Aims

This course, designed as an introduction to the ancient Near-Eastern and Egyptian civilisations, aims at giving students an overview of the main religious beliefs of these societies.

Main themes

The course first provides a comprehensive overview of the main monuments from the Near East and Ancient Egypt. Next, the pantheons and tales of mythology provide a way into the study of the religions in these civilisations and this is backed up by a study of specific themes, including temple rituals, funeral texts and belief in the after-life.

Content and teaching methods

The course deals with the ancient Near-Eastern (Asia Minor, Syria and Mesopotamia) and Pharaonic Egyptian civilisations. Introduction to art and religion: cosmogonic and pantheonic myths; temple rituals; funeral texts and belief in the after-life.
The emphasis placed on each aspect of the topics will depend on its importance to the civilisation under investigation, particularly in the field of religious thought.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Course entry requirements: none.
Evaluation: Students will be assessed orally at the end of the year on their knowledge of the course and their required reading
Course material: A summary of the course and a bibliography will be provided. The course is richly illustrated.

Other credits in programs