Tikva Frymer-Kensky is an Assyriologist & Sumerologist. Tikva writes a thorough (and balanced) resource on the ANE goddesses from the perspective of Israelite faith/s. Interesting theses include the dismissal of the 'feminine-empowering' attributes of modern paganism that seeks to tie itself to a misinformed view of the function of goddesses in the ANE. According to Tikva the Sumerian/Mesopotamian goddess myths were complicit in phallocentric ('patriarchal') culture of the day. They did generally serve the status quo that involved public life that centred on men and private life where women (and the divine women) were attributed some limited conceptual ownership of childrearing, weaving, beer brewing (!!) and childbirth. Tikva's view that civilization was both awoken by women (who were placed to be the early technologists and scientists) and then diminished by it. The growth of civilization and the proportional growth of misogyny (particular picking up speed in the greco-roman period) is terribly sad.
How does this help my search?
I'm thinking about the role of culture in the production of poetic and tolerable forms of struggle by women, Tikva's elucidation of the biblical laws of sexual purity certainly show removal from women at every level, ownership of their own sexuality (ownership belongs to either father, father & betrothed or husband - but never to the woman). In this light, and in light of the grave punishment she may recieve, the Shulammite is courageous indeed (or a fool) and her statement "my vineyard is my own" is even more revolutionary.
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