Marduk

In Assyrio-Babylonian mythology, the two-headed sun god, creator of Earth and humans, and their intermediary with his father Ea, god of water and wisdom. He was the father of Nabu (biblical Nebo). Venerated as a god of battle, he held the decrees of fate, and was invoked in exorcism (expulsion of spirits).

The Babylonian creation legend ended with a hymn of praise to him, bestowing many titles of honour. His victory over the primordial salt-water goddess Tiamat and the ensuing new world, and his marriage with Zarpanitum (or Sarpanitu), were commemorated in the Babylonian new year's feast at the spring equinox. He was identified with the planet Jupiter; his consort with Venus.

Originally a god of the morning light and spring sun, Marduk rose to prominence around 1750 BC under Hammurabi who brought the upper and lower states of the Euphrates Valley under one dominion, and set up Babylon as his capital. Marduk, as the Bel of Babylon, was invested with all the divine attributes of Enlil, ruler of the heavenly court and god of storms, air, and land.