The Earliest Ghosts and Necromancers - Spirits Hauntings & Magic in Ancient Sumer Babylon & Assyria

Ghosts and Necromancers are at least as old as civilization itself - but what do we know about these earliest shades of the dead, those that dealt with them and even those that dared to summon and inquire of them? In this episode, we turn to the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia to uncover details about the earliest ghosts, anti-ghost magic, and the first necromancers known to history.
Recommended 𒄇 Reading
Finkel - The First Ghosts - 978-1529303292
Abusch - Mesopotamian Witchcraft: Toward a History and Understanding of Babylonian Witchcraft Beliefs and Literature - 978-9004123878

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

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[@beepboop204]

my christmas wish would be for Irving Finkel and you hanging out and talking demons and ghosts

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

@@beepboop204 me too - I think he's Jewish too, we could hang out by the menorah!

[@lona.pouliuli-popoki]

@@TheEsotericaChannel Plzzz Plzzz

[@beepboop204]

@@TheEsotericaChannel you should challenge him to a contest of The Royal Game Of Ur! 😉

[@krispalermo8133]

Happy New Year !

[@tomnaughadie]

A moment of silence for the victims of state sponsored necromancy through the ages.

[@based_prophet]

God damn lol

[@vcg7790]

I’m dying

[@optiondeathstudios]

Good album name

[@tomnaughadie]

@@optiondeathstudios Totally.

[@MrKoalaburger]

Obama resurrected my dead grandfather to make him pay back taxes. What a monster 😢

[@SakuraAsranArt]

Sumerian necromancer: Why have you returned to haunt this place? Ghost: Because I died on a day ending in Y

[@malbogia8003]

"Don't feed ghosts urine" is the greatest thing I've heard all year

[@randomcomment6068]

It's basic good manners.

[@ruthbennett7563]

Scary/spooky stories are a traditional part of Europe’s solstice celebration. “The Green Knight”, “Childermas”, even a “A Christmas Carol” is a ghost story. Thanks again for another wonderful upload. Happy Hanukkah to you & yours.

[@christopherall1004]

Love me some Mesopotamian myth and of course any staple ghost stories. Definitely about to appease the goddess Ninsaki after this video too. Happy holidays

[@Nivloc317]

Irving Finkel is a treasure to be sure. I have enjoyed watching him speak. Much like yourself, Justin, his humor makes the topic so much more enjoyable to absorb.

[@jasonmorello1374]

Finkel does some amazing discussion work on all things cuneiform. He has regular bits on the royal institute YT channel, often very tongue in cheek.

[@glacier68]

Gosh, yes! Was listening to this recounting, and thought of Finkel. Anyone who hasn't watched any of his lectures/presentations (available here on YT) is sorely missing out. The man is a treasure.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

agree

[@glacier68]

@@TheEsotericaChannel Finkel/Sledge Livestream. Make it happen...

[@MLife1000]

Excited to look into this thank you 🙏

[@catcans]

Finkel is very accessible and has a Bill Nye/Neil D. Tyson "cool teacher" side to him, as evidenced by his Ghostbusters and Harry Potter themed thumbnails.

[@yochanan770]

I've been looking forward this year's Esoterica Ghost story. The blizzard has left me homebound and anxiously anticipating this content. Hope you don't have to go out in this weather today! Keep up the great work Doc!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yeah, it's howling and cold out there - stay warm, friend!

[@d.asklepiades9640]

After you said that line 17:53 there was a loud thud upstairs so Ima just head out. Thanks, Dr. Sledge.

[@JH-we7xf]

The spirits always seem to accompany the dark months... the Solstice is no exception! Merry Yuletide to you and yours 🎄

[@MsLemon42]

A great video. I include Neanderthal burials in my history lessons and I always wonder about that, about what they believed and I’m terribly saddened that we will likely never know. At least our Sumerian ancestors included them in writing.

[@Foiled_Foliage]

I've been trying to get into the spirit of the season yet also interested in such topics at this time. Wonderful to know that traditionally the two are related.

