Because I like Sumerian mythology, perhaps?
Nah, it actually came from the fact that the main adversary in "Blood Ties" was a demon by the name of Astaroth. The name is actually a female plural, originating in the Sumerian goddess Inanna, who later became Ishtar, then Astarte, the plural being used because of her multiple statues in various temples. The Hebrew Bible considered all pagan gods and goddesses as demons or somesuch, and when it was translated into Greek (I think?) the translator didn't realize that "Astaroth" meant the goddesses, in plural (I think the singular is Astoreth, but I'm not sure). So, it was transferred into Greek (?) as a single male demon, and his career as the boss of 40 demonic legions in Hell started from there. *g*