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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The first session of my new course, The Bible Against Kings, is now up! Today is the last day of pre-sale pricing, so go check it out now if you’re interested in critiques of monarchy and tyranny from the ancient Levant. www.parchmentandclay.com/the-bible-ag... (Edited 9:42 AM via @skeetsapp.com)

A slide from Lesson 1 of the Bible Against Kings. It shows a 19th century painting of a biblical scene—the dedication of the Jerusalem temple by King Solomon. Solomon stands at the top of the temple steps surrounded by various officials, important people, and everyday citizens.
The text reads
"Heroic kings? Solomon Dedicates the Temple of Jerusalem by James Jacques Joseph Tissot, c. 1896-1902."

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

For the upcoming release of The Bible Against Kings, I'm making Ancient Sayings about the unflattering things that Sumerians had to say about royalty! Ancient Sayings #86: Dangers of the Palace... but for whom? youtu.be/uItx1cUtr-U

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I made a neat little video about why I use the term Hebrew Bible instead of Old Testament or Tanakh, but I did that sneaky thing where you have to sign up for my email list to get it. You should sign up for my list anyway, so it’s kind of a win-win. www.parchmentandclay.com

parchmentandclay.com

Parchment & Clay

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

We’re launching our first course soon, and right now it’s available for a sweet presale discount. Sign up to learn about cool anti-monarchic and anti-authoritarian texts from the ancient Levant! www.parchmentandclay.com/the-bible-…

parchmentandclay.com

The Bible Against Kings

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Reposted by Parchment & Clay

Andrew A.N. Deloucas @aandeloucas.com · 27/08/2026

Folks, it's time to call it: fund more Assyriology chairs if you want more Ea-nasir material

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Today's #AncientSayings is either a lament for lost youth or the beginning of an ancient Mesopotamian Viagra commercial. Ancient Sayings #81: When your personal god abandons you... and your loins youtu.be/W12IYHXsqUs

The Ancient Sayings thumbnail image, with its winged lamassu statue and the text
ANCIENT sayings
#81
Gods &
Old Guys

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Here's just a real nice blessing for divine favor from 4000 years ago. #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #79: Wish for a god's favor youtu.be/CRArsdl-tak

The Ancient Sayings thumbnail, consisting of an epic and imposing winged bull with a human head and torso, called a lamassu, and the text:ANCIENT sayings
#79
Divine
blessing

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Listen to the Sumerians: sometimes your mom and your god want different things from you. Which one do you choose? #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #78: What does your god want from you? What about your mom? youtu.be/xhCQtXtYo2Q

The Ancient Sayings thumbnail, which includes an imposing winged lamassu statue and the following text:
ANCIENT sayings
#78
Mom vs.
God?

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Often, Mesopotamian texts show us that familiar motifs and metaphors are centuries older than we might have thought. Consider this Sumerian portrayal of the divine-human relationship Ancient Sayings #76: On gods, humans, shepherds, and sheep (or, A Familiar Metaphor) youtu.be/j3R_5Iiv3QE

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Hello! WE are preparing for the launch of our first online course, and we need to fill two short-term contract roles, both with potential for ongoing or repeat engagement: 1. website and social media: build out site in accordance with design brief and provided assets (Kajabi experience preferred) 👇

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

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Eric J. Harvey, Ph.D. @blindscholar.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I've been thinking about this one more since I recorded the video. Here are photos of the tablet. It's student work, and was found in what was probably a scribal school (edubba) in Nippur.

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Have you been thinking to yourself, "my collection of childish schoolhouse insults needs some material from ancient Mesopotamia?" Well, look no further than today's #AncientSayings! Ancient Sayings #74: Butt week! On Noxious foods youtu.be/5QW369ls2qY

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Butt Week: Number Two: A couple of colorful Sumerian sayings about making bad decisions and facing a torrent of consequences! #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #72: Butt week! On disregarding consequences youtu.be/kAhF5Flj_Hc

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

DID YOU KNOW that ancient Mesopotamians had butts, just like us? They did, and they also liked to talk about them! Welcome to Butt Week on #AncientSayings! Ancient Sayings #71: Butt week! On being amply supplied with dubious resources youtu.be/5a3jnV2GX54

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

This is one of those ancient sumerian proverbs I could see myself using in everyday life. We all know someone... #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #67: On rule-following? youtu.be/MG-qqgL4upU

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Everyone needs to lift their spirits with some positive self-talk sometimes, and scribal students in ancient Mesopotamia were no exception. Gas yourselves up like a Sumerian language learner! #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #64: Daily affirmation, Sumerian style youtu.be/S86OOsOa4XI

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

What makes a great scribe? Or a great singer? Focusing on quality, not quantity. #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #63: To write or sing a single line youtu.be/58tAw0s8SXk

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

What gets in the way of junior scribes perfecting their art? Looking for their next meal. #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #62: Scribal Motivation youtu.be/bmHY03g0T6s

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

We're back after a brief hiatus with a week of proverbs by scribes for scribes about scribes. Super meta! #AncientSayings youtu.be/gH37hpKbScs

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

This is one of my favorites of all the Sumerian proverbs. I can't help but imagine the little fox, standing by the seashore with his chest puffed out, looking so proud of himself. #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #53: Filling the sea youtu.be/egf-Mox3OXM

