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A W O R L D H I S T O R Y O F T H E B R E A K U P
III. The Ancient Near East
Breakup communication is revolutionized by invention of hieroglyphic
writing in Egypt (c. 3100 B.C.E.), allowing not only for carving of "Dear
Job" letters, but also for dramatic smashing of clay tablets upon receipt.
During the Age of the Prophets, a series of men come to fancy themselves
as the earthly link to the divine (modern manifestation: "God's gift").
Their heavenly bidding often involved making their girlfriends serve as
secular symbols of a theocratic manifest destiny. Talk about being used.
Hosea and Gomer:
At Yahweh's command, the prophet Hosea (8th C. B.C.E.) marries Gomer, a
prostitute in the Baalistic cult. The divine intention: that Hosea's treatment
of Gomer represent the fate of the Israelites if they don't shape up. Accordingly,
Hosea generally gives Gomer the cold shoulder, eventually divorcing her,
only to then buy her back for "fifteen shekels and a homer and lethech
of barley."
NEXT:
IV. Classical Antiquity
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VII |
VIII & IX |
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XI |
XII
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