This book traced the broad as well as the narrow paths that led from Mesopotamian theories of language to their Greek adaptations. It argued that some stories, like the succession myths, displayed not only a shared interest in the nature of language but were also a vehicle for transcultural transmission. Within this context, the idea of a universal god whose multiple names describe cosmic history was utilized by elite specialists for purposes of understanding the world. Rather than viewing transculturation in terms of influence or, contrarily, in asserting independence, this study showed how the Greeks made selective use of Mesopotamian cultural goods to achieve prestige through innovation.