Attar

God of the morning star. Western Semitic. In Canaanite legend, he attempts to usurp the dead BAAL but proves inadequate to fill the god’s throne. In semi-arid regions of western Asia where irrigation is essential, he was sometimes worshiped as a rain god. His female counterpart is the Phoenician ASTARTE. Also probably identified as Dhu-Sˇamani in more southerly regions.

Asˇtaroth

Fertility goddess. Western Semitic. Goddess of sheep herders equating with the Phoenician goddess ASTARTE. Also a plural form of the name Asˇtoreth and used as a collective name for goddesses (cf. BAAL).

Amurru

Mountain god. Western Semitic. A minor consort of ATHIRAT whose attributes include a shepherd’s crook and who was probably worshiped by herders. Known mainly from inscriptions. Also MARTU.

ASTARTE (star)

ORIGIN western Semitic, predominantly Phoenician [Lebanon and Syria]. Fertility goddess.

KNOWN PERIOD OF WORSHIP from circa 1500 BC or earlier until circa 200 BC.

SYNONYMS Asˇtarat; Attart (Ugarit).

Asˇtaroth

Fertility goddess. Western Semitic. Goddess of sheep herders equating with the Phoenician goddess ASTARTE. Also a plural form of the name Asˇtoreth and used as a collective name for goddesses (cf. BAAL).

Asˇpalis

Hunting goddess. Western Semitic. There is scant mention of Asˇpalis from Melite in Phthia and she is probably a local version of ARTEMIS. As in certain Artemis mythology, she hanged herself and her body disappeared.

 

Allatu(m)

Chthonic underworld goddess. Western Semitic.

ADONIS (lord)

ORIGIN Hellenic name adopted predominantly in Phoenician and Syrian culture and based on an old western Semitic deity [Lebanon and Syria]. Fertility and vegetation god.

KNOWN PERIOD OF WORSHIP circa 200 BC (Seleucid period) to circa AD 400.

SYNONYMS Adon (lord, Semitic).

CENTER(S) OF CULT mainly at Berytus and Aphaca.