Category
Oral - Textual or Investigative
Description
The 2012 international conference "Evil Spirits, Monsters, and Benevolent Protectors: Demonology in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia" served as a catalyst, igniting a renewed interest in supernatural beings. Among the topics covered, one worth exploring more is the taxonomical issues in studying ancient conceptions of demons. This paper seeks to develop a better understanding of the differences between demons in the ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian context. One source being the Udug-Hul incantation tablets from Mesopotamia, the other being the Leiden Magical Papyri from Egypt. Both these texts are medical texts to treat demon caused illnesses. This study seeks to understand the different medical aspects pertaining to demons in the ancient Near East. This study also explores differing ideas about the nature of demons. This paper will also explore the impact of religious beliefs on demonic perceptions. The texts showed that demons were confined to a certain place in the ancient Egyptian context and were easier to define. In the Mesopotamian mind, demons were freer to wander and caused more chaos internally. These differences are also reflected in the terminology, with the Egyptians featuring a more consistent terminology. The attitude of the exorcist also changed depending on the region, with the Mesopotamian specialists opting for an attitude of avoidance contrasted against the more confrontational Egyptian exorcist. There were also differences in the locations demons could occupy. Last, Egyptian demons seemed to pose more of a threat to the cosmic order, whereas the Mesopotamian demons posed more of a psychological threat. Demons help the modern scholar to understand the relationship between medicine and the supernatural. Demons also were thought to have a tangible effect on one's life. Demons took on different characteristics depending on the belief system. A comparative approach between the Egyptian, Mesopotamians, and the Israelites would help clarifying the role demons played in antiquity. An evaluation of psychological illness in antiquity would also be worth pursuing.
Demons 101: A Comparative Understanding of Ancient Near Eastern Demons
Oral - Textual or Investigative
The 2012 international conference "Evil Spirits, Monsters, and Benevolent Protectors: Demonology in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia" served as a catalyst, igniting a renewed interest in supernatural beings. Among the topics covered, one worth exploring more is the taxonomical issues in studying ancient conceptions of demons. This paper seeks to develop a better understanding of the differences between demons in the ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian context. One source being the Udug-Hul incantation tablets from Mesopotamia, the other being the Leiden Magical Papyri from Egypt. Both these texts are medical texts to treat demon caused illnesses. This study seeks to understand the different medical aspects pertaining to demons in the ancient Near East. This study also explores differing ideas about the nature of demons. This paper will also explore the impact of religious beliefs on demonic perceptions. The texts showed that demons were confined to a certain place in the ancient Egyptian context and were easier to define. In the Mesopotamian mind, demons were freer to wander and caused more chaos internally. These differences are also reflected in the terminology, with the Egyptians featuring a more consistent terminology. The attitude of the exorcist also changed depending on the region, with the Mesopotamian specialists opting for an attitude of avoidance contrasted against the more confrontational Egyptian exorcist. There were also differences in the locations demons could occupy. Last, Egyptian demons seemed to pose more of a threat to the cosmic order, whereas the Mesopotamian demons posed more of a psychological threat. Demons help the modern scholar to understand the relationship between medicine and the supernatural. Demons also were thought to have a tangible effect on one's life. Demons took on different characteristics depending on the belief system. A comparative approach between the Egyptian, Mesopotamians, and the Israelites would help clarifying the role demons played in antiquity. An evaluation of psychological illness in antiquity would also be worth pursuing.
Comments
Graduate