Originally the fourth in a series of five lectures delivered at Harvard University, this extract is an early attempt to tackle a formidable subject: the religion of ancient Iraq, or Mesopotamia. Noting that sacred writings are nearly universal among religions, Rogers offers a brief exposition on the sacred writings of the ancient Mesopotamians. Engaging and informative, Rogers’ narrative is accessible to the specialist and general reader alike.

Originally the second in a series of five lectures delivered at Harvard University, this extract is an early attempt to tackle a formidable subject: the religion of ancient Iraq, or Mesopotamia. Rogers introduces the reader to Sumer and Babylonia, noting the early kings and their deities. This essay then engages in an historical rendering of the gods of the dominant cities of Babylonia and Assyria. Engaging and informative, Rogers’ narrative is accessible to the specialist and general reader alike.

Originally the first in a series of five lectures delivered at Harvard University, this extract is an early attempt to tackle a formidable subject: the religion of ancient Iraq, or Mesopotamia. Rogers begins this exploration with a summary of the rediscovery of the religions of Babylonia and Assyria. Step by step he rehearses the rediscovery and recovery of ancient Babylon and Nineveh. Engaging and informative, Rogers’ narrative is accessible to the specialist and general reader alike.

An early example of Islamic history, the Kitab al-ma'arif (“Book of Knowledge”) of ibn Qutayba (ibn Coteiba) has a prominent place. Born in Kufa, in present-day Iraq, ibn Qutayba was a teacher in Baghdad and he was among the first formal historians. This particular work ambitiously covers topics from the beginning of creation and facts about the period before the appearance of Islam (jahiliyya) to the names of the companions of the prophet Mohammed, famous jurists and masters of the oral tradition associated with the prophet (hadith). Presented here in the original Arabic, along with an introduction by Wüstenfeld, this early manual of history is sure to be of interest to anyone considering Islamic outlooks from the ninth century.

In his classic introduction to Eastern Orthodox liturgies, King examines the liturgies of the Oriental Orthodox churches. In this volume the introductory material to his work is presented. The various Oriental Churches are described in this introduction.

In 1849, within days of her marriage to missionary printer Edward Breath, Sarah Ann Breath joined her husband to begin a four month journey to Oroomiah (modern Urumia), Persia. Her narrative, written in a highly descriptive flowing prose, describes the journey by sea, steamer and caravan to a Nestorian community. Breath’s journal pays careful attention to the Nestorian, Assyrian, and Kurdish communities she encountered. For Breath, the journey would transform her sensibilities, challenge her awareness of cultural differences and plunge her into a world whose dangers and opportunities she could never have imagined.

Kaplan’s inaugural study of the psychological basis of prophecy is a landmark in the history of prophetic exploration. Setting the standard for future studies of the prophets, this remarkable book covers the various conceptions of prophets and their attendant phenomena of premonition, revelation, dreams, visions, ecstasy, and inspiration.

In his classic introduction to Armenian Orthodox liturgies, King examines the liturgies of the Oriental Orthodox churches. In this volume the Ethiopic rite is considered. The rite is described and given a context in the setting of its native church.

In his classic introduction to Byzantine Orthodox liturgies, King examines the liturgies of the Oriental Orthodox churches. In this volume the Byzantine rite is considered. The rite is described and given a context in the setting of its native church.

In his classic introduction to Byzantine Orthodox liturgies, King examines the liturgies of the Oriental Orthodox churches. In this volume the Chaldean rite is considered. The rite is described and given a context in the setting of its native church.

In his classic introduction to Eastern Orthodox liturgies, King examines the liturgies of the Oriental Orthodox churches. In this volume the Coptic rite is considered. The rite is described and given a context in the setting of its native church.

In his classic introduction to Eastern Orthodox liturgies, King examines the liturgies of the Oriental Orthodox churches. In this volume the Ethiopic rite is considered. The rite is described and given a context in the setting of its native church.

The History of Holy Mar Ma‘in of Sinjar tells the story of a Sasanian general during the time of Shapur II (309-79) who suffered persecution after his conversion to Christianity. In this volume, the first in this new series from Gorgias Press, Sebastian P. Brock provides the first edition ever of the Syriac text of the History of Ma‘in as well as the first full translation of it. This volume also includes a basic guide to the whole corpus of Persian Martyr Acts as well as useful indices to these numerous texts.

In his classic introduction to Eastern Orthodox liturgies, King examines the liturgies of the Oriental Orthodox churches. In this volume the Maronite rite is considered. The rite is described and given a context in the setting of its native church.

In his classic introduction to Eastern Orthodox liturgies, King examines the liturgies of the Oriental Orthodox churches. In this volume the Syrian rite is considered. The rite is described and given a context in the setting of its native church.

In his classic introduction to Byzantine Orthodox liturgies, King examines the liturgies of the Oriental Orthodox churches. In this volume the Syro-Malabar rite is considered. The rite is described and given a context in the setting of its native church.