Poetic Astronomy in the Ancient Near East: The Reflexes of Celestial Science in

Description: Poetic Astronomy in the Ancient Near East by Jeffrey L. Cooley Modern science historians have typically treated the sciences of the ancient Near East as separate from historical and cultural considerations. At the same time, biblical scholars, dominated by theological concerns, have historically understood the Israelite god as separate from the natural world. Cooleys study, bringing to bear contemporary models of science history on the one hand and biblical studies on the other hand, seeks to bridge a gap created by 20th-century scholarship in our understanding of ancient Near Eastern cultures by investigating the ways in which ancient authors incorporated their cultures celestial speculation in narrative.In the literature of ancient Iraq, celestial divination is displayed quite prominently in important works such as Enuma Eliš and Erra and Išum. In ancient Ugarit as well, the sky was observed for devotional reasons, and astral deities play important roles in stories such as the Baal Cycle and Shahar and Shalim. Even though the veneration of astral deities was rejected by biblical authors, in the literature of ancient Israel the Sun, Moon, and stars are often depicted as active, conscious agents. In texts such as Genesis 1, Joshua 10, Judges 5, and Job 38, these celestial characters, these "sons of God," are living, dynamic members of Yahwehs royal entourage, willfully performing courtly, martial, and calendrical roles for their sovereign.The synthesis offered by this book, the first of its kind since the demise of the pan-Babylonianist school more than a century ago, is about ancient science in ancient Near Eastern literature. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Table of Contents Preface and AcknowledgmentsAbbreviationsChapter 1. The Study of Ancient Near Eastern Celestial Science and Literature1.1 Introduction1.2. Pan-Babylonianism1.3. Understanding Mesopotamian Astronomy1.4. The Problem in Assyriology1.5. The Problem in Biblical Studies1.6. The Problem in Ugaritology1.7. Bridging the Gap1.8. Celestial Science in Ancient Near Eastern LiteratureAppendix 1.1: Definitions of Important Terms Used in This StudyChapter 2. Celestial Science in Mesopotamia2.1. Introduction2.2. Pre–Old Babylonian Celestial Sciences2.3. Celestial Divination Material2.4. Celestial Divination Supportive Material: Didactic and Practical Tools2.5. Celestial Divination Interpretive Material2.6. Miscellaneous Celestial-Science Material2.7. Summary History of Mesopotamian AstronomyChapter 3. Celestial Science in Mesopotamian Literature3.1. Introduction3.2. Divination3.3. Catasterisms and Other Celestial Aetia3.4. Miscellaneous3.5. ConclusionChapter 4. Celestial Science at Ugarit and in Ugaritic Literature4.1. The Celestial Sciences at Ugarit4.2. The Celestial Sciences in Ugaritic LiteratureAppendix 4.1: Interpretations of the Baal CycleAppendix 4.2: Gasters Interpretation of the Aqhat TextAppendix 4.3: Interpretations of KTU 1.23Chapter 5. Celestial Science in Ancient Israel5.1. Introduction5.2. Celestial Terminology in the Hebrew Bible5.3. Astral Religion5.4. Celestial Divination5.5. The Calendars of the Hebrew Bible5.6. Celestial Science in Ancient Israel: ConclusionChapter 6. Celestial Science in Ancient Israelite Literature6.1. Introduction6.2. Celestial Agents, Astral Religion, and Calendar6.3. Joshua 106.4. Judges 56.5. The Shadow on the Steps of Ahaz6.6. Genesis 1:14–186.7. The Stars in Job6.8. ConclusionChapter 7. ConclusionBibliographyIndexesIndex of AuthorsIndex of ScriptureIndex of Ancient Near Eastern Names and Sources Long Description Modern science historians have typically treated the sciences of the ancient Near East as separate from historical and cultural considerations. At the same time, biblical scholars, dominated by theological concerns, have historically understood the Israelite god as separate from the natural world. Cooleys study, bringing to bear contemporary models of science history on the one hand and biblical studies on the other hand, seeks to bridge a gap created by 20th-century scholarship in our understanding of ancient Near Eastern cultures by investigating the ways in which ancient authors incorporated their cultures celestial speculation in narrative. In the literature of ancient Iraq, celestial divination is displayed quite prominently in important works such as Enuma Elis and Erra and Isum. In ancient Ugarit as well, the sky was observed for devotional reasons, and astral deities play important roles in stories such as the Baal Cycle and Shahar and Shalim. Even though the veneration of astral deities was rejected by biblical authors, in the literature of ancient Israel the Sun, Moon, and stars are often depicted as active, conscious agents. In texts such as Genesis 1, Joshua 10, Judges 5, and Job 38, these celestial characters, these "sons of God," are living, dynamic members of Yahwehs royal entourage, willfully performing courtly, martial, and calendrical roles for their sovereign. The synthesis offered by this book, the first of its kind since the demise of the pan-Babylonianist school more than a century ago, is about ancient science in ancient Near Eastern literature. Details ISBN1575062623 Author Jeffrey L. Cooley Year 2013 ISBN-10 1575062623 ISBN-13 9781575062624 Format Hardcover Pages 408 Imprint Eisenbrauns Subtitle The Reflexes of Celestial Science in Ancient Mesopotamian, Ugaritic, and Israelite Narrative Place of Publication Indiana Country of Publication United States DEWEY 520.9394 Language English Series Number 5 Publication Date 2013-03-19 UK Release Date 2013-03-19 NZ Release Date 2013-03-19 US Release Date 2013-03-19 Series History, Archaeology, and Culture of the Levant Audience Professional & Vocational Publisher Pennsylvania State University Press AU Release Date 2013-03-18 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:132789782;

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ISBN-13: 9781575062624

Book Title: Poetic Astronomy in the Ancient Near East

Number of Pages: 408 Pages

Language: English

Publication Name: Poetic Astronomy in the Ancient Near East: The Reflexes of Celestial Science in Ancient Mesopotamian, Ugaritic, and Israelite Narrative

Publisher: Eisenbrauns

Publication Year: 2013

Subject: History

Item Height: 229 mm

Item Weight: 726 g

Type: Textbook

Author: Jeffrey L. Cooley

Item Width: 152 mm

Format: Hardcover