El, Baal, Asherah, Dagon, Anat, Mot, Tanit, Ugarit, Phoenicians, ancient Near East, Baal Cycle, Canaan, Hebrew Bible, Jericho, Temple of Baal, goddess worship, idol worship, syncretism

These terms relate to ancient Near Eastern cultures. El was a chief god, while Baal and Asherah were important deities often linked to weather and fertility, worshiped with sacred artifacts and rituals. Dagon and Anat were gods associated with agriculture and war, respectively. Mot was a death god, and Tanit was a Carthaginian goddess. Ugarit was an ancient city where many of these myths originated. The Phoenicians, from Canaan, practiced religion blending gods like Baal and Asherah—a process called syncretism. The Baal Cycle is a myth about Baal's struggles. The Hebrew Bible discusses these practices, often condemning idol worship. Temples like those at Jericho served as worship centers.