I’m a writer, translator and cultural historian.
I work on ancient literature, especially the Babylonian epics. But my interests range widely, from the oldest known poems to the latest pop culture.
Gilgamesh
My book on Gilgamesh, which includes a new English translation, has been described as “a dazzling work of scholarship” and “a fresh and vital translation.”
I also translated Gilgamesh into Danish; it was lauded by reviewers as “one of those miracles that makes life worth living.”
Enheduana
The other great passion of my work is Enheduana, the world’s first known author: a high priestess who lived more than 4,000 years ago.
My English translation of her collected poems was reviewed glowingly in both the London Review of Books and the Times Literary Supplement.
Beowulf
I’m the author of a new verse retelling of Beowulf in Danish. Despite most of the poem’s plot taking place just outside of Copenhagen, the epic has been all but forgotten in Denmark, and my retelling aims to bring it the fame it deserves.
I am currently working on the epic’s depiction of genocide and mass murder.
Epics and time
I am a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University with a grant by the IRDF.
My project argues that the epic genre served as an ideal venue for ancient poets to develop sophisticated reflections on the human experience of time.
LBL
I am the managing editor of the Library of Babylonian Literature, a book series that seeks to make the classic works of Babylonian poetry more accessible.
Each poem is presented in a facing-page translation with a rich introduction and accompanying essays by leading scholars in the field.
Essays and articles
You can find all my published writings here, including summaries, links, and downloadable copies.
They span a wide range of topics, from a skit by Jon Stewart to the uncertainty of death.