RLBcB023 Ancient Near Eastern Religions

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Dalibor Papoušek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Dalibor Papoušek, Ph.D.
Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Jana Gryc
Supplier department: Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Wed 14:00–15:40 B2.43, except Mon 20. 4. to Fri 24. 4. ; and Fri 13. 3. 16:00–17:40 J21, Fri 10. 4. 16:00–17:40 J21, Fri 22. 5. 16:00–17:40 J21
  • Timetable of Seminar Groups:
RLBcB023/Prez: No timetable has been entered into IS. D. Papoušek
RLBcB023/Kombi: No timetable has been entered into IS. D. Papoušek
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! RLB23 Ancient Near Eastern Religions
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 50 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 11/50, only registered: 2/50
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
The course outlines main religious systems of the ancient Near East - religions of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Syria-Palestine, and Anatolia. Starting with their general characteristics, it provides a survey of their mythological background, structure of the pantheons and the most important ritual practices icluding the priesthood and calendar.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to:
  • demonstrate the basic factual knowledge of the religions of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Syria-Palestine, and Anatolia;
  • apply the basic terminology used in the study of the ancient Near Eastern religions;
  • interpret key literary and archaeological sources connected with the topic;
  • compare main mythological circles of the ancient Near East;
  • characterize the typological category of ancient religions, including their specific features in the Near East.
    • Key topics
    • Introduction to the course. General characteristics of ancient Near Eastern religions
    • Egypt I: Cosmogonic myths and their social impact
    • Egypt II: Osiris' cycle and the conception of death
    • Class discussion I: Akhenaten's Hymn to Aten and Psalm 104
    • Mesopotamia I: Survey of Mesopotamian pantheons
    • Mesopotamia II: Ritual life
    • Class discussion II: Gilgamesh Epic
    • Syria-Palestine I: Survey of Canaanite pantheons
    • Syria-Palestine II: Ritual life
    • Class discussion III: Baal's cycle
    • Anatolia I: Survey of Anatolian pantheons
    • Final test
    Study resources and literature
      required literature
    • HELLER, Jan. Starověká náboženství : náboženské systémy starého Egypta, Mezopotámie a Kenaanu. 3. vyd. Neratovice: Verbum, 2010, 413 s. ISBN 9788090392021. info
      recommended literature
    • HRŮŠA, Ivan. Bohové, chrámy, obřady a lidé : náboženství staré Mezopotámie. Vydání první. Praha: Vyšehrad, 2015, 286 stran. ISBN 9788074295386. info
    • Religions of the ancient world : a guide. Edited by Sarah Iles Johnston. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2004, xvii, 697. ISBN 0674015177. info
      not specified
    • BAINES, John; Leonard H. LESKO and David P. SILVERMAN. Náboženství ve starověkém Egyptě : bohové, mýty a náboženská praxe. Edited by Byron E. Shafer. 1. vyd. Neratovice: Verbum, 2009, 237 s. ISBN 9788090392014. info
    • STEHLÍK, Ondřej. Ugaritské náboženské texty : kanaanské mýty, legendy, žalmy, liturgie, věštby a zaříkávání pozdní doby bronzové. Vyd. 1. Praha: Vyšehrad, 2003, 389 s. ISBN 8070215879. info
    Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
    Lectures; home readings examined electronically in three semestral minitests; panel discussions based on home readings;  semestral written commentary on a chosen textual source (only full-time studies); colloquial written commentary  on a chosen textual source and its defence (only combined studies); final written test.
    Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
    Requirements for the colloquium:
  • final written test in the basic knowledge of the ancient Near Eastern religions (in both full-time and combined studies);
  • preparation for and participation in seminar panel discussions (full-time study only)
  • colloquial written commentary on a chosen textual source, including its defense (combined study only).

    The final assessment includes: final written test (100 points = 50%, limit 60 points,  plus bonus points for attending lectures); alternatively,  three semestral minitests in home readings, participation in class discussions, one semestral commentary  (100 points = 50%, limit 60 points, full-time study only), or one colloquial commentary (100 points = 50%, limit 60 points, combined study only).
    • Language of instruction
    Czech
    Follow-Up Courses
    Study support
    https://elf.phil.muni.cz/elf3/course/view.php?id=5650
    Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
    Study Materials
    The course is taught once in two years.
    Information on course enrolment limitations: Zápis mimo religionistiku je podmíněn souhlasem vyučujícího.
    Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
    • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
    • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2026/RLBcB023