Anat
Name Forms and Etymology:
The name Anat occurs in several forms in Ugaritic,
Hebrew, Akkadian, and Egyptian. In the Ugarit V. Deity
List it is spelled da-na-tu to be pronounced 'Anatu'.
Otherwise in Phoenician it is 'nt and is pronounced
'Anat', 'Anatu', 'Anath' or 'Anata'. The name is usually
transliterated from Hebrew as 'Anath', but it could also
be 'Anat'. The Akkadian form is usually written as 'Anta'
or 'Antu'. The Egyptian forms are 'Anant', 'Anit',
'Anti', and 'Antit'. The etymology is uncertain and many
proposals have been set forth, mostly by way of
speculation. If the name is related to the root 'n (ayin
nun) signifying a spring of water it may represent a
conection with the goddess Baalat Be`er know from a place
name recorded in Vetus Testementum (cf. Baalat
Be'er).
History
and Geography of Cult:
A major goddess of fertility, sexual love, hunting and
war. She was known among the Canaanites in prehistoric
times. From the fertile agricultural area along the
eastern Mediterranean coast, her cult had spread
throughout the Levant by the middle of the third
millennium BCE. Around the beginning of the Phoenician
period (circa 1200 BC) Anat enjoyed a significant cult
following. She was quite prominent at Ugarit, a major
religious center, and appears frequently in Ugaritic
literary works incorporating mythical elements, in deity
and offering lists, and in votive inscriptions.
The cult had become
established in Egypt by the end of the Middle Kingdom and
attained prominence, particularly in Lower Egypt during
the Hyksos Dynasty. She was represented at Memphis like
all but the most local of deities, and sanctuaries were
dedicated to her at the Hyksos capital of Zoan (Greek
Tanis) and Beth-Shan. Her prestige reached its height in
Egypt under Ramses II who adopted Anat as his personal
guardian in battle. He named his daughter Bin-Anat,
Daughter of Anat. He rebuilt Zoan and enlarged the
sanctuary of Anat there, renaming the place, "City
of Ramses". The Elephantine papyri dating from the
late sixth century BCE indicate that Anat was one of the
two goddesses worshiped at the Temple of Yahu (Yahweh) by
the Jews on the island of Elephantine in the Nile.
In Lebanon, Syria, and
Palestine the worship of Anat persisted into Christian
times (c. 200 AD), perhaps much longer in popular
religion. In Egypt traditional religion was practiced
until the end of the Egyptian period (c. 400 AD). Anat
may have been worshiped in one or more of the few
Egyptian temples that remained open into the early 6th
century AD. In contemporary times the worship of Anat has
been revived in neo-pagan religions.
Epithets:
Although terrible as a war deity she was regarded as a
just and benevolent goddess of beauty, sexuality, and of
the fertility of crops, animals, and men. In her martial
aspect she confines herself to slaying the enemies of
Baal. Anat is a complex and somewhat paradoxical goddess
as can be seen from the epithets applied to her. Although
she is regarded as Mother, the most common epithet at
Ugarit is batulat, Virgin or Maiden.
She is sometimes called Wanton, in reference to her
putative lust for sexual intercourse and the bloodshed of
war. Other common epithets include: Adolescent Anat,
Fairest daughter-sister of Baal, Lady, Strength of Life,
Anat the Destroyer, and Lady of the Mountain.
Several epithets are
known from Egyptian inscriptions:
- Aramaic
inscriptions (Hyksos period, ca. 1700 BC):
"Anat-her", Anat agrees or Agreeable
Anat, "Herit-Anta", Terror of
Anat.
- Inscriptions at
Memphis (15th - 12th century BC):
"Bin-Ptah", Daughter of Ptah.
- From Elephantine:
"Beth-El", House of El or House
of God.
Mythology:
In Ugaritic texts she is the daughter of El, sister and
consort of Baal. She may be Rachmay, one of the two
nursemaids of the Gracious Gods mentioned in the
eponymous ritual text. She is also the twin sister of
Myrrh. She participates in the confrontation between Baal
and Yam-Nahar. In a missing portion of the text she slays
Yam and other enemies of Baal. During a victory
celebration she departs to slaughter the warriors of two
local towns. She joyfully wades in their blood, pours a
peace offering and cleans up. She intercedes with El on
Baal's behalf to obtain the necessary permission for a
palace to be built for Baal. Later, when Baal is killed
by Mot (Death) in an archetypal battle, she buries him,
hunts down Mot, and takes revenge by cutting, winnowing,
grinding, and burning Mot like grain. She also features
in several other myths.
At Zoan she was regarded
as the daughter of Ra. In the Egyptian myth of the
Contest between Heru and Set, Anat and Ashtart appear as
daughters of Ra and consorts of Set (whom the Egyptians
themselves identified with Baal).
Iconography:
In Phoenician iconography Anat is usually depicted nude
with exaggerated sexual organs and a coiffure similar to
that of Hethert. She is sometimes depicted with bow and
arrow, and with the lion, her sacred animal. Otherwise
she may be armed with a spear and shield, or a spear and
a spindle.
An Egyptian inscription
from Beth-Shan shows Antit with a plumed crown.
In her left hand is the Sceptre of Happiness,
and in her right the Ankh of Life. Iconography
at Zoan from the time of Ramses II shows Anat on a throne
with lance, battle ax, and shield above an inscription
reading, "To Antit that she may give life,
prosperity, and health to the Ka of Hesi-Nakht".
Sources:
- Lilinah biti-Anat. The
Phoenician Deities. Homepage
link
- Jordan, Michael.
Encyclopedia of Gods. Facts on File, Inc. New
York, 1993, "Anat"
- Bowker, John. Dictionary
of World Religions: "Anat"
- Siren, Christopher B. Homepage
link
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