Baal Cycle

The Baal Cycle, discovered at the site of ancient Ugarit on the Syrian coast in 1929, is the central mythological text of the Canaanite religion. Written in Ugaritic — a Semitic language using a cuneiform alphabet — the cycle narrates the conflicts of Baal, god of storm and rain, as he fights to establish his kingship among the gods. In the first conflict Baal, championed by the craftsman god Kothar-wa-Khasis who forges him two great clubs, defeats Yam — the chaotic sea god and river — and establishes his divine sovereignty. Following his victory Baal demands that a palace be built for him, as befits a king of the gods. After negotiation and the intervention of the goddess Anat, the craftsman god builds Baal a magnificent palace of gold, silver, and lapis lazuli on his mountain. In the second great conflict, Mot — the god of death and the underworld — demands that Baal descend to him. Baal does so and dies. The earth withers; fertility ceases. The goddess Anat searches for her brother Baal, finds Mot, and grinds him like grain, scatters him, and sows him in the fields. Baal returns to life and to his throne. The cycle ends with Baal reigning victorious.