Gods, Grain & Government: formation of states in Mesopotamia & Egypt [DHOC 3]

In lecture 3 of the Deep History of Civilization module, we examine the formation of the first states in Mesopotamia and Egypt, discussing:

0:00 The Potter's Kiln as the First Laboratory of Mankind
1:09 Proto-Polities and long-distance networks of trade
3:45 Rise of Elites and Social Differentiation
4:20 The Dialogue of Sheep and Grain: a Sumerian Creation Myth
8:30 The Sumerian Idea of Civilization: divine accumulation
13:50 Kingship in Ancient Egypt: the civilisational state
19:09 Mythology and State Ideology
20:55 Political Order in Mesopotamia v Egypt

EXTENDED Podcast Version here : https://geopoliticus.substack.com/p/gods-grain-and-government?r=7pd5r&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=copy

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Previous Lectures:

1. Deep History of Civilization: James Scott’s Against the Grain [1] : https://youtu.be/XhjeDUhx8x0
2. Deep History of Civilization: World Systems Theory [2]: https://youtu.be/iHGgJiEYHGU

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Related presentations :

Formation of Egyptian Civilization: Divine Geopolitics : https://youtu.be/henLRyPiVy4
Formation of Mesopotamian Civilization: Eridu and Sumeria : https://youtu.be/Hjpc8jlGxzQ
Formation of Indian Civilisation: Pre-Harappan Cultures 7000-3000 BC : https://youtu.be/OzuOz8Te3_Q

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Видео Gods, Grain & Government: formation of states in Mesopotamia & Egypt [DHOC 3] канала Geopoliticus