Ancient Semitic religion

Ancient Semitic religion comprises the religious traditions of Semitic-speaking peoples in Mesopotamia, the Levant, and Arabia. These traditions shared some cultural and linguistic roots but varied across regions and periods.

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Semitic languages: A branch of the Afroasiatic language family that includes Akkadian, Aramaic, Hebrew, and Arabic. Their spread links the communities whose religious traditions this page encompasses.
Mesopotamian religion: The religious traditions of ancient Mesopotamian societies, including Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. It represents the eastern range of traditions included in this broad subject.
Ancient Near Eastern temple: A sacred institution and building where priests maintained a deity's cult and offerings. Temples anchored public worship and economic activity in many Mesopotamian and Levantine cities.
Amarna letters: A corpus of Late Bronze Age diplomatic correspondence found at Amarna in Egypt, largely written in Akkadian. The letters document gods, rulers, and political ties across the Levant and Mesopotamia.
Ancient Israelite monolatry: The worship of one deity without necessarily denying the existence of other deities. It helps distinguish some Israelite religious practice from exclusive monotheism.
Polytheism: Belief in or worship of multiple deities. Many ancient Semitic societies honored multiple gods, though practices differed by place and era.
Canaanite religion: The religious traditions of ancient Canaan and neighboring Levantine communities. Its gods and ritual practices illuminate the Levantine traditions within the subject.
Animal sacrifice: A ritual offering in which an animal is killed and dedicated to a deity. Animal offerings formed part of sacrificial practice in several regional traditions.
Ugaritic texts: Texts from ancient Ugarit, including myths, rituals, administrative records, and correspondence. Their mythological and ritual writings are a major source for Late Bronze Age Levantine religion.
Judaism: The monotheistic religion and cultural tradition of the Jewish people. Its later forms emerged through historical developments distinct from the broader ancient traditions here.