Babylon's Epic of Creation
The Ancients23 Jan 2025

Babylon's Epic of Creation

The biblical story of creation is famous - but did you know an even older myth may have influenced it? Enter the Enuma Elish, Babylon’s own Epic of Creation.


In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes and Dr. Sophus Helle, a leading expert on ancient Mesopotamian literature, explore this ancient text - an epic tale that glorifies Marduk, Babylon’s supreme god, and tells of how he shaped the cosmos from chaos. It is a myth that placed Babylon at the centre of the universe and shines a light on Babylonian attitudes to power and belief. Indeed, it may well have shaped the Book of Genesis itself...


To take a further look at Sophus's translation of Enuma Elish click here


Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight.

The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.


The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.


Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.


You can take part in our listener survey here:

https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(607)

The Khmer Empire: Angkor Wat

The Khmer Empire: Angkor Wat

How did Indian culture shape the wonders of Southeast Asia?Tristan Hughes is joined by William Dalrymple to explore the fascinating first millennium AD, from vibrant trade dynamics with the Roman Empi...

30 Nov 202537min

The World's Oldest Letters

The World's Oldest Letters

What do the world’s first letters reveal about life in the Bronze Age?Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Amanda Podany to uncover the remarkable written culture of ancient Mesopotamia, when clay tablets c...

27 Nov 202555min

Emperor Tiberius: Monster or Misunderstood?

Emperor Tiberius: Monster or Misunderstood?

*WARNING: This podcast contains adult themes and discussion of paedophilia*A brilliant general. A brooding autocrat. A recluse surrounded by scandal. Few Roman emperors divide opinion like Tiberius. B...

23 Nov 202553min

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism

A faith born in the distant prehistoric past, rooted in ancient Iranian texts over 4,000 years old, Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest living religions. and one that shaped empires.In this ep...

20 Nov 20251h

Decline & Fall of the Ancient World

Decline & Fall of the Ancient World

Tristan Hughes invites Matt Lewis, host The Ancients's sister podcast Gone Medieval, for a lively debate with about the blurred boundary between the ancient and medieval worlds. Can Tristan champion R...

16 Nov 202546min

Roman Toilets

Roman Toilets

They built roads, aqueducts, and bathhouses but what about toilets?Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Hannah Platts, to uncover the surprisingly fascinating world of Roman toilets, faeces and sewers. From...

13 Nov 20251h 3min

The Ancients Recommends: History Daily

The Ancients Recommends: History Daily

Today in this bonus episode Tristan introduces us to History Daily podcast, where host Lindsay Graham takes us back in time to explore a momentous event that happened ‘on this day’ in history.Whether ...

11 Nov 202532min

Antony and Cleopatra

Antony and Cleopatra

Rome. Egypt. Love. War. Over 2,000 years ago, the fates of two ancient worlds collided in one of history’s most legendary love stories: Antony and Cleopatra.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hu...

9 Nov 202553min

Populært innen Historie

rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
rss-katastrofe
henrettelsespodden
historier-som-endret-norge
historier-som-endret-verden
rss-benadet
aftenposten-historie
rss-nadelose-nordmenn-gestapo
med-egne-oyne
historiepodden
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
rss-frontkjemperne
sektledere
rss-historiske-romanser-svik-drap-og-kjarlighet
rss-gamle-greier
liberal-halvtime
taakeprat
vare-historier
virkelig-grusomt
rss-politisk-preik