João wrote:
> May Kotharat be related with the Egyptian seven Hathors, also
deities of
> Childbirth?
>
> ps: I think Canaanite myth Aqhat x Anat remembers Greek Aktaion x
Artemis.
Thanks Joao. You may be right. There was a strong "Hathor" presence
in Palestine and Syria from Middle Bronze Age onwards. The Syro-
Canaanite naked Goddess (Anath, Astarte, etc) had Hathor's hair style
and frequently also her horns (See my comment earlier regarding gods
and horns). In the New Kingdom the Egyptians often took the scions
of the noble houses to Egypt (as hostages for the good behaviour of
their fathers), where they were educated in the palace schools
alongside the Pharaoh's children. These temple and palace schools
had a huge influence on producing an Egypto-Canaanite syncretism.
Thus Baal was often seen as Osiris and Astarte-Anath as Isis.
The Canaanite-Aegean connection is less direct. Dennis Poulter on
this list has spoken often about it, and whilst he quotes widely from
Black Athena, which has not received a widespread support from this
list, it does have some strong connecions to it. These connections
are not all one way. There was a strong Aegean presence along the
Syro-Canaanite region with the Peoples of the Sea, and Late Helladic
IIIc pottery defines the arrival of the Philistines into Palestine.
Many Aegean elements were no doubt introduced at this time. Homer
also shows that the movements were not just one way. Oddyseus and
Menaleus did return home, taking all of their experiences with them.
A final point on gendering the moon. English folk stories all talk
of "The Man in the Moon", never the "woman".
Thanks for the comment
Regards
John