[@J_Z913]

A very spooky topic for a fitting time of year. I'll definitely be re-watching this one after the winter storm hits. Also, I think I know what the next item in your store will be: Esoterica Gin! Each bottle comes with instructions on how to soothe the sufferings of ancient Sumerian ghosts. 😄

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Esoterica gin, after Esoterica absinthe!

[@dexocube]

@@TheEsotericaChannel The Green Fairy is first!

[@lona.pouliuli-popoki]

@@TheEsotericaChannel 💚🍸💚 Plzzz yes Yes ESOTERICA ABSINTHE ! !

[@kellysouter4381]

He could cover a jumper or shirt with protective sigils. I'd buy that.

[@ForReal_Lauren]

The timing of me find this video particularly is kismet. 🖤 Instantly subscribed and looking forward to watching more.

[@mirozkapeluszem]

9:02 - huh, that’s sound very familiar to the Eastern European Zaduszki and Dziady rituals. Their origins are Slavic and pre-Christian, but they were practiced till the end of the 19th century, I believe. In the first half of the 19th century Adam Mickiewicz (let’s say a Polish equivalent of Goethe) wrote a famous poem Dziady, the characters of the story are being visited by the ghost of the past, offer them comfort by feeding them and listening to their stories. The Catholic Church integrated those pagan ways by creating the All Soul’s Day on the 2nd November, it's the day to pray for the souls that are in the purgatory.

[@Starxfallen]

What a gem of a channel.

[@georgethompson1460]

I'm surprised skulls as a device for conjuring the dead or communing with them hasn't popped up more frequently, it's a cool idea and logically makes sense. And the idea that it has it's roots in ancient messopotamia make me wonder how it hasn't had more of an influence on sequential magical philosophies.

[@thesagepilgrim4441]

Finding this channel was an excellent Christmas gift.

[@WABTpodcast]

Great video- thanks Dr Sledge! This video gave me an idea for a TV series set in ancient Sumeria with two "ghost dealer-with persons" ritual specialists who exorcise and hunt ghosts and demons. It'd be like the Conjuring universe, but in Mesopotamia. The buried dolls could be the Annabelle.

[@sweetykitty4427]

I had heard Dr Finkel of the British museum talk a bit about this before, so when you announced this video it made me very happy!! Cheers and thank you for the good work!!! Happy holidays!

[@KarlWitsman]

I always appreciate all your good research. I laughed at the comment about the gin sponsor because I was just thinking the same thing.

[@Pooneil1984]

Thanks for your heartfelt wishes. And for this wonderful holiday present. And in my tradition, I wish a Merry Christmas to all.

[@mandarinmelon]

Love the Christmas Ghost Story tradition you have going.

[@mookking4609]

I adore your entire all that you are. The verbiage that you choose along with your witty sense of humor is very appealing and to say the least award-winning. You’ve brought and continue to bring new knowledge to I and many others in a very phenomenal way. I cannot tell you what your reasoning for this world is, but with out a doubt the reason is with high purpose. Thank you for all that you have lived through bringing you fourth upon this day for your Works are highly appreciated and you are just way too cool! ❤

[@tyrlant2189]

This kind of over the top simping for youtubers is sad to watch

[@kholland4860]

Tyr Lant you have no passion for romance!

[@EmmaCaroline89]

Arbitrarily stumbled across your channel today, and love this video so much. Also my daughter’s name is Juniper so the more ancient lore I learn about the plant’s importance just fills me with so much happiness. Thank you…

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

May she drives away all evil ghosts!

[@BenedictaXValentina]

Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year to you and yours Justin and ESOTERICA

[@themythdoctor]

Love your work Dr. Sledge! I’m currently working on a dissertation in the Myth Program at Pacifica Graduate Institute and have found many of your videos crucial in my research on enigmatic wizard figures in myth, religion, and fantasy. Many thanks and Happy Festive Season!

