[from the back page]

A reconsideration of a classical problem in the religions of the biblical world. Ever since the publication of *The Golden Bough* by J. G. Frazer, "dying and rising gods" has been a disputed issue. According to the consensus opinion, these gods die but do not rise to new life. Tryggve N. D. Mettinger challenges this consensus with his presentation and perusal of all the important sources, including new, significant evidence. The book discusses topics such as:

The development of the scholarly discussion from Frazer to the present day.

Baal in the myth and rite of ancient Ugaritic. The validity of recent suggestions that Baal is a deity of the Anatolian Telepinu type.

The Phoenician gods Adonis (Adon), Melqart, and Eshmun, a discussion thoroughly informed by the use of sources from the Greek and Roman world and the iconography of the vase from Sidon.

Egyptian Osiris and the vegetal symbolism of the corn mummies. The connections between Osiris and the West Semitic gods.

Mesopotamian Dumuzi-Tammuz discussed on the basis of fresh material from Mari: a letter referring to the killing and return of Demuzi. The connection between Tammuz and the West Semitic gods.

The resurrection of Jesus in the light of religio-historical research.