Three Myths of Kingship in Early Greece and the Ancient Near East
The Servant, the Lover, and the Fool

Offers a groundbreaking reconstruction of three story-patterns about human kingship in early Greek and ancient Near Eastern myth.

Christopher Metcalf (Author)

9781009481496, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 2 January 2025

302 pages
23.5 x 16 x 2.3 cm, 0.58 kg

'An important contribution for collections in mythology, Near Eastern studies, biblical studies, and the classics.… Highly recommended.' P. E. Ojennus, CHOICE

On the basis of recently discovered sources and original research, this book identifies and analyses three story-patterns associated with human kingship in early Greek and ancient Near Eastern myth. The first of these, the 'Myth of the Servant', was used to explain how an individual of non-royal lineage rose to power from obscure origins. The second myth, on the 'Goddess and the Herdsman', made the fundamental claim that the ruler engaged in a sexual relationship with a powerful female deity. Third, although kings are often central to the ancient literary evidence, the texts themselves were usually authored by others, such as poets, priests, prophets or scholars; like kings, these characters similarly tended to base their authority on their ability to articulate and enact the divine will. The stage was thus set for narratives of conflict between kings and other intermediaries of the gods.

1. The Myth of the Servant
2. The Myth of the Goddess and the Herdsman
3. King, Priest and Poet.

Subject Areas: Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1]