Nergal
Nergal (lord of the great city) In Near Eastern mythology (Babylonian-Assyrian), war god, lord of the underworld, husband of Ereshkigal, goddess of the underworld. When he trespasses against a taboo of the underworld, sexual intercourse, he is doomed to stay forever. In some accounts he is said to be the son of Bel. He was addressed as “the hero of the gods, who marches in front of them” to battle, and among his names (when identified with the
planet Mars) are those of Allamu and Almu. Assyrian kings regarded Nergal as the patron god of hunting. Nergal was portrayed wearing a crown and was waited on by 14 attendants. His sacred city of the dead was Cutha.
SEE ALSO:
- Bel
- Ereshkigal
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow– Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante
