Baal with Thunderbolt
The stele of Baal with Thunderbolt
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| Material | Limestone |
|---|---|
| Height | 142 centimetres (56 in) |
| Width | 50 centimetres (20 in) |
| Depth | 28 centimetres (11 in) |
| Created | c. 15th–13th century BC |
| Period/culture | Late Bronze Age |
| Discovered | 1932 |
| Place | Temple of Baal, Ugarit, Syria |
| Present location | Musée du Louvre, Paris |
| Identification | AO 15775 |
Baal with Thunderbolt or the Baal stele is a white limestone bas-relief stele from the ancient kingdom of Ugarit in northwestern Syria. The stele was discovered in 1932, about 20 metres (66 ft) from the Temple of Baal in the acropolis of Ugarit, during excavations directed by French archaeologist Claude F. A. Schaeffer. The stele depicts Baal (or Hadad), the Semitic god of storm and rain, and is considered the most important of the Ugaritic stelae. The stele is on display at the Musée du Louvre in Paris.
The stele, carved into the white limestone, is wider at the base and measures 142 by 50 centimetres (56 in × 20 in). It depicts a large standing male figure representing the Canaanite god Baal, and a smaller male figure that is thought to be the king of Ugarit.
The central figure in the stele, Baal, is shown facing to the right and standing on a large pedestal. The pedestal bears carved representations of Baal's spheres of power, the mountains and the sea. Baal is shown with a raised right hand brandishing a club or a battle-mace overhead. His left hand is stretched in front of him and holds a thunderbolt in the shape of a spearhead that extends towards the ground. The bearded god is shown wearing a helmet decorated with bull's horns, from under which his braided hair falls over his back and his right shoulder. Baal is shown clad only in a kilt with striped decorations. The kilt is held by a finely carved wide belt that also holds a curved dagger.
Between the spear and the god a smaller figure is depicted standing on a horned altar. The smaller figure, most probably representing the king of Ugarit, is shown with a bare head and wearing ceremonial dress. The king's arms are clasped together in prayer, and are hidden under a robe trimmed with braid.
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