HASB0105FU ASY, Babylonian Language and Cuneiform 1 (F27)

This course offers an introduction to the Old Babylonian dialect of the Akkadian language, the oldest of the Semitic languages. Akkadian served as the primary spoken language for long periods in ancient Mesopotamian history, and it was written in cuneiform from approximately 2500 BCE to 80 CE. Akkadian developed into two main dialects: Babylonian in the south and Assyrian in the north of modern-day Iraq. This course focuses on the Old Babylonian dialect, which was spoken and written during the first half of the 2nd millennium BCE. During the course, you will be introduced to Old Babylonian grammar, learn to perform grammatical analyses of Old Babylonian texts in transcription (normalized text) and transliteration (character-by-character reading of the text), and practice translating various genres of Old Babylonian texts into Danish or English. Toward the end of the course, students will be prepared for a gradual transition into reading cuneiform writing. To strengthen participants’ ability to work with the Akkadian language and cuneiform, the course will introduce and practice the use of dictionaries and sign lists, as well as relevant digital resources.