Merodach

Merodach, more commonly spelled Marduk in Akkadian sources, is one of the major deities of ancient Mesopotamian religion. He is the patron god of the city of Babylon and, by the late third to first centuries BCE, the chief deity of the Babylonian and broader Assyro-Babylonian pantheon. In myth he embodies order, justice and creation, and he is closely linked with rain and fertility through his control of waters.

Etymology and development: The exact origin of the name is uncertain, and Merodach is a Hebrew/Greek rendering of the Akkadian Marduk. The god’s rise to preeminence is most clearly expressed in the creation epic Enuma Elish, where he is exalted to king of the gods.

Mythology and role: In Enuma Elish, Marduk defeats the chaos goddess Tiamat, creates the heavens and the earth from her body, and establishes cosmic order. He then assigns roles to the other gods and becomes the ruler of the divine assembly. Over time he came to symbolize Babylonian political power and the idea of cosmic justice under royal authority.

Cult and worship: Babylon was the primary cult center for Marduk, with major temples Esagil and Esagila. The annual Akitu festival celebrated the New Year and reaffirmed royal legitimacy and divine order under his guidance. His cult extended through much of Mesopotamia, influencing ritual and state practice.

Iconography: Marduk is typically depicted as a bearded king wearing a horned crown, and often shown with a rod and ring as symbols of authority. He is also associated with the dragon Mušḫuššu, a creature that became a symbol of his power.

Historical notes: The form Merodach appears in later historical and biblical texts as a transcription of Marduk. The name also appears in personal and royal names, notably in Merodach-Baladan, a Babylonian ruler who contested Assyrian dominance.