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'''Baal with Thunderbolt''' is a white limestone relief stele from the ancient kingdom of [[Ugarit]] in northwestern [[Syria]]. The stele was discovered in 1932, about {{convert|20|m}} from the [[Temple of Baal]] in the acropolis of Ugarit, during excavations directed by [[French people|French]] archaeologist [[Claude F. A. Schaeffer]]. The stele depicts [[Baʿal]], the Semitic god of storm and rain, and is considered the most important of the Ugaritic stelae.<ref name="louvre">{{cite web|url=http://www.louvre.fr/en/node/38663|title=Stela Depicting the Storm God Baal|last=Caubet|first=Annie|publisher=[[Musée du Louvre]]|accessdate=27 October 2012}}</ref> |
'''Baal with Thunderbolt''' is a white limestone relief stele from the ancient kingdom of [[Ugarit]] in northwestern [[Syria]]. The stele was discovered in 1932, about {{convert|20|m}} from the [[Temple of Baal]] in the acropolis of Ugarit, during excavations directed by [[French people|French]] archaeologist [[Claude F. A. Schaeffer]]. The stele depicts [[Baʿal]], the Semitic god of storm and rain, and is considered the most important of the Ugaritic stelae. Currently, the stele is housed in the [[Musée du Louvre]] in [[Paris]].<ref name="louvre">{{cite web|url=http://www.louvre.fr/en/node/38663|title=Stela Depicting the Storm God Baal|last=Caubet|first=Annie|publisher=[[Musée du Louvre]]|accessdate=27 October 2012}}</ref> |
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==Overview== |
==Overview== |
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The stele, carved into the white limestone, is wider at the base and |
The stele, carved into the white limestone, is wider at the base and measures {{convert|142|x|50|cm}}.<ref name=Caquot>Caquot; Sznycer, , p. 24.</ref> It depicts a grand standing male figure representing the Semitic god Baal, and a smaller male figure that is thought to be the king of Ugarit.<ref name="louvre"/> |
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The central figure in the stele, Baal, is shown facing to the right and standing on a large pedestal. The pedestal bares carving representations of Baal's spheres of power, the mountains and the sea. Baal is shown with a raised right hand brandishing a club or a battle-mace overhead. His left hand is stretched infront of him and holds a thunderbolt that extends towards the ground in the shape of a spearhead, while a dagger hangs from his waist. The bearded god is shown wearing a helmet stylized with bull's horns and from under which his hair falls to below the shoulders. Baal is shown clad in a kilt with stripe decorations. |
The central figure in the stele, Baal, is shown facing to the right and standing on a large pedestal.<ref name="louvre"/> The pedestal bares carving representations of Baal's spheres of power, the mountains and the sea.<ref name=Yon>Yon, , p. 110.</ref> Baal is shown with a raised right hand brandishing a club or a battle-mace overhead. His left hand is stretched infront of him and holds a thunderbolt that extends towards the ground in the shape of a spearhead, while a dagger hangs from his waist. The bearded god is shown wearing a helmet stylized with bull's horns and from under which his hair falls to below the shoulders. Baal is shown clad in a kilt with stripe decorations.<ref name="louvre"/> |
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Between the spear and the god a smaller figure is depicted standing on a horned altar. The smaller figure, most probably representing the king of Ugarit, is shown with a bare head and wearing a ceremonial dress. The king's arms are clasped together in prayer, and are hidden under the braided robe. |
Between the spear and the god a smaller figure is depicted standing on a horned altar. The smaller figure, most probably representing the king of Ugarit, is shown with a bare head and wearing a ceremonial dress. The king's arms are clasped together in prayer, and are hidden under the braided robe.<ref name="louvre"/> |
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===Interepretation=== |
===Interepretation=== |
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The stele is interpreted as showing the king receiving divine protection from the god Baal |
The stele is interpreted as showing the king receiving divine protection from the god Baal.<ref name="louvre"/> Despite the close relationship between the king and the god depicted in the stela, the difference in size between the two figures is interpreted by Mark S. Smith as contrasting the power and glory of Baal with the "relative weakness of the king."<ref>Smith, , p. 21.</ref> Baal's fertility attributes are represented by the bull's horned helmet, and the lightning rod he holds in the his hand.<ref> Gordon: Sarna, , p. 107.</ref> According to historian Alberto Ravinell Whitney Gree, Baal is portrayed as a "vigorous, young, graceful, athletic deity marching forward."<ref>Green, , p. 165.</ref> |
