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Document Details : Title: An examination of Left-Right Dualism in Urartian Cultic Practices Subtitle: An Indicator of Syncretism? Author(s): BILGE BAŞTÜRK, Mahmut Journal: Ancient West & East Volume: 15 Date: 2016 Pages: 227-243 DOI: 10.2143/AWE.15.0.3167475 Abstract : Despite a series of temple inscriptions, Urartian rituals are not well known, because these texts are generally limited to sacrificial lists with the names of the gods/goddesses, lacking clear information on the structure of the ritualistic elements. Even the different features of the divinities are obscure and overshadowed by Ḫaldi, the unchallengeable chief of the Urartian pantheon. However, some clues hidden in the texts and especially in archaeological data enable one to make some suggestions about the cultic practices of the Urartians. This paper tries to examine the different aspects of Ḫaldi and his relationship with feminine and masculine divine powers, and to postulate a dualistic structure for the head of the Urartian pantheon, as well as the fire-related cultic practices related to him. |
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