Sinaranu

Sinaranu, son of Siginu, was a merchant and royal agent from Ugarit who became one of the richest man in Ugarit. Following his family profession Sinaranu was involved in Ugaritic trade which was conducted with Cyprus and the broader Aegean area. Sinaranu was also employed as “tamkār sha shepi” or personal commercial agent of the king receiving lands and enjoying official mercantile status accompanied by numerous privileges. As a royal agent Sinaranu was also responsible for collecting of taxes for the Ugaritic king. His official status was that of “friend of the king,” a royal councilor upon whom the king relied for advice and other purposes. He owned capital in the form of silver and land which surpassed those of other Ugaritic businessmen, and a private shipping fleet which operated markets of Crete and the Aegean under king’s royal protection.