Polyphemos and his near eastern relations

1979 ◽  
Vol 99 ◽  
pp. 164-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Knox
Keyword(s):  
Plate Viii ◽  
Near Eastern ◽  
The One ◽  
Storm Cloud ◽  
Cylinder Seals

A number of studies of the Cyclops episode of Odyssey ix have described modern folktales which resemble it to a varying degree. Most writers have concluded that few of the tales actually derive from the Odyssey; rather they are related to it as independent variations of the same tale. Hitherto there has been no basis for conjecture about the origin of the tale, and speculation has ranged widely but inconclusively.Perhaps speculation is all we can ever hope for in such questions. But it may help if we can find possible references to a version of the tale earlier than Homer, and the purpose of this note is to draw attention to such a possibility.One-eyed but otherwise human figures are found, though not often, on cylinder seals from Mesopotamia. Edith Porada describes and illustrates three examples. The earliest of these (Plate VIIIb) dates from around 3000 B.C., and shows the one-eyed figure nude, curly-haired and bearded, holding up two lions by the hind legs. The rest of the scene includes an enclosure of some sort, a grotesque man(?) apparently bending a stick(?), two creatures that look like sheep, and two lion-headed birds (the personified storm-cloud?).

Ancient Near Eastern Cylinder Seals from the Marcopoli Collection

1987 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Edith Porada ◽  
Beatrice Teissier
Keyword(s):  
Near Eastern ◽  
Cylinder Seals

Jews and Judaism in Classical Sufi Literature

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-164
Author(s):  
Elisha Russ-Fishbane
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Near Eastern ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Historical Role ◽  
The One ◽  
The Demonic

Abstract This paper addresses a paradox at the heart of the classical Sufi tradition. On the one hand, key Sufi writers express a radical universalism or ‘transconfessionalism’ in their mystical verse. This has led a variety of modern scholars to identify Sufism as an ecumenical and non-dogmatic tradition. On the other hand, in other writings the selfsame authors conduct a vigorous literary polemic and celebrate missionary efforts against unbelievers of all stripes, yet with a notable emphasis on Jewish unbelievers. This article examines the image of Jews and Judaism in key Sufi texts in both Arabic and Persian between the tenth and thirteenth centuries through a variety of motifs, including the construction of the Jew as embodiment of the demonic and as archetypal unbeliever. These images become critical to the literary function of the Jew in classical Sufi texts with little connection to their historical role in Near Eastern societies.

A structured light approach to imaging ancient Near Eastern cylinder seals:

2018 ◽  
pp. 49-74
Author(s):  
Jacob L. Dahl ◽  
Jonathon S. Hare ◽  
Kate Kelley ◽  
Kirk Martinez ◽  
David Young
Keyword(s):  
Structured Light ◽  
Near Eastern ◽  
Cylinder Seals

Catalogue of Ancient near-Eastern Seals in the Ashmolean Museum, Volume I. Cylinder Seals

1966 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 362
Author(s):  
Machteld J. Mellink ◽  
Briggs Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Near Eastern ◽  
Cylinder Seals

Ancient near Eastern Cylinder Seals Acquired by the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford 1963-1973

Iraq ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. S. Moorey ◽  
O. R. Gurney
Keyword(s):  
Near Eastern ◽  
Cylinder Seals

Ancient near Eastern Cylinder Seals from the Marcopoli Collection

1986 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 834
Author(s):  
Pierre Amiet ◽  
Beatrice Teissier
Keyword(s):  
Near Eastern ◽  
Cylinder Seals

scholarly journals A ambivalência do simbolismo da serpente em Nm 21,4-9: uma análise na ótica dos conflitos (The ambivalence of the serpent’s symbolism in Numbers 21,4-9: an analysis through the conflicts’ approach). DOI: 10.5752/P.2175-5841.2012v10n25p176

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (25) ◽  
pp. 176-200
Author(s):  
Vicente Artuso ◽  
Fabrizio Zandonadi Catenassi
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Text Analysis ◽  
Final Stage ◽  
Near Eastern ◽  
The People ◽  
Conflict Solution ◽  
The One ◽  
In The Beginning ◽  
Cultural Features

