Rootsie, check this parallel. I know we are talking of mythology in this example, but mythology reflects culture. Nothing is new under the sun. If we look at the state of affairs in "western" culture we find indicators of similar conditrions that existed at the height of other empires.

"Ashur, in Assyria, assumed the roles of Marduk and Enlil, which would be expected as a military civilization developed. Ashur was a war god. It became usual practice to parade through the capital, also named Ashur, prisoners vouchsafed to Ashur. He was portrayed as a winged disc enclosing a stretched bow ready to let an arrow fly. His consort was *Ishtar, WHO RESPONDED TO THE WARLIKE TEMPERAMENT OF HER MATE BY SPROUTING A BEARD THAT EXTENDED TO HER BREASTS.* A.G.H."

* I can't help but think of the Hillary Clinton's, Margaret Thatcher's, and Janet Renos parading like servents to the masculine war god by removing their femininity and growing symbolic beards to fit in. I also can't help but think of all the confused lesbian women injecting testosterone, and trying to be men, just to fit in.