1, 2.] She may also be represented by the rude images in baked clay so common throughout the Mesopotamian ruins, which are generally regarded as images of Mylitta.

Ishtar is sometimes coupled with Nebo in such a way as to suggest the notion that she was his wife.
This, however, can hardly have been her real position in the mythology, since Nebo had, as will presently appear, another wife, Varamit, whom there is no reason to believe identical with Ishtar.

It is most probable that the conjunction is casual and accidental, being due to special and temporary causes.
[Illustration: PLATE 21] NEBO.
The last of the five planetary gods is Nebo, who undoubtedly represents the planet Mercury.

[PLATE XXI., Fig.

3.] His name is the same, or nearly so, both in Babylonian and Assyrian; and we may perhaps assign it a Semitic derivation, from the root _nibbah,_ "to prophesy." It is his special function to preside over knowledge and learning.