Canaanite mythology

Body of tradition and beliefs held by the ancient Canaanites of the western Mediterranean. Cuneiform texts from the 14th century BC found at Ras Shamra (ancient Ugarit) contain lively narratives describing conflicts between the gods, struggles for kingship, and other stories. The myths are directly concerned with nature and fertility, reflecting a dread of drought and famine. The chief deities include El, head of the pantheon; Baal or Aleyin, the god of fertility; the mother goddess Astarte; Anat, goddess of war and fertility, and Mot, incarnation of the grain.

Baal is the god who provides rain and dew, dies for the rainless summer, and returns to life for the winter. Other myths involve human heroes, such as the heirless King Keret who is endowed with seven or eight children by the god El after Baal's intercession.

Canaanite mythology displayed many features of totemism (kinship with an animal, plant, or object) and animism (belief that everything harbours a soul or spirit). Pillar worship was commonly found, and each high place and mountain possessed its special deity or baal.