A groundbreaking history of the ancient goddesses of love and war
The figure of a goddess who represents both love and war can be found in cultures across the ancient world. These societies were all polytheistic, and all worshipped such deities as Venus, Freya, and the Morrigan. What was it about this model of divine femininity that ancient people in Europe and the Near East found so attractive?
In this vivid account, Ronald Hutton traces the history of eight key goddesses in ancient societies. Looking at the Sumerian Inanna, ancient Greek Aphrodite, and Egyptian Hathor, amongst others, Hutton compares the characters of these female deities and examines how and why such a figure reoccurred so often. Ranging from Mesopotamia, Syria, and Palestine to western Europe, this fascinating story provides a deeper understanding of two of the most powerful and intractable human impulses: love and war.
| ISBN: | 9780300290721 |
| Publication date: | 27th October 2026 |
| Author: | Ronald Hutton |
| Publisher: | Yale University Press |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 320 pages |
| Genres: |
Ancient history Social and cultural history Ancient religions and Mythologies Gender studies: women and girls |
A groundbreaking history of the ancient goddesses of love and war
The figure of a goddess who represents both love and war can be found in cultures across the ancient world. These societies were all polytheistic, and all worshipped such deities as Venus, Freya, and the Morrigan. What was it about this model of divine femininity that ancient people in Europe and the Near East found so attractive?
In this vivid account, Ronald Hutton traces the history of eight key goddesses in ancient societies. Looking at the Sumerian Inanna, ancient Greek Aphrodite, and Egyptian Hathor, amongst others, Hutton compares the characters of these female deities and examines how and why such a figure reoccurred so often. Ranging from Mesopotamia, Syria, and Palestine to western Europe, this fascinating story provides a deeper understanding of two of the most powerful and intractable human impulses: love and war.
Goddesses features in the following genres: Ancient history, Social and cultural history, Ancient religions and Mythologies, Gender studies: women and girls
Goddesses is available in Hardback
Goddesses was written by Ronald Hutton and published by Yale University Press
Goddesses has 320 pages
£22.50