Uranos being masculine could not produce of himself, and Earth was the only female being that could be united with him. […] It reverses however the usual order, the earth being generally looked on as the female principle. […] Many other heroes could also boast of being the sons of Zeus by different mothers. […] This will also give a very simple reason for her being like Eileithyia, the aider of women in labour. […] She is generally regarded as being the same with the Astarte of the Phœnicians.