Annotation
The subject of the course is the history of the religion of ancient Israel. The main emphasis is placed on studying the contemporary political contexts which provide the essential background for an understanding of particular religious concepts and ideas, their formation and development. Special attention is paid to religions in neighbouring cultures, since these contribute substantially to the religion of ancient Israel as such. Outline
1. Definition of religion in the historical context of the Southern Levant
2. Particular forms of religion (cult and other phenomena)
3. Material culture relating to cult (archaeological evidence)
4. Topography of Israel and its important sites
5. Political interactions with surrounding political entities
6. Religious impact of neighbouring cultures
7. Literary world of the Old Testament in the light of contemporary research
8. Summary: biblical literature and ancient history