Inaug.-Diss.--Rostock. / Lebenslauf. Includes bibliographical references.

This study discusses the rise of mythological thinking, focusing on ancient Near Eastern creation myths and creation accounts in mythological works in particular, with additional material drawn from lists of gods and other sources. The similarities and differences between several creation myths are analyzed by means of a diachronic and comparative method, tracing the development of mythological thinking about creation over thousands of years. The study departs in the main from six ancient creation myths and accounts of creation from ancient Mesopotamia: three Sumerian compositions to form the vestiges of a Sumerian creation myth, and three Babylonian myths which contain accounts of creation. A comparison of similarities and differences between these compositions is performed. In a final section, a comparison is made with the Old Testament and the Quran’s creation account, where phrases from the latter two texts are compared to the earlier myths and accounts of creation to produce an understanding of which elements of creation in religions with modern day followers rest upon ancient Mesopotamian foundations.

The technique of manufacturing of creamware and porcelain was discovered in Europe during the 18th century. The objects made from these materials document the social changes and the development of the dining culture, which both occured during the 18th century. At the end of that century classical culture became a fundamental inspirational source, which had been supported both by the discoveries of the ancient towns, Pompeii and Herculaneum, and by publishing books presenting ancient art. From the end of the 18th century the creamware and porcelain objects were started to be manufactured also in the Czech lands. In this master thesis I have studied, how the ancient influences were manifested in the products of the Czech and Moravian factories, from where they came and how they were transformed. The thesis does not cover all porcelain and creamware production, however it focuses on those factory where it was possible to detect ancient influences. The approach of the particular factories was strongly different. Czech porcelain factories took over ancient themes more likely from graphic patterns used in European workshops. The shapes derived from ancient pottery do not differ too much from the older and also contemporary European examples which were used as models. However, creamware objects tried, nesides the...