Showing papers in "Journal of Ancient Near Eastern Religions in 2003"

The Origin of Apollo

Abstract: We shall argue that Burkert's etymology deriving the name Apollo from a Dorian word for 'assembly', απeλλα, is linguistically and historically impossible. This means that the possibility of Anatolian origin is open again. It is argued that Apollo is a Pre-Greek-Anatolian name. The expected proto-form of this name is found in the name Appaliunas , a god of Wilusa/Ilios mentioned in a Hittite letter. This strongly suggests Anatolian origin of the name. This is confirmed by the Homeric epithet αυκηγeνηζ, which has long been recognised as an archaic formation meaning 'born in Lycia'. This fits well with the strong Anatolian connections of Apollo as well as his mother Leto and his sister Artemis. L'etymologie proposee par Burkert du mot Apollon comme derive du mot apella, 'assemblee', est impossible, pour des raisons linguistiques et historiques. Il est donc possible que le mot, et le dieu, est d'origine anatolienne. Le nom est pre-grecanatolien. La proto-forme expectee est trouvee dans le nom Appaliunas , dieu de Wilusa / Ilios mentionne dans une lettre hittite, ce qui est une belle confirmation d'une origine anatolienne. Ceci est confirme par l'epithete homerique Lukegenes, 'ne en Lycie'. Une origine anatolienne est en accord avec les liens d'Apollon lui meme, sa mere Leto et sa soeur Artemis avec l'Anatolie.

Miniaturization and the Opening of The Mouth in a Greek Magical Text (Pgm Xii.270-350)

Abstract: PGM XII.270-350, a text prescribing rituals for the creation and use of a magical ring, provides a particularly useful example through which to explore the phenomenon of miniaturized ritual in the magical papyri of late Graeco-Roman Egypt (as elucidated by Smith 1995). The ritual for creating and consecrating the ring's gemstone makes it clear that the stone is considered a miniature cult statue. The subsequent "Ouphor" invocation to be performed whenever the ring is used corresponds in name and function to the Egyptian wp. t-r or Opening the Mouth ritual as used in daily temple liturgy. The nature of these ritual miniatures reveals the sophisticated discursive and conceptual level at which the traditional forms of temple ritual were adapted and redeployed for use in other contexts by members of the Egyptian priestly class in late antiquity.

"Ich Spreche Ständig Zu Aton...": Zur Menschgott-beziehung in Der Amarna Religion

Abstract: Very little is known about the impact of the Amarna revolution on individual religious feeling and belief. This article gathers various traces of individual religiosity at Amarna. Traditional divine forces (Toeris, Bes, Hathor), and the king, but also the god Aten could be addressed as guarantors of health and prosperity. Several sources show that individuals of varying social status could have knowledge of and direct contact with Aten, despite the assertion in the Great Hymn that these were exclusively royal privileges. The expression of individual religiosity was possible within the context of Amarna religion in forms that continue earlier ways of approaching the divine and prefigure Ramesside modes of expression of personal piety.

Usages privés et publics de l'incubation d'après les textes hittites

Abstract: An incubation is a ritual during which one sleeps and sometimes tries to get a special dream. The Hittite texts describe two different kinds of incubation: a divinatory one (in order to get a message-dream) and a therapeutic one (in order to heal the sleeper). The contexts in which the divinatory incubation occurs seem different from the ones in which the therapeutic incubation is used.

Ancient Mesopotamian House Gods

Abstract: The gods of the Mesopotamian house appear to have been Gula, Istar, Isum, and the Pleiades, as well as toilet demon 'Sulak, the gate-guarding Kusarikku, and the divine protectors of other, lesser, parts of the house.