Political Archaeology. Deconstructing the Political Exploitation of Myths in Iraq (1958–2003)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3986/SMS20242705Keywords:
Republic of Iraq, 1958 to 2003, ideology, political myth, the goddess Ishtar, the god MardukAbstract
The Middle East is widely recognised as one of the most influential regions in the world, primarily due to its rich cultural diversity encompassing linguistic, ethnic and religious variations. However, despite the potential significance of myths in shaping national identity and political developments, limited research has been conducted in this area. This study aimed to explore the role of myths in the political governance of Iraq during the period from 1958 to 2003, a challenging era within the Middle East. Considering Iraq’s ancient history, this research sought to elucidate the ideological perspectives of the rulers during the republican era, as well as the factors influencing their selection of specific myths for political purposes. It is worth noting that this study can contribute to enhancing awareness in future investigations on the role of myths in political governance across other regions within the Middle East.
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