Kingdom and Deities (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: (American) Henry Frankfort, translated by Guo Zilin and others
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: The Kingship and Godhead is a meticulously crafted work by professional scholars in the fields of archaeology, art history, epigraphy, and paleography. The Kingship and Godhead is divided into two volumes and seven parts: Volume I, consisting of four parts, focuses specifically on Egypt; Volume II, consisting of three parts, focuses specifically on Mesopotamia. Before Volume I is a brief introduction that primarily compares the concepts of kingship expressed through art in the two societies. In Egypt, the king is depicted as an indispensable member of the divine world and a symbolic representative of the entire human society. In contrast, the kings of Mesopotamia are regarded as heroic figures, the leaders of their nations, with no fundamental distinction from their companions. This book makes a fresh and enlightening contribution to the study of the history of civilization. Not all scholars will agree with all the explanations, interpretations, and conclusions presented in this book. The author may also debate several issues related to Mesopotamia. However, these differing opinions and disagreements are largely minor, and in any case, they do not diminish the immense value of this book in understanding and comprehending humanity and its ancient history.