As a temple high priestess in the service to the Goa'uld Moloc, part of Ishta's duty was to keep record of births and preside over the Ceremony of Fire, in which all newborn girls were murdered at Moloc's decree.

Her conscience weighing on her, Ishta could not stand by and watch her sisters be murdered. She was allowed relatively free access to the Stargate and the worlds under Moloc's rule, allowing her opportunity to begin a resistance movement among her fellow Jaffa women.

For fear that she may be reported to the Imperial guard, Ishta has grown accustomed to spiriting young girls away from Moloc's banner so that they are not sacrificed. Her husband was a warrior of high standing in Moloc's Imperial Guard, but was killed in battle against a rival Goa'uld.

Ishta was eager to propose an alliance with the Tau'ri of Earth. Upon meeting them, she found a kindred spirit in Teal'c and soon became romantically involved with him. At first she was reluctant to accept their offer to take tretonin instead of stealing symbiotes (and killing other Jaffa in order to obtain them), but Ishta came to realize the importance in this and accepted their offer.

DETAILS

PLAYED BY - Jolene Blalock
FIRST APPEARED - Birthright

KEY EPISODE

Birthright - Ishta forms an alliance with Earth and learns of the drug tretonin, which could counteract her people's dependence on Goa'uld symbiotes.
Sacrifices - Ishta and the Hak'tyl plot to overthrown the Goa'uld Moloc, driving a wedge between her and Teal'c when he argues it is strategically unwise.