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Athtar

A reference page linking a name, group, or concept to the materials that discuss it.

God who tries Baal’s throne on Saphon during his absence, then descends; it is not El’s throne.

Modern diagram of KTU1.6I; Athtar is not presented as a fallen angel or denied all kingship beyond Saphon
Modern diagram of KTU1.6I; Athtar is not presented as a fallen angel or denied all kingship beyond SaphonIL Archive · original diagram · CC BY 4.0 · CC BYImage source

Text

In KTU1.6I Athirat proposes Athtar for kingship. His feet and head do not fit BaalBaalStorm god and protagonist of Ugarit’s Baal Cycle; exercises active kingship while El retains importance and authorizes the palace.Glossary · Click to read the explanation’s throne; he declares he cannot rule on Saphon and descends. The text continues with rule in the earth, a debated expression.[1] It does not abolish every possible kingship or portray him as a fallen angel. Athtar should not be confused with Athirat or Astarte because of superficially similar names.

References and notes

  1. Nicolas Wyatt (2009). The Concept and Purpose of Hell: Its Nature and Development in West Semitic Thought. Numen 56, 161–184. DOI: 10.1163/156852709X404964. Pp.168–169, especially n.14 and KTU1.6I50–67 translation: Athirat proposes Athtar, Baal’s throne on Saphon, footstool, descent and rule in the earth. Wyatt’s discussion of earth/rebellion is an interpretation, not a consensus. Return to the text ↑

Research history

Substantive changes are retained here. Minor copy edits remain in the internal operational log.

  1. Edition 2 · 11 October 2026 · editor:aladmin

    Substantive record update

    Read this revision in its original language (Arabic)

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IL Archive, «Athtar», Edition 2, https://ilarchive.com/en/entities/athtar