

Sumerian History with Marc Van De Mieroop
Mar 14, 2025
Marc Van De Mieroop, a Professor of the Ancient Near East at Columbia University, takes listeners on a captivating journey through Sumerian history. He discusses the need to reshape narratives around ancient civilizations, emphasizing their importance beyond Greco-Roman lenses. Topics include the revolutionary role of cuneiform writing, the distinctive philosophies of the Sumerians, and how these ancient societies influenced our understanding of literacy and knowledge. Van De Mieroop advocates for a richer view of history that celebrates diverse narratives.
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Intro
00:00 • 2min
Rediscovering the Ancient Near East
02:19 • 13min
Rethinking Historical Narratives
15:01 • 10min
Reevaluating Literacy and Philosophy Through the Sumerian Lens
24:59 • 5min
Decoding Cuneiform: Writing as Wisdom
30:23 • 20min
Rethinking Historical Origins: The Babylon Perspective
50:50 • 2min
Rethinking Ancient Narratives
52:36 • 7min
Revisiting Sumer: History and Philosophy
01:00:06 • 10min