Culture and Civilization the Near Eastern and Ancient Egyptian II [ LGLOR2512 ]

The following are available on the iCampus server:
- the textual material and the ppt of themes relating to the Ancient Near East;
- the ppt of themes relating to Egypt.

It is advisable that the student has followed the course LGLOR1512, and that he possesses an elementary knowledge of Akkadian, Hittite and/or Egyptian.

Alternating with LGLOR2511, this course deals with the following themes, on the base of textual, archaeological and iconographical sources:

1. Themes relating to the religion of the Ancient Near East (gods and cults);
2. Themes relating to the literature of ancient Egypt.

In-depth study of the Ancient Near East and of pharaonic Egypt.

At the end of this course, the student will be familiar with a rigorous scientific approach to specific questions on the cultural history of these civilisations (literature and religion).

An oral exam, on the basis of written preparation. The student will be questioned by one of the two teachers.

The course will be given using abundantly illustrated ppt including maps, texts and pictures.

This course consists of two successive parts.

1. Religion of the Ancient Near East  (Jan Tavernier):
- discussion of the beliefs developed in the following regions: Mesopotamia, Elam, Iran and Anatolia.

2. Literature of pharaonic Egypt (Claude Obsomer)
- didactic literature (teachings and wisdoms);
- narrative literature (from the Tale of the shipwrecked sailor to the Tale of Setne-Khamuas);
- poetic literature (hymns, pessimistic literature, lyrical poetry);
- political literature of the beginnings of the 12th dynasty (Neferty, the Teaching of Amenemhat, the Loyalist Teaching and Sinuhe).

For the Ancient Near East, an outline bibliography will be distributed during the course.

For Egypt:
- P. Grandet, Contes de l'Égypte ancienne, 2e éd., Paris, 2005.
- Cl. Obsomer, dans Égypte, Afrique et Orient 37 (2005), p. 33-64.

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