Asthartet

Asthartet derives from the Syrian goddess Asthoreth, who is associated with several other goddesses, such as Ishtar, Hathor and Isis. There are many correspondences and attributes given to this goddess, which are often confusing and contradictory, but we shall adhere to the description of her given by Budge in 'Gods of the Egyptians', where she is represented as a lioness-headed woman. In Egyptian texts, Asthartet is referred to as 'mistress of horses, lady of the chariot, dweller in Apollionopolis Magna (Edfu).' Pictorially, she is shown as a lioness-headed woman standing in a chariot, drawn by four horses that trample over the prostrate bodies of fallen enemies. Her head is surmounted by a sun disk. In one hand she carries what appears to be a whip, while in the other she holds the reins of the horses. It is believed her cult became established in Egypt round about the time of the Eighteenth Dynasty, but it continued in the Delta up until the Christian era. A letter survives that was sent by Tushratta, king of Mitani to the pharaoh Amenhotep III. In the letter, Tushratta refers to 'Ishtar of Nineveh, lady of the world', which was a name of Asthartet. The king suggests that the goddess' worship in Egypt is going into decline and pleads with Amenhotep to do something about the situation, to increase the goddess' influence tenfold. Whether Amenhotep did this has not been recorded, but her cult certainly survived far longer than either king.

Asthartet had two main attributes. Primarily, she was a terrifying and destructive goddess of war, controlling the maddened steeds that drew her chariot over the battlefield. Horses were not used by the Egyptians in this manner earlier than about 1800 BC, which gives some indication of when Asthartet's worship may have started. She was also, however, worshipped as a moon goddess, which suggests a more tranquil and compassionate side to her nature.

The Egyptians never regarded the horse in quite the same way as they did animals such as cats, lions, baboons and jackals, in that there are no representations of a god having an equine-headed form. This may be because of the horse's comparatively late introduction into Egypt. However, Asthartet can be regarded as a patron goddess of horses, who may be approached to request protection for these animals.