Megan Lewis, host of a New Testament podcast, talks with Bart Ehrman about her journey from studying ancient Mesopotamia to podcasting. They discuss childhood summers, educational journey in ancient history, Assyriology, exploring ancient languages, alternative academic paths through Digital Hammurabi, and academic projects.
Megan Lewis transitioned from Assyriology to hosting a New Testament podcast, showcasing her unconventional academic journey.
Megan's expertise in Assyriology enhances her understanding of early Christianity, emphasizing the interconnectedness of ancient cultures.
Deep dives
Megan Lewis discusses her journey into ancient history and academia
Megan Lewis shares her transition from studying ancient Mesopotamia to hosting a podcast on the New Testament, highlighting her academic background and the reasons behind her unconventional career path. Despite not having formal training in New Testament studies, Megan's exposure to early Christianity has enriched her understanding of the subject.
Megan delves into her academic background and interest in ancient languages
Megan elaborates on her academic pursuits focusing on Assyriology, a discipline studying ancient Mesopotamian cultures and languages. She explains the significance of the field in uncovering historical narratives from the region and delves into the complexities of deciphering cuneiform texts and understanding Sumerian and Akkadian languages.
Megan illuminates the role of royal inscriptions in ancient civilizations
Megan describes her doctoral research on royal inscriptions from the third to the second millennium BCE, shedding light on the creation, purpose, and dissemination of these inscriptions as propaganda commissioned by royal figures. She emphasizes the value of examining these texts within archaeological contexts to glean insights into ancient beliefs, governance, and socio-political landscapes.
Digital Hammurabi and Megan's passion for public education in ancient history
Megan discusses the inception and evolution of Digital Hammurabi, a platform dedicated to promoting public engagement with linguistic and cultural aspects of ancient civilizations. She details the platform's educational initiatives, including online classes in Sumerian and other languages, self-published instructional books, and outreach projects aimed at demystifying ancient history for a broader audience.
Everyone watching is familiar with Dr. Bart Ehrman, renowned New Testament scholar and New York Times bestselling author…but who on earth is Megan? How did she make her way from the study of ancient Mesopotamia to host a New Testament and Early Christianity podcast?
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