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| Melqart | |
|---|---|
 Phoenician depiction of Melqart, from the Barracco Museum of Antique Sculpture, 6th century BC | |
| Major cult center | Pillars of Melqart Tyre, Phoenicia Gadir, Iberia |
| Abode | Underworld |
| Symbol | Axe, lion |
| Festivals | Egersis |
| Personal information | |
| Parents | |
| Siblings | paternal: Anat, Attar, Mot, Shahar, Shalim, Shapash, Yam |
| Equivalents | |
| Greek equivalent | Heracles |
| Roman equivalent | Hercules |
| Deities of the ancient Near East |
|---|
| Religions of the ancient Near East |
Melqart (Phoenician: 𐤌𐤋𐤒𐤓𐤕, romanized: Mīlqārt) was the tutelary god of the Phoenician city-state of Tyre and a major deity in the Phoenician and Punic pantheons. He may have been central to the founding-myths of various Phoenician colonies throughout the Mediterranean, as well as the source of several myths concerning the exploits of Heracles.[1][2] Many cities were thought to be founded (in one way or another) and protected by Melqart, no doubt springing from the original Phoenician practice of building a Temple of Melqart at new colonies.[1] Similar to Tammuz and Adonis, he symbolized an annual cycle of death and rebirth.
Melqart was typically depicted as bearded or with sideburns, dressed only in either a lion's skin or rounded shepherd's hat, and a loincloth. Reflecting his dual role as both protector of the world and ruler of the underworld, he was often shown holding an Ankh or Flower as a symbol of life, and a fenestrated axe as a symbol of death.
As Tyrian trade, colonization and settlement expanded, Melqart became venerated in Phoenician and Punic cultures across the Mediterranean, especially its colonies of Carthage and Cádiz.[3] During the high point of Phoenician civilization between 1000 and 500 BCE, Melqart was associated with other pantheons and often venerated accordingly. Most notably, he was identified with the Greek Heracles and the Roman Hercules from at least the sixth century BCE, and eventually became interchangeable with his Greek counterpart.[4]
In Cyprus, Melqart was syncretized with Eshmun and Asclepius,[5][6] and also in Ibiza, as given by a dedication reciting: "to his lord, Eshmun-Melqart".[7] In Tyre, women, foreigners, and pork were not allowed in the sanctuary of Melqart's temple.[8]
- ^ a b Cartwright, Mark. "Melqart". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
- ^ Hitti, Philip (1957). Lebanon in History. India: Macmillan and Co Ltd. p. 118.
Corinth is associated in Greek legend with a god of Phoenician origin, Melikertes (Melkarth), later identified with Herakles. The contests of the Phoenician god with the twelve hostile beasts of the zodiac are the origin of the twelve labours of the Greek hero.
- ^ "Melqart | Phoenician deity". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ "Melqart | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- ^ Sauer 2018, p. 140.
- ^ Greenfield 1995, p. 433.
- ^ Ogden 2021, p. 470.
- ^ Herodotus (2009-06-02). The Landmark Herodotus: The Histories. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-4000-3114-6.