Baal Cycle
Also known as: Ugaritic Baal Cycle, Epic of Baal, Baal Epic
Ugaritic poems narrating Baal Hadad’s rise to divine kingship: his victory over Sea (Yam), the building of his palace on Mount Zaphon, his confrontation with Death (Mot), and his return to power.
Description
The Baal Cycle comprises poetic tablets from Late Bronze Age Ugarit that chart the storm-god Baal Hadad’s struggle to secure and maintain cosmic rule. He defeats the Sea deity Yam with divine weapons forged by the craftsman Kothar-wa-Hasis, then establishes his sovereignty when a cedar-built palace rises on Mount Zaphon. Baal’s reign is challenged by Mot, the god of Death; Baal descends to the underworld and vanishes, prompting Anat’s ferocious intervention and the mediation of the sun-goddess Shapsh. Baal ultimately returns, restoring fertility and order, while Athtar’s brief, failed usurpation underscores Baal’s unique fitness for the throne.
Historiography
Discovered at Ras Shamra (modern Ugarit) from 1928 onward, the Baal Cycle survives on clay tablets catalogued as KTU 1.1–1.6, copied in the 13th century BCE. Colophons in related Ugaritic literature name the scribe Ilimilku, likely responsible for these copies. The text is damaged in places, requiring careful reconstruction and parallel analysis across fragments. Modern editions and translations (Smith, Wyatt, Coogan/Smith) have refined readings and interpretation, especially on divine succession, royal ideology, and seasonal-religious motifs.
Date Notes
Myths likely circulated orally earlier; extant tablets from the palace library at Ugarit (Ras Shamra) date to the 13th century BCE; text is fragmentary and reconstructed.
Major Characters
- Baal
- Anat
- El
- Yam
- Mot
- Asherah
- Kothar-wa-Khasis
- Shapsh
Myths
- Baal’s Victory over Yam
- Building of Baal’s Palace
- Baal’s Descent to Mot
- Return of Baal and Renewal of Fertility
Facts
- The Baal Cycle is preserved on tablets KTU 1.1–1.6 from the palace library of Ugarit (Ras Shamra).
- Baal (Hadad) is portrayed as a storm and fertility god whose kingship ensures cosmic order and agricultural abundance.
- Yam represents the Sea/Chaos motif; Baal’s victory parallels broader Near Eastern chaoskampf traditions.
- Kothar-wa-Hasis crafts the weapons that enable Baal’s triumph over Yam.
- The cedar-built palace on Mount Zaphon symbolizes Baal’s legitimate and permanent sovereignty.
- Mot, the god of Death, temporarily overcomes Baal, leading to Baal’s descent and seasonal sterility.
- Anat’s violent intervention and Shapsh’s mediation facilitate Baal’s return.
- Athtar attempts to occupy Baal’s throne but proves unfit, reinforcing Baal’s unique royal status.
- The cycle reflects seasonal patterns of drought and rain tied to Baal’s death and return.
- Modern understanding relies on fragmentary texts; readings and episode order can vary among editions.