Question
Here is the question : ATARGATIS WAS THE ASSYRIAN GODDESS OF WHAT?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Fertility
- War
- The sea
- The sky
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
As early as the first millennium BCE, in ancient Syria, people were already creating representations of mermaids. The goddess of fertility Atargatis was the most popular, and many temples were built in her honor. According to folklore, Atargatis became a mermaid after slaying the mortal shepherd she loved. She jumped into a lake, defeated, and began her transformation into a fish. Because of her divine nature, she retained her human form above the waist and turned into a fish below.
Atargatis was a goddess worshipped by the ancient Assyrians, who lived in the region that is now modern-day Iraq. She was considered to be a goddess of fertility and was often associated with water and fish. Her worship was widespread throughout the ancient Near East, and many temples were dedicated to her in various cities.
The origins of Atargatis are shrouded in mystery, but it is believed that she was originally a goddess of the sea. Her name is derived from the Aramaic word “atar” which means “to protect” and “gatis” which means “the sea.” As her worship spread, she became associated with other aspects of nature, such as fertility, agriculture, and the moon.
Atargatis was often depicted as a woman with the lower body of a fish, symbolizing her connection to the sea. She was also sometimes depicted with multiple breasts, which were believed to represent her fertility and nurturing nature. In some depictions, she was shown holding a sheaf of wheat, representing her role as a goddess of agriculture.
The worship of Atargatis was often associated with water, and many of her temples were located near rivers, lakes, or the sea. Her worshippers believed that she could bring rain and fertility to the land, ensuring bountiful harvests and healthy livestock. They also believed that she could protect them from the dangers of the sea, such as storms and shipwrecks.
Atargatis was also associated with love and sexuality. Her worshippers believed that she could help women conceive children and ensure a successful childbirth. She was also believed to have the power to bestow blessings on marriages and romantic relationships.
The worship of Atargatis persisted for centuries, and her influence can be seen in the religious practices of many cultures throughout the ancient Near East. In some regions, she was worshipped alongside other deities, such as the Babylonian goddess Ishtar or the Syrian goddess Astarte. Her cult was especially popular among women, who saw her as a powerful protector and nurturer.
The worship of Atargatis eventually declined with the spread of Christianity and the rise of Islam in the region. Her temples were destroyed, and her worshippers were forced to abandon their beliefs and adopt the new religions. Today, little remains of her once-great cult, and her name is known only to scholars and historians.
Atargatis was an Assyrian goddess of fertility, agriculture, and water. Her worship was widespread throughout the ancient Near East, and she was associated with many aspects of nature and human life. Her depictions as a woman with the lower body of a fish and multiple breasts symbolized her connection to the sea and her role as a nurturing protector. Although her cult has long since disappeared, her legacy lives on in the religious practices and beliefs of many cultures throughout the world.