Ancient Mesopotamian Animal Omens: Structure and Patterns of Meaning

The article addresses a Babylonian collection of omens regarding animals and their behavior. These omens are part of a large series of terrestrial omens that is known as Šumma ālu (ina mēlê šakin) "If a city (is set on a height)." The main argument of this article is that these animal omen...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: De Zorzi, Nicla 1982- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: University of Chicago Press 2022
In: Near Eastern archaeology
Year: 2022, Volume: 85, Issue: 4, Pages: 270-278
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Omen (Popular belief) / Mesopotamia / Animals / Behavior / Text / Babylonia / Bestiary / Society
IxTheo Classification:BC Ancient Orient; religion
HB Old Testament
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:The article addresses a Babylonian collection of omens regarding animals and their behavior. These omens are part of a large series of terrestrial omens that is known as Šumma ālu (ina mēlê šakin) "If a city (is set on a height)." The main argument of this article is that these animal omens should not be seen as straightforward reflections of actual animal behavior, but are conceived as a culturally constructed bestiarium, that is, as a mirror of human society. This will be demonstrated through a series of case studies.
ISSN:2325-5404
Contains:Enthalten in: Near Eastern archaeology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1086/722366