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originally posted by: Utnapisjtim
Buzzword Death: Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, named after Gr. Herakles (Rom. Hercules) the Greek hero that evolved from the Mesopotamian demon or god of the dead named Nergal.
Nergal—The Jewish writers say this idol was in the form of a cock, and it is certain that a cock is often associated with a priest on the Assyrian monuments [Layard]. But modern critics, looking to the astrological character of Assyrian idolatry, generally consider Nergal as the planet Mars, the god of war. The name of this idol formed part of the appellation of two of the king of Babylon's princes (Jer 39:3).