I’m excited to announce the release of "Tales from the Mesopotamian Sands," a journey through the divine myths and legends of the world's first great civilization. Mesopotamia, with its rich valleys and mighty rivers, was home to gods who controlled not just the elements, but the very destinies of kings and empires. In this collection, I’ve delved deep into the world of pre-Hammurabi city-states, where gods like Enlil, the storm god, and Inanna, the goddess of love and war, shaped the lives of the earliest people in recorded history.

Before Hammurabi unified much of Mesopotamia under Babylon’s banner, each city was a kingdom unto itself, with its own patron deity. Nanna, the moon god, watched over the city of Ur, while Shamash, the sun god, was the supreme judge, ensuring justice was done. These gods weren’t distant figures but forces intertwined with daily life. Farmers prayed to Adad for rain, and sailors honored Ea for safe passage through the rivers. The people of Mesopotamia saw the hands of their gods in every success and every disaster, and their worship reflected this deep connection to the natural world.

Hammurabi’s reign marked a turning point in Mesopotamian belief. As Babylon grew in power, its patron god Marduk began to rise in prominence, eventually becoming the chief god of the entire region. Marduk’s ascendancy wasn’t just a political maneuver but a reshaping of the Mesopotamian pantheon. My book explores how this shift impacted both the spiritual and political landscape, as older gods were incorporated into Marduk’s growing empire or relegated to lesser roles.

"Tales from the Mesopotamian Sands" weaves together these narratives, offering a glimpse into the ancient world through the myths that shaped it. From the chaotic forces of nature embodied by gods like Tiamat and Enki to the organized divine rule under Marduk, this collection spans the rise and fall of gods and empires alike. I hope readers will find themselves transported to a world where the fates of men and gods were one and the same, and the sands of time were shaped by forces both seen and unseen.