The Royal Death Pits of Ur

In today's video, we dive into the mysteries surrounding the Royal Cemetery at Ur and its associated Death Pits, examining who exactly was buried there, what Sumerian mythology has to say about the rituals conducted within, and whether it constitutes Mesopotamian's only known example of human sacrifice. And beyond these question, we examine the Cemetery's biggest quandary of all. Were its burials even royal at all?
This video owes a special thanks to archaeologist Dr Geoff Emberling, who kindly allowed me to use a number of his photos of Iraq. You can find more information on his research activities in the links below:
archaeology.lsa.umich.edu/peo...
umich.academia.edu/GeoffEmber...
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You can find more of Ettore's excellent artwork below:
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#history #documentary #mesopotamia
I'd also like to thank all of my voice actors for today's episode, whose own work you can find below:
Articulations as Enheduanna
/ articulations
Byron Lewis as Various Texts
/ byronlewis
Stefan Milo as C. Leonard Woolley
/ stefanmilo

Пікірлер: 621

  • @TheHistocrat
    @TheHistocrat Жыл бұрын

    Sources (In order of video appearance): 1. Matthews R (2018) Peoples and Complex Societies of Ancient Southwest Asia, pgs. 433-444. In ‘The Human Past’, Fourth Edition, edited by Scarre C. 2. Pournelle J (2013) Physical Geography, pgs. 19-28. In ‘The Sumerian World’, edited by Crawford H. 3. van de Mieroop M (2016) A History of the Ancient Near East, 3rd Edition, pgs. 10-17. 4. Beaulieu PA (2018) A History of Babylon, pgs. 29-40. 5. Hammer E (2019) The city and landscape of Ur: an aerial, satellite, and ground reassessment. 6. Algaze G (2008) Ancient Mesopotamia at the Dawn of Civilisation, pg. 44-46. 7. Margarete van Ess (2013) Reed as a raw material. In ‘Uruk: First City of the Ancient World’. 8. Algaze G (2008) Ancient Mesopotamia at the Dawn of Civilisation, pg. 106. 9. Nissen HJ (2013) Uruk’s beginnings and early development. In ‘Uruk: First City of the Ancient World’. 10. Vogel H (2013) The “Great man of Uruk”: The Art of Governance in the late Fourth and early Third Millennia BC. In ‘Uruk: First City of the Ancient World’. 11. Birch N (2013) History and Chronology, pgs. 116-120. In ‘The Sumerian World’, edited by Crawford H. 12. Crawford H (2004) Sumer and the Sumerians, Second Edition, pgs. 16-36. 13. Stone EC (2013) The Organisation of a Sumerian Town, pgs. 161-169. In ‘The Sumerian World’, edited by Crawford H. 14. Collins P (2013) Everyday life in Sumer, pgs. 345-358. In ‘The Sumerian World’, edited by Crawford H. 15. van de Mieroop M (2016) A History of the Ancient Near East, 3rd Edition, pgs. 48-63. 16. Westenholz JG (2013) In the Service of the Gods: The Ministering Clergy, pgs. 246-276. In ‘The Sumerian World’, edited by Crawford H. 17. Crawford H (2004) Sumer and the Sumerians, Second Edition, pg. 30. 18. van de Mieroop M (2013) Democracy and the rule of law, the assembly and the first law code, pgs. 277-287. In ‘The Sumerian World’, edited by Crawford H. 19. Suter CE (2013) Kings and Queens: representation and reality, pgs. 201-226. In ‘The Sumerian World’, edited by Crawford H. 20. van de Mieroop M (2016) A History of the Ancient Near East, 3rd Edition, pg. 30. 21. Beaulieu PA (2018) A History of Babylon, pgs. 33-34. 22. Wright HT (1969) The Administration of Rural Production in an Early Mesopotamian Town, pg. 41. 23. Steinkeller P (1999) On rulers, priests and sacred marriage: tracing the evolution of Early Sumerian Kingship. In ‘Priests and Officials in the Ancient Near East’, edited by Watanbe K. 24. McCaffrey (2013) The Sumerian Sacred Marriage: Texts and Images, pgs. 227-241. In ‘The Sumerian World’, edited by Crawford H. 25. Schaudig H (2013) The Ancient Near East Ruler, pgs. 111-115. In ‘Uruk: First City of the Ancient World’. 26. Jacobson T (1943) Primitive Democracy in Ancient Mesopotamia. 27. Jacobson T (1957) Early political development in Mesopotamia. 28. Westenholz A (2002) The Sumerian City State, pgs. 23-42. In ‘A Comparative Study of Six City-State Cultures’, edited by Hansen MH. 29. Postgate N (1992) Early Mesopotamia: Society and Economy at the Dawn of History, pg. 297. 30. Crawford H (2013) Trade in the Sumerian World, pgs. 447-459. In ‘The Sumerian World’, edited by Crawford H. 31. Marchesi G (2004) Who Was Buried in the Royal Tombs of Ur? The Epigraphic and Textual Data. 32. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pg. 1-20 33. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pg. 33-43. 34. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pg. 225-226. 35. Thomas HL (1992) Historical Chronologies and Radiocarbon Dating, pg 147. 36. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 37, 114, 116. 37. Moorey P (1977) What do we know about the people buried in the Royal Cemetery? 38. Baadsgaard A (2016) All the Queen's Clothes: Identifying Female Royalty at Early Dynastic Ur. 39. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 73-91, 97-107. 40. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 155-160. 41. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 400-404. 42. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 98, 316. 43. Braun Holzinger E (1991) Apotropaic Figures at Mesopotamian Temples in the Third and Second Millennia, pgs. 149-172. 