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

I like these proverbs about the fox, because I feel like we can think of a person we've met that resembles each of them. Come see how the fox values his work today. #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings # 52: The fox builds a house youtu.be/VMkQG_MrmmY

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Do you like cute little foxes? Sumerian proverb writers didn't. Come see how silly and untrustworthy this little character could be—it's Fox Week! #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #51: The Lying Fox youtu.be/mNz2SBBZevo

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

In this cynical Sumerian proverb, we get a cheery sentiment: your destiny may suck, but at least you can't escape it. #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #50: You can't dodge fate youtu.be/0dCrLTBRUK4

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Ancient Sayings #50: You can't dodge fate

YouTube video by Parchment and Clay

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

In this cynical Sumerian proverb, we get a cheery sentiment: your destiny may suck, but at least you can't escape it. #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #50: You can't dodge fate youtu.be/0dCrLTBRUK4

youtu.be

Ancient Sayings #50: You can't dodge fate

YouTube video by Parchment and Clay

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

More cynicism from ancient Sumer to brighten your day. #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #49: The pests take over youtu.be/8nVvHzvbqWU

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

You developed skills. You worked hard. Now you get to reap the rewards, right? Ha! More ancient Sumerian cynicism to brighten your day. #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #47: Making wool, wearing rags youtu.be/KC1e7s731zM

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Ancient Sayings #47: Making wool, wearing rags

YouTube video by Parchment and Clay

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

This week, we are exploring the more cynical side of Sumerian proverbs. I can't decide whether to summarize this one as "check your divine privilege" or "ENJOY the beauty of the Earth? In this economy?" #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #46: A lowly perspective youtu.be/onthwrSKF50

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Ancient Sayings #46: A lowly perspective

YouTube video by Parchment and Clay

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Sometimes, ancient Sumerians did not want to go to parties. Sometimes, they went anyway. I wonder if this worked out for them? #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #45: On going to festivals youtu.be/Mpqofs7anLI

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Ancient Sayings #45: On going to festivals

YouTube video by Parchment and Clay

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

WE've looked at a lot of abominations, but what happens if you commit one? Some Sumerian parents, at least, still had their kids' backs when they angered the gods. #QAncientSayings youtu.be/OHeFW5KU5hw

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Ancient Sayings #40: So you've angered a Sumerian god...

YouTube video by Parchment and Clay

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Ok, this is the last abomination (for now...). Ninurta doesn't approve of revenge...when YOU do it. #AncientSayings youtu.be/yXBq9FN7KHQ

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Ancient Sayings #39: LAST ABOMINATION! Revenge of Ninurta

YouTube video by Parchment and Clay

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Whoops! Forgot to post this week's #AncientSayings! Enjoy finding out how much Suen hates witnesses who waste everyone's time. youtu.be/OACAKiR9LYY

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Ancient Sayings #36: BONUS ABOMINATIONS! Suen against useless witnesses

YouTube video by Parchment and Clay

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

The Sumerian sun god thinks your phlegm is gross and doesn't want to watch you make out. Pass it on. #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #35: ABOMINATIONS WEEK! What makes Utu mad? youtu.be/4Cx7M8rs4xc

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Ancient Sayings #35: ABOMINATIONS WEEK! What makes Utu mad?

YouTube video by Parchment and Clay

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

The Sumerian sun god thinks your phlegm is gross and doesn't want to watch you make out. Pass it on. #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #35: ABOMINATIONS WEEK! What makes Utu mad? youtu.be/4Cx7M8rs4xc

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Ancient Sayings #35: ABOMINATIONS WEEK! What makes Utu mad?

YouTube video by Parchment and Clay

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

ABOMINATIONS WEEK! Today brings us another abomination to Ninurta, who shows concern for fairness and the underdog. #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #34: ABOMINATIONS WEEK! Another one from Ninurta youtu.be/R1yAjolVKa0

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Abominations week continues! Inanna was a fierce and passionate goddess, beautiful, warlike, sexual, and aggressive. And THIS was her abomination? #AncientSayings

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Ancient Sayings #32: ABOMINATIONS WEEK! What annoys Inanna?

YouTube video by Parchment and Clay

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

ABOMINATIONS week! Today we have the divine moon, Suen, staking out some positions that we should frankly expect from all the masculine deities: Stop barging through and no groping! #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #33: ABOMINATIONS WEEK! What angers Suen?

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Ancient Sayings #33: ABOMINATIONS WEEK! What angers Suen?

YouTube video by Parchment and Clay

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Abominations week continues! Inanna was a fierce and passionate goddess, beautiful, warlike, sexual, and aggressive. And THIS was her abomination? #AncientSayings

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Ancient Sayings #32: ABOMINATIONS WEEK! What annoys Inanna?

YouTube video by Parchment and Clay

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

This is a special week in our series on ancient proverbs: it's ABOMINATIONS WEEK! Have you ever wondered what the Sumerian gods considered to be abominations? Come find out! #AncientSayings Ancient Sayings #31: ABOMINATIONS WEEK! What does Ninurta loathe? youtu.be/hcr0yOjp0MY

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Ancient Sayings #31: ABOMINATIONS WEEK! What does Ninurta loathe?

YouTube video by Parchment and Clay

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Parchment & Clay @parchmentandclay.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Hi! Parchment & Clay is on bluesky now! We are a new source for information and online courses about the ancient Levant and Mesopotamia. Give us a follow to stay up to date on our activities!

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