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Sydyk, "Justice," or, the "Just One," whose name corresponds to the Hebrew Zadok or Zedek, appears in the Phoenician mythology especially as the father of Esmun and the Cabeiri. It is perhaps his name which forms the final element in Melchizedek, Adoni-zedek, and the like. We have no evidence that he was really worshipped by the Phoenicians.
Strength of the religious sentiment among the Phoenicians Proofs First stage of the religion, monotheistic Second stage, a polytheism within narrow limits Worship of Baal of Ashtoreth of El or Kronos of Melkarth of Dagon of Hadad of Adonis of Sydyk of Esmun of the Cabeiri of Onca of Tanith of Beltis Third stage marked by introduction of foreign deities Character of the Phoenician worship Altars and sacrifice Hymns of praise, temples, and votive offerings Wide prevalence of human sacrifice and of licentious orgies Institution of the Galli Extreme corruption of the later religion Views held on the subject of a future life Piety of the great mass of the people earnest, though mistaken.
The seven other Cabeiri, or "Great Ones," equally with Esmun the sons of Sydyk, were dwarfish gods who presided over navigation, and were the patrons of sailors and ships. The special seat of their worship in Phoenicia Proper was Berytus, but they were recognised also in several of the Phoenician settlements, as especially in Lemnos, Imbrus, and Samothrace.
The other principal Phoenician deities were El, Melkarth, Dagon, Hadad, Adonis, Sydyk, Eshmun, the Cabeiri, Onca, Tanith, Tanata, or Anaitis, and Baalith, Baaltis, or Beltis. El, or Il, originally a name of the Supreme God, became in the later Phoenician mythology a separate and subordinate divinity, whom the Greeks compared to their Kronos and the Romans to their Saturn.
Esmun, on the other hand, the son of Sydyk, would seem to have been an object of worship almost as much as any other deity. He was the special god of Berytus, but was honoured also in Cyprus, at Sidon, at Carthage, in Sardinia, and elsewhere. His name forms a frequent element in Phoenician names, royal and other: e.g. Esmun-azar, Esmun-nathan, Han-Esmun, Netsib-Esmun, Abd-Esmun, &c.
They have a head called Eshmun, who is the god of the eighth or highest sphere. The Cabiri are beings of a moral character; they are not only mighty ones and creators, but they are the children of Sydyk that is, of Righteousness; and they give counsel.
According to Damascius, he was the eighth son of Sydyk, whence his name, and the chief of the Cabeiri. Whereas they were dwarfish and misshapen, he was a youth of most beautiful appearance, truly worthy of admiration.
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