44. Cholidis N (2003) The Treasure of Ur from Mari, pg. 143. In ‘Art of the First Cities’, edited by Aruz J and Wallenfels R. 45. Woolley CL (1965) Excavations at Ur, pg. 59. 46. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 159, 316. 47. Reade J (2003) The Royal Tombs of Ur, pgs. 93-96. In ‘Art of the First Cities’, edited by Aruz J and Wallenfels R. 48. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 61-62. 49. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 266-274. 50. Reade J (2003) The Royal Tombs of Ur, pgs. 97-100. In ‘Art of the First Cities’, edited by Aruz J and Wallenfels R. 51. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 121-123, 264-266. 52. Reade J (2003) The Royal Tombs of Ur, pgs. 121-122. In ‘Art of the First Cities’, edited by Aruz J and Wallenfels R. 53. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 74-77, 249-258. 54. Cheng J (2009) A Review of Early Dynastic III Music: Man’s animal call, pgs. 173-178. 55. Rimmer J (1969) Ancient Musical Instruments of Western Asia in the British Museum, pgs. 14-18. 56. Reade J (2003) The Royal Tombs of Ur, pgs. 105-106. In ‘Art of the First Cities’, edited by Aruz J and Wallenfels R. 57. Cooper JS (2006) Genre, Gender, and the Sumerian Lamentation, pgs. 41-44. 58. Westenholz JG (2013) In the Service of the Gods: The Ministering Clergy, pgs. 264-266. In ‘The Sumerian World’, edited by Crawford H. 59. Michalowski P (2006) LOVE OR DEATH? OBSERVATIONS ON THE ROLE OF THE GALA IN UR III CEREMONIAL LIFE, pgs. 49-61. 60. Michalowski P (1994) The Drinking Gods: Alcohol in Mesopotamian Ritual and Mythology, pgs. 27-44. In ‘Drinking in Ancient Societies: History and Culture of Drinks in the Ancient Near East’, edited by Milano L. 61. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 274-279. 62. Finkel IL (2007) On the Rules for the Royal Game of Ur, pgs. 22-32. In ‘Ancient Board Games in Perspective’, edited by Finkel IL. 63. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 37-41. 64. Pollock S (1991) Of Priestesses, Princes and Poor Relations: The Dead in the Royal Cemetery at Ur, pgs. 173-177. 65. Woolley CL (1965) Excavations at Ur, pg. 77-82. 66. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 312-13. 67. Douglas F (2010) The struggle for hegemony in “Early Dynastic II” Sumer, pgs. 37-77. 68. Gianni Marchesi (2010) The Sumerian King List and the early History of Mesopotamia, pgs. 231-48. 69. Tummal inscription entry on the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative, assessed 29th September 2022. cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&ObjectID=P469677 70. Steinkeller P (2003) An Ur III manuscript of the Sumerian King List. Literatur, Politik und Recht. In ‘Mesopotamien: Festschrift fur Claus Wilck’. 71. Sumerian King List (SKL) entry on the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative, lines 132-140, assessed 29th September 2022. cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?CompositeNumber=Q000371 72. Sumerian King List (SKL) entry on the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative, lines 39-42, assessed 29th September 2022. cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?CompositeNumber=Q000371 73. Sollberger E (1962) The Tummal Inscription, pg. 41. 74. Archi A (2004) Translation of Gods: Kumarpi, Enlil, Dagan/Nisaba, Halki, pg. 322. 75. van de Mieroop M (2016) A History of the Ancient Near East, 3rd Edition, pgs. 46-47. 76. Beaulieu PA (2018) A History of Babylon, pg. 35. 77. Kramer SN (1944) The Death of Gilgamesh. 78. Vogel H (2013) Death and Burial, pgs. 419-434. In ‘The Sumerian World’, edited by Crawford H. 79. Crawford H (2004) Sumer and the Sumerians, Second Edition, pgs. 135-136. 80. George AR (2003) The Babylonian Gilgamesh Epic, vol. 1, pgs. 12-17 81. The Death of Ur-Nammu (A), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, assessed 29th September 2022. etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/section2/tr2411.htm 82. Pedde F (2013) Burials in Uruk, pgs. 288-289. In ‘Uruk: First City of the Ancient World’. 83. Sumerian King List (SKL) entry on the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative, lines 112-118, assessed 29th September 2022. cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?CompositeNumber=Q000371 84. Charvát P (2002) Mesopotamia Before History, pg. 227. 85. Sürenhagen D (2002) Death in Mesopotamia: The 'Royal Tombs' of Ur Revisited. In ‘Of Pots and Plans : Papers on the Archaeology and History of Mesopotamia and Syria Presented to David Oates in Honour of His 75th Birthday’. 86. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pg. 38. 87. van de Mieroop M (2016) A History of the Ancient Near East, 3rd Edition, pg. 65-66. 88. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pg. 39-40. 89. Woolley CL (1950) Ur of the Chaldee, pgs. 51-103. 90. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 316, 340. 91. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 94, 316. 92. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 312, 316. 93. Marchesi G (2004) Who Was Buried in the Royal Tombs of Ur? The Epigraphic and Textual Data, pgs. 173-175. 94. Smith S (1928) Assyriological Notes, pgs. 864-868. 95. Böhl F (1930) Das Menschenopfer bei den alten Sumerern, pg 83-98. In ‘Zeitchrift für Assyriologie’. 96. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 49, 316. 97. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 116, 316.

