Charles Halton

Allusions to the Stream of Tradition in Neo-Assyrian Oracles

Here is a pre-publication version of my article appearing in Ancient Near Eastern Studies 46 (2009):  Halton–ANES 46

There are a few minor changes from this version and the printed article–mostly just fixed typos.  I dedicated this article to Daniel Block and David Aaron for their influence upon my appreciation of rhetorical and literary criticism.  Here is the abstract; let me know what you think of the article:

The purpose of this article is to begin the evaluation of the rhetorical aims and
strategies of the use of allusions within Neo-Assyrian oracles. These allusions are
to some of the most prominent texts within the Mesopotamian literary stream of
tradition: Adapa and the South Wind, Atra-Ìasis, and the Gilgames Epic.
The authors borrowed imagery from these works and fused it with their own
rhetorical purposes. Prophets even used allusions that contained a complex set of
apparently conflicting associations. The use of subtle allusions that often contain
complex associations should cause modern readers to more greatly appreciate the
rhetorical abilities of the Neo-Assyrian prophets.

3 thoughts on “Allusions to the Stream of Tradition in Neo-Assyrian Oracles

  1. This is great Charles. For my Old Testament World class this semester, I am planning to write a paper on intertextuality. Right now, my professor has recommended I plow quickly through Fishbane (BIAI) and try to follow the academic discussion since 1985 before narrowing in on any particular facet of the field. Your article/bibliography is timely! I would love any recommendations/suggestions you may have.

  2. Pingback: Charles Halton’s ANES Article « Daniel O. McClellan

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