ONLINE MUSEUM

THE TIMELESS WISDOM OF
THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST

You’ll find dusty artifacts from ancient times elsewhere. This museum is about the intangible legacy that the sages of the Ancient Orient have left us: wisdom from thousands of years condensed into pithy sayings.

But can something so ancient still be relevant to us today? Absolutely! On the one hand, cultures like Mesopotamia and Egypt endured for over 3,000 years and accumulated more life experience than any more recent culture. On the other hand, human nature has not changed over the millennia. For example, the Sumerians knew materialism and restlessness just as well as we do: “You should not serve things; things should serve you.” (Shuruppag 242–244)

In the Online Museum, you’ll find the best wisdom from the ancient Orient all in one place and organized by theme. Among others, Ahikar, Shuruppak, and the Sumerian collection of proverbs; the Book of Proverbs from Israel; as well as Amenemope, Ptahhotep, and Ani from Egypt.

Zeitlose Weisheit in ägyptischer Hieroglyphenkunst, symbolische Darstellung antiker spiritueller Erkenntnisse.

ONLINE MUSEUM

How can you harness the potential of the wise sayings in the museum for your everyday life?

to the Online Museum

Here are a few strategies:

If you are simply curious about how ancient cultures viewed life in general and the relationship between humans and the environment, then download a complete text from the region of your choice from the download area and let it sink in.

Would you like to learn about the worldviews and cultures from which these sayings originated? Then take a look at the “Background Information” section on the respective culture.

If a particular topic is currently relevant in your life, then an overview of the various saying traditions on your topic could be interesting. Which of the seven exhibition halls fits your topic? Select the appropriate hall and then the exhibition room that best applies. There you will find further subdivisions into additional aspects and questions that will help you reflect on what you have read.

The next tip may sound trivial, but it has potential: How about sharing a saying that seems meaningful to you with others? For example, via email, instant messenger, or social media. This will automatically make you reflect on the text, and discussing it with others will reinforce what you have learned.

If you are hungry for more wisdom and exchange with others, the interactive e-learning courses may be something for you. The newsletter will keep you up to date on topics and dates.

Weißbirken am See in Herbststimmung, natürliche Schönheit und Ruhe in der Natur.

ONLINE MUSEUM

How can you harness the potential of the wise sayings in the museum for your everyday life?

Here are a few strategies:

Some glimpses of the museum

Projekte vor Ort