Homosexuality was a known, though rare, phenomenon in ancient Mesopotamia. Ancient expressions of homosexuality differed significantly from modern ones, because in antiquity it usually meant the domination of one man and the disgrace of the other. For this reason, an enemy could be wished to become a male prostitute. If homosexual acts took place between persons of equal status, then it was punishable. Another form of homosexuality was sacred prostitution as part of the cult of Inanna/Ishtar. The male temple personnel involved (as passive partners) in such a form of worship possessed a social status lower than that of free men. There are no known records or depictions of homosexual behavior among women.