  • @dgonthehill

    @dgonthehill

    Жыл бұрын

    wow interesting, thnx

  • @Zogerpogger

    @Zogerpogger

    Жыл бұрын

    Citing sources is just one of many factors that sets this channel above most others that make documentaries.

  • @nickwilliams2745

    @nickwilliams2745

    Жыл бұрын

    Wow I’ve written papers for classes with worse citation than your youtube videos and tbh it’s not even close

  • @flashmanfred

    @flashmanfred

    Жыл бұрын

    Bro this is what I'm talking about!!! Proper citations are soooo lacking in KZread history (and other subjects). Thank you for doing this!

  • @ObjectiveEthics

    @ObjectiveEthics

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your hard work. Your videos are both informative and compelling.

  • @Comuniity_
    @Comuniity_ Жыл бұрын

    I think the most important thing I learned is the sacred bond between a man and his barber dates back thousands and thousands of years

  • @maxdecphoenix

    @maxdecphoenix

    Жыл бұрын

    'barber' itself is one of the longer continually used words in Western Civilization. The root 'barb' has been in use since pre-roman latin into the modern age to describe 'hair'. The romans had a throwing weapon, officially called a plumbata, but was colloquially called martio(us)barbuli, or in English "Mar's Barb". A homage to the hair of Mars, god of war, being impossibly tough, sharp and able to kill men. The weapon, a metal spike featuring a gruesome counter-hook, with a bulbous weight on the other end, wasn't dissimilar from a hair with a folicle attached. This is where we derive barber, and also 'barb' as in barbed wire. Two otherwise completely unrelated concepts which owe a shared etymological root to a happenstances of roman paganism and militarism.

  • @KD400_

    @KD400_

    Жыл бұрын

    ​@@maxdecphoenix jeez my man ur very intelligent

  • @JTA1961

    @JTA1961

    Жыл бұрын

    The Barbery Pirates sink slow too...

  • @diskgrinder

    @diskgrinder

    11 ай бұрын

    Is that about the oldest joke?

  • @manueldumont3709

    @manueldumont3709

    10 ай бұрын

    ​@@maxdecphoenixIn fACT(CATh(olic)=SATh😈)...ALl oUR gRAmmAR🌞...is(os) STI(SITh😈)ll(al) in(os) ex(os)IST(SITh😈)en(os)ce(os)...is(os) pRI🌞mAR🌞ily(al) due(deu(s)=THEoS=SETH)...to THE(oS=SETH)>SUM🌞ERIA🌞ns . 🌞

  • @samaritan_sys
    @samaritan_sys Жыл бұрын

    History Time and Histocrat in the same week… I think I’m gonna cry with joy!

  • @JohnVance

    @JohnVance

    Жыл бұрын

    New Historia Civilis this week too! The trifecta!

  • @courtneywissler7983

    @courtneywissler7983

    Жыл бұрын

    They do this on purpose! I get two great docs in a couple days then I have to wait months.

  • @jojojacques810

    @jojojacques810

    Жыл бұрын

    All we need now is a new Fall Of Civilisations!! 👌🙏

  • @courtneywissler7983

    @courtneywissler7983

    Жыл бұрын

    @@jojojacques810 yeah you know!! My three favorite channels!

  • @thecollierreport

    @thecollierreport

    Жыл бұрын

    Exactly

  • @manosassassin
    @manosassassin Жыл бұрын

    Oh boy it's 2Am and the Histocrat just uploaded, there goes my sleep.

  • @PBunyanOx

    @PBunyanOx

    Жыл бұрын

    At least you'll know who was buried in the death pits of Ur

  • @davidsparks4826

    @davidsparks4826

    Жыл бұрын

    It’s 8 pm where I live. But all the same. 😂✌🏼🙏🏼Love and Respect

  • @chadjonesvii9369

    @chadjonesvii9369

    Жыл бұрын

    7:15PM in East Texas right now. We are all in different time zones. That's a wide ranging audience. 💯👍🏻

  • @alexandriasimms4842

    @alexandriasimms4842

    Жыл бұрын

    1.30am here in the UK

  • @johnrice1943

    @johnrice1943

    Жыл бұрын

    @@chadjonesvii9369 I'm in East Texas too!

  • @Zogerpogger
    @Zogerpogger Жыл бұрын

    What a treat! I love the Histocrats documentaries, as much like Stephen Milo's, they recreate the same sensation of curiosity and amazement I felt as a child when watching documentaries. The music, the pacing, the images used, all come together in a unique and brilliant way.

  • @BarryB.Benson

    @BarryB.Benson

    Жыл бұрын

    Couldn’t agree with you more!

  • @benmann1896

    @benmann1896

    Жыл бұрын

    I heard Stephen Milo on this video! Pretty sure he reads a quote at around 55 minutes.

  • @Essentia-Channel

    @Essentia-Channel

    Жыл бұрын

    @@benmann1896 Yep, I thought that too.

  • @paulm283

    @paulm283

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes these are quality my friend😊

  • @QuaaludeCharlie

    @QuaaludeCharlie

    Жыл бұрын

    $5.00

  • @philipmarx1819
    @philipmarx1819 Жыл бұрын

    The Royal Death Pits of Ur is a kickass name for metal band.

