Voices of Ancient Mesopotamia
Daily Life in the Cradle of Civilizations
Voices of Ancient Mesopotamia
Daily Life in the Cradle of Civilizations
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Description
Through primary sources and analysis, discover the ways in which individuals experienced family, government, sports, art, and societal interaction in Ancient Mesopotamian societies.
Approach daily life through an examination of select primary sources that cover all aspects of the sociocultural environment of Mesopotamia (ca. 3000 BCE-330 BCE, the traditional beginning of the Hellenistic period). The book is organized as a thematic/topical overview of the world's most ancient civilizations; within each section, readers will find sources that illuminate the chronological development of related ideas, practices, and beliefs.
Examples of topics to be considered include law; art; sports; music; food; agricultural practices; creation narratives; religion; kingship and empire; warfare; family structures; technological and scientific developments; medicine; natural disasters; and trade. Throughout, readers will become acquainted with many “firsts” of human civilization, such as the invention of the wheel, the first peace treaty, the first organized religion, first attempts at explaining the origin of the world, and the development of the first writing systems.
Excerpts of texts are intended to give the reader a grasp of the full spectrum of available source material and include law codes; literary epics; astronomical and omen texts; royal inscriptions; and hymns. A thorough examination of the book's sources and commentary will reveal the great debt that both ancient and modern societies owe to Mesopotamian influence.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Evaluating and Interpreting Primary Documents
Gods, Man, and Myths
Section 1: Myths of Mesopotamian Kings
1. Shulgi Hymn B
2.The Epic of Gilgamesh
3. The Birth Legend of Sargon
Section 2: The Introduction of Man
4. Atrahasis
5. Enuma Eliš
6. Creation of Humankind
Section 3: The Flood
7. Eridu Genesis
8. Gilgamesh Tablet XI
Section 4: The Mesopotamian Pantheon
9. Enki and the World Order excerpts
10. Enuma Elish excerpts
Section 5: Festivals and Rituals
11. The Sacred Marriage (Iddin-Dagan A)
12. The Akitu Festival
13. Ludlul excerpts
14. Anti-witchcraft Rituals (Maqlue)
15. The Substitute King Ritual (SAA 10 220)
War, Peace, and Diplomacy
Section 6: Warfare in Mesopotamia
16. Preparations for War (ARM 2 1)
17. Sargon's Eighth Campaign
18. Erra and Ishum
Section 7: Peace and Diplomacy in Mesopotamia
19. Umma-Lagash Treaty
20. Assyrian Adê Treaty (SAA 02 002)
21. Amarna Letter 001
Government and Law
Section 8: Mesopotamian Kingship
22. Excerpts from the Sumerian King List
23. The Creation of Kingship
24. Advice to a Prince
Section 9: Mesopotamian Law and Justice
25. Laws of Sumerian King, Ur-Nammu
26. Selections from the Code of of Hammurabi
27. The River God Ordeal
Cities and Commerce
Section 10: Origins of Cities
28. Marduk, Creator of the World
29. The Lament for Sumer and Ur
Section 11. Temples
30. Gudea Cylinder A
31. Nabonidus' Temple Restoration
Section 12. Merchants and Trading
32. UET 5 81
33. SAA 19 22
Education and Knowledge
Section 13: Wisdom and Writing
34. Berossos, Babyloniaca fr. 1
35. Enmerkar and the Lord of Aratta
Section 14: Scribal Schooling
36. School Days
37. Debate Text
Section 15: Technological Innovations, Astrology
38. The Farmer's Instructions
39. Celestial Divination (SAA 08 101)/Babylonian Map of the World
Section 16: The Beginning of Medicine
40. Mesopotamian Diagnostics (DPS Tablet 6)
41. Treatment for a Fever (BAM 159 ii 20-48)
People and Society
Section 17. Marriage and Children
42. Mesopotamian Marriage (Code of Hammurabi excerpts)
43. Lullaby for a Son of Shulgi (Shulgi N)
Section 18: Women, Gender, and Sexuality
44. Scribal Collections of Enheduanna-Hymn to Inanna
45. Akkadian Love Poem (LAOS 4,3)
Section 19: Displaced and Captive Populations
46. SAA 1 257: The Assyrian Resettlement Policy
47. The Cyrus Cylinder excerpts
48. A Slave Sale (SAA 6 40)
Appendix 1: Biographical Sketches of Important Individuals Mentioned in the Text
Appendix 2: Glossary of Terms Mentioned In the Text
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
Product details
| Published | Jun 10 2027 |
|---|---|
| Format | Hardback |
| Edition | 1st |
| Pages | 240 |
| ISBN | 9798216380276 |
| Imprint | Bloomsbury Academic |
| Illustrations | 13 bw illus |
| Dimensions | 254 x 178 mm |
| Series | Voices of an Era |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
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