Dagon began as a Northwest Semitic (Akkadian, Assyrian, Babylonian) Mesopotamian fertility god and evolved into a major Northwest Semitic god of grain as well as fish/fishing. The grain is thought to represent fertility.
He was worshiped in a large, geographical area, from Mesopotamia to Syria, by the Amorites and the cities of Ebla and Ugarit. He was possibly a major deity in the pantheon of the Philistines.
His name is related to an archaic Semitic root word for "grain", a further clue to his domain.
Myths & Legends[]
Dagon first appears in the Mari texts around 2500 BC. However, his precise functions are not certain, as he is not well attested in Levantine mythological literature, and rarely in Mesopotamian literature.
Notably, he makes a speech recounting the deeds of Ninurta in the Assyrian myth of Anzu. In other cases, he has an association with the underworld, being said to keep with him the seven children of Enmešarra.
Bibilical Appearance[]
Dagon is mentioned in the Old Testament as a major god of the Philistines who loses to the Hebrew God. When the Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant in battle, the place it in Dagon's temple as a symbol of his victory. In the morning, however, Dagon's statue is lying face down on the floor. The people set it up on its feet, and the next morning it is back on the floor, with its head and hands broken off.
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Trivia[]
- 'Dagon' is an name of an active item from the game DOTA 2.
- A god from the Cthulhu Mythos is also named Dagon.