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The Nine Muses of Greek Mythology
The Nine Muses of Greek mythology were divine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (Memory), revered as patrons of poetry, song, history, and the arts. Early Greek tradition sometimes spoke of an earlier triad—Mneme (Memory), Melete (Practice...
Definition
Sargon of Akkad - From Gardener to King of the Four Corners of the World
Sargon of Akkad (reign 2334-2279 BCE) was the king of the Akkadian Empire of Mesopotamia, the first multinational empire in history, who united the disparate kingdoms of the region under a central authority. He is equally famous today as...
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Dogs & Their Collars in Ancient Mesopotamia - Man's Best Friend in the Ancient Near East
Among the many contributions to world culture credited to Mesopotamia is an object so familiar to people in the modern world that few pause to consider its origin: the dog collar. Throughout the ancient world, from China to Rome, dogs are...
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The Iraq Museum & Three Wars: Three Steps from Hell
This article documents and elaborates on the many critical behind-the-scenes events, unknown to the public, before the history leaves us. The author The bulk of the “the land between the two rivers” lies in what we call today the Republic...
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Interview with Garry Shaw - Egyptian Mythology Travel Guide
Join World History Encyclopedia as they talk to Garry Shaw, an Egyptologist and author of a brand new book Egyptian Mythology: A Travelers Guide From Aswan to Alexandria. Garry's book on Egyptian mythology starts with a journey beginning...
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Egyptian Mythology: a Traveller's Guide from Aswan to Alexandria
Egyptian Mythology: a Traveller's Guide from Aswan to Alexandria book cover.
© Thames & Hudson
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Naram-Sin - The God-King of Akkad
Naram-Sin (reign 2254-2218 BCE) was the last great king of the Akkadian Empire and the grandson of Sargon the Great (reign 2334-2279 BCE), who founded the empire. He is considered the most important Akkadian king after Sargon (or, according...
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Mesopotamian Amulet Against Ghosts
Stone inscribed with an incantation that has 7 signs, repeated 7 times. It is much worn through use. From Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq, c. 800-550 BCE.
The British Museum, London.
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Thor the God of Thunder in Norse Mythology
Thor, the god of the sky, thunder and agriculture in Norse Mythology, is best known today from his depiction as a superhero in graphic novels and movies which draw on his role in tales from Norse Mythology. He developed from an older Germanic...
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Sumerians - Inventors of Civilization
The Sumerians were the people of southern Mesopotamia (modern-day southern Iraq) whose civilization flourished between circa 4000 and 1750 BCE. Their name comes from the region, which is frequently – and incorrectly – referred to as a "country."...