Stèle of Melqart

The Stèle of Melqart is an ancient carved stone slab dedicated to Melqart, a Phoenician deity associated with the city of Tyre and often linked to maritime activities and cycles of fertility and death. It features inscriptions and imagery honoring the god, reflecting religious practices and beliefs of the Phoenician civilization around the 5th century BCE. Such steles served both as religious objects and commemorative markers, revealing insights into their rituals, deities, and societal values. The artifact is significant for understanding Phoenician art, religion, and their influence across the Mediterranean.