Analecta Gorgiana
3 primary works
Book 160
As the introductory lecture to his collection of observations on ancient religion, Sayce begins this extract with a consideration of the difficulties of knowing what can be deduced from ancient Mesopotamian religion. Extracted from Sayce's Origin and Growth of Religion, this booklet will be of interest to those who research the early period of the field of Assyriology in order to learn where various concepts about Mesopotamian religious life have their genesis.
Book 161
In this second lecture extracted from Sayce's Origin and Growth of Religion, the renowned Assyriologist specifically considers the Babylonian deity Bel-Merodach. Noting that Cyrus the Great was a worshipper of this deity, the outlook of the priesthood of Bel-Merodach regarding his conquest of Babylon begins the discussion. Sayce then discusses localized versions of Merodach, considering Eridu, Borsippa, and Assur.
Book 162
This fifth extract from Sayce's Origin and Growth of Religion, the topic turns to the "sacred books" of the Babylonians. Beginning with the "Chaldean Rig-Veda," collections of hymns identified from the earliest days of Assyriology, Sayce also considers the earlier, less developed magical texts. Future considerations - sin, the status of heaven and Hades, and cosmology finish out the essay.