Ancient West Semitic legend explaining the earth's barrenness during the dry summer months, known only in fragmentary form from three tablets excavated in northern Syria and dating to about the 14th century BC.
It records the birth of a prince, Aqhat, in response to prayers. As a youth, Aqhat comes into possession of a bow intended for the goddess Anath and is killed by her when he refuses to part with it. His death brings famine, and his father and sister set out to avenge him, but there the text ends.