On the Verge of Lunacy

This is not exactly a collection of stories and can instead be treated as an introduction to Babylonian and Assyrian history, culture, and religion. Several important subjects are covered which the student or casual reader might find useful in understanding the myths of the people sustained by the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. In summary, the book discussed the following: the peoples and movements in the area collectively called Mesopotamia, these include emphasis on the Assyrians, Babylonians, Hittites, Kassites, Egyptians, and the Hebrews; possible origins and ancestry of the different peoples and their customs and laws with emphasis on Hammurabi's laws; summary of the wars and succession of kings in different regions; evolution of the pantheon from "monsters" to anthropomorphic deities and their parallels in other myths; nature of ghosts, fairies, and other minor creatures; and the development of astrology and astronomy. There are separate chapters as well for t...