We've met the Moloch of the Buffyverse, but who's the mythological figure behind him?

Formerly a pagan sun god, Moloch (also called Saturn-Moloch) was known as the abomination of the Ammonites in the Old Testament. He embodied the fierce and terrible qualities of the sun's heat. He was also known to be the bringer of plagues.

The Ammonites (I can only guess that they are a group of people who lived in a place called Ammon), built huge bronze statues to honour him. These statues pictured him as a gigantic bull-headed being with extremely long arms, sitting on a brass throne. His worshipers practised human sacrifice in his honour, especially the sacrifice of first-born infants. This practice was said to be the most powerful way to avert disaster and death from the rest of the community.

The Greeks identified Moloch with one of their own deities, Cronos. Cronos was a titan (a giant) who overthrew his father (Ouranos), and seized control of the universe. Because he had been warned that one of his sons would eventually displace him, he swallowed his children after they were born. It was the cruel practices of Moloch that linked the two.

Moloch was also worshipped in Carthage. A description of the religious practices there is as follows:

"they used as a remedy a bloody piece of religion and a horrid abonimation. For they sacrificed men as victims, and brought to the altars children..., begging the favour of the gods by shedding the blood..."

The order of the ritual sacrifice was as follows: the person carrying out the sacrifice would first kiss the statue of Moloch, then build a bonfire under it, causing it to become red hot. The victim would then be placed in the statue's hands were s/he was left to die. The prophets would beat drums and dance around the alter in a frenzy, and perhaps would began to cut their bodies with knives and other sharp objects. While in this state, they would shout out their prophesies.

The location of these sacrifices was called Topheth, derived from the Hebrew toph, meaning drum, as the drums used in the ceremonies were supposed to drown the cries of the victims. It was also called Hinnom, which means to roar. Because of these rites, Moloch is also called prince of the valley of tears.

In the Old Testament it states that Jezebel sacrificed to Moloch, and it also states that God strictly forbids Jews from sacrificing their children to him.

The other place from which Moloch is known was Paradise Lost, where he was one of Satan's followers and his strongest fighter. He also encouraged Satan and his other followers to wage war on Heaven.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Gallery of Demons
Classical Mythology: The Ancient Myths and Legends of Greece and Rome by Arthur Cotterell
Bite Me: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Nikki Stafford

© Copyright Sabrina Wish 1999