Middle Eastern Mythology

This comparative survey delves into the role of mythology in ritual and its significance in the origins of customs, cults, and hero worship. Drawing from firsthand sources, the book explores the legends of various ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Hittites, and Canaanites. Additionally, it delves into the mythological aspects of Jewish apocalyptic literature and the New Testament.

Authored by S. H. Hooke, a renowned scholar who taught at the University of London and served as Speaker's Lecturer at Oxford University, the book offers a well-documented commentary. It is accessible and informative, shedding light on the similarities among different Middle Eastern legends. The text includes revealing citations from archaeological excavations of documents, tablets, and inscriptions.

Familiar stories such as those found in Genesis, Noah's flood, and Christ's nativity and resurrection, while their historical accuracy may be debated, are shown to have parallels in other cultural traditions. Professor Hooke provides a comprehensive perspective on these narratives, tracing their influence on Greek, Roman, and even Celtic mythology. Through his analysis, readers gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of various mythological traditions.

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