Review (PDF) An Introduction To Ancient Mesopotamian Religion
In An Introduction to Mesopotamian Religion Tammi J. Schneider offers readers a basic guide to the religion of the peoples living in the region of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers from the beginning of the Bronze Age to the time of Alexander the Great and Darius III. Drawing from extant texts, artifacts, and architecture, Schneider reveals a complex, fluid, and highly ritualized polytheism and describes both its intriguing pantheon of deities and the religious experience of the people who spent their lives serving and appeasing them.
Paperback: 158 pages
Publisher: Eerdmans (June 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0802829597
ISBN-13: 978-0802829597
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.4 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #1,038,552 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #243 in Books > History > Ancient Civilizations > Assyria, Babylonia & Sumer #251 in Books > History > Ancient Civilizations > Mesopotamia #450 in Books > History > Middle East > Iraq
Schneider's book is a fun read for folks interested in things ancient Mesopotamian. The book is brief but well organized. Helpful introductory material (tools for study and a summary of history) set the stage for a chapter by chapter discussion of significant areas related to the broad area of the ancient Mesopotamian religion. Key categories are dealt with in a concise and informative fashion that provides enough data to cover each area yet in a way that is easily grasped by those newer to the topic.The uneven assessment of some areas is a minor flaw of the book. In her discussion of the Sacred Marriage Schneider notes the information gap between the 3rd and 1st millennia and raises a note of caution about conclusions that are based upon a seamless treatment of the materials. Yet, in her discussion of prophecy, an area far inferior to divination in ancient Mesopotamia, she does not raise the same warning about the seamless use of prophecy texts from Mari (18th century) with the prophecy texts from Neo-Assyria (8th century).A strength of Schneider's book is her use of basic and accessible works, even for primary sources, that will allow readers to investigate more fully her major points. The book is informative, well balanced and enjoyable so highly recommended as Schneider clearly achieves her goal.
Dr. Schneider presents ancient mesopotamian religion in a way that is clear and easy to read. This is, as the book admits, only an introduction, but it is a very good introduction.
I'm no expert on the subject and really not in a position to review this study. It seems to me though that the author, while certainly an expert, avoids to tackle the deeper issues of his material, remaining at a very introductory level and often repeating previously stated concepts. Which is fine if this is a text for students, and it certainly contains a wealth of information. I personally would have preferred a bolder attempt of interpretation in what is certainly a very fascinating subject.
Let me first say that this book's font and formatting were aesthetically perfect for me (which in all honesty is something that always matters more than it actually should...). As for the content, one who reads this book will rate it upon what he or she is expecting. If you are looking for an exhaustive treatment, look elsewhere. If you are relatively new to the field and you want something that will 'pace' you well, then this is the droid you are looking for. Schneider is a fantastic docent who gives you a concise tour of the scholarship done on ancient Mesopotamian religion; she shows you relevant points without overwhelming you. Also, she leaves an abundance of footnotes for you to trace her work (something that does not happen often in Introductory material). This allows you to see the most helpful sources for whatever topic she might be talking about. Make this study a framework around which you can continue your knowledge of ancient Mesopotamian religion.
An Introduction to Ancient Mesopotamian Religion Treasures of Darkness: History of Mesopotamian Religion The Treasures of Darkness: A History of Mesopotamian Religion Egyptian Mythology: Discover the Ancient Secrets of Egyptian Mythology (Egypt, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Civilizations, Gods, Pharaohs, Ra, Isis, Set) (Ancient Civilizations and Mythology) Letters to the King of Mari: A New Translation, With Historical Introduction, Notes, and Commentary (Mesopotamian Civilizations, 12) The religion of the Veda : the ancient religion of India (from Rig-Veda to Upanishads) History: Greatest Ancient Civilization History: (History Rome, Romans, Egypt, SPQR, Aztec, Ancient China, Ancient Greece, Julius Caesar, Jesus, Muhammed, Alexander the Great) Sumerians: Discover History's First Civilization: Everything You Need to Know About the Sumerians of the Ancient World (Ancient History, Ancient Civilizations Handbook) The Uruk World System: The Dynamics of Expansion of Early Mesopotamian Civilization, Second Edition Ends And Means: The British Mesopotamian Campaign and Commission The Heavenly Writing: Divination, Horoscopy, and Astronomy in Mesopotamian Culture Sex and Eroticism in Mesopotamian Literature An Introduction to Ancient Iranian Religion: Readings from the Avesta and the Achaemenid Inscriptions (Minnesota Publications in the Humanities) Empire of Religion: Imperialism and Comparative Religion Preaching on Wax: The Phonograph and the Shaping of Modern African American Religion (Religion, Race, and Ethnicity) Gods of the City: Religion and the American Urban Landscape (Religion in North America) Disfiguring: Art, Architecture, Religion (Religion and Postmodernism Series) Reading Mystical Lyric (Studies in Comparative Religion): The Case of Jalal Al-Din Rumi (Studies in Comparative Religion) Pragmatic Theology: Negotiating the Intersections of an American Philosophy of Religion and Public Theology (Suny Series, Religion and American Public Life) Sisters and Saints: Women and American Religion (Religion in American Life)
