Cuneiform Texts and the Writing of History (Approaching the Ancient World) by Marc Van De Mieroop

by Marc Van de Mieroop

To understand the history of Mesopotamia, historians have had to rely on cuneiform texts which represent the oldest tradition of human history. The number and variety of texts written in cuneiform script are enormous, and present a unique source for the study of this ancient culture. Clear and accessible, Cuneiform Texts and the Writing of History explores the possibilities and challenges these sources offer. Marc Van De Mieroop considers the political, social, and economic conditions that these texts illuminate as well as the way historians have used these sources to validate their readings of particular historical events. Filled with examples taken from the entirety of Mesopotamian history, Cuneiform Texts and the Writing of History offers readers insight into how we have come to learn about this fascinating chapter of the human past.

Genres: History

Hardcover

First published May 13, 1999

About the author

is a professor of Ancient Near Eastern history at Columbia University.

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a survey of cuneiform texts and a review of methodology for interpreting history. Author Marc Van De Mieroop, professor of Ancient Near East History at Columbia University sees objectivity as an elusive ideal. Since it's not possible to interpret history free of one's own biases, the least scholars can do is acknowledge their own biases.

This is a worthy read for those interested in ancient history and in epistemology. It is not a light read by any means.

Please read the full review here.