From <https://www.cambridgescholars.com/product/978-1-0364-7917-6>linebreak===========================linebreaklinebreakEpic, Society, and Religion in the Ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean CultureslinebreakBy: Amar Annus, Mait KõivlinebreakHardbacklinebreakISBN: 1-0364-7917-XlinebreakISBN13: 978-1-0364-7917-6linebreak£77.99linebreakDate of Publication: 2026-09-15linebreaklinebreakThis collection of papers explores the epic traditions of the ancient Near East and Eastern Mediterranean, bringing together insights from remarkable scholars. Topics range from the cuneiform epic of Erra to Homeric epics and Greco-Roman literature, shedding light on the role of epic texts in shaping collective identities and understanding ancient societies. The validity of ancient epics as possible sources for history, society, and religion is amply discussed in this volume with numerous case studies from ancient Babylonia to the Roman Empire. For example, the hypothetical existence of an ancient Hebrew epic is pointed out and the metrics of a literary form of wisdom sayings in ancient Greek literature is studied. The symbolic meaning and ideological import of the epic texts in their continuity and change in ancient times is likewise discussed. This book offers a nuanced examination of the role of epic narratives in ancient cultures and their understanding of history and society, providing a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike that sheds new light on the enduring legacy of ancient epic literature.linebreaklinebreakTable of ContentslinebreakIntroduction: Epic, Society, and Religion in the Ancient WorldlinebreakAmar Annus, Mait KõivlinebreaklinebreakThe Poem of Erra, the Epic of HealerslinebreakNatalie N. MaylinebreaklinebreakEpic and Calendar in Ancient MesopotamialinebreakVladimir EmelianovlinebreaklinebreakNarām-Sîn as a ‘Calamitous Ruler’ in Mesopotamian Literary TextslinebreakIakov KadochnikovlinebreaklinebreakAssyrian Official Cults and State Ideology in the Royal Epicslinebreakand Inscriptions of Tukultī-Ninurta IlinebreakVladimir SazonovlinebreaklinebreakIn Search of a Hebrew National EpiclinebreakChristoph LevinlinebreaklinebreakBeyond Literature and History: Homer and Vergil as Foundational TextslinebreakMargalit FinkelberglinebreaklinebreakHomeric Question, the ‘Age of Homer’ and the ‘Homeric Society‘linebreakMait KõivlinebreaklinebreakHera in Argos: Local cult(s) and Early Epic PoetrylinebreakElo-Mall ToometlinebreaklinebreakThe Missing Sacred LandscapelinebreakRuth Scodellinebreaklinebreak‘Seven-gated Thebes’: Epic Tradition, Topography,linebreakand Evidence of Material CulturelinebreakAndrey Y. Mozhajsky, Victoria K. PichuginalinebreaklinebreakThe Shape of Wisdom: the Situational Context of the Paroemiac”linebreakRonald BlankenborglinebreaklinebreakThe Legend of Philemon and Baucis and the Reminiscencelinebreakof Afterlife Beliefs on Roman Tombstones in MacedonialinebreakNade Proevalinebreaklinebreak--- linebreak