226: Ancient History of Dream Interpretation

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of dreams and their interpretations in ancient civilizations. We explore how dreams played a crucial role in government, religion, and daily life in early civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt.

Key Quotes:

• “The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known works of literature, presents dreams as a powerful tool for foretelling and guiding the future.”
• “Dreams were not just personal experiences but played a crucial role in government, religion, and daily life in early civilizations.”
• “The dream of Gudea, king of the Sumerian city-state of Lagash, led to the construction of a temple for the god Ningirsu.”
• “The Assyrian kings Ashurnasirpal II and Ashurbanipal sought guidance and victory in dreams.”
• “Dreams were incubated within the confines of Asclepieions, temples dedicated to healing, in ancient Greece.”
• “Dream interpreters, often tribal elders, matriarchs, patriarchs, priests, and shamans, held a special place in these societies. They could enter the world of dreams at will, encounter souls, fight, recover lost souls, heal, and bring the meaning of the dream forth to the life of the dreamers.”

Join us as we explore how dreams were regarded as an important way of receiving messages from the world of power and spirit, from the gods and other powerful beings, and how they continue to fascinate us to this day.

For more historical insights, visit Martini Fisher’s website and check out her book “Time Maps: Mesopotamia”.