  • @rossbrook5919

    @rossbrook5919

    21 күн бұрын

    😂

  • @jourcontre-jour1286
    @jourcontre-jour1286 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for covering Ur I absolutely love their civilization

  • @helenamcginty4920

    @helenamcginty4920

    4 ай бұрын

    Ha! We had a text book at my secondary school called From Ur to Rome. Unfortunately our older teachers had degrees but no teacher training. (They must have been some of the 1st women to be allowed to take degrees in Britain then. ). They were rubbish teachers. Our history teacher being one of the worst. She wrote stuff, in italic script, on the board for us to copy into our books, in italic script and using dip pens (this in 1959/60). Homework involved copying maps and pictures ftom the text book. Why? Who knows. All I can recall about Ur from her lessons is that it was in mesopotamia and can still see that damn priest in his long skirt that we had to copy. I must have switched off as I recall nothing more of our 1st 2 years history lessons. 😅😢😅 Thank goodness for channels like this.

  • @thefritz123
    @thefritz123 Жыл бұрын

    The depth and and sincerity with which you explore and present this topic is impressive. Thank you, Sir.

  • @lostinsomevalley
    @lostinsomevalley Жыл бұрын

    Appreciate the incredible amount of time you put into this channel. Thanks mate.

  • @alfrednewman4496

    @alfrednewman4496

    Жыл бұрын

    You appreciate it yourself. You're not the boss of me. I'll appreciate the channel's time expenditure and level of dedication because I want to not because YOU told me to. smh.......some nerve .....bully! I know what's good and don't need......

  • @ian_b
    @ian_b Жыл бұрын

    One could get very confused discussing Early Ur, Earlier Ur, and it's founding condition, ur-Ur.

  • @toslo24
    @toslo249 ай бұрын

    I think it was a combination for the followers to be buried with their ruler - 1 the succeeding kings would get rid of any potential threats to their kingship and 2 the followers would avoid a loss of status and hence 'choose' to be buried with their ruler. I think it would have been difficult to force a solider to bury themselves unless they were halfway willing.

  • @Badficwriter

    @Badficwriter

    6 ай бұрын

    I agree. Human nature argues elaborate shows of power would continue, unless there was a particular reason for it. So the mass death was not a show of power by the deceased, but a symptom of a shift in power, I think. Which doesn't mean they weren't willing, completely, due to the near celebratory trappings. (We mustn't forget how willing death cults are to reach apotheosis) Poison is not as sure as people think, death can be long and sickening. Kneeling to accept a death blow after a hearty drink of wine isn't that much different from poisoning oneself.

  • @Zogerpogger
    @Zogerpogger Жыл бұрын

    Even though I wish the History of Britain series would get a new installment, I get the feeling the Histocrat gets curious and learns new things faster than he can make videos and thus ends up just making a video on what he is most interested in at the time or learned most recently. If this is the case I totally understand why there have been a few series that seem to be abandoned.

  • @TheHistocrat

    @TheHistocrat

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah basically. Also patrons vote on the topics so they control what gets made first.

  • @Zogerpogger

    @Zogerpogger

    Жыл бұрын

    @@TheHistocrat Makes sense about the Patrons, thanks for replying!

  • @justaskin8523

    @justaskin8523

    Жыл бұрын

    @@TheHistocrat You made me think of something. Even in ancient times, people had patrons. An artist with a single wealthy and generous patron could very well be elevated above his own blood and childhood associates. You might not even need to have been a "good" artist; just one that has somebody like you and give you money...or whatever passed for wealth of the time. Maybe you were paid in sheep or water buffalo meat. Once your belly was full, you could trade the remainder for whatever your heart desired. Gold, pomegranates, figs, a nice daggar, a good pair of shoes or maybe undergarments that kept some of the sand out of (ahem) "places". Or maybe a dowry for that cute little chica you noticed when she was drawing water one morning. Or even a nice grave, complete with set-pieces appearing to be strong young men and women. Nevermind the holes in the backs of their skulls, lol! 🤔

  • @robinanders3954

    @robinanders3954

    Жыл бұрын

    Or he found out info so damning and unbelievable he decided not to share it...maybe

  • @ChristinaFromYoutube

    @ChristinaFromYoutube

    9 ай бұрын

    ​​@@justaskin8523or you were a teenager and had to sell tail to those rich old men for the privilege of focusing on your art. You give these ancient predators too much credit.

  • @The_Reality_Filter
    @The_Reality_Filter Жыл бұрын

    Your content is always of such a high standard and often concentrates on lesser explored topics. Kudos to you sir and may the algorithm bless you...

  • @remainselusive1
    @remainselusive1 Жыл бұрын

    You had me at Death Pits.

  • @Daniel-sf2te
    @Daniel-sf2te Жыл бұрын

    I got to see some of the artifacts at the Penn Museum, and I am so happy to find this video to learn more about this topic. It is such an interesting site

  • @JustSpectre
    @JustSpectre Жыл бұрын

    The best video on this topic I have ever seen. Very well researched, exceptionally narrated, comprehensively presented. You have my honest thanks.

  • @gregkosinski2303

    @gregkosinski2303

    Жыл бұрын

    Any relation to the race traitor?

  • @ie1961
    @ie19612 ай бұрын

    My sincere thanks for this presentation.

  • @anasevi9456
    @anasevi9456 Жыл бұрын

    Incredible video, thank you so much and I hope your Docos are appreciated for decades.

  • @johnqpublic2718
    @johnqpublic2718 Жыл бұрын

    You're incredibly good at what you do, Histocrat.

