Aglibol

Aglibol
God of the Moon
Aglibol, as shown in a 1st century CE relief from Palmyra
Major cult center	Palmyra
Symbol	Lunar halo, crescent moon
Genealogy
Siblings	Malakbel

Aglibol (Palmyrene Aramaic: 𐡰𐡢𐡫𐡡𐡥𐡫 ʿGLBWL) is a god from Palmyra, originating from a north Syrian immigrant community.^[1] He is a moon god who was worshiped in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra as part of a triad alongside Bel and Yarhibol, and associated with the sun god Malakbel.^[2]

Evidence of Aglibol's worship is primarily epigraphical. The earliest known mention of Aglibol was an inscription which dates back to 17 BCE and associates him with the sun god Malakbel.^[2] Several other inscriptions made by the Bene Komare also associate him with Malakbel, including a bilingual inscription from 122 CE in which Aglibol and Malakbel sponsor a citizen by the name of Manai for his piety.^[2]

Several second century CE inscriptions attest that Aglibol was venerated with Malakbel in a sanctuary known as the "Sacred Garden" (gnt' 'ilym),^[3] which was one of the four principal sanctuaries of the city.^[3] The Bene Komare tended to this sanctuary.^[4]

The sanctuary had two altars, a sacred cypress and a bath. One of the reliefs found in the Temple of Bel show the two altars and the two gods.^[5]

• List of angels in theology
• List of lunar deities

• Smith II, Andrew M. (2013). Roman Palmyra: Identity, Community, and State Formation. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-986110-1.
• Stoneman, Richard (1994) [1992]. Palmyra and Its Empire: Zenobia's Revolt Against Rome. University of Michigan Press. ISBN 978-0-472-08315-2.
• W. Drijvers, H.J (1976). The Religion of Palmyra. Brill. ISBN 9789004047983.

• Media related to Aglibol at Wikimedia Commons