Nephis

Nephis refers to a Mesopotamian goddess worshipped in ancient Babylon, Sumeria, and Assyria. Her name is often associated with the planet Venus, which was considered a symbol of love, fertility, and war in ancient Mesopotamian cultures.

Nephis was often depicted as a anthropomorphic figure, sometimes wearing a crown or other regalia, and was frequently linked with the goddess Ishtar. Ishtar, however, was a more dominant deity with a broader range of roles, encompassing love, fertility, war, and the protection of cities and kings. Nephis, by contrast, appears to have been a more local or cultic variation of the goddess.

Nephis is attested in ancient Sumerian, Akkadian, and Assyrian texts from around 2000 BCE to the fall of the Neo-Assyrian Empire in the 7th century BCE. These texts mention Nephis in the context of rituals, offering, and hymns to the goddess. Sometimes, the texts imply that Nephis was the patron deity of certain cities or regions.

Some scholars have suggested that Nephis may have been an aspect of the goddess Ishtar that emerged in specific cultural or temporal contexts. However, more research is required to further clarify the nature and extent of Nephis's role in ancient Mesopotamian religion. It is Also worth noting that Nephis has not left behind a tactile and architectural presence, as is often the case with goddesses in ancient Mesopotamia, such as Ishtar's great temple at Babylon.