A Survey of Animal Mythology in the Ancient Near East Religions with focus on Iranian and Mesopotamian Traditions

It cannot divide the religion and myth of any nation from its historical context. The myths represented the cultural background, ideas and thoughts of the different nations. The communication between human and animal, human and god in the myth and ancient narratives was of important and always considered by different researchers. Among these legends, some animals such as cattle, birds, reptiles and sphinx have become of increased importance regarding the geographical appropriateness, so that the myths have formed on the base of their functions. In some places, animals play an important role in the other contexts such as the cults of the animal husbandry, agriculture, sacrifice, magic and therapy as well. In the dissertation, I have tried to consider all of the above-mentioned subject matters.