{"product_id":"being-a-man-negotiating-ancient-constructs-of-masculinity-scholarly","title":"Being a Man: Negotiating Ancient Constructs of Masculinity - Scholarly","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Being a Man: Negotiating Ancient Constructs of Masculinity, the reviewer finds a rigorous, cross-cultural study best suited to students and scholars of the ancient Near East and gender history. The single biggest reason to buy is its sustained challenge to monolithic views of masculinity in antiquity, accomplished through juxtaposing texts, art, and linguistic analysis. Readers seeking careful argumentation will appreciate the book's attention to Neo-Assyrian art, omens, biblical hymnody and narrative, and comparative material from Hittite, Akkadian, and Indian epic sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCross-cultural comparison:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brings together Neo-Assyrian, Hittite, Akkadian, Hebrew and Indian epic materials to show varied constructions of masculine identity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArt and omen analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Uses Neo-Assyrian artistic representations and omen literature to reveal social expectations and anxieties about men.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTextual close readings:\u003c\/strong\u003e Examines biblical hymns and narratives to demonstrate how religious texts participate in shaping masculinity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLinguistic study:\u003c\/strong\u003e Includes detailed linguistic work on gender and sex in Sumerian and Hebrew that clarifies how language encodes masculine roles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScholarly synthesis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Challenges assumed homogeneity of ancient masculinity through coordinated evidence across media and regions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is aimed primarily at graduate students, advanced undergraduates and researchers in ancient Near Eastern studies, biblical studies, gender history and comparative literature who want a nuanced, evidence-driven account of male identities across several ancient traditions. The sustained academic focus and detailed linguistic sections make it a strong classroom text or research reference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders looking for a general audience introduction to masculinity studies or a light, popular history will probably find the book too technical at times; similarly, those seeking a modern self-help lens on masculinity should look elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulti-source approach that strengthens the book s arguments by comparing diverse cultures and genres.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClose readings of texts and art provide concrete evidence rather than speculation about ancient gender norms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetailed linguistic analysis offers clarity on how language shaped conceptions of sex and gender.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe scholarly density and technical language make it less accessible to casual readers interested in the topic.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeing a Man: Negotiating Ancient Constructs of Masculinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudies in the History of the Ancient Near East\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIlona Zsolnay\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRegions covered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeo-Assyrian, Hittite, Akkadian, Hebrew, Indian epic\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproaches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArt history, omen literature, biblical studies, comparative linguistics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudents and scholars of ancient history and gender studies\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeing a Man is a substantial, well-argued contribution for readers who need a nuanced, evidence-rich account of ancient masculinities. Its comparative scope and linguistic detail make it especially valuable for graduate courses and research libraries, though its academic register limits casual readability. For its target audience it represents good value as a durable scholarly resource.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book focus on one culture?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe study compares multiple cultures, including Neo-Assyrian, Hittite, Akkadian, Hebrew and Indian epic, rather than concentrating on a single society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book suitable for undergraduate courses?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it can be used in advanced undergraduate or graduate courses, though instructors should note the technical linguistic sections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the author use visual material?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, Neo-Assyrian artistic representations are discussed alongside textual and omen sources to support the arguments.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ilona Zsolnay","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48264204157147,"sku":"036735778X","price":50.39,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71xlGYswh8L._SL1400.jpg?v=1778272586","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/being-a-man-negotiating-ancient-constructs-of-masculinity-scholarly","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}