A Phoenician Sacrifice to Moloch (litho)

A Phoenician Sacrifice to Moloch. The annual sacrifice of children to Baal, or Moloch, was one of the most horrible customs known in primitive religion. The god was represented by a brazen figure with outstretched arms, made hot by a fire kindled inside it. The victims, placed in its arms, rolled into the flames below. Their cries were drowned in the music of flutes and drums, as any complaint from child or parent was considered to be obnoxious to the god. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson, c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.