  • @sgilbert5753
    @sgilbert5753 Жыл бұрын

    The royal cemetery at Ur's communal burial seems to suggest a less than peaceful change in overlordship, or perhaps dynasty; in that the surviving defeated were honoring their revered killed, perhaps during an overrun or post-victory executions.

  • @bluegum6438

    @bluegum6438

    10 ай бұрын

    It suggests either execution or religious sacrifice to me. I would not be surprised if it was tradition to have the court of a previous monarch summarily executed, it makes a grim kind of sense - your courtiers can't plot your demise and in fact will actively try to keep you alive, while future rulers have the uncertainty and treachery of navigating an established political structure wiped away. The respect shown to the corpses and the merciful method of execution indicates that their deaths were considered regrettably necessary for one reason or another. Very interesting to think about.

  • @russell2910

    @russell2910

    6 күн бұрын

    ​@bluegum6yes, much as trump wants to get rid of the deep state.😊

  • @dbartholemewfox
    @dbartholemewfox Жыл бұрын

    1:16:23 This poem probably references the rebellion of Ur (lead by Lugal-ane) against Sargon. Thus Enheduana is appealing to the goddess Ishtar (and others) to slay the supporters of Nanna (the patron god of Ur) because of Ur's rebellion against her father. Enheduana was actually high priestess at the Temple of Nanna (in Ur) at the time. After this incident Enheduana seems to have switched allegiances to the goddess Ishtar (aka Inanna), only writing poems for her, instead of the moon god Nanna. The idea that the poem is referencing a ritual mass funeral is pretty nonsensical if you read the entire poem. A more modern translation of the same lines (by Jeremy Black) make this clear: "In the place of divine encouragement, what is my standing now? May An extradite the land which is a malevolent rebel against your Nanna! May An smash that city! May Enlil curse it! May its plaintive child not be placated by his mother!" In this translation it's clear that Enheduanna is cursing the city Ur despite her close relationship to its patron god Nanna.

  • @TERMICOBRA
    @TERMICOBRA Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for being an educator. Your teaching style successfully transfers profound facts as you wrap them in well defined theories so we don't confuse the two.

  • @fuferito
    @fuferito Жыл бұрын

    Very glad to have heard Stephan Milo's contribution as one of your readers.

  • @Imperiused
    @Imperiused Жыл бұрын

    Listened and watched while I was cleaning. These videos are truly a treasure. The research, the images, the narration... I could never not recommend this channel. You're criminally underwatched!

  • @massimosquecco8956
    @massimosquecco8956 Жыл бұрын

    Great report, Sir, I m grateful for your accurate work in making this video...

  • @user-sk8sm8no3b
    @user-sk8sm8no3b11 ай бұрын

    Great work! I am absolutely in awe with the content you create and I look forward to spend many more hours listening to you. Plus I am always happy to hear anyone mentioning Dr. Finkel, he is an astonishing man, who deserves even more attention.

  • @cattymajiv

    @cattymajiv

    6 ай бұрын

    Dr Irving Finkel is indeed a treasure for humanity.

  • @ThatLadyBird
    @ThatLadyBird Жыл бұрын

    This was an amazing video...as always. Counting the days till the next.

  • @immortal5383
    @immortal5383 Жыл бұрын

    The quality of these are appreciated. Keep it up.

  • @mumblingmercian3386
    @mumblingmercian3386 Жыл бұрын

    Coming in clutch with another great video.

  • @Guydude777
    @Guydude777 Жыл бұрын

    Stellar content. Thanks a ton Histocrat.

  • @AtunSheiFilms
    @AtunSheiFilms Жыл бұрын

    Amazing work as always.

  • @klaatoris
    @klaatoris Жыл бұрын

    Great stuff. But I am curious about the "fashion sense" of the Sumerians. It seems to me like nearly all the ancient peoples of this region, from the Akkadians down to the Persians, liked to portray their rulers with big, long, well groomed beards. On the Standard of Ur, however, everyone from the defeated soldiers to the king are clean shaven and bald or short haired. Did the Sumerians have distinctly different aesthetic ideals from the other ones?

  • @guird4

    @guird4

    9 ай бұрын

    I remember reading that the sumerians were very different from their neighbors in many respects - their language for instance is assumed to be from a different language family than the others. Where I read this, they suggested that the sumerians had been forced to move inland by an advancing persian gulf.

  • @cattymajiv

    @cattymajiv

    6 ай бұрын

    @@guird4 It's not just suggested, their language was a different one, unrelated to any other known today. This has been proven by the Assyriologists who study the tablets and Linguists who study ancient languages. Dr Irving Finkel of the British Museum, where most of the tablets are kept, and who studies them, has said that in several of his fascinating (and humorous) lectures.

  • @Badficwriter

    @Badficwriter

    6 ай бұрын

    Perhaps they shaved at different stages of the year? We know wigs and false beards were a thing in Egypt, but those things could get very dirty and insect ridden in a swampy area.

  • @maxthepaladin2147
    @maxthepaladin2147 Жыл бұрын

    Always nice to learn more about Sumerians and other ancient cultures of that region

  • @otilium7503
    @otilium7503 Жыл бұрын

    Beautifully done, thank you!

  • @lindaschubert5459
    @lindaschubert545913 күн бұрын

    Thanks for a superb narration on Ur. I'd like to hear more information on this topic.

