The Digital Hammurabi Podcast

Megan is joined by Dr. Shawna Dolansky to talk about her research into how Mesopotamian goddesses may have impacted the Biblical figure of Eve, why YHWH is so involved in human fertility, and her incredible new project, Women of the Ancient World. More info on the New Insights into the Hebrew Bible conference: https://digitalhammurabi--ehrman.thrivecart.com/nihb-2026-standard/ Women of the Ancient World: https://woawhistory.com/ Dr. Dolansky's website: https://shawnadolansky.com/

Today, I'm thrilled to be joined by Dr. Eric Harvey to talk about his latest book, Reading Creation Myths Economically in Ancient Mesopotamia and Israel. You can find more about Dr. Harvey and his work on his website: https://www.blindscholar.com

Mary, mother of Jesus, is probably one of the most famous women from the ancient world. She remains incredibly important today in several faith traditions, but what do we know about the woman behind the story? Today I'm joined by Dr. James Tabor to talk about how we can reconstruct the life of someone who left virtually no historical record, how Mary is similar to Mesopotamian princess and priestess Enheduanna, and why he thinks Jesus' birth family was written out of the New Testament.Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4ojZRq4 Dr. Tabor's website: https://jamestabor.com/ Dr. Tabor's YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/jamestaborvideos

Today on Digital Hammurabi, I’m joined by Dr. Jessie DeGrado, assistant professor of ancient Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Michigan. Dr. DeGrado studies the history and religions of Mesopotamia, and is particularly interested in how modern history and politics affect our reconstruction of the past. He’s here today to talk to me about the Neo-Assyrian empire, the role of ancient Judah as a client-state of the empire, and how modern understandings of the Middle East colour our views of the region’s ancient past.

In this episode of Digital Hammurabi, host Megan Lewis welcomes Dr. Amanda Podany, a renowned expert in ancient history, particularly focusing on Assyria and Mesopotamia during the Middle and Late Bronze Age. Together, they delve into the challenges of uncovering the lives of non-elite individuals in the ancient past, a topic Dr.  Podany explores in her acclaimed book, "Weavers, Scribes and Kings: A New History of the Ancient Near East." Dr.  Podany discusses how many historical sources have been predominantly created by or for the wealthy ruling classes, yet emphasizes that it is indeed possible to gain insights into the experiences of everyday people. Tune in for an engaging conversation that bridges scholarly insights with accessible discussions on ancient history.Timestamps:[00:02:28] Interest in ancient Near East.[00:09:46] Ancient letters and personal lives.[00:11:21] Scribes and the non-elite lives.[00:15:51] Evidence of daily life.[00:22:18] Average life trajectories in history.[00:23:00] Family dynamics in Mesopotamian life.[00:27:58] Careers beyond agriculture.[00:30:51] Professions in ancient societies.[00:35:13] Favorite character in research.[00:38:20] Audience questions

In this episode of Digital Hammurabi, host Megan Lewis welcomes back writer and journalist Emily Wilson to discuss her latest book, "Gilgamesh," the second installment in her epic trilogy about the Sumerians. Emily shares insights into the continuation of the story, which follows the goddess Inanna, her attendant Ninshubur, and the hero Gilgamesh, while introducing new characters and voices. Megan and Emily also touch on the thematic elements of the series, including a brief discussion of the myth of Enlil and Ninlil, with a trigger warning regarding sensitive content. This episode provides fascinating insights into how Wilson approaches Mesopotamian mythology, particularly the complexities of weaving various myths into a cohesive narrative. Listeners are encouraged to catch up on the first book in the trilogy before the third installment is released in August 2025. Tune in for an engaging conversation about ancient history and storytelling!