Gods in translation: Dynamics of transculturality between Egypt and Byblos in the III millennium BC
In a seminal work, Jan Assmann strongly remarks how «the great achievement of polytheism is the articulation of a common semantic universe» that, in turn, makes the names of deities translatable (J. Assmann, Moses the Egyptian, p. 45). The paper aims at discussing and developing the notion of transl...
| Published in: | Studi e materiali di storia delle religioni |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Morcelliana
[2018]
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| In: |
Studi e materiali di storia delle religioni
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| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Egypt (Antiquity)
/ Interculturality
/ Byblos
/ Gods
/ Name of God
/ Translation
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| Further subjects: | B
Cross-cultural studies
B Biblo B Transculturality B Egyptian-Levantine connections B Byblos B Byblos (Extinct city) B politeismo B Polytheism B Morphology B rapporti tra Egitto e Levante B "Cylindre Montet" B God B transcultransculturalità |
| Summary: | In a seminal work, Jan Assmann strongly remarks how «the great achievement of polytheism is the articulation of a common semantic universe» that, in turn, makes the names of deities translatable (J. Assmann, Moses the Egyptian, p. 45). The paper aims at discussing and developing the notion of translatability of gods, addressing, as a case study, a unique Byblite seal, the so called "cylindre Montet" where the names of three local deities are inscribed in Egyptian hieroglyphs. After a preliminary description of the object and its main features, a morphological analysis of the three divine figures will be put forward, with an attempt to circumscribe their identities and consider the implications of the various possibilities in terms of cross-cultural relationships. Finally, the object will be contextualised in the framework of the Old Kingdom élite interactions between Egypt and the Levant and conclusive remarks will be proposed about the transcultural value of these names. (English) |
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| ISSN: | 2611-8742 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Studi e materiali di storia delle religioni
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