Origins
Subtitle: The Ancient Near Eastern Background of Some Modern Western Institutions (Studies in the History of the Ancient Near East, V. 6)
Publisher: Brill Academic Publishers
Published: September 1996
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 362
ISBN-13: 9789004103283
Subjects: Asian / Middle Eastern history: BCE to c 500 CE; Cultural studies; World history: BCE to c 500 CE; To 622; History: World; Middle East - History; History; History - General History; Middle Eastern influences; Ancient World; Middle East; Interior Design - General; Ancient - General; World - General; Civilization; Civilization, Western
Description: In the exploration of the 'first half of history', William W. Hallo shows that modern ideas of urbanism and the formation of capitals were first developed between 5000-300 BC and that aspects of twentieth-century agriculture, manufacturing and trade go back to ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt and Israel.

Special attention is given to the role played by women, arguing that this was an often non-traditional one; for example, women are shown to have been among the first authors in history who are actually known by their names. The scope of the work is vast: Hallo methodically examines a wide range of topics, from the order of the alphabet to the coronation of kings, and from schooling to the calendar. An intriguing touch is provided by sections on games and on the world's oldest cookbooks.

. This ground-breaking study leaves the reader with a full appreciation of the legacy of the Ancient Near East to modern Western society, in all its aspects. It will be essential reading for researchers and general readers alike who are interested in the cultural history of the West as well as the history of the Ancient Near East.