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VIRTUAL - Closer than you think: The stars and daily life in Mesopotamia

March 4, 2021 @ 7:00 pm EST Central Time

This is an online event.



AIA Society: Chicago

Lecturer: M. Willis Monroe

The rise of modern light pollution has severely limited our nightly access to the fantastic and impressive night sky so vividly described by ancient observers.  Yet, elements of the movement of stars and planets have guided the life of people throughout time, still to the day horoscopes are an integral part of our regular news media.  This talk will start from first principles and explain the origins of astronomy and astrology in Mesopotamia the birth place of writing and then investigate in detail the role that astrology played in everyday life from the highest seats of power down to choosing what to eat.  You can expect to leave the lecture informed about the remarkable debt we pay to Mesopotamian astronomers and astrologers for inventing things like the 360° circle and the signs of the zodiac.  Astrology was not just a esoteric practice relegate to magicians and seers, it was a highly organized and scientific method of inquiry that shaped how we think even to the modern day.

Short bibliography and/or website on lecture topic:

Rochberg, F. 2004. The Heavenly Writing: Divination, Horoscopy, and Astronomy in Mesopotamian Culture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Steele, J. 2008. A Brief Introduction to Astronomy in the Middle East. London: SAQI.

Webster Lecture

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Details

Date:
March 4, 2021
Time:
7:00 pm EST
Event Category:

Contact

Laura Gawlinski
Email
aiachicagosec@gmail.com

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In-person or Virtual Event
Virtual
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