It is known as the place of beginnings, but how did Ancient Mesopotamia begin?
Pilot Lecture: Mesopotamian Creation Stories
It is known as the place of beginnings, but how did Ancient Mesopotamia begin?
Rated 5 out of
5
by
teller74 from
Truly great!!
As a professional storyteller, I have told the first tablet of the Enuma Elish to great reception. Ancient, truly ancient literature is a passion. So glad to have seen this. Thank you for my next search, the Atrahasis epic.
Date published: 2024-07-16
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Thanuja from
Interesting pilot!
It is obviously an interesting pilot! Creation stories of different cultures, old times are pretty interesting to learn, and how these related and evolved in to current cultures are great gateway to study history, social anthropology and religion. Thanks for this lecture, and hope to see more!
Date published: 2024-03-21
Rated 5 out of
5
by
GaryZZ from
Instructive lecture!
Interesting to hear about how the gods were believed to control population growth. A warning for us living today?
Hope Wondrium decides to do more episodes about these old legends.
Date published: 2023-01-05
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Char of Fergus Falls MN from
Evocative!
Mr. Lam's lecture on the developing consciousness of primeval human's place in the world, using remnants of their ancient creation stories was masterful. In the chaotic modern world of so-called sophisticated human beings, I think it is worthwhile to take a step back and reevaluate what we think is our place in the cosmos, beginning at the beginning, how and when we went from being "cavemen" to developing language, and our ongoing development of the ability to share thoughts of curiosity, imagination and scientific exploration, and how we fit into the Creation Stories. I would love to listen to more of Professor Lam's interpretation of what he has studied in those ancient texts.
Date published: 2022-11-23
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Beasain from
Very clearly explained
It is the first time I hear these stories explained in a simple and clear way.
Date published: 2021-11-12
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Liz in Hotlanta from
Love these ancient creation stories of Mesopotamia
The lecturer is very well informed and has an excellent presentation style - maintaining eye contact with viewer. I also like how he compared the two ancient Mesopotamian creation stories - including themes that they shared in common.
I would definitely like to see this produced as a regular Wondrium/Great Courses series.
Date published: 2021-10-16
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Carol D from
Really Interesting Topic
I love learning new things about different belief systems and the lecturer's enthusiasm and insightful information was definitely worth listening to. I do hope this pilot takes off. I wonder if the topic of Lillith would come up in the course?
Date published: 2021-09-01
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Erny from
Remarkable Course
I would hope that this pilot is being considered as a full course with expanded areas of consideration.
Date published: 2021-08-21
Overview
01: Mesopotamian Creation Stories
Ancient Mesopotamia is often described as the place where civilization began. But to consider Mesopotamia as a place of beginnings also invites the question of how its inhabitants understood their own beginnings. Join Joseph Lam, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, to consider two masterpieces of literature from ancient Mesopotamia that deal with the theme of origins.
31 min
