There are several excellent reviews of this book (although one review posted here appears to be of Black and Green's "Illustrated Dictionary: Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia" - another excellent but very different book). Nevertheless, I thought I'd add my two cents worth. This book is very verbally descriptive and packed with facts by an expert. The facts are embedded in the text mostly, there isn't much "at-a-glance" information. However, when you get into the text, it is extremely worthwhile - clear, beautifully written, informative, packed with information, but factual. The author clearly has a deep empathy and understanding of the worldview of this most ancient of cultures (even though he obviously is himself from and assumes his reader is from a Judeo-Christian worldview), and through his elegant writing he is able to transport the reader into that world. In the final analysis, there aren't many academics who can do this. Many books either venture into the fantastic or too far into speculation on the one hand, or on the other hand refuse to enter into the experience the facts present leaving the reader with a dry summary. This book manages to remain with the factual while transporting the reader into the experience.
For those who know either of the extremely ancient languages of Mesopotamia, throughout, both Sumerian and Akkadian names are given for various deities, priesthoods, religious elements etc. The book is not a compendium of myths or texts although the most important myths are explained and used to situate cosmology with relation to the religion. Also, quite a number of samplings of texts (in English) are given which enable the reader to experience firsthand through example the principle being illustrated by the author. Chapter 6 p152 gives the standardized Mesopotamian calendar from which the ancient but later Hebrew calendar is partially derived. A few of the most important festivals are described with explication of what is known, what can be guessed at, what is unknown.
If you like reading text, then this is a very good book and you will come to a good feeling for Mesopotamian religion backed up by facts. There is a respectable bibliography at the end and notes.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
There is a newer edition of this item:
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
$30.00
Get it as soon as Friday, May 24
In Stock
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
Interesting book examining ancient people considering some large questions
Interesting and readable book. I have had some negative experiences trying to work my way through other academic studies translated from a foreign language. This book does not have that kind of a problem. As has been noted by an earlier reviewer, this study has a beautiful flowing narrative. The work is also exceptionally well organized. The author further tries to answer some important and enduring questions such as how and why belief in diverse gods came into existence. He additionally deals with how religions evolve and how different religions and religious doctrines interact. A thoughtful book well worth reading. Not only for other academics
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2009
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2019
Interesting book examining ancient people considering some large questions
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2019
Interesting and readable book. I have had some negative experiences trying to work my way through other academic studies translated from a foreign language. This book does not have that kind of a problem. As has been noted by an earlier reviewer, this study has a beautiful flowing narrative. The work is also exceptionally well organized. The author further tries to answer some important and enduring questions such as how and why belief in diverse gods came into existence. He additionally deals with how religions evolve and how different religions and religious doctrines interact. A thoughtful book well worth reading. Not only for other academics
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2019
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2013
Top reviews from other countries
Rackham ranter
religion in ancient mesopotamia
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2014SEOUROCK
Very good introduction to the understaning of early religion
Reviewed in Canada on May 8, 2012