Clt 3378

Front 1

God

Back 1

Powerful and important supernatural beings, for example the gods in Hesiod’s Theogony; Zeus, Gaia, Aphrodite, etc.

Front 2

Hero

Back 2

Figure in whom the gods take a special interest, for example Achilles and Odysseus.

Front 3

Trickster

Back 3

Rule breakers, play tricks on both humans and gods. Usually shape–changers who can take any form. Sometimes culture heroes. Figures such as Loki in Norse mythology or Prometheus in Greek mythology.

Front 4

Creation myth

Back 4

Narrative of how the universe came into being. For example, the creation of the universe with Apsu and Tiamat in the Enuma Elish.

Front 5

Succession myth

Back 5

Narrative of how one god succeeds to the kingship of gods, usually by deposing other gods. For example the succession myths in Theogony, Kronos overthrows Ouranos, Zeus overthrows Kronos.

Front 6

Combat myth

Back 6

Narrative of how a god (often the storm god) or a hero battles a monstrous enemy. For example Baal’s battle with Mot, in the Baal Cycle.

Front 7

Divine council myth

Back 7

Narrative of how two or more gods meet to discuss the fate of one or more humans (whether the gods will help or harm that human). In Enuma Elish, Marduk appears as presiding over a divine council, deciding fates and dispensing divine justice.

Front 8

Apocalyptic myth

Back 8

Narrative of how gods rain destruction on humans because one or more humans have offended the gods.

Front 9

Flood myth

Back 9

Narrative of how one god, angry at humans, sends a flood to destroy all life on earth. For example, in the Genesis, Yahweh decides to flood the earth because of the sinful state of mankind.

Front 10

Heroic quest myth

Back 10

Narrative of how a hero makes a journey to gain experiences and achieve fame. For example, Odysseus’ voyage home after the Trojan War, or the trials of Hercules.

Front 11

Katabasis myth

Back 11

Narrative of how a hero makes a descent to the underworld and returns to earth alive. For example, when Orpheus descends into the underworld to bring his wife, Eurydice, back from the dead.

Front 12

Trickster myth

Back 12

Narrative of how tricksters transform either themselves or the world around them.

Front 13

Polytheism

Back 13

This is the belief in and worship of many gods. It is found in many cultures in the ANE (such as Mesopotamians, Assyrians, Canaanites, Hittites, and Hurrians).

Front 14

Anthropomorphism

Back 14

Conception of gods in the shape of human beings. Portrayal of the gods as having a human appearance and qualities.

Front 15

Bi–naturalism

Back 15

Conception of gods with “two natures.” For example, Tiamat is a body of water and also a god.

Front 16

Syncretism

Back 16

Adaptation of one culture’s belief by another culture. For example, Greek god Zeus = Roman god Jupiter.

Front 17

Sphere of influence

Back 17

Areas with which gods are associated or have power. Zeus for example is the god of rain, lightning, kingship, etc.

Front 18

Primordial waters

Back 18

Waters that exist at beginning of or before creation. Exist in many creation myths and usually precedes the sea.

Front 19

Ancient Near East

Back 19

Includes Mesopotamia, Canaan, Israel, Anatolia/Asia Minor, and Egypt. Greece is not part of the Ancient Near East.

Front 20

Mesopotamia

Back 20

Land between two rivers (The Tigris and Euphrates). Has no natural boundaries. Modern day Iraq.

Front 21

Sumerians

Back 21

Earliest Mesopotamian/human civilization and the first to build cities. Lived in the southern part of Mesopotamia (Sumer) and spoke a language unrelated to any known.

Front 22

Akkadians

Back 22

From the northern part of Mesopotamia. Influenced by the Sumerians, and spoke a Semitic language related to Hebrew.

Front 23

Babylonians

Back 23

Semitic people known as the Amorites, conquered Sumer and Akkad. Established Babylon as their capital city, led them to be called Babylonians. The territory they controlled is called Babylonia.

Front 24

Enuma Elish

Back 24

Babylonian creation epic. Describes Marduk’s defeat of Tiamat and his rise to power.

Front 25

Marduk

Back 25

The patron god of Babylon and a storm god. In the Enuma Elish he kills Tiamat.

