The Harab Myth

Transliteration and translation of a Lat Babylonian text, followed by an extensive commentary. The Harab myth presents a new theme in Mesopotamian mythology, that of succeeding generations of gods who come to power through parricide and live in incest with mother, sister, or both.

The “dynastic chronicle” here termed the Harab myth (CT XL VI, no, 43) presents a new theme in Mesopotamian mythology, that of succeeding generations of gods who come to power through parricide and live in incest with mother, sister, or both. This copy of the text is Late Babylonian with a mixture of Assyrian and Babylonian forms. Transliteration and translation are followed by an extensive commentry which discusses several motifs germane to the reconstruction and interpretation of the myth. Sources, background and cross-cultural comparisons are also provided. The Harab myth may be briefly described as a “genealogy of cosmic moral.”

• By (author) T. Jacobsen