Things to read

Nomadic Thoughts points out a must read article, which appears at Tomdispatch on The Smash of Civilizations. It’s a lament for how much has been lost which would have contributed not just to Iraq’s history but World history. Much of what we take for granted originated in Mesopotamia. Greek philosophy, especially in its earlier stages borrowed a lot from the east. A lot of that history has now gone on eBay.

Also I’ll plug Kirsty Owen’s Social Intercession in Early Modern Gloucestershire at the Undoctored Past. I need to sort something out about that. In the meantime Kirsty’s paper is an interesting look at what is a key social problem. If, in Christianity, we’re all equal after death, how do we maintain social distinctions? Her PhD is looking at the Ars Moriendi, the Art of Dying Well, and this is a bit of a sneak preview.