Ricerc@Sapienza

In this paper I discuss the Mesopotamian concept of time, from its mythological foundation to its ritual reckoning in calendrical festivals, taking the Babylonian Poem of Creation as a main guideline. From the creation, and conception, of time in cosmogonies I proceed to treat the dichotomy mythical vs. historical time and the preeminent theories on time when applied to religious phenomena. The recitation of the Poem of Creation during the New Year festival (ak?tu) is taken as a key element to deal with the function and relation of rituals with time marking, creation, and control. Finally, the dismissal and reinstalling of the the king during the New Year festival and, in general, the royal control over the calendar, is discussed in relation and identification of the kingship with the moon, both subjects to periodical renewal.