ABSTRACT
Chapter 1, ‘Introduction’, begins by outlining the geographical and chronological extent of the ancient Near East as it is treated here. Egypt is included, but not the Arabian Peninsula; chronology focuses on the period between approximately 3000 and 550 bce. The chapter continues with a discussion of cultic religion, which was the cultural driving force, basic to all aspects of life. Theology was principally polytheistic and syncretistic, even in ancient Israel; monotheism was exceptional in the ancient Near East as a whole. The main acts of worship were sacrifices, typically of livestock and agricultural products; human sacrifice was also practised. Acts of worship also involved caring for the deities by clothing their effigies, giving them food and drink, and making their surroundings congenial. The chapter concludes with a survey of the principal types of spatial setting of cultic activity: temples (the dwelling places of deities), pyramids, ziggurats and independent open-air cultic sites. Temples displayed a noteworthy commonality of ethos, design and purpose throughout the region. The remainder varied considerably in location, material provision and purpose.
