Kingship and the Gods: A Study of Ancient Near Eastern Religion as the Integration of Society and Nature

Author(s): Henri Frankfort.
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Frankfort's central thesis in Kingship and the Gods is that the Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations differed fundamentally and profoundly despite their superficial resemblances, and that kingship, an institution which the ancients themselves regarded as the very foundation of all civilized life, was conceived of quite differently in the two lands.

Kingship and the Gods is divided into two books and seven parts: Book I, in four parts, is devoted to Egypt; Book II, in three parts, is devoted to Mesopotamia. Preceding Book I is a brief Introduction that focuses on the contrasting views of kingship in the two societies as expressed in their art.

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Table of Contents

Preface to the Phoenix Edition. Samuel Noah Kramer
Preface
Acknowledgments
List of Illustrations
List of Abbreviations
Chronological Table of Kings

Book I. Egypt
Part I. The Founding Kingship

  1. The Historical Foundation: The Achievement of Menes
  2. The Theoretical Foundation: The Memphite Theology
  3. The Kings' Person: Horus

Part II. The Functioning of Kingship

  1. The King's Rule
  2. The King's Potency: The Ka
  3. The King's Ceremonial: The Sed Festival
  4. The King's Supporters: The Royal Ancestors

Part III. The Passing of Kingship

  1. The Royal Succession
  2. The Coronation
  3. The Transfiguration of the King's Predecessor
  4. The Mystery Play of the Succession

Part IV. Kingship and the Divine Powers in Nature

  1. The Gods of the Egyptians
  2. The Power in the Sun: Creation
  3. The Power in Cattle: Procreation
  4. The Power in the Earth: Resurrection

Book II. Mesopotamia
Part V: The Foundations of Kingship

  1. The Historical Forms of Kingship in Mesopotamia
  2. The Making of a King

Part VI. The Functions of the King

  1. Government
  2. The Service of the Gods

Part VII. Kingship and the Divine Powers in Nature

  1. The Gods of Mesopotamia
  2. The Deification of Kings
  3. The New Year's Festival

The Hebrews

Notes
Index

  • Miscellaneous Publications
  • Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1948; First Phoenix Edition, 1978
  • xxv + 444 pages, 52 illustrations
  • Out of Print
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