ABSTRACT
Ishtar was the most powerful and famous Mesopotamian goddess; her substantial influence was embedded in many of the most critical aspects of her worshippers' lives, and she was revered across the broad geographical reach of Mesopotamia for a period spanning thousands of years. This chapter considers the reception of Ishtar in later cultural and religious traditions of the ancient and modern world. The goddess' reception in the modern day can be divided into two distinct yet related strands: scholarship and popular culture. Many goddesses from the Classical period, such as Aphrodite, Artemis and Athena, have continued to function as important cultural symbols. Ishtar's prominent, powerful role in ancient Mesopotamian religion and culture means the lack of representation of the deity in modern culture is problematic, in terms of developing further awareness of Ancient Near Eastern civilisations in the present day.
