess in Mesopotamian mythology, often associated with love, fertility, war, and sex. She is primarily a Babylonian deity, though her figure has equivalents in the Sumerian goddess **Inanna** and the Canaanite **Astarte**. Her mythology is full of dramatic events, often highlighting her passionate and sometimes vengeful nature.

One of Ishtar's most famous myths is her **Descent to the Underworld**, where she attempts to rescue her lover, **Tammuz** (Dumuzi). In her descent, she passes through seven gates, removing an article of clothing at each one until she reaches her sister **Ereshkigal**, the queen of the Underworld. Upon arrival, Ishtar is afflicted with sixty diseases and left hanging on a hook until she is revived by the water of life brought by the eunuch **Asushunamir**, sent by the god **Enki**.

Ishtar is also known for her role in the **Epic of Gilgamesh**, where she attempts to seduce the hero **Gilgamesh**. When he rejects her advances, she becomes furious and sends the **Bull of Heaven** to punish him, which ultimately results in the death of Gilgamesh’s companion, **Enkidu**.

Ishtar's symbols include the **eight-pointed star** and lions, and she is associated with the planet **Venus**. Her mythology often underscores themes of power, sexuality, and conflict, as she can be both nurturing and vengeful. 

### Recurring Clues in Quiz Bowl Questions:

1. **Descent to the Underworld**: Ishtar's descent to rescue her lover, where she passes through seven gates, is a significant myth frequently referenced.

2. **Bull of Heaven**: Ishtar sends the Bull of Heaven to punish Gilgamesh after he rejects her advances, leading to the death of Enkidu.

3. **Tammuz/Dumuzi**: Ishtar’s lover, whom she attempts to rescue from the Underworld; he later must spend part of each year there, similar to other seasonal myths.

4. **Sister of Ereshkigal**: Ishtar is the sister of the Underworld goddess Ereshkigal, who imprisons her during her descent.

5. **Planet Venus**: Ishtar is associated with the planet Venus, symbolizing both love and war.

6. **Eight-Pointed Star**: Often depicted with an eight-pointed star, a symbol representing her celestial aspect and her association with Venus.

7. **Affliction with Sixty Diseases**: When Ishtar descends to the Underworld, she is cursed with sixty diseases by Namtar, Ereshkigal’s vizier.

### Related Quizbowl Facts That Appeared In More Than One Toss-up on qbreader.org

Ishtar’s **___1___** to the Underworld is a well-known myth where she passes through seven gates, shedding a piece of clothing at each. She attempts to rescue her lover **___2___** in this myth. Ishtar is often associated with the **___3___** of Heaven, which she sends to punish Gilgamesh for rejecting her. Her sister, **___4___**, is the queen of the Underworld who imprisons Ishtar. She is symbolized by the **___5___**-pointed star and is linked to the planet **___6___**.

1. Descent  

2. Tammuz  

3. Bull  

4. Ereshkigal  

5. Eight  

6. Venus

Here is a list of clues that appear more than once, along with their frequency counts:

1. **Passes through seven gates / removes clothing** - 33 mentions

2. **Associated with Tammuz / Dumuzid as lover or husband** - 28 mentions

3. **Sent the Bull of Heaven after Gilgamesh** - 27 mentions

4. **Imprisoned / afflicted with sixty diseases** - 21 mentions

5. **Revived by the water of life / saved by Asushunamir** - 20 mentions

6. **Sister is Ereshkigal, ruler of the underworld** - 20 mentions

7. **Eight-pointed star symbol / associated with Venus** - 10 mentions

8. **Associated with war and love** - 10 mentions

9. **Rejected by Gilgamesh** - 9 mentions

10. Revived with help of the gala-tura and kur-jara (or similar beings) - 8 mentions

In the myth of Inanna’s Descent to the Underworld, Inanna (the Sumerian counterpart of Ishtar) is killed and hangs on a hook in the underworld. She is revived with the help of the gala-tura and kur-jara, beings created by Enki, the god of wisdom. These beings are instructed to sprinkle the "food and water of life" on her, which brings her back to life. This mention indicates a significant theme in her mythology related to death and resurrection.

11. Sumerian counterpart is Inanna - 7 mentions

Ishtar is the Akkadian name for the goddess, while her Sumerian counterpart is Inanna. Both deities share similar attributes and are central figures in Mesopotamian religion, embodying aspects of love, fertility, and war. This mention reflects her dual identity across Sumerian and Akkadian cultures.

12. City of Uruk / Erech - 6 mentions

The city of Uruk, known as Erech in biblical texts, is closely associated with Inanna/Ishtar as her primary cult center. She is often referred to as the patron deity of Uruk, and several myths, like the story of the Huluppu tree, take place here. This mention emphasizes her importance in Uruk’s religious life and its status as her sacred city.

13. Burney Relief (possible depiction of Ishtar) - 3 mentions

The Burney Relief, also called the Queen of the Night relief, is a famous ancient Mesopotamian plaque that some scholars believe depicts Ishtar (or her Sumerian counterpart, Inanna). The relief shows a winged female figure, often associated with fertility and power symbols. Although there’s debate over its subject, it’s frequently linked to Ishtar in art history and religious studies.

14. Huluppu tree used to make throne / inhabited by creatures - 3 mentions

In the myth involving the Huluppu tree, Inanna finds a tree by the Euphrates and plants it in her garden, hoping it will grow into wood for her throne and bed. The tree, however, becomes inhabited by various creatures. This myth not only highlights her connection to Uruk but also her complex interactions with the natural and supernatural worlds.