Since the spectacular discovery of Nineveh 150 years ago, countless excavators have been searching for the lost civilizations of the ancient Near East. We now know the names of thousands of gods and goddesses as well as a growing number of mythological tales. A

substantial number of information sources on Near Eastern mythology--originating from the archives of such ancient cities as Nineveh, Ur, and Babylon--nevertheless, remain inaccessible ones.

Although this collection of entries will be invaluable to the novice, Leick also provides

sufficient detail and cross-referencing for the specialist. The text includes a wide-ranging bibliography of possibly unfamiliar sources, as well as an extensive index for ease of reference. The result is a volume which will be of particular interest to students and lecturers in

archaeology, religious studies and anthropology.