Front 26

Cuneiform

Back 26

Earliest known form of written expression. Wedge–shaped characters each of which stand for a particular word or sound. Enuma Elish is written in Akkadian cuneiform.

Front 27

Apsu

Back 27

He is the Mesopotamian/Babylonian god of fresh water/primordial waters. He appears in the Enuma Elish. Ea kills him and makes his home out of his body.

Front 28

Tiamat

Back 28

Bi–natural goddess (sea/god) in the Babylonian Enuma Elish. She is killed by Marduk.

Front 29

Anshar

Back 29

In the Babylonian Enuma Elish, is a male god that mates with Kishar. Together they produce bi–natural god, Anu.

Front 30

Anu

Back 30

In the Babylonian Enuma Elish, is a bi–natural god he represents the uppermost part of the sky. He is the father of Ea. Gives the four winds to his grandchild Marduk.

Front 31

Ea/Enki/Nuddimud

Back 31

In the Babylonian Enuma Elish, is a trickster god and is associated with human creation. His spheres of influence are cleverness/wisdom and fresh water.

Front 32

Mummu

Back 32

In the Babylonian Enuma Elish he is the vizier of Apsu. He is taken captive by Ea.

Front 33

Damkina

Back 33

In the Babylonian Enuma Elish, mates with Ea. Together they produce Marduk.

Front 34

Qingu/Kingu

Back 34

In the Babylonian Enuma Elish, he is assigned leader of Tiamat’s army. He is given the “Tablet of Destinies.”

Front 35

Kakka/Gaga

Back 35

In the Babylonian Enuma Elish, he is Anshar’s vizier. Repeats Tiamat’s monsters passage.

Front 36

Tablet of Destinies

Back 36

In the Babylonian Enuma Elish, given to Qinqu by Tiamat. Marduk takes the tablet from Qinqu and gives it to Anu.

Front 37

Semitic

Back 37

Refers to people who speak a language relating to Hebrew. The Akkadians are an example of a Semitic group.

Front 38

Babylon

Back 38

Located in Mesopotamia. Was sacked around 1600 BCE by the Hittites.

Front 39

Hammurapi

Back 39

Famous Babylonian king, who around is known for the set of laws called Hammurabi’s Code, one of the first written codes of law.

Front 40

Ziggurat

Back 40

Stepped pyramids made from bricks that were found in most Mesopotamian cities. Were administered by priests, who held both religious and political power.

Front 41

Baal Cycle

Back 41

Series of poems about the Canaanite god Baal.

Front 42

Ugarit

Back 42

Located to the far north of the region of Canaan. Modern day Ras Shamra. Polygot and cosmopolitan area.

Front 43

Canaan

Back 43

Semitic speaking region. Modern day Israel.

Front 44

Canaanite

Back 44

Rivals with the Israelites. Their storm god was Baal.

Front 45

El

Back 45

In the Canaanite Baal Cycle, he is a creator god, often referred to as “father” of the gods. Wise, eternal, and very old.

Front 46

Baal

Back 46

In the Canaanite Baal Cycle, he is the Canaanite storm god. Controls winds, thunder, clouds and rain. Son of Dagon, the grain god.

Front 47

Zaphon

Back 47

Located near the mouth of the Orontes River. Mountain in which Baal lives.

Front 48

Asherah

Back 48

In the Canaanite Baal Cycle, she is called the “mother” of the gods. Wife of El, the Canaanite creator god.

Front 49

Anat

Back 49

In the Canaanite Baal Cycle, she is the sister of Baal. She is a virgin goddess, and the goddess of war and hunting. Similar to Artemis and Apollo.

Front 50

Kothar–wa–Hasis

Back 50

In the Canaanite Baal Cycle, he is the craftsman god. Makes two clubs for Baal.

Front 51

Shapash

Back 51

In the Canaanite Baal Cycle, she is the Canaanite sun goddess. Associated with both life and death.

Front 52

Attanu–Purlianni

Back 52

Chief priest of Baal temple. The Baal Cycle was found in his library.

Front 53

Ilimilku

Back 53

The scribe who wrote the Baal Cycle.