  • @mungomidge1090
    @mungomidge10909 ай бұрын

    Loved this, very informative and entertaining.

  • @Riley-uy5pe
    @Riley-uy5pe Жыл бұрын

    love it when one of the fav history tubes uploads a nice fat video essay for all our enjoyment 😌🧡

  • @jimborca
    @jimborca5 ай бұрын

    I love putting these on at night and just drift away while learning about history. Thank you😊

  • @vanguze
    @vanguze Жыл бұрын

    Thank you. Truly fascinating.

  • @markberman6708
    @markberman6708 Жыл бұрын

    I've been all over this site. Mesmerizing and ancient, you can feel it.

  • @rc1800
    @rc1800 Жыл бұрын

    Yessss!! I just started getting into learning about Sumerian history as well :)

  • @SamtheIrishexan
    @SamtheIrishexan Жыл бұрын

    I always wonder how cool it would be to get DNA from these ancient burials, and then to see if any descendents of those first kings and queens still live. Imagine taking an ancestry DNA kit and finding out you are a direct descendent of the God kings of Mesopotamia

  • @yaldabaoth2

    @yaldabaoth2

    Жыл бұрын

    After so many generations, there will hardly be anyone who is not a descendant of them. That's why dna ancestry is a joke.

  • @martijn9568

    @martijn9568

    Жыл бұрын

    I'd probably first figure out if the buried persons were male or female using DNA. As far as I'm aware, archaeologists have been known to make mistakes in figuring out the sex of a deceased due to relaying too much on grave goods and ignoring the specific bone anatomy.

  • @cattymajiv

    @cattymajiv

    6 ай бұрын

    Their descendents are alive and well in Iraq and elsewhere, but their DNA, like all of ours, has been mixed with many different kinds over the years.

  • @josesbox9555

    @josesbox9555

    4 ай бұрын

    I would demand tribute 😊

  • @cometnight0

    @cometnight0

    4 ай бұрын

    After a long enough time, there are no direct descendants. This is because the DNA of that specific person would become diluted into the greater whole. A modern person can claim some loose relation, but that's about it.

  • @metalman7791
    @metalman7791 Жыл бұрын

    Excited about this one!

  • @VivaAlecto
    @VivaAlecto Жыл бұрын

    oh thank you this is exactly what I needed

  • @fredericpaes7288
    @fredericpaes7288 Жыл бұрын

    thank you for one more great video

  • @fishofthepeople
    @fishofthepeople Жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Sir. It's been a sad time waiting for you to post another precious piece of knowledge.

  • @hughgrection7246
    @hughgrection7246 Жыл бұрын

    "The Royal Death Pits of Ur" sounds like a Dethklok album title . Tell me I'm wrong .

  • @knsio
    @knsio Жыл бұрын

    Love these videos! The interesting content and absence of random, distracting audio combine to make for perfect wind down videos. Thanks!

  • @debztully1339
    @debztully1339 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the content!

  • @Primetiime32
    @Primetiime32 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the upload

  • @mattthai7378
    @mattthai7378 Жыл бұрын

    These are so much better than the podcast format. A lot more work, I'm sure, but so worth it. Thank you! ❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️

  • @joshhale7004
    @joshhale7004 Жыл бұрын

    this is excellent. Thank you so much Charles.

  • @HoH
    @HoH Жыл бұрын

    Incredibly interesting!

  • @biedl86
    @biedl86 Жыл бұрын

    The quality of the content on this channel is exceptional. Great video!

  • @vanzikky
    @vanzikky Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this quiet (no hectic cuts, no dramatic music) and informative video.

  • @johnnzboy
    @johnnzboy Жыл бұрын

    Super interesting, your level of research does you credit. For future reference, keep in mind that, in Italian, 'ch' is pronounced like 'k' (e.g. Pinocchio) , so (Gianni) Marchesi is pronounced 'mar-kay-see' :)

  • @King_king880
    @King_king880 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your rich knowledge in History and mythology.

  • @reedreamer9518
    @reedreamer95187 ай бұрын

    I have to give The Histocrat credit for filling in much of the commonly left out details of these found artifacts, which tell an essential part of the history. Such as, the order and condition of the artifacts as they were revealed in the digs, as well as the preservation and reconstruction.

  • @fisticuffsmate
    @fisticuffsmate Жыл бұрын

    you post some of my favorite videos on youtube, i really do appreciate what you do!

  • @cattymajiv
    @cattymajiv6 ай бұрын

    As well as making great videos like this, I love the fact that you very obviously delete all the comments by the wingnuts. It's SUCH a huge relief to know that I won't have to try to dig through mountains of garbage about aliens, conspiracies by everyone with a degree, and other craziness, just to find the interesting comments! So what remains here are all the interesting ones! BRAVO to you on SO many levels! ❤❤❤

  • @Angayasse
    @Angayasse Жыл бұрын

    A perfect treat - thank you so much for this work, this is extremely interesting!

  • @WitchyWhispersASMR
    @WitchyWhispersASMR Жыл бұрын

    Watch out, y’all, there’s a new histocrat video! My Friday night is about to get LIT 🎉

  • @cyclingbrad4201
    @cyclingbrad4201 Жыл бұрын

    Impressive presentation and narration!

