Before Philosophy - Henri Frankfort, H. A. Frankfort, John A. Wilson & Thorkild Jacobsen

A landmark work in the study of ancient thought, Before Philosophy explores the intellectual world of Egypt and Mesopotamia before the emergence of Greek philosophy. Rather than dismissing ancient myths as primitive superstition, the authors argue that these early civilisations possessed sophisticated and coherent ways of understanding the universe. Through an examination of mythology, religion, kingship and cosmology, they reveal how the peoples of the ancient Near East interpreted nature, society and humanity's place within the cosmos.

Combining archaeology, history, religious studies and philosophy, the book contrasts mythical thought with the rational inquiry that later developed in classical Greece, while demonstrating that both arose from attempts to explain the world and humanity's relationship to it. Widely regarded as a classic of ancient Near Eastern studies, Before Philosophy remains an influential introduction to Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilisation, making this vintage Pelican edition an essential read for anyone interested in mythology, archaeology, religion or the origins of Western thought.

Heavy aging on the cover.