A New Reading of the Opening Lines of Yaṣṣibu’s Speech (KTU3 1.16 vi 43–44a) and Its Consequences for Interpretation of the Ugaritic Kirta Epic
Interpreters have long struggled to read the opening lines of Yaṣṣibu’s speech in the concluding scene of the Ugaritic Kirta Epic. This article undertakes two related tasks. First, I offer a new reading of the lines in question (KTU3 1.16 vi 43-44a) in light of new advances in comparative Semitic ph...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2025
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| In: |
Journal of ancient Near Eastern religions
Year: 2025, Volume: 25, Issue: 2, Pages: 142-161 |
| Further subjects: | B
Divine Sonship
B El B Ugaritic Narrative B Kirta Epic B Philology |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Interpreters have long struggled to read the opening lines of Yaṣṣibu’s speech in the concluding scene of the Ugaritic Kirta Epic. This article undertakes two related tasks. First, I offer a new reading of the lines in question (KTU3 1.16 vi 43-44a) in light of new advances in comparative Semitic philology. Second, I comment on how this new reading frames Yaṣṣibu’s speech as a thematic summary of a crucial motif in the narrative. I offer a close reading of the text that traces the recurrent theme of contrasting appearances and realities throughout the Kirta Epic and show how Yaṣṣibu’s speech functions as a succinct summary and climax of that theme. In the end, I suggest the Kirta Epic offers a meditation on what constitutes legitimate kingship and divine sonship most aptly summarized in the climactic final speech of Yaṣṣibu. |
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| ISSN: | 1569-2124 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of ancient Near Eastern religions
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/15692124-12341354 |
