Reception of Mesopotamia on Film

Explore an insightful account of the reception of Mesopotamia in modern cinema   

In Reception of Mesopotamia on Film, Dr. Maria de Fátima Rosa explores how the Ancient Mesopotamian civilization was portrayed by the movie industry, especially in America and Italy, and how it was used to convey analogies between ancient and contemporary cultural and moral contexts. Spanning a period that stretches from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day, the book explores how the Assyrian and Babylonian elites, particularly kings, queens, and priestesses, were perceived and represented on screen by filmmakers.  

A focus on the role played by Ancient Near Eastern women and on the polytheistic religion practiced in the land between the rivers will be provided. This book also offers an insightful interpretation of the bias message that most of these films portray and how the Mesopotamian past and Antiquity brought to light and stimulated the debate on emerging 20th century political and social issues.   

The book also offers: 

• A thorough introduction to the Old Testament paradigm and the romanticism of classical authors 
• A comprehensive exploration of the literary reception of the Mesopotamian legacy and its staging 
• Practical discussions of the rediscovery, appropriation, and visual reproduction of Assyria and Babylonia 
• In-depth examinations of cinematic genres and cinematographic contexts   

Perfect for students of the history of antiquity and cinematographic history, Reception of Mesopotamia on Film is also an invaluable resource for anyone with an interest in reception studies.