CHAPTER IV.

Anthropomorphism and Theriomorphism in Anatolia and the Mediterranean.

Mesopotamian religious conception generally anthropomorphic, but the anthropomorphism “unstable”--Theriomorphic {viii} features, especially of daimoniac powers--Mystic imagination often theriomorphic--Individuality of deities sometimes indistinct--Female and male sometimes fused--The person becomes the Word--Similar phenomena in other Semitic peoples--Theriolatry more prominent in Hittite religion, though anthropomorphism the prevalent idea--The Minoan-Mycenaean religion also mainly anthropomorphic--The evidence of theriolatry often misinterpreted--The proto-Hellenic religion partly theriomorphic--Some traces of theriolatry even in later period, in spite of strong bias towards anthropomorphism