An Ethical View of Human-Animal Relations in the Ancient Near East

Description

Exploring the earliest literary evidence for human-animal relations, this volume presents and analyzes biblical and Mesopotamian (Sumerian, Assyrian, and Babylonian) sources from the third millennium BCE through to the consolidation of the biblical literature in the first millennium BCE. Key Features: Provides the first comprehensive study of these texts from an ethical perspective.Examines proverbs, popular aphorisms, myths, epic literature, wisdom literature, historiography, prophecy, and law codes.Applies methodology from current contemporary biblical and ancient Near Eastern scholarship and human-animal ethics, thereby raising new questions that lead to fresh insights. ​An Ethical View of Human Animal-Relations in the Ancient Near East is essential reading for scholars and graduate students of animal ethics, applied ethics and biblical studies. Series Editors’ Preface Acknowledgments Bibliography Contents 1: Introduction Bibliography 2: Fauna in Ancient Sumerian Proverbs: The Role Animals Played in Shaping Southern Mesopotamian Social Norms and Conventions The Sumerian Proverb Collections Wild Animals in the Sumerian Proverbs and the Educational Lessons They Convey Domesticated Animals in the Sumerian Proverbs and the Education Messages They Convey Conclusion Bibliography 3: Sumerian Faunal Fables: Talking Animals and Educational Lessons Introduction The Fables Conclusion Bibliography 4: Human Relations with the Animal Kingdom in Mesopotamian Literary Genres Introduction Mythic and Epic Literature The Role Animals Play in Mesopotamian Creation Stories The Functioning of the Primal World and the Gods’ Attitude Towards the Animal Kingdom The Treatment of Animals by Hybrid Creatures Human-Animal Relations Conclusion Bibliography 5: Animals in Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Law Codes Ancient Law Animals in Pentateuchal and Ancient Near Eastern Tort Law Animals in the Ethical/Humane Laws in the Hebrew Bible The Disparities Between Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Law Conclusion Bibliography 6: Human-Animal Relations in Biblical Narrative and Historiography Conclusion Bibliography 7: Human-Animal Relations in Classical Prophecy Introduction Conclusion Bibliography 8: The Place and Role of Animals in the Psalms and Biblical Wisdom Literature Introduction Conclusion Bibliography 9: Conclusion Index