Introduction
A goddess is often described as a female divine being (deity). Deities constitute a polytheistic system that in most cases is made up of several deities in a pantheon (a place of worship for all gods). Love, fertility, the earth and family, things that often reflect on historical gender roles of that ethnicity are what goddesses are associated with in a number of societies. In other societal beliefs, goddesses may be connected to community individualistic roles such as warfare, death, destruction and curative powers. Polytheism is understood as the devotion in the worshipping of many gods and goddesses. The degree of worship to the different gods within the polytheist community differs. Some of them put emphasis on one god more than others. Polytheists like the kathenotheists, worship different idols but they do so at specific times depending with annual seasons or what they need at that particular time.
A woman is a female human being; this is based on gender and the biological make-up. The term ‘girl’ is used on a female child or teenager. When dealing with gender issues lie women’s rights and issues, the ‘woman’ is a blanket term that refers to a female human being.
Near Eastern goddesses
Astarte or Ishtar, Agrat bat Mahalat, Anath Anahita, Nanshe, Nikkal are common Near Eastern goddesses. It is also evident that religions influenced each other. “The Religions of the Ancient Near East were mostly polytheistic, with some early examples of emerging Henotheism (Atenism, Marduk). Especially the Luwian pantheon exerted a strong influence on the Ancient Greek religion, while Assyro-Babylonian religion influenced Achaemenid-era Zoroastrianism and Judaism. Both Greek and Jewish tradition in turn strongly influenced Christianity” (Harden 1).
The Luwian pantheon heavily influenced the Ancient Greek Religion, whilst Judaism and Assyo-Babylonian was strongly influenced by Achaemenid-era Zoroastrianism. Christianity boasts heavy influence from both the Jewish and Greek cultures.
Polytheism on the other hand was practiced in the ancient Near Eastern region with sub-regions in Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Elam, Caucasus, Anatolia, and the Minoan region (Cyprus and Crete).It is alleged that these Near Eastern goddesses are myths (Harden 1).
Astarte, a Greek god was worshipped for motherhood, fertility and sexuality, and during times of war. Astarte was a lion, a sphinx, a dove, a circle with a star inside (Venus) and a horse. The sphinx, and the dove, was in depiction of her as Venus, the planet. She is depicted nude is pictorial representations.
The Greeks worshiped this deity but they called her Aphrodite. She was also called Ishtar. Astarte is said to have landed on earth as a flaming star, falling in a lake near Bylos. This is according to a legend that is told.
Agrat bat Mahalat
This is one of the angels of prostitution (deity). It is said that Agrat bat Mahalat, Lilith, Naamah and Zenunim are the brides of the devil, fondly the hell queens. This name roughly translates to Agrat, Mahalat’s daughter.
These four deities are considered to be evil as they have personal connections with the devil (Harden 5).
Anath Anahita
Anath Anahita was a revered goddess of war, largely worshipped in the Mesopotamian region and specifically in; Judea, Israel, Egypt, Ugait, Anat and the Athen. IN Ancient Persian societies, she was worshipped for fertility, water in times of war and considered a patron for women. Her name translates to mean ‘the flawless one’. Her followers practiced temple prostitution after Persia defeated Babylonia as they considered her similar to the goddess Ishtar. She is also called the lady of lion or the queen of beasts (Harden 7).
Nanshe
In Sumerian mythology, Nanshe was a goddess varied duties. She was worshipped as the societal impartiality, foresight, and fertility and fishing deity. She also was heavily associated with water (Encyclopedia Mythica 1). Her name is translated as the “Interpreter of Dreams,” as she enabled Babylonian priests to interpret and foresee the future after hearing about other people’s dreams. The priests had to undergo an initiation ceremony signifying death and resurrection to acquire the prophetic abilities. She was symbolically represented as a water vessel, that contained fish, to imply the gravid womb. She was a deity found in Nina, Surghul, modern day Iraq.
Nikkal
Nikkal was originally an Ugaritic goddess of orchards and her name means a great fruitful woman. Her Sumerian equal is the Ningal (Driver 1). She was the goddess for fruits and motherhood (fertility).
Women in the Hebrew bible
Hebrews refer to ancient Jewish and early Christian societies. During this era, women were severely restricted as they were seen as evil. As quoted by Diver, The Bible says “And a man will choose…any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman…Sin began with a woman and thanks to her we all must die” (34).
Women in these parts of the Bible are described in negative terms and depicted as inferior to men. This is contextual to the Old Testament.
However, in the New Testament, Jesus preaches a revolutionary message about gender roles. He refused to treat women as inferiors, which was against Jewish regulations and expectations. When he healed a woman of satanic hypnosis, Jesus called her Abraham’s daughter, implying that she was equal to the sons of Abraham (male Jews).
How do these goddess figures compare to women in the Hebrew bible.
The Near Eastern goddesses were greatly revere and loved as opposed to Women in the Hebrew bible who were so despised they had little or no authority and were confined to their father’s or husband’s home, as a woman’s ultimate end was to be someone’s wife.
What archetypal qualities do they have in common?
An archetypal is an original model after which other similar objects are patterned; a prototype. Though rare, some people still believe in the Near Eastern goddesses and their women are strongly encouraged to be like them. As for the Women in the Hebrew bible, no modern women will want to be oppressed as they were. This is not to say that some are willing to undergo such demeaning treatment in the name of religion. Modern Christianity however encourages that its female members be women of faith like the New Testament women.
Conclusion
It is important for any culture, community or religion to treat its members equally, with respect and fairness, regardless of their gender.
Works Cited
Harden, Donald. The Phoenicians. London: Penguin books, 1980.
Driver, Godfrey. Canaanite Myths and Legends. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark Press, 1971.
Encyclopedia Mythica. MMVI. 1999. Web.