The Origins Of Monotheism

Mesopotamian mythology

An extensive and chatty discussion of Assyro-Babylonian mythology that provides generous background information useful for studying the Epic ofGilgamesh.
– Link 1

An educational site with several images from Early Mesopotamia, including a picture of a ziggurat, the kind of structure referred to in the story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 2).
– Link 2

The Egyptian gods

The elaborate creation story of Ancient Egypt, captured in a delightful sequence of images for children in the following pages.
– Link 3

This famous relief in the collection of the Charlottenberg Museum in Berlin shows Akhenaten and his family in unusually intimate postures, with Aten as the focus of the image.
– Link 4

These pages set Akhenaten's worship of Aten in a historical perspective: he did not invent the sun disc, but changed the role of the pharaoh in religious practice.
– Link 5

This page from the excellent website created by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts in connection with its exhibition called "Pharaohs of the Sun" demonstrates the representation of the traditional Egyptian gods and contrasts it with the abstraction of Aten promoted by Akhenaten.
– Link 6

This excerpt from the critical writings of one of the great art historians of the twentieth century helps explain why Akhenaten's attempts to transform his culture were so badly received.
– Link 7

This site, intended for children, gives a crisp overview of the ways in which the traditional gods of ancient Egypt were represented.
– Link 8

The Logos in Greek philosophy

A scholarly introduction to the development of the idea of the Logos as the organizing principle of existence
– Link 9

Monotheism in the Bible

A sophisticated overview of the development of monotheism over time in Hebraic thought.
– Link 10

A reputable amateur's site of Judaica discusses the nature of God in Judaism.
– Link 11

The Ten Commandments

This educational site provides the text of the Ten Commandments and excellent annotations as well.
– Link 12

An article in the Catholic Encyclopedia on the changing meanings and applications of the Greek term Logos.
– Link 13