MYTHS AND RITUAL IN THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST

by E. O. James ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 10, 1958

In the last years, due to the increasing force of the social sciences and the growing desire on the part of artists to find a context for their work, much discussion and thought has been devoted to the subject of the myth. Though a great deal of what has been said has been of value, much confusion and debate still clings to the subject. Dr. James, Professor Emeritus of London University and author of fifteen previous books on anthropological-religious subjects, attempts here to bring to light scientific evidence and lucid theory which may serve to define myth and ritual and establish the origins and circumstances of many highly controversial and well known traditions. Vehement in his definition of myth as man's expression of what to him is reality, Dr. James sharply distinguishes between myth, legend, and folk-lore, also excluding from his definition such works as the Iliad, which were of a highly sophisticated nature and meant to entertain. Ritual, we are told, is to provide man with the force which is implicit in his myths, to project primal forces into man's life. The emergence of myths in cultist societies is carefully outlined and includes discussions of Egyptian, Indian, Iranian, Mesopotamian, Cannanite, Greek and European practices, their origins, evolutions, and meanings. A highly erudite study, but written in lucid and generally non-technical language, Myths and Ritual in the Ancient Near East will serve excellently, both as a reference and as a total statement on the revealing subject it embraces.

Pub Date: Sept. 10, 1958

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Frederick A. Praeger

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1958

Categories: NONFICTION