Maison Juillet
NERGAL
The Babylonian name of the planet Mars is Nergal. This name is referred to in early times, many centuries prior to the eight century. But it was in that latter century that this planet became a most important deity. Many prayers to it were composed."Radiant abode, that beams over the land...who is thy equal _? " Temples were built to this planet and statues erected.When Samaria was conquered by Sargon, father of Sennacherib, and new settlers were brought to live there, they erected in Samaria a shrine to the planet Mars.The planet Mars was feared for its violence.."Nergal.the almighty among the gods, fear,terror,awe-inspiring splendor,Nergal, the most violent among the gods." That phrase was wrote by Esarhaddon, son of Sennacherib...
Nergal brought defeat."Nergal, the perfect warrior,the most powerful one among the gods,the pre eminent hero,the mighty lord, king of battle, lord of power and might, lord of the storm, who brings defeat".
The oppositions of Nergal were carefully watched."The movement of Mars were extremely important in Babylonian astrology, its relation to Venus,Jupiter and Mercury.
Prayers were addressed to Nergal with the lifting of hands toward the star Mars. "Thou who walkest in the sky with splendor and terror, king of battle,the raging fire- god, god Nergal" . Nergal was the fire- star. Also called Sharappu, "the burner", 'lord of destruction". The heaven he makes dark, he moves the Earth off its hinges. Nergal, on high stills the heavens, causes the earth to shudder.
In the 8th and 7th Centuries,when the world ,in the language of Isaiah, was 'moved exceedingly'.This is because a comet was captured by the sun, and now is orbiting as the second planet of this solar system.
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