VV (20) The Xebec

[Samuel Moyer]

A Xebec is a three-masted Mediterranean sailing ship... see links below.

http://www.boattalk.com/museum/Ships/56classic.htm
http://naturecoast.com/hobby/amati.htm#XEBEC

It was used during the 16th to the 19th centuries.  (Note that Mehemet comes
from 1324 though....? see 459.)

The xebec described in the Epilogue is green (algae?) and has Astarte,
goddess of sensual love, as a figurehead.  (456)

Webster's has Astarte as: The Phoenician goddess of fertility and sensual
love.

Astarte is very possibly another name for Ishtar.    Ishtar is the
Babylonian goddess of love and fertility.  In one myth, Ishtar's love for
Tammuz causes his death.  Ishtar manages to descend into the underworld and
return with him to earth after a ceremony in which she has the water of life
poured over her.

_Gods, Demons, and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia_  Jeremy Black and Anthony
Green suggest that the goddess Ishtar and Astarte were related.
".. and to that of the Syrian goddess Astarte (Biblical Ashtoreth), with
whom she (Ishtar) was undoubtably connected.

Black and Green suggest three roles of the goddess Ishtar:
1.  goddess of love and sexual behavior, especially with regards to
extramarital sex.  She is not a goddess of marriage.  She is even reproached
by Gilgamesh (I have the Epic, but not about to read it presently) for her
treatment of a whole series of lovers.
2. The Warlike Goddess who is fond of battle, violent and lusting after
power, she stands beside her favorite kings as they fight.  (She is drawn to
the hero).
3.  The third aspect of Ishtar is as the planet Venus, the morning and
evening star.

Something to consider...

Sam