 |
Anath is the the daughter of Asherah and El{?}. She was goddess of love and war and fertility, the sister and helpmate of the god Baal (Bel). Once she slayed all his enemies at a feast. She is a goddess with four differing aspects: mother, virgin, warrior, and wanton. Her lust, for either blood or sex, was legendary. She was worshipped throughout Canaan, Syria and Phoenicia. She may also be Rachmay, one of the two nursemaids of the Gracious Gods mentioned in the eponymous ritual text. She is also the twin sister of Myrrh. She participates in the confrontation between Baal and Yam-Nahar. She slays Yam and other enemies of Baal. During a victory celebration she leaves and kills the warriors of two local towns. She joyfully wades in their blood, pours a peace offering and cleans up. She intercedes with El on Baal's behalf to obtain his permission for a palace to be built for Baal. Later, when Baal is killed by Mot (Death) in battle, she buries him, hunts down Mot, and takes revenge by cutting, winnowing, grinding, and burning Mot like grain. At Zoan she was regarded as the daughter of Ra. In the Egyptian myth of the Contest between Horus and Seth, Anat and Ashtart appear as daughters of Ra and consorts of Seth (whom the Egyptians themselves identified with Baal). |
|
|
|
 |
|
