El, Baal, Asherah, Anat, Tanit, Molech, Dagon, Ugarit, Canaan, Phoenicians, Canaanite mythology, The Baal Cycle, The Epic of Gilgamesh, Ancient Near Eastern Religions, Hittite Religion, Ammonites, Moabites, Hebrew Bible, Temple of Melqart, Ritual sacrifice

El, Baal, Asherah, and others like Dagon are deities from ancient Canaanite and Near Eastern religions. El is the chief god, while Baal represents storm and fertility. Asherah is often associated with motherhood. The Baal Cycle is a series of myths about Baal’s adventures. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a significant Mesopotamian story exploring themes of heroism and mortality. Ritual sacrifices were common in these religions as offerings to gain favor from gods. Ugarit and Canaan are contexts where these beliefs flourished, influencing later cultures like the Phoenicians and the biblical narratives of the Hebrews.