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Writing and rewriting history

Feb 17, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Moudhy Al-Rashid, an author and expert on ancient Mesopotamia, delves into the origins of writing and the captivating tales preserved on cuneiform tablets. Historian Tom Holland shares insights from his new translation of Suetonius's vibrant biographies of Roman emperors, highlighting their impact on our understanding of power. Gus Casely-Hayford, director of V&A East, discusses innovative ways museums can engage the public, underscoring the timeless human desire to curate and connect with history.

42:06

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Episode guests

Tom Holland

Gus Casely Hayford

Moudhy Al-Rashid

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The ancient Mesopotamians recognized their historical context through cuneiform writings, showcasing an early understanding of their cultural identity.

Archaeological discoveries, like those at Ur, highlight a long-standing human desire to preserve and present history through artifacts and narratives.

Deep dives

The Origins of Historical Consciousness

Historical consciousness may have begun with material culture, as humans started to recognize their connections to the past through artifacts and written records. The Greeks, particularly Herodotus in the 5th century, play a pivotal role in shaping the idea of history as a discipline, moving from mere storytelling of events to analyzing and documenting past civilizations. This development marked a transition where history was viewed not just as survival but as an essential component of cultural identity and understanding. Ancient Mesopotamia provides an early example of this, indicating that even in its nascent stages, people were keenly aware of their historical context and traditions.

Intro

2min

Tracing Time: History Through Material Culture

12min

Fabricating Legitimacy: The Stone Monument of Sippar

2min

Connecting Dynasties: The Role of Archaeology and Heritage

2min

Unveiling Roman Historiography

12min

Innovating Access at V&A Storehouse

5min

The Power of Artifacts: Museums and Historical Connection

8min

History was written down for the very first time in the ancient region of Mesopotamia. In Between Two Rivers, Moudhy Al-Rashid tells the story of the civilisations that rose and fell, through the details left on cuneiform tablets from 4000 years ago – from diplomatic letters to receipts for beer. And the drive that led ancient scribes to record the events and legends of the past.

Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus was probably born in AD69, and although little is known about his own life, his biography of the twelve Caesars vividly captured what it was like to be at the centre of power in the Roman Empire. The historian Tom Holland pays homage to his fellow history-writer, Suetonius, in a new translation of The Lives of the Caesars.

Archaeologists at the ancient Sumerian city-state of Ur believe they found evidence of a museum in the ruins, which suggests that the desire to display and preserve artefacts, and tell stories from the past, is nothing new. Gus Casely-Hayford is the curator of the V&A East which opens in the Spring, and is expected to offer a new way of viewing the past, and a chance to see behind the scenes of a museum.

Producer: Katy Hickman