The Intellectual Adventure of Ancient Man: An Essay of Speculative Thought in the Ancient Near East

by Thorkild Jacobsen, John A. Wilson, Henri Frankfort, et al.

Book Overview

The people in ancient times the phenomenal world was teeming with life; the thunderclap, the sudden shadow, the unknown and eerie clearing in the wood, all were living things. This unabridged edition traces the fascinating history of thought from the pre-scientific, personal concept of a "humanized" world to the achievement of detached intellectual reasoning.

The authors describe and analyze the spiritual life of three ancient civilizations:...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0226260089
• ISBN13: 9780226260082
• Release Date: April 1977
• Publisher: Oriental Institute Press
• Length: 410 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Ayn Rand recommendation?

Many years ago I bought this book because it was recommended by some adherent of Ayn Rand. This person published a list of rational books to read. I believe the persons name was "Kelly" but I could be wrong. Anyhow this is a GREAT BOOK!!! Fantastic in understanding the evolution of human thought on the devine. [Irrational but great]. I would really like a referral to that list of books.

An examination into Mythopoeic truth

The collection of essays in this book are by far brilliant examinations with fit evidence. It is great for the reader interested in Ancient religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia, it provides fundamental views on ancient mans perspective of the world, gods, and himself from myth. This is not a text book, nor a history book but it does provide adequate literary evidence and footnotes. I wish I had read this before studying ancient philosophy, it would have greatly helped my understanding of the mind of these ancients. It's amazing to read about the development of mans theories through mythopoeic tales. Well worth it for the Philosophy-, religion- or ancient studies - student. Or if you really enjoy myths, find out how man came about with these stories. Covers Egyptian, Babylonian and Assyrian (in some detail) and Mesopotamian thought and myth.

Pretty Helpful

I used this as one of my references for a course in Jewish Studies. It was very helpful for a basic overview of some Near Eastern thought patterns.