Title Cultural memory and early civilization : writing, remembrance, and political imagination / Jan Assmann

Published Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2011

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Description 1 online resource (xii, 319 pages) Contents pt. 1. The theoretical basis -- Memory culture -- Written culture -- Cultural identity and political imagination -- pt. 2. Case studies -- Egypt -- Israel and the invention of religion -- The birth of history from the spirit of the law -- Greece and disciplined thinking -- Cultural memory : a summary Summary "Now available to an English-speaking audience, this book presents a groundbreaking theoretical analysis of memory, identity, and culture. It investigates how cultures remember, arguing that human memory exists and is communicated in two ways, namely inter-human interaction and in external systems of notation, such as writing, which can span generations. Dr. Assmann defines two theoretical concepts of cultural memory, differentiating between the long-term memory of societies, which can span up to 3,000 years, and communicative memory, which is typically restricted to 80-100 years. He applies this theoretical framework to case studies of four specific cultures, illustrating the function contexts and specific achievements, including the state, international law, religion, and science. Ultimately, his research demonstrates that memory is not simply a means of retaining information, but rather a force that can shape cultural identity and allow cultures to respond creatively to both daily challenges and catastrophic changes"-- Provided by publisher Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index Notes Print version record Subject Civilization, Ancient. Memory -- Social aspects -- History Collective memory -- History Group identity -- History Interpersonal communication -- History Written communication -- History Politics and culture -- History HISTORY -- Ancient -- General. Civilization Civilization, Ancient Collective memory Group identity Interpersonal communication Memory -- Social aspects Politics and culture Written communication Schriftlichkeit Schrift Kollektives Gedächtnis Politische Identität Altertum Schrift. Schriftlichkeit. Politische Kultur. Kollektives Gedächtnis. SUBJECT Egypt -- Civilization. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85041265 Israel -- Civilization. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85068693 Greece -- Civilization. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85057040 Subject Egypt Greece Israel Alter Orient. Genre/Form History Form Electronic book ISBN 9781139223737 1139223739 9780511996306 0511996306

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