Esteemed scholar David Leeming, who has authored more than twelve
books on mythology, here offers the first comprehensive narrative
study of the mythology of the Middle East, that tumultuous region
that was the cradle of civilization. Leeming begins with a brief,
engaging history of the Middle East, spanning Neolithic cultures,
the Bronze Age and the Iron Age, the invention of writing and the
rise of Egypt and Babylonia, Israel and Roman rule, and the early
history of the Jews, Christians, and Muslims. This is followed by
an in-depth discussion of the mythology of the region, covering
individual pantheons, cosmic myths, mythic heroes, and much more.
Leeming ranges from prehistoric figures such as the Mother Goddess
of Catal Huyuk to Mesopotamian gods such as Marduk and mythic
heroes such as Gilgamesh, to the pantheon of Egyptian mythology,
including the falcon-headed sky-sun god Horus and jackal-headed
Anubis. The author also offers an illuminating exploration of the
mythology of the three great monotheistic religions of the region:
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In a provocative Epilogue,
Leeming depicts today's crisis in the Middle East as "violent,
clearly immoral, and illegal actions" justified by "what can only
be called myths." He notes that fundamentalists in the area's three
religions all see their way as the only way, forgetting that myths
represent truths that are spiritual and philosophical-not
historical events that can be used to justify acts of violence.
With key maps, illustrations, bibliography, and index, Jealous Gods
and Chosen People provides an inclusive, authoritative, and
captivating account of a mythology that remains a potent-and often
destructive-force in the world today.
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