Additional information
by Ruth J. Heflin (Author)
Archeologists, historians, anthropologists, literary analysts, and others tend to assume that, if a man was leading an ancient culture, it must already have been a patriarchy. However, we now know that most cultures began as gynocentric cultures, valuing women above men in spiritual and social structures because of women's natural ties to the cosmos through menstruation and childbirth. A re-examination of ancient symbols and literature through gynocentric eyes, instead of the biased androcentric view. Pinpoints when and how humanity verified that males have a biological role in procreation, after which males made themselves transcendent in religion and society, even elevating themselves to god-kings, giving rise to full on patriarchies. Reinterprets The Iliad and other epic ancient stories to demonstrate how humanity was originally gynocentric before we were forced to become androcentric, illustrating with specific examples how positive ancient roles for women became things associated with evil in order to allow men to paint themselves as spiritually superior to women. Examines how toxic masculinity, using violence or the threat of violence to subdue opposition, became the modus operandi of patriarchies.
Examines Aztec, Sumerian, Egyptian, Hittite, Minoan, and Greek ancient cultural symbols, myths, and legal documents to reveal how ancestor worship became hero worship, and how ancient males used the knowledge of procreation to assume the role of creators, a role previous held by women, prior to the discovery that males play a biological role in procreation.
Exposes the androcentric bias still rife among scholars.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ruth J. Heflin did not predict Jesus would appear on the Benny Hinn show, but she did survive growing up in the buckle of the bible belt with the name "Ruth." She still lives there with two cats, near her grown son, and with her monogamous (37 years and counting) husband, James P. Cooper, poet extraordinaire. After 34 years teaching as a college professor, she now spends her time researching things that fascinate her, writing other things, and spending most of her time editing for a small, private literary press. Ruth also holds a PhD in American Ethnic Cultures and Literatures from Oklahoma State University. Her first scholarly book was, I Remain Alive: The Sioux Literary Renaissance.In Pitiless Bronze, Ruth brings together her expertise in pre-literate cultures and her broad understanding of humanity to reread ancient symbols and texts.Peer into her thoughts at The Book of Ruth at ruthjheflin.com
