Babylonian Magic and Sorcery
Jun / 01 / 2009 / 07:39
by Leonard W. King, Weiser Books. 2000One of the best books ever published on the topic, continually referenced by other authors for over 80 years.
Originally published in 1896, Babylonian Magic and Sorcery made available, for the first time, the cuneiform text of a complete group of sixty clay tablets created by the scribes of Ashurbanipal, King of Assyria, between 669-625 B.C.
These tablets were inscribed with prayers and religious compositions of a devotional and magical character compiled from Babylonian sources. They bore the title of "Prayers of the Lifting of the Hands" and show a remarkable mixture of lofty spiritual concepts, and a belief in the efficacy of incantations and magical practices. Includes a Babylonian-English glossary, a list of proper names and numerals with their corresponding cuneiform inscriptions, and a list of words and word portions of uncertain translation. These compositions are accompanied by a series of directions for making offerings and the performance of religious ceremonies. -- The tablets are currently part of the Kuyunjik collection preserved in the British Museum. Includes 75 plates illustrating the cuneiform text in extremely accurate detail.
This is a rare and scholarly book, but not an easy read. Fine Condition.
SOLD for $45.00
