The relatively few ancient Oriental testimonials that can be regarded as OM provide important pointers to the self-image of a culture, but have not yet been discussed from this perspective. Aetiologies primarily with respect to festivals and cult centres are to be found in the Egyptian tradition [7], more rarely in the Mesopotamian [4. 551f., 559f.] and the Hittite tradition [4. 571]; in the OT, they are particularly common in Genesis (e.g. Gn 28: Bethel).
Gods were sometimes …
Cite this page
Sallaberger, Walther (Leipzig),
Felber, Heinz (Leipzig) and
Heckel, Hartwig (Bochum),
“Origin myths and theories on the origin of culture”, in:
Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry.
Consulted online on 24 May 2022 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e624540>