Kronos

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Kronos (gr. Κρόνος Krónos, aram. ܩܪܘܢܘܣ‎ Qrōnōs) or Saturn (lat. Sātúrnus, abbr. SAT or S; gr. Σατοῦρνος Satoûrnos, perhaps etr. Satre) is an important but complicated god, who is said to have ruled the world in the Golden Age. Mythology tells of his dethronement by Zeus, but contrary to widespread modern opinion, this does not mean that he somehow belonged to an earlier period of Greek or pre-Greek religion, or that he was superseded by Zeus in the course of human history.

Kronos was in fact continuously worshipped throughout antiquity and only became more prominent over time, as astrologers assigned the planet Phaenon (i.e., ‘Saturn’) to him, and the Saturnalia (or ‘Kronia’) came to be one of the most widely celebrated festivals of the Mediterranean during the Roman imperial period.

Devotion to the god was most common in the Roman provinces of Africa, where he was called Baˤl Ḥamūn in the local Punic language, but Kronos in Greek- and Saturn in Latin-language sources. Although Punic traditions were closely related to those of the Levant, the situation there was more complex. As Damascius wrote, “the Phoenicians and Syrians call Kronos El, Bel (i.e., Baˤl), and Bolathes”.[1] Consequently, this article will only cover El and Baal/Bol insofar as these names were equivocated with Kronos–Saturn.

Kronos’ name in various languages

or El (ugarit. 𐎛𐎍 ˀĪlu, phoen. 𐤀𐤋 = hebr. אֵל ˀĒl, gr. Ἤλ Ḗl or Ἦλος Êlos, lat. Êl) is a god of great importance, the son of Heaven and father of Zeus (or Baal); he is said to have ruled before his son, and according to Greek myth, devoured his children to escape being dethroned.

The planet called ‘Saturn’ in English is also said to be him, or belong to him. As such, many languages call him Kewan, from his name in Babylonian astronomy, Kayyamānu.

Egyptian, Mesopotamian, etc.

Baˤl Ḥamūn (𐤁𐤏𐤋 𐤇𐤌𐤍‎ bʕl ḥmn in Phoenician script, Βαλ Αμουν in Greek script)

Appearance or iconography

LIMC

Genealogy, mythology and history

Titan

Mysteries and philosophy

Worship

Saturnalia

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