Mesopotamia and the Occult: The Passionate Woman in Depth

Mesopotamia and the Occult: The Passionate Woman in Depth

Author: James Bleckley September 27, 2025 Duration: 1:39:14

Inanna, queen of heaven, who descended into the underworld. It is among the oldest stories of the mythology of the world, but also one of the most significant. James Bleckley of the Oldest Stories Podcast sits down with Nathaniel Heutmaker of the Grail Sciences Podcast to discuss this ancient tale from both an historical and an occult perspective.


The Grail Sciences Podcast covers the deeper meaning of the Holy Grail and a variety of occult topics. Nathaniel is deeply read in a variety of world traditions, and expertly weaves it all together over at grailsciences.com/


The Oldest Stories Podcast covers the history, myth, and culture of ancient Mesopotamia, from the invention of writing until the fall of Nabonidas. James has been filling out the story of the oldest civilization for over 6 years at oldeststories.net


Oldest Stories, hosted by James Bleckley, is a journey into the deep past of the Cradle of Civilization. This podcast meticulously traces the epic narrative of bronze age Mesopotamia, starting from the revolutionary dawn of writing itself. Listeners are guided through the full, sprawling history of the region across two and a half millennia, from the legendary age of Gilgamesh through to the era of Nabonidas. The episodes weave together the grand arcs of empires and the intimate details of daily life, blending rigorous historical accounts with the powerful myths of gods and heroes that shaped ancient worldviews. So far, the series has delved into the foundations laid by Sumer and Akkad, explored the complexities of Old Babylon and the Hittites, and examined the pivotal stories of ancient Israel. Current installments are deep within the formidable rise and reign of the Assyrian Empire. Each episode is built on a foundation of thorough research, aiming to make these distant cultures and their monumental achievements feel immediate and compelling. New chapters in this long-form story are released every other week, offering a sustained and immersive exploration of humanity's oldest stories.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Oldest Stories
Podcast Episodes
The Doom of Sargon II [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:19
This episode examines the final major campaign of Sargon II of Assyria (reigned 722–705 BCE) and the long conflict with the Chaldean ruler Marduk-apla-iddina II (Merodach-Baladan) for control of Babylonia. Early in Sargo…
AI and History [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:14
How does one "do" history, and can an AI do it? The answers:1. You don't "do" history, you feel it.2. AI can do the actions of history, but it can't feel it.Bonus rant: I never liked the idea that the point of history is…
The Golden Years of Sargon II [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:47
Oldest Stories Album available here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/oldeststoriesmusic/oldest-stories-vol-1 but also possibly on your favorite music distributor service also. Check it out!This episode examines the mid…
Neo-Assyrian Imperial Administration [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:40
This episode explores how the Neo-Assyrian Empire actually functioned at the administrative level under Sargon II, focusing on imperial bureaucracy, logistics, and governance. Using surviving Assyrian letters and court r…
The Great Invasion of Urartu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:51
In this episode of Oldest Stories, we cover Sargon II of Assyria and his most famous campaign: the Great Invasion of Urartu (714 BCE), centered on the extraordinary Assyrian text known as Sargon’s Letter to Ashur. This e…
The Composition of the Sargonid Army [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:39
In this episode, we break down the composition of the Neo-Assyrian Army under the Sargonid dynasty (Tiglath-Pileser III, Sargon II, and their successors) and explain why Assyria’s battlefield dominance in the 8th–7th cen…
The Environment in which the Assyrian Army Emerged [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:37
In this episode of Oldest Stories, we step back from the famous conquests of the Neo-Assyrian Empire to ask a more fundamental question: what did ancient warfare actually look like on the ground, and how did the Assyrian…
A Tour of Dur-Sharrukin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:34
Today we attempt an immersive historical reconstruction of Dur-Sharrukin, the short-lived but astonishing capital built by Sargon II of Assyria in the late eighth century BCE. Set primarily in 706 BCE, this episode takes…
The Rise and Fall and Rise Again of Dur-Sharrukin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:18
Apologies for my voice and the lack of graphics. Been sick again and barely got this out today.Episode 179 examines the founding, construction, abandonment, and rediscovery of Dur-Sharrukin (Khorsabad), the short-lived r…
The Ascendency of Sargon II [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:53
Sargon II of Assyria faces a crisis of legitimacy after a humiliating defeat, but transforms potential disaster into triumph through military genius and calculated brutality. This episode chronicles his desperate 720 BCE…