Is Atargatis a mermaid?
She is sometimes described as a mermaid-goddess, due to identification of her with a fish-bodied goddess at Ascalon. However, there is no evidence that Atargatis was worshipped at Ascalon, and all iconographic evidence shows her as anthropomorphic.
Is Atargatis real?
Atargatis was the goddess of the moon, feminine powers and water. She was worshipped 4000–3000 years ago in ancient Assyria and later on all over the Mediterranean.
Why did Atargatis become a mermaid?
Atargatis accidentally caused the death of Hadad. She could not live with her guilt and drowned herself into a lake near Ascalon. Waters however could not hide her beauty and she was transformed into a mermaid.
Where is the goddess Atargatis from?
northern Syria
Atargatis, great goddess of northern Syria; her chief sanctuary was at Hierapolis (modern Manbij), northeast of Aleppo, where she was worshiped with her consort, Hadad.
What did Atargatis look like?
In Ancient Roman times, Atargatis was a beautiful and powerful priestess who fell in love with a human shepherd boy. He, simply being mortal, did not survive her divine lovemaking and died. Atargatis was depicted as having long, flowing hair like the water. She is the first mermaid.
Was Atargatis the first mermaid?
The First Mermaid is also called Lady Goddess of the Sea In Ancient Roman times, Atargatis was a beautiful and powerful priestess who fell in love with a human shepherd boy. He, simply being mortal, did not survive her divine lovemaking and died. She is the first mermaid.
Who is the first mermaid?
Atargatis-
Atargatis- Atargatis is the oldest mermaid legend. She is the Assyrian goddess of the moon, water, and femininity. She was worshipped some 3000 or 4000 years ago. Atargatis was depicted as a mermaid and is among the earliest told stories of mermaids.
Was Aphrodite a mermaid?
Aphrodite is known as the goddess of love, beauty and sensuality. Her name was Atargatis, a Syrian goddess. She was not always a mermaid, but because of her beauty, she was not able to fully transform into a fish, so her top half remained human, and her bottom half turned into a fish.