Front 54

Niqmaddu II

Back 54

Second ruler and king of Ugarit. The Baal Cycle is said to have been written during his reign.

Front 55

Yam

Back 55

In the Canaanite Baal Cycle, bi–natural sea god. Often associated with dragons and serpents. Fights and is defeated by Baal.

Front 56

Mot

Back 56

In the Canaanite Baal Cycle, god that represents death. Bi–natural god that lives in the underworld. Fights Baal’s substitute while the real Baal hides in the underworld. Loses to Baal when he emerges from underworld.

Front 57

Ras Shamra

Back 57

Modern day name of the lost city of Ugarit. Located in the far north region of Canaan.

Front 58

Hittites

Back 58

Indo–European people. Ancient Anatolian people who established their empire in Hattusas in north–central Anatolia.

Front 59

Hattians

Back 59

Indigenous pre–Hittite people. Had over 600 gods.

Front 60

Hurrians

Back 60

People from northern Syria. Their empire was called Mitanni.

Front 61

Hattusas

Back 61

The capital of the Hittite Empire. Established by the Hittite king, Hattusilis.

Front 62

Illuyanka

Back 62

Myth from the Hattians. Combat myth, storm god vs serpent. Two versions.

Front 63

Purulli festival

Back 63

Festival celebrated by the Hattians in spring. If the land prospered it was performed for the storm god of the heavens.

Front 64

Inara

Back 64

In the Illuyanka myth, she is the daughter of Hattian storm god. Prepares a grand feast to which Illuyanka is summoned.

Front 65

Hupasiya

Back 65

In the Illuyanka myth, he is a mortal found by Inara, willing to help her if she sleeps with him. Ties up Illuyanka in version one of the myths.

Front 66

Kumarbi Cycle

Back 66

Group of poems about Kumarbi, the Hurrian god. It’s a Hurrian literary work, but written by the Hittites.

Front 67

Kumarbi

Back 67

In the Kumarbi Cycle, he is the chief god of the Hurrians. He is associated with the underworld and castrates Anu.

Front 68

Alalu

Back 68

In the Kumarbi Cycle, he is king of the gods until he is defeated by Anu. He is the father of Kumarbi.

Front 69

Tessub

Back 69

In the Kumarbi Cycle, he is the Hurrian storm god, son of Kumarbi. Destroys Kumarbi and becomes king of the gods.

Front 70

Song of Kumarbi

Back 70

Kumarbi Cycle succession myth about Kumarbi’s rise to the kingship of the gods and the birth of the Hurrian storm god Tessub.

Front 71

Song of Ullikummi

Back 71

Kumarbi Cycle combat myth about Kumarbi’s “stone child” named Ullikummi. Ullikummi defeats Tessub, who then rallies the gods and defeats Ullikummi.

Front 72

Tasmisu

Back 72

In the Song of Ulikummi, he is the brother and helper of Tessub, both defeated by Ullikummi.

Front 73

Ullikummi

Back 73

In the Song of Ulikummi, he is the “stone child” son of Kumarbi. He defeats Tessub, but is assumed to have eventually been defeated.

Front 74

Ellil

Back 74

In the Song of Ulikummi, Mesopotamian wind/storm god. Put Ullikummi on Ubelurri’s shoulder.

Front 75

UbelurriIstanu

Back 75

In the Song of Ulikummi, the sky supporter god of the Hittite culture, earth and heaven built upon him.

Front 76

Sauska

Back 76

In the Song of Ulikummi, sister of Tessub. Attempts to seduce Ullikummi.

Front 77

Ishtar

Back 77

Babylonian goddess of fertility, love, and war.

Front 78

Apzuwa

Back 78

In the Song of Ulikummi, Apsu, where Ea lives.

Front 79

Mursilis I

Back 79

King of the Hittites. In charge of the raid on Babylon.

Front 80

Hattusilis

Back 80

Father of Musilis and king of the Hittites. Founded what would become the Hittite Empire. Established Hattusas as capital city.

Front 81

Indo–European

Back 81

Hypothetical linguistic ancestors of most languages of Europe.

Front 82

Mitanni

Back 82

Empire built by the Hurrians. Located in northern Mesopotamia.