A perícope das serpentes no deserto destaca-se do conjunto de escritos que recorrem ao simbolismo da serpente, ao utilizar esse elemento potencialmente enganoso para a fé de Israel, ambivalente. Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi compreender o simbolismo da serpente em Nm 21,4-9, a partir de uma análise do texto e da possível influência por parte dos egípcios e povos do Antigo Oriente Próximo. A análise narrativa destacou o texto como um enredo de conflito-solução no drama vivido pelo povo. Na ótica do conflito, foram levados em conta os aspectos antropológicos e culturais do simbolismo da serpente e seu alcance teológico. A interpretação favoreceu a compreensão da dimensão pedagógica de Deus diante da necessidade de conversão do povo que estava na etapa final da caminhada do deserto, prestes a entrar na terra de Canaã. Dentro da economia da revelação, o autor dá um novo significado à serpente levantada na haste. No início do relato, fora instrumento de castigo expresso na mordedura que causou muitas mortes; no fim, torna-se sinal de salvação.  Assim, mediante o sinal, o mesmo Deus que castiga é o que está sempre pronto a oferecer uma nova chance àquele que volta seus olhos para Ele.Palavras-chave: Exegese. Números. Símbolo. Serpente. Conflitos.AbstractThe pericope of the wilderness’ snakes is highlighted in the set of writings using the symbol of the serpent, for this symbol is potentially doubtful to the faith of Israel, ambivalent. Therefore, this paper aims to comprehend the symbolism of the serpent in Numbers 21,4-9, through a text analysis and a study of the possible influence of Egyptians and the nations from Ancient Near Eastern. The narrative analysis highlighted the text as a plot of conflict-solution in the drama lived by the people. In that conflict approach, it was considered the anthropological and cultural features of the serpent symbolism and its theological range. The interpretation favored the comprehension of the pedagogic dimension of God before the necessity of people’s conversion, once they were in the final stage of the wilderness’ pilgrimage, being about to enter at the land of Canaan. In line with the economy of revelation, the author gives a new meaning to the serpent raised in the rod. In the beginning of the report, it was an instrument of punishment expressed in the bite that caused a lot of deaths; at the end, it becomes a sign of salvation. Thus, through this signal, the same God who punishes is the One who is always ready to offer a new chance to those whose eyes turn upon Him.Keywords: Exegesis. Numbers. Symbol. Serpent. Conflicts.

Israelite Religion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard S. Hess
Keyword(s):  
Old Testament ◽  
Biblical Theology ◽  
Historical Criticism ◽  
Near Eastern ◽  
Gender Culture ◽  
Israelite Religion ◽  
Hebrew Scriptures ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Critical Interpretation ◽  
The One

Emerging from the academic study of the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures during the Enlightenment and Reformation, Israelite religion became a topic of study in terms of the presentation in the Bible of Israel’s worship of its God. Gradually this separated into a synthesis of biblical teachings on worship and its prescribed practices, on the one hand, and a study of the history of biblical Israel in terms of beliefs and practices toward one or more deities, on the other. The former branch evolved into biblical theology, while the latter developed into the topic of Israelite religion. Beginning in the nineteenth century, archaeological excavations and the interpretation of ancient Near Eastern texts preceding and contemporaneous with the period of the Bible broadened the picture. Comparing and contrasting archaeological and textual sources with the application of anthropological models derived from comparative religious studies led to modern syntheses of the subject. Initially these were heavily based upon the biblical text, often with the application of theories of literary and historical criticism. Since the 1980s, however, a focus on texts from the same time and region, as well as interpretation of artifacts with religious significance, has challenged older models of Israelite religion. Influences and the interactions of believers and their deities appear increasingly complex. No longer is there an understanding of a mere one or two religions in Israel (e.g., worshippers of Yahweh and worshippers of Baal). It now seems clear that various religious practices and texts attest to the presence of multiple religions followed by people in the region of ancient Israel, sometimes reflecting differences in gender, culture, ethnicity, and other factors. While a form of worship as described in biblical accounts may have been followed, there were other forms which, in various ways, syncretized Yahweh with other goddesses and gods. This has led scholars to question the factors that led to, and the time of emergence of, belief in a single deity in Israel, as well as to question the nature of that deity. Answers and models remain in a state of flux; evidence remains to be reviewed and interpretations demand critical interpretation.

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