Ea’s Duplicity in the Gilgamesh Flood Story (The Ancient Word)

This volume opens up new perspectives on Babylonian and Assyrian literature, through the lens of a pivotal passage in the __Gilgamesh__ Flood story. It shows how, using a nine-line message where not all was as it seemed, the god Ea inveigled humans into building the Ark. The volume argues that Ea used a ‘bitextual’ message: one which can be understood in different ways that sound the same. His message thus emerges as an ambivalent oracle in the tradition of ‘folktale prophecy’. The argument is supported by interlocking investigations of lexicography, divination, diet, figurines, social history, and religion. There are also extended discussions of Babylonian word play and ancient literary interpretation. Besides arguing for Ea’s duplicity, the book explores its implications – for narrative sophistication in __Gilgamesh__, for audiences and performance of the poem, and for the relation of the __Gilgamesh__ Flood story to the versions in __Atra-hasīs__, the Hellenistic historian Berossos, and the Biblical Book of __Genesis__. __Ea’s Duplicity in the__ Gilgamesh __Flood Story__ will interest Assyriologists, Hebrew Bible scholars and Classicists, but also students and researchers in all areas concerned with __Gilgamesh__, word-play, oracles, and traditions about the Flood. This Volume Opens Up New Perspectives On Babylonian And Assyrian Literature, Through The Lens Of A Pivotal Passage In The Gilgamesh Flood Story. It Shows How, Using A Nine-line Message Where Not All Was As It Seemed, The God Ea Inveigled Humans Into Building The Ark. The Volume Argues That Ea Used A 'bitextual' Message: One Which Can Be Understood In Different Ways That Sound The Same. His Message Thus Emerges As An Ambivalent Oracle In The Tradition Of 'folktale Prophecy'. The Argument Is Supported By Interlocking Investigations Of Lexicography, Divination, Diet, Figurines, Social History, And Religion. There Are Also Extended Discussions Of Babylonian Word Play And Ancient Literary Interpretation. Besides Arguing For Ea's Duplicity, The Book Explores Its Implications - For Narrative Sophistication In Gilgamesh, For Audiences And Performance Of The Poem, And For The Relation Of The Gilgamesh Flood Story To The Versions In Atra-hasis, The Hellenistic Historian Berossos, And The Biblical Book Of Genesis. Ea's Duplicity In The Gilgamesh Flood Story Will Interest Assyriologists, Hebrew Bible Scholars And Classicists, But Also Students And Researchers In All Areas Concerned With Gilgamesh, Word Play, Oracles, And Traditions About The Flood-- Martin Worthington. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "This volume opens up new perspectives on Babylonian and Assyrian literature, through the lens of a pivotal passage in the Gilgamesh Flood story. It shows how, using a nine-line message where not all was as it seemed, the god Ea inveigled humans into building the Ark. The volume argues that Ea used a 'bitextual' message: one which can be understood in different ways that sound the same. His message thus emerges as an ambivalent oracle in the tradition of 'folktale prophecy'. The argument is supported by interlocking investigations of lexicography, divination, diet, figurines, social history, and religion. There are also extended discussions of Babylonian word play and ancient literary interpretation. Besides arguing for Ea's duplicity, the book explores its implications - for narrative sophistication in Gilgamesh, for audiences and performance of the poem, and for the relation of the Gilgamesh Flood story to the versions in Atra-hasis, the Hellenistic historian Berossos, and the Biblical Book of Genesis. Ea's Duplicity in the Gilgamesh Flood Story will interest Assyriologists, Hebrew Bible scholars and Classicists, but also students and researchers in all areas concerned with Gilgamesh, word play, oracles, and traditions about the Flood"-- Provided by publisher