Baal Hammon

Carthaginian deity

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June 23, 2026

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Baal Hammon was a chief god of Carthage, often equated with the Phoenician god Melqart. He was likely the consort of the goddess Tanit, who eventually eclipsed his cult in popularity. The name "Baal" itself means "lord" or "owner" and was applied to various deities in ancient Middle Eastern communities, particularly the Canaanites, where Baal was considered a fertility god and the lord of rain and dew.123

In Carthaginian worship, Baal Hammon, along with Tanit, was associated with the practice of child sacrifice. The myths from Ugarit describe Baal as a powerful god of fertility and the storm, who battled against Mot, the god of death and sterility. This struggle determined cycles of fertility and drought for the land.234

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North Africa
Religion and culture
The chief deity was Baal Hammon, the community’s divine lord and protector, who was identified by the Greeks with Cronus and by the Romans with Saturn. During the 5th century bc a goddess named Tanit came to be widely worshiped and represented in art. It is possible that her…
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The chief deity was Baal Hammon, the community’s divine lord and protector, who was identified by the Greeks with Cronus and by the Romans with Saturn. During the 5th century bc a goddess named Tanit came to be widely worshiped and represented in art. It is possible that her…
Read More

Tanit
…was probably the consort of Baal Hammon (or Amon), the chief god of Carthage, and was often given the attribute “face of Baal.” Although Tanit did not appear at Carthage before the 5th century bc, she soon eclipsed the more established cult of Baal Hammon and, in the Carthaginian area…
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…was probably the consort of Baal Hammon (or Amon), the chief god of Carthage, and was often given the attribute “face of Baal.” Although Tanit did not appear at Carthage before the 5th century bc, she soon eclipsed the more established cult of Baal Hammon and, in the Carthaginian area…
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Melqart
…equated with the sun, and Baal Hammon (Baal Amon), “Lord of the Incense Altar,” was perhaps his title in that capacity. Baal Hammon was also the name of the chief god of Carthage, consort of the goddess Tanit.
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…equated with the sun, and Baal Hammon (Baal Amon), “Lord of the Incense Altar,” was perhaps his title in that capacity. Baal Hammon was also the name of the chief god of Carthage, consort of the goddess Tanit.
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