Ancient Mesopotamian Divination
Anxiety and Decision-Making in Old Babylonian Times
Parsa Daneshmand [+–]
Wolfson College, Oxford
Parsa Daneshmand is an Assyriologist specializing in the cuneiform texts and cultures of the ancient Near East, with a particular focus on Mesopotamian divination and society. He earned his PhD in Cuneiform Studies from the University of Oxford. Daneshmand’s research primarily explores divination as a method of decision-making in the ancient Near East, the function of councils and assemblies in Mesopotamian cities, and the processes of consensus-based decision-making in ancient societies.
This comprehensive study explores the pivotal role of divination in ancient Mesopotamian society as a mechanism for collective decision-making and a means to alleviate anxiety amid uncertainty. Drawing on an extensive array of textual evidence, including letters, reports, and omen collections, Daneshmand argues that divination was integral to the decision-making processes of both individuals and state officials.
The book delves into various divinatory methods, such as extispicy, prophecy, oil divination, and dream interpretation, illustrating how these practices provided divine legitimacy to critical decisions. By examining the social contexts, practitioners, and clients involved in divination, it reveals how these practices helped ease the burden of responsibility and reduce the stress associated with making significant choices.
By applying existentialist philosophy and anthropological studies, this book demonstrates how divination and collective decision-making reflected fundamental human concerns with freedom, choice, and anxiety. By involving external factors, such as the gods or a collective, individuals found solace in shared decision-making processes, distributing accountability and offering a communal buffer against the uncertainties inherent in making choices.
This innovative approach provides fresh insights into the practical functions of divination in ancient Mesopotamia, making it essential reading for scholars and students of Near Eastern history, religion, and anthropology, as well as those interested in the historical intersections of belief, decision-making, and societal structure.
