ABSTRACT
Ishtar's sexuality is a fundamental part of her nature, she embodies beauty, love, libido and sexual behaviour. This chapter considers depictions of Ishtar's sexuality and gender from a range of sources, including hymns, myths and epics. Sexuality is a primary area of competence for the goddess, and exploring her relationship to sexuality and gender is essential to the broader consideration of understanding her ancient identity. Ishtar is connected to a wide spectrum of sexual practices, and her image, while generally presented in line with Mesopotamian concepts of 'femininity', also contains masculine elements. The broadness and diversity of the goddess' connections to sexuality and gender in ancient literature assists in the expression of her power, and of her transformative abilities. Ishtar is frequently portrayed as a sexual initiator, both in terms of her own lovers and in her potent, stimulating effect on the sexual activities of mortal humans and animals.
