Art objects and pictures of the first millennium BC Chr. From the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean are viewed here from a perspective that sees art as a symbolic data carrier. Art conveys culturally shaped statements and thereby allows conclusions to be drawn about the culture, world view and religion of a people. In this book, it is examined in its triple function as an artifact, visual medium and reflection of cultural ideas.

Keel and Uehlinger's unique study brings the massive Palestinian archaeological evidence of 8,500 amulets and inscriptions to bear on these questions. Vindicating the use of symbols and visual remains to investigate ancient religion, the authors employ iconographic evidence from around 1750 B.C.E. through the Persian period (c. 333 B.C.E.) to reconstruct the emergence and development of the Yahweh cult in relation to its immediate neighbors and competitors. They also fully explore whether female characteristics were present in the early Yahweh figure and how they might have evolved in Israelite religion. Keel and Uehlinger's major study marks the maturation of iconographical studies and affords an exciting glimpse into the vibrant religious life of ancient Canaan and Israel.

Text in English & German. Das wissenschaftsgeschichtliche Gedachtnis des Abendlandes erkennt die Urspr|nge der Idee von Naturgesetzen' bei den Vorsokratikern, Platon und der Stoa. Die rechtsfoermige Interpretation kosmischer Phanomene reicht jedoch in den Alten Orient zur|ck und hat auch Eingang in die alttestamentliche Literatur gefunden. Der vorliegende Band erschlieat und analysiert die entsprechenden Texte und formuliert so einen neuen Zugang zur Vorstellung von Naturgesetzen' in der Antike.