Ancient Mesopotamia was a rich, varied and highly complex culture whose achievements included the invention of writing and the development of sophisticated urban society. This book offers an introductory guide to the beliefs and customs of the ancient Mesopotamians, as revealed in their art and their writings between about 3000 B.C. and the advent of the Christian era. Gods, goddesses, demons, monsters, magic, myths, religious symbolism, ritual, and the spiritual world are all discussed in alphabetical entries ranging from short accounts to extended essays. Names are given in both their Sumerian and Akkadian forms, and all entries are fully cross-referenced. A useful introduction provides historical and geographical background and describes the sources of our knowledge about the religion, mythology and magic of "the cradle of civilisation".
Jeremy Black is a professor of history at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. He is, or has been, on numerous editorial boards, including the "Journal of Military History, the Journal of the Royal United Services Institute, Media History", and "History Today", and was editor of "Archives". He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including "War and the World: Military Power and the Fate of Continents, 1450-2000" (Yale, 2000), "The British Seaborne Empire" (Yale, 2004), "Maps and History" (Yale, 2000), and "European Warfare in a Global Context, 1600-1815" (Routledge, 2007). He lives in Exeter.
Anthony Green is Senior Lecturer in Sociology of Education and Course Leader for the MA Sociology of Education in the Department of Educational Foundations and Policy Studies, Institute of Education, University of London. Glenn Rikowski is Senior Lecturer and Course Leader of Education Studies, School of Education, University of Northampton. Helen Raduntz is Adjunct Research Fellow; Centre for Research in Education, Equity, and Work; University of South Australia.
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