086
Ugarit in Retrospect: 50 Years of Ugarit and Ugaritic
Gordon D. Young, editor
(Eisenbrauns: Indiana, 1981) 238 pp., $12.50
In 1979, a diverse group of scholars met for a symposium at the University of Wisconsin to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Ras Shamra-Ugarit excavations. Out of that symposium grew this collection of 13 essays, answering the great scholarly and public interest in Ugaritic studies.
With the exception of two essays in French, by Pierre Bordreuil and Jean Margueron, the text is in English and covers the disparate specialities of the symposium members. Illustrative topics are “Ugarit and the Bible,” by P. C. Craigie (see “The Tablets from Ugarit and Their Importance for Biblical Studies”), “Ugarit, Canaan and Egypt: Some New Epigraphic Evidence from Tel Aphek in Israel,” by David Owen, “The Cult of the Dead at Ugarit,” by Marvin Pope and “Ugarit in Retrospect and Prospect,” by Cyrus Gordon.
Ugarit and the Old Testament
Peter C. Craigie
(Eerdmans: Michigan, 1983) 110 pp., softcover, $5.95
An excellent introduction to Ugarit and its culture for the general reader. Brief and clearly written, this book tells the story of the discovery of the libraries and ancient city of Ugarit, destroyed about 1200 B.C. Craigie gives a fascinating and understandable account of the deciphering of the Ugaritic language, illuminated by simple step-by-step charts. His up-to-date discussion of archaeological finds and assessment of the extraordinary impact the Ugaritic texts have had on Old Testament studies should be of interest to all readers and teachers of the Bible. (See “The Tablets from Ugarit and Their Importance for Biblical Studies,” in this issue).
Stories from Ancient Canaan
Michael David Coogan, editor and translator
(Westminster Press: Philadelphia, 1978) 120 pp., softcover, $4.95
Fifteen of the thousands of cuneiform tablets uncovered at the ancient Canaanite city of Ugarit (see “The Tablets from Ugarit and Their Importance for Biblical Studies,” in this issue) contained the four major oral Ugaritic myths—Aqhat, The Healers, Kirta and Baal. Stories from Ancient Canaan is the first popularly written, one-volume translation of all four. This lively and accurate translation of the myths introduces the reader to the Canaanite and their world and to the world of ancient Israel as well, since many Biblical traditions reflect a Canaanite background and were profoundly shaped by it.
Inside Old Jerusalem: Three Walks
Muriel and Marty Isaacs
(Domino Press: Jerusalem, 1983) 163 pp., softcover, $8.00
An informal and unorthodox guidebook, Inside Old Jerusalem takes its readers by the hand and leads them on three historic walks: One through the Jewish Quarter, another that highlights the Jewish revolt against the Romans between 66 A.D. and 70 A.D. and the third along the top of the city walls. Written in a breezy and personal style, the walks are all richly illustrated by informative marginalia, drawings, maps, diagrams, and chronological charts. The authors try to anticipate their readers’ every question and then to go beyond by translating wall plaques, street names, and signs. After all the details of how to get to a particular site, how much time a walk will require and where to park your car, the Isaacses introduce their readers to rich archaeological and historical details in an engaging manner. The style and the substance may be a bit too basic for the seasoned Jerusalem-bound visitor, but those contemplating a first trip will find Inside Old Jerusalem a delightful guide.
Ugarit in Retrospect: 50 Years of Ugarit and Ugaritic
