Managing the Gods in Sumer, Assyria and Babylon

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

A central concern of intellectual and cultural life in Ancient Mesopotamia was 'managing the gods' through activities which today we subsume under the labels Magic and Religion. This module, which is taught in translation and presumes no previous knowledge, will introduce you to the study of these topics and to the people behind them. There will be broad thematic overviews but also specific case-studies (such as the 'Exorcists' House' at Assur and the magical ceremony Maqlu). Close attention to primary sources will be paid throughout.