Mesopotamian Cosmic Geography

by Wayne Horowitz

In this comprehensive study, Horowitz examines all of the extant Mesopotamian texts (both Sumerian and Akkadian) relating to the ideas of the physical universe and its constituent parts (Heaven, Earth, subterranean waters, underworld). The author shows that the Mesopotamian view of the universe was at once cohesive as well as discordant and deficient, while remaining fairly constant over more than 2,500 years.

Horowitz first surveys the various sources for Mesopotamian cosmic geography, including various mythological and literary texts, as well as the famous “Babylonian Map of the World” and various astrological and astronomical texts. The universe was built by the gods in earliest times and was thought to be held together by cosmic bonds. Given this general notion, there is nevertheless significant variety in the inclusion or omission of various elements of the picture in texts of different genres and from different periods. In addition, the available evidence leaves a number of problems unsolved. What are the bounds of the universe? What is beyond the limits of the universe? In the second section of the book, Horowitz then discusses each of the various regions and their names in various locales and time periods, drawing on the disparate sources to show where there is coherence and where there is difference of perspective. In addition, he discusses all of the names for the different parts of the universe and examines the geographies of each region.

Of importance for both Assyriologists and those interested in the history of ideas, particularly the cosmologies of the ancient Near East.

Genres: Religion

418 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1998

About the author

Wayne Horowitz is an archeologist of the ancient Near East and Professor teaching specifically within the field Assyriology.
He completed his Ph.D thesis (this later leading to the work Mesopotamian Cosmic Geography) at Birmingham University under the supervision of W. G. Lambert. Horowitz lectures at the Rothberg School for Overseas Students in the Department of Assyriology. Prof.Horowitz is leading a team making available in publication the decipherment of a Law code fragment (18th-17th century B.C.E.), the first found in Israel that shows features similar to the law code of Hammurabi.

Reviews

[Gavin White · Rating 4 out of 5]

In depth and highly academic study of heaven and earth in Mesopotamian traditions. An encyclopedic and essential reference work for anyone wishing to explore the creation myths, astronomy, archaic astrology and mythical geography of the ancient Near East. The author draws on all sorts of materials from written myths, to ancient images and the occasional artifact.
There are endless topics of interest - the nature of the winds, the structure of the heavens, the regions of the earth, the creation of the constellations, the gates of heaven and the underworld, the topology of the seas etc etc; there are also long lexical sections that examine the multitude of names applied to heaven and earth.
A must have for the serious researcher into the arcane realms of the mythical universe.

[Maggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assez complexe par moments (il faut parfois s'accrocher), mais très utile pour qui veut approfondir ses connaissances afférentes à la Mésopotamie. On remarque de suite tout le sérieux de ce travail.

[Edward Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative book, more of a reference book perhaps than a book to read straight through, though I did. Dry, virtually no interpretation and only the minimum of synthesis of the material, but a very valuable adjunct to reading primary Mesopotamian mythical texts.