Cuneiform Texts and the Writing of History (Approaching the Ancient World) [Paperback]

Marc Van De Mieroop (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415195330 | ISBN-13: 978-0415195331 | Publication Date: July 10, 1999

Cuneiform Texts and the Writing of History discusses how the abundant Mesopotamian cuneiform text sources can be used for the study of various aspects of history: political, social, economic and gender. Marc Van De Mieroop provides a student-friendly introduction to the subject and:
* criticises disciplinary methodologies which are often informed by a desire to write a history of events
* scrutinises the intellectual background of historical writings
* examines how Mesopotamia's position as the 'other' in Classical and Biblical writings has influenced scholarship
* illustrates approaches with examples taken from the entirety of Mesopotamian history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Van de Mieroop has written a stimulating book that historians will find as interesting as Assyriologists, ancient historians, and archaeologists do. His reflections are always worth pondering, and he continues to grow in depth as one of our most important scholars of ancient Mesopotamia.
–D.T. Potts, University of Sydney, American Historical Review, October 2002

Van de Mieroop has afforded the undergraduate student an excellent opportunity for understanding the difficulties of reconstructing Mesopotamian history from the cuneiform sources.
Thus, this work is not only for the introductory student but also for the classical scholar (or general historian), who will no longer think that history began with the Greeks. It will no doubt be a most indispensable volume for any course on ancient Near Eastern history or civilization, or, for that matter, on historiography.
–Religious Studies Review

About the Author

Marc Van De Mieroop teaches at Columbia University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (July 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415195330
• ISBN-13: 978-0415195331
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,010,899 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tour de Force, January 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cuneiform Texts and the Writing of History (Approaching the Ancient World) (Paperback)

This is a fantastic survey of the problems (and joys) of writing histories of the ancient Near East. This book rewards both novices and scholars in the field! The author is obviously familiar with the most up to date scholarship in Assyriology. The treatment of issues relating to intellectual history and the role of women in antiquity are expecially satisfying. Accessible and brief, the editors of the series are to be commended for inlcuding this treatment of the cuneiform world!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, May 2, 2008

By 

Publia "laxgirl28" (Bellingham, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cuneiform Texts and the Writing of History (Approaching the Ancient World) (Paperback)

This is a great book for any ancient historian. The author does a thorough survey of the methodology of ancient history and the nature of history itself. He presents a point of view on why we study ancient near eastern history that is very thought provoking. You don't have to be an Assyriologist to appreciate this book.