Persuading the divine : on the composition of Hittite prayers / Lidewij E. van de Peut.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Peut, Lidewij E. van de, author.

Series:

Studien zu den Boğazköy-Texten ; 69.

Studien zu den Bogazköy-Texten, 0585-5853 ; 69

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Hittites--Religion.

Hittites.

Hittite language--Texts.

Hittite language.

Prayers.

Physical Description:

xx, 447 pages : illustrations, plans ; 25 cm

Edition:

1. Auflage.

Place of Publication:

Wiesbaden : Harrassowitz Verlag, 2022.

Summary:

Through textual, structural, and comparative analysis Lidewij E. van de Peut examines three related aspects of the composition of Hittite prayers: their rhetorical function, the structure of the texts, and the extent to which older prayers have been reused to create new ones. This is done by reviewing the entire Hittite prayer corpus and two detailed case studies. In addition, a definition and typology of the genre is established and the unique status of the Prayer to Telipinu (CTH 377) within the corpus of Hittite prayers is discussed. The first case study examines the use and function of one specific rhetorical device in Hittite prayer: the proverb. The second case study concerns the composition of a rare example of a prayer that was created by reusing the text of older prayers: the Prayer for Muraili II to the Sun-goddess of Arinna (CTH 376.II). This text and its closely related prayers provide a unique opportunity to unravel how older prayers could be reused while ensuring the text retained its rhetorical function and logically sound structure. This study demonstrates that Hittite prayers were rhetorical speeches addressed to deities. Through prayer the Hittite king tried to persuade the gods to resolve his troubles. Each prayer is an individual and relatively free composition tailored to one specific problematic event. They were composed by learned scholars who consulted older prayers and employed arguments, stylistic devices, and various structural strategies to enhance the rhetoric of the prayers. --Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction

Towards a definition and typology of Hittite prayer

The corpus of Hittite prayers

A unique prayer of scribe to Telipinu

The use and function of proverbs

The prayer for Muršili II to the Sun-goddess of Arinna and related prayers

The elaborate prayer introduction and its origins

A plea in three parts

The composition and textual history of the Prayer for Muršili II in context

Conclusions.

Notes:

Revised thesis (doctoral)--Freie Universität Berlin, 2018.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 423-441) and index.

Other Format:

e-book version

ISBN:

9783447119498

3447119497

OCLC:

1354300639

Publisher Number:

9783447119498