
audiobook
by Donald A. (Donald Alexander) Mackenzie
Donald A. Mackenzie
Preface
Introduction
Chapter I. The Races and Early Civilization of Babylonia
Chapter II. The Land of Rivers and the God of the Deep
Chapter III. Rival Pantheons and Representative Deities
Chapter IV. Demons, Fairies, and Ghosts
Chapter V. Myths of Tammuz and Ishtar
Chapter VI. Wars of the City States of Sumer and Akkad
Chapter VII. Creation Legend: Merodach the Dragon Slayer
Delve into the rich tapestry of ancient Mesopotamian imagination, where gods of the moon and river clash with fearsome dragons and wandering spirits. This guide weaves together creation tales, heroic quests, and the vivid pantheon of Babylon and Assyria, showing how each story reflects the daily lives, laws, and celestial observations of the people who told them. Alongside the myths of Tammuz, Ishtar, Gilgamesh, and the dragon‑slayer Merodach, the work highlights the symbolic art and rituals that once animated the great river valleys.
Beyond the legends themselves, the volume places these narratives within a sweeping historical backdrop, tracing how early Sumerian culture spread its ideas across continents and left lasting legacies such as the zodiac and the base‑60 number system. Readers will discover how migrations, trade routes, and encounters with neighboring peoples shaped the myths, offering a window into a civilization that continues to echo in modern thought.
Language
en
Duration
~17 hours (998K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Sami Sieranoja, Tapio Riikonen and PG Distributed Proofreaders
Release date
2005-09-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1873–1936
A Scottish journalist and folklorist, he turned myths, legends, and old belief systems into lively, readable books that still attract curious listeners today. His work ranges widely across cultures, but it always keeps a storyteller’s eye on the human drama inside tradition.
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