Ishtar

In Gilgamesh, the goddess Ishtar plays a central role as both educator and enforcer. As the Queen of Heaven, she serves a dual nature: goddess of love and fertility, but also war. She is the archetypal Mother Nature: acting as patron to woman and an uncontrollable and unpredictable force. Ishtar’s priestesses serve an integral social role in the education of men. However, she brings retribution to Gilgamesh and Enkidu after they insult her by overreaching their positions, usually affronting nature. For example, Gilgamesh refuses to marry her, then they slay the Bull of Heaven. For that, Enkidu must die.