Ishtar of Arbela or the Lady of Arbela was a prominent goddess of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. She was the tutelary goddess of the city of Arbela as well as a patron goddess of the king. She was clearly distinct from other 'Ishtar' goddesses in religious worship. For example, in the city of Assur, she had a shrine separate from Ishtar of Assur, and Ishtar of Nineveh had a separate cult from either deity in Assur as well as a presence in Arbela. Similarly, they are usually distinguished from each other in hymns, prophetic texts, and treaties. In his Hymn to the Ištars of Nineveh and Arbela, King Ashurbanipal refers to the pair as 'my Ishtars' and uses plural language throughout, as well as ascribing them different functions in supporting the king. However, some poetic and prophetic texts appear to not draw sharp lines between their identities and refer to an unspecified "Ishtar".
8th century BCE stele from Til Barsip depicting Ishtar of Arbela standing on a lion.
Erbil, also called Hawler, is the capital and most populated city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The city is in the Erbil Governorate.
Image: Shar Park, Hawler, Erbil Governorate, Iraq
Image: Mudhafaria Minaret (evening)
Image: Shenglbana
Image: A traditional Kurdish house interior, Kurdish Textile and Cultural Museum, Citadel of Erbil