  • @jameswoodard4304
    @jameswoodard43049 ай бұрын

    The following seem likely to me: 1. As it was the older office, Enship would likely continue for some time to hold a higher degree of ritualistic prestige, even during and after the rise of the Lugalship. 2. There is little or no understanding of any kind of distinction between religious ritual and official banquet or procession. Feasts and processions would have been exactly within the realm of "priestly" duties. Though Lugals seem to have accumulated more and more priestly authority over time. 3. The terms "king/queen" almost certainly taint and bias our understanding of the social structures of earliest Mesopotamia. The city-states were not primarily population and commercial centers governed by a political elite. The were primarily temple compounds ruled over by a religious elite. Cities were founded around the monumental temples and most of the populace governed from the city lived outside the city complex itself. These were temple cities that had some residents, not population centers that had temples. The Lugal (chief, great-man) role came to prominance seemingly via the need for military leadership. They represented the god and people as regarding military might. He would grow over time to be a ruler in a broader sense that later eclipsed the old Enship. But it is not unreasonable to expect a Lugal to not have the same high ritual treatment as an En at this time. Our expectation of "most treasure and biggest burial = monarch" is biased by later Euro-centric expectations and on the role of the Egyptian Pharaoh which had already long combined the roles of war-leader and priestly mediator by the time we generally think of Egyptian "kingship." 4. It is far from unprecedented for a culture to have a "war-chief" who served apart from and at a disadvantage of prestige alongside a figure or institution representing spiritual/traditional/ritual authority. The Chief of many North American native cultures was authoritative only in the execution of warfare, and that by example and venerable concensus rather than authoritative command. It was often other authorities such as councils of elders who held more soveriegn "constitutional" authority based on their wisdom and access to vast traditional knowledge. So for us to automatically equate ultimate ritualized respect and honor with "king-ship" or "Chiefdom," is ad hoc and culturally biased. I think it likely that these more elaborate burials represent those in the office of En rather than Lugal, though it is likely that these twin, often-hereditary, positions were closely bound socially and geneologically among elite families in a given city. This is particularly the case as En-priestesses in Ur tended to be daughters of "kings." So the "royal/priestly" dichotomy is somewhat false. The entire burial ground was likely reserved for the broad family(ies) of elites that included both En and Lugal, as well as their important shared relatives. The distinction then is in the ritual form of the burials with En being given elaborate and ritualized burials while their Lugal kin (who may have even had more practical power in life) were buried in less elaborate, though still sumptuous, conditions. Thus the entire grounds would be the "royal" burial grounds if we take the interrelated En and Lugal roles as both being of a "royal" nature.

  • @dubsar
    @dubsar Жыл бұрын

    Thank you. This is excellent.

  • @jameswoodard4304
    @jameswoodard43049 ай бұрын

    Interestingly, after watching this, I looked up the writings attributed to Enheduanna (but may be much older and back-attributed). At the beginning of one of her long hymns to Inanna, and which stresses Inanna's role as the obtainer of the divine mes or powers, she refers to the goddess as "Mistress of heaven, with the great diadem, who loves the good headdress befitting the office of en priestess, who has seized all seven of its divine powers." The en priestess of Inanna in Ur would have had a distinct headdress. The headdress of Puabi mentioned in this video features seven prominent star/floral figures rising out of it. The only real evidence for calling her "Queen" Puabi is her apparent wealth and social standing. But to automatically connect this with Lugalship over Enship is largely ad hoc.

  • @js1423
    @js1423 Жыл бұрын

    Keep up the good work!

  • @devinsmith4790
    @devinsmith4790 Жыл бұрын

    The Sumerians are a interesting ancient culture.

  • @lindanorris2455

    @lindanorris2455

    Жыл бұрын

    and gorgeous jewlery!

  • @robinanders3954

    @robinanders3954

    Жыл бұрын

    Especially when you research and find all ancient cultures worshiped the same so called "gods" just by different names. These same fallen angels who rebelled against GOD and choose to be worshiped as "gods" here on earth rather than serve their CREATOR and follow HIS rules. And this same ruling class of these same ancient fallen angel bloodlines worship the same so called "gods" as they did way back then. The ancient rebellion against GOD goes on to this day. That rebellion is almost over tho. Judgement is due and is coming soon.

  • @janewright315

    @janewright315

    11 ай бұрын

    ​@@robinanders3954 just stop

  • @valkoroska2369

    @valkoroska2369

    6 ай бұрын

    @@robinanders3954 right dude. say that to these dudes who make your religion religion as young as a baby in comparison.

  • @billballbuster7186
    @billballbuster7186 Жыл бұрын

    Very interesting presentation, thank you.

  • @bonifaciodachuva
    @bonifaciodachuva11 ай бұрын

    The fineness of their craftmanship is astounding; no wonder they would treasure it so much.

  • @darrencorrigan8505
    @darrencorrigan85056 ай бұрын

    Thanks, Histocrat.

  • @cocalicoman
    @cocalicoman Жыл бұрын

    Gusto Rat and Historian Civilis upload on the same day. Early Christmas gift

  • @rugosetexture2716
    @rugosetexture2716 Жыл бұрын

    Fascinating subject, beautifully presented. Thank you!

  • @michaelhead7483
    @michaelhead74837 ай бұрын

    This is for the algorithm so you reach a larger audience . Great vid

  • @burntbiscuit6438
    @burntbiscuit6438 Жыл бұрын

    I got a mate that tells me bedtime stories a million miles away

  • @almosrogacs8956
    @almosrogacs8956 Жыл бұрын

    Such a great video

  • @carriekelly4186
    @carriekelly41868 ай бұрын

    Thank you so much for sharing this fascinating history of civilization's first largest city. Yes most likely priest figures for the early Mesopotamian Deities...the most interesting being the last..possibly grandaughter or daughter of Sargon? First very profound writers that we have a pen name to her writing. Morgan gallery has an incredible large exhibit of female Mesopotamian writers,poets,artwork and portraits thereof. Just mindblowing as how much i could relate to an artist of some four thousand years ago. Absolutely beautiful. Enheduanna. Her writing and this exhibit is a must for those interested.

