MULTIGODS ESSAY GUIDANCE

KEN WARDLE

(for Gods and Temples infonet pages go to:

 http://www.iaa.bham.ac.uk/infonet/staff/dowden/multigods/ )

 

Aegean Topics: Year 1

The aim of the titles set with Aegean content (highlighted below) is to get you to think about interpreting the objects and complexes which have been found and then to get you to set out your ideas with supporting examples. It is not intended as an exercise in reporting other peoples' ideas and for practical reasons (there are a lot of you and only a few copies of books in the library), I expect you to use the web resources for sessions 6-9 which will all be in place by the end of next week. Session 10 on continuities between the prehistoric and Classical periods need not be part of your answers.

 

  1. We have myths relating to four kings of the Early Dynastic Period (Etana, Enmarkar, Lugalbanda, Gilgamesh). What evidence can we find in these about the personal relationship between kings and gods?
  2. What evidence leads us to suppose that a shrine or temple or temple existed? Discuss with reference to both Mesopotamia and the prehistoric
  3. Aegean.
  4. As you read Mesopotamian myths, you become aware that some gods, like Shamash (Utu), Ea (Enki) and Ishtar (Inanna) have distinct personalities. Using evidence from mythological sources, discuss the characters of these gods and the nature of their interactions with mankind.
  5. How far can we understand the purpose of the figurines found in prehistoric Aegean contexts? Discuss with reference to a range of periods.
  6. What characteristics enable us to characterize art as religious in the absence of written ‘captions’? Discuss with reference to both Mesopotamia and the prehistoric Aegean.
  7.  

The principles which you need to think about when preparing your answer are set out at

http://artsweb.bham.ac.uk/aha/kaw/PalSoc/cult.htm                            (Renfrew's criteria paraphrased)

and  

http://artsweb.bham.ac.uk/aha/kaw/PalSoc/mycrelig7.htm                    (Parallels to aid interpretation)

additional information about the Cult Centre at Mycenae can be found at 

http://artsweb.bham.ac.uk/aha/kaw/Mycenae/mycenaecultc.htm

and about the continuity of cult to the Classical period at

 http://artsweb.bham.ac.uk/aha/kaw/religion.htm

 

authoritatative accounts of Aegean religion can be found at  

http://projectsx.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/lessons/les/15.html            MINOAN

and

http://projectsx.dartmouth.edu/classics/history/bronze_age/lessons/les/26.html        MYCENAEAN

together with extensive bibliographies for those of you who want to read further.

In writing your essays remember to cite the sources you have used in addition to those listed above but you are not expected to go further than the material provided in order to obtain a satisfactory mark. Good marks will be gained for sensible analysis of the material and referencing of examples (refer to the images on the info net web site - I will try to provide reference numbers for each, eg. 6.1.1, 6.3.10) you do no need to include the illustrations themselves.

KAW 9.12.04