Marduk

[Hoplite]

I understand that Tiamat is just the D&D version, but why does Marduk (who as far as I know only is a Babylonian god and never had a D&D-version) have 4 eyes and 4 arms?

[Tempest Fennac]

I think he did. Also, his stats can be found on page 19 of http://www.crystalkeep.com/d20/rules/DnD3.5Index-Deities.pdf .

[HamsterOfTheGod]

I understand that Tiamat is just the D&D version, but why does Marduk (who as far as I know only is a Babylonian god and never had a D&D-version) have 4 eyes and 4 arms?

The D&D version of Marduk had 4 eyes. This probably was based on one of the description of Marduk in the Babylonian Enuma Elish epic. One translation is here (http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~humm/Resources/Ane/enumaA.html).

Of Marduk, it is said that "His limbs were immaculate, the making a fearful mystery beyond comprehension; with four eyes for limitless sight, and four ears hearing all; when his lips moved a tongue of fire burst out."

(Marduk was often depicted as more human looking. One image from an ancient seal can be found in his Wikipedia entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marduk).)

The same epic above describes a Tiamat which is not the D&D version. The D&D version though is so ingrained in pop culture that her Wikipedia entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiamat) mentions this fact.

[GSFB]

I believe Tiamat and Marduk have always been different entities, going back to ancient mythology. And Marduk was in 1E Deities and Demigods.

[Hoplite]

I believe Tiamat and Marduk have always been different entities, going back to ancient mythology. And Marduk was in 1E Deities and Demigods.

I know they are different entities, they both come from Babylonian mythology, I only wanted to know when it was made up/decided that Marduk looked the way he does. As in was it Rich or did the AD&D first edition Deities and Demigods already have him as a four-eyes four-armed person?

[Sereg]

I remember that the 1E version did have 4 eyes and ears but I can't remember if he had 4 arms as well.

[HamsterOfTheGod]

I know they are different entities, they both come from Babylonian mythology, I only wanted to know when it was made up/decided that Marduk looked the way he does. As in was it Rich or did the AD&D first edition Deities and Demigods already have him as a four-eyes four-armed person?

Yes, as others said, the 1E Deities & Demigods had Marduk with 4 eyes (and a net too I recall). I don't remember about the 4 arms. Maybe somebody still has the book...

[hamishspence]

Marduk also got a merging into D&D in Dragons of Faerun, when it speaks of an incarnation of Bahamut called "Marduk the Justice-Bringer"

Interesting way of doing it.

[David Argall]

Yes, as others said, the 1E Deities & Demigods had Marduk with 4 eyes (and a net too I recall). I don't remember about the 4 arms. Maybe somebody still has the book...

Two arms. But 4 eyes and 4 ears. Of course, this is by somebody with only an amateur knowledge, or interest, in the actual facts. So determining who made what errors may be quite a bit of work.

[Gavinfoxx]

According to Crystalkeep, Marduk is in Sandstorm and Dragon Magazine #329.

[Nimrod's Son]

Hey there, Lazarus. Long time no see.