The Encyclopaedia of Middle Eastern Mythology and Religion [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Jan Knappert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1993

This comprehensive encyclopedia on the mythology and religion of the Middle East covers all the earliest myths and oral traditions, including the Epic of Gilgamesh, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Baha'i faith. Maps and drawings throughout.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Middle Eastern mythology and religion have never had a comprehensive dictionary in English, except for partial coverage in John Gray's Near Eastern Mythology (Hamlyn, 1982). But Knappert's scholarly work and extensive travels in the Middle East make this small reference work informative and interesting. Islam, Baha'ism, Judaism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism are covered equally well. The extensive and insightful introduction contains one of the finest comparisons of these religions that can be found anywhere. Myths common to more than one religion are so noted, and the concise entries include generous cross references. Highly recommended for both public and academic libraries.
- Gary P. Gillum, Brigham Young Univ., Provo, Ut.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

"May this book serve to create better understanding between persons of different persuasions," says the author, a professor of Middle Eastern studies, in his preface. Toward that end, he explains mythologies and concepts of the various living and ancient religions of the Middle East, the cradle of religions, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Baha'i, Zoroastrianism, and Egyptian, Sumerian, and Babylonian mythologies.

The introduction explains the geography, ancient and modern peoples, religions and their gods and spirits, and myths of the Middle East. The entries are in alphabetical order by "common English forms with variant spellings given immediately." There are some see references from these variations, but they are not consistently given. The average entry is a paragraph in length; some are a page, some a sentence. Scriptural citations are included where appropriate. The six-page bibliography lists both popular and scholarly titles.

There are entries for persons (Idris, Lilith), things (Olive Tree, Phoenix), places (Persia, Gehenna), and concepts (Predestination, Resurrection). Where a concept is present in many traditions, Judaism and Christianity are given less space than Islam and ancient polytheistic religions. For example, there is the entry Koran but none for the Torah, Talmud, or Bible. Some interpretations attributed to Christianity are unusual (see the entry Adam).

With so few cross-references and the lack of an index, it will be difficult to access concepts buried within entries. This, however, should not deter most public libraries and those that support religious studies from purchasing this important reference tool.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 309 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (T); illustrated edition edition (October 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852304278
• ISBN-13: 978-1852304270
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,063,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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