Front 83

Genesis

Back 83

Written in prose and poetic passages, between 950–550 BCE. Genesis means origin.

Front 84

Israelites/Hebrews

Back 84

After the Babylonian exile, they changed from monolatry to monotheism. After 538 BCE they were considered Jews.

Front 85

’elohim

Back 85

Title of an Israelite god. Used in the Creation in Genesis to call god.

Front 86

Yahweh

Back 86

Name of the god of Israel in the Hebrew Bible. Storm god.

Front 87

’adonay

Back 87

The word “god” was considered too holy to be said by the Jews. ‘adonay is used instead, meaning “lord”

Front 88

Monolatry

Back 88

Recognition of the existence of many gods, but with consistent worship of only one god. The Israelites god was Yahweh.

Front 89

Monotheism

Back 89

The belief in the existence of one god or in the oneness of God. After the Babylonian exile, Israelites/Hebrews converted.

Front 90

Leviathan

Back 90

In Genesis, Leviathan is a sea monster. Yahweh defeats him. Similar to Marduk vs. Tiamat or Baal vs. Yam.

Front 91

Rahab

Back 91

Another name used by the Jews to refer to a sea monster (Leviathan)

Front 92

Bereshith

Back 92

Means “In the beginning” in Hebrew. It’s the title of the book of Genesis and is a literary convention in which the first words of the myth are used as the title.

Front 93

Shemesh

Back 93

Sun god found in the first creation myth of the book of Genesis. In Hebrew it means “sun”

Front 94

Yareah

Back 94

Moon god found in the first creation myth of the book of Genesis. In Hebrew it means “moon”

Front 95

Tehom

Back 95

Means, the Deep waters/seas or Abyss. Refers to the Great Deep of the primordial waters of creation in Genesis

Front 96

Cosmocentric

Back 96

Natural forces of the universe are created first and should be preserved. For example the first creation myth of Genesis.

Front 97

Geocentric

Back 97

Associated with the creation of earth, sea, and plants. Appears in Genesis “creation”.

Front 98

Anthropocentric

Back 98

The position that human beings are the central or most significant animal species. The order in which a creation occurs, allowing humans to rule over everything else.

Front 99

Tree of Knowledge

Back 99

In Genesis, tree in the Garden of Eden. Represents the knowledge of good and evil. God tells Adam not to touch the tree or eat from it.

Front 100

Tree of Life

Back 100

In Genesis, tree in the Garden of Eden. Represents immortality.

Front 101

’itsavon

Back 101

In Genesis, it means pain or toil. Woman cursed by god with the pain of child bearing.

Front 102

’adam

Back 102

In Genesis, created from dirt. Expelled from the Garden of Eden for eating from the Tree of Knowledge.

Front 103

’adamah

Back 103

In Genesis, it means dirt. Adam is created from dirt.

Front 104

Pun

Back 104

Words which sound alike but have different meanings. For example ‘adamah and ‘adam.

Front 105

False etymology

Back 105

Explanation of the origins of a word which does not correspond to its actual history.

Front 106

Adam

Back 106

Adam is a figure in the book of Genesis. It’s the name given to man by god.

Front 107

Eve

Back 107

In Genesis, Eve is the first woman created by god. This name is given to her by man because she is to be the mother of all living.

Front 108

Serpent

Back 108

In Genesis, the serpent is a trickster and convinces Eve to take fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.

Front 109

Tanakh

Back 109

The name used in Judaism for the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew Scriptures are divided into three groups of books.

Front 110

Israelite

Back 110

Emerged from an important power in Canaan. Semitic Hebrew–speaking people.

Front 111

Solomon

Back 111

Son and successor of King David. The reign of Solomon and his father mark the high point of the political power of ancient Israel.

Front 112

Babylonian Exile

Back 112

Formative event in the history of ancient Israel. Transformed the Israelites theology from monolatry to one of monotheism.

Front 113

Cyrus the Great

Back 113

Founder of the Persian Empire, the largest empire the Near East had seen. Persian Empire conquers Babylon under his rule.

Front 114

JEDP Theory

Back 114

The documentary hypothesis, devised by German scholar Julius Wellhausen. This theory divides the composition of the Torah among four different writers.