  • @Zogerpogger
    @Zogerpogger Жыл бұрын

    For some reason I feel the urge to comment a funny thing that happened, even though it is not at all relevant to this video. In The Histocrat Q&A you said you recommended any History channel except M. Laser History, being the fool I am, I took that at face value. I was conflicted wondering why one of my favorite History youtubers did not recommend another of my favorite History KZreadrs! Then I saw an M. Laser comment saying to avoid your channel, I was baffled. When I asked for an explanation M. Laser informed me politely that it was a joke. I faceplamed hard, ashamed at my own thick-headedness. Thus ended my poor humorless torment. However I am now curious what your thoughts on TIK are, as M. Laser does not recommend (though I can guess why).

  • @OmarJano
    @OmarJano Жыл бұрын

    I love to splurge on random history videos like these when I drink. Thanks for the awesome content! New sub.

  • @interstellarconveyance4865
    @interstellarconveyance4865 Жыл бұрын

    Any thoughts about the current national policies regarding preservation of these artifacts? Every now and then there are rumors of government officials looting museums, and or shutting museums down and "moving collections for protection", sadly the United States has a non interest policy which eliminates any scientific cooperation between our two countries. Thank you for an amazing and beautiful presentation into this ancient world.

  • @silentone11111111
    @silentone111111118 ай бұрын

    Better than history channel by far. Great work.

  • @arvydas0069
    @arvydas0069 Жыл бұрын

    I got to walk on top of the ziggurat and walk around at will. It’s hard to imagine all those things were buried underneath, the site was in disrepair. It’s sorta in middle of nowhere now, outside Nasiriyah

  • @SacredDreamer

    @SacredDreamer

    8 ай бұрын

    😲 AMAZINGLY Lucky

  • @arvydas0069

    @arvydas0069

    8 ай бұрын

    @@SacredDreamer There's no gate around it, no security, although there was a large airbase called Talil Airbase, which I used to run armed security out of for American Civilians and Military engineers. I accompanied the American US Army Colonel in charge of rebuilding Iraq, Colonel Jon Christensen, around the Ziggurat and complex next door. Walked beneath one of the oldest non-restored standing arches in the world on that site, which was very cool. Luckily, only Saddam had ruined the site, by, incomprehensibly, building on top of the ruins to restore its original shape. The result was that it took a bit of knowledge of history and some photos to aim for the original structure. There were loads of cast off clay pot pieces of unknown age. I'm willing to bet they were from University of Pennsylvania researches and such from around a century or more ago, not from any ancient settlement.

  • @elcesar999
    @elcesar999 Жыл бұрын

    The older the better and nothing older than Summer thanks my guy

  • @iwxw8437

    @iwxw8437

    7 ай бұрын

    Baal bek is older than sumer

  • @williamgorden6390
    @williamgorden6390 Жыл бұрын

    Very instructive, and thorough. Thank you. The rhythmic nature of the narration however soon became disagreeable.

  • @danielfouardlibertarianono8017
    @danielfouardlibertarianono8017 Жыл бұрын

    Through all the research and podcasts I've listened to about mesopotamia and ur this is the first I've ever heard of the cemetery and it's contents.

  • @karsaorlong3761
    @karsaorlong3761 Жыл бұрын

    sick, i gave it a like instantly, thank you good sir

  • @jonwashburn7999
    @jonwashburn7999 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks. This was interesting.

  • @evankimori
    @evankimori Жыл бұрын

    Today is really overcast and really quiet with a drizzle of rain. I've got a long drive ahead of me this morning and I'm lucky enough to have the Histocrat in my ears today. Thanks for making today great!

  • @michaeljoiner2503
    @michaeljoiner2503 Жыл бұрын

    Lovely, thank you

  • @buttercxpdraws8101
    @buttercxpdraws8101 Жыл бұрын

    Love this ❤ And a special voice cameo from young Stefan Milo. Glorious 👏

  • @thefisherking78
    @thefisherking78 Жыл бұрын

    Wow. Good stuff

  • @straightfrom
    @straightfrom Жыл бұрын

    This video is fantastic

  • @waynemahler2455
    @waynemahler2455 Жыл бұрын

    Fascinating!

  • @sueamos3860
    @sueamos3860 Жыл бұрын

    Very interesting indeed thank you

  • @secondamendment
    @secondamendment Жыл бұрын

    Very interesting, thank you

  • @jwolpert1310
    @jwolpert1310 Жыл бұрын

    Great documentary! My daughter and I love the game of 20 square's and Dr. Finkels rules!

  • @thesaints-7-andrew.
    @thesaints-7-andrew. Жыл бұрын

    Watching from Greece.hi everybody. Great documentary.

  • @Krommer1000
    @Krommer1000 Жыл бұрын

    Great video on a fascinating subject. Thank you.

  • @ficklefingeroffate
    @ficklefingeroffate Жыл бұрын

    Thank you sir! My Friday night is complete!

  • @ruthmusser4449
    @ruthmusser44499 ай бұрын

    I loved this. Shows how people always exalted others. Still today.