logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2019
32m 59s

Hammurabi and Babylonian Kingship

CurrentlyNerdy.com
About this episode

Today we take a look at the Babylonian empire and the rise of Hammurabi. We analyze the way kingship and religion worked hand-in-hand to justify rule. We take a close look at the Code of Hammurabi and what it tells us about Babylonian religion. We examine the cosmology of the Enuma Elish and the Babylonian pantheon and how in turn it impacted the formation of the empire. We discuss the way in which the Babylonian empire built on what can before and the ways it built ideological structures that would be borrowed by later empires and religions. We discuss the connections of Babylonian religion to the Hebrew Bible and explore the ordained just kingship at the heart of Babylon. Finally we conclude with a brief discussion of ancient magic and the role of demons.

Up next
Jul 2023
Gender Bending in Islamic History
Building upon our exploration of gender in Islamic history we dive into the topic of gender bending and how it can help us see gender as socially constructed, historically contingent, and contextual. We explore multiple figures throughout Islamic history from the ghulamiyya to th ... Show More
41m 33s
Jul 2021
Transgender and Non Binary in Islamic History
Continuing our exploration of gender and sexuality in Islamic history we turn to the figure of the mukhannathun, a third gender category in early Islam. We trace ideas of gender as a fluid spectrum through the lives of these individuals examining their existence in the life of Mu ... Show More
32m 40s
Jun 2021
Homosexuality and Gay Love in Islamic History
In this episode we dive into the history of homosexuality, same-sex desire, and gay love in Islamic societies. We examine the realm of religion, scripture, literature, and medicine and what they tell us about same-sex desire. We recount the lives of famous gay and lesbian figures ... Show More
30m 55s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2022
Writing/Reading the Bible in Postcolonial Perspective
The intricacies of imperialism and colonialism within the context of the Bible are nuanced and varied. Understanding the legacy of European Imperialism requires careful reflection of the Bible’s affinity with the empire and concentration of power. In this episode of Humanities Ma ... Show More
23m 30s
Jun 2024
The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 93 "Anatomy of a Regime"
In this episode, we look at society and religion in the age of Justinian. And we discover something that's been hidden in the sands of Egypt for 1,500 years.For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empir ... Show More
25m 7s
Sep 2015
Yuval Noah Harari on the myths we need to survive
Myths. We tend to think they’re a thing of the past, fabrications that early humans needed to believe in because their understanding of the world was so meagre. But what if modern civilisation were itself based on a set of myths? This is the big question posed by Professor Yuval ... Show More
1h 6m
Jun 2022
18. The Hidden Message of the Persian Exile
In this episode, we learn about the hidden messages or "Secret Code" of the Books of Daniel, and Esther and we learn about the Decree of Cyrus. The course of Jewish History changes because the Persian Empire takes over the Babylonian Empire, Jews go from a position of subservienc ... Show More
55m 47s
Apr 7
#406 — The Legacy of Christianity
Sam Harris speaks with Tom Holland about his book, Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World. They discuss the enduring influence of Christianity on the modern world, historical interpretations of crucifixion, the moral systems of ancient societies, Paul's letters, ... Show More
25m 22s
Apr 2022
The First Monotheistic Religion?
In this episode, we talk about the short-lived religion founded by the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten. Sources/Further Reading:Hornung, Erik (2001) "Akhenaten and the Religion of Light". Cornell University Press. Hoffmeier, James K. (2015). "Akhenaten and the Origins of Monotheism". ... Show More
21m 48s
Nov 2024
EP: 282 Other Gods in the Bible with Derek Gilbert
Throughout history, cultures worldwide have worshipped a vast array of deities—each carrying unique stories, symbols, and powers. But what if these gods share more than myths and rituals? In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with author and scholar Derek Gilbert to expl ... Show More
1h 39m
Aug 2024
Mesopotamia
In this episode of History 102, join WhatIfAltHists creator Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg as they explore the intricate history of Mesopotamia. This episode dives into the origins, advancements, and eventual decline of one of the world's earliest civilizations, covering everyt ... Show More
1h 7m
May 15
Gods, demons, witches and exorcists: inside an ancient Assyrian library
In the seventh century BC, the ancient Assyrian king Ashurbanipal created a gigantic library in his capital city – one that contained centuries of wisdom. And this vast wealth of ancient knowledge can reveal a lot about how the people of the Near East thought about their gods. Dr ... Show More
40m 57s
Sep 2024
The Bible Triggered Two Communications Revolutions: The Codex and the Printing Press
For Christians, the Bible is a book inspired by God. But it has been received by different cultures and language groups in (sometimes) radically different ways.  Following Jesus’s departing instruction to go out into the world, the Bible has been a book in motion from its very be ... Show More
52m 6s