An Ugaritic text related to the fertility cult (KTU 1. 23)

Abstract

A contextual interpretation is applied to a tablet in alphabetic cuneiform from the 14th cent. B.C., found at Ras Shamra-Ugarit in Northern Syria, published in 1933. This ancient Canaanite text "Birth of Gracious Gods" contains a liturgical introduction and an epic poem: The god Il fathered sons from two wives. This fertility ritual was compared to other rites, such as hydrophoria - this connection is rather tenuous - and sacred marriage. It was also explained as a reflection of the progress of human society toward agriculture. Even after successful efforts in general interpretation, further studies of details are needed. The parallel expressions "seven years" - "eight cycles" indicate not an exact, but a considerable interval of time. Two gods "Dawn" and "Dusk" were sons of different mothers, but they were born from the same father at the same time; thus they may - as functional twins - be helpful in assuring abundant rains.