[@silirat]

Finkel book is excellent. I picked up the audio book, where his character adds so much of a ghost story feel to the history lesson.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I can believe it

[@lona.pouliuli-popoki]

Aloha ohhh glad I was waiting for my Finkel book purchase now I'll go Audiobook now Mahalo silirot

[@BoanergesTWELF12]

I never realized there were these kinds of videos in this channel for the holidays, thank you for this season's gift

[@domianodangerdoodle315]

There is So much information in the first 10 minutes that has left me with more questions

[@geraldmeehan8942]

Feeling so much better this holiday season with this insight into the spirits of the dead. Thank you Dr Sledge may you your family and your spirits have a very Merry Christmas

[@aday-su5om]

Thanks for always producing such informative and interesting content, I’ve really learned a lot with this channel.

[@TimeandRelativeDimensioninHell]

a christmas eve ghost story! Thank you Dr. Sledge! Stay safe in this weather 🖤

[@ladyhonor822]

Dr. Sledge greetings thank you for all the info. 🙏🇺🇲❤️☦️ You had me at the oubliette of History. Philadelphia USA

[@TheKeithlb]

That was really cool and super interesting! Thank you again, Doctor!

[@diphenylchloroarsine2251]

Thank you for all your hard work! This is one of the comfiest channels on KZbin.

[@martiallaw9509]

Fantastic Video. Watching this was reminiscent of my experience with a college lecturer delivering.the understanding of English Literature. He was excellent at portrails. Also your style of narration makes complexities or difficult to digest information accessible. Thank You.

[@Alcanox]

A fascinating episode. Happy Holidays and best of luck in the coming year!

[@pdzombie1906]

Great episode and recommendations!! Thanks, Dr. Sledge

[@gmccaughry]

Thanks for the wonderful content again, and, in general, we at Anathema wish you and yours a wonderful Holiday season! Long live Esoterica! (PS: Eagerly awaiting my mug + t-shirt to rep the heck out of your channel!) :D

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Many, many thanks!

[@Lioness_of_Gaia]

I've never heard of or read anything that called on Enki AND Enlil, together... Fascinating.

[@jeannette7243]

Loved this episode! I am a great fan of Irving Finkel, and will buy his book. Thank you.

[@HeavenlyEchoVirus]

Needed this for the weekend.

[@davide.schiaffino]

Sir, you are absolutely amazing. I am a writer, and I have been building up a narrative universe for over a decade, utilizing real mythology, religion, and esoterism, as some of the main pillars and bases from which I built up everything. So far I had taught myself everything about all things mystical, and as most accurately as I could-to my ability. My universe, lore, and the mythos behind my stories and fantasies are already nearly done, but after finding you I have been making incredible improvements to the backgrounds of my universe-specially when it comes to very old and cryptic civilizations like sumerians (the sag.gig) and old hebrew / hittite / canaanite. You are an incredible source of information about mysticism! Once I start publishing my work, I hope they get to your hands, eventually. I'm not sure if these cover your expertise, and I know there isn't much out there about egyptian, mayan, and inca, but it would be amazing if you covered some of the aspects of their culture and religion one day. I saw one video about mayan blood rituals in your channel. Also, I think this one is a very tough one, but videos about hindu religion would be one of the most interesting. Their stuff is so extensive they could become a series on their own too.

[@MP-om9fj]

Same here lol!

[@michaelgrubber1135]

You had me at necromancy, the rest is just cherries. Excellent video!

[@TheVinDicarlo]

Absolutely phenomenal video, thank you.

[@howlrichard1028]

I would pay to have a Call of Cthulhu game with you as the GM.

[@ChessAlbaneze]

Loved this one so much!

[@otahak]

Thanks for another great video!

[@craigdelaney8737]

Thank You and Happy Holidays..!🎇🎄🎇

[@elizabethbarringer2791]

Thank you for the education. Learned a lot.

[@AlexGoldhill]

Ancient Mesopotamia was goth af.

