Astarte
Goddess of Fertility, Love, and War
Fertility Deity, War Deity
Place of Origin:Ancient Near East, particularly Canaan and Phoenicia
Origin Date: Circa 1500 BCE - 1000 BCE
Domain: Fertility, love, war
Symbols: Star, lion, dove
Attributes:Fertility, love, war
Epithets: Ashtart, Ishtar
Equivalents: Greek: Aphrodite, Roman: Venus
Religion: Canaanite religion, Phoenician religion
Sacred Texts:Ugaritic texts, Phoenician inscriptions
Iconography:Depicted with symbols of fertility and war, often shown with a star or a lion
Relations: El (father), Baal (consort in some myths)
Description
Astarte was a prominent goddess in Canaanite and Phoenician religions, associated with fertility, love, and war. She embodied the dual aspects of nurturing and destructive power, playing a central role in both agrarian and martial societies. Astarte was often depicted as a beautiful yet fierce deity.
Narratives
The Tale of Astarte and the Sea: Astarte's journey across the sea to establish her worship in foreign lands, symbolizing her widespread influence.
Source: Smith, M. S. (1994). The Ugaritic Baal Cycle. Brill.
Worship Practices
Astarte was worshipped through rituals involving offerings of food, drink, and incense. Festivals celebrating fertility and martial prowess were common, and temples dedicated to Astarte were centers of both worship and community gatherings.