Abstract
In this paper we deal with one births-omen text from Ugarit (RS 24.247+ [KTU2 1.103+1.145]) with respect to philology and socio-cultural history. From the protases of RS 24.247+, we can see that the absence of some body part is the major type of animal malformation in the Ugaritic births-omen text. The Mesopotamian auspicium and the Ugaritic Baal text might suggest that the right side is superior to the left side for divination in Ugarit. From the apodoses of RS 24.247+, we can see the matters of concern in the daily life of the Ugaritic people. The people of Ugarit perceived animal malformations as portending some critical event, whether for good or bad. Negative signs are in a majority among the malformed animal births listed. The Ugaritic people were deeply afraid of famine and war. It was an important duty for the Ugaritic kings to protect the city-state against enemies’ attacks. Ugaritic kings also had to keep control over their own guards or mercenaries who sometime might rebel. Long life and offspring for the king promoted the welfare of the people.
