Marduk, << MAHR duk >>, was the chief god of the ancient Babylonians. He was originally a god of only the city of Babylon. But as Babylon emerged as the most important and powerful city of Mesopotamia, Marduk became the most important god of the area. He was called the “great lord, the lord of heaven and earth.” His power was said to lie in his wisdom, which he used to help good people and to punish the wicked.
