How To Do Things With Tears: Ritual Lamenting in Ancient Mesopotamia, 1st Edition

In contrast to other traditions, cultic laments in Mesopotamia were not performed in response to a tragic event, such as a death or a disaster, but instead as a preemptive ritual to avert possible catastrophes. Mesopotamian laments provide a unique insight into the relationship between humankind and the gods, and their study sheds light on the nature of collective rituals within a crosscultural context. Cultic laments were performed in Mesopotamia for nearly 3000 years. This book provides a comprehensive overview of this important ritual practice in the early 2nd millennium BCE, the period during which Sumerian laments were first put in writing. It also includes a new translation and critical edition of Uruamairabi (‘That city, which has been plundered’), one of the most widely performed compositions of its genre.\nHow To Do Things With Tears: Ritual Lamenting in Ancient Mesopotamia 1st Edition is written by Paul Delnero and published by De Gruyter. ISBNs for How To Do Things With Tears are 9781501512940, 1501512943 and the print ISBNs are 9781501519468, 1501519468. Additional ISBNs include 9781501512650.