Myth and Politics in Ancient Near Eastern Historiography

Mario LiveraniUniversity of Rome “La Sapienza”, (Emeritus)Mario Liverani is Emeritus Professor of “History of the Ancient Near East” in the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. Member of the Italian National “Lincei” Academy, honorary member of the American Oriental Society. His most recent book is Immaginare Babele (2013); his general handbook Ancient Orient is now available in English translation.Edited by:Zainab BahraniColombia UniversityMarc Van De MieroopColombia University

'Mario Liverani's work is among the most original and penetrating in the discipline of ancient Near Eastern studies. I recommend this brilliant and fascinating book with high enthusiasm.' Benjamin R. Foster, Laffan Professor of Assyriology and Babylonian Literature and Curator of the Yale Babylonian Collection, Yale University 'This collection of his classic essays, selected by Liverani himself, and presented in English for the first time, displays Liverani's brilliance in dissecting a variety of myths, treaties, royal inscriptions, letters and Biblical narratives. Liverani's influence on the interpretation of history is generously acknowledged by professional historians of the Ancient Near East and by the Italian reading public. This collection will bring his substantive contributions and his method to a wider audience of historians, anthropologists, and literary critics. The editors have done a splendid job introducing the essays, revising Liverani's own translations and providing handy references to studies that have appeared since Liverani's original work.' Norman Yoffee, Professor of Near Eastern Studies, University of Michigan

• Table of ContentsPrelimsEditor’s Introduction vii – xi, Zainab Bahrani, Marc Van De MieroopAcknowledgements xiiiAbbreviations xivPART ONE: MESOPOTAMIA1. Adapa, guest of the gods 3 – 23PART TWO: HITTITE ANATOLIA2. Telipinu, or: on solidarity 27 – 523. Shunashura, or: on reciprocity 53 – 81PART FOUR: HEBREW BIBLE7. The story of Joash 147 – 1598. Messages, women, and hospitality: Inter-tribal communication in Judges 19–21 160 – 192PART THREE: SYRIA4. Leaving by chariot for the desert 85 – 965. Rib-Adda, righteous sufferer 97 – 1246. Aziru, servant of two masters 125 – 144End MatterBibliography 193 – 208Index 209 – 214