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==Excavation== |
==Excavation== |
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The stela was discovered in 1932 during excavations at [[Ugarit]] directed by French archaeologist, [[Claude F. A. Schaeffer]]. While the stele was unearthed about {{convert|20|m}} from the [[Temple of Baal]] on its southern slope, it was |
The stela was discovered in 1932 during excavations at [[Ugarit]] directed by French archaeologist, [[Claude F. A. Schaeffer]].<ref name=Yon/> While the stele was unearthed about {{convert|20|m}} from the [[Temple of Baal]] on its southern slope,<ref name=Caquot/> it was probably originally housed inside the temple.<ref name=Yon/> Additionally, eight more stelae were recovered from area, while another 14 were unearthed in the Temple of Dagan and throughout the city.<ref name="louvre"/> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 13:11, 2 November 2012
| Baal with Thunderbolt | |
|---|---|
 The stele of Baal with Thunderbolt | |
| Material | Limestone |
| Height | 142 centimetres (56 in) |
| Width | 50 centimetres (20 in) |
| Created | c. 15th-13th century BC |
| Period/culture | Late Bronze Age |
| Discovered | 1932 |
| Place | Temple of Baal, Ugarit, Syria |
| Present location | Musée du Louvre, Paris |
| Identification | AO 15775 |
Baal with Thunderbolt is a white limestone relief stele from the ancient kingdom of Ugarit in northwestern Syria. The stele was discovered in 1932, about 20 metres (66 ft) from the Temple of Baal in the acropolis of Ugarit, during excavations directed by French archaeologist Claude F. A. Schaeffer. The stele depicts Baʿal, the Semitic god of storm and rain, and is considered the most important of the Ugaritic stelae. Currently, the stele is housed in the Musée du Louvre in Paris.[1]
Overview
The stele, carved into the white limestone, is wider at the base and measures 142 by 50 centimetres (56 in × 20 in).[2] It depicts a grand standing male figure representing the Semitic god Baal, and a smaller male figure that is thought to be the king of Ugarit.[1]
The central figure in the stele, Baal, is shown facing to the right and standing on a large pedestal.[1] The pedestal bares carving representations of Baal's spheres of power, the mountains and the sea.[3] Baal is shown with a raised right hand brandishing a club or a battle-mace overhead. His left hand is stretched infront of him and holds a thunderbolt that extends towards the ground in the shape of a spearhead, while a dagger hangs from his waist. The bearded god is shown wearing a helmet stylized with bull's horns and from under which his hair falls to below the shoulders. Baal is shown clad in a kilt with stripe decorations.[1]
Between the spear and the god a smaller figure is depicted standing on a horned altar. The smaller figure, most probably representing the king of Ugarit, is shown with a bare head and wearing a ceremonial dress. The king's arms are clasped together in prayer, and are hidden under the braided robe.[1]
Interepretation
The stele is interpreted as showing the king receiving divine protection from the god Baal.[1] Despite the close relationship between the king and the god depicted in the stela, the difference in size between the two figures is interpreted by Mark S. Smith as contrasting the power and glory of Baal with the "relative weakness of the king."[4] Baal's fertility attributes are represented by the bull's horned helmet, and the lightning rod he holds in the his hand.[5] According to historian Alberto Ravinell Whitney Gree, Baal is portrayed as a "vigorous, young, graceful, athletic deity marching forward."[6]
Excavation
The stela was discovered in 1932 during excavations at Ugarit directed by French archaeologist, Claude F. A. Schaeffer.[3] While the stele was unearthed about 20 metres (66 ft) from the Temple of Baal on its southern slope,[2] it was probably originally housed inside the temple.[3] Additionally, eight more stelae were recovered from area, while another 14 were unearthed in the Temple of Dagan and throughout the city.[1]
See also
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Cluzan, Sophie; Lecompte, Camille; Musée du Louvre. Département des antiquités orientales (2011). Ebih-Il (in French). Paris: Louvre éditions. ISBN 9782757205099.
- Parrot, André (1935). "Les fouilles de Mari (Première campagne)" (PDF). Syria (in French). 16 (1). Institut français du Proche-Orient: 1–28. doi:10.3406/syria.1935.8338.
Category:Mari, Syria Category:25th-century BC works Category:Sculpture of the Ancient Near East Category:Syrian art Category:Archaeological discoveries in Syria Category:Antiquities of the Louvre