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Louise M. Pryke
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Ishtar (Gods and Heroes of the Ancient World) 1st Edition

by Louise M. Pryke (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 20 ratings
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Ishtar is the first book dedicated to providing an accessible analysis of the mythology and image of this complex goddess. The polarity of her nature is reflected in her role as goddess of sexual love and war, and has made her difficult to characterise in modern scholarship. By exploring this complexity, Ishtar offers insight into Mesopotamian culture and thought, and elucidates a goddess who transcended the limits of gender, divinity and nature. It gives an accessible introduction to the Near Eastern pantheon, while also opening a pathway for comparison with the later Near Eastern and Mediterranean deities who followed her.
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  1. ISBN-10
    1138860735
  2. ISBN-13
    978-1138860735
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publisher
    Routledge
  5. Publication date
    June 16, 2017
  6. Part of series
    Gods and Heroes of the Ancient World
  7. Language
    English
  8. Dimensions
    6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
  9. Print length
    240 pages
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ishtar is, without doubt, one of the most complex and baffling of the many gods of antiquity. Yet Louise Pryke has achieved something quite remarkable here in synthesising the multivalence of the goddess’s deeds and personas into a coherent and manageable whole. Full of good sense, yet written with flair, this study of the goddess of all goddesses is an important and infinitely useful contribution to the study of ancient myth and religion. The many sources in translation bring alive the world of Mesopotamian thought and forefront Ishtar as the most supreme of deities."

- Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, Cardiff University, UK

"The style is certainly scholarly, but it is not overly technical, and a reader without much background in the area will be able to follow most of the text [...] Pryke does a lot to help the reader [...] It will be appropriate for scholars in the field, but also those who have some familiarity with the area and want to know more."

- Christian Perring, Metapsychology Online Reviews

About the Author

Louise M. Pryke is a Lecturer for the Languages and Literature of Ancient Israel at Macquarie University, Australia, and holds a PhD in Ancient Near Eastern History from the University of Sydney

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Routledge; 1st edition (June 16, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1138860735
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1138860735
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.35 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 20 ratings

About the author

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Louise M. Pryke

Louise M. Pryke

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Louise M. Pryke was born in Sydney, Australia. After growing up on a sheep farm in rural Central Western New South Wales, Louise completed her secondary education by correspondence. She graduated from the University of Sydney with a PhD in Ancient History, and has taught courses in ancient languages and literature at Macquarie University and the University of Sydney. In 2016, she was one of five recipients of the IAA Fund - an international award for early career scholars in the field of Assyriology. She is the author of Scorpion (2016), Ishtar (2017), and Gilgamesh (2019).

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
20 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Asma Fatima
5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of useful information
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
When I first saw this book I just passed it by but I did a double take and felt it would be worth while to buy it. I’m only on page 47 but so far I’m impressed. Inanna-Ishtar isn’t just a sex Goddess, She’s so much more and very complex – like each one of us. Pryke criticizes scholars and historians who limit Ishtar to just sex; she explores the different facets of this most ancient and perplexing Goddess.

The book is a bit scholarly – which I like! – and the letters are small so lots of information from an author who takes her work seriously. Because I’m happy with where the book is going, I’m going to give it a five. I recommend :)
3 people found this helpful
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Paulin
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2021
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This is a great read for those of you who are into ancient history and mythology
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
2.0 out of 5 stars Too expensive
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
Would love to read this but not within my budget. It limits knowledge to the rich, which is a political choice.
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Top reviews from other countries

carminela
3.0 out of 5 stars A dry read but academically useful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
It is an extremely repetitive to the point of frustration however it has good information and is well researched. Would also suggest reading a chapter at a time between other books that are more fluent. For a more engaging as well as informative read I’d suggest Inanna: Lady of the Largest Heart by Meador or the foundational work of Inanna by Wolkenstein and Kramer as texts to read either before or alongside this book.
One person found this helpful
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Joe Stoneman
4.0 out of 5 stars Generally accessible yet still a specialized subject
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2019
Verified Purchase
A comprehensive and up to date analysis of one of antiquity's most significant and oft overlooked Mesopotamian deities. An accessible although sometimes repetitive read, the subject matter and premium price will likely only attract a limited number of readers...
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