Greek Myths and Mesopotamia: Parallels and Influence in the Homeric Hymns and Hesiod

Description

This book investigates the nature & extent of Mesopotamian influence in Greek religious mythological works of the early archaic period, with the aim of elucidating Greek myths & the nature of the mythology involved. Beginning with Mesopotamian myths of the goddess Inanna & her consort Dumuzi, & the heroic warrior god Ninurta, the author examines major Greek works in the light of central Mesopotamian ideas, principally those incorporated in the journeys of the gods. Intriguing correspondences with Mesopotamian ideas & motifs shed light on the Homeric hymns to Apollo, Demeter & Persephone, Aphrodite & Athena, & on Hesiod's Theogony & Works & Days. Distinctive features are the careful & precise analysis of the myths, the extensive parallels adduced, & their complex & specific nature. This revelation of the extensive & comprehensive degree of Mesopotamian influence & the extraordinarily specific correspondences involved announce a breakthru in the study of Greek mythology & religion. These results are of significant interest, especially to scholars & students of ancient Greek & Near Eastern religion & mythology. CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ABBREVIATIONS CHRONOLOGICAL CHART 1 FOUNDATIONS 2 INANNA INANNA’S DESCENT AND RETURN ISHTAR’S DESCENT AND RETURN THE LITURGIES OF DAMU THE ‘GODDESS AND CONSORT’ STRAND INANNA AND ENKI INANNA’S JOURNEY IN THE HYMN 3 NINURTA THE MYTH OF ANZU ANGIM NINURTA’S JOURNEY TO ERIDU, STVC 34 LUGALE The power theme in Lugale The temple Assembly before the journey Initial defeat THE ‘HEROIC’ STRAND 4 FROM EKUR TO OLYMPOS 5 THE HOMERIC HYMN TO APOLLO THE DELIAN SECTION THE PYTHIAN SECTION 6 THE HOMERIC HYMN TO DEMETER 7 MYTHS OF APHRODITE AND HER ORIGINS 8 JOURNEYS OF HERMES AND ZEUS THE HOMERIC HYMN TO HERMES THE JOURNEYS OF ZEUS 9 PANDORA, PROMETHEUS AND THE MYTHS OF ENKI THE PANDORA MYTH AND THE ATRAHASIS EPIC The character roles Rebellion and its results Antagonism towards the supreme god The rebel deity’s punishment The Flood motif and the origin of races 10 THE BIRTH OF ATHENA 11 CONCLUSION APPENDIX I Ereshkigal’s queenship of the netherworld APPENDIX II Some sources for Mesopotamian literature BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX