The Legend of Keret, also known as the Epic of Kirta, is an ancient Ugaritic epic poem, dated to Late Bronze Age, circa 1500 – 1200 BCE. It recounts the myth of King Kirta of Hubur. It is one of the Ugaritic texts.
In the legend, Kirta (Keret) is the son of the great god El but is considered unfortunate. He has been widowed seven times, and has no surviving children. He has survived all of his brothers, and he is the last surviving member of his family. He begs his father for an heir of his own, and El instructs him to wage war against another kingdom and to demand its princess as his wife. Kirta wins his war and has several children by his new wife. But he angers the goddess Athirat by reneging on a promise to her, and is cursed with an illness. El intervenes to heal his son. Kirta is then challenged for the throne by his oldest son, who wants him to abdicate in his favor. Kirta curses his son, but the ending of the story has been lost.
