In the last decades there has been an increasing interest in the relationship between Greek religion & culture and the Ancient Near East. This challenging book contributes greatly to this interest by studying the Near Eastern background of important Greek myths, such as those of the creation of the world and the first woman, the Flood, the Golden Fleece, the Titans and travelling seers, but also of the births of Attis and Asclepius as well as the origins of the terms 'paradise' and 'magic'. It also shows that, in turn, Greek literature influenced Jewish stories of divine epiphanies and that the Greek scapegoat myths and rituals contributed to the central Christian notion of atonement.
- ISBN10 9004164731
- ISBN13 9789004164734
- Publish Date 21 April 2008 (first published 1 January 2008)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country NL
- Imprint Brill
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 426
- Language English
- URL brill.com/product_id29073