SASA Master Class: The Sources of Evil: Monsters and Demons in Ancient Mesopotamia

Have you ever wondered how ancient people viewed and treated chaos and misfortune in their society and life? Today we are more than used to looking at these events through the lenses of science and social relationships. But in the mind of the ancient Mesopotamians, the sources of chaos and misfortune are purely supernatural––they are caused by monsters and demons. So what do they look like? What are their purposes to harm the society and human beings? Is there any way to get rid of them? In this Master Class, we will examine the archaeological and documentary materials related to the sources of evil to gain a better understanding of monsters and demons in the ancient world. Through the study of ancient artifacts (amulets, guardian statues, and tools of exorcism) and texts (myths, incantations, and medical diagnosis), we will dive deep into the ancient Mesopotamian perspectives and treatments to deal…