The name Baal has been appearing a lot lately, especially in Western media, in the context of war between Iran and Israel. Known as a false god in the Bible, his images are being burnt in public. Western capitalists are being accused of worshipping him secretly as part of a demon cult. Conspiracy theories aside, who is Baal in mythology? 

His tale was told over 3000 years ago, in the region now associated with Lebanon, Palestine and Israel. The story opens with a contest for supremacy. Yam, the sea god, embodiment of chaos and untamed waters, demands that the high god El hand over Baal as a slave. El, old and passive, seems inclined to comply. But Baal refuses submission. With weapons forged by the craftsman god Kothar-wa-Khasis, Baal confronts Yam in battle. He strikes him down, subduing the sea and establishing himself as champion of cosmic order. This victory makes Baal the natural candidate for kingship among the gods.