An explosion of literacy

In this podcast Professor Eleanor Robson (University College London) provides an introduction to ancient Babylon, from its early beginnings and the rise of Hammurabi and the Old Babylonian kingdom through to the Kassite Dynasty and Nebuchadnezzar I and finally defeat and occupation by the Assyrian Empire. Professor Robson discusses the explosion of literacy in ancient Babylon and how it provides us with a unique view into the lives of both the great and the ordinary Babylonian through monuments, letters and treaties.

Babylon is the name of an ancient city located on the lower Euphrates river in southern Mesopotamia. Babylon functioned as the main cultural and political centre of the Akkadian-speaking region of Babylonia, with its rulers establishing two important empires in antiquity, namely the 18th century BC Old Babylonian kingdom and the 7th-6th century BC Neo-Babylonian Empire, and the city would also be used as a regional capital of other empires, such as the Achaemenid Empire. Babylon was one of the most important urban centres of the ancient Near East until its decline during the Hellenistic period.

1. What were the origins of Babylonia?
2. Who was King Hammurabi? What was the Code of Hammurabi?
3. What do we know about King Hammurabi’s personality?
4. To what extent did Babylon take over from Nippur as the pre-eminent ‘holy city’ in Mesopotamia? Can you tell us about some of the religious changes that took place during this period especially with regards to the pantheon?
5. Who were the main powers during the period of the Old Babylonian kingdom? What were relations like between these powers?
6. What conditions led to the decline of the First Babylonian dynasty and the sack of Babylon? What impact did this have on Babylonian culture?
7. Can you tell us about Babylonian literature?
8. Do we have access to Babylonian letters and correspondence?
9. Can you tell us about Old Babylonian innovations in maths and astronomy?
10. Can you tell us about Old Babylonian architecture and art?
11. What was the Kassite dynasty (1595-1155 BC)? How did Babylonia develop and change under the Kassites?
12. Who was Nebuchadnezzar I? What was his significance?
13. The Amarna Letters: Diplomacy, trade and power.
14. How did Babylonia change under Assyrian rule (911–619 BC)? How did Babylonians resist?

In order to access the full content of the podcasts please Login or Join the HA.