Rico Interviews Mark Chavalas a Prominent Scholar and Historian

Mark Chavalas is a prominent scholar and historian, specializing in ancient Near Eastern history and languages. While there is no formal autobiography authored by him, much of his life and work can be pieced together through his academic contributions and career achievements.

Chavalas earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Ancient Near Eastern History. His scholarly focus is on the languages, history, and archaeology of Mesopotamia, particularly the regions that comprised ancient Babylonia and Assyria. He has taught at various institutions and is a professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Chavalas is known for his extensive research on Mesopotamian literature, as well as his work on the intersections between ancient Near Eastern cultures and the biblical world. He has authored and edited several books, including works like *The Ancient Near East: Historical Sources in Translation*, where he compiled translations of ancient texts that give readers insight into early civilizations. He has also published numerous scholarly articles in reputable journals.