After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal Episode Summary: Dark Side of Ancient Mesopotamia Release Date: June 12, 2025
Hosts: Anthony Delaney & Maddy Pelling
Guest: Professor Amanda Podani, California State Polytechnic
Knowledge Cutoff: October 2023

Introduction

In the episode titled "Dark Side of Ancient Mesopotamia," hosts Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling delve into the shadowy aspects of one of history's earliest civilizations. Joined by Professor Amanda Podani, an esteemed historian and author, the discussion unravels the complexities of ancient Mesopotamian society, exploring themes of law, religion, death practices, and the enigmatic rituals that reveal the darker facets of this cradle of civilization.

Setting the Scene: The Bustling Cities of Mesopotamia

Amanda Podani sets the historical context by describing Mesopotamia around the 18th century BCE, emphasizing its status as a well-established urban civilization with thriving cities like Ur. She highlights the advanced state of daily life, extensive trade networks, and the prolific use of cuneiform writing, which provides a wealth of information about the era.

“Mesopotamia had cities... it was a very well-established place with a writing system... we have so much more about daily life and about average people.”
(05:30)

Anthony Delaney underscores the remarkable longevity of Mesopotamian civilization, noting that its span surpasses the entirety of human history since its decline.

“There were more years in which the Mesopotamian civilization thrived than there have been years since its end.”
(09:19)

Legal Systems and Early True Crime: The Case of Luannana

One of the episode's focal points is the ancient Mesopotamian legal system, illustrated through the intriguing court case of Luannana, a priest accused of murder.

Amanda Podani explains how Mesopotamians meticulously documented legal proceedings on clay tablets, allowing modern scholars to analyze intricate details of their judicial practices.

“Clay is pretty indestructible... half a million cuneiform tablets have survived.”
(18:08)

She recounts the trial where Luannana was accused by men in the assembly due to his wife's suspicious silence following his murder. The case highlights the communal involvement in justice and the societal expectations of behavior in times of tragedy.

“They brought this to the assembly, and six men stood up... they must have hired these men to kill her husband.”
(15:14)

Anthony Delaney reflects on the parallels between ancient and modern fascination with true crime, emphasizing that the Morbid curiosity about such cases is not a contemporary phenomenon.

Judicial Practices vs. The River Ordeal

The discussion contrasts the formal legal proceedings with more mystical practices like the River Ordeal, where divine intervention was sought in unsolvable cases.

Amanda Podani details how the River Ordeal involved subjects undergoing a literal test by the gods to determine innocence or guilt, particularly in cases lacking evidence or witnesses.

“If they survived, they were innocent, and if they died, then the gods had taken care of the punishment.”
(22:54)

She further explains that the rarity of swimming at the time made the ordeal a formidable challenge, deterring individuals from attempting to manipulate the outcome.

“They were surprised by how they preserved the bodies and made a tableau in the tomb.”
(25:27)

Funeral Rites and the Great Death Pit

A significant segment of the episode explores Mesopotamian funeral practices, with a deep dive into the mysterious Great Death Pit discovered by archaeologist Sir Leonard Woolley.

Amanda Podani describes the burial site where numerous attendants were found murdered and arranged meticulously within the tomb, suggesting ritualistic sacrifices intended to serve the deceased in the afterlife.

“These tombs are extraordinary... the great death pit... seems to have no king or queen, just a whole lot of dead people.”
(26:13)

She notes recent findings indicating that many of these attendants were killed violently, challenging earlier assumptions of voluntary sacrifice.

“They were bashed in the head... taking what were already dead bodies and making a tableau with them.”
(30:13)

Substitute Kings: A Ritual of Paranoia and Power

The concept of Substitute Kings is examined as a manifestation of royal paranoia and religious obligation, particularly through the reign of Esarhaddon in the 7th century BCE.

Amanda Podani explains how powerful kings like Esarhaddon appointed temporary rulers to divert divine wrath without jeopardizing their rule. These substitutes were meticulously prepared, treated as real kings, and later executed to preserve the actual king's position.

“Everyone had to act as though it was real. Otherwise, the gods would know you were trying to fool them.”
(41:23)

This practice underscores the intertwining of governance, religion, and personal survival in Mesopotamian leadership.

Belief Systems and the Absence of Disbelief

A profound topic discussed is the inherent belief in gods within Mesopotamian society and the apparent absence of skepticism or disbelief.

Amanda Podani posits that questioning the gods was inconceivable for Mesopotamians, as their understanding of the natural world was intrinsically linked to divine influence.

“They had no way of rejecting it... atheism hadn't developed.”
(47:31)

She cites the text "Ludlow Nimeki" as evidence of individuals grappling with divine justice without ever doubting the gods' existence.

“He just keeps on praying harder and harder... he never goes, you know, I don't believe in these gods.”
(51:29)

Societal Structure and the Role of Women

The episode also highlights the nuanced role of women in Mesopotamian society, challenging modern perceptions of ancient patriarchy.

Amanda Podani reveals that women, particularly priestesses and queens, held significant power and rights, including legal representation and property ownership.

“They could represent themselves in court, they could sue someone, take them to court... they had surprising numbers of rights.”
(41:23)

This aspect provides a more balanced view of gender dynamics in ancient Mesopotamia.

Conclusion

The "Dark Side of Ancient Mesopotamia" episode offers a compelling exploration of the complexities and contradictions within one of history's earliest civilizations. Through Professor Amanda Podani's expertise, listeners gain insight into the societal structures, legal systems, and deeply ingrained belief systems that shaped Mesopotamian life. The episode not only uncovers the darker rituals and practices but also highlights the enduring human themes of justice, power, and the quest for understanding in the face of the unknown.

Notable Quotes:

• “There were more years in which the Mesopotamian civilization thrived than there have been years since its end.” — Amanda Podani (09:19)

• “They could represent themselves in court, they could sue someone, take them to court... they had surprising numbers of rights.” — Amanda Podani (41:23)

• “They had no way of rejecting it... atheism hadn't developed.” — Amanda Podani (47:31)

Further Exploration

For listeners intrigued by this deep dive into ancient history, the episode recommends "The Ancients with Tristan Hughes," a podcast series offering extensive explorations into various facets of early civilizations, including a much-lauded miniseries on the fall of Rome.

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