This sculptural replica of Ishtar, the great goddess of love and war, was one of the most important Mesopotamian deities. She was a violent and powerful goddess who struck terror into gods and humans alike. She had a significant influence on many later goddesses, including the famous Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. The Assyrians worshipped Ishtar as a war goddess and made her the consort of their national god Assur. The ancient Greeks named her Astarte and the Bible mentions her as Ashtoreth. Ishtar was the goddess of the ancient empires who prospered around the Tigris and Euphrates rivers which are in today’s Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, and Turkiye.

This is a faithful plaster reproduction of the 1,800-year-old sculptural relief. The original (first or second century C.E.) bas-relief was discovered in Palmyra and is now on display at the National Museum in Damascus. That region, Mesopotamia, is home to the great ancient empires and acknowledged as the cradle of civilization. Ishtar’s symbolic role for war, leading to the dispensing of justice, and her love, to protect those communities she cared for, make her an enduring cultural symbol. 

The gift was presented by the Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations, Mowaffak Allaf, to the United Nations, and was accepted by Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim. 

The Secretary-General said the work recalled the continuity of civilization in the Middle East and the pressing responsibilities to find lasting peace so its people can go into a more prosperous and happier future.

Mr. Allaf said the gift symbolizes hope for " a future in which abundance shall replace poverty and economic development shall be the substitute for the arms race.”