The Center for Ancient Studies will host “Telling Mesopotamian History: Bringing to Life the Stories of Cuneiform Writing,” the Ranieri Colloquium on Ancient Studies, on Thurs., Oct. 22 and Fri., Oct. 23.
New York University’s Center for Ancient Studies will host “Telling Mesopotamian History: Bringing to Life the Stories of Cuneiform Writing,” the Ranieri Colloquium on Ancient Studies, on Thurs., Oct. 22 and Fri., Oct. 23 in NYU’s Hemmerdinger Hall, Silver Center for Arts and Science, 100 Washington Square East (enter at 32 Waverly Place or 31 Washington Place [wheelchair accessible]).
The conference will be held in honor of Jack Sasson, a professor at Vanderbilt University whose work has focused on two disciplines: Assyriology, specializing on the archives found at the Middle Euphrates town of Mari in Syria, and Hebrew Scripture, with interest on its narrative prose.
This event will bring together nine scholars to “tell” Mesopotamian history through the medium of the story. Participants include a range of scholars drawn together by friendship with Sasson, who has for more than 40 years been one of the most prominent and important figures in ancient Near Eastern studies. The speakers will join with Sasson in presenting a wealth of ancient Mesopotamian history as compelling stories and commentary.
The conference is presented by the NYU Center for Ancient Studies in conjunction with the Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, the Dean of the College of Arts and Science, and Vanderbilt University and The Vanderbilt Divinity School.
The event is free and open to the public, which may call 212.992.7978 or email ancient.studies@nyu.edu for more information. Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis. Subway Lines: 6 (Astor Place); N, R (8th Street)
EDITOR’S NOTE:
NYU’s Center for Ancient Studies was created in 1996 to promote interdisciplinary and cross-cultural study of the past. Directed by Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Matthew S. Santirocco, and supported largely through endowment, the Center funds travel grants for undergraduate and graduate students, annual research conferences and lectures, and summer outreach seminars for faculty from across the United States (in collaboration with the Faculty Resource Network). Scholarly organizations that are based at the Center include the American section of the Institute for Etruscan and Italic Studies and its journal, Etruscan News, and the Aquila Theatre Company.