The custom of sacred prostitution was linked to the cult of \b \cf4 \ATXht1139 Asht
aroth\b0 \cf0 \ATXht0 in particular. On Cyprus and in the coastal sanctuaries of the western Mediterranean, prostitution was practiced in a systematic manner by temple slaves. They did so in honor of the goddess, with the sum paid by clients always goin
g into the coffers of the temples, which amassed great wealth in this manner.\par