Phoenician Aniconism in Its Mediterranean and Ancient Near Eastern Contexts (Archaeology and Biblical Studies)

__A close look at Phoenician religion__The Hebrew Bible contains a prohibition against divine images (Exod 20:2-5a). Explanations for this command are legion, usually focusing on the unique status of Israel's deity within the context of the broader Near Eastern and Mediterranean worlds. Doak explores whether or not Israel was truly alone in its severe stance against idols. This book focuses on one particular aspect of this iconographic context in Israel's Iron Age world: that of the Phoenicians. The question of whether Phoenicians employed aniconic (as opposed to iconic) representational techniques has significance not only for the many poorly understood aspects of Phoenician religion generally, but also for the question of whether aniconism can be considered a broader trend among the Semitic populations of the ancient Near East. **Features:** * More than fifty images and illustrations * Examination of textual and archaeological evidence * Application of art historical methods A close look at Phoenician religion The Hebrew Bible contains a prohibition against divine images (Exod 20:2-5a). Explanations for this command are legion, usually focusing on the unique status of Israel's deity within the context of the broader Near Eastern and Mediterranean worlds. Doak explores whether or not Israel was truly alone in its severe stance against idols. This book focuses on one particular aspect of this iconographic context in Israel's Iron Age world: that of the Phoenicians. The question of whether Phoenicians employed aniconic (as opposed to iconic) representational techniques has significance not only for the many poorly understood aspects of Phoenician religion generally, but also for the question of whether aniconism can be considered a broader trend among the Semitic populations of the ancient Near East. Features: More than fifty images and illustrations Examination of textual and archaeological evidence Application of art historical methods The Problem -- No Statues Or Familiar Images? -- Aniconism In Theoretical And Art-historical Perspective -- Phoenician Iconism -- Phoenician Aniconism -- Conclusions. By Brian R. Doak. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 145-173) And Index. 1. The Problem 2. No Statues or Familiar Images? 3. Aniconism in Theoretical and Art-HistoricalPerspective 4. Phoenician Iconism 5. Phoenician Aniconism 6. Conclusions