[@L3N0R4L4N3]

A nice warm cup of coffee, wrapping presents, and listening to a holiday ghost story told by Dr. Sledge is the *best*

[@Scrumpetsheep]

If you've ever heard of the game Dwarf fortress it uses a lot of this historic lore in its game play. Its a civ building game and if you don't bury your dead or honor them in some way, they raise from the dead as ghosts. It seems incidental but the creators of the game are known history buffs.

[@spinsterpunk]

Great timing with the solstice and a dark time of year for us all, no matter what our beliefs.

[@ShaneOhmack78]

Shalom brother from Saint Louis Mo.Wishing you and your blessings this season be safe.

[@lapurta22]

Wishing you and yours a most blessed Hannukah, Dr. Justin!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

It's lit!

[@lapurta22]

@@TheEsotericaChannel While I am at it. let me heap some praise on you. As far as I am concerned, you are the only academic that can hold a candle to Dr. Finkel. I could joyously die and go to heaven if I could see the two of you collaborate on a project some day. 🤩

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I'd love learning at his feet, an amazing human being to be sure

[@stephanie11011]

the intro you gave was extremely poetic

[@stevenplyler6306]

That is right you better not !

[@stephanie11011]

@@stevenplyler6306 okay but no promises ... lol just kidding :)

[@oi690]

Such a fun video. Thank you!

[@Protogonas]

Christmas came early with the release of this video!

[@greyhunter2453]

I loved that closing! I haven’t encountered that since I read Above The Lower Sky, a fantasy novel involving sorcerous cetaceans (wizard whales), in which a priestly character invokes, “Fiat tenebras, et ab tenebris, lux.”

[@alexanderporto9310]

Great video!!! keep it up 👍

[@delphinidin]

26:20 Do you mean that business partner.... ghosted them?

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

This guy

[@johnnewton8017]

🤣 classic.

[@fevergaming1]

I love this Christmas special idea 💡

[@pattiroberts5078]

Love this!

[@woooohooooayo]

I love your spirit content!

[@Neon_Ghost1]

OMG thank you so much! I have been asking for like a whole year if anyone knew what that line in the song was referring to, "tales of ghost stories" I assumed it was a christmas carol but I wondered if it was a once common tradition

[@Nono-hk3is]

Thank you! Best wishes!

[@XfiverX]

Irving Finkle did a podcast interview about his book on Glitch Bottle, which was by far my favorite podcast of the year. Definitely looking forward to reading it ;)

[@rayne6719]

I seriously thought he added demonic rumbling sound effects at 20:00. On closer listening I think it was a plane in the background.

[@crusaderknight4792]

I wonder why people being created from clay was such a common motif in creation stories all over the world. From the Sumerians to the Aboriginals of Australia.

[@ravensthatflywiththenightm7319]

Subscribed. Happy Halloween 🎃

[@ramkitty]

Finkle is so fun he is my kind of crazy. His Oriental Institute and all oi vids are excellent.

[@ponyote]

Sorry to double comment, but I just needed to say 'They're coming for you, Barbara." nearly put me on the floor laughing.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

But that descent of Ishtar quote ;)

[@ponyote]

@@TheEsotericaChannel I was also quite amused by the plug for ancient gin. We know they had beer in Ur, but do we know if they had gin? They definitely had juniper.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Nah no distillation till much later

[@ponyote]

Seriously, thank you.

[@WK-47]

Great stuff as always, Doc. Call me a prude, but I'm glad we decided to bury the dead in hallowed ground rather than in our walls. Anyway, happy Hanukkah and new year when it comes!

[@dexocube]

That was epic, thanks

[@purpletalons7682]

The summoning of a ghost to a skull is totally metal. I need one lol.

[@eljefedeguerra1343]

Oi boss you almost got to smart for me there but the tommy Shelby reference helped me pull through. You look like my late uncle. May favorite uncle. It’s a soothing thing thank you so much.

[@markmartin2292]

Brilliant!

[@angelawossname]

Happy day number six! Telling ghost stories has never been a tradition here in Australia, probably because our daylight hours are much longer and it's hot and sunny. I only found out a few years ago that ghost stories were a northern hemisphere tradition.

[@dburquhart]

Thanks!

[@lona.pouliuli-popoki]

🤙aloha Inspiring! To 2023 "may beer pour .... like the onrush of the Tigris & Euphrates" *hymn of Ninkasi (Note2Self: drink only G&T spooky season) my @3:03 rabbit hole〰️omg Death Wish Coffee Co. !! Mahalo for giggles @1:13, 11:55, 20:36 & 24:35

[@psylegio]

Very interesting! Thank you! This practice sounds very similar to the ancestor "worship" and possessions we see today haunting the Malagasy in Madagaskar. People living in sheds, but building brick tombs to their dead whom they take out of their grave and offer expensive gifts, and care.

[@NewMessage]

"There is no Christmas, only Yule" -Dana Barrett, from 4 feet above the mistletoe.

[@pcdm43145]

You bastard... you magnificent, beautiful bastard. Take my upvote. You've earned it.

[@lady00303]

I actually heard a disembodied growl under my bed once... 😱

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Might wanna not sleep there......ever

[@CAPSLOCKPUNDIT]

"It's only the wind!" 👹

[@Nekyo7788]

Dr JoAnn Scurlock has a wonderful dissertation on this topic (Brill)

[@KissingEmbers]

Merry christmas professor

[@Bluecho4]

The story about the male ghost being led by a doll woman to the underworld now has me imagining a weird, Sixth Sense style ancient Middle East period piece. Wherein the male protagonist is, like in The Sixth Sense, unaware that he's died (as is the audience). Him running around his village and trying unsuccessfully to connect emotionally with his loved ones (because, again, he's dead). He grows paranoid that his family are conspiring against him, and he's not being fed properly (again, from his perspective). Until finally, he's approached by a woman who is not quite right, which he comes to see as some kind of monster, trying to tempt him. It's here we're also venturing into the realm of Jacob's Ladder (the film, not the esoteric concept). It's only when, possibly with the help of an Ashipu who has some medium-like awareness, he and the audience are let in on the fact that he is dead. That he died a while ago, and his lashing out is causing his loved ones more suffering. Accepting his death, he takes the hand of the fake woman, who no longer seems monstrous, and allows her to lead him to the afterlife.

[@rduse9197]

Very interestingly this kind of lines up with Tibetan Buddhism. (Example: Hungry ghosts, cold can't get warm, etc...) but not so much of hauntings, just afterlife teachings to remove ignorance for Ascension.

[@desertca]

By the way, it took 15 minutes for me to get noticed at the restaurant today due to wearing my invisible cloak shirt. Will need to remember when I should wear it lol.

[@dougiescare]

I feel bad for the ghosts. I will have some gin for them and they can hang out in my clothes any time!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I'm sure they'd appreciate it!

[@marcocampa94]

me, a PhD in Oriental Studies, earing the intro: LOL... wait, spooky season wasn't in Summer?

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Maqlu time!

[@jpmvidal]

If you ever do a video on the history of the ouija board, it would be interesting to see how it may trace its origin to Greek divination objects like the Prognosticon of Pergamon, and to Arabic divination practiced by Sufi mystics like Ibn Sab'in whose zairagia (French: zairagie. Arab transliteration: zaraiach, zayraŷa) influenced jewish kabbalists and some classify it as a form of cyclomancy.

[@tinycrimester]

- buries people under the floor and into the walls, practices human sacrifices, collects amulets made of human remains - - gets a haunting - - shocked pikachu face -

[@samwill7259]

There shall be no yearly kibosh put upon spooky and spectral tales! Tell the ghost sotries around the yuletide fire! It casts those deep and haunting shadows just as well~

[@charlesrae3793]

Long been on my wish list the Finkel book; maybe this is the nudge I need to buy it....

[@sherriefisher9009]

Relationships with Hecate and Paimon have been enlightened