Inanna

Every civilization since the first Mesopotamia has believed in something greater than humans. This ‘greater’ was developed into gods and goddesses. These gods and goddesses were then given special attributes and abilities. One of the many Mesopotamian deities was Inanna a female deity that is probably still one of the most well-known of this pantheon. This brief essay will take a look at the goddess discussing whom this important goddess was to her people.
Described as one of the most complex deities of Mesopotamia Inanna also later known as Ishtar under Akkadian and Babylonian rule was a female deity known as the goddess of sexual love as well as warfare. Being such an important deity she held temples in all of the major city states with
In her attributions as a goddess of war she is a formidable force. In this aspect the goddess is praised and worshipped in regards to her military acumen as well as a sign of royal power. While she does hold power in the aspect of war it must be noted that unlike the war god Marduk she was praised and worshipped more in respect to the idea of political power and war acumen (Upenn). Under the power shift to the Babylonian’s and Assyrian’s she not only experiences a name change to Ishtar but also a personality change with her becoming more associated with her more ‘masculine’ war traits. An argument even exists to if the two versions of this goddess should be put together due to the dramatic differences in personalities. (Schneider 59)
Due to her importance within her pantheon she has various forms of iconography that represent her. In fact one of the most famous surviving pieces of Sumerian art from the Jemdet Nasar period; the Uruk Vase is thought to depict her receiving an offering. (Pollock 189-190) However, while that is the most well-known depictions or symbols of her have existed from the earliest period with her being represented reed bundle or gatepost. Latter depictions in her love goddess aspect show her naked while in her warrior form she has weapons.