On these grounds it is reasonable to conclude that we have, in this instance, an admixture of hero-worship in the Chaldaean religion.  Bil-Nipru is probably the Biblical Nimrod, the original founder of the monarchy, the “mighty hunter” and conqueror.  At the same time, however, that he is this hero deified, he represents also, as the second god of the first Triad, the classical Jupiter.  He is “the supreme,” “the father of the gods,” “the procreator,” “the Lord,” par excellence, “the king of all the spirits,” “the lord of the world,” and again, “the lord of all the countries.”  There is some question whether he is altogether to be identified with the Belus of the Greek writers, who in certain respects rather corresponds to Merodach.  When Belus, however, is called the first king, the founder of the empire, or the builder of Babylon, it seems necessary to understand Bil-Nipru or Bel-Nimrod.  Nimrod, we know, built Babylon; and Babylon was called in Assyrian times “the city of Bil-Nipru,” while its famous defences—­the outer and the inner wall—­were known, even under Nebuchadnezzar, by the name of the same god.—­Nimrod, again, was certainly the founder of the kingdom; and, therefore, if Bil-Nipru is his representative, he would be Belus under that point of view.

The chief seat of Bel-Nimrod’s worship was undoubtedly Nipur (Niffer) or Calneh.  Not only was this city designated by the very same name as the god, and specially dedicated to him and to his wife Beltis, but Bel-Nimrod is called “Lord of Nipra,” and his wife “Lady of Nipra,” in evident allusion to this city or the tract wherein it was placed.  Various traditions, as will be hereafter shown, connect Nimrod with Niffer, which may fairly be regarded as his principal capital.  Here then he would be naturally first worshipped upon his decease; and here seems to have been situated his famous temple called Kharris-Nipra, so noted for its wealth, splendor, and antiquity, which was an object of intense veneration to the Assyrian kings.  Besides this celebrated shrine, he does not appear to have possessed many others.  He is sometimes said to have had four “arks” or “tabernacles;” but the only places besides Niffer, where we know that he had buildings dedicated to him, are Calah (Nimrud) and Dur-Kurri-galzu (Akkerkuf).  At the same time he is a god almost universally acknowledged in the invocations of the Babylonian and Assyrian kings, in which he has a most conspicuous place.  In Assyria he seems to be inferior only to Asshur; in Chaldaea to Ra and Ana.

Of Beltis, the wife of Bel-Nimrod, a full account will be given presently.  Nin or Ninip—­the Assyrian Hercules—­was universally regarded as their son; and he is frequently joined with Bel-Nimrod in the invocations.  Another famous deity, the Moon-god, Sin or Hurki, is also declared to be Bel-Nimrod’s son in some inscriptions.  Indeed, as “the father of the gods,” Bel-Nimrod might evidently claim an almost infinite paternity.