Anaitis is the Greek form of the Persian goddess Anahita, whose name means "immaculate" or "undefiled" in Old Persian. The Greek adaptation, Anaitis, appears in historical sources from the Hellenistic period, when Iranian and Greek cultures intermingled after the conquests of Alexander the Great. This linguistic borrowing reflects the spread and identification of Iranian deities within the Greco-Roman world. Etymology The original name Anahita derives from Old Persian *an- ("not") + *āhita ("unclean"), thus meaning "pure, immaculate." In Avestan, the sacred language of Zoroastrianism, the goddess is known as Arəduuī (𐬀𐬭𐬆𐬛𐬎𐬎𐬍), while anāhita (𐬀𐬥𐬁𐬵𐬌𐬙𐬀) was originally a descriptive epithet meaning "undefiled." Over time, this epithet became the primary name of the deity. Mythological and Religious Significance Anahita is a major Zoroastrian divinity, associated with water, fertility, healing, and wisdom. She is also identified with the Avestan figure Aredvi Sura Anahita, who presides over the cosmic waters. Her cult was particularly prominent during the Achaemenid Empire and later under the Parthians and Sasanians. She has been historically linked to the Semitic goddess Ishtar and the Greek goddess Artemis, reflecting syncretic practices in antiquity. According to some scholars, she may have origins identical to the Indian goddess Saraswati, underscoring her Indo-Iranian roots. Historical and Cultural Context The Greek form Anaitis appears in writings by Hellenistic authors such as Strabo and Plutarch, who noted the worship of the goddess alongside Artemis in regions like Asia Minor and Armenia. A major temple dedicated to Anahita existed in the Iranian city of Kangavar, with others scattered across the empire. Symbolically, Anahita is associated with the lotus flower, which is a motif in Persian art and festivals like the Lotus Festival (Jashn-e Nilupar). Related Forms Beyond Anaitis, other variants derived from Anahita include the Armenian Anahid, the Persian Nahid, and the Armenian mythological form Anahit. These names remain in use in various cultures influenced by Zoroastrianism.