The chief reason for writing a book is to prepare the way for the next one on the same subject.
In accordance with the general plan of this Series[1] of Handbooks, it has been my chief aim to gather together in convenient arrangement and readable form what is at present known about the religion of the Babylonians and Assyrians.

The investigations of scholars are scattered through a large variety of periodicals and monographs.

The time has come for focusing the results reached, for sifting the certain from the uncertain, and the uncertain from the false.

This work of gathering the _disjecta membra_ of Assyriological science is essential to future progress.

If I have succeeded in my chief aim, I shall feel amply repaid for the labor involved.
In order that the book may serve as a guide to students, the names of those to whose researches our present knowledge of the subject is due have frequently been introduced, and it will be found, I trust, that I have been fair to all.[2] At the same time, I have naturally not hesitated to indicate my dissent from views advanced by this or that scholar, and it will also be found, I trust, that in the course of my studies I have advanced the interpretation of the general theme or of specific facts at various points.