Gender in the Ancient Near East

Gender in the Ancient Near East is a comprehensive study of gender constructs in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, Cyprus, and the Levant, incorporating current trends in gender theory. It explores how ancient Near Eastern societies understood femininity, masculinity, and other concepts and how these are portrayed in ancient art and material culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 310 pages
Publication date: 11 April 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Gender in the Ancient Near East is a comprehensive exploration of gender constructs in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, Cyprus, and the Levant, incorporating current trends in gender theory. The book begins by defining sex and gender in modern society and scholarship, before delving into ancient Near Eastern understandings of these concepts. Readers are guided through translated sources to understand how the inhabitants of the ancient Near East perceived femininity, masculinity, and other gender notions. The final chapter examines how modern notions of heterosexuality and homosexuality apply to the ancient world. The volume also showcases how these concepts are portrayed in ancient art and material culture through accompanying photographs and illustrations. The overview of Near Eastern history and contemporary gender theory makes the book accessible to students unfamiliar with the material, allowing them to draw meaningful conclusions. Gender in the Ancient Near East serves as an essential introduction to the subject for students of the ancient Near East, gender studies, and queer studies.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367331542