Divination and Interpretation of Signs in the Ancient World

. Ed(s): Annus, Amar

ISBN 10: 1885923686 / ISBN 13: 9781885923684

Published by Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, 2010

About this Item

Editor(s): Annus, Amar. Num Pages: 388 pages, figures. BIC Classification: HDDK. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational; (U) Tertiary Education (US: College). Dimension: 184 x 258 x 21. Weight in Grams: 752. . 2010. Paperback. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.

Seller Inventory # V9781885923684

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Divination and Interpretation of Signs in the Ancient World
• Publisher: Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago
• Publication Date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1885923686
• ISBN 13: 9781885923684
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

The concept of sign, a portent observed in the physical world, which indicates future events, is found in all ancient cultures, but was first developed in ancient Mesopotamian texts. This branch of Babylonian scientific knowledge extensively influenced other parts of the world, and similar texts written in Aramaic, Sanscrit, Sogdian, and other languages. The seminar will investigate how much do we know about the Babylonian theory and hermeneutics of omens, and the scope of their possible influences on other cultures and regions.

Review

Individually, the articles make exciting contributions to scholarship, both in terms of their content and also on account of their relative accessibility for non-Near Eastern scholars. Any scholar of divination – and ancient divination in particular –, who would like to know about Near-Eastern thought and practice, should have this book on his shelf.' (Kim Beerden, Leiden University Bryn Mawr Classical Review, 2011.01.32)