A king who has lost everything. A god who speaks in dreams. A vow that brings both blessing and ruin. The Legend of Keret is one of the oldest surviving epics of the ancient Near East, composed in the city of Ugarit more than three thousand years ago. When death strips Keret of his wife and children, he weeps until the great god El appears with a plan: march on the distant city of Udum and win its princess as his bride. But Keret's restored happiness unravels when he neglects a promise to the goddess Athirat, and his own son later rises to challenge his rule. Rendered in clear, present-day English, this modern reader's edition gives the ancient poem a fresh and inviting voice while remaining faithful to its meaning and spirit. An introduction, a glossary, and reader's helps guide newcomers through this remarkable world scripture. Part of The World Scriptures Library.