Astarte is an ancient Near Eastern goddess associated with love, war, and fertility. She was worshipped in various cultures, including the Canaanites, Phoenicians, and Egyptians. Astarte is often depicted as a powerful figure, sometimes represented with symbols like lions or doves, reflecting her dual nature of nurturing and combativeness. In mythology, Astarte is linked to the goddess Ishtar from Mesopotamian traditions and is sometimes considered a counterpart to the Greek goddess Aphrodite. Her worship included rituals and offerings, emphasizing her importance in agricultural and military contexts, as she was believed to influence both fertility and success in battle.