The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria

The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria provides a systematic account of the religious beliefs and practices of ancient Mesopotamia based on the Assyriological research available at the end of the nineteenth century. Morris Jastrow gathers and organizes material scattered across scholarly monographs and periodicals in order to present a coherent survey of Babylonian and Assyrian religion.

The book examines the pantheon of Mesopotamian deities, temple worship, priesthood, divination, mythology, cosmology, and ritual practice. It discusses the development of religious ideas alongside political and cultural history, tracing how local cults and city gods were integrated into broader theological systems. Jastrow evaluates competing scholarly interpretations and distinguishes between established conclusions and conjectural reconstructions.

Written as part of a handbook series, the volume aims to serve both students and specialists by synthesizing contemporary research while contributing original analysis to ongoing debates in Assyriology.