Gods in the Desert: Religions of the Ancient Near East

by Glenn S. Holland

Publisher:

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

, 2009

Overview

Gods in the Desert explores the fascinating religious cultures of the ancient Near East. From the mysterious pyramids, tombs, and temples of Egypt to the powerful heroes, gods, and legends of Mesopotamia, Glenn Holland guides readers through the early religions that are the root of many of today's major faiths.

Holland compares the religions of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Syria-Palestine, including Israel and Judah, from the Neolithic era through the conquest of Alexander the Great. He provides a historical survey of each region, then discusses the gods, the rulers, the afterlife, and the worship rituals. This accessible overview makes clear how these religions converged and diverged, and are intimately connected to many of the religions we recognize today, sometimes in surprising ways.

Features

• Includes useful tools for reference, including four maps of the region, a glossary of key terms, a timeline of critical events, and an index.

• Brings ancient stories like The Epic of Gilgamesh to life through rich historical context.

Contents

List of Illustrations
List of Maps
Time Line
Preface
Introduction: Religion and Its Characteristic Expression
Section 1: Egypt
Chapter 1: Egypt: Historical Survey
Chapter 2: Egypt: The Gods and the World They Made
Chapter 3: Egypt: The King and Royal Power
Chapter 4: Egypt: The World of the Dead
Chapter 5: Egypt: The Human World
Section 2: Mesopotamia
Chapter 6: Mesopotamia: Historical Survey
Chapter 7: Mesopotamia: The Gods and the World They Made
Chapter 8: Mesopotamia: The World of Kings and Heroes
Chapter 9: Mesopotamia: The World of the Dead
Chapter 10: Mesopotamia: The Human World
Section 3: Syria-Palestine
Chapter 11: Syria-Palestine: Historical Survey
Chapter 12: Syria-Palestine: The Gods and the World They Made
Chapter 13: Syria-Palestine: Kings and Prophets
Chapter 14: Syria-Palestine: Suffering and Death
Chapter 15: Syria-Palestine: The Human World
Conclusion: Change and Continuity in the Hellenistic Age
Bibliography for Further Reading
Glossary
Index

Praise for Gods in the Desert

With so much contemporary attention focused on the Middle East, the time is opportune for a clear, well-written, up-to-date introduction to its earlier counterpart, the ancient Near East. Holland magnificently succeeds in providing such a work. . . . Holland's writing is free of jargon; all terms, including religion, are carefully defined, and the volume offers many aids, including maps, a time line, and glossary. . . . Highly recommended.

I selected Gods in the Desert as one of the texts for my course in Middle Eastern Civilizations. There is no other book like it out there, and it is successful in distilling so much material into such a brief and accessible book. The writing is clear, avoids jargon, and really informs. It fills a real void in undergraduate texts.

A valuable introduction for students and general readers alike. Glenn Holland’s accessible prose and carefully structured approach take the reader on an engaging journey through time across Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Syria-Palestine. His exploration of key themes, thoughtful treatment of celebrated primary sources, and judicious handling of history combine effectively to map out the religious and cultural landscape of these fascinating regions.

Survey books tend to oversimplify, but this book provides a nuanced presentation of ancient religious practice. If used for undergraduate teaching, this book would be useful as a resource, providing general descriptions of ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian religions.

Product Details

• Title : Gods in the Desert: Religions of the Ancient Near East
• Author: Holland, Glenn S.
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication Date: 2009
• ISBN: 9780742599796

About Glenn S. Holland

Glenn S. Holland is professor of religious studies at Allegheny College. He is also the creator of the Teaching Company's popular lecture series 'Religion in the Ancient Mediterranean World.'