Myth to Epic: The Imagination of War in Syro-Mesopotamia
War, Peace and Resilience in the Ancient World Narratives - Marinella Ceravolo
Jérôme Pace
Description
Fascinating but difficult objects of study, religious and historical myths and epics define the world views and identities of human societies. Sumero-Akkadian mythological and epic literature fulfils this role as a set of explanatory and normative narratives that are among the most important sources of information for the study of the ancient Near East. In this regard, Ninurta’s 3rd millennium myth Lugal.e and 2nd millennium Epic of Tukulti-Ninurta I offer an interesting vision of the imagination of war in Syro-Mesopotamia. Ninurta and Tukulti-Ninurta’s fights against their enemies – with their causes and consequences – can be read not only as myths and epics, but also as expressions of diplomacy and war rules of their time.