Precinct of Astarte

Astarte was a complicated, warlike goddess and worshipped by soldiers and couples for her influence over war and love. She was most commonly depicted symbolically by a star within a circle representing the Evening Star, the planet Venus. Several creatures were also considered sacred to her, including the lion, horse and sphinx. In Carthage she was considered to have a separate role from Tanit but there was some overlap in their responsibilities. Astarte is most famously depicted as an alabaster figurine known as the 'Lady of Galera'. This small statuette is seated on a throne and flanked by sphinxes. She holds a bowl that can be filled from liquid that pours out of her breasts. An ancient Ugarit goddess worshipped by the Phoenicians, Astarte was equated to Artemis and Aphrodite by the Greeks and to Venus by the Romans.