Near Eastern Myth and Religion

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This module explores stories passed down from Mesopotamia and other ancient near eastern/western Asian societies that were long in contact with the Mediterranean world. Lectures will situate the mythology and divine pantheon of Mesopotamia in its various historical, religious, political, and geographical contexts during the second and first millennia BC. During that time poets crafted literature that was still copied, retold, and even adapted under the rule of Hellenistic kings and even Roman emperors. These traditions reflect concern about the nature of the gods and humanity and what made us 'human'; they preserved traditions about the creation of the universe, of great floods and battles, of friendship, of love and loss, the qualities that make a leader great, as well as a few quests to the edges of the known world. As we explore each tradition we will delve into wider debates about the nature of myth, folklore, and story telling across cultures, as well as how stories might relate to longstanding rituals and local traditions or adaptation to shifting political realities. We will try to come to grips with the types of big questions that such stories asked of, and suggested about, their ancient audiences and why some of them still resonate today. You will gain experience analysing ancient texts, material culture, and iconography. In so doing, we will explore how the ancient Middle East was connected to and distinct from more familiar Greco-Roman mythical traditions, as well as how foreign rulers from the Mediterranean engaged with these traditions. There are no formal prerequisites, though a desire to explore the themes of love, war, life and death, who we